Layla's 2nd Birthday: Invitations, Birthday Onesie, Cake & Cupcakes

Our niece, Layla, turned TWO in November. She loves ladybugs and her nickname is Laylabug. I made her birthday invitations . . . ladybugs, of course! It goes without saying that I used my handy-dandy Cricut. The Doodlecharms cartridge has so many fantastic cuts on it including this wonderful little ladybug. The party information is on the ladybug's tummy -- printed from my home printer -- and included a picture of the birthday girl. And yes, they have googly-eyes! The spots are outlined with red glitter. They fit in a standard sized invitation envelope.

I also made Layla a birthday onesie featuring her favorite "critter." She loved it . . . "Aunt Jen made me ladybug shirt, Mommy!"

Once again I used my wonderful little Cricut and the Doodlecharms and Calligraphy Collection cartridges. This is the "freezer paper" method that I have discussed in previous posts. (Shortened version: cut design out of freezer paper, iron freezer paper on to the fabric, paint, dry and peel freezer paper off!) The ladybug's eyes are tiny white buttons that I stitched on and there are black grosgrain ribbon bows stitched on at both shoulders.

Dee created the most incredible cake! It was her second multi-tiered cake and it tasted as wonderful as it looked. The bottom layer was white cake with buttercream filling and covered in marshmallow fondant. The second tier is chocolate with buttercream and fondant and so is the ladybug on top. The only non-edible pieces on the cake are the ladybug's antennae.

Together we created some "too-cute-to-eat" cupcakes! They were a very large pain in the butt to make, but very cute and the kids at the party devoured them. The ladybug body is an oreo cakester dipped in red chocolate melts, the head is a mini-oreo, the antennae is piped chocolate, the ladybug's spots are black M & Ms and the rest is tinted royal icing -- Dee created the grass with a special Wilton icing tip (looks cool, doesn't it!).

Two Birthday Cards and an Apology

First, the apology . . . I promised myself that I would be a better blogger in 2010 and I haven't done so well.

Dee and I have been sick with the nastiest upper respiratory infection since the first of the year. In the midst of that my Mom married on January 30 and we did all the invites, menu cards, buffet tags, favors, and programs for she and Stan (still have the announcements to create!). As well as helping two of her girlfriends throw her a surprise Bridal Shower (more invitations, favors, buffet tags, gift and desserts). A client hired us to do baby shower invitations, buffet tags, door sign and a diaper cake for her sister for January 31. And we've had several family birthdays and are getting ready for our niece Lexie's 1st birthday (invitations and a 3-tiered cake) in March! Demi will be 6 in April and we have a baby shower to throw for our older daughter and son-in-law in mid-April (she's due with a boy the first week of May). Whew!

So . . . whilst I get my ducks in a row, here are two birthday cards I created -- one for my older daughter's birthday on February 5 and the other for my Mom's birthday on February 10. Both were created using the Cricut and a new cartridge I received for Christmas, "Walk in My Garden."

Merry Christmas!

Contrary to popular belief, I have NOT fallen off the planet.

Since I last blogged we have:

. . . created birthday invitations for our niece's 2nd birthday party . . . Dee created a three-tiered ladybug birthday cake & ladybug cupcakes for the 2nd birthday party . . . lost Dee's beloved grandmother, Sara Taylor on November 7. . .had a deer hit us and do significant damage to the Gatormobile in the wee hours of the morning on November 9 outside of Huntsville, AL (on our way to Nana's funeral) . . . planned and enjoyed our older daughter's wedding on November 22 . . . created wedding invitations for said daughter's wedding as well as one for a client . . . created and completed invitations for a January bridal shower . . . created, but not completed, wedding invitations for my Mom's wedding on January 30 . . . created, but not completed, baby shower invitations for a baby shower on January 31 . . . in the planning stages for a dear friend's daughter's October wedding invitations . . . made many Christmas gifts . . . finally decorated our house for Christmas on December 20 . . . celebrated Dee's dad's birthday on December 21 . . . planned and will be preparing a Christmas Eve dinner for approximately 12 people, a Christmas morning brunch for 8, and cooking for a Christmas evening potluck dinner and gift exchange for 17 people at my sister's home.

Oh, yeah . . . and all of the day-to-day stuff you have with a 5 year old at home. Can't forget the precious babies we care for five days a week -- who are not really babies anymore! Layla is 2 now, the twins turned 1 in October and Lexie is 9 mos. old. NEVER a dull moment at our house!!!

Whew! When I can catch my breath, I have many photos to post! But for now you'll just have to accept my best wishes for a safe and joyful Christmas and a very happy New Year!

~ Jennifer