Everyday Celebrating

DIY: Paper cup wreath

When I first happened upon this wreath by Twig and Thistle, I was flying through my reader and literally came to a screeching halt.

Clean. modern.  simple.  texture.  But what IS it, I thought.

Folds of heavy fabric is what I initially thought.  Or that heavy awesome double satin ribbon you always see on Martha Stewart but have yet to see in actual stores?  LOL

Nope.

Cups.  PAPER CUPS.  The kind of cups you can get at the dollar store in ANY color.  A whole stack for yes, a dollar.

Filing this photo away when I need a little somethin' different to fill a space.  Adds interest and is just the trick.

My cup runneth over.  (sorry... couldn't resist!)

 

DIY: Cupcake liner topiary

Looking for some easy decor for your Valentine's gatherings?  Make a cupcake liner topiary!

These are perfect for classroom parties or home decor!

Find the tutorial here on Craftomaniac!

Need MORE ideas for Valentine's Day?  Join me on Thursday, January 20 for a Valentine's Day chat over at Blog Frog!  We'll be chatting at 9 EST about all things Valentine's Day!  If you need ideas for food, decor, gifts, treats... c'mon over!

Setting a Playoff/Super Bowl table

One of my fave event planners, Jamee at Setting the Mood in Indianapolis put together this great Colts table.  If you're hosting a Super Bowl gathering, it's time to start working on the details and this table has many that I LOVE!   Click on the photo to see it larger.  Here are some of the smaller details that really stand out:

• sweatband napkin rings
• full blue tablecloth under a cut turf (outdoor grass) overlay.  Spray paint stencil the hash and numbers on the "field" or use vinyl.
• jersey chair covers
• love the blue plates turned upside down and used as chargers.  It gives the dinner plate additional height.
• love the football images on the plates!  

DIY: Cake/dessert stands

I love these amazing cake/dessert stands by the ladies of Bee in our Bonnet!

Made with wooden candlesticks and dowels, plus squares of solid wood and doll house trim, they are sturdy!  

Visit their site for the full photo tutorial.  If you're willing to tackle a wood project, these would make a great gift for entertaining friends. 

DIY: Snow drift candle holders

I love these snow drift candle holders from Living with Lindsay! 

So easy to make with mod podge, epsom salts and glitter!

Remember, you can get plenty of extra vases at Goodwill!  Even mason jars would be cute or small votive holders! Add in some red and pink glitter for a nice Valentine's Day vase!

Visit Lindsay's site for a full tutorial with photos!

Host a Snow Day party!

That's my son, Keaton, about to nail me with a snowball on the snow day we enjoyed Monday.  We live in a neighborhood packed with children and yet he was the only out for most of the day.  I was really surprised.

And much later, while we were enjoying hot chocolate and drying out, I was thinking we should have knocked on doors and had a Snow Day party!

Of course, we knew a couple days before of the weather forecast and it would've been fun to put something together for the neighborhood children.

And it doesn't have to be complicated.  A few ideas:

• Start by serving a warm lunch.  A large pot of chicken noodle or vegetable soup would work well. A standard soup that many children will eat.  Add a grilled cheese sandwich and use a cookie cutter for fun shapes like a snowflake!
• Stock up on scarves, gloves, hats at places like the Dollar Tree.  The Dollar Tree frequently has 2 pairs of gloves for $1.  For next to nothing, you can fill a basket with extras for when it's time for a change from wet items.
• Stock up on supplies for a snowman.  Buttons, carrots, pull some sticks for arms, etc.  Also, clean out your closet and provide the children with some clothing for Frosty then donate when you're finished. 
• While you're at the Dollar store, stock up on squirt bottles.  Fill with water and a few drops of food coloring and children can "paint" the snow.
• When it's time for a break, how about these cute snowball cupcakes from Tidy Mom

• Of course, hot chocolate is essential!  Create a hot chocolate bar and let each child add toppings such as chocolate chips, colored marshmallows, sprinkles, or whipped cream!  

It doesn't have to be pefect or fancy to create snow day memories!  Don't forget your camera!

DIY: Ribbon Wall

This year, in one room of my house, I constructed a ribbon wall to use as a backdrop for Candy Cane Christmas.

The frame was built out of 1/2 inch pvc.  After measuring the area I wanted to cover, I ended up with 4  10 ft pvc pieces.  I cut them to roughly 6 ft.  And made a square by using the coordinating T joints. 

From there, just hot glue strips of ribbon onto the top pole.

