DIY Drawstring Gift Bags and Coloring Books

Let's talk gift bags. Clare takes bags very seriously. At all times, she has  30 tiny bags filled with odds and ends from around our house and there are negotiations regarding how many bags she can take in the car, every time we go in the car. Bags are important. And right up there with bags is Miss Spider and right up there with Miss Spider is coloring. 

So here is where we landed on gift bags for Clare's Buggie Birthday. Simple fabric drawstring bags (and by "simple" I mean that I cut every possible corner to make these quickly) a handmade coloring book using downloadable Miss Spider coloring pages from Nick Jr, a box of crayons, a sweet treat and these adorable 49¢ buggie finger puppets from Party City. And the leftover bugs?... they are sitting here at my foot, peeking out from one of Clare's random bags as I write this. Soooo many bags.

Get the DIY scoop on Drawstring Gift Bags and Coloring Books after the jump.

Read more »

DIY Buggie Headbands

I'm a little embarrassed to admit this. I looked all over town for little buggie-deedle-bopper-antennae-headbands for Clare's Buggie Birthday before a lovely young lady at a local toy store mentioned "So um, you could always, like, make them." Right, like a DIY. And then she told me exactly how to do it, which was even more helpful. So here is what we do to make some buggie headbands. ok? No need to search all over town.



The kids (and some moms!) really loved these and wore them the whole party! Really cute! Would be great for aliens too!

Click here for DIY Buggie Headbands.
Read more »

Evil "Buttercream"/Decorator Icing

A few of you have emailed asking about the perfectly-peaked Buttercream Icing that I used on the cupcakes for Clare's Buggie Birthday. I'm happy to share the recipe but be warned... there is shortening involved. It really is the only way to make icing that defies gravity. But rejoice healthy-types, you may substitute butter in part or in full. Your frosting will just be more melty. You know you're in trouble when the healthy option is butter, just sayin'.

It's all part of Prudent Baby's Summer of Fanciful Treats, Sponsored by Bake It Pretty!


Click here to get the Buttercream/Decorator Icing Recipe.

Read more »

DIY Sugar Cookie Cone

As I have long suspected, royal icing has serious adhesive power, which is good say, if you want to make 3-D treat sculptures like this Sugar Cookie Cone (or reattach the sole of your shoe with tasty, tasty glue.)

Click here to get the DIY for making a crowd-pleasing Sugar Cookie Cone like these that I made for Clare's Buggie Birthday!

It's all part of Prudent Baby's Summer of Fanciful Treats Sponsored by Bake It Pretty!

Read more »

DIY Tissue Number Birthday Sign

This Tissue Number Birthday Sign is another inexpensive and quick party decoration. Clare delighted in the fact there was a giant 3 at her party since she has been sharing the news of her 3rd birthday with just about anyone who will listen for a month!

Click here to get the DIY to make your own Tissue Number Birthday Sign.

Read more »

DIY Tissue Garland

Y'all, this might be the best... fastest, cheapest, eye-pleasing-est party decorating trick ever. You can literally make this Tissue Garland that I made for Clare's Buggie Birthday an hour before your party starts when, eh-hem, you should be showering.

Click here to get the so easy DIY for Tissue Garland.

Read more »

DIY Fabric Pom-Pom Flowers

When Jaime and I were at Quilt Market in Minneapolis, we saw these gorgeous Pom-Pom Hydrangeas on display at the Clover booth and quickly grabbed the DIY sheet. I knew they would be perfect for Clare's Buggie Birthday and they WERE, but they are also gorgeous and elegant enough to leave up in the house beyond any event. Or they would make a beautiful gift!

Click here and scroll down to Pom-pom Hydrangeas to download the supply list/instructions and then come back to Prudent Baby for more step-by-step photos and my 2 cents! And if you were looking for an excuse to buy the super fun Clover Extra Large Pom-Pom Maker... you're welcome.

Click here and get the scoop on Making Pom-Pom Hydrangeas.

Read more »

Tips for Making Chocolate Mold Candy

Let's kick off Prudent Baby's Summer of Fanciful Treats: sponsored by Bake it Pretty with the lowdown on the little chocolate mold candies that we used to top the cupcakes for Clare's Buggie Birthday. I've heard in the past that some of you have found molded chocolate treats difficult & annoying to make. Here is my process. Maybe you too will decide that that molded chocolate is the cake decorator's secret weapon.

Click here to get the full scoop on making chocolate mold candy.

Read more »

Clare's Buggie Birthday

We threw Clare a Buggie Birthday Bash this weekend. She has been into Miss Spider lately (like obsessed) so we went with lots of little bugs and flowers on everything and she had a blast! Watch for the DIY scoop throughout the week.




We will also be sharing all of the party's baking and decorating tips as we kick off Prudent Baby's Summer of Fanciful Treats, sponsored by Bake it Pretty. Just try to visit their site without filling your cart with amazing baking and party supplies!

Like these adorable paper straws...

And the goods to make these...


Here is a complete list of the DIYs to create your own Buggie Birthday!

Drawstring Bags & Coloring Books
Buggie Headbands
Evil "Buttercream"/Decorator Icing
Sugar Cookie Cone
Tissue Number Birthday Sign
Tissue Garland
Making candy with Chocolate Molds
Fabric Pom-pom Flowers