Fiesta Friday/Real Party - Paleontologist Party/Luau Anniversary Party

Today, I'm sharing two very special parties, what happens when my party crazy rubs off on others.  So remember awhile back I blogged about my nephew's Paleontologist Party? Since we couldn't be there, I sent them a Party In A Box featuring Paper & Cake's Dinosaur Dig printables and put everything in there but the kitchen sink.

Tuesday Tutorial (On A Thursday) - Halloween Hanging Doily Garland

I'm always inspired by fabulous store windows...I came across this gem at Enchanted Florist and fell in love! They made paper doily garlands and I loved the vertical flow contrasted so well with the bright pops of color from the paper lanterns and fans.

I love this idea because paper doilies are so affordable, you can get packs of them at Dollar Tree.  My Cash & Carry has a 250 pack for only $5.00 and that will make a lot of garlands.  I knew I had to duplicate the garland with a with a Halloween twist!  I know, you can't even think about Halloween, but you can start working on these now and have lots of them for your party.

Back To School 2012: Parties

Check out my last Back To School post on Today's Mama...sharing fabulous parties are always the finale of my Back To School series.  Have you seen this party from Gwynn Wasson Designs? The printables are all free! That's right! You better go check this post out, more freebies are there. Seriously, do you see those Clementine suns?

Tuesday Trend - Paper Cups Crafts

It never ceases to amaze me how much cleverness is out there! Every time I start looking for party inspiration, there is so much, I just can't contain it all! Remember the tiki cup crafts I did for the Aloha To Summer Party? Well, of course I had to find more crafty cup cleverness like...

Readin', 'Riting, 'Rithmetic On Pinterest

We out here in the PNW go back to school next week, after Labor Day.  I know, most of you are probably already there.  If you are still looking for fun afterschool treats, lunchbox note inspiration and more, check out my school-themed Readin', 'Riting, 'Rithmetic Pinterest board, lots of great free printables, great tutorials and more! Feel free to follow if you don't already...no pressure though.

Elements Of Design In Party Decor - Variety

My elements of design in party decor post generated lots of buzz; I also received several emails for more in-depth ideas about why these ideas 'work'. By no means am I an expert with years of design under my belt.  But as you work on more events, you start getting 'the eye'...something doesn't look right, something's missing...and you'll keep playing around until you get what feels right to you.

Thus, I'm inspired to do a mini series using all eight principals of design (check out the post to see what I'm talking about); so far we've got balance, emphasis, movement, repetition, proportion, rhythm, and today is variety.

So what is variety? It's using several elements to hold the viewer's attention and to guide through and around the party space. It can be from mixing different types of elements like patterns and textures to contrasting various elements.  It's hard to explain, so I'll show you...

This beer-tasting party from The Cooking Channel is a great example of variety, from the contrast of the orange napkins against the wood table with the stark white plates to the dark chalkboard runner offset with the lighter cheese boards.

We Go Wednesday - Pottery Barn Kids/Kiwi Crate Plant A Garden Craft Workshop

 

Are you on Pottery Barn Kids' mailing list? You'll learn about their fabulous in-store events like the recent workshop we attended, a collab with Kiwi Crate.  I can't believe how old my boys are getting...we attend events like these as a set for years, but now my oldest is 11 and is 'too cool' for these outings.

Today's event was creating a windowsill garden and learning about where our food comes from.  Since we live in the lush Pacific Northwest, we are well versed in local orchards and gardens.  Sadly, I keep promising to create a little garden of our own and no follow-through.  The little one couldn't wait to go.

He was so intense, following every direction to the letter...but he is very methodical when it's something he's interested in.  Which is funny, because he's the exact opposite when he's not...whipping through whatever it is to get it over with.

Here are our creations at home. He was so protective of them the whole way back!

And before you know it, little plants started to form!  We are going to decorate terracotta pots to transplant them in...but that's another post for another day!

This Kiwi Crate kit was a special promotion with Pottery Barn Kids, but never fear, they have similar crates. And every crate is designed around fun themes and filled with all of the materials and inspiration for hands-on projects. Explore with arts & crafts, science activities, imaginative play, and more.

I just started my own subscription and I'm passing some love on to you. Follow this link to start your own subscription and receive $10 off your first order, plus it's free shipping! 

Tuesday Trend - Plastic Animal Crafts

I didn't realize how hot plastic animals really were when I made my jar toppers for the Run Away With The Circus table.

