The Giving Madam

{Party Fun} Fly with the Butterflies to Grace's Party!

2011-09-23T10:49:00.000-07:00

I had another privilege to work with the awesome Vintage Couture Fashion Stylist - Audrey Mckinley to help with her beautiful daughter Grace's 5th birthday! The colors in this party take me to another place! I wish I could have been a kid at the party to soak in all the beautiful colors and pretend I am a butterfly in "Butterfly Land"!
I am positive Grace had a wonderful time! Check out that pretty crown ...Audrey made it herself for all the butterfly gals! Okay, I am going to just let these fun fun FUN pictures express the fabulous'ness of this Butterfly Party! For party credits....flutter your way to the end of this post!

Party Credits:

Party Creation - Audrey McKinley

Photographer - Kim Kirker Photography

Cake & Cupcakes - Ditzie Cakes

Butterfly Wings and Tutu's - Halo Heaven

Printable Decor -Me - The Giving Madam

{Parties Galore} Dr. Seuss parties from wonderful non-customers

2011-09-01T16:32:00.000-07:00

I have been meaning to get on board with doing this for the longest time! I've been so grateful to receive pictures from many wonderful mommies (and daddies) who have used my Dr. Seuss printables! What an honor to be a part of their special occasion!

Please enjoy these special pictures below! I hope some of them give you ideas and inspiration for your Dr. Seuss party, especially if you use my FREE printables here.

These are not even half of the pictures that I have received! I will post the rest eventually! Thank you all again!

Photo Credits:

Mommy: Krista

Birthday Boy: Jackson
The mommy made the cake, and cookies as in the pictures shown! I am absolutely amazed at her excellent work!!

Krista used the cupcake toppers as clever decor!

A very neat idea, Krista used my juice box wrappers to wrap candy!

Bunting fabric from Fabric.com

Wow wow wow!

Pictures on M&M's...I've gotta do this at least once!

Photo Credits:
BC Fotos

Mommy:Christina

Birthday Boy: Cason
Looks like a ton of fun! Wonderful decor!

Photo Credits:

Mommy:Cynthia

Birthday Boy: Cameron
That is such a cute cake!

Photo Credits:

Mommy:Gina

Birthday Boy: Jackson
Pretty everywhere!

{Volunteer Travel Grant} Will Travel for Good, only!

2011-07-21T14:05:00.000-07:00

Hello friends!

Please vote for me here!!!! I will forever be grateful!

I am in great pursuit for the chance to volunteer with the Peace Corps. As a child I have always wanted to go to Africa to help the children and families. A big problem which they currently face is the lack of caregivers. This poses a ripple of problems because the children aren't educated with HIV/Aids, are sent back on the streets, and basically are sometimes left alone to have a harder life.

Just recently, I have discovered other organizations which could provide me the opportunity! One organization in particular is Cross Cultural Solutions. If you have the same journey as I do I would like to encourage you to check them out! Unlike the Peace Corps which pays for room, board and meals, with CCS you would have to pay a program fee which will take care of all of that. It typically ranges from $1000 and up depending on which area of interest you choose. The wonderful thing is that the process is simpler to get into, and you have the option to volunteer from a week to several months! This is the type of program for me because I have three children who are still very young. I wish I found CCS sooner!

I couldn't stop reading and learning about CCS! On their website - they provide fundraising ideas and ALSO details on the chance to get a $5,000 grant from Travelocity!!! After learning about the grant I couldn't stop thinking about it. I've spent the past couple weeks working on my script and trying my hardest to put my video together (this is my first video ever made). I feel like my chance to help the children in Africa may just be a little closer!

I would greatly appreciate it if you could help me get there!
Can you please watch my video and vote for me?Just click here to see it:
http://www.volunteerjournals.com/volunteer-travel-grants/entries/will-travel-good-only
You won’t need an account to vote and it only takes a second! You may vote once a day!!

Even better, can you help me spread the word? I need as many votes as I can get! The top 25 finalists are determined by audience support and the quality of their videos.

