by Heather Mattos of Cookie Mondays

Hi!  I’m Heather.  I blog over at Cookie Mondays, where I share thoughts & ideas on my passions: creating, cooking, and coordinating… while attempting the balancing act of a stay-at-home mom of three (soon to be four!).  I love all things handmade, and would consider myself obsessed with entertaining and party planning.

I’m thrilled about the launch of Oh My! Handmade Goodness.  My monthly columns will be dedicated to the handmade party, featuring real events, resources, do-it-yourself ideas & tutorials, and tons of inspiration.  Enjoy!

This month I worked, from afar, on a project pretty close to my heart. Joel and Jess McClenahan tragically lost their baby girl, Cora, last year to cancer.  In an effort to get a brand new playground built in Cora’s honor at her church, I co-organized a fundraiser on Etsy, where hundreds of artisans quickly jumped on board to create and donate to the cause.  Sara Tams was a huge supporter of the Cora’s Playground movement, and in just a few weeks over $16,000 was raised by an amazing community of virtual strangers.  Cora’s Playground was built and dedicated last September, serving as such a beautiful memory for her family.

In January, Joel and Jess were blessed with an adorable baby boy, Levi.  So when Jess’ good friend, Amanda, asked Sara and I to share our input on the baby shower she was planning, we didn’t hesitate!  She envisioned a simple event, using blues and greens, the colors Jess had chosen for Levi’s nursery.  Sara was in charge of invitations and cupcake toppers, and Amanda had a few fun ideas for me that I was able to execute from 1600 miles away!  Here are just a few of the elements.

Adorable choose-your-silhouette invites and custom silhouette & monogram cupcake toppers by sarah + abraham.

Amanda loved the idea of a fabric bunting for Levi, but wanted to make it herself.  This is a really simple sewing project, even for a beginner, and I was able to easily walk her through the steps.  Look how cute it turned out, and I think it has so much more meaning behind it, having done it personally for her best friend. Part of the charm of handmade!  Plus, something like this makes a perfect bedroom accessory, lasting long beyond the shower.  There are many easy bunting tutorials out there, like this one by whipup.

She sent me the concept for these decorative “lollipops” made from washcloths and baby spoons, and to incorporate the same fabrics.  I made simple 4.5 x 9” washcloths from terrycloth on one side and coordinating cotton on the other.  It took two washcloths per lollipop, each rolled up tightly like a snake, then spiraled around each other, and pinned to secure.  I slipped each washcloth spiral into a clear cellophane bag, stuck in a spoon, and tied off with a ribbon.  Easy peasy!

It turns out that Sara and I both have a huge weakness for silhouettes!  I offer hand painted  canvases in my Etsy shop.  One last touch Amanda thought would be so special was a grouping of all four family members.  The name Levi means “joined”, and hanging the four tied together- or joined together- with a grosgrain ribbon perfectly symbolized this.

The shower turned out beautifully, and we were honored to be a small part of such an important afternoon.