Valentine's Hunt and Topper

Hi Everyone- It has been a very crazy week here.  My kids were out of school for two day (some of them for more with this horrible flu) and I have been working on some adorable Valentine's printables and a party that I will share with you really soon.  I want to put up this free fun Valentine's party activity that goes with the rest of my printables. It's supposed to rain here all weekend, so we plan on playing it indoors!

You know that I love scavenger hunts for parties because they work for children of any age.  Hide the hearts in harder places for older kids or make the kids find the hearts in numerical order depending on their ability.

Once the kids have hunted down all the hearts, reward them with this little bags of conversation hearts.

Love this color scheme for Valentine's- fresh, fun and yummy.  It also matches new flavors of candy heart that I found at Target.  They come in ice cream flavors now!  Click on each of the images to download.

Have a great weekend!

Jenny

Pretty Perfect Party Feature

I was so excited yesterday when my lemonade stand was featured on Amy Atlas.  My kids and I had planned on having this during spring break but Mother Nature had other ideas.  We were rained out for a few day and I ended up missing the blog post I had originally scheduled.  But when life gives you lemons....

So see, everything turned out for the best.  Do you recognize the stand from Charlotte's Apple of My Eye Party?  Best part of the lemonade stand- all of these item were store bought and I just fancied them up. (I took pink sprinkles to my local donut store and the made the all pink sprinkle donuts for me.) I love the pink, yellow and white color scheme!
If you would like the banner, I am happy to send it to you if you 

1. Are a follower of Bloom (Sign up now, if you're not already one, on the right side bar).

2. Leave me a comment with your email on this blog- (not pinterest or Facebook- sorry it is too hard to keep track of who received it)

I would also appreciate it if you

Like me on Facebook. If you already like me, share this giveaway.

Follow me on Pinterest.

A thousand thanks to Amy, Lisa and the entire AAE team for featuring the stand!
XO,
Jenny

When skies are gray

Happy Friday-

Make sure to enter the give away from Wednesday.
If you would like the above printable, I'm happy to send it to you!
You must be a follower of Bloom (on the right sidebar).  Leave me a comment with your email.


SO- Plan A for our post today was an extremely cute lemonade stand dessert table to go along with lemonade week.  The treats are absolutely adorable (been staring at them all morning) and my kids couldn't wait for this afternoon to set up their stand and sell! Then, we woke up to rain, hail and thunder.  It has been pouring all day long with no end in sight.  Did I check the weather? Yes, but even when it rains here in Southern California, it's not for this long.

SO- Plan B? I was very surprised by several emails this week asking more about me as a person.  One in particular was from an early follower who asked where I lived.  That question seemed so basic.  Admittedly, I haven't shared a bunch about me on this blog.  I would probably have to admit that I am a somewhat shy, private person (good description for a blogger:))

HOWEVER- I have to say (write) that I really feel at home with you, my readers.  Your comments and emails have been so supportive and amazing.  I consider you all my friends and would be excited to meet any of you. It only makes sense that you should know where I live!

SO- Since a party is not in the plan,  here are a few random facts about me and answers to questions you have asked-

Where do I live?  Sunny California (just not today), 15 minutes north of L.A., pretty much my whole life. I will probably live here forever.  This is one of my favorite views.  It's from my bedroom.  Each night the moon rises over these trees and is just spectacular! Such a peaceful way to fall asleep.

What about your kids? I have four little ones who are 6 (twins), 8 and 10 years old.  3 girls and 1 boy.  

Is it hard? Heck ya.  I'm pretty much a taxi service between 3:00 and 8:00 each day.  However, life is much easier now than when they were little. At one point, I had 4 kids under 5.  I don't really remember much about my twins' first 2 years of life.  My brain's probably protecting me (haha).  It was a lot about just getting through the moment.  My kids are at a great age now and they always have someone to play with.  I wouldn't have it any other way.  I would miss all the juggling, noise and chaos.

How do I find time to blog?  I'm a night owl.  I usually start my "work" about 8:00 at night and go to bed sometime after midnight.  Hate getting up in the morning though and really need 8 hours of sleep which I catch up on over the weekends.

Favorite color? For things- pink, clothes- black, my house- white (yes, even with four kids.  It bleaches great!)

I'm a horrible speller- I could read by sight when I was 4, so I never had to learn phonics.  I'm certain there are lots of spelling and punctuation errors in my posts.  Please, excuse me.

Favorite food? Mexican, for sure.  I eat it no less than 5 times a week. LOVE spicy salsa!

Ahead for me- We moved from a perfectly lovely, newly remodeled house to a total tear down about 18 months ago.  I really not kidding.  As I type, I'm waiting for our septic tank to overflow from all the rain today and last night I woke up to drops of rain hitting my pillow.  It is, beyond a doubt, the worst house on the block by leaps and bound.  Why did we move?  The lot is great and the street is amazing.  I have the most amazing neighbors in my little area!  We are working on floor plans for a beautiful new house for our family.  Hopefully, it will be built before they go off to college. Someday I hope to share our remodeling stories.

Have a great weekend!
XO,
Jenny

Make It Monday- Burlap Banner

Happy Monday!  Ready for some Easter inspiration?  Today we're making a burlap bunny banner that is perfect for any spring get together or even a little birthday party.  I've been trying to choose crafts for Make It Mondays that can be adapted to various holidays or party themes.  This banner can be made with any image or message on any sturdy fabric using the same techniques.

Supplies: burlap, acrylic paint, ribbon, a brush, scissors and tacky glue.  

*Learning moment- I originally planned to paint the bunnies in pink but once I started I saw that there was not enough contrast so I switched my design to white.  Test the color on a small swatch of fabric to make sure its what you want before diving in.

You will also need a stencil.  If you want mine, you must be a bloom follower.  Send me an email and I will send you the pdf.

Cut out your triangle, outline the shape on your fabric and cut your flags.

Cut out the bunny with scissors or an exacto knife

Lay the stencil over the fabric and fill in the bunny shape.  I did not have a real stencil brush.  My paint brush worked fine.  Just make sure you paint from outside in (paper to fabric) so that the paint doesn't get under the stencil, ruining your shape!

Once the bunnies have dried, use tacky glue to attach them to your ribbon and hang it up.

Want something easier but just as cute?  Simply print multiple copies of the stencil, cut, hole punch and weave together with ribbon.  Darling. You can even add glitter or a pom pom on the tail.

Back tomorrow with amazing party inspiration and we'll use the rest of the week on our party planning series.  A quick thanks to Jamielyn of I Heart Nap Time, Jamie of My Baking Addiction and Lindsay at Southern Lovely for making my week already.  These ladies are fabulous and so are their blogs.  Check them out!   Have a great day.

XO