Thank you so much, your vote would mean a whole lot to me.
-Rebeca

My apologies....

2011-07-13T13:06:00.000-07:00

Good morning, Good afternoon, and Good evening.

After a semester off I am diving back in to school at Penn State, so I wanted to share this news with you.

I regret to say that because of attending school, taking care of three kids, and handling my Etsy shop that I will no longer be able to personalize cupcake toppers. The amount of requests are outstanding! As much as it brings me joy to insert your child's name and age for his or her special occasion it also takes up an abundance of my time which I feel needs to be a little more devoted to my children.

I hope you understand.

All is not lost!! I will continue to email all my files that you request!

Thank you for all your emails, stories, and pictures. It is always wonderful to open up a new letter and be able to read what you have to share.

Warmest wishes,

Rebeca

{Party Fun} Ava in Wonderland tea party.

2011-07-08T12:06:00.000-07:00

My daughter Ava turned 4years old this past March. When she first received her very own tea set at the age of one she always loved to play "tea party" I finally realized that this would be the perfect party setting for her! Without any doubt I knew she had a great time! Here is my version of an Alice in Wonderland tea party for her - lots of colors!

I decided to keep the party intimate, so I invited her cousins only. It worked out to where each and every child was a character from the movie. If you look closely at their outfit you could notice a hint of who is who. It was a lot of planning and creating on my part that I was starting to become a bit overwhelmed! I created EVERY head piece! Phew! I had to do one a day, yikes. It was well worth the effort though.

Here's is my youngest daughter as the Dormouse (mad hatter is my second daughter)! I was so happy to find this jumbo tea cup - it was very fitting!!

Here are the printables which I designed; invitation, cupcake toppers, and name tags which could also be used as food labels. :)

I also baked and decorated the cake, cookies, and cupcakes.

When I created these arrow signs I totally forgot to include arrows facing left. However, it is available in my shop!

I hope you enjoyed looking at this party as I enjoyed putting it together for Ava! I also hope you're inspired to throw your daughter an Alice in Wonderland tea party!

Cupcake Toppers, Arrow Signs, Food/Name Labels, etc... may be purchased Here at my Etsy shop!

Thank you for stopping by!

{Customer Party!} Pink Rubber Ducky in polka dots

2011-06-02T07:10:00.000-07:00

I was so thrilled that Juliet from Little Posh Parties in Las Vegas used my pink rubber ducky printables!!! She did a wonderful job designing the baby shower. Check out the full post here at On To Baby.
I am so honored to be able to work with such talented people!! Please enjoy some of her work below.

This set could be purchased here!

Photos by: Ati Grinspun: http://www.atiphotography.com/

{Great News} I am in!!

2011-04-21T08:29:00.000-07:00

If you're already following me on my blog then you probably are aware as to what I do. If you aren't, I am into designing party printables .... graphic designs. What you may not know is that everything you see has been self taught! Now, I am ready to take myself to the next level and have decided to attend school for the extra learning. So, I applied at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco! I was happy to finally receive a letter from them in the mail to let me know that I am in!!! Happy dance and High Fives to everyone. I look forward to creating better and prettier stuff for you all!

{Party Fun} Easter Pals "Egg Coloring" playdate!

2011-04-19T09:25:00.000-07:00

Easter is near, I don't think I have any clear memories of a time when I colored eggs, so I wanted to give my daughters along with their cousins a chance at having a pretty yet simple egg coloring play date. Since my daughters are quite young I knew there would definitely be a mess, so to help minimize the little Picasso's opportunity to get color everywhere on themselves - I decided to sew pretty aprons! Attached to them was a fabric flower pin. To dress them up even more I created flower headpieces! My theme was based on "pastel colors" and "Easter pals" which is accented through my printable labels. They had more fun than I expected. The toddlers had a chance to color an egg too, although it came from a page from a coloring book. As an addition to the fun - there was also a little photobooth which I created bunny mouth and ears printables. You could get them here in my shop!

