Camouflage

cam·ou·flage

noun /ˈkaməˌfläZH/  /-ˌfläj/  The disguising of military personnel, equipment, and installations by painting or covering them to make them blend in with their surroundings - on the trenches were pieces of turf, which served for camouflage - camouflage nets The clothing or materials used for such a purpose - figures dressed in army camouflage An animal's natural coloring or form that enables it to blend in with its surroundings - the whiteness of polar bears provides camouflage When our youngest son was around 3 years old, he loved everything camouflaged. He had a little pair of pants, a shirt and even Van slip on shoes. Back in the 70's, military camo was the only type of camo available. Now there are different camouflages that belong to the hunting world. One of my nieces is having a baby next month, and after a long string of girls, we can add another boy to the 2nd generation cousins. The baby's father is an avid hunter, so it wasn't surprising that the theme of the nursery is camouflage with a touch of orange. It was a very specific camouflage color- "Mossy Oak/Real Tree Break Up." I had no idea what this was. We raised 2 boys, but they didn't hunt while they lived at home. Now my youngest lives on 80 acres and can go out his front door and fish and hunt all day long. I knew I had a challenge ahead of me. I tucked away my feminine side and headed out to Academy Sports to searched for some inspiration. I love taking an item and transforming it in a creative way. When I saw the Koozies, I knew what I was going to make. Who knew that a holder for an "adult beverage" could be used in a mini scrapbook! I loaded up with different things used in hunting and fishing and started my project. I cut out different wildlife animals and "hunting jargon " with my Cricut and used them through out the book. I tried to use words that also could associate with a baby's picture (like "hibernating" for sleeping baby) I used a koozie every other page and embossed a tag with wood-like texture so they could journal on one side and place a picture on the other. For the pullouts, I used 2 target stickers and put them back to back. I also used a real paper target as one of my scrapbook pages. To mimic her baby bedding, I embossed a tag with dots, (for the minky material) and used orange seam binding, like what was on the baby blanket. Each page, I used different hunting papers I found at Hobby Lobby. I wanted to leave enough space to place pictures, so I used minimal embellishments. I would use a glossy product in areas to give a "wet nose" look. I found some Mossy Oak bandaids, so I thought it would be cute to make a "Safety First" page and put some of those bandaids in a little pouch. Next, I wanted a unique way to bind the book together, so I took a "fishing stringer" and used the hooks and fed it through grommets on each page for added strength. I used twine and fed it thru each koozie to hold them in place. For added interest, I attached fishing "floaters, lures, charms and a little light (to symbolize a nite-lite). I also used fishing swivels to attach all the embellishments. I took a copy of my son's hunting license, reduced it on my copier by 50% and laminated it for a miniature license charm. The mini was a little "chunky", so I found a compass at Walmart, added a ring to each side and used it as a closure to hold the scrapbook together. So I hope "Baby Hayes" likes his hunting,mini, baby scrapbook and knows that his Aunt Cindy loves him very much.

Paris and Poodles

Giavauna's first birthday

July 30th, 2010 was a big day. My 4th granddaughter was born. It's hard to believe a year has passed and we celebrated her first birthday this past weekend. They grow up so fast, as did our 2 sons. Life happened, and before you know it, our sons were married and having babies of their own.

God has blessed us with 4 granddaughters. All so beautiful, all with different personalities. I wouldn't change one thing about any of them. We are also very blessed to live close to them, so we can experience many "firsts" along with them.

Giavauna's birthday theme was "Paris and Poodles" with the colors being pink and black. I had so much fun helping to plan the party along with my daughter in law. She did a great job and has become quite the "hostess." With my love for crafting, it's a pleasure anytime I'm included with the planning.

The guests were met with a "Pink boa wreath with a "G" for Giavauna.

Happy Birthday banners were hung in the entry way with more pink boas and balloons.

I made a special banner, with Giavauna's name. Each banner had it's own letter and decorated along with the color scheme.

Our son had made a special poster of Giavauna from birth to now and had it hung in the entry way. His title was One Gia-mazing Year.

We made cupcake toppers with images from "CutiePatutie's" Etsy store. We added tulle and backed each one with cardstock. They were added to chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry flavored cupcakes. Strawberries and pink marshmellows were dipped in chocolate.

We tried to keep to the "Paris" theme and had "French-like" food. I made chicken salad served on croissants. We had different cheese, crackers, fruit and vegetable trays.

My daughter in law made darling peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, cut with poodle and dog bone cookie cutters and topped with pink sprinkles.

We filled in with hat boxes, Eiffel tower, gloves, pink poodles and French signs.

Of course, we had to bling up the highchair with material, boas and trims.

A party wouldn't be complete without having a picture album to capture all the fun. I made her a "Paris and Poodles" mini album so we could keep all the keepsakes and special pictures from the party. Each page has a pocket and tag for journaling.

I attached a little charm to the book with "shrinky dink" poodles, and french themed charms.

Each guest received a " sugar cookie favor" from a local bakery in shapes of poodles, tower, the number 1 or "G". We packaged them in cellophane bags with little stickers we had used through out the party.

So, Happy Birthday my sweet Giavauna. I am honored and blessed to be a part of your life. I pray your Nindy will be able to celebrate many more birthdays to come with you and all my other granddaughters, and maybe some day I will be able to decorate for your children's parties! I love you very much!

(For more pictures and video on party, album and banner- go to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqF_vB9zms4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKrsXKssJrA&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxD3_uCOj_E&feature=related