Pokie-Dots!

Yesterday, I took a shopping trip alone to have a break from kids. I had a list as long as my arm to accomplish, but I made it to one, yes uno, store. I got the birthday gifts I was after and a hand full of other items. When I got home I realized I'd only purchased one thing for myself: a Hello Kitty shirt that says "Adorkable". Sigh.

One of the things I picked up was this freaking adorable romper for Miss Roo. I've had Minnie Mouse on the brain between Riley's recent obsession with polka dots and Minnie Mouse birthday invitation designs kicking around in my head. I almost didn't buy it because it's not easy to potty in, but I'm glad I went for it. We've totally hit the one-piece clothing level of potty training abilities, Go Team!

She looks good in everything. I don't know what happened, I used to enjoy shopping for myself. I second guess everything I look at now. I put back everything I pick out and come home with stuff for Riley instead. I feel old, but too tiny for grown up clothes. After, I got back home from my shopping trip I pondered invitations. Apparently, everyone who ever in the history of the world had a Minnie Mouse themed party used an invitation something like this:

I (of course) wanted to do something different than the countless examples of this floating around in cyberspace. At Riley's request we're doing the modern pink Minnie not classic red. Mike and I agreed Minnie's Bow-tique gave us a lot more to work with and a broader color palette. So, I decided I wanted the whole invitation to be one of Minnie's bows that opens to reveal the invite info. I knew the outside would be hot pink with glittery white polka dots, but not how the construction would work.

Here are my failed experiments (I couldn't find any examples of a bow shaped cards):

Here's my inspiration, in the wrong color. It's a very distinct bow and I wanted it to be recognizable.

This was my first try. Obviously to make this work I should have cut it at the top of the page so it would fold the way I wanted. It looks bad. It more closely resembles a bikini top than a Minnie bow.

This was a suggestion from Mike. The whole paper is folded into an ugly, angular bow. So masculine. Boo! Plus everyone would say "that's neat" and then unfold it and never get it back in that shape like an old road map.

Now, this is where I started to get excited. This one looks like Minnie's bow, finally. The problem is that it doesn't offer a lot of writing room. It also doesn't hide the writing well.

I think this is what we'll go with. It's puffy, feminine bow with room for concealed writing. Mike thinks a tab and slot like the top of a cereal box for a closure at the knot will work. It's still a work in progress. I'll post my final design.

Also, on the note of clothes for myself, polka dots and Riley's party I really want this dress to wear to her party (and in general), but it no longer exists (damn you old pins!).

Isn't it great? Man, I wish I was a costume designer! One of my friends in college could have whipped this up no problem. No worries, I'm on the case and I have some time.