Garland of the felt kind.

Really really loving this! It is made out of felt.
I have not done alot of working with felt, but I don't think it would be too hard to work with, right?
Besides, you can use whatever colors your heart wants you to use! :)
How fun is that!
Found this fabulous idea on Purlbee

Garland........

......with Pine cones.
How cool is this?

I do tend to like the natural look when it comes to decor.
I like nature IN my house, but not totally fond of being IN nature so much. :)
You can find the to do's on Twig and Thistle.

Pom Poms

These are not really Christmas decor, however, if you made them in the right colors...
they would work! :) They certainly would work for a party or wedding!
I'm really liking them.
To get the how to's go to Once Wed.

Gumdrops.....

Don't tell me you can look at a bowl of these........

and not want to make this...........
Sweet!
I
Love
It!!
For details on how to make this sweet garland head over to craftzine.

Sneak peek at 20's

Here is just a quick look at 2 of the pictures from the Roaring 20's party.
I wish I could say I had all of the pictures, however, when I tried downloading them....the computer wouldn't cooperate so therefore, this is what I have for now.
There are others of the decor and food and such...so come back and check later for more. :)

This is my niece and her fiance.

And this is my daughter and my niece.

Don't forget your girlfriends!

Give them these sweet jars filled with cookie mix. Create, inexpensive and thoughtful! Can't go wrong.
Check out all the how to's and recipe at No Fuss Fabulous

It's Christmas Time!!

Ok, So I know I haven't been posting hardly AT ALL! Sorry to all you loyal followers. I'm going to do better. :)
Since it's been so hard for me to blog lately I've decided that I'm going to skip away from my usual daily themed posts and do some randomness for the month of December. I think that should be fair. :)
So.......here we go.
Something to tempt your tastebuds!
You do not need to go to the store to buy marshmallows...you can make your very own. And then, serve them up with some warm hot cocoa....mmmm.
Here is the recipe (from Food Network)

Ingredients

• 7 ounces sweetened shredded coconut, toasted
• 1 recipe Homemade Marshmallow batter, recipe follows
• Confectioners' sugar

Directions

Sprinkle half the toasted coconut in an 8 by 12-inch nonmetal pan. Pour in the marshmallow batter and smooth the top of the mixture with damp hands. Sprinkle on the remaining toasted coconut. Allow to dry uncovered at room temperature overnight.

Remove the marshmallows from the pan and cut into squares. Roll the sides of each piece carefully in confectioners' sugar. Store uncovered at room temperature.

Homemade Marshmallows:

• 3 packages unflavored gelatin
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup light corn syrup
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• Confectioners' sugar, for dusting

Combine the gelatin and 1/2 cup of cold water in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment and allow to sit while you make the syrup.

Meanwhile, combine the sugar, corn syrup, salt, and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan and cook over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Raise the heat to high and cook until the syrup reaches 240 degrees F on a candy thermometer. Remove from the heat.

With the mixer on low speed, slowly pour the sugar syrup into the dissolved gelatin. Put the mixer on high speed and whip until the mixture is very thick, about 15 minutes. Add the vanilla and mix thoroughly.

Roaring 20's Party is over.

So the Roaring 20's party that my sister in law planned is done.
It all went well.
Murder, food, music and costumes.
We were, however, short on guests.
Many did not show up. :(
They missed a great time.
My sister in law, brother and I spent alot of time preparing for this big event.
Lots and lots of decorating, murder mystery planning, cleaning and food to make.
I will be posting pictures very soon (that is if my daughter sends me them!).
Before we began decorating my sister in law had big plans to do a theme party, possibly going up one decade, each year.
However, by the time we were 3/4ths done decorating for this party she said "no more parties" :( I think she'll change her mind once a bit of time passes, don't you think??
It WAS fun!
Well...sit tight, hang on, pictures and details coming.

Tuesday's DIY & Tutorials {Paper Ornaments}

Want to make your own holiday ornaments?
Give these very fun paper lantern balls a try.
Easy and very pretty.
I like that. :)
Whisker Graphics shared these easy to make ornaments and now you can actually buy a ready to go kit from Natalie Jost's store.
How convenient!
There are no excuses now, right?
I'm thinking my little 5 year old niece would love to make these since I had her make pumpkins similar to these a few years ago and she is always wanting to make those pumpkins no matter what time of the year it is. :)
We might never take the Christmas tree down if I let her make these and put them on my tree!

Friday Food {Chocolate Pancakes}

Check these out! CHOCOLATE pancakes!
I mean seriously...as a chocoholic it doesn't get much better than this. :)
Chocolate for breakfast??
Mmmmm.
Yep.
I'm in!
For complete recipe visit Natalie Jost Designer Mom.
If you are at all interested in chocolate I really don't think you will be disappointed in this fabulous recipe.
Where was this recipie when I was a kid??
Oh, and you can download this sweet recipe card to keep handy for every day you need that chocolate fix....like me. :) Visit natalie's blog for download.

Thursday's Etsy or Printables {Garland}

Ok...this is REALLY cool!!
It doesn't take much for me to be impressed by garland since it is one of my favorite decorating tools....but this garland takes the cake!!
Very impressed!
Find a few more varieties of this garland at pretty swells etsy store.

Wednesday's Parties {baby shower}

I found this really cool baby shower at youaremyfave.com

Check out the invitations!!
Guess what one thing I love the most???
This chandelier!! :)
Looks pretty easy to put together and what an impression it makes as it is a huge focal point.
Love the colors and theme of this party.
To see more visit youaremyfave.com

Speaking of Parties....I'm gearing up for a Roaring 20's party Thanksgiving weekend.
Really nervous about it as there