A Very Merry Christmas To You!

So it's been a while...

okay it's been like forever but who's really counting :)

I just wanted to send out a very Merry Christmas wish to all of you and wish you well in the New Year!

I also wanted to say that I'm really trying to get back into blogging because I love sharing my craftiness with you and reading all of your comments but I am truly struggling.

I'm struggling because of many reasons:

First, I am no longer able to add pictures to my blog because I'm over the limit and I really don't want to pay to add more pictures because I know that I will just use that space up and have to pay more.

So I'm at a crossroad right now as to what I should do.

Ideally, I would love to pay someone to create a blog for me where all I would have to do is sign in and write, but I'm not sure if I am serious enough about blogging to really reap the benefits of this and I really can't afford to spend the extra money on something that doesn't seem worthwhile.

Secondly, I have been working really hard trying to gather materials and create complete math units for my grade level as well as making original activities and all the manipulatives, worksheets, and games that go along with it.  Sadly, I have put in over a year on one unit and still have 9 more to go.  All ten units should be implemented by 2014 but I'm not sure how they are going to get finished in time.  I have been working mostly at night while my son is asleep to finalize everything for the first unit and it has taken a toll on me because I no longer have the free time plus I'm not getting paid for creating this unit on my free time.  Don't get me wrong, I actually like creating a curriculum but I'm only a part time teacher and sometimes the inequities where I work is very frustrating especially since I am working my tail off to make a fraction of what someone else is making doing a fraction of what I am doing.  However, that rant is for another day.

Thirdly, I am desperately trying to make some extra money for my family by taking all my activities and games that I have been working on for the math units and uploading them to teacherspayteachers.com and my personal shop HERE.  I am very pleased with the responses I have received and how much I have made so far but I hope to increase my earnings by adding more downloads.  Unfortunately, getting activities classroom ready versus  TPT ready are two entirely different things.  I have spent so much time making my ideas both presentable and user friendly for TPT that I haven't been able to think about anything else.  However, there is one thing I have been putting off for about 6 years now and I realize that I have to do something quick.

Lastly, I HAVE to go back to school to get my masters degree and I am absolutely dreading it because I have no idea where I will get the money and where I will find the time to attend class, read the books, and finish the assignments.  Let's just say that I'm feeling the stress of everything on my shoulders.  Needless to say, my biggest concern is whether or not I am spending enough quality time with my son who really and truly is the most important in all my constant worries.  Though I thought I wasn't going to say anything about what happened two weeks ago...

I realize that life is so short and I can't imagine what I would do without my family especially my little man.  I am very grateful for this week off from school because I have been able to really spend time with my son and not worry so much about my lesson plans or correcting papers.  It's just the two of us, since my husband still has to work, building Legos or Thomas the Train sets or reading one of the many books Santa brought him.  And yes, Santa probably spoiled my son this year but he deserved every single gift under that tree because he is an amazing little man and each and every day I am so proud of him.  In light of the tragedy in Newtown, I am thankful I had a tree filled with presents and a little boy filled with joy and excitement to open them.  I send my heartfelt and sincere prayers and sympathy to everyone who was involved in the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting, as well as all the first responders, and the families who were touched in someway.  I pray for your peace and for your strength to make it through another day without your loved ones.

I apologize to you readers for having to deal with my scattered thoughts which started out one place and ended up in an entirely different direction.  Please don't think less of me as I rant and carry on about trivial things while mothers and fathers are mourning the loss of their children.  The most important part of a mother's life is her children and that is always in my heart.

Merry Christmas to you and your families!

~Katania

{Birthday Series} Mickey Mouse Banner

Sorry folks, I just realized I never posted this:)

Getting back to my son's third birthday, I wanted to share with you the two banners I made to hang in my house.

The first banner I made said "Happy Birthday" and hung on the large wall behind my couch.  Thankfully, I have yet to complete my picture wall so I only had to take down one picture.

I used very heavy black cardstock with a glitter sheen to it for the Mickey Mouse heads and the same type of cardstock but in red for the letters.  I also added Mickey Mouse pants and two gloved hands on the ends.  I used the Mickey and Friends cartridge and Robotz for the letters.

Here are some more images...

The second banner I made was very similar but without the pants and lettering since I needed something to hang in the doorway to my dining room.

I thought both banners came out adorable and my son absolutely loved them.  They made a fantastic addition to our Mickey Mouse party decor.

