I've moved web address!

After 6 months on Blogger I have made the switch to Wordpress! My new address is http://showeredwithloveuk.wordpress.com/ 

Hope to see you there!
Hayley x

Volunteers needed for future blog series!

Earlier in the week I wrote this post about some ideas I have for 2014. One of my main goals for this blog is to provide more resources and information for people planning baby showers. I also want to give the blog more of a community feel by including readers opinions and experiences. So I'm going to need some volunteers...

Could it be you?

Firstly I am going to start a feature called "Put it to the panel" when three people will be asked their opinion on a topic, for example "Should men be invited to a baby shower?". I will email the topic to the volunteers, then post their responses, with a link to their blog, twitter account etc (If desired). Anyone can take part in this, you don't need to be a parent or have hosted a baby shower.  

I would also like to hear your stories and experiences:

• Have you hosted a baby shower? 
• Or perhaps someone hosted one for you when you were expecting?
• Did you have an unusual theme?
• Or held the shower in an unusual place?
• Did you invite men or children?

If so I would love to hear from you!

You can contact me by leaving a comment below or emailing me at nappycakesandgifts@hotmail.com

Hopefully 2014 will be an exciting year!

Hayley x

Looking forward to 2014

The last few months seem to have flown by! Christmas is almost upon us (eek!) and after that its goodbye to this year and hello to 2014!

So before we descend into the madness that is Christmas time, I decided to post some of my aims for myself and the blog for 2014. If I write them down then I have to at least attempt to complete them! You are all my witnesses ;)

Photo from Fit Fab Cities

First up, I need to find volunteers for some blog topics I have planned. I need people to interview, people to give their opinions/debate on certain topics (most of them baby shower related) and I need some parent bloggers to question about various things. If you would like to volunteer please leave a comment and I'll get back to you and explain everything properly =)

My next goal kind of links with the one above. I want to provide a lot more information about baby showers: How to plan one, how to be a good host, games, alternatives etc. Baby showers are still very new in the UK, so I would like to turn this blog into the go-to place for information for Brits planning baby showers =) A big goal I know, that's why I want to get other people giving their opinions and experiences on here... Besides, I can't do all the talking ;) 

On the business side of things, I plan to keep going to craft fairs and events and get my name "out there". I'm also going to try to get better at juggling social media. Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest, oh my!

This Christmas Santa is bringing me a camera. I currently use my phone to take pictures... No more! Once I get my camera I'm going to re-photo everything on my Facebook page and join Instagram (I've wanted to do this for ages but my photos aren't good enough!). Then I can start putting nice photos on here =D

So those are my aims, what are yours?

Hayley x

  

Theme Thursday: Flower Power

This weeks theme is perfect for anyone expecting a baby girl!

Invitations 

How sweet are these personalised invites from Priceless Kids? I love the colours and the cute floral print!

Decorations

I love this idea of making flowers out of different sized balloons! Image from Pinterest, unfortunately I couldn't trace the source.

Food

These fruit kebabs are cut into flower shapes and would make a fantastic table centerpiece. Photo from Baby Care Answers.

I have chosen the next photo for two reasons, firstly because the table is beautifully presented and fits right in with the theme. Secondly because it is simple buffet food that is easy to make. Another unsourced Pinterest photo.

  

 Favors

I have already featured these favors on my Star themed post but they perfectly fit the flower theme too. These plantable stars have flower seeds sown in so that each guest can grow their own flowers to remind them of the baby shower! Available here

As always, let me know if you decide to have a Flower themed baby shower or if you have any ideas for future Theme Thursdays!

Hayley x

Baby Showers: Theme or no theme?

When planning a Baby Shower, there is a whole plethora of things to think about. Invites, decorations, food, favors, the list goes on. So before you drive yourself mad, there is one question to ask yourself and/or the expecting mother who the party will be in honor of: Will there be a theme?

Once you have answered this question, it is much easier to plan the specifics. So what are the pros and cons?

