Everyday Celebrating

A colorful, CARNIVAL celebration!

Today's Everyday Event is a spectacular birthday carnival for a 2 year old girl, Kendall.
My friend, Kelly Balfour, owner of the Houston based wedding planning company, Eventology Weddings
set the fun-filled stage for her family and friends to celebrate the birthday of her daughter.

As you can tell, there were many many fabulous details to the day!  While I couldn't picture them all here, some of highlights included:

- A custom built ticket booth where the children were given tickets to the games as well as bags to carry the trinkets they would win at the games.  The booth was built by an ebay seller!

- The carnival banner came from Pottery Barn Kids which currently, I might add, has their carnival party ideas on clearance!

- Kelly rented a hot dog cart from a local party rental company.  She served chili and cheese in crockpots to go with the hot dogs along with chips.  Big hit!

- Cotton Candy in baskets were given to adults to take as they left while the children were given beautiful custom sugar cookies.

- The children's party favors were plastic popcorn tubs that most times you can find at the dollar store.They were filled with yellow gift basket shred (i.e. popcorn!), an individual bag of cotton candy, a kazoo, silly straw, plastic maracca, whirly pop and balloon on a string.

- Plenty of great children's carnival games!  A couple I've shown here were the "potty toss" and "duck pond".  Easy to win games for children where they won small trinkets you can get at any party or dollar store.

- And finally, one of my favorite details - the popcorn cupcakes!!!   These are so easy anyone can pull them off!  Make your favorite flavor cupcake and ice them with WHITE icing.  Stick mini marshmellows in them to represent the popcorn and spray paint with Wilton's Color Mist (found at Michael's or most places where cake decorating supplies are sold.)   Here's what you're looking for:

Print out cute striped labels on your home computer and glue them to the base of the cupcakes and you're done!   Super cute cupcakes that will wow your guests!

Carnival themes, while a bit time consuming to pull it off with all the details shown here, can always be created at whatever level your budget and time constraints allow.

Sidenote:  If you're in the need of a party planning, specifically weddings, give Kelly a call.  Kelly was recently named Best Event Planner in Houston by The Knot Magazine which is a huge compliment!  And as you can see here, she earns her title!  Congrats, Kelly!

Event photos by Monkey Tree Photography
in the Houston/Galveston area.

Father's Day is coming....

Father's Day is coming!  Soon! 
If you're shopping for a Dad that's not quite into the traditional gifts (which seems to be all things GOLF) or you have a Dad that's just likes something different and hip, why not do a fun Warhol style piece of art?

The two pieces above are made by Pop Arts Portraits Plus.  There are a few of these companies on the internet, but Pop Arts has some really unique options including the tie dye piece you see in the graphic here.   Just choose your design, upload your photos and done!   They even take Paypal!

Whatever type of father graces your household, mark the date, June 15th!  And celebrate the fabulous influence he's had on your life!

A fresh touch for summer guests

A fresh touch for your summer bathroom, handmade soaps always make a nice addition.

Provide your guests with refreshing scents such as:

Lemon Verbena
"This soap captures the essential tart sunniness of lemon verbena in a creamy white and sunshine yellow swirled bar. Herbal with honey-like notes, it's faithful to the fresh, tangy lemon heart of the plant."

Coconut Lime Verbena
"Ivory marbled with lime green swirls in a deliciously light, clean and fresh fragrance! Coconut Lime Verbena is a creamy blend of Coconut and tangy Lime, with hints of Verbena and Vanilla."

$4.75 per bar plus shipping.
Would make great shower prizes or hostess gifts as well!

How to make . . .

Aren't these fabulous? 
Two of these would make a great frame sitting on a buffet for either side of a mirror or a wonderful
centerpiece for an asian or springtime themed dinner.

Find out the step by step how to instructions here.

Something blue...

For a vintage feel, add this pale blue and cream damask chain handbag to your wedding day ensemble.
Handmade in the United Kingdom.
$39 and can be found here.

Have a custom monogram made for your wedding gown.  This creates a special heirloom out of your wedding dress and will be treasured by not only you, but those you hand your dress down to in the future. Dress monograms have been popular for a while now and yet brides are still wondering how/where to get one. While these sites don't sew them into your dress for you (your alteration lady can), you can purchase your monogram for as little as $10 from here or there are plenty on ebay starting at around $15.

Fresh fruit shower!

A colorful bridal shower full of fresh summer fruit with these details:

1.  Individually wrapped utensils with satin ribbon nestled in a trifle bowl.

2.  Water bottles with custom labels.  Phrases such "here comes the bride!" and "goin' to the chapel!" were printed on a home computer.

3.  Fruit filled glass bowls held a sign of best wishes!

4.  Table centerpieces were made from styrofoam topiaries found at your local craft store. Topiaries were anchored in flower pots which were covered in fresh magnolia leaves.  The top of the topiary was covered in sliced lemons which were attached with inconspicuous straight pins.  A hydrangea stem adorned the top with the base filled with fresh fruit halves.

5.  Additional centerpieces were small square vases filled with fresh lemon slices and hydrangeas.

Not only was the shower fresh and sunny, but the aroma of fresh citrus was divine!

