Olivia was obsessed with Elmo, but then again, who isn't at age 2?
Sugar cookies were made from scratch ....since I had the items already...a total of $0 (but really, even if I didn't have the items at hand, the most that I would've spent might have been about $5-10)
Simple vanilla cupcakes with homemade buttercream frosting. The little sugar Elmo faces were purchased at Vons for about $2-3. I melted orange chocolate to make the O and 2 on the cupcake.
My cake was a bit challenging to frost and turned out looking more like an Angry Bird. Major Fail. But at least the flavor was a success. It was Nutella frosting, cheesecake filled chocolate cake. I kind of regret adding the skittles around the face. As it did take away from the flavor of my cake if and when it was accidentally consumed.
To stay on budget, I purchased the red baggies at Walmart for no more than $2 dollars. Isabella wanted to help me so I had her cut out the nose, eyes and to place a dot on them. Even though Elmo's eyes came out looking a little batty, it was a great experience for Isabella to assist in planning her little sister's birthday.
So I purchased the bowls, ribbon and blue gems at the Dollar Tree ($11 for everything) and the gold fish at walmart (.50 each) grand total of $14 for my centerpieces. I used my hot glue gun, tied a ribbon and in the center used old crayons that I found around the house. (Sorry, I wish the vase was facing the camera). In between the fish bowls I placed Sesame Street books for decor/reading pleasure. The books were purchased in Target's dollar section.
I found a new love (and addiction) for acrylic paint ($.69-$3 at Michaels) and cardboard. Yes, cardboard! Any cardboard works. I believe this cardboard was from the box that Olivia's Little Tykes car came in. I simply cut it and painted it. Side Note: I found that sponge brushes work best.
I was feeling crafty and (or obsessed with painting anything and everything) decided to make a sign for the parents with the leftover cardboard and paint. Lets just say this was placed above a cooler. Hiccup.
