Slumber Party Table

Inspired by Hostess with the Mostess and bloggy friend Donna at Party Wishes, I knew months ago that I wanted to transform our dining room into a bedroom for Mary Ashley's slumber party.

I turned our dining room table toward the wall so I could prop pillows from Mary Ashley's bed against the mirror. Then I topped the bed with extra linens, including a pale blue matelasse coverlet I had in the closet. Instead of using a chair at the end of the table, we slid an ottoman to the foot of the bed.

Here is the table all set up for dinner. Each girl found a gift at her place -- coordinating pajamas I made for all the girls.

Pretty details added to our dreamy tablescape: Mary Ashley's favorite Build-a-Bear friend all dressed for bed; pink cupcakes decorated to match the girls' pajamas; a lime green teapot filled with lush pink roses; and a few favorite bedtime stories stacked on a blanket at the end of the bed (and known only to me, these books represent past themes we have used for Mary Ashley's birthday parties).

This table was a cozy spot for all the girls to gather for supper Friday night, although it has confused 3-year-old Emma, who keeps asking if she can sleep on that bed!

Dream Girls

Here are the little girls who spent the night with us Friday for Mary Ashley's first slumber party. They were all so precious!

Before we ate, I let them open their presents -- coordinating pajamas! They all changed into their PJs, and all night I felt like I had seven sweet little daughters all dressed alike.

With her closest friends gathered near to celebrate her birthday, what else could Mary Ashley wish for?

Here are our sleepy heads Saturday morning, still giggling after a late night! Since this was the first sleepover with friends for all the little girls, I thought a few might get homesick during the night and want to go home. Little did I know, the tears would come Saturday morning when the party was over and it was time to go home!

We hope they will all come again soon for another slumber party!

The Cupcake Compromise

This year instead of making a birthday cake for daughter Mary Ashley, I planned to make cupcakes to coordinate with the girls' pajamas -- enough to share with her kindergarten class and slumber party guests. But when we stopped by the grocery store last week to pick up a few ingredients, Mary Ashley burst into tears.

"Why do you have to make my cupcakes?" she choked out between sobs. "Why can't we just buy them like everybody else?" It surprised me how hard I took this. I honestly felt like I had been stabbed in the heart. I was on the verge of tears throughout our shopping trip, and had to apologize to Mary Ashley when we got home for being short-tempered with her .

We came to a cupcake compromise: store-bought for school and homemade for home. Mary Ashley was excited to pick out chocolate cupcakes from the Wal-Mart bakery for her class, and at home she was eager to help me bake cupcakes -- even licking the beaters just like always. With fluffy pink icing and sprinkles, the cupcakes I decorated coordinated with the cupcake appliques on the girls' PJs.

Friends have encouraged me that Mary Ashley will appreciate my efforts to make things for her when she is older, and I took their words to heart.

I guess she just needed the extra maturity of turning 6. After she blew out her candles, I slipped into the kitchen to do some cleaning. One of the mommies who joined us for dinner laughed as she repeated what she overheard Mary Ashley say to the other guests:

"See, I told you these would be much better than the ones we had at school!"

Sweet Dreams Pajamas

Mary Ashley's slumber party over the weekend was a big milestone for us and the little girls who joined us for the weekend. I wanted to do something special to initiate the girls into this fun girlhood tradition, so I decided to make pajamas for them -- eight pairs in all!

I loved the idea of making something they could wear during the party. And I hope they will remember fondly their time at our house when they wear them again -- maybe even to their next slumber party!

For the pajama pants, I used McCall's pattern 3906, shortening the length to include coordinating ruffles. (I could save a lot of time sewing if I didn't love ruffles so much!) I found the pink swirl flannel at Hancock Fabrics. The turquoise micro-check used for the ruffles and bow at the waist came from local sewing shop Beth's Heirloom Sewing. For the tops, I used long-sleeve tees from Target. These super-soft shirts can be worn with pajama pants or to school. I embroidered the shirts with different cupcake appliques from Bunnycup Embroidery. Of course, the Birthday Girl got the cupcake with a candle!

Bring on the sweet dreams!

The Dreamiest Slumber Party Invitation Ever!

I have been anticipating Mary Ashley's birthday party for months, so excited to host our first girls slumber party! Our theme inspired this sweet little bed invitation, which I made using scraps of fabric leftover from sewing projects for the girls. The little green pillow folds down to reveal party details, including drop-off and pick-up times.

Mary Ashley Is Having a Slumber Party
And We're Dreaming That You'll Come!