Then I saw these favor box toppers at Hello Bee...first off, how fun!  I knew I had to share more of this hot trend.  Plastic animals are easy to find, affordable and are so fun to play with.  Check out some of these inspired crafts...

Turn them into wall art...DIY from Papery & Cakery.

Turn them into candles...DIY from The Sweetest Occasion.

Turn them into ornaments...DIY from Curbly.com.

Turn them into a garland...DIY from HGTV.

Turn them into planters...DIY from kittenbear.

Turn them into place cards...DIY from Home Modern.

Turn them into magnets...DIY from Sugar & Cloth.

Back To School 2012: Printables

There are so many creative and free Back To School printables out there, like this one from Like A Pretty Petunia. I couldn't wait to share some of them with you all over on Today's Mama!

Fiesta Friday/Real Party - Aloha To Summer Party With Party City Pt. 2

Last time,  I brought you the adult side of my Aloha To Summer Party (if you missed it, you must go check it out!) and today, it's all about the kids. There are lots of great DIYs and free printables I found all over the place, so you can easily recreate the look yourself!

Fiesta Friday/Real Party - Aloha To Summer Party With Party City Pt. 1

As I mentioned in my last Tuesday Tutorial, Party City sent me a box of luau goodies to see what magic I could come up with.  I've never done a luau party before, so I was super excited! I thought nothing would be more fitting than an Aloha To Summer Party. Invite your friends over and celebrate the end of summer in style!

We Go Wednesday - Whole Foods Market Lunchbox Bootcamp

Last week I had the pleasure of attending a private event at Whole Foods Market with chef Chad Sarno.  Vegan chef Chad Sarno.  I-don't-cook-meat-or-even-use-any-animal-products chef Chad Sarno.  As a meat eater and lover of butter and cheese, I was pleasantly surprised and learned a thing or two.  Check out my meatless adventures over on Today's Mama.  And p.s...this looks like chicken carnitas right?  Yeah...not so much chicken as something totally unexpected.

Tuesday Tutorial - Aloha To Summer Party Crafts

The lovely folks at Party City sent me a box of luau goodies to have fun with.  Surprisingly, I've never thrown a luau party...previous posts have looked down on them snootily as a graduation party theme.  I think all the tiki torches and coconut bras made my one eyebrow twitch a little.  Now that I'm going to have to prove my own point, today I'm going to share two of the projects I worked on, a little sneak peek of my Aloha To Summer shoot.

I saw this adorable idea for tiki puppets at Parents.com; for us, it can will work double duty as a party craft and name card for the kid's table. All you need are brown paper cups, brown electrical tape and whatever craft supplies are hiding in your closet...foamies, feathers, pom-poms, the works!  Before the party, tape the two cups together and let your guests do the rest.

For the adult table, I created pineapple party tubes that also double as a place card and party favor. You will need:

crepe paper in light and dark green
2" X 6" cardboard tube (mine are from a craft store)
6" X 8" piece of yellow cardstock
green tissue shred
whatever lovelies you want to put inside your party tube, like wrapped candy.
tape
green ribbon or baker's twine
stickers

1.  Cut a long strip of each of the crepe paper that is the width of the tube and twice as long as the height of the tube.
2.  Fill the tube with the treats and a little shred inside both ends of the tube.
3.  Layer the crepe paper pieces and place the tube 3 inches from the bottom.
4.  Roll the tissue around the tube and keep in place with tape.
5.  Twist and tuck the bottom tissue into the tube; secure closed with tape.
6.  Twist the top closed and tie off with ribbon or baker's twine, then trim the top to look like pineapple leaves.

Stay tuned for the grand reveal! 

Lunchbox Fun

Some of you have already started school...we don't start until after Labor Day but it's creeping up fast!  Ugh, I don't even want to think about going back to packing lunches again.  But don't get stuck in the lunchbox rut...check out my Today's Mama post on fun ways to keep you and the kiddo excited about their munchies. 

Tuesday Trend - Clothespins

Yes, you saw that right...clothespins! Usually seen as a symbol of housewife oppression, it is hot on the party circuit because you can get a lot of them for cheap and they can be easily modified.

Real Simple suggests using mini ones to hold escort cards or food labels.

I am so in love with this backdrop from Anthropologie featured on What's Up Whimsy? A simplified version would be lovely behind a dessert table.

