SILLY SOCK PARTY aka photo bomb!!!

Its that time of year again...birthday time! And this year I have two little munchkin's birthdays. My kids birthdays are 1 month and 2 days apart. So since my parents come out to see us in October, I decided on a joint birthday party in between their actual birth dates. 

This year was also the first year I invited kids from my daughter's class. I usually just invite family and then a few of my friends have kids around her age. In total we had 12 kids in the house!!! I was super nervous but it turned out to be a wonderful time!!!

It all started with the theme and invite....I figure its probably the last year I'll be able to do a none character theme birthday for my daughter. We are big on fun socks and holiday socks so I thought a silly sock party would be perfect!

And of course the birthday girl and boy! (I couldn't get a good one of my little guy with his socks and ribbon, he was overwhelmed and tired and didn't want to cooperate with a photo...this one is him after cake)

The Dollar Tree was my best friend when it came to decorating! I was able to get a ton of cute fun socks for cheap! I used them in the decor and for party favors. And the best part is now my daughter has a crap ton of socks to wear! 

 

I created this for the food table back drop! I LOVE how it turned out and it was super easy...just white socks tacked to two pieces of foam board...just what I envisioned! 

 

 

We did simple foods this year as well. We didn't even bake anything. So much less stress and everything was yummy!

 

 These awesome fondant cupcake toppers were designed by Beth with Your Cupcake Story. I LOVE LOVE how they turned out, I just wish I was able to get better shots of them and the ones that were on the kids individual cakes. I bought the tye-dyed cakes at Walmart. They fit the color scheme and they were a good size for individual cakes.

 

Oh and of course the SILLY SOCKS!!! All the kids came in some super cute socks, I was so excited. Only wish I got a better pic but its hard trying to direct several 3-4 year olds would rather play and eat than pose for a pic :)

My daughter picked out all the socks for the fam...we did an argyle theme to tie into the argyle from the invite. It took a few pics to get us all in!

My amazing mother made these cute little sock monkeys for party favors along with a pair of fun socks. I actually think the traditional sock monkey is creepy looking but I loved how these little guys turned out!

Sign of a successful party...the littlest one ran out of stem even before the party was over but he did manage to open his presents, stuff his face with cake and play a little. My daughter announced after opening presents that it was time for everyone to leave (she really wanted to play with all her toys). After the party was over and we were just cleaning, we found her playing quietly with her new mini Barbies...so sweet!!

I have to say it was the best birthday party we've had. I always have these grand ideas and I would love to be able to create a party that is featured on the popular party blogs and have fab professional photos but that never seems to happen. But instead I get so wrapped up in having fun with the munchkins that I generally forget to capture it all :)

I hope you have enjoyed my photo bomb:)

Vendors:

Invite and Printables: With Envy Parties

Fondant Cupcake Toppers: Your Cupcake Story

Cake/Cupcakes: Walmart

Party Food: Costco

Sock Monkey Tutorial: Craft Passion

Drum Roll Please...

Better late than never right?!?!

The THREE winners are....

1)Angie Alford
2)Lauren Guilbeau
3)Monica Wile

I had intended to designate a specifc prize for a specific person but when I did the rules there was a word missing so it I didn't have you list what you wanted to win.

Sooo instead, you three just email me (withenvystudios@gmail.com) which ONE prize from the options, you would like*: 

PRIZES:
1)ONE Little Monsters Printable Party Collection, 
2)ONE 2013 Illustrations Desk Calendar (you choose whether you would like it PRINTED or PRINTABLE)
3)ONE 2013 Patterns Desk Calendar (you choose whether you would like it PRINTED or PRINTABLE) 

*please note winners have 3 days to respond with their prize choice.

Thank you everyone who entered!!!

Pipe Dreams

The last few days at work I have really realized how much I hate being "new". Its one of those things where I just wish I knew what I don't know already. On days like that I tend to daydream about what it would be like to work for myself....

Now I live in reality and the idea of actually having my shops be my main source of income has been a "pipe dream". See I actually really like my day job, its a ton less stressful (most of the time) than my previous job and I get to be challenged during the day but I can leave it at work and be totally present for my kiddos. Also I am a girl that likes stability...I like knowing exactly what I am getting each paycheck (especially the idea that I will be getting a guaranteed paycheck every month).

The income I get from my Etsy shops is super helpful to pay for the surprises that come up or to get us closer to getting ride of student loan debts and such. But it is by no means consistent or something I could live off of right now.