{gift Ideas} Motorcyle diaper cake, the next cool thing to bring to a baby shower

2011-04-11T08:27:00.000-07:00

I stumbled across this really cool idea when searching for diaper cakes! It is absolutely adorable! I think if I received this is a gift I wouldn't want to take it apart! Now I just need a baby shower to bring it to.

The shop is called sweetapirils. Click here to order yours today!

{In shoppe} Easter photobooth fun and saving the world one dollar at a time.

2011-04-02T01:54:00.000-07:00

If you'd like to add a little fun and excitement to your Easter party maybe my bunny props could help out!
I will donate $1.00 for every purchase of this item to UNHCR - a refugee agency. Find out more here.

Get your props here.

{Best Non-paying Customers Ever} Easter Subway Art pictures from Cynthia.

2011-03-29T02:50:00.000-07:00

I was so happy to open up an email from a wonderful lady named Cynthia! She sent me photos displaying the use of my Easter Subway Sign which you could get here. She did such a beautiful job with her decorations, I got so excited. Also, she was kind enough to mention where she got some of her items - I was happy to discover that they came from Etsy.
The "Spring Blocks, Wooden Daisy, and Eggs" are from LisaBees - such a cute store, I definitely want to buy stuff there. And, the "Bunny Garland" is from Creations by Minda.

Here are the fabulous photos! I really need to decorate for Easter now.

Thank you again Cynthia! You really made me happy!

{Project Help} Love : Japan in Cupcake topper form

2011-03-17T06:43:00.000-07:00

It is devastating to see pictures and videos of the effects the earthquake has imprinted in Japan. I am here in Guam which is not to o far away - I believe it is only a four or five hour plane ride, so we definitely had warnings to evacuate in certain areas. Luckily, Guam is surrounded by reefs which acts like some kind of barrier to Tsunami's - slows it down.

I created some printables which I hope could fight the devastation and lift spirits! They could be purchased here in my Etsy Shop!

I wish I were rich enough to donate a big chunk from my girly wallet, but I am not. So, I will cross my fingers that my project does a good job. Every profit earned will be donated to American Red Cross!!

My Japan disaster relief aid package includes:

2 in. cupcake toppers "I heart Japan"
2 in. cupcake toppers "Pray for Japan"
5x5 Sign " I heart Japan"
Cupcake wrapper
Water Bottle wrapper
** and if I create new items I email it to who ever makes a purchase.

Use these printable items to ......
** Host a bake sale and use the profit earned as a way for you to donate yourself!
** Wear the cupcake toppers as buttons by glueing on some felt and attach to a pin!
** Make your students create signs and decorate it with the 5x5 sign!
** Style your water bottle by representing Japan!
...the possibilities are endless!! People will know you care even more so. :)

Here are pictures of my daughter's representing my "Project Help - Love: Japan" Printables!

Add caption

Baby Bootie Cravings

2011-03-08T07:05:00.000-08:00

I was shopping around Etsy and stumbled upon a very cute store that sales baby booties! I thought they were absolutely adorable! I just couldn't keep my eyes away from all the cuteness. My heart started pumping faster from the excitement. I am growing restless and want morning to come already (it is pass midnight), so I can head to the fabric store and make my very own. Lurking behind the restlessness is some sort of panicky feeling because I started calculating the age of my youngest daughter -- she is already 19 months, so soon - very soon her little feet won't be as baby looking. But what the heck, I figure I'll just try it anyway. In fact, I think if I am successful I will make as many as I can - in different colors, different styles, and different embellishments. Can you tell how excited I am about this?! I wish I had done it sooner, especially since I have two other girls who are much older for these on their feet. Ugh, I hate thinking how late I am with this!

