Friday, April 9, 2010

Let's Party! The Ultimate Blog Party with Five Minutes for Mom

Ultimate Blog Party 2010
Today I am partying with Five Minutes for Mom, at their annual Ultimate Blog Party. I met the lovely Janice, on the left below, at the Social Media Mom's Conference last February and love making new friends. I anticipate finding lots of great bloggers throughout the next week, through the party blog linky. It's a lot of fun and you can win great prizes, so be sure you check out how to participate too!
To get the party started here at my own blog, here's a little introduction. I'm a craft junkie, who takes way too many pictures and then needs oodles of scrapbooks, handmade minis, and altered projects to house them in. New lines of paper and all the latest embellishments can send me into a frenzy.

I dabble in a lot of other things too. Right now, I'm trying to figure out my new Cricut. If you've got some tips, please share! I also spend a lot of time reading about European royalty and am a history buff when I'm not discovering new children's literature.
I'm also a former teacher, turned stay at home mommy to a preschooler. She's a princess in training and uber girly. We love being fancy together! I am constantly thinking of new ways to play to learn with her and rely on my bag of tricks from being a kindergarten teacher all the time. But anything artsy, that gets our fingers all messy is always our favorite thing to do.
My hubby and I are celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary in August and he's moved me around the US during that time. It's ended up being a blessing, as we've gotten to experience very different regions from the Midwest and travel places we never thought we would. We've lived in three different time zones and are happy to be settled closer to family, back in the state we both grew up in. He's super brainy - a PhD ladies, yep I married a DOCTOR, well okay so it's not an MD but it still counts. We love being out and about and I share our adventures and family day trips a lot. That's the quick version of our lives☺ Welcome to my blog!
For this year's party post, I also wanted to share some of the highlights from the parties I've thrown. Any celebration is a good excuse for me to create a lovely centerpiece. You can never go wrong with a beautiful floral arrangement. I incorporated fresh fruit in this one, to tie it in with the tropical theme at my daughter's second birthday party. I love to get my daughter involved whenever possible. She made these polka dot pots and they doubled as a gift for the Grandmas at our Mother's Day Tea. It's also fun to add a little candlelight to the table and these photo luminaries from a Fourth of July BBQ are an especially fun touch. Plus they are easy and inexpensive to make. I LOVE crafting and really enjoy making decorations. I think they add a personal touch to my parties, several are shared in this birthday party post.Another example of the handmade creative touches I like to bring to parties are these message cards and keepsake box. They were for the graduation open house of my friend's step daughter. Friends and family can write a special message or congratulations to the graduate. I also made the frame and a simple tag banner, that you can see in the post.
I am not much of a cook but it is important to provide a lovely spread of delicious food for your guests, the menu for our Mother's Day Tea was pretty to look at and simple to prepare. I am always looking for more super easy recipes to serve at parties; I'd love it if you left me yours or a link to your tried and true one. The most ambitious thing I've ever made is a beach themed birthday cake, which doesn't look as good as the original but still is pretty cute. Once upon a time I used to teach special education and kindergarten and I miss being in the classroom. Hosting themed play dates for my daughter's friends helps fill that need. These cute pearly bites are from the Ocean themed one I held last summer. A picture of my daughter from it even made the mailbag of an issue of Family Fun Magazine!

Thank you for stopping by! I really appreciate your visit it and would love for you to become a regular reader and follower, and if you are on Blog Frog please join me there too☺ Please poke around and have a look around my "nest". If you already are a follower or subscriber, thanks for coming back☺

If you've stopped by please leave me a comment, because I want to make sure I visit your blog too! I always visit the folks kind enough to leave me a comment or drop me a line at katiesnesingspot{at}live{dot}com first. Have a great time partying!

Signature

There are a ton of great prizes for participating! My top three are:

Number 1: The Grand Prize, a Toshiba Laptop!
Number 2: #8, Buds to Bloom Photo Tile Necklace from Elemental Jewelry
Number 3: #23, $50 Gift Certificate to Monogramed Gifts

and if those are already awarded, I'd also love to win: #56, #71, #67, #22, #50, #6, #76, #34

54 Friends Said:

Amanda said...

How fun that you got to travel around and have a picture in Family Fun Magazine!

Confessions Of A Homeschooler said...

Hi Katie, I just signed up for the blog party too! How fun is this :) Good to see you on here!

ThinkFeminist said...

I am follower 500 BTW

Visiting you from UBP!!! Have a great party yourself!!!!!I am now following your blog, you can follow mine at www.safehomehappymom.com

Valerie @ Inner Child Fun said...

Lovely post, Katie, and great photos! :-)

What a fun blog party! I'll be off to check it out!

Mommyof2girlz/StephD said...

You rock! That's it, that's what I got. You are just an amazing lady and I am so honored to call you friend. Now go get your party on...lol

Lily Bean Designs said...

