Pink Peppermint Blogger

OK, so I totally (and I mean TOTALLY) forgot I’d done these for the first day of school. A kind soul reminded me, and so I wanted to go ahead and post for you since our last day is this Friday. Sigh. These are just like the First Day signs – Pre-school through 12th grade with a few generic use ones thrown in. Links to download are included at the bottom of this post.

Also available are these “Seniors Class of 20__” signs for K-12. I took a picture of my son and several of the first graders in the neighborhood on the first day, and I’m hoping to catch them for another photo on the last day too!

2012-2013 School Year

• Kindergarten – Class of 2025
• 1st Grade – Class of 2024
• 2nd Grade – Class of 2023
• 3rd Grade – Class of 2022
• 4th Grade – Class of 2021
• 5th Grade – Class of 2020
• 6th Grade – Class of 2019
• 7th Grade – Class of 2018
• 8th Grade – Class of 2017
• 9th Grade – Class of 2016
• 10th Grade – Class of 2015
• 11th Grade – Class of 2014
• 12th Grade – Class of 2013

See. I even did the math for you! Enjoy and have a great summer!

Download Last Day of School Picture Signage here.

Download Seniors Signage here.

OK, so the Father’s Day printables that I’ve done over the years are literally blowing up my blog and on Pinterest. Well, not literally blowing up, but it’s my most popular post. Every Day. Of. The Year. So, you know. Try not to look. It’ll be kind of like a surprise. Shoot this link to Dad. Or print x number of copies and put it in his hand with writing utensils. Make it happen. I think the answers are going to be pretty funny!

Enjoy and Happy Mother’s Day! We survived another year of Cheeto fingers and selective hearing – with some good stuff in between.

Download Mother’s Day printable here.

Download Mother’s Day printable from Scribd.

I’ve been waiting for Easter to roll around again to share this adorable Egg Hunt First Birthday that Lauren and family hosted for her youngest son.

Here’s the invitation I designed with a custom bunny die cut. Lauren added a tiny blue bow. She does love some detailed hand work. “Hippity Hoppity, there’s a birthday on its way.”

There are lots of sweet little details sure to make everybunny weak in the knees.

Lauren took a class and learned to make these deco mesh wreaths, to which she attached bunnies in the center. I’m impressed.

There was signage letting guests know which way to go.

The festivities were around back so guests were pointed in the right direction with this giant carrot pointer and Egg Hunt signage.

Lauren made these great yarn eggs and hung them from the trees. I love what great visual impact they had for relatively little cost. Except time, that is. I recall that they took a while to make!

Sweet white child-size tables covered in burlap and topped with these white egg trees planted in candy were set up on the back porch. Love.

I’m pretty sure this is the cutest place setting I’ve ever seen. I love the addition of flowers and mini eggs to the grass mats. And don’t get me started on the bunny napkins. I am TOTALLY stealing that.

Each guest chair had a yarn pom bunny tail—blue for the boy bunnies and pink for the girls. Swoon.

The hungry little bunnies munched on sliders, carrots in flower cups with ranch dip, cheese, mini cream puffs, Annie’s bunny cereal dry in flower muffin liners, and assortment of fresh fruit, cheese, bunny pops, and plastic eggs for the littlest bunnies were filled with puffs and yogurt melts.

Thirsty rabbits drank from these lidded cups with bunny straws.

There were sippy cups on hand for the little ones.

Adults even got in on the fun with these cottontail drink cups.

The kids all brought their baskets and took turns hunting eggs, letting the crawlers and new walkers get in on the fun too!

There was a surprise visit from the Easter Bunny! The birthday boy was a little unsure.

Then it was time for cake.

And a sweet little Easter smash cupcake for the birthday boy!

This is one of my favorite photos. Look at the delight in his face!

I love the birthday banner too, made from kraft letters affixed to egg-shaped doilies. “Hippity Hoppy Birthday!”

Inside the house, there were more sweet decorations to be found.

Complete with a play space for baby, no less.

When it was time to pack up their eggs and go home, guests each left with a keepsake egg hand-painted by a local artist who donates proceeds to a local not-for-profit.

As we’ve come to expect, Lauren did an amazing job. Her attention to detail is unparalleled, and what a special day it made for her baby boy’s first birthday!

My team is playing in the National Championship Game tonight! I couldn’t let today go by without sharing two pieces I designed over the Fall for some friends and neighbors who share my love for my alma mater, The University of Alabama.

My friend Jolie and I talked months out about a football tie-in to the plans she had for a 40th birthday surprise for her husband Mike. Since everyone’s Fall schedules fill up so quickly around here with football games and kids’ activities, there was a little pressure to get on everyone’s calendars as far in advance as possible. We knew it would be a road game in NOLA on a certain weekend, but time, location, etc. were all still TBD, so I created this playful Save the Date card to mail out while she and her Mother-in-Law worked out the specifics.