Summer invitations

Fun, easy summer invitations!

These invitations were made on the computer, printed onto card stock and then we used grosgrain ribbon around the edge. 

Both the flower petals and the boxes were purchased on ebay.

Finally, we printed out individual tags with each guest's name in the exact dimensions of the ribbon.
A small dab of hot glue and the box was secure.

These invitations were for a shower with the guests being employees of a large workplace.  These invitations were hand delivered.  They not only set the tone for the shower, but really brightened up our guest's work day!

Check back tomorrow to see details from the actual shower!

Grand presentation

Now, I'll be honest in saying that I'm not a huge gift card fan.  Yes, I'm the crazy one that prefers to spend endless amounts of time looking for the "perfect" gift for someone.  And yes, I know, some people
actually prefer to receive them.  But, it's just not me.  (jumping off soap box)

Sometimes though, the perfect gift is a "gift" card. No way around it.

So what better way to spruce up an, otherwise thought of, as impersonal gift by giving it in present fashion. 

This great gift card pocket is made of canvas with a flannel inside lining. Comes with a matching blank notecard for your well wishes and has the perfect amount of room for a gift card and even a small piece of jewelry.

Plus, I would imagine most women would keep the pouch and use it again. It would make a great pocket for lipstick and a mirror. 

It's a steal at $5 here on Etsy.

Making custom runners

If you've perused any bridal magazine in the past few years, I'm sure you noticed the beautiful hand-painted aisle runners such as those made by Aisle Art.   They are personal, striking and... expensive!

If you are computer savvy, have a steady hand, want something on a light fabric and want something simple like a  monogram that doesn't require dimensional artwork, let me tell you how to make one of your own.  It's all tracing!

1. Start with broadcloth fabric or muslin. It's fairly inexpensive and  light enough to trace through, yet not be see through on your aisle.  I use broadcloth instead of muslin because it's not as gauzy.

2.  Cut the fabric to the length you need and hem around all 4 edges.  Don't sew?  No problem.
Use Heat Hem.   "The great no-sew iron-on adhesive makes hemming easy without a needle or thread! It creates clean, secure hems in seconds with no sewing¿ and is completely machine washable!" 
It works, it's fabulous and it's EASY!  Just get our your iron!

3.  Create your design on the computer.  Use any desktop publishing program like Publisher, Photoshop, even Word.  Create your monogram or wording and print it out.

4.  Measure your runner and see what size you'd like the design to appear.  Take this printed version of your design to Kinko's and have them blow it up to the size you need on your runner.

5.  Lay the fabric flat on a table or preferably the floor.  The floor gives you a nice flat surface and lots of working room.  Tape the design under your fabric.  Be careful of placement and think about where along the length of the runner you want your design.  If you will not be having guests walk on the runner prior to the bride's entrance, do you want it at the edge of the aisle where your guests can still admire it as they enter the ceremony area?   

6.  Take permanent markers... yep.. MARKERS... in the colors you want the design and begin tracing the design onto the fabric.  These should not be fabric markers.  You need super duper ink markers like sharpies. And make sure to buy a few.  You'll want to go over the design a couple times to make it  dense.

7.  Trim the edge of your runner in ribbon or other embellishments.  Not  always  needed or wanted, but I find it  adds a nice touch.

8. Voila!  Custom runner! 

I've also used this same technique to make tablecloth runners as well as wall hangings to adorn windows of showers.  Great to really customize the room and perfect to give the guest of honor to keep and use at her wedding, in the baby's room, etc.

If you can wrap a present....

you can make this centerpiece!

Perfect for any occasion, especially one where gifts are involved (birthday, showers, etc.)  It makes a great centerpiece for the gift table!

How's it made:

- Start with a large piece of wood or cardboard for your base.  Wrap it in a paper that matches your package.

- No need to find just the right size boxes!  Wrap up cheap floral foam!  You can put two pieces together to make larger "boxes" or cut them to the size you need.  Plus, it keeps the centerpiece light! You can find floral foam at the dollar store or even Walmart!

- Strategically stack the boxes and glue them together using hot glue.  Don't forget to glue the bottom layer to the base.

- In this centerpiece, the top box is a children's shoe box.  A hole was cut out of the top to to fit a small square vase, which held the roses.  Small budget?  Skip the flowers and just add a large bow to the top!

Fun thing to go with....                                                            

Crunch 'n Munch Cones!

Super duper easy and cheap to make!  I've made these for several showers and they have been huge hits each time.  Especially for showers that are later in the day or in between meal times.  Makes a great snack for those that have plans for a later meal.  And who doesn't like Cracker Jacks or Crunch 'n Munch?

How they are made:

Just paint a flower pot in colors to match your theme.  Roll up cardstock and tape together with double sided tape. Fill each with popcorn or Crunch 'n Munch.   I've added a personalized sticker on these with the baby's name.

Tip:  Get your Crunch 'n Munch at the dollar store.  $1 a box and one box fills up more than you think.

You'll also need some type of filler for the bottom of the pot so your cones stand up.  I get the bags of fun shredded paper at the dollar store in matching colors.

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