Everyday Celebrating

DIY: Candy Poppers

Got toilet paper rolls, tissue paper, candy, ribbon and paper?   You've got easy candy poppers!
So cute for a shower or a pretty princess birthday party!

A great photo tutorial provided by Style Me Pretty

Folded dress napkins

These folded dress napkins couldn't be cuter!  These would absolutely wow at your next baby shower!

Head over to How Does She for the tutorial.   One fold and 2 cuts and add a bow. That's it!  EASY!

Vellum mobile

  

Great tutorial on making these vellum mobiles on Project Wedding.

Great for birthday parties, showers, etc. These would be a great addition for a Cinco de Mayo party in reds, oranges and yellows!  Vellum lets the light shine through!

Don't sew?... no big deal... just use a dab of hot glue or even tape to string.

Easy wrapping touches

This definitely is NOT my best photography.  LOL   BUT.. you still can still get the idea.

I like to add a little somethin' somethin' to my gift wrap.  I've talked previously about adding half of the famous Martha Stewart pom onto gifts.  I love the pop and height they give. This was a baby shower gift and as you can see, I added a name.  That's the baby's name - Karsyn.  These great sparkly rhinestone type letters are available in the scrapbook sections and they are just peel and sticks.  While you have to be extra careful with them because the "stones" are delicately held together, I think they really add to gifts.

Momma to be, Katy, if you're reading... can't wait to see Karsyn in all her fabulousness soon!

Cake in a Can

Anne over at A Party Style showed this great idea of celebrating a friend's birthday by sending them a cake that YOU MADE.  By baking the cake in a tin itself and then decorating, it's able to be shipped securely.

This would work for any occasion, not just birthday.  Graduation, Christmas, wedding or just thinking about someone and they love cake!

I LOVE this one she sent to a friend in New York representing the F train she'd take to go visit if she could. 

Visit Anne on her blog for this and more fabulous celebration ideas!

Still time to: create a beautiful Easter centerpiece

The Easter bunny is sure to love this adorable Easter centerpiece put together by my friend Robyn of Mix Mingle Glow.  Check out her blog for complete how to and the "behind the scenes" trial and error you don't get to see on Martha Stewart's blog.  LOL 

 

Still time to: Have a simple egg dying get together!

Recently, I held a simple egg dying gathering for neighborhood children and their parents.  Nothing fancy.. just a few covered tables, eggs, stickers and dye.  A great way to get to know your neighbors better and spend a fun afternoon together with your children.

Friends thought I was nuts, but really, it wasn't that messy at all.  We had baby wipes on hand and disposable tablecloths.

Started with several eggs...here are some of them... not all...

 

It ended up being REALLY windy and a bit chilly so we moved it into the garage.  We had originally hoped to host it outside in the yard.  This is my husband.. I'll call him Martin Stewart.  LOL He's always so good at setting everything up. 

 

As you can see, tables were covered in disposable plastic tablecloths from the Dollar Tree.  I tied them on since it was originally so windy.

Last year, I had amassed a HUGE bin of Easter egg dying supplies from Target.  I think they were on 90% clearance or something.  So I had TONS of stuff.  We pulled LOTS of it out.  I had egg decorating kits in everything from Hello Kitty to Transformers to SpongeBob.   Plus a few of these to hold the eggs.

 

I had this nest that actually came from a birdcage bought at a yard sale last year.  It was my husband's idea to use it to hold eggs.  He's great, isn't he?

 

This wire Easter bunny came from Goodwill.  Great find!  I believe it was $1. 

 

in progress!

A great time was had by all!  This is a really inexpensive get together to host.  Less than $20!

Right now, Goodwill has lots of Easter egg dying kits, baskets and the like for next to nothing.  Grab some disposable tablecloths and some eggs and you're good to go!  While I provided all the eggs, you can even have each family bring a dozen or so, if you'd like.  One parent brought snacks for the children!

At the end, I dumped out the unused dye, rolled up the trash up in the tablecloths and with the kits being so inexpensive on clearance and at Goodwill, threw it all away!

There's still time to dye your eggs on Saturday for Sunday's big day!

Curling ribbon wreath

Christy at Embellished Bayou saw an amazing curling ribbon wreath at a boutique, turned around and made her own for next to nothing!   Makes a great entry for any celebration!   So easy to make!  Just staple curling ribbon onto a wreath form!  Visit her blog to see the tutorial and the original boutique wreath.

These can be made in any color combination for any holiday, etc.  Fourth of July, Halloween, Easter, Christmas, in school colors for graduation, etc.

This wreath also would make a great addition to a centerpiece.  Stick a candle or vase of flowers in the middle!

 

Paper bowls

This month's issue of Woman's Day magazine shows these crafty paper bowls.  Basically made from shredded paper and glue, these would not only make a fun activity for children, but give you endless possibilities for creating your own "bird's nest" bowls for Easter or other gatherings.  

Or these would make creative wrapping for a small gift basket.  Color coordinate your bowl to your occasion or gift, place a small gift in the center and surround with cellophane.

Directions here. 

 

Easy egg embellishment

Martha Stewart's crew at The Crafts Dept. show how to embellish eggs with stickers.  EASY and yet so beautiful and delicate.