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I can't remember how I found this blog but I loved her post about this Christmas decoration her husband did.
He cut out all these reverent Christmas phrases and terms and made long garlands to hang for their holiday decorations this year. As you can see, they aren't perfect letters or uniform in size. I like that about it.

So, using this idea, I created something similar for a baby shower. I bought some pink/white and blue/white striped cotton yarn (looks just like the decorative twine but much cheaper) and taped the letters on using scotch tape. I didn't have a lot of time so could only do a couple of phrases. For the boy (on the blue string) it read 'Little Boy Blue' and 'Snips & Snails'. On the girl: 'Little Miss Muffet' and 'Sugar & Spice'. I made a third strand with twin onesies, shoes and socks.
I really didn't know if it was going to work but I was relieved to find it had the effect I wanted. Next time I do a shower I will add a few more to the stash and soon be able to look like that holiday photo.
Wouldn't these be fun to have on hand for Birthdays and other events?

Gift Idea

Seriously... sometimes the holiday "should give to" list grows beyond the bounds of my limited mental capacity. Case in point: Teachers.
Dance instructors, soccer coaches, school teachers, teacher assistants... blahbleeblah.... what do you give all these peeps? I don't know. Tell me if you have any tried and true winners.
But I can suggest one idea.
I wanted to give something a little sentimental to the twins Kindergarten teacher as she also taught Elliet and is wonderful. I thought of doing a papercut of a teacher so I searched online until I found a satisfactory image which I traced, printed and cut. It's small- fit into a 6x6" frame from Ikea- and was done in less than an hour.
Thought I'd share the idea in case your stuck on what to give someone. It was easy & personal.

G in da Heeouse

Here it is.
The first actual Ghouse I have ever made. Sure, some things turned out pretty cool, but I also bet that those of you who do this more often can see gaping flaws, yes? It is fun and I want to try again next year. Perhaps it will be bigger? More modern?
Luckily I had to finish this after frosting all the cookies from earlier that day, so my creative moxy was a bit low which forced me not to over think and just do. But it was also fun to have colored frosting on hand- I was planning on using white only.
And thanks to Bake It Pretty (and failed ambitions of holiday cupcakes for.... what reason? Do I ever have one when I drop coinage at that great site??), I had cute little dears and trees to complete the side yard.
Here is where I need your help and comments. Please chime in if you have any answers. I'd love to know your thoughts....
1) I tried to avoid a big barfing mass of crazy candy colors and kept to a simple palette of Red/White (the green was an impulsive addition). But maybe I'm missing some fun? What other candies or things have you tried that look cool? (I had chocolate Necco's for the roof and ended up going with the graham cereal in the end- did I goof?)
2) Do you ever use frosting colors other than white?
3) Any other cool tips for these miniature culinary time vacuums?

Feliz Navidad!