blog banner for 2012

it's time to retire my blog banner.  thanks to the blog clover lane for the easy tutorial.

2011 blog banner

i decided to use less photos this time.

2012 blog banner

photo collage

this year, picasa has been my best friend for editing pictures, creating collages & beyond. actually, all of the photos & collages in my blog were created using this software. thanks to the easy tutorial in clover lane. i also found tons of websites, like DSE, that offer a lot of free digital scrapbooking paper.

here is an 8x10 birthday collage i made for my mom.

after avery turned one, i decided to continue making photo collages. i think its a great way to chronicle her growth. i have made twelve months of collages for her already. so why stop now?

this is her photo collage from thirteen to eighteen months old.

walgreens.com occasionally offers free 8x10 photo collages. i make sure i get this freebie all the time.

these are the freebies i ordered

first birthday

philippines trip

nineteen to twenty one months old

twenty two & twenty three months old

second birthday

and another collage of her 2nd birthday that we will give to grammy for christmas.

DIY - birthday poster & bunting

and to complete the birthday party...birthday poster & birthday bunting!

for the birthday poster, i created an 11x14 collage in picasa.  walgreens.com had a special last month for the 11x14 photo poster.  i only paid $1.99 instead of $9.99.  i taped this to the door of the play place during the party. 

for the birthday bunting, i also created a 4x6 collage in picasa.  and ordered the photo prints at target.

i used the following materials:  glue, scissors, ruler, ribbons, cutter, puncher & cereal boxes.

first, glue the 4x6 photos in the cereal boxes.  {i let everything dry overnight.}

with the use of the ruler & cutter, score each photo.

then cut curves on the bottom corners.

for the upper left & right corners of the photo, cut holes with the use of a puncher.

insert the ribbon in the hole & tie a knot.

tying a knot helps to secure each photo.

for a girly touch, i added a bow & some curling ribbons.

it was so easy to do, i actually made a similar bunting for a friend's birthday yesterday.  {i'm preparing my christmas holiday bunting now}.

i will definitely use this again for her birthday next year.  {or maybe make another one?}

DIY - thank you goodie bags for adults & teens

i love surprises.  and planning a surprise is what i'm good at.  everybody at avery's party had a surprise.  they all got a "thank you" goodie bag.  of course, nobody was expecting it. one even said "i've never gone to a party &  get to take home something."

for the tweens & teens thank you goodie bag: 

a candy & chocolate bar, sticky notepad & pen

for the adults thank you goodie bag:

magnetic list pad, sticky notepad, 2 pens & poem magnet

i created a 4x6 collage in picasa with the poem {searched a lot of children's poems online}.   then ordered free photo prints at winkflash.com.  using mod podge, i glued it to a foam board.  and  placed magnets at the back of the board.

i also used picasa to make the "thank you" tags & ordered free prints at walgreens.com.

for me, sending thank you cards is passe.  the best time & place to thank everyone for coming & celebrating our girl's birthday is right after the party.

next diy, photo board.

picasa & blog banner

i came across this amazing blog (clover lane) that gives a tutorial about making a blog banner in picasa. i've been using picasa for simple editing but never really bothered to explore the collage option.  as you can see, my blog has changed. i'm satisfied with my work. now my blog looks more personalized. =D