But one day last week I sat down and just decided to do the numbers for fun. I took my best selling item from my party shop and figured out I would have to sell between 800+ a month to equal my gross monthly wage. It was interesting seeing an actual number...even though its a big number and I am no where near that now, it made it actually seem possible somewhere down the line. It made it something for me to strive for...unexpected motion.

Maybe working for myself isn't such a pipe dream after all :)

Been A Long Time Coming!!! GIVEAWAY CLOSED

It's been busy at work, at home and around the shops. Summer is ending and the holiday season is fast approaching. 

I added a couple seasonal/holiday items to the shop. 2013 desk calendar have made their way into the shop.  

 I have offered a new version of both these calendars 3 years now and I am still totally in love with the design/idea! 

I finally was able to finish my Halloween party for this years. When trying to decide on a theme for my munchkin's joint birthday party, the little monsters theme came to mind. I decided against it for the bday party but thought it would make a great Halloween party!

 Its now available at With Envy Parties.

So I haven't had one in a long time I thought it would be a perfect time for a GIVEAWAY. 

PRIZES:
1)  ONE Little Monsters Printable Party Collection, 
2)ONE 2013 Illustrations Desk Calendar (you choose whether you would like it PRINTED or PRINTABLE)
3)ONE 2013 Patterns Desk Calendar (you choose whether you would like it PRINTED or PRINTABLE) 

 There will be THREE lucky winners (ONE prize per winner)

How to Enter:

1) Leave a comment on this post simply saying you want to win. 

2) Follow me on Facebook and leave a comment indicating you did. 

Extra Entry:

4) Share this giveaway on your blog, Facebook or Twitter. Come back and leave a comment for each place that you shared it on (you will receive one extra entry per "share").
5)Visit With Envy Parties and/or With Envy Paper and leave a comment with a product you like in the shop or one that you would like to see.

Giveaway ends on Wednesday September 12, 2012 @ 10 PST.

Winner will be announced Thursday September 13, 2012 on the blog.

Good Luck!!!

With Envy Wednesday-Aqua

So I know its late but I've been home with a sick baby...and now my daughter is sick too...oh the joy in this household!!

But better late than never right!

Lately I have had a lot of orders with aqua as part of the color scheme. So in love with the color!

Recently I created this banner for a customer and fell in love with the color scheme..

 

 so summery...would love to incorportate that scheme into a new design...we will see (my to do list is very long these days!)

Check out these beautiful items from Etsy in honor of the lovely color Aqua!!

Click on image for optimal viewing

a)Chevron clutch purse by SassyStitchesbyLori

b)Aqua paper party straws by PaperStrawsParty

c)Sweet Aquamarine Dream Tutu by ASweetSweetBoutique

d)Blue Patina Earrings by apocketofposies

e)Baby shoes by wooliewares

f)Canister Pendant Light by BootsNGus

Have a happy and HEALTHY Wednesday!

Monday Around The Shop

Happy Monday everybody! It's funny, prior to getting my new job I dreaded Monday most of the time. This past  Friday wasn't all that great at my new job and I really haven't been looking forward to Monday. But I woke up and just decided this week I would do better and I'm not going to let things get me down. Kind of weird how a change of scenery and change your resolve!

There are some semi big things going on in the shop:


1) With Envy Paper is now up and running. I had to finally just make the decision and currently only offer a limited amount of printed items. With the two shops, my day job and my family it was hard to get orders out without it feeling like a chore and I never want it to feel that way. So the I felt the best decision was to offer most of the same items but in diy/printable format.

 I know not everyone is savvy or into doing it themselves but I decided it was the best decision, otherwise I'm not sure I would have reopened. I am offering placemats, and plates "printed". I will also be offering my art prints in printed format soon (need to stock up on supplies again) and bookplates on request.

I hope this was the right decision but I guess you won't know till you do it!

2) I finally updated my illustration options for both shops. The master list is under the "Illustrations" page at the top of the blog. I'm sure in a couple of months it will need to be updated again...but I love custom requests!!!

3) I took the plunge and join Twitter!! Not really shop related but I thought I would share in case you want to follow. https://twitter.com/WithEnvyStudios

4) Along those lines I have been on Pinterest for a while but why not come check out my random boards! http://pinterest.com/afryemajor/

SALE SALE SALE!!

CHRISTMAS SALE WITHOUT THE COLD AND SNOW!!!

CHRISTMAS IN JULY SALE GOING ON NOW AT

WITH ENVY PARTIES!!!

ENJOY!!