Everyday Celebrating

Everyday Events: a CARS birthday!

First things first... did you enter the enter to win a couple rolls of Scotch tape?  Perfect for holiday crafts and wrapping!

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This birthday party from Becky of From Rookie to Rockstar has adorable details centered around the movie CARS.  CARS is so big with little boys right now so I'm thrilled to share with you this party as inspiration to many parents who may be wondering how to pull it off.

First up, the invitations.  I love how she had an invitation made as well as another insert that explained what activities to expect.  That REALLY builds excitement!

She borrowed tires from a local shop to use as the entryway to the party!

Favors were toolboxes for each child to take home filled with fun Cars themed items.

 

Look at this!  She made cars out of cardboard for each child attending!  Later than put them on for a race.

Also, she created a large Lightning McQueen prop. The children were able to play "pit crew".  The children were able to add oil, turn the bolts on the tires, wash the windows, etc.  They loved it!

Look at the awesome cake!

There are many more photos on her blog including the adorable outfits the family wore and other activities the children played!   Head over!   What an amazing day for her son, Cooper!

DIY: Ornaments

Isn't this ornament beautiful?  Can you believe it's EASY to make?

This ornament is just another fabulous project shared by Cathe Holden at Just Something I Made.  If you don't already follow her site, you should add it to your reader immediately.  Such talent and inspiration. I met Cathe at a blog conference back in February and about one sentence into the conversation, I said, "omg, YOU'RE Cathe Holden! I loved this project and that project and... "   And she was so fun to talk to and so genuine.

Anyway.... Cathe made this ornament using Pluffy clay, a stamp and spray paint. 

Mental note:  Must buy some Pluffy!

Wouldn't these make great gifts?  Especially for an ornament exchange!  Or make for a child's first Christmas?  Or would make great favors for a small holiday party! 

Now what? Eat it? Throw it away?

My friend, Robyn, at Mix Mingle and Glow, has compiled a useful list of practical ideas on what to do with all the leftover Halloween candy.  Really great, useful tips on how you can put your leftovers to good use at future events like crushing up candy to use as cocktail garnishes or saving tootsie rolls to use on gingerbread houses.

And while you're there, if you're an event junkie like me, you'll want to take the time to peruse her blog.  She's an amazing bi-coastal planner who features not only inventive events, but also ideas that the "average joe" can pull off in everyday life so everyone can "mix, mingle and GLOW!"

 

Still time to make: Pumpkin Pops

I love pops!  I've been making them for a long time because a) they are cute!  b) they are easy!  and c) who doesn't like sweets on a stick, right???

Above are my Valentine's Day pops from 2009.

For Halloween this year, I made pumpkin pops for my son's daycare party.  Here's how ya do it:

Here's what you need:

• orange candy melt
• large marshmallows
• lollipop making kit
• green ribbon 
• wax/parchment paper

First, spread wax/parchment paper on a cookie sheet.

Heat up your candy melt in the microwave and while it's melting, place the sticks into marshmallows.
(I use lollipop sticks but you can also use toothpicks.  I'm not using toothpicks because this batch is for smaller children.)

 

Dip the marshmallows into the candy melt, covering each.  Then pop them into the fridge to let them harden.

From here, you can draw pumpkin faces on each one.  Do not try using a pastry bag.  One of the easiest ways is to use a toothpick and dip it into melted chocolate.  Much easier to draw with, less bulky, etc.  I had originally planned on doing this but realized at the last minute that I had run out of chocolate.  

Another option is covering in sprinkles!

When they are dry, add the "stem" by using green ribbon.  I'll be individually packaging these in the lollipop bags that came with the kit.  They make great treats for children to take home.  

Still time to make: Easy Halloween snacks - BONES and FINGERS!

 

I love this idea for Bones and Blood shared by Our Best Bites.

Simply use breadstick dough (storebought or homemade). Cut into strips.  Use scissors to snip the ends in half. Roll back the ends to create the bone affect. Dip in "bloody" marinara!

These are great too!  Cheese fingers!

Cut string cheese in half.  Create knuckle marks with a knife. Attach slivered almond (nails) with a dab of cream cheese!

Hop on over to Our Best Bites for lots of adorable Halloween food ideas!  Fun and easy items that you can create last minute for your Halloween gatherings.

Peanut themed baby shower invitations!

An adorable baby shower theme!  Aren't these invitations from Friday's Child so cute?

Love the use of peanuts which later can be used in the shower for vase filler, etc.

Still time to make: Decoupage pumpkins!

While I love pumpkins, sometimes it's nice to have a different pattern to add some interest to your display.  You can easily add any pattern you'd like by decoupaging your pumpkins!  You're only limited by the tissue paper you can find!

First, you'll need:

• a pumpkin
• Mod Podge
• craft brush
• tissue paper
• paper plate or scrap wood, etc to sit your pumpkin on while decoupaging

I chose a purple and black tissue paper with the words BOO because my display is in those colors and I wanted a more monochromatic feel to the display. You could go the opposite way and have something that really stands out!

Next, rip your tissue paper into strips.  They don't have to be perfect.  Just rip them long enough to cover the pumpkin lengthwise.

Brush a thin layer of Mod Podge onto a section of pumpkin lengthwise and then press the strip of tissue onto the pumpkin.  Spread it out as best as you can, but it's fine if you have wrinkles.  After it's laid flat, brush more Mod Podge on top of the tissue paper.  It will look like this.  (If you've never used Mod Podge, don't panic.  It goes on white, but dries clear!)

Then just start working your way around the pumpkin a strip of tissue at a time.  Don't worry about the pattern matching or the words meeting up. 

That's it!  Then you just let it dry.  While Mod Podge dries really quickly, I still like to let it dry overnight to be sure. 

Finished product!  

Because this pumpkin barely had any stem, I'm thinking I may add some curly black and purple pipe cleaners to the top. 

This is a great activity for kids because it doesn't have to be perfect.  Give them a brush and let them slap it on!  There's no way they can mess it up!

Also, this is great decor for fall tailgating.  Just cut tissue strips in alternating school colors!

DIY: Trick or Treat party!

Today, I'm over at Everything Mom talking about a great SAFE alternative to having your children go door to door this Halloween.

Host an easy Trick or Treat party!  Come on over and find out how.

Easy Pennant Centerpiece

So easy, this pennant centerpiece from Embellished Life is perfect!  

Attach triangles of scrapbook paper to sticks using twine.  Want something more fancy?  How about mixing a pretty brown/turquoise damask with the sticks?  Tie on the paper with a nice brown or tan satin?  

Or, make it a children's centerpiece.  Use character or themed scrapbook paper and attach it with curling ribbon? Even spray paint the stick for more color.  This would even make a great non-spooky Halloween centerpiece.  Use candy corn as the vase filler.

Love the use of popcorn kernels as vase filler.  Inexpensive and it adds another color and textural depth.  Perfect for a fall centerpiece.

Fun Halloween blood decor

Looking for some fun, gruesome decor for your Halloween setup this year?  Jennifer at Muse Lodge created this cool bloody mess out of wax paper and paint. 

And of course, you have to have a handprint, right?  Hope over to her blog and see the step by step!  This would make a fun activity for older children.