Everyday Celebrating

Mini Milk Carton Valentines

Ran across this super cute Mini Milk Carton Valentine Kit on etsy.

Includes everything needed to recreate this create Valentine's Day gift.

 

More easy Valentine's Day treat packaging

The crew at Martha Stewart's Craft Department shared this idea.  

Create treat bag toppers by taking a photo of your child blowing kisses.  

Photoshop on hearts or use mini heart stickers and create a message on the back such as

 "Kisses!  Love, Daniel" 

For schools that are a candy free zone, try filling with stickers or cute pencil erasers, etc.

 

Everyday Events: More inspiration for a Winter ONEderland theme

This time of year, I receive many emails about the Winter ONEderland party I had for my son.  One of the best things about interacting with readers is when they share their finished parties.  

Heidi was kind enough to share her blog post featuring her son's Winter ONEderland party and I was excited that she allowed me to share some of the details with you to serve as inspiration to others interested in this theme.

 

I love these two ideas for food.  A cheese ball shaped into a snowman and stacked olives to resemble penguins.  This next photo shows the penguins up close (click to enlarge).   Also adorable are the chex mix cones and chocolate dipped pretzel rods.  

Beverages included a hot chocolate bar which featured many mixer such as marshmallows, toffee crumblers and chocolate chips not to mention alcoholic mixers for the adults.   Water bottles adorned their own matching labels and beautiful blue Jones Soda.

Favors included hot chocolate mix and these super cute lollipops made from a #1 candy mold.  Also given were snowflake mittens!

Everything was adorable and although her son won't remember the party, he'll have fabulous photographic memories to keep of the very special party his mother threw for him!   See more photos on Heidi's blog here!   

Conversation heart... literally

 I can't tell you how many times I run across photos on the internet that make me say, "hmm..that's... interesting."  And really, isn't that the beauty of the internet?  Finding things that inspire you or make you think... etc.

This human heart was made entirely out of conversation hearts by famed Lego artist Nathan Sawaya.  For some reason, it just makes me smile and I love that he included veins.  LOL

Of course, the party planner in me instantly think this would make a great centerpiece for a Valentine's gathering of medical or nursing students or what about those that hate the traditional Valentine's Day? This is one heck of an edgy, tongue in cheek, decor piece!

Let the creation inspire you.  How can you use conversation hearts this Valentine's Day?

 

Comforting serving pieces

Isn't it odd when you have something in your head and then you run across a picture of the VERY thing you were thinking of?

Country Living magazine was reading my mind!

A great idea for winter entertaining!

At Goodwill, find a set of bowls and a couple of long sleeved sweaters with patterns you love (such as cable knit, etc.)  You'll need one sleeve per bowl.  And remember to look for sweaters of any size.  The size doesn't matter and looking in a different size may result in finding more options in colors/patterns.
Also, it would be great to get a half off or 99 cent sweater!

Cut the sleeves off the sweaters.  

Slide the bowl through the sleeve so that the cuff of the sleeve is at the top of the bowl.  Hot glue the edge in place.

Then pull the sleeve to the bottom of the bowl, trim off the excess and glue the bottom pieces to the bowl.

Perfect for a "comfort" theme.  Warm, comfort food served in warm, comfort covered dishes! 

And wouldn't a set of these make a great gift?

Potato soup or mac 'n cheese, anyone?

Sidenote:  This will be an item to be handwashed, very gently.  And you can let the knit air dry if it gets wet.

 

Candy frame decor

photo credit: Better Homes and Gardens 

I love this simple way to add color, dimension and theme to your decor.  Buy an inexpensive square frame at The Dollar Tree or Goodwill.  Glue a cardboard circle onto the front of the frame then glue conversation hearts head to head all the way around the circle.
 

Sweet strawberry treat

Unique and easy instructions at Family Fun on how to assemble this berry sweet bouquet. 

 

Open hearts embellishments

Martha Stewart does it again.  While she mentions using "paper", I'd use vellum since it's prone to natural curling.  Instructions here.

 

 

Donut tree!

Taste of Home magazine gives a great tutorial of how to make a donut tree. These are great for brunches or a child's pajama party.  A great idea that's going around right now are morning birthday party for smaller children who typically nap during the traditional birthday party hours. 

Want to make a stand like this?   Glue a heavier champagne glass or a candlestick to a glass plate.  Make sure to use a strong CLEAR glue. :)

Cupcake liners not just for cupcakes... part I

photo credit: Mara May

Create a unique topper to your next gift by using cupcake liners.  Stack cupcake liners, pull them apart and either glue them all together in the center while stacking or connect together with a scrapbook brad.