So, to make peace with myself and for the time being. I went on a tutorial search that would best help a beginner like myself be confident enough to attempt this booty rampage. Here is what I have so far. If you have any other please share!

http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-sew-baby-shoes <--- Video

http://www.michaelmillerfabrics.com/blog/cloth_shoe.pdf

https://goosiegirls.wordpress.com/2008/07/23/baby-shoe-tutorial/

http://www.greatturtle.com/stardustshoes/clothshoe.pdf

http://mollychicken.blogs.com/my_weblog/2006/12/baby_boots.html

http://babypatterns.atspace.com/tutorial1.html

{ Party Time!} Snowflake Ballerina

2011-03-03T03:14:00.000-08:00

As mentioned in a previous blog I had the opportunity to design a silhouette snowflake ballerina invitation and cupcake toppers! I also made the cake and was the photographer. :)
This party was absolutely cute, my cousin did a wonderful job with the decor - simple and sweet!

Here are my cupcake toppers!

Pink popcorn, swirly lollipops, cotton candy, and a pink fluffy thing - I forget what it's called.

My cousin purchased the snowflakes for the banner at Oriental Trading. She used her cricut to cut out the letters.

Decorating Cookies! These are my two fairies out of three.

Here is where they picked up their hand made tutu's!

This is my daughter, Ella.

My daughter, Elaena, is on the right. Yep the cute one with the butt!

Raise your lollipops and cheers to a fun party!

{Free Printable} Dr. Suess "Read Across America" cupcake toppers.

2011-03-02T09:29:00.000-08:00

I was asked to create these a while ago and am so late in posting them. Here is a link to information all about what "Read Across America" is all about!

Get the cupcake topper here!

{Free Printable} Dr. Seuss juice box

2011-02-26T00:15:00.000-08:00

I was asked to create this addition to my Dr. Seuss collection. So glad I was cause it is such a cute idea! It is a sleeve for juice boxes!

Here's what you do.... First: email me at Thegivingmadam@gmail.com requesting for the sleeve. Second: When you receive it - print it - then cut along the lines. Third: Line in up against the juice box like the image below.

Next, pinch all the corners into shape...

Now, the other corner...finishing up with the rest.

Slap on some tape or glue and ... voila! you're done! Now, do the happy dance cause they are so cute!! :)

{Ballerina Invitation} Three versions...

2011-02-24T22:00:00.000-08:00

I am happy to present my new collection! I have three ballerina invitations to pick and choose from. 2/3 is centered around the "snowflake ballerina" theme, the third is definitely a do it yourself project, but I will explain more about that later when I finally have it available in my store. As mentioned, I was so happy when I was asked to create these! So girly... I hope you like'em! :)

Here are the versions...

Add your child's photo...

Keep it simple...

The ballerina dress

{Etsy ♥} Bride to be hanger.

2011-02-22T07:23:00.000-08:00

This is such a wonderful gift idea - especially to be received from the mother of a bride to be!

Would love to get married again so this could be added to my wedding album! I found it here at an Etsy shop called deliziare! Check them out for more neat products!

{Free Printable & DIY} St. Patricks Day Cupcake Toppers

2011-02-22T00:02:00.000-08:00

St. Patrick's Day is very special to me! It was the day that my husband proposed! Lucky are we! It's been almost six years since we have been married :)

I have a mini - easy tutorial for you guys to check out that involves my FREE cupcake toppers. By the way, there are two versions...

Get the "wear it version" here.
Get the "cupcake topper version" here.

Well, I decided to use my cupcake toppers to make my daughter's a headband. If for some reason your child does not have anything GREEN to wear then they could probably wear these fun St. Patrick's tags!


Luckily I had a bunch of green decoration stuff from a party I threw for my daughter. I even had a spare headband. Not shown is my glue gun and scissors - which I definitely used to put everything together.

The beginning process...

After this I just threw in the tulle.

Here is my little model...

you could create a button - great idea for parties...

my pretty...

Have fun! If you make one yourself I would love to see your finished product!!

{Party Preview} Snowflake ballerina party!