If you are interested in either banner or would like a custom name banner please email me HERE for more information and pricing.  I can change the wording and colors to match your decor and can also add little bows to each panel to make a Minnie Mouse banner. I would love to make something custom for you and your child!

Thanks for looking!

~Katania

Teacher Apple Thank You Cards

{Apple Series} Teacher Thank You Cards

I have to say that my class this past year was probably the most appreciative class I have ever had in the past 5 years.  They really went above and beyond to show how much they appreciate everything I do.  With that being said, I just couldn't send a cheap thank you card.  Soooooo, I created an adorable thank you card complete with a school font and a super cute apple.

I used a green polka dot cardstock behind the apple and printed the "thank you" out on my computer.  The apple is cut and assemble from my Cricut cartridge Doodlecharms.

Here are some more images...



Don't you just love the font! Perfect for a teacher gift:)



What do you think?

I absolutely love them and was so happy to send some love to all my students.

Actually, I loved these little cards so much I plan on making a set with "Welcome to our class" to send to my new students in the fall and another set with my name to use throughout the year.

I plan on putting these up in my etsy shop this summer but if you are interested in the "thank you" cards, "Welcome to our class" cards, or your name or child's teacher's name please email me HERE for more information and pricing.

How cute would this be as a teacher appreciation gift or as a first day of school gift!

Also, I am currently working on some new designs so be on the lookout for the following:

*Bumble Bee Baby Shower Inviations/Decorations

*Bumble Bee Birthday Invitations/Decorations

*Christening Invitations

*Pool Party Invitations

*Summer BBQ Invitations

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer!

~Katania

I'm coming back, I promise

Enjoying the Memorial Day Parade with my little man!

I want to thank all of you who continue to read my blog even though I have yet to post anything is such a long time. I just realized how long I have neglected this blog!

Where did May go?

However, it definitely was not due to lack of creativity just lack of time.  I just finished a HUGE order and now have four ongoing orders to complete.  Now don't get me wrong, I LOVE being creative and making something special for people, but something has to give between being a mommy to my little man, a wife to my husband, teaching especially at the end of the year with report cards and crazy students, my side business, KT Designs, trying to keep my house is some sort of order and continuing to write for this blog.  Obviously it was the latter that had to go.  However, I promise I will be back to share all my new creations as well as photos from the baby shower and my son's third birthday.
Until then, I wish you all a wonderful weekend!

~Katania

{Birthday Series} Dinosaur Invitations

Here's yet another order I completed last month for a little boy turning three who loves dinosaurs.

I was very excited to make this invitation because this was my first time cutting the little dinosaur and putting him together.  Of course, he is from one of my all time favorite cartridges, Create a Critter, and he has succeeded in proving once again why CAC is so perfect for little kids birthday parties.

I just think this little dino is so darn CUTE!

What do you think?

Dinosaur Birthday Invitation



The invitation says:
ROAARRR!
Come join us for a
DINO-MITE Party.
Our little (child's name)-asaurus
is turning 3!





I added a little googly eye to each dinosaur!



Of course I pop-dotted the dino off the invitation to give it a little more dimension!

I had so much fun putting this little guy together and adding the little googly eye.  I definitely think it came out great and I know the little boy absolutely loved it!

If you are interested in this invitation or any other custom invitation for any occasion feel free to email me HERE for more information and current pricing.  I would love to make something custom for you so please do not hesitate to ask :)

Thanks for looking!
~Katania

{Birthday Series} Cupcake Birthday Invitations

I received an order from a friend of mine for cupcake invitations for her twin girl's birthday party.  With the directions of the colors pink and green and the number three somewhere on the invitation, this is what I came up with.

Cupcake Birthday Invitations

Using both my Cricut and Cuttlebug, I cut, assembled, and embossed the cupcake and number candle.  I used two different embossing folders for the frosting and the wrapper.  I then added a tiny pink bow to the top of the candle.

The words on the invitation read:

Cake and goodies,

what fun it will be.

Our little girls,

are turning THREE!

(All personal information has been omitted from the pictures)



Embossing detail on the cupcake.



And of course, all images are pop dotted to add that little extra something and because I just absolutely love pop dots :)



I absolutely loved making these invitations and working with girly colors again though I could definitely see this same invitation in a blue/green, a blue/brown, or a blue/red theme for a little boy!

Please stay tuned for the matching Happy Birthday Banner coming soon!

