Show Your Child How Much They've Grown

If you want to design a room that no one else will have, take a look at PopDecors. They have some really unique decals that I haven't seen in any other shop, and have over 120 for you to choose from! You can find anything from little animals to a portrait of Marilyn Monroe:

I love the idea of a growth chart that allows your child to see their progress as well. They love to see proof that they’re getting older and bigger. This one from PopDecors is adorable! The “ruler” portion came in 2 parts, so it was a bit tricky getting them aligned just right so that it was straight and the measurements were correct. Also, I had to remove the backing paper really slowly to make sure all of the lines stuck to the transfer paper properly. This decal set came on opaque transfer paper, which I feel doesn’t stick as well as clear transfer paper to the decals so you have to be careful when peeling off the backing. However, the opaque paper makes transferring onto the wall easier than the clear paper, so you decide which you prefer to deal with ;). My walls are very textured, so I had to go slow when transferring to make sure all the lines stuck. This part took patience, but the rest of it was a piece of cake. The monkeys came fully assembled in strands of 3, making their transfer process quick and painless. There were very clear instructions included, and I was pleasantly surprised that the set came with lots of pink polka dot decals in a variety of sizes. I spread them out around the growth chart, and it filled the wall nicely. So cute! I can’t wait to measure my daughter’s height on it!

PopDecors is offering giveaways of gift cards to two lucky winners. The top winner will receive a $25 ecard. The second place winner will receive a $15 ecard. 

Mandatory Entry:
1) follow my blog

2) go to PopDecors and comment about your favorite item

Extra Entries:
1) include popdecors.etsy.com link in your blog or facebook

2) like my fanpage AnnelynDesigns

3) follow popdecors facebook

4) go to my etsy store AnnelynDesigns and comment about your favorite item
5) create a treasury including an item from PopDecors
6) create a treasury including an item from AnnelynDesigns

7) go to one of my sponsor's stores (buttons on the left hand column) and tell me your favorite item
8) love PopDecors on Etsy
9) love AnnelynDesigns on Etsy

I will choose the winners via random.org on Wednesday, July 20, 2011. Good luck!

Nursery Decals

Surface Inspired has some really cute decals that would look great in a nursery or child's room. 

They have awesome customer service that goes well beyond the norm:
"MONEY BACK GUARANTEE - If you don't like your new wall decal, get your Money Back (Including shipping charges)! For Your Full Satisfaction, use our Free Color Exchange so you absolutely LOVE your new wall decal"

They also have great promotions:

"- New WIN YOUR MONEY BACK contest is starting soon. Click here for the event details: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=136645756409485

- Like us on FACEBOOK and receive 15% OFF!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Surface-Inspired/164029650277743
- Become our member and SAVE 20% off today!
Follow this link to our sign up form: http://eepurl.com/ct97b"

     When my husband and I moved into our new house, the main room I wanted to decorate was the nursery. We had spent a lot of time on our daughter's room in our previous house, but only lived in it for a year. I figured since she wouldn't even remember that room, I had to do at least as much as I did there in her new room! The theme of her room was animals, so I needed something that would match the theme and color scheme. When I saw this tree decal set I knew it was perfect. I was able to get the birds to match her room colors, and the little monkeys are so cute! I was a bit worried that the tree would be difficult to put up, but with help from my friend, it was simple. The tree came in several parts, but because of the clear transfer paper, it was easy to line up the parts...you can't even tell where the seams are! We followed the diagram when placing the leaves on the branches (though you could just spread them out however you like) and I was actually sent some extra leaves and lots of extra birds. I will spread these extras out - a nice touch since the design will be continuous throughout her room. 

Make sure to check out Surface Inspired! These decals are removable and look like paint when applied to walls....the perfect solution if you can't paint your walls.

Party Poms

I love the look of tissue paper poms. I think they are so festive and look prettier than balloons. I am featuring 2 Etsy stores that specialize in these poms, and each has a unique look to them. These poms were so easy to fluff, and I even managed to reuse them for a second party. You can take the time to flatten them, but I just put them all into a box and re-fluffed for the party! All poms came on monofilament, giving the poms a nice "floating" look when hung up. 

