Doggie Party

Forget the kids, let's have a DOG PARTY! Just kidding, this theme would work just as well for for fuzzy 4 legged kids as well as our 2 legged human ones. I've seen plenty of kids with dog themes and its awfully cute, but here was my spin on a dog party.

My friend lives in a awesome apartment by the beach & she has 3 of the cutest dachshunds! Well the oldest of the bunch was hitting her big 16 years! There's no way we were gonna ignore a milestone like that and a perfect reason to have a b.b.q. party by the beach, right!?! Well, we could have went the "Hot Dog" route see as how they are weenier dogs, but that's to obvious. So we treated it kind of like any person's party with lots of bright colors and the typical happy birthday deco with a twist. We accented areas with paws and lot of dog toys!

Did the rounds and of course Dollar Tree was the cheapest and had the best mix of toys and bowls for this whole shindig. For fun think food (human food) in big dog dishes.

For dip, my sis came up with the cute little "Doggie Dip" slogan and I added a touch more to the food/water bowl with paws (including dewclaw). Puffy paint! Very easy, very cheap & no permanent damage. If you mess up it's super easy to clean so no worries.

"Happy Birthday Worm"

For the sign I downloaded and installed "This font is for the dogs" font and pretty much the exact same printing directions as from my Vintage theme bridal shower post. Just make sure your printer is set to whatever size you chose to cut your pieces of card-stock  I highly recommend printing a 1 page test sheet before attempting "Print All" just in case you like your letters a little more down or up. We also cut out bones to place a space between words. Hole punched one at each end and the letters 1 hole for each top corner. The only thing different was that instead of 1 long string that they were feed on each letter got tied to the next, so more like a chain style. String one to the next cut & curl. Extend the string on the front and back end & hang.

Each tree got a little more touches added. We got a ton of random toys from the Dollar Tree. As you see a little ribbon and a rawhide here an there.

As for the tennis balls, leave the netting on, just try to slice in half (our balls were a 2 pack). The with a little bit of Fabri-tac we twisted the open end shut. It kind of was like a spiderweb effect. Just add a drop and twist & twist. Yes, fingers did get sticky but no damage to me or the balls. Then I strung ribbon through the netting tying in a bid loop so it was easier to hang wherever.

The palm trees even got a little extra doggie toy decor. You may also notice on the ground a few more of our sidewalk chalk paws. There were paws everywhere and made a good trail leading up to party location.

It was all really cute & of course the Birthday Girl had to get gifts and guests had to get treats. May I recommend "Doggie Bags" instead of "Loot Bags?" ;) Wanna make your own dog treats? Here's a great link with some top recipes. Enjoy! I know your dog will!

HAPPY SWEET 16 WORMY!!!

Vintage Theme Bridal Shower

Recently my littlest sister got bestowed the honor of being Maid of Honor in a wedding. I understood what that meant and she understood stress, so this was a time that I was happy to put my little crafty head and hands in motion. She had some great ideas, but no idea how to execute without paying the ridiculous Etsy costs, so I went to work. Maybe some of these ideas are perfect for your next event or need some tweaking just to fit, but wither way I think what we've stumbled upon can totally help anyone out in the next event planning mode.

First thing first, if you are doing the pre-wedding parties here's my tip - Bridal shower, mellow tie in with wedding theme. Bachelorette party - EXAGGERATED TO THE MAX theme of it all or just straight up girl's last free for all. I personally prefer just the fun exaggerated theme over all the typical Bachelorette items, but that's always a depends on your bride deal.

Veil:

Well my sister found the cutest veil for all the parties, the only thing was they wanted $30, for the purpose of the gift I can't list cost, but it was defiantly not that, also I preferred our version. Sorry I do not have pics of this process but really it's very simple!

What you need to do/go/get: Buy a headband. The one we got the idea from used the fat version but I opted for a medium of sorts because not everyone's head has enough space to wear a fat one. I love them, but I can never get those to stay in place. Next go to any fabric store check out all their net/veil like material. I chose a yard (though I only used half). I picked the shiniest, less gripping, with a soft feeling of all the material options. I didn't want any part of this to get stuck on her clothes or others every time she hugged someone that would be a mess. At Micheal's,  Fabri-Tac (this is a no sew project). I also found the perfect little letters and flowers for the veil  there. Check the scapbook section. The flowers were a fabric material and already a sticker type. The letters were cardboard with glitter, very light in weight and ready to go, not a sticker, just what I wanted. Bobby-pins on hand for bride to be on the day of the event.