Hi from the party! Hope you are enjoying meeting new people and browsing the great prizes! I love your blog. =)

Shelly said...

Hi. It's nice to meet you. I love crafting too, although I'm not great at it. I love scrapbooking and card making. All your pictures look great!

Bethany @ Our 4 Sons Plus 1...Super Cute Girly Girl said...

I enjoyed reading your post, and was cracking up about the DOCTOR bit, ha ha! My mister is a rocket scientist, for real! I love your pictures, too- you make such pretty things!

Stef said...

Love the gerber daisies in limes! I do white ones in cranberries at chrsitmas time!!

Dee Birks said...

Great to meet you! I love crafts/scrapbooking/altered art too. I'm not very good at it, but I love all the pretty papers and things. Your blog is lovely; I'm subscribing in my Google Reader.

Maria and Michelle said...

YAY! A craft blog! Stopping by from UBP '10!!! I'm excited to look around more. Stop by FTSN for some peanut butter pie when you have time!

http://www.fromthesamenest.com

~ Michelle

Anonymous said...

Everyone is going to love it here! It's such a great place. Loving the party. Have a wonderful weekend Katie!

The Activity Mom said...

I already follow your blog but I joined in the blog party fun too! Hoping to win something fun!

Christy said...

I crossed your path on Scrappy Gifts, and I know you mentioned you lived in some of the locations I recently scrapbooked, so I need to come check you out! What a fun, well rounded blog! I'm your newest follower, I can't wait to see your upcoming adventures. :O)

Unknown said...

Great blog! I love crafts but am not too good at any. I think I just like the process!

http://frugalityinthemaking.blogspot.com/

Susie Buetow said...

Stopping in from the #UBP10!!! So fun meeting and tweeting new bloggers!!

I've fanned your blog, FB page and twitter follower!

Loved all your pics on the Mother Daughter Tea! How fun!

@Susieqtpies at Scraps of Life http://cafescrapper-scrapsoflife.blogspot.com

Shannon said...

Really really like the flower centerpiece with the limes and yellow flowers. May have to borrow that idea! Thanks for stopping by my blog. Always good to "meet" a new friend, especially a teacher! Happy weeekend!

It Feels Like Chaos said...

Hi! I came over via the UBP10. The pearly bites are the cutest thing! How creative you are!

Carolyn @ My Backyard Eden said...

Hi Katie! Thanks so much for stopping by my blog. Your blog is fantastic. I'm having a great time browsing through the links. You have a new follower!

Teri said...

Katie, I love seeing this sampling of all of your posts! You take amazing food photos! I've never heard of this blog party before, so I'll have to check them out. Not that I'm a mom, but I love to find new blogs! Good luck - I hope you win a great prize! PS: Glad your daughter liked my video! :)

♥ Noelle ♥ said...

you are so crafty and talented my dear!!

and very lucky to have married a DR!!

Maggie said...

Just stopping by to say Hi! Enjoy the party!

***Sharon*** said...

Party, party! So glad you joined! You know I'm a huge fan of yours and often come to your site for inspiration and guidance! :) Glad that other people are now going to discover you as well!

Katherine said...

WOW... you are one of those women I SO envy... you are beautiful, talented, a great mom and great cook too... so nice to meet you. I plan to come back and see what all your adventures have been!!!

Happy blog party!
Katherine
My other sites:
Who is not following you back?
Food Allergy Blog

Teresa @ Grammy Girlfriend said...

Love your blog and will be back to read more....

Blog hopping and having a blast.....so many great blogs....This is a GREAT party.
I have a Fun $100 Gift Basket to give away and all it takes a comment.
I am number....294 and 295......

Teresa
http://teresa-grammygirlfriend.blogspot.com
http://grammyababychangeseverything.blogspot.com/

Scatteredmom said...

Just dropping by from the Blog party :) Nice to meet you! I'm also a school person so it's nice to meet someone else. Love your craft and snack ideas!

Emma @ Outmumbered said...

O0o0oh Hi! Stopping by from UBP 2010... cute blog :D Im following now! Hope you can stop by.

TDM Wendy said...

I am so not crafty so I appreciate your skills! And I want to come to one of your real life parties with all that good food and those beautiful yellow flowers and limes! Thanks for stopping by blog!

Anonymous said...

Hi Katie,
Hello from Recognize & Remember -- it was fun to see that you would enjoy receiving the Blessings Unlimited Blessings Blocks for a prize! I love my set!
It is fun to see how creative you are -- Happy Blog Party

Vickie said...

Since Yesterday, I saw this blog party thing all over blogland!!

I gotta see if I am a part of your community;)

You got a Cricut!!!!!!!!! I just learned how to use it from work. So I just know some basic stuff, probably not much.