I'll warn you, you're going to go through quite a bit of ribbon, especially for a 6 ft wall like this was.  I stockpiled ribbon for some time to use for this project - finding ribbon on sale and even scoring big rolls of red velvet ribbon at Goodwill.  Tip:  if you're making one last minute for Christmas or you want to make one for next year, Michaels has their hoilday ribbon 60% off right now!  Plus a 20% off coupon here.

The ribbon lays flat.  Unfortunately, in taking these photos, the heat was blowing and the ribbon is moving. 

Make sure to trim the bottom of the ribbon to the length you need. You want the ribbon to lay flat and straight and not buckle at the bottom.

This ribbon wall concept would work great for other occasions as well, backdrops for birthday parties, showers and weddings.  They would be beautiful outside with the ribbons blowing in the breeze!  This red and white one would even be great for Valentine's Day!

Ribbon walls create a great dimension and texture to a focal point!  Try one!

 

3 easy ideas from BHG

I love these easy ideas from Better Homes and Gardens. Easy and still doable in the final days before Christmas!

1.  Hanging holiday tree

2.  Holiday art.  For this, they suggest canvas but you know what else would work?  Just cover the lids of shirt boxes.

3.  Giftbox decor/centerpiece.  These are so easy to make!

I made something similar to use as a centerpiece for a baby shower. In this case, just stack up the boxes and hot glue together.

Still time to make: Children's Thanksgiving table

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

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Amanda of It's Always a Party at the Sparklers shares this adorable Thanksgiving children's table set up AND a free set of Thanksgiving printables.  Look at the cute table!

On her site, she gives a full tutorial on how to make that fabulous centerpiece out of Dollar Store placemats!  Awesome!  There's still time to create a fun table for the smaller guests!

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Still need ideas for Thanksgiving food, decor, traditions, activities?  Join us over at Blog Frog to discuss these and more!  We'll help solve the dilemmas! 

DIY: Creating easy table skirts & Tape giveaway!

 
Thanks to Scotch(R) Double Sided Tape for sponsoring my writing about crafts. Add your comment below to be entered for a chance to win free sample rolls to help with your upcoming holiday needs.

I thought I'd show you a super easy way to create a quick table skirt.  All you need is a light piece of fabric and this... 

Let's get started!

I have this buffet and I use it as a focal point of holiday decor in one room.  There is a Christmas tree next to it and I usually work with one theme.  This year's theme is candy canes.  So, I want to create a consistent color palette which means covering up the cherry wood.  

I use double sided tape to temporarily wrap the table in fabric for a fitted table skirt.  Now, before you get anxious, yes, I do place the tape on the wood but don't worry... it comes off easily.  That being said, I don't guarantee that the tape will hold for a long time so this tutorial is meant for a quick, one evening table skirt.

The first thing you want to do is measure your fabric.  You do not want excess fabric.  The heavier the fabric, the more it pulls on the tape which means tension on the fabric.  

For the bottom of the fabric, the part that goes to the floor, if you don't sew, cut the fabric a bit longer than needed and tuck under.  Always better to cut longer than shorter.

Also, before you start on the table, make sure your fabric is ironed.  You'll see why I say that later. LOL

Then we're ready to attach!

I start on the side and press the fabric into the tape smoothly and evenly.

When you get to a corner, you fold the fabric like you're wrapping the corner of a present.

Here's the other corner...

Here's what it looks like in the end.  See that lovely crease in the fabric?  Definitely iron your fabric!
I've talked about it before and I'll say it again, a wrinkled tablecloth can ruin any table decor.  Your eye automatically goes straight to the crease. (Believe me, I'll fix this.)  LOL

After the taping is done, Then you can cover the top with a runner or another piece of bunched up fabric for depth.  I placed a candy cane striped fabric on top just to show you.  Next.. start adding your decorative pieces!

Easy, temporary table skirt!  

Please learn more about Scotch(R) Double Sided Tape and other Scotch(R) Products and join the conversation on the Scotch(R) Brand Facebook Page and via Twitter. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.

 

WIN A ROLL!!!

EDITED: Thanks to 3M, 10 Everyday Celebrating readers will win 1 roll of Scotch Tape!  Perfect for upcoming holiday crafts or wrapping those presents!

How to Enter:
1. Leave me a comment telling me approximately how many rolls of Scotch tape you go through during the holiday season. 

Extra Entries:
2. Like Everyday Celebrating on Facebook.  Leave me a comment letting me know you became a fan and leave your username.

This giveaway will end on Saturday, November 20th, 2010 at 11:59  PM EST. Winners will be announced on the blog and on Facebook