The first store is Perfect Poms, and I received 3 different sizes in turquoise, citrus green, and hot pink. These poms had more of a star look to them because of the way they were cut. These would look beautiful for any occasion, but especially for a night-time or outdoor party since they look so whimsical. I really like how the large turquoise one looked under our banner, since it looked like a light fixture/chandelier. I also like the designs pictured below on the right. The gray color of the first pom is so pretty and the shape is quite unique, and the tri-color centerpiece pom is totally original - I haven't come across another store making them yet! I could see these used anywhere from a tea party to a formal reception. Make sure to check out Perfect Poms' on Etsy, and like their Facebook page too!


A little info about Perfect Poms' creator, Nelia:
     "I find the whole creation process very rewarding. I enjoy seeing a space transform into something beautiful just by adding bright and colorful poms. I get most of my inspiration and creative ideas from my mom. She is a very talented woman (former florist) with a great eye for design and color!"

The second store is called DecoPOMS. I received a party package to review, which included 2 large, 2 medium, and 2 sets of garlands. These poms are cut with rounded ends, giving them a very romantic and floral look. They are so lush that I felt like I was in a garden surrounded by these poms! The garlands can be hung horizontally for a pretty canopy look (look at the picture on the right below!) but I hung them vertically to look like floating topiaries....so sweet. These would be perfect decorations for a shower or wedding!

A little info from DecoPOMS' creator, Aidreen:

     "DecoPOMS are party poms made from 100% recycled fibers. These "floating puffs" can be added to any room indoors or hung from trees outdoors to add that "WOW!" to any gathering. With over 50+ colors from which to choose, DecoPOMS can be customized to add color, fun and pizzazz to your next birthday party, shower, office party, reunion, prom, wedding or sports event."

Aidreen is offering 1 free large pom to any first time customer who likes DecoPOMs' facebook page.

Party Outfit

So what's the first thing you need when planning a party? A party outfit! 

I found the cutest little onesie, but needed a skirt and hat to match. The colors on the onesie determined what I would need, and Becky and Emily from TutuJunkies were so accommodating. The tutu came with an elastic band, so she'll be able to use it for dress up long after the party and the tulle pieces were tied on using slip-knots, which take much longer to do than regular knots but result in a much neater and more professional appearance. The tulle used was not scratchy at all, which was my concern getting a tutu, and my daughter kept it even after the party was over. I had to "comb" it afterwards using my fingers since her knees tangled the strands up a bit from her crawling, but that was easy to do. 

Here is a little info about TutuJunkies and a few other designs:

     "Tutu Junkies is a fun little shop that me and my sister just recently opened up after spending so much on tutus for my little girl who is 9 months old! We decided to make adorable tutus for an affordable price :) Also, i have been hoping to get into photography and thought it would be nice to have tutus for photo props!"

Next? A hat! Lissy's shop, Shoplissy, is full of adorable party hats and sewn items such as bibs, aprons, and wristlets. Her party hats come in such adorable combinations of color that it was hard for me to choose one! Luckily, Lissy was sweet enough to combine a few to make the perfect matching hat:

                

Here is a little info about Shoplissy and a few other designs:

     "For as long as I can remember, I have loved fabric and ribbon.... and putting the unexpected together. Combine this with my love of parties, accessories, and all things baby... and shoplissy was born. 
     I am a stay at home mom of a little boy and a baby girl, and I love to keep myself busy creating new things when I'm not chasing them around. Thanks for checking out my shop! I hope you love what you see."

Make sure to check both of these Etsy shops out to find the perfect outfit for your little one!

TutuJunkies

Shoplissy

How to Host a Handmade Party

In honor of my daughter's 1st birthday I have decided to do a party themed review month! I will be posting a few reviews and/or giveaways each day for the next week or two. Although it's certainly easier to go to a party store, pick a theme, and buy all the matching items in that section (sometimes there's just no time to plan!), I like parties that are unique and personal. SO, all of the review items are handmade by Etsy sellers....no massed produced products!

Here are a few pictures to give you a preview: