Nancy Drew Party Invitations

Little K turns 9 years old in just a few weeks. Yikes - that's hard to believe. She's no longer a little girl, but turning into a young lady - with firm opinions of her own - and she's not afraid to fight for them.

That means the days of me being able to plan whatever kind of Birthday Party I want are gone...she is actively involved in all the decision making. This is not easy for me, but I'm learning to let go. It is - after all - HER party. I may have to start throwing parties for MY own Birthday.

It was agreed - that this years theme would be a Nancy Drew Mystery Party. She has had a sleepover party the past few years, and wanted one again, but I was able to convince her to do an afternoon party instead. It's less work for me - and she can invite more friends. We're working on compromising - so far, so good.

The invitations have been mailed - now we are waiting for responses to see who can come. There were even a few boys invited this year. Oh my - I'm really not sure I'm ready for her to grow up just yet.




Each guest was mailed a File Folder with their "character" name (chosen from the Books - of course).



There will be a Mystery that needs to be solved, and the guests will be invited to help crack the case.



The Folder is filled with lots of important details about the case.



A Note from Nancy Drew herself (AKA - Little K).



The Secret Password (written in Invisible Ink). No one will be admitted to the Crime Scene unless they know it. The invisible ink is actually just lemon juice. When you add heat to the paper (with an iron or light bulb) the writing turns brown. Hopefully the guests will be able to figure that one out on their own.



The Ransom Note from the Kidnapper.



Everything was mailed in a Top Secret Envelope.

We're working on the Decorations, and setting up Clues to the Mystery. I had grand plans on making a vintage Nancy Drew style dress, but I don't think that's going to happen. The cake has to be made, and an old fashioned lunch menu created. Lots more to be done - so I better get busy.

Stay Tuned - More Fun to Come.

Wedding Cake Topper

I have been commissioned! Well, not exactly - but that's how I would like to see it.

I was contacted a few weeks ago by a "bride to be" who had seen some of the clothespin dolls I made on my blog. She sent me an e-mail asking if I would be willing to make a Bride and Groom Cake Topper for her Wedding. Did you hear me - for her Wedding!

Shock - Oh, the pressure. I'm perfectly fine making them as gifts - but for an actual paying customer - and for an event as momentous as a Wedding. I was honored, but I had to think about that for a bit.

The conversation has actually come up several times before. I figured this must have been a sign that I was meant to make a Bride and Groom. I decided to take the plunge. I responded to her that I would be willing...but with several points of understanding:

- I have never made a Bride or Groom before - she had full right of refusal if she wasn't happy with the results - there had to be enough lead time to find a different topper if needed -



And so - I got started. I asked for all kinds of details about the wedding, her dress, what they looked like, flowers, colors, clothing details and more.




She sent me a link to see the dress (style 1409) she will be wearing.




And even a photo of the two of them so I could match skin tone, hair and eye color.




The colors of their wedding are Plum and Lavender.




She will be wearing her hair down, but I had to take some creative license with that one, and made a side swept pony. It would have been so much easier if she had short hair and would be wearing a veil.



I was so excited to send her pictures of the completed topper. I think they couldn't be cuter, and I had a blast making them. The Groom was actually not as hard as I thought.

Here is where things start to get a little strange. After weeks of pleasant and timely communication - as soon as I sent her the pictures of the couple - I never heard from her again.

I waited a week - sent another follow up e-mail - still nothing. Zilch - Nada - Zip - Not a Word.

My first fear was that something terrible had happened - maybe an accident? A Family Emergency? I certainly hope not.

There could be any number of reasons she didn't respond:

- It was a Scam - Some kind of a set up - Didn't like what I made - Reached the "Bridezilla" stage of wedding planning - Shocked at the price - Got cold feed and called off the wedding - Decided to make one herself - Parents refused to pay for it -

The truth is, I will probably never know. While my ego may have been bruised a bit if she told me she wasn't happy with the results, I would have understood - that was our agreement, and my first concern is that the bride be happy. I am disappointed, however, that she never contacted me at all to advise she didn't want to go through with our agreement.

The good news is - I'm thrilled with the results. I think they are so cute, I had a wonderful time making them, and I'm happy to have had the opportunity to push myself. Now I know - I can!

Plus - Little K has two cute new peg dolls she can play with - added bonus!

L O V E

We are all shaped and fashioned by what we Love ~ JOHANN WOLFGANG VON GOETHE

I'll be spending my Valentines Day cleaning the house. Not my favorite thing to do, but it's looking pretty messy, and starting to bug me, so I'll feel good when it's all done.

But the special treat for the day is that Dear Hubby and Little K have decided to cook dinner tonight. A real dinner - not just frozen pizza or mac and cheese. They already have the needed kitchen utensils laid out on the counter (mini food processor, cutting board, measuring bowl, whisk). I have no idea what they are planning. I haven't noticed any cook books sitting out. They made their shopping list first thing and are at the store now getting their ingredients.

The last time my husband cooked for me was 19 years ago, right after we were first married. He made chicken enchiladas. It took him all day - and when I came home from work he was dressed in a black suit with a towel over his arm ready to seat me at the table, and serve dinner. I didn't have the heart to tell him I don't really like Mexican Food that much.

That dinner was delicious. Not because it tasted good (I can't really remember), but because it was something so far out of his comfort zone, and quite difficult for him to do, and he did it anyway to make me happy. And it did.

I think that might have been when we decided on our current domestic agreement - I cook - he cleans.

I'm excited to see what they come up with - and I know it will be delicious...because it is made with L O V E!

Happy Valentines Day. I hope you all get to do something you Love today.

Valentine Bentos

I've been a good Mom this week and managed to pack Little K's lunches filled with pink, red, hearts and (of course) lots of Love for Valentines Week.



We were out of bread - so the Peanut Butter and Nutella heart shaped sandwich is cut from an English Muffin (now I have to find something else to make for breakfast).



This one was planned to be mostly RED as part of Debra's great B.O.M.B. challenge over at Hapa Bento.



We were finishing up Little K's Fortune Cookie Class Valentines, so I had Chinese Take out on my mind - don't you just love this adorable heart decorated velum Take Out Box (found it at Michaels).



Mostly Pink with a few selected heart shapes. Funny story about who ended up actually eating this one.



A flower made of heart petals, and strawberries cut into heart shapes.

St. Patrick's Day is coming up next - but I don't think I'll be doing too many All Green Bentos - although that flower made from heart petals does look a lot like a lucky 4 Leaf Clover....well, maybe just one St. Patrick's Day themed Bento.