Pro theme:

• Having a themed shower can be a lot of fun
• Can make the shower a more memorable occasion
• If the gender of the baby is unknown, a unisex theme can be more interesting than having everything in neutral colours

   

A theme can be a lot of fun!

Theme cons:

• A theme can mean spending a lot of time searching for coordinating decorations, tableware, invitations etc
• Some people may not want the added stress of choosing and implementing a theme

So what will it be?

If you decide you would like a theme, check out my Theme Thursday page for tons of ideas.

If you don't want a theme then simply stick to a colour, for example pink for a girl, blue for a boy, lemon/cream for unisex.

Or if you would a theme but don't have time to do all the running around check out my animal themed Baby Shower Kit. Everything you need is included and the introductory offer is still on!

Hope this has been useful! So what will it be for you, theme or no theme?

Hayley x

Theme Thursday: Prince/Princess

This week the theme is prince or princess so there will be a lot of pink or blue! Although you can adapt the theme to any colour you wish =)

Invitations

I have picked my two favourite invites, one for a boy and one for a girl =) Photo's and links are below. Both are personalised and printed off from your own printer.

Gorgeous pink invites from Freshly Squeezed Cards

Blue with chevrons from As You Wish Creations

Decorations

You can make your own tissue pom pom decorations in blue, pink or whichever colour you are using. These look so effective and are quick and cheap to make! The tutorial is here

Food

Here are some of my favourite examples of prince/princess/royal themed food from the interweb =)

Princess finger food from Kara's Party Ideas

Prince sweetie centerpiece also from Kara's Party Ideas

Crown sandwiches from Betty Crocker

Party favors

Here is a link to a fab free printable! Use it to make your own cute favor boxes. Just add a thank you note and some sweets/treats and you are good to go =)

Free printable here

As always let me know if you try any of these ideas or if you have any suggestions for future themes!

Hayley x

10 unique new baby gifts

There are so many fantastic gifts out there to celebrate the birth of a new baby! However a lot of gifts on the high street can be boring and unoriginal as well as being manufactured in their hundreds! So here are 10 unique new baby gifts from crafters and small businesses.

I think this applique wall art is such a sweet idea! Baby's name and date of birth framed for a perfect keepsake. Available from A Sisterly Stitch

Why not get baby his/her first pair of Converse?! This adorable blanket and bootees set from Phoebe's Crochet is available in any colour and looks super comfortable!

For a unique and practical gift how about these motorbike nappy cakes? Complete with cute elephant toy. Available from my facebook page

I love the owl print fabric on this coordinating storage bucket and blanket. Useful and gorgeous! A fab gift for any new baby boy! Available from The Crafty Owl

How sweet is this hat from Tatjana? Perfect for any baby girl.

This personalised initial hoop would look great in any nursery! Available from Box Room Bazaar

This Bird Mobile would be another great addition to any nursery! Available from With Hugs and Kisses

This adorable changing bag set from Just Jess is too cute for words!

This George Pig hat and nappy cover is perfect for baby's first photos! Available from Nonny's Knits

Last but not least, this fairy tale quilt would be a childhood favourite for any baby girl! Available from Crissys Crafts

So there you go! Ten unique baby gifts and ten reasons why handmade is better than mass produced ;)

Hayley x

Babies should sleep in a cardboard box

I realise that the title of this post might make you think "Sorry, what!?" but bear with me. This post is based on an amazing article I read the other day. You can read it here. It was a look into "The baby box". This is a gift that the Finnish government give to their pregnant citizens, it contains clothes, bathing products, nappies and bedding. There is a small mattress in the bottom of the box, so once you take everything else out, it is baby's first crib!

The box contents!

   
Finnish infant mortality rates are among the lowest in the world. Therefore it stands to reason that a cardboard box such as the one in the photo above, is the safest place for a newborn baby!

I would love to know what you think about this. Would you use a box like the one above for your newborn? If you have a spare 10 minutes I urge you to read the whole article, it really is fascinating! Its a tradition that has been going for 70 years!

Bye for now,
Hayley x