How is my sweet girl 3 already?! At the time around her actual birthday, my father in law was still in critical condition in ICU and I wasn't able to focus on pulling together a birthday party for Amelia, so Gordon and I decided that we would make her day EXTRA special. I stayed up late making cupcakes and cookies for her to take to her daycare and then decided that while I didn't get a chance to make the dress I had had in mind for her birthday I could make her a quick skirt and t-shirt.

Thank you Little Lemonade Stand for the awesome banner!

I went to bed late and maybe 30 minutes later my darling girl crawled into my bed. I have to be honest, I loved the cuddle. I know this time goes so quickly...relish the little moments... She woke up with a smile and enjoyed her special birthday breakfast. She was thrilled with the balloons and Happy Birthday Bunting. She had a birthday party first thing!

She was so excited to see her birthday dress. She twirled in that skirt like there was no tomorrow :)  I used the Oliver +S lazy Skirt directions with the Children at Play fabric collection from Michael Miller. I absolutely love the balloon print and, thankfully, so did Amelia

She did the chicken dance and sang songs...and then she saw the treats for her school! I though her little face was going to split she was smiling so much and her eyes were killing me! So much excitement and joy in those little eyes. She had a great party with her friends.

Cookie cutters from Cheap Cookie Cutters

In case you are wondering what happened to the Jessie theme...she changed her mind and wanted Minnie Mouse, Mama obliged. Austin had Mickey for his 3rd...must be something about the mouse and three.

We had pizza and a Minnie Mouse cake, she opened gifts and loved them all. Three. I can't believe that my little girl is growing so fast.

Birthday Party Prep

Bunting and hay bales and ponies OH MY!

Only a few weeks until my sweet girl turns 3 and she has asked for a Jessie and Bullseye party...otherwise known as a cowgirl party. I'm looking into a special treat that would officially earn me the title of craziest momma but it would be worth it. And for the record...crazy idea was planted in my head by someone else :)

I've started making the bunting with some western fabrics I had in stock and I've been searching for western party ideas. It's going to be a small party and but I still want it to be memorable. Birthdays are a cause for celebration! And I want our kids to have great memories. When I was 2-3 years old Mom made me this clown cake with a ginormous sucker on it. I loved that cake and I think I had it a few years in a row. And I still remember it...

Speaking of cake...

Sourceblog.hwtm.com

Is that not awesome?! That is what she wants...who can find me the figures on top? I love the Hostess with the Mostess blog and have been inspired by her Jessie party. Check out her blog. It is awesome.

So for the next couple of weeks decor will be made, cookies will be baked and her cake decorated. Pinterest is once again my friend and so is the crazy creative mind of my friend Nadja of Little Lemonade Stand and Midnight Designs.

I love birthday parties :)

Countdown to Christmas GIVEAWAY!

I love giving gifts. One of my favorite thing about the holiday season is watching the reaction people have when they open a gift that has been chosen just for them. When I thought about doing a giveaway here on the blog, I wanted it to be big. I’ve given away an item here and there but nothing quite like this!

I called out to my circle of mompreneurs to see if any of them would be interested in sharing some joy this holiday season. Naturally they all were and so instead of one winner, I've decided to share the momma made love with 21 lucky readers!

Here is what is up for grabs:

A2 Designs ~ $20 Gift Certificate
Grasshopper Kids Creations ~  $10 Gift Certificate
HomeGrownGoods ~ $20 Gift Certificate
Nounou Booboo Designs ~ Colouring Book & $10 Gift certificate
Little Lovelies  ~ Crystal Snowflake earrings ($18 value)
Little Lemonade Stand ~ Embroidered chalk board gift tags (Value $15)
Epicure (Laura Steeves) ~ $20 Gift Certificate
Laughing Pear Soap ~ 3 assorted bars of handcrafted soap ($15 value)
Midnight Designs ~ $25 Gift Certificate
Courtney Richardson Photography ~ $50 gift certificate to be redeemed in 2014
M & A Doggie Delights ~ $20 Gift Certificate
Erin’s Harbourside Designs ~ A print (will show picture in separate post)
Flirt with Desserts ~ 1 dozen cupcakes to be redeemed in 2014
Naptime Designs  ~  Artwork and $15 Gift Certificate
Mommy & Me Purses and Accessories ~ $20 Gift Certificate
I Dream in Colour…Do you? ~ $15 Gift Certificate
Blue Frog Creations ~ Snot Monster and $10 Gift Certificate
Banana Bottoms Cloth Diapers ~ $15 Gift Certificate
Ella’s Cottage ~ $25 Gift Certificate PLUS she is offering 20% off in stock fabric purchases in December! (code holiday20)
Ceilidh Creations ~ $20 Gift Certificate
Tiny Dancer Tutus ~ $20 Gift Certificate
BabyB Handmade ~ Nova Scotia Tartan Bib (Value $10)
Simply Gorgeous Naturals  ~ Luxurious Gift Set (Value $20)
Bella Shopia ~ $10 Gift Certificate

Can you believe all of these great prizes up for grabs?!?!?! There are more than $450 worth of prizes up for grabs! Pin the image and use #boutilierbabblings in the description. Comment on this post saying you've done so. I've got a special prize for the social media shares!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway is open to Canadian and US citizens.(US citizens may be responsible for additional shipping costs) All prizes will be awarded December 15, 2013.

GOOD LUCK!

Kid's Clothes Week Day 2- Rainbow Dress

Early this year I became an official member of the East Coast Momma Collective. I had done a craft fair through them last Christmas and met some awesome people. One lady and I have been chatting quite a bit lately and last month we decided to trade services. She would make me a bunting and I would make her a dress for her daughter's birthday. I was so excited when Nadja (Little Lemonade Stand) picked up her dress yesterday and she loved it! 

I modified my current favorite Peek a Boo Pattern Perfect Peasant Dress pattern. I have to say these are some of my favorite patterns. Easy to follow instructions and the have a great fit. I made the skirt with 5" strips cut salvage to salvage and serged the together. The purple is actually a 10" strip doubled over to give the skirt a little weight on the bottom. Once I serged the skirt closed (lining up all those strips was tedious...) I top stitched each strip to ensure that the serge seams were stitched down and the skirt part was well finished. 

The clip is rainbow chevron (a nod to my and Nadja's love of all things chevron- I knew it would make that momma happy!) with a wooden button centre. I really love how it all came together.

Want to see what she made me?

I love this bunting! It has enough flags to be used for every holiday and I can just use colour coordinating chalk at holiday time. The rest of the time it can decorate the mantle in the kids play space. I love it!!! Thanks so much Nadja!