SomerJane at Daisys and Diggers Blog said...

I love your Gerbera Daisy with limes arrangement~ I LOVE GERBER DAISYS!!!

I wanted to share this award with ya since I like your blog~

http://daisysanddiggers.blogspot.com/2010/04/my-1st-blog-award.html

Just go to this link and get the award to paste in your blog...make sure to blog about 10 things that make you happy and then pass it on to some more blogs you like!!

Have a great weekend!! SJ

Alex said...

Beautiful family! Here via UBP

@Finzillamommy
beforethebabywakes.blogspot.com

Kelly's Lucky You said...

Hi Katie,

I'm stopping by from UBP and decided to stay :) I'm a new follower.

Nice to meet you! I hope you'll stop by and visit me too -

Kelly
http://KellysLuckyYou.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Mmmmmmm . . . I want to come to one of your parties! The food looks fabulous!

Mirinda Dawe said...

Hi Katie, thanks for stopping by my blog! I'm so happy to have found YOURS because it's adorable!! Look forward to getting to know you better! :)

MamaMonki said...

Hi! Just stopping by from UBP. You are very talented. Love the centerpieces.

Amber said...

How creative everything is! I checked out the post about the graduation party - LOVE IT. I'll have to remember the notecard and keepsake box idea because that is brilliant. =0)

Natalie PlanetSmarty said...

Your blog is not new to me, but it's nice to see your UBP introduction and learn new things about you.

Erica said...

I found you through UBP, but am surprised I haven't found you before. I am also an early childhood/ elementary teacher turned SAHM, who fills her void by doing things with her daughter. Though mine is not a princess (at least not yet or not in the traditional manner), and that's all right with me!

Mika said...

Your centerpieces are fantastic! I don't have a decorating bone in my body so I'm very jealous of your talent! And thank you for choosing Froggy Girl Designs as one of your top prize choices! I hope you win!

Ms D said...

Look at all those wonderful goodies you have! YUM! Nice to meet you and feel free to stop by my blog to say hi too!

@Dayngr said...

Super cutie blog!

Dropping by to toss confetti, pull up a virtual chair and party with you. Let's have some fun!

I've got my Ultimate Blog Party 2010 post up at Dayngrous Discourse. Plus, I've got my first giveaway too. I hope you'll surf on over and say hello.

It's you're the tweetin' kind, I'm @Dayngr on twitter.

Shonda said...

Totally cute blog! I was a K teacher too. I will definitely be spending more time at your site. Shonda @ Knowlton Nest (www.jsknowlton.blogspot.com)

TwinHappyJen said...

Stopping by from the UBP! :-) I just love hosting themed-parties, too... kind of blog-hopping right now, but following you so I can be sure to come back again later! :-D

Niki Jolene said...

Hi there from ubp10!

My name is Niki from over at Free 2 Be Frugal...nice to "meet" you.

I am a preschool teacher and I love all these neat projects you have on your site.

Be sure to stop by and see me, plus enter my latest giveaway:

http://free2befrugal.blogspot.com/2010/04/ultimate-blog-party-10.html

Jessica said...

Stopping by from UBP! You are so crafty! Man I wish I was half as crafty as you are!

Chels said...

Hi! I'm visiting from UBP and instantly recognized your face from ABC and 123- love it already! Great blog here too! You must be very busy. I like the fun party you're throwing by sharing party ideas!

Alison said...

Super adorable crafty pics! Creative people are so fun to be around- they seems to just drip energy and personality!

Jennifer C. Valerie said...

Hi Katie,
Nice to meet you. Hope you're having fun at this year's UBP. Enjoy your evening!

diane said...

hello, nice to meet you. here for the ubp. wolfbayou@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

Hi there! Nice to meet you! I'm stopping by via UBP. I enjoyed reading your blog and will be visiting again soon! Love the flower centerpiece sooo gorgeous! We are your newest followers -inspired gifts

I hope you can stop by our blog: http://inspiredgiftsblog.blogspot.com
Inspiredgifts.com is a mom owned newly launched site.

Have a beautiful day
Rebecca

Anonymous said...

Love the birthday cake!

Unknown said...

Just stopping by from UBP! Hope you're looking forward to a wonderful weekend. I would LOVE for you to drop by my blog, Savings & Stewardship, when you get a chance! We're giving away a copy of the book Enjoy Your Money! by J Steve Miller at Midnight TONIGHT (Fri), and there aren't many entries - so feel free to enter for a chance to win - quick link can be found in the top right sidebar of my blog!!

http://savingsandstewardship.blogspot.com/

Karen's Favorite Things said...

I'm visiting from the UBP. What a creative person you are! I hope you'll consider visiting my little online store: www.fashionsforyourlitlteones.com. I'm giving away a prize with the UBP: #USC34. Enjoy the party!

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