Maybe this close up will help.

Ok, so first I cut down my fabric/veil material in half. The remainder half I folded gluing with the Fabri-tac the bottom half under veil the top have above. The bottom try to make it as smooth as possible as you go. The above piece I tried to not place as smooth as the bottom to give more height. Folded the sides an tacked them to give a more finished less rough look. We also had bobby pins to make it lay just the way we wanted once bride had it on. trying it on made it obvious not to cut because each head made it lay slightly different. After that I worked the letters middle to out, so I started with i. Sadly the top of our i did not survive the winds, but the letters didn't budge a inch. Stick with the fabri-tac just to the bottom of each letter, the top of the headband. I chose to stick a little fabric to the back base of each to help with veil height. Then just stuck on the flowers how I saw fit. Here was the original inspiration: Bachelorette-headband. Lots of differences, besides the band; they had a thicker veil material, a little more height, as you see our letters and flowers not the same and probably more. These hopefully get your brain turning because your veil should be just as 1 of a kind as your Bride.

Decorations:

Let me start by saying get your computer & printer ready if you like the faux marriage certificate and the "Soon to Be" banner. The fantastic thing is there's some great FREE sites that you can work from.

Another of the bride's wonderful maids made this.

Thanks to the Graphics Fairy this idea came up. Just need to follow their instructions, steal some images & print. It was a cute addition to the gift table.

As for all our lettering on our banner and favor station it was another freebie. We used Cast Iron from Dafont.com. I will admit it was a little harder to read in small font, but it really stuck with the theme. 

If you were curious about what the mug had to do with the favor station, well here's the full image. It was the most personal touch. a collection of vintage and some not so old mugs. It let each person pick what spoke to their personality, fit with the brunch and antique feel of it all an of course each had a little bit of theme color complementing candies.

Banner time. Scrapbook paper, hole punch, yarn/twine/string, paper trimmer, printer. First I trimmed each 12x12 sheet to quarters. Loaded in printer an was ready to get to the hard part. In my word program set the paper settings to 6x6 sheets and centered each of my planned letters. "Soon to be Mrs Martin." If it is easier for you to type a space on each to remember do it, but in my case I just set aside the 2 blank sheets that I required. The first page is just the tricky one, play with your font and see what is the biggest you can get on your 6x6 sheet. Then type one letter a sheet at a time then hit print. Once done hole punch a little in on each corner. So 2 holes per letter/blank/sheet. If you are worried about the positioning of your holes check the images of the other banner's making process (below). The hole punch position should be about the same. String through your chosen line. I went with a type of yarn and went for a over under form. Loop each end around a tack an done.

I know we all keep seeing these cute little banners, typically cloth bits cut into triangles, but myself having a sewing Achilles heels I totally didn't go that route. Once again I turned to our stock pile of scrapbook paper. Much like before trimming to 6x6 sheets, hole punching an stringing, the only thing different is a few different middle steps. It took me one 12x12 sheet of each design to make two.

Ruler, pencil and scissors are required on this part.

Each pre-cut 6x6 sheet mark at the bottom where it hits the 3 inch point. Straight line with your ruler corner to point.

You should have this guide made of the back of every sheet, or every other. It becomes up to you if you want to cut one at a time or every two. I wouldn't recommend doing more then that because of the next step.

Glue the back side of the same pattern paper together with a glue stick, so no ripples and can be viewed on either side. This is also why cutting two at a time not a big deal, because they fit together pretty well. You may require a little edge cuts to make perfect but shouldn't be to far off.

Hopefully, you have a nice pile with lots of variety going. Once dry get those hole punchers out.

Aim for a tiny in on each edge, doesn't have to be perfect but enough in that the string you tread wont tear the paper. Just like the other string how you feel comfortable and hang.

