Back To School

Today was Monkey's first day of preschool.  I just love photos when kids hold a sign saying the grade & date, so I made one for him.  I used a Display Board & simple papers, added some letters & hand-wrote the date.  Every year I'll make a new apple with the grade and write a new date.  How fun it will be to look back at how much he grows over the years!  I'll have these in my etsy shop (with & without the display board) for those who don't want to put in the work, but it was minimal effort for large impact!

By the way, his teachers loved their apples!

{Current Project} Welcome Baby Boy!

Babies are abound this season!  It seems like there are lots of little ones in my social circle, so I created this cute little card to welcome them.  I tuck it in with a meal for the parents, along with one of the 'Baby' Simply Said books from Creative Memories as a gift for the parents.  All new parents needs meals -- I so remember that lack of sleep.  Who can stand up-right long enough to cook?  So I send a meal, along with a personal card to say "I Care!" and a keepsake book so that they, too, can keep track of the wonderful memories the new little one brings their way.  Of course, I'd probably go pink of the card for a baby girl -- or if it was someone I knew well use colors/themes from the new nursery.

How do you recognize the new little ones in your life?  Do you have anything special you do?

{Current Project} Birthday Card for Grandma

Here's my current project - I'm making a birthday card for my step-mother, whom my kids call Mimi.

I hope your inspired to hold on to some memories & add some playfullness to today!

Paperchains by a 4 yr old

Monkey made these beautiful paper chains!  We started the project as a fun craft (he loves crafts) to help with his motor skills.   Cutting, pasting, looping together -- all good for his four year old little hands.  It took me helping him with the first few rings, then he totally got the hang of it and was off on his own.  When I saw how wonderful these turned out I told him he was going to make some for his birthday (in November) and he enthusiastically said, "Okay!".  So now to settle on a birthday theme, color scheme, etc so he can get to work.  Meanwhile, enjoy his artwork.

Man, I love that little guy!

Current Project: Swim Lesson Thank You

This is digital crafting as opposed to paper crafting, but to me it's not a far stretch.  It's just paper crafting on the computer!  I used the Creative Memories StoryBook Creator Software to create this cute card for Monkey's swim lesson teacher.  He'll give it to her on the last day with a $5 Starbucks gift card as our way of saying "Thanks!"

Current Project: Morning Routine

This is an in-progress project that I'm working on to help Monkey get ready in the mornings.  He does really well with routine while I, on the other hand, am more on the flexible side.  So to create some structure for him I'm making this poster board that shows what he needs to do each morning.  The title & decorations are still in process so this is a draft, we'll call it.

I took pictures of everything he needs to do in the morning (brush his teeth, get dressed, make his bed, etc.), printed them wallet size & laminated them.  Then I put strips of velcro on the board with the opposite side on each photo.  Every night I pick out what he'll need for the morning (for instance, I have a picture of a jacket for mornings he needs to wear a jacket - such as to preschool in the fall, but for these hot summer days I don't put it up).  I stick the pics to the velcro & when he gets up he can choose what order he gets ready.  As he completes a task he removes the photo & puts it in the envelope at the bottom.  He's ready to go when the board is empty!

Tomorrow's Schedule

Now, if I'll just finish it up like I want -- complete the title, add some cute decorations - a sunshine was a good start, but don't you think it needs something else?  I'm thinking some stickers of a rooster, alarm clock or other morning related items.

Next up - a bedtime poster.  Softer colors (blues), with a moon, stars, etc.  Maybe a picture of the book, "Goodnight Moon."

Birthday Party Decorations

I created these adorable decorations for Roo's first birthday party.  I chose the colors orange & aqua, selected paper & fabrics to match, then made a Happy Birthday banner, circle garland with his name, and a giraffe to display the first 12 months of photos.  I used the computer to create labels for the party favors (mints & bubbles).  I also ordered a custom hat, bib & onesie to go with the theme.  Take a look & let me know what you think :)

Happy Birthday Garland

Matching bib & hat & purchased on etsy,
along with his giraffe blanket

Giraffe cake I made with purchased paper plates to match

Mints with a coordinating label

Giraffe with photos from the first 12 months

Bubbles have the same label as the mints.
I put one of his giraffe toys on the tray for decorations

A small smash cake that was all his!

I don't seem to have a picture of the garland I made with his name, but it was just as cute as the banner; you'll have to trust me =)

First Day Teacher Gifts

I just created these cute little gems for Monkey's first day of preschool.  I thought an apple for the teacher was classic & wanted to jazz it up with my own special touch.  You can make your own!  Shop my site for materials (message me for details) or for those wanting to bypass the work, buy directly from my etsy shop.

Apple for the Teacher
First Day Teacher Gift

Intro

Hi, I'm Pamela!  I papercraft for the every day life.  I'm a stay-at-home mom to 2 boys and I love documenting their lives, decorating for their birthday parties, making cards for my friends and bringing some playfulness to the little things in life!

My Family
Monkey, Me, Roo, Tensil