Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Party Pack

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom is a well loved book in this house - both of my kids ask me to read it often. With all of those read throughs I couldn't help but be inspired by the bright colors, the fun letters and the popular little coconut tree. So, a birthday theme was born.

The party pack comes with everything you need for the perfect DIY Chicka Chicka Boom Boom party: an invitation, thank you card, welcome sign, party circles (cupcake toppers), cupcake wrappers, favor tags, a banner and printable paper!

Shop now at Zap Party on Etsy!

Announcing Birth Announcements!

I'm so excited to announce my newest line on my Etsy shop: Birth Announcements!

These beautiful photo cards are the perfect way to commemorate the birth of a new baby. Facebook allows us to announce a baby's birth the second it happens but it doesn't provide loved ones with a keepsake that they can keep forever. This is why photo announcements are still so important for today's babies. 

I have opened my birth announcement line with 6 designs and endless customization options. As always, these files are personalized by me just for you and I don't stop until your order is just the way you want it!

Check out the entire line here: Photo Birth Announcements

Free Connect The Dots For Toddlers

With my 4 year old off to preschool in the afternoons, I've been trying to think of fun and educational things to do with my 2 year old before nap. One thing I discovered is connect-the-dots. This is a fun alternative to just giving your kiddo some crayons and a blank sheet of paper.

My little guy has a blast connecting the dots and seeing what shapes he makes. I created this pdf with 5 toddler connect-the-dots sheets for you to share with your little one. The dots are random and do not make any particular shape which allows for creativity and fun for young kids! If you print them in color you can also work on learning color names while you play :)

Click the link below to open the pdf and save to your own computer so you can print as many times as you want!

Toddler Connect the Dots

Branching Out

Toothless and the TARDIS

Every so often, when I have the time, I like to create artwork and designs just for fun. Don't get me wrong, I love designing birthday invitations and party decor but sometimes I just really need to do something different now and then. Like, create a picture of Toothless the Dragon climbing on the TARDIS or imagine what would happen if R2D2 met a Dalek. Up until a few weeks ago, that "something different" was hidden on my computer and seen by only me.

I recently decided to share some of my "just for fun" designs as t-shirts on TeePublic and as prints on a completely separate Etsy Shop, Art of Zap. I don't have much listed on either site yet but I'm looking forward to adding to them and showing you another side of Zap Studios!

Toothless TARDIS Poster

My Little Snow Queen

Friday Fun Finds: Thanksgiving

We've started planning for Thanksgiving at my house and I'm getting excited for a day of family, fun and of course food! Thinking of Turkey Day is what inspired my Fun Finds from Etsy this week:

First we have a lovely Give Thanks Linen Pillow Cover from The Lauren Collection

Next is the adorable Turkey Door Hanger from Cutipiethis

These Cornucopia Chocolate Lollipops from Candy Crafts make great favors!

Decorate the mantle with these Harvest Letters from Posh n' Paint

What's your favorite thing about Thanksgiving?

How To Make Cupcake Toppers

Cupcake toppers are a cheap and easy way to decorate your cupcakes and tie in your party party theme! On this page I will walk you through the steps needed to make your own cupcake toppers. It's so easy a four year old can do it! (Mine helped me!)

For this tutorial I'm using the Rapunzel circles that I designed for my daughter's birthday party. Get them for your own party: Rapunzel Party Circles. You can buy a circle design from your favorite printable designer or you can design your own.

When I first designed these circles I crammed as many as I could on one page. I regretted that decision as soon as I started cutting. I recommend keeping it to 12 or fewer circles on a page.

After choosing your circle design you will want to print the circles. I recommend 100# card stock for the perfect durability.

Time required: It took me 20 minutes to make 30

Difficulty: easy

Cost: Cost depends on quantity made

Materials:

Circle Design printed on card stock

Tools:

2 inch circle punch
Scotch Tape
Drink Stirrers

Instructions:

1. Cut your cardstock into strips

Just cut underneath each row of circles to create horizontal strips. This will make it much easier to punch out the circles.

2. Punch out the circles

Using a 2' circle punch makes it super easy to punch out even circles. Just line them up in the punch and push!

My current circle punch is actually not ideal for cupcake toppers because I have to turn it upside down to see what I'm doing. The Fiskars Extra Large Round 'n Round is on my Christmas list to make this process even easier :)

3. Attach the stick to the back of the circle.

Super duper easy! I usually just use tape. It's on the back of the circle so it never shows in pictures and kids don't mind! If your stirrer is of the flat, wooden variety you can also use a glue stick or craft glue to attach it to the circle.

You will need to use glue instead of tape if you want your circles to be double sided - just glue one circle to each side of the stick.

4. Be happy!

You just made your very own party decor! Use these in cupcakes, cake, favor boxes, potted plants... whatever fits your fancy. Enjoy the party!

Christmas Card Wording

One of my favorite Christmas activities is creating and sending Christmas cards to my friends and family. I spend a lot of time choosing the perfect design, the perfect image and the perfect wording for my card. I hope that when my loved ones open their cards they will smile and truly feel the joy of the season. That may be a tall order but it doesn't hurt to try!

In this post you will find a wonderful collection of Christmas phrases, quotes and sayings that work very well on Christmas and Holiday cards. I hope you find the perfect wording here for your card here and your holidays are merry and bright.

Joy to the world! May your Christmas be full of wonder and delight! 

May you find great comfort and joy this holiday season.

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Let us celebrate by spreading joy and Christmas cheer!

May you unwrap lots of joy, love, peace and laughter this Christmas!

May the Christmas spirit keep you warm and full of joy this holiday season.

Wishing you warmth, joy and peace this Christmas and always

Joy, Love, Warmth and Peace. These are my wishes for you at Christmas and all through the year.

May your days be merry and bright

and may your hearts be filled with light

May you give peace and love every day

and get back more than you pay

Merry, merry Christmas to you

and happy new year too!

Bright baubles and pretty decor,

holly and ivy adorn the front door,

Colorful gifts under a festive pine tree,

Joyful time spent with friends and family,

Wishing you a Christmas merry and bright,

and a heart that is full of love and light.

Add a famous Christmas quote to your card to make it more interesting and really grab attention. Sometimes quotes can be the best way to really express how you feel. These quotes about Christmas are perfect for using on a Christmas card.

"I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year." - Charles Dickens

"Christmas is the day that holds all time together." - Alexander Smith

"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold,
everything is softer and more beautiful." - Norman Vincent Peale

Are you willing to believe that love is the strongest thing in the world -
stronger than hate, stronger than evil, stronger than death -
and that the blessed life which began in Bethlehem nineteen hundred years ago
is the image and brightness of the Eternal Love? Then you can keep Christmas. - Henry Van Dyke

"What is Christmas?
It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future.
It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich
and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace." - Agnes M. Pharo