Last but not least, the most versatile of all the ideas, COFFEE FILTER BALLS!!!! Here's the few sites I got this idea from, Snowy Bliss & Rhonna DESIGNS. So pretty! An soooo easy! Though I totally ended up skipping on the dye job I had planned. Instead just used bleached & non-bleached coffee filters for our effect. In case you don't follow the links, here's how I went about it:

Coffee filters of choice, hot glue & stapler with staples. At the end to hang hole punch an more string of choice. Flatten out two filters per ball you plan and think roughly 12-16 other filters to roll up per half.

Fold coffee filter in half then roll up loosely. Pinching bottom. Should look somewhat like pick and the ruffles should be roughly in line with each other, a little of is no big. But, a lot off, re-roll.

Staple bottom point.

I aim for the staple as my hot glue spot.

Start in the middle of your flat filter an work your way out and all around. Sometimes I picked it up and made the flat filter hug all the inside just to make sure everything was really glued. While your half is laying down you may see gaps go ahead an fill in with more. Once half looks full get to starting on other half repeating steps with your other flat filter and rolling more.

Glue your two flats together an you got yourself a ball. Add more hot glue anywhere that seems empty of not sticking right. Once all dry, hole punch on the two flat filters that are still in the middle of each ball. Aim hole a little in from the outside edge, string knot & hang. They are really light so don't stress too much about hanging requirements.

I hope this gave you some creative help.

Congratulations to our Bride-to-Be & Yours!!

Make Your Own Piñata

Can't find the pinata to fit your party theme or don't wanna spend the money on something kids are just gonna beat up? Well here's a idea, make your own!

I'll be honest it's a little bit of a pain (I'll explain exactly how later), but it's really worth it when you see the birthday kid smile.

What you need:

A cardboard box, I prefer a old diaper box, but size is really up to you. Tape, now this is another choice. How hard do you need this thing to be? I used painters tape and it lasted 2 rounds with some softball kids. To be honest I think I only used the painters tape cause blue was a main color in my party theme. With the use of just painters tape the hanger gave out before the bindings did. If you have a older crowd and really want it to be a tough battle, go for duct tape. Your color choices of streamers. Dollar Store has many choices so don't start to worry that this will cost you much, just think at least $1 for every color you chose. I was only working with 2 colors I grabbed 2 of each. I think I only used a little more then 1 of each, so it left me plenty for the party. Scissors, a box cutter, craft glue and hot glue gun with plenty of glue sticks. 1 regular metal clothes hanger. Come party time don't forget the rope and bat. OPTIONAL- Printer & paper for character image and party hats. I used 2 hats, but this depends on what shape you are going for. You can go crazy an cover every flap side with a hat if you want.

Time to get down to work. So here's why I suggest a box instead of cardboard sheets, it makes it really easy to just cut & assemble. When cutting think how big you need it, do you prefer the longer sides or the shorter? Because that will determine the length of the box. The flaps will determine the width. Although they may look not so wide, trust me I was able to fit plenty of candy & toys in ours. You already know one side to the next is the same size. Now carefully bust out that box cutter. Slice off the top flaps, DO NOT THROW AWAY. You will need them. Continue slicing box apart down the seams, corners, however you need to think of the bends in the box. Just be careful to preserve the shape of each piece to the box. It helped me when I chopped off each piece to make a piles based on size. Later just makes it easier just to see. 

"Ok, I have my front and back plus 4 I can use for sides, 4 I can use for top and bottom." I chose to work with the longer sides, so the shorter were pushed aside. Lay your choice pieces down like you are about to put together a puzzle. I grabbed the longer of the flaps placed it right in between the sides. The shorter flaps I placed on the sides of 1 of the box side pieces. 

What it should look like is: (There should be extra flap so use your straightest less bent ones.) 

Now, let's get taping. Push each piece as close to each other as possible. There should not be any gaps. Tape each side to each other. For those pieces that don't have anything next to go ahead an add a strip of tape to the bottom flap and the right side. 

You are going to fold it all together so the sides are now opposite each other an 1 flap should be on each side. 1 long flap on top & bottom. 1 shorter flap on each side in between your big pieces. Basically flap should corresponded with main pieces height. Feel free to add more tape anywhere. Just remember more tape equals more strength, so think of those who will be taking a bat to it.