Here’s a look at the more detailed invitation that followed several weeks later. This one was a little bit hard for me, because I LOVED the way the Save the Date turned out and wanted the two pieces to coordinate without being too matchy matchy.

I had fun playing with all the football terminology, referring to the surprise as a “game plan” or “trick play,” the party start time as “kick-off” and the outdoor setting as a “back yard scrimmage.”

Here’s a better look at both pieces together. I was very pleased with the way they turned out, and we had a blast in NOLA for the weekend!

More importantly, {he swears} we got the birthday boy good! Roll Tide.

This past weekend my sister and her family threw their 6th Annual Neighborhood Halloween party. The more they do it, the more awesome the party gets. This year’s get-together (and Halloween costumes) were inspired by a spring trip they made to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. For starters, let’s catch the Hogwarts Express from Platform 9 3/4. I love the brick element they added to the storm door. Excellent.

Oh, good! They’ve been BOOed. Wonder where they got that cute sign…

I am loving the garland and cool arrangements in the planters on the porch.

I made these reusable pumpkins for their kiddos last year using Funkins and a templates found here. Sort of gives new meaning to the word “Jack-O-Lantern.” Sorry. I couldn’t resist.

Look! There’s Prof. McGonagall now.

Here’s their party invitation–a daily dose of The Prophet inviting Hogwarts alums to attend the annual Halloween Feast. Other articles featured the kids, their daughter as a witch wanted for questioning about a Honeydukes break-in and their son as the champion seeker for the Gryffindor team.

There was a Quidditch field set up on the lawn. Brooms for everyone! The kids had a blast.

The spectators and players alike enjoyed a taste of Butterbeer straight from The Three Broomsticks.

There’s a thirsty player now. Watch out! She’s got her wand ready to strike.

Inside, there were all sorts of appropriately creepy details.

How much do I love this Ministry of Magic decal? I have a feeling it’s going to stay for a while.

And look, there’s Hedwig in the Owlery.

Watch out! The Whomping Willow lies in wait in the living room. He doesn’t look so menacing here as in the movie.

And what a spread Hogwarts puts out for their Halloween Feast! There were lots of yummy treats. Love Ollivander’s Wands made from chocolate-dipped pretzel rods.

Firebolts and Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans

Sorting Hats and Cauldron Cakes

Wizard Hats

Slytherin Sandwiches for Prof. Snape and his cohorts

Nimbus 2000s

And let’s not forget the Chocolate Frogs!

And if that wasn’t enough, how about a stroll through Honeydukes Sweetshop, which they recreated using these printables from Bakingdom.

And here’s a little Liquid Luck to wash it all down with.

What a fun way to change things up for your annual Halloween party!

My friend Katie’s oldest is starting Kindergarten in a few weeks. She mentioned that she’s been on the hunt for some cute printable signs to commemorate the first day of each school year. You know the ones you make your kids hold up in a picture on the first day of school?

Sounds cute, no? We both thought it might be a fun, free printable to offer. Here’s what I came up with. I have options for pre-school through senior year here and will likely do some that can be used for the last day of school too so you can see how much they’ve changed over the school year.

I changed up the design for the older kids. I’m sure there will still be plenty of eye rolling.

Here’s what they look like (if you don’t wait til 3:45 pm in front of your west-facing house on a 100 degree day). Sun grins. We don’t start until next week, but you get the idea!

I also got started thinking it might be fun to do some Seniors Class of … Sign printables. I always loved seeing those photos of a group of us in third grade who all graduated together years later. I hope to get some of the neighborhood boys with their Seniors Class of 2024 sign after they walk home from school on the first day! I have included Seniors Class of 2025 through Seniors Class of 2013. Here’s a cheat sheet for those of you who don’t want to do the math.

2012-2013 School Year

• Kindergarten – Class of 2025
• 1st Grade – Class of 2024
• 2nd Grade – Class of 2023
• 3rd Grade – Class of 2022
• 4th Grade – Class of 2021
• 5th Grade – Class of 2020
• 6th Grade – Class of 2019
• 7th Grade – Class of 2018
• 8th Grade – Class of 2017
• 9th Grade – Class of 2016
• 10th Grade – Class of 2015
• 11th Grade – Class of 2014
• 12th Grade – Class of 2013

Download free printable below. All signage is set up to print on an 8.5 x 11″ letter size page.

First Day of School Photo Signage

Seniors Class of 20… Signage Download

Enjoy! Back to School here we come!

You can find Last Day of School Photo signage here.

I was nosing around in some old files the other day looking to create a favor tag to go along with this bug party invitation in my online store.

I had all but forgotten about the other bug party invitation designs I did as a party of some custom design offering for this awesome bug party.

This is a hot theme this time of year, so I thought I’d show you what else I had for you to choose from.

For whatever reason, several of these are looking a bit neon on my display. They are all actually the green shown in the last invitation below–the “latest buzzz” version.

The gingham makes this version a little more preppy and playful and less, “ooh, gross. bugs!”

I think this next “Busy Bees” version works well for a bug themed party as well as Spring or Summertime soirees.

This smaller 4 x 6  inch”Latest Buzzz” version is a little less busy and works well for boys and girls.

I am working on loading my designs into a new online store, so I’m trying not to spend too much time adding items to the old store. Please know that you can ask for any design you see on the blog, whether you find it in the online store or not!

On that note, here are some bug-themed favor tags I just finished up! The fonts can easily be changed to match any of the existing invitation designs above. These are available in sets of nine. They are $10 for the first set of 9 and $5 for each additional page of the same design. So $15 for 18, $20 for 27 and so on…

All items are available with hand-punched bug munches, cut to look like bugs have been snacking on the edges of the invitation or favor tag. You can see a sample of the munching here.

Have fun buggin’ out!

We just finished up the spring youth baseball season here. One of the team members invited us all out to swim yesterday, and the boys (and a gaggle of 4-year-old sisters) had a blast! I asked what I could bring, realized the food was well taken care of and decided instead to focus my efforts on a little something for the coaches who have spent so much time and effort over these last few months working with the boys.

I thought about what would be meaningful to the coaches and wanted something each player could leave his mark on. I debated between a frame and a miniature wooden bat they could all sign. I went on a scouting trip to Michael’s and scored some small 9×9 shadowbox frames in the graduation section.  They had a small opening in the center for a photo and a wide matte that all the boys could sign. Our team was the Reds this year, so I used my cutter to make a replica of the team logo and mounted it in the center. If you don’t have access to a cutter (or have a really complicated team logo), I think a logo patch would also look pretty awesome. I used some dimensional glue dots to make the logo stand out a little.

We grabbed each kiddo on the sly at batting practice before the last game on Saturday and had them sign with their name and number. I think they turned out pretty cool. Both coaches will have boys playing ball for many years (they were both exceptional players), and I hope they will look back on their little 6- and 7-year-old signatures and remember 2012 ball fondly.

We wrapped them up Reds-style and presented them to each coach after the boys got their trophies. I think everyone was really pleased with the way they turned out!

We had SUCH a fantastic experience this year. I wish we could stay with this team and coaches every season, but if we don’t I guess I can use this idea again next season.

Who are we? REDS!

It’s been a couple of years since I’ve had any of these to share due to school policies, but this year here I am with two! Score. Here are a couple of quick and inexpensive ideas to treat classmates with on the last day of school. First up, this useful scoop o’ candy.

I thought this was a cute and easy way to give something the kids would be excited about (the candy) as well as something they could use this summer (the scoop, shovel or sand sifter). What kid doesn’t love to dig? Put your candy in the scoop, insert the whole shebang into a small (approx 4×8″) cello bag, tie off with twist tie or rubberband, and add cute ribbon and tag. Voila!

I was pretty pleased with the way these came out. Days later,  I saw a similar picture on Pinterest, and now I don’t know which came first. Did Pinterest plant the seed in my subconscious or is there some other crafty momma on the same wave length? Who’s to say at this point?

I can def claim credit for this cute tag though. I was there. I saw me make it. It says, “It’s Summertime! Can you dig it?”

I can also claim credit for this tag I whipped up for the treats Lauren’s son handed out. Moon Dough!

It reads, “Summer’s here! I’m over the moon. Have a blast and let’s play soon!” Lauren also included contact info for summer playdates, which I think is a cute touch.

She wrapped it all up space-age style with cosmic ribbon and stars. The contents were somewhat concealed so there wouldn’t be any fighting over the colors. You get what you get, and you don’t throw a fit!

Quick. Easy. Inexpensive. Festive. Happy Summer!

Just ran across a picture of a quick and easy summertime packaging I whipped up for year-end gifts last year.

If you’re even slightly crafty, there’s a good chance you have all the items you’ll need lying around your house. Yea!

You’ll need:

• green handled bag
• red- or melon-colored tissue paper
• black Sharpie marker
• 1 to 2 inch circle punch or scalloped circle punch

Draw “seeds” in marker on the visible ends of your tissue paper. Then, use a circle or scalloped punch to mimic bite marks along the top of the bag.

I finished mine off with a version of these gift enclosures and a matching grosgrain ribbon tie. What a fun and simple way to spiff up a gift for teachers or instructors when you’re breaking for the summer. It’s fun gift wrap for summer birthday present or for a hostess gift for a summertime soiree. It seriously could not be easier, and I don’t know about you, but I am all about something that looks like it took lots of effort but didn’t.

Happy summer!