2011-02-19T21:57:00.000-08:00

My niece had a wonderful snowflake ballerina party this past weekend! It was so beautiful! I was honored to create some of the decorations...including the cake! Here is a preview until I go through all the photos, yes.. I was the photographer too! :)

{Project Update} Ballerina, bo nina banana fana fo fina...

2011-02-13T06:50:00.000-08:00

Sorry I have been lagging with my blog. I've been so busy trying to keep up with requests and everyday rituals! I love being able to create such printable elements for parties!

Well, I just wanted to give you a sneak peak at what I was currently asked to create for my niece who will be having a snowflake ballerina party soon!! I am having a hard time deciding between my older lady ballerina or a child to use for her party - both as silhouettes. I'd post an image of the child version, but I think you would be frightened since it kinda looks like an alien :S
What do ya'll think? Any suggestions?

{Free Printable} Packers vs Steelers

2011-02-02T19:42:00.000-08:00

Ok sports fans! It's superbowl XLV! Time to show your football spirit!!

I have two printables available for you! These are great to use as door signs by creating two holes on the ends then tie with a string and hung around your door knob OR placed in a picture frame near the entrance of your home!

Click on the images to represent your teams and make your guests - opposing or not - aware of where they are. Eeeeee, sounds scary! Heehee.

Enjoy, I would love to see pictures of how you used these!!

{Best Non-paying Customers Ever} Dr. Seuss

2011-01-22T01:28:00.000-08:00

I have the honor and am delighted to present to you all my very first "non-paying" customers' photos!! I have only being offering free printables for a little over a month and am overwhelmed at how many responses I have received!

A wonderful lady, Gina, was kind enough to share her son's birthdays photos with me and gave me the "go-ahead" to share in my blog! She did a great job with the party decorations, too. Also, she offered me great advice. Since I cannot personalize every single printable item for you all (except the cupcake toppers), being that would eat up A LOT of my family time - and guess what, I have 3 daughters under the age of 4, Gina showed me how YOU can do it yourself! I don't understand why this didn't turn on a light bulb with me, but anyway - here's the advice.

If you have adobe acrobat you could use the "annotate" button to add text. Just get the font and type over my printables! That easy. Phew!
There's a bunch of websites that could provide the Dr. Seuss font like, Dafont.com or here at Fontspace.com.
You would have to download the font in order to use.

Now, on to the pictures!!

Thank you again Gina! Happy Birthday to Jackson!

Pre Alice in Wonderland Party

2011-01-20T06:05:00.000-08:00

My daughter Ava will be turning 4 in March and since she loves to play "Tea Party" we're having an Alice in Wonderland Party for her! I am extremely excited and frustrated at the same time because there is an abundance of ideas I want to include. I've already started on her invitation ( an idea asked by a customer to make a silhouette with the apron visible!) which is available at my Etsy shop here.

I will include more printables as a set, but for now I am stuck on planning. I can't wait to provide you all with some photos and crafts! Would you like to share some ideas - I would love to hear 'em!

{Free Printable} Dr. Seuss baby shower

2011-01-09T20:34:00.000-08:00

Here is a little something for a Dr. Seuss baby shower! A boy or girl set of cupcake toppers.

Get "It's a boy" ...Here.
Get "It's a girl" ...Here.

I was inspired by a party set I saw on Party City.

New Additions Below!!!

Here is the banner for "baby girl"

Here is the banner for "Baby Boy"

Here is the water bottle labels!

Here is the cupcake wrapper.

I had a request to make a Welcome Baby sign! Glad to do it...

Here is the Welcome Baby Sign for a girl

Here is the Welcome Baby Sign for a boy.

Look at this cute bag I found on Etsy! I want it it! A great gift idea. Get it here!

Why am I giving these for free you ask?
The answer is simple. I love creating digital art and would hate not having any purpose or reason for making them. I want to give what I can.

Is there anything I want in return?
Yes, I would love to see pictures of how you used them. Really do. It will make my day.
Also, if you post it on your blog I would appreciate it if you let your readers know where you got them.

Thanks again,
Rebeca