It's a New Party!

I have decided to start a party here at My Li'l Pumpkin Patch.  I am very excited about it, and have been since I thought it up this past week!  It involves a stash and crafting...so come back Monday for all of the details...and please let your friends know!  It is going to be sooo fun!

Thursday Photo Challenge Week 1

I decided to participate in a photo challenge that I found a couple of weeks ago.  I am no pro, but I figure I could learn something along the way and find some inspiration from others!  If you want to participate, head on over to A Step In the Journey.  It will take place over 20 weeks, and there are a lot of fun different challenges each week.  I have been really excited about this!  The first week is a self portrait.  Here's mine:

My two year old was out with me when I did this, so it was a bit interesting.  I only managed to get a couple of shots...with the ten second timer. :)  I had fun though!  I love using natural light, and I usually take pictures without direct sunlight hitting the subject, but I have seen some that do this lately that I like.  So, I decided to give it a try.  I am happy with how things turned out.

Head on over to A Step in the Journey and join the fun!...

How to Widen Your Blog Title

I found how to widen my blog over at the Letter 4.  The link to their tutorial is here.  It is very, very helpful!  I used it to make my blog wider, and I am loving the amount of space!  The problem I had was figuring out the width that I should crop my blog title to, since the right side did not match up with my "pages" section.  I cropped many different sizes and finally came up with one that fit perfectly!  I want to share how I did it!

I started out with this image, that I made in Photoshop Elements.  I haven't used online photo software much, but I bet it would be easy to figure out on their programs.

My blog size is currently 1300 px wide.  The size I cropped this to that turned out perfectly is 1220 px X 275 px.  I am so happy with how it turned out!  Depending on your blog's width, you may have to try out a variety of sizes until you get what you like.  I cropped, saved, cropped, saved, etc.

I am no pro with this kind of thing, but I would be happy to try to answer any questions, or help you find the correct size!  I do know how to do that!

Check out my party tab to see where I am linking up!

DIY Flower Decals {Tutorial} and a Tip

Today's post is a fun tutorial!  I am so excited to show you how to paint these cute little flowers on your nails.  They are super easy and I love the look!

You will need two colors of nail polish.  I am using my usual pink and also silver.  Paint your nails and let it dry.

Next, grab a toothpick and snap it in half.  Then, using a nail file, sand down the raw edge until it is smooth.

You will need a paper plate, or something, to drop a few drops of your flower color onto.  I used the lid to my nail polish container.  It cleans off really easily with some nail polish remover.

This is the nail polish I used for the flowers.  TIP *I got this stuff in junior high...a long time ago, so it was a bit sticky.  I poured a bit of nail polish remover inside and shook it up, and voila, it was back to working order!*

Using the larger end of the toothpick, make four dots and let it sit for a little while to let it get a little sticky.

Next, take the pointed end of your toothpick and press it into the center of the dots.  Then, pull towards the center of all the dots.  Repeat this with all four dots.

This is what it looks like when you're done!

Check out my party tab to see where I am linking up!

First Birthday Cupcakes and a Cupcake Party!

My little guy turned one last July (2010) and I made him some sweet animal cupcakes.  I found the idea online by googling "zoo animal cupcakes." These are the cupcakes I decided to make.  This was also my first time ever making and using fondant frosting.  It was a new experience, and lots of fun!

 I had so much fun making all of these cute little cupcakes!  It took me so long though!  My sweet husband made the tiger ones because we were running low on time.  They were a big hit at the party!

 You'll notice that some look like they have white dust on them...that would be powdered sugar.  The fondant was sticky, so that what we used as our "flour."

Yesterday, I found a month-long cupcake party that three awesome blogs are hosting.  It lasts through the end of July, so if you have any cupcake-related posts, link them up!  

 

Here are the Hosts: 

Pressed Down, Shaken Together

Screaming Sardine

Crafty Cupcake Girl

Check out my party tab to see where I am linking up!