Backyard Rabbit Tea Party

 We planned the Rabbit Tea Party for a couple days.  I told Miss G that it would be after her nap on Wednesday.  As I put her down for nap on Wednesday, big blue eyes looked up at me and said, "I invited a lot of rabbits to my Rabbit Tea Party.  Are you sure we have enough carrots?  (smile) Yes, I am sure.

 Mr. Hop sat on a stack of old books so that he could reach the table and snacks.

 We served cucumber slices, baby carrots, and mint water. (smile)

 She DID invite a lot of rabbits!

 She even wore rabbit ears! (they were left over from Easter)

 It was the perfect day for a Rabbit Tea Party under the shade of an old oak tree.

 The rabbits were quickly moved around the snacks.

 And then they feasted on cucumbers and baby carrots - all the rabbits and Miss G.

 It all began with this vegetable centerpiece - a picket fence basket from Michael's Craft Store and some veggies from the produce section at Kroger.  Beautiful.

Garden Party Inspiration

So...somewhere Miss G got inspired to have a Rabbit Tea Party.  Okay!  I went with it.  I found this picket fence basket at Michael's Crafts Store and painted it white.  Before I set up for the Tea Party (while she was napping), I decided to play with themes.  Maybe they will give you inspiration for a backyard tea party or a birthday party.

 I made a simple bunting from shades of green and patterned papers from Archivers, Joanns, and Michaels.  I added a fresh cabbage, purple cabbage, carrots, and radishes to my picket fence basket.  I had a piece of indoor/outdoor carpet.  It looked like grass, so I added that.  Then I bought one yard of green and white gingham for the tablecloth.
 Here, I have a bird from the Dollar Store, a blue frame that I found in the dollar section at Michael's, and a Schleich hedgehog.  I just have a collection of stuff and just tried different combination.  This would be cute for a boy or girl or birthday party or a baby shower.

 Here is the close up.  Isn't it just darling?

 This would make a cute and simple bug themed party.  I got the bugs from Target's Summer section.  I think they are by Sunny Patch.

 Mr. Hop is read for his tea party.  I stacked old books so that he could see the table. :) I think it adds a little whimsy.

 Three Green Owls - they are from Oriental Trading Company.  But again...simple and cute.

 Here is a family of deer.

 The baby shower could be themed "Dear Little One" or something.  These are Schleich deer.

 The Woodland Animal theme.  I did this a few years ago for my brother and sister in-law's baby shower.  I had cross-sections of logs and sticks and ferns and twigs, too.

 This mushroom is actually a pen.  It added that little something, something to the décor.

 This one is Simply Rabbit - oh! you know what this would be so cute for?  The kids' table at Easter.

 Whooooo's Having A Baby? or Whooooo's Turning 2?  Owl-themed party.  The green owl is from Oriental Trader.  The blue one is actually a chapstick/lip gloss.  The brown owl is from Schleich.  (They made thee best animals!)

Here is Just A Snail...could be a garden party theme, a snail theme, you name it.  Again, simple and cute.  Birthday parties and baby showers can be elegant and simple and beautiful.  I used veggies (bought at Kroger) instead of flowers and I added a few whimsical touches.

Sewing Fairy Workshop

Sewing Fairy House kit coming soon

I want to do some fairy house making kits in my etsy store that were specialized.  I think the Sewing Fairy has a very important job.  She makes all the garments for the fairies and quilts the baby blankets for the baby fairies.  She has all the tools that she needs to sew up something special.

Coming soon to:

www.etsy.com/melanieshanks

Field of Wishes

 

 

 This weekend is Graduation for the Class of 2013.
My daughter is Graduating.
I am not sure if I should be happy...
or sad
First, when did I become old enough to have a kid that's graduating?
Second, how can I slow down time?
She will be off to college in August
So our Gilmore Girl life is about to change.
A lot.
A LOT A LOT
Recently, on a walk together, we saw a whole field of dandelions.
My senior said, "It looks like a field of wishes."
{smile}
I wish for her a field of wishes
happiness and adventure and love and...all that plus more rolled into one giant jellyroll :)
Congrats Class of 2013
this is only the beginning

It's been a hard week

I know everyone seems to have this same feeling.

It's been a hard week.

Boston bombings.

The Texas fertilizer plant.

Sinkhole.

Boston shutdown.

Personal disappointments.

Needless to say, there have been a lot of tears this week.  Sad, grieving ones.  And happy, joyful one.

My oldest daughter was inducted into the National Honor Society on Monday.  Wednesday, she celebrated 18 years.  My youngest daughter played in a tournament in Toledo this weekend and the team placed 3rd place.

I know America is feeling the same way that I am - sad that two men could cause so much devastation but proud of all the helpers that rose to the occasion.  I watched with tears in my eyes how many police and firemen and everyday joes began immediately lending hands to those injured.  America is an amazing place.

I am just being raw and open.  So much has happened this week.

Take care & be safe,
Mel

Thatched Roof

I found this wooden bug catcher at Michael's and immediately thought, "this is fairy-sized."  I took the screening off and spray painted with a stone texture spray paint.

This little fairy is sleeping in an Altoids tin all snug and comfy.

The thatched roof is actually a coconut line for a flower pot.  It looks like the perfect thatched roof.  Oh, how I want to live in England :) someday  or at least visit.