Archive for the ‘Baby’ Category
What’s a Paint Can Gift?
If you just hear the words, personalized paint can you may think…”Why would I want a paint can with my name on it? I’ll just throw it away when I get done painting the room.” Silly, it’s not that kind of paint can. I’m talking about one of the most innovative gifts ever with so many options you’re head will spin. I personally love giving these as gifts. Still can’t quite picture what I’m talking about? Here’s a picture of the latest gift I made for a neighbor.
This one, as you can see, is for a baby gift. I just love delivery items like this. Normally I would personalize this with the baby’s name on it but they’re keeping it a secret until the baby is born. At Sweet Expressions we sell just the paint cans and you fill it yourself. Now that you get the whole paint can idea you may be wondering well what in the world would I fill it with? That’s not hard, simply put items in there as you would a basket or a gift bag. The only difference is that you are using a metal paint can as your “gift bag/basket”. I filled this one with some a mintbook bouquet filled with small chocolates and gum, some baby girl lip balm for them to hand out when she’s born and a small bag of kisses. Now that part is for mommy-to-be and for the baby I included a pack of gowns and a pack of long sleeve body suits. Of course I included a personalized announcement card I personalized and used as a greeting card.
The part I like best about creating items like this from the gift bag, to the sweet treats and the card is that it all matches and was all provided from one place so no running around town gathering up and searching endlessly for items that match. That’s what we do here, if we don’t have it….we create it! So when we say “thinking of you” we truly were!
Okay, back to the paint can. It’s beautiful, I’ve eaten my treats and now all I have is an empty can and this is not something I want to regift but what can I do with it? That’s probably what you’ll be asking yourself in a couple of weeks or months. Now here’s where it gets even better! The paint can, in this instance, can be used as a storage place for baby’s momentos. Especially if you’re not into scrapbooking or maybe your’s are digital and you have no place for the cards you received and want to keep, or the hospital bracelets, perhaps the first lock of hair that’s cut at her first haircut. This can will make a perfect “treasure box” for all those precious things you’re not ready to part with or you want to save. For other designs say for a child’s birthday you may want to use the can for toys like hot wheels cars, or legos, craft supplies, hair bows for the older girl, make up for the teen, put them on a shelf and lay it on it’s side and use it as a file holder. Throw your lose change in it and use it as a “piggy” bank.
This list can continue for it’s reuse. What ideas can you come up with?
To see other paint cans as well as our other gift and favor items visit us at www.PartyFavorsByKristal.com We’re always updating with new designs so check back often! you can also find us on Facebook
Happy Monday to you all!
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Baby, Baby, Baby!
I’ve officially declared this week as “Baby Week” at Sweet Expressions! Why the change from birthdays to babys? Well I have to be honest with you, it’s because I’m expecting my 3rd child in October so I have lots of baby things on the brain. I can’t help but think of all the things I want to personalize for our little one. Right now I’m in nesting mode and started crocheting a blanket for baby! I did this for my second one too and it is really quite relaxing.
Although I’m at a loss of words about what topic I want to specifically talk about regarding baby events such as baby showers, and baby arrival announcements. There are so many ideas swimming around in my head right now I’m not sure where to begin. Perhaps I’ll share with you a little bit about this baby story, especially if you havne’t been following in the past couple of months.
Well it all started in January of this year. My husband was going on a business trip and this particular time, because of where he was going, the family decided to tag along. We were in the mountains of Tennessee in a little cabin with our other 2 kiddos. When you add family time, spouse time and a hot tub apparently it equals baby. (innocent smile) We were not planning to have any more children and we had donated or sold everything we owned in regards to baby gear. So it’s like we are starting all over again. It makes you feel a little, well, foolish to have gone through it twice and only 3 years ago and you’ve already given all the stuff away because it “was in the way and taking up needed space”. Well guess what they “needed” space is going to be now? Yep, you guessed it a nursery for baby. Let me tell you getting a baby’s room ready is some kind of reality check for sure. It’s like the final thing before the actual big finale when you bring baby home and it wakes you every 2 hours, lol. (now that’s past reality, that’s a whole new world!)
When we first found out we had a little contest on Facebook and peeps got to vote on whether they thought baby is a boy or girl. (It’s a Girl for those that don’t know.) and I think next we’ll have a contest to see who can guess the date or closest to the date of delivery. Since baby is due in mid October it would be a great Halloween give-a-way! So more details will come as it gets closer to the countdown. Well, me…I’m already counting down but it’s a bit early for a contest countdown.
While I collect my thoughts about baby showers, our next topic, please share with us your most memorable moments at your baby shower or a friend’s shower. I’d love to get ideas for food, games, and decorations and I’ll share with you some unique favors! 
Share with us here by posting a comment, send us an email to babyideas@sweetexpressionsllc.net or join us on Facebook and join the discussion there!
www.facebook.com/SweetExpressions (like us and then join the discussion)
Candy Dessert Buffet at Your Event
When you think buffet or hear the word buffet you may automatically think chicken, pizza, pasta, fruit or salad. Even when there is a buffet at weddings, social events or business luncheons with a buffet you still think main courses and sides. But what is the one thing you look forward to the most? The end of the meal when the cake or other dessert is served. You just had what might be the salty and sometimes even bland and now you need that sweet to finish the meal. So why is that at most social events and parties the desserts are kept in the kitchen and only brought out as a single serving or there is only one dessert such as a wedding cake that is displayed nicely but offers you absolutely no choice or chance for seconds. LET’S CHANGE THAT!
I was browsing the internet searching for ideas and I came across an article about dessert buffets. I thought what an awesome idea! I have to tell you I absolutely love cake with buttercream icing but there are many people that do not. There are actually even some people out there that don’t like chocolate. I’m sure right now you’re saying, SHUT UP…how can someone not like chocoalte? I don’t know either but they’re out there! 
So this article got me thinking the display table I use for my business when doing shows could easily be transformed into a candy and dessert buffet. The beauty of these is that all you would need are a couple of nice but plain serving pieces to display the candy on and a vase for some chocolate bar flowers, maybe even a huge martini or wine glass filled with a favorite candy. This would be a no mess candy table that offers lollipops, personalized candy bars in several varieties. Other hard candies can be added to mintbooks and even gum! And who’s not looking for a mint or gum at a social event after eating. This is perfect I say….just perfect. By using personalized wrappers for all the candy you won’t need to purchase any expensive decorations for the table because the candy will serve as dessert, decorations, a thank you to all the guests and once the wrappers are empty they also make great keepsakes that can be added to a photo book or scrapbook!
When planning your next event save yourself and others money and time by not baking and consider a candy buffet at your next event. Take an ordinary party and turn it into a conversation piece that your guests will be talking about for days!!
Keeping it Unique,
Kristal
P.S.–If you haven’t signed up to receive the newsletter yet please do so now! The new one will be released the 1st week in September and it will include all the items you need to create your own candy dessert buffet for your next event. I’ll even show you how to arrange the table!
Making a Baby Shadow Box
