Monday, July 30, 2012

Personalized Water Label's Add that Spice To a Party

The girls had a great first birthday. Okay, they do not even know what day is, let alone that the family and friends came together to celebrate their birth. I, however, after a slow start to get the party going had a great time. The right people were there, it was intimate, fun and perfect. The weather held up as well. I could go on and on about the party, but I can let you see some of the photos for yourself. This blog, is dedicated to something that I may want to blog about in the future, homemade party decor.

The girls first birthday was a beach party theme and I searched everywhere on Google for beach party theme accessories and decor. During my search, I discovered this fabulous website (and maybe you have heard of it) PinInterest. I typed in the word beach and over five pages of individuals beach theme parties popped up everywhere! I began to take notes and print out the ideas that I loved.

I then discovered a website called CatchMyParty, where individuals upload photos of their best parties, give ideas and the website owner has a section of free printables such as banners, invitations, cookie holders, etc.

What does this have to do with today's blog? EVERYTHING.

I discovered that I like to be creative and after looking through the photos of each party I noticed one common theme; each had custom water label's. For my RHOA (Real Housewives of Atlanta) fans, you may remember Phaedra having water label's with her son's face. Although over the top, it was the one little detail that added more POW to the party.

How to Make Water Labels


What you will need:

  • scissors
  • design software (optional)
  • shipping tape or duct tape 
  • water bottles 
1. If you have a design software such as Photoshop, you can design a water label template. For those who do not, you can easily use Microsoft word or power point to create the label. Whichever program you use, once you figure out what you would like on the bottle, create a shape that is 8.5 wide and 1.5 tall so that it will fit on 8.5 x 11 paper.

2. Not everyone is a graphic designer. If you cannot design anything by scratch; use clip art backgrounds or free stock photos, even fancy paper then add your text.

3. If using Photoshop or similar program. Save the image and insert into Word document. You may have to change the dimensions in Word to fit the actual size of the image. Copy and paste down till it fills the page. It is okay if they are touching each other. Print on regular white paper or any paper you like. I plain cardstock paper that I had at home. It is sturdier than regular white paper.

4. Cut until you have 8.5 x 1.5 strips. Do not get frustrated if they are not exact. I missed the part in class to cut straight and now I always cut on an angle #weird.

5. Once all the labels are cut, take your water bottles and strip it naked! In other words, take the original labels off the bottle :)

6. Take shipping tape or duct tape (make sure it is thick in width) and estimate the length. It should be a little but longer than the label, but not much. Lay the tape sticky side up and place the label, color down on the sticky part. There should be room around the tape and the label. Make sure you leave at least 1/4 inch of tape on the end of each label.

7. Apply to the water bottle. I make sure the text is centered and then go from there. Trust me, the back of the water bottle label will not be exact! I've tried million of times.

8. Then you are done. These are great accent pieces and also great party favors.

***Some instructions courtesy of cakelikesaparty.com
Enjoy!

**Want more how tos? Email us at preemietwinsme@gmail.com

Friday, July 20, 2012

Where Have We Been?

It is has been awhile and we have missed our mommy bloggers, readers and fans. I have not blogged in so long that I lost a follower. In one of my last blogs, I mentioned how hard it is has been to manage my time to write, work, school work, and take care of the babies. I will try to write more, however, I cannot promise every day like I use to. Yet, here is the Walker (and Simmons :) update:

The Mom

  • Working Full-time for almost two months 
  • Still in school, but struggling 
  • Tired more than ever
  • Trying to become more social
  • Still loves her girls to death!! 
  • Playing step mom to her step children who are here for the Summer


The Dad 

  • Still the head of the household
  • Working
  • Enjoying his girls 
  • Enjoying his other children who are here for the Summer
  • Still loves video games 


The Girls: Mya Bear and Milani Cake 

  • Turned One on Thursday, July 19th 
  • Into everything
I will have a detailed update tomorrow on the girls. Not much has changed with us, just much busier. We haven't forgotten and will write tomorrow.