Now the fun part! Decorating! This step the glue you chose to use doesn't really mater. I used craft glue, if you do this it'll require a glue dry period. This is just your "base coat" of sorts. when I was making this I had decided that 2 colors red & blue would be the main. Blue would be the over all with red highlights, so I did my base coat of streamer strips in red. Go ahead an slice the top. This is where when dry and practically done you will push in a metal clothes hanger, make sure for now the hole is big enough to add the goodies. *TIP* You can precut the streamers to the length of each side for this next step. Extras will be used. So once you are done covering the whole box in streamer now to do the streamers that will mater. I used a glue gun for this. Didn't want my streamers ripping and no wetness. If you look closely at the image above you can see the the top of each strip is where the glue was applied. Work bottom to top. Layering the new unadhered half of the new strip over the top adhered half of the previous. The pain in the butt part I was referring to was that we chose to give it that fringe/shaggy look so each bottom half of strip was hand cut by scissors. Do not start "fringing" till all your strips are on or at least that side is done. Top & bottom of pinata don't require the seconded coat of new streamer color, but that is your call. I left those sections red and flat. In between steps or when I just needed a break I would stick a old baby clothes hanger an some teething rings to hold it & hang it. Go ahead an let it hang and dry while you work on this next optional step. 

This is where the party hats come in, if you are using them. As you can see I used 2, 1 on each side as my base for a cone shape. For these I preglued with regular craft glue an began to wrap each cone in streamer, a little hanging before the base of hat working up to point. Let it dry. Grab some extra precut streamers you have or cut some. Poke them through the top point of hat. On inside use your choice of a little tape or glue to hold those in. If you have any gaps in streamer from this process go ahead an fill in with more streamer. Let them dry.

If you decided to print out a image to tie in the party to pinata instead of just being a color theme, pull out your images. I had 2 8x10 print outs. Add glue to back of each image and place right in the middle of each side. I then used my tape as a kind of a frame to the images. Next glued strips of my highlight color, pieces of streamer cut to the right size. Place right on top of each strip of tape.

Here's where most of your extra percut or just extra streamer will be used. Hot glue streamers to bottom of pinata. In my case I did one blue and red. Folded a tiny section of strip (top corner) together and hot glued each couple. Go crazy! Do as much as you want, can't really go wrong.

Now let's add those side cones. Once again use your hot glue gun, it's stronger. Hot glue the base of each hat and press to the pinata where you want it. Leave the extra bit of streamer that was on the base sticking out. That part can be cut like fringe to cover where the hat was added. It really helps them blend right in.

Now add your candy and goodies in! Push through your metal hanger. Tape up hole. Cover with more glue and streamer. Dry. Done!

Feel free to comment or contact if you have any questions. If you have a question other's probably do to, so let me know so I can help you out.

Pin It

Gingerbread Men Decorations

QUICK & CUTE!

Your choice: ornament, magnet or BOTH!

We bought a little pack of foam gingerbread men, foam Christmas stickers, and googly eyes. To work on these little masterpieces we got out all our puffy paint and glitter glue. I just sat by and let my kid go to town, every once in awhile she let me put a sticker down. 

Once she deemed it as done, I got my favorite scrapbooking hole puncher out, a star. I thought it was fitting for the Christmas spirit. I punched a little hole at the top of his head. If you are choosing to make a magnet do not add a hole, just let it dry. NO HOLE.

Once it is dry, you can either bend a Christmas tree hook to hold your man, or the way I preferred was to get out some of my Christmas ribbon. I left a little room so I could slide a branch through my circle and tied a couple little knots. Then curled the edges of the ribbon. 

If you were wondering how we decided which was what, well we thought the one with hair would look better as a magnet then a ornament. We didn't want to put a hole in his pretty hair.

Now for the other option. Once it is all dry get one of those ready to stick magnet strips and cut it down to a size you feel comfortable with. Peel and place hard, you want it to really be stuck (*TIP* - this also works for those cute gift cards that are to awesomely cute to throw away). I just added two strips to ours so it laid nicer against my fridge, do to size. They are extremely light so I am sure you can get away with one, if you wish. 

Have fun placing on tree, putting on fridge or giving as a gift.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

Pin It