My dear first born daughter has turned 13. This last weekend we had a huge birthday bash at the house. 25 teens and tweens, food, glow sticks, and music. Needless to say, the party was a huge hit. And I for one was pretty proud of the decorations. Decor for a young teen is tricky. They want the place to be cool looking, but not “too much” – what ever THAT means.
This birthday banner turned out pretty cute and was super easy and fast to make. I started by printing out all the letters onto 4×6 cardstock. Then I simply embellished each card with a little different treatment; some of the treatments included…
- Cut the letters out and mount them on the 4×6 patterned paper, using foam dots for demension. (Hambly Screen Prints is always a nice modern choice)
- Add a simple crepe paper ruffle to the back of a couple of the letters.
- Stick on bling adds some fun to a couple of the letters. Try following the curve of the script for a really pretty look.
- Paint over the letters with glue and glitter for even more blingy goodness.
- Premade paper flowers are an easy accent. (there are from Girl’s Paperie)
- “Flair” from American Crafts give the banner a younger teen touch.
String onto ribbon and tie. This banner took about 45 minutes to create – and that included the time it took to look for embellies!
If you would like to make a banner like this, or make it your own – you can download the letter cards here. These are sized for 4×6″ but you can use them however you like!
Download the banner cards
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Sedona is 7 today. My baby… my baby is 7. Happy Birthday my little one.
A little about Sedona
- She is the youngest of three sisters. (Sierra 12, Savannah 10, Sedona 7)
- Sedona is full of life, the spunkiest little thing you have ever met. She is wise beyond her years.
- She takes piano, jazz, and ballroom. The girl loves to shake her groove thang!
- Sedona can be a little diva. She is generally a very good girl, but she has been known to throw a divalicous fit every once in a while.
- Full of life, she is always singing, laughing, giggling, and just bringing so much joy to our life.
- The girl can TALK. (and talk and talk!)
- Her birthday is the day after her Uncle Eric!
I love you little one. Hope you have a great day!
A few weeks ago was my dear nephew’s First birthday party. In true Cabrera style, it was an event to behold! Mom was in charge of cooking, and cooked for a week! Lea bought the best of everything for her little prince, and I… did the decorations. As you can see, I was very inspired by what I saw at CHA just a few days before the party. Specifically what I saw at the Girls Paperie booth! Margie and her team worked MAGIC. I was just a little sad that her line wouldn’t be ready for my party. (but there is always a Cabrera party around the corner!)
This banner greated guests in our main party area. Since I had very little time to get all the decorations done. To put it together was pretty simple. I started with some premade chipboard letters by Making Memories. I covered them in real German Glass Glitter. (Meyer Imports)
To finish, I adhered die cut scalloped circles to vintage book papers, then adhered the letters. I ripped the bottom of the book papers and strung up the whole thing with ribbon.
For the bows, I used vintage sewing pattern paper. To create..
Create a paper rossette. (great instruction can be found at Paper Source) and set aside.
Cover a chipboard circle with a scallop circle cut from patterened paper of your choice.
But the sewing pattern paper into long strips, and loop into a bow like shape. Use craft wire to “tie” together. Hot glue the rossette to the bow. Glue the chipboard to the center of the rossette, and add a glittered monogram.
I used the same technique to create this rossette. I simply adhered it to a long wooden dowel.
No secret at all that I am a HUGE fan of Gary Allen. So you can image how thrilled I was when I found out that he would be playing the weekend of my Birthday. So last night was the big night, and it was such an incredible show. The perfect way to celebrate getting a little older. (Not to mention that it was also his birthday!) This was one of Gary’s best shows for certain. And it was so refreshing to go to shoe and actually enjoy the opening acts! The Eli Young band and Jack Ingram were really great as well. I will be sure to look out for them coming through town. But the highlight was Gary Allen for sure.
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Don’t you just love life? Full of all the ups and downs and stresses that come with it all. Today is my Birthday. A day that was much more fun when I was younger.Don’t get me wrong… I am looking forward to a birthday dinner at my favorite restaurant in SLC and a Birthday treat.. going to see my FAVORITE country singer in concert tomorrow night! But it just feels like I have reached another benchmark. Another year to look back and wonder if I did everything I could have? Am I wiser? Did I take time to enjoy the truly important things? And who am I? This is where I am a little stuck this year. I am a mother, a daughter, a sister, a friend. I love my church calling. (A job that I am assigned to do at church, I happen to be a teacher) I really love my JOB. But what else?As “loony tunes” as this may sound, I really can’t help but feel like I am destined for more. Another year passes and I am still at a loss for that deeper meaning. A higher calling to my life. So as I look at the year ahead.. my birthday wish is this. That I can make the time to enjoy my family more. That I can work to find that deeper calling, something to give my life a little more meaning. And that I will make a difference in someone’s life who is in need. Oh, and to have more fun. I think we can use just a little more fun!
What a great day however busy weekend. We celebrated papa’s 66th Bday today. It was a great day filled with lots of food, friends, and family. Here is Papa with all his grandkids. Mama made her famous lumpia and pancit for lunch. The kids spent sometime outside hanging out with Papa and indulging our spontaneous photoshoot.
It was a little bitter sweet as my nieces are getting ready to move across the country. We will miss them dearly. They usually come over every other weekend to play and hang out. Their sweet spirits will be missed.
I did learn a little lesson today. Never shop for the party goods while you are brain dead. I bought candles that said 56 instead of 66! My kids will never let me live this down. ha! More pictures to come.