~Katania

If you are interested in this invitation or something similar please email me HERE for current pricing and options.  I would love to make something custom for you for all your special occasions.  Thanks for looking :)

{Birthday Series} Mickey Mouse: Invitations

After a much needed break from all the craziness that I call my life, I am finally refreshed enough to focus on this blog again. 

And what better way to jump start my weekly posts than to share with you the invitations I made for my little man's 3rd birthday!

I can't even begin to tell you how fast the time has pasted since the day of his birth, but he continues to grow and learn so much that he amazes me each and every day.

So without further adieu,

here are the

Mickey Mouse Invitations!



The front complete with the number 3 and two white buttons for Mickey's pants!



Party information on back in a Walt Disney font!

The back says:

Put on your ears,

It's time for cheers!

________ is turning three,

Oh what fun it will be!

I had a ton of fun making these invitations and trying to get them just right.  My little man could not be happier and was so excited for his party.  Stay tuned because I have a ton more stuff to share with you soon!

~Katania

If you are interested in the Mickey Mouse invitations please email me HERE for more information and pricing!

Thank you for looking!

March Madness!

Ok, so it's not the basketball March madness but there is a definite craziness around my house in March.

Starting with finishing my student's report cards, conferencing well into the evening, creating and making decorations/food/dessert for my little man's birthday, and of course, throwing the best birthday party ever!

I might be a little OCD, (but don't tell my husband) because I just have to have everything perfect just like I see it in my head. 

Does this cause me to have additional stress? Yes!

Does it cause problems in my household when something doesn't go right? HELL YES!

Do I still stay up late and stress even more just to finish something? Yes, always.

Does the party always look perfect to outsiders? Most definitely.

Is the party perfect to me? NO!

I always think that I should have done something differently, or added something or that I just didn't do enough.

Will my son ever know? Not at all, because all he cared about was having friends to play with.

Will I continue to stress myself over tiny details in the future? Sadly, I think the answer is yes.

I just can't help it especially if it is for my little man.

Do you find yourself doing this same thing or is it just me?

Can you believe this little man is 3?

Don't mind the crazy grin, he was eating some candy :)

Stay tuned for the Mickey Mouse Birthday Series!

~Katania

{Real Parties} Baby Shower Decorations

So it's been a while since I share part of my {Real Parties} Baby Shower series with you but it's back.  The best part is...

my baby niece is HERE!

Well... she's been here over a month now but who's keeping track :)

Welcome Madysen Elizabeth!

All I can say is LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this little peanut!

So in honor of this beautiful little baby I wanted to share with you the decorations I made for my sister's baby shower.
I do apologize that my pictures are not the best and I did not get a chance to take photos of everything since we were so pressed for time. 
Here's the banner I made to hang behind my sister's chair and to use in her little girl's room afterwards.  (I would have made a name banner but my sister wasn't sharing the baby's name)
I used different shades of pink and included glitter letters and small glitter butterflies. 

I made puff balls in three different colors and sizes to hang above the buffet and the gift table.  I should have made many more but these took me forever to fold, and pull apart the layers because I did not want to tear the tissue paper.  If you are looking for directions on how to make these click HERE.

Considering the amount we already spent on the shower, we opted to go without floral arraignments on the table (especially since there were 8 tables) so instead for each table, I bought a small pink cactus and wrapped it in pink wrapping paper then added a little piggy bank as a prize for the bingo winner.  In another post you will get a chance to see the mother to be gift.

I also added some more puff balls above the buffet table and also added a strip of pink paper down the middle for some color.

For the plasticware, I purchased three small white buckets and added pink bows and three glittered butterflies to continue with the girly butterfly theme.  I highly recomend buying these buckets whenever you see them and in every color because they can be used for so many things.

Lastly, stay tuned for the next {Real Party} post on my baby shower favors!
Here's a sneak peek until then!

Thanks for looking!
~Katania

Valentine Pencil Topper & Tag

Yes, I know I have been MIA this past week but it has been a bit crazy here with planning for my little man's birthday and other orders coming in and well to be honest with you, I just wanted to relax a little bit whenever I get the chance.  However, I did want to share with you my pencil toppers and tags I made for Valentine's day even though it was about a week ago.

Hopefully the love of your life made your Valentine's Day extra special!

Valentine Pencil Topper

To make the pencil topper you can follow my tutorial for my Easter Pencil Toppers HERE!

Valentine Tag

I added my tags to baggies filled with Kisses and also tied one around our candy jar.

I hope everyone enjoyed their Valentine's Day with someone they love!

~Katania