This is one of my favorite invitations ever, and I think it would make a great birthday card, as well -- especially when you see the fun surprise I tucked inside! Find the card-making directions below, or keep scrolling to see the surprise.

Directions. To make this 5"-x-7" invitation, start with a blank folded card. Adhere a rectangle of fabric to the front of the card with a fusible web like Heat'n'Bond. This will be the fitted sheet. Next, sew a scalloped edge along a strip of fabric to make the bed's top sheet. Cut fabric away from the scalloped edge. Iron this strip of fabric, pressing the edge under to make a crease. Glue the unfinished edge of the top sheet to the back of a scrap of chenille fabric, folding the scalloped edge over the front to give the look of a top sheet folded over a coverlet. Pull the coverlet and top sheet around to the back of the card, and hot glue the edges around the sides and bottom of the invitation. To make the pillow, secure a monogrammed scrap of fabric to the front of a small rectangular card with fusible web, and use a glue stick to fit a little paper inside the card with party details. Hot glue the pillow card to the top of the invitation. Cut a coordinating piece of scrapbook paper, and glue it to the back of the card to cover the raw edges of fabric. The invitation is complete!

My original plan was to tuck a little card into the pocket made from the invitation's coverlet, or maybe a photo of Mary Ashley. But then I discovered the perfect idea ... .

A Custom Paper Doll!

I was so tickled to find someone on Etsy who makes custom paper dolls! Upon ordering, simply e-mail a photo of your little girl to SandyFordDesigns, and Sandy will e-mail back digital images of a personalized paper doll and five sets of clothes. You can re-size the images as needed and print as many as you like. Sandy was prompt and easy to work with. She even added the top and shorts to the paper doll at no extra charge. I really hope she will get lots of business because she charges very little for a truly special keepsake. (Wouldn't this be a great surprise to e-mail to a special little girl?)

And, look! Those pink pajamas are a perfect fit for our slumber party theme!

I cut out a Mary Ashley paper doll for each invitation and printed the clothes on extra cards. Across the bottom of one of the cards, I added "Help Mary Ashley get dressed for the party!" The paper doll slips easily into bed, and extra clothing can be stored in the pocket that resulted when I wrapped the coverlet around to the back of the card.

Shown here together, paper doll, clothes and card make a perfect invitation and play set all in one!

Wake up to more dreamy slumber party ideas all week!

I'm linking up with Get Your Craft On at Today's Creative Blog

And DIY Day at Soft Place to Land

Little Bit Cute

Emma and Mary Ashley have been enjoying the beanies Aunt Shana made them for Christmas, and now you can enjoy her creations, too! Through Valentine's Day, blog readers can get 10 percent off at her new Etsy shop, Little Bit Designs by mentioning "littleloveliness" in your convo. Congratulations to Becky Bell, who has won the yellow beanie!

Happy Birthday, Mary Ashley!

Happy Birthday, Sweet Girl!

We will be celebrating Mary Ashley's birthday this weekend, and I cannot wait to share all the fun with you next week! We are hosting our first slumber party, and I think I am more excited about it than the girls.

The Little Bit Designs giveaway winner will be announced tomorrow! See Tuesday's post to enter.

Photo by Nathan Prichard; Edited by Katy Larson

Little Bit Giveaway

Well, after yesterday's goof, I think you need a real giveaway! I am excited to announce the opening of my sister-in-law Shana's Etsy shop, Little Bit Designs. Shana makes trendy accessories for the modern girl, with custom-made hair bows, headbands and beanies that are sure to please.

For a limited time, get 10 percent off your Little Bit Designs purchase by mentioning "alittleloveliness" in your convo. And after you visit the shop, leave a comment below telling me your favorite item and you will be entered to win a fresh yellow beanie accented with a daisy (sized to fit little girls ages 1 to 8).

The winner will be announced Friday!

This Little Light

When I reconnected with a former classmate from college through Facebook, I had in my mind that my life mirrored his. Both married, both parents to four children -- I assumed Thom's family lived a comfortable suburban life just like mine. What I recently learned about his family, though, amazed me. After watching the video below, I could hardly tell Joe about the Hazelip family's ministry for the emotion bubbling up inside me as I considered the great courage, compassion and faith they demonstrate daily.

If you cannot view the video above, find it here.

Initially Thom visited Nashville's inner city looking to invest in property, but God drew the Hazelips to invest themselves in the lives of the people there instead. Thom and his wife, Michele, now make their home in one of the poorest, most crime-ridden neighborhoods in Nashville. Their lives are intertwined with the people of their community, and their home has become a refuge for many of the residents.

