Tutorial: Caterpillar Bug Jars

I'm working furiously to finish all the crafts I have planned for Little O's birthday party. Check out the invitations I made a few weeks ago. I have two weeks left. I think I can do it. If she takes some really LONG naps!

Today I worked on the centerpieces for the four tables in the party room. I decided on caterpillar bug jars to continue the Very Hungry Caterpillar theme.

You will need:

1. An assortment of pompoms. I used red, green, and yellow. The red one (for the head) is a slightly larger size than the green and yellow. I think it would be just as cute if all the pompoms were the same size.
2. Googly eyes
3. Pipe cleaners (one per caterpillar)
4. Hot glue
5. Plastic jars (you could use glass, but since mine are for a baby party, I opted for plastic). I got mine in the painting supply section of Hobby Lobby.
6. An assortment of green card stock
7. Scissors or a Cricut (I used my Cricut)

First, I hot glued the pompoms together to create the caterpillar body. Then I glued the googly eyes to the head.

Next, I attached the antennae. These are made out of black pipe cleaners. I placed the pipe cleaner under the caterpillar in the joint between the head and the first body segment. I wrapped the pipe cleaner around the "neck" and twisted it to hold it in place.

After securing the pipe cleaners, I used a pencil to curl them into antennae.

Here's what they looked like when they were finished.

I used my Cricut to cut out leaves to decorate the inside of the jars. I used dark green and light green and two different styles of leaves.

Here's the finished product. I think they turned out really cute. The caterpillars are a little larger than I had originally planned, but I like them anyway.

Jessica

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Valentine's Day Advent Calendar

I created this Valentine's Day Advent Calendar for my husband. I thought it was a very clever way to say I Love You to him on the days leading up to Valentine's Day.

I got the idea from a fellow blogger in blog land. Here's where I found it.

First I went "shopping" in my craft room. I had tons of scrapbook paper, stickers, ribbon, and embellishments. All I needed were the bags, some more glue (all my glue sticks were dry!!), and a few other odds and ends. I found everything else I needed at Hobby Lobby. Google eyes, heart-shaped sequins, Valentine's Day cards (for the love notes), stamps, and the white craft bags.

I spent several hours playing with my Cricut while the baby was sleeping. And while she was awake too. She loves playing with paper scraps in my craft room.

I decorated each bag in a different way, including a number that corresponded to the date. Each day, he was allowed to open on bag. Inside he found a little love note that told him one reason why I love him. He also got a sweet treat. I put a few yummy candies in each bag.

I put the calendar up after he went to bed on January 31. And I left him this note on the kitchen counter.

This was such a fun project, and so easy. My husband really loved it.

Next year, I'll probably make one for baby O too.

One added benefit, aside from telling my hubby how much I love him, he now has 14 days to come up with a really awesome Valentine's Day gift for me! Thanks to my best buddy for pointing that one out. I swear it didn't occur to me!

I'm thinking I've caught Advent Calendar fever. I might make these for other holidays too. I'm thinking Easter, Halloween, and of course Christmas.

Jessica

Tutorial: Very Hungry Caterpillar Invitations

I'm planning my daughter's first birthday party this month, and I've decided to run with The Very Hungry Caterpillar as the theme. I found some really cute invitations in the community area of What to Expect. And I decided they were so cute, I wanted to make them for Little O's party.

Click Here to see how I made them!
Update: Since making these, I've made some other invitations too!
Jessica