A fun way to make paper favor bags fabulous with Giver's Log.

How about making a mirror with Green Diary?

With burlap bags and twine, a rustic advent calendar from Houzz.

Creature Comforts shows us how a little creativity goes a long with gift adorning.

Why invest in those fancy store-bought clips when you can make these from Dollar Store Crafts!

Fiesta Friday (On A Monday) - Shark Week 2012

I love, love, love watching Shark Week! Starting Sunday, it will be its 25th anniversary. Wouldn't it be fun to celebrate along with them? So today's post is all things with a big bite.

Paper & Cake always has the perfect sets chock full of fun and their Shark And Scuba printables are no different!

Make this watermelon shark from the National Watermelon Promotion Board (yes, watermelon has PR) your table's showpiece!

Just when you think it was safe to drink anything with these adorable ice cubes from Perpetual Kid....

You need to make these paper plate jaws from Dollar Store Crafts...wouldn't they be awesome hanging from the ceiling.

So many fun DIY at this party from It's The Life featured on Celebrations At Home; my fave are the felt fins.

Upcycled sharks made from recycled wood for a fabulous centerpiece? Yes, please John Birdsong!

A great DIY to create these hats from A Lifetime Of Love...

From personalized chair covers to cookies and water squirters,  Wishworks has it all! 

Fiesta Friday - A Whale Of A Party Tale

So whenever I go anywhere, my brain is always looking out for new party ideas.  I found whale-shaped chalk at Wal-mart, a pack of 4 for $1 and I couldn't resist them.

A little bell went off in my head and I totally remembered an adorable whale party set from Gwynn Wasson Designs. Printed out on sticker paper, her favor tags fit perfectly on a clear pillow box. Add a  little blue tissue shred and you've got yourself a fun way to send your guests home with a smile! It doesn't even need to be a special occasion, the best treats are 'just because'; the kids are being extra nice to each other or the end of a fun play date.   I love that you can add personalization to it.

So, in the spirit of today's whaley fun idea (wa-waaaa....), today's Fiesta Friday is underwater fun!  Start first with heading over to Gwynn's Etsy site for the full Little Squirt party package.

Get the party started right with this DIY whale invitation from HGTV.

A sweet first birthday featured on On To Baby...I love all the little details!

I'm in love with this whale suite from Perideau Designs...I'm in love with muslin bags so anything that uses them is number 1 in my book!

Does anyone else love all the streamers from this party from Delia Creates? Actually, I pretty much love everything about this party!

Need more inspiration? Check out these previous posts....

Who Lives In A Pineapple Under The Sea?

Deep Sea Creature Punch

We Go Wednesday (On A Thursday) - My Lucky Leaf Adventures Pt. 2

Last post, I barely scratched the surface with my Lucky Leaf trip.  Here's what we did the next day...hang on, lots more pictures are coming!

We spent the day learning how their crops go from tree to can....our first stop Bonnie Brae Fruit Farms where grower Jim Lott and his daughter Sarah took us on a cherry harvest.  Row upon row of beautiful cherries...

Do you know one of the best tasting things I've ever had? Ripe cherries right off the tree.  I've never had one.  Cherry season is extremely short, so we seriously lucked out!

Here's the crazy part...the large platform underneath is to catch the cherries.  How do they get there? A large grip clamps the tree's bough and violently shakes it.  Yes.  They shake the s&@t out of the tree and the cherries fall out.  It's one of the most bizarre things I have ever seen.

Then, the conveyor belt system carefully deposits the cherries into large metal bins filled with cold water to keep them cool and crisp.  They will even shovel ice over them. .

Although the trees are traumatized some...here are the marks on one  tree...they spend the season being taken care of for the next harvest.  The farmers take excellent care of their trees, after all, it is their livelyhood.  These orchards are handed down from one generation to another.

Here we all are! Yes, that is the farmer's daughter in the grey sweatshirt (insert various jokes here) and her dad in the back.  Who is everyone?  The Mama Report,  The Lucky Ladybug, DoughMessTic, Susan's Disney Family, Bell'alimento, and Cooke's Frontier.

Peaches early in the season...oh, they are going to be beautiful in a few months...

So will be the apples...I bet it is all so gorgeous in the fall.

Alright, so I lied, we'll have to spread this out over three posts. Next time, we'll go to the plant and watch a can of cherries being born!