I have been so inspired by Thom and Michele and the journey that has led them to establish Front Porch Ministry. I admire their courage in setting down roots in a neighborhood many of us would fear to visit. But I think even more, I admire the family's purposeful living for Christ and their openness to serving no matter the need. For more information on the Hazelips' impact in Nashville's inner city, visit the Front Porch Ministry web site or support the organization through Facebook causes here.

I believe Thom's example of living on the front porch can inspire us all. Whether we lend our support to the Hazelips' efforts in Nashville or look for our own opportunities closer to home, their story shows us the difference a little love --and a lot of faith -- can make.

So let's all step out on our own front porch this year, determined to turn the light on and let it shine as a beacon of hope in 2010.

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house" (Matthew 5:14-15).

Winter Wonderland

This week we are enjoying cold weather -- a rare treat for us in Alabama. I am thankful for at least a few days to enjoy snuggling up by the fire with a cup of tea. With its winter wonderland tablescape still in place since our New Year's Day brunch, our dining room is a perfect spot to gather this week for a steaming hot bowl of soup.

The children helped me pull this look together for the party. See yesterday's post to learn how the boys decorated these sparkly candles. Clustered on a silver tray with cotton snow, silver beads and glittery wired ribbon, I can enjoy this wintry look throughout the month. Silver stars and icicle ornaments dangle from the chandelier, and sheer ribbons flutter in the candlelight. Fresh greenery tucked into the branches of the chandelier completes this refreshing wintertime look.

Here's to drawing closer to the fire -- and each other -- in the New Year!

Lighting the New Year

I'll share more photos of our wintry dining room tablescape tomorrow, but first wanted to share this easy idea for adding sparkle to holiday candles. I loved this idea on It's the Little Things That Make a House a Home and knew it would be a great way to fill the dining room with light at our New Year's Day brunch. To make these, simply use a sponge brush to coat candles with Mod Podge, and roll the wet candles in a tray of Epsom salts.

Since my children -- like me -- seem to thrive on creative projects, I let my boys (ages 8 and 10) make these candles as a reward for accomplishing some of the less enjoyable tasks on their to-do lists. With no assistance from me at all, the candles turned out great and looked so lovely on the table! At the party I pointed them out to a couple of schoolteachers, and we all agreed this would be a great classroom craft for their elementary-aged students to make for their parents.

Tomorrow, more wintertime sparkle!

New Year's Day Brunch

For years I have wanted to host the young families from our church for a New Year's Day brunch. My dream came true last week, and what a great way to start off a new year!

To make this party a little easier to pull off, I asked guests to contribute to our menu of breakfast favorites. Families signed up to bring something from one of these categories: breakfast casserole; grits or breakfast potatoes; doughnuts or pastries; fruit, veggies or cheese; breakfast meats; or other family favorites. We enjoyed a good variety of dishes, and even with several families bowing out before the party, we had more than enough food.

For our part, we added fruit, cheese and doughnuts to the buffet. The house smelled wonderful with Joe serving up pancakes and bacon fresh from the griddle, and the kids loved dipping into the vases I filled with cereal. (Of course, I had to use the sweet ones because they are more colorful!)

Silver and turquoise ribbons, ornaments and curly branches added fresh wintertime touches to the buffet.

Piled high on this tiered server, a simple assortment of pastries, fruits and cheeses sparkled for the new year.

It was great to start off a new year keeping several of our New Year's resolutions -- among them spending time with loved ones and studying the Bible. As for laying off of sweets, I guess that one starts this week!

Happy New Year!

The final days of 2009 were a flurry of activity as we readied the house for company, but all the hard work was worth it in the end. Or should I say in the beginning? We opened our doors New Year's Day for a brunch for the young families from church. It was great to start the year off with some of our dearest friends -- all determined to keep a spiritual focus in 2010.

One of the benefits of planning a New Year's Day party was finding deep discounts on Christmas decorations. I found quite a few ornaments perfect for wintertime celebrations. I'll share some more ideas throughout the week, but wanted to start with the wreath on our front door. I wanted to sparkle for New Year's, so glittery turquoise and pink ornaments and curly branches from Wal-Mart added the glitz we needed. Wooden numbers from Hobby Lobby -- painted with glitter paint and tucked into the wreath -- welcomed party guests to 2010.

Last year held many special moments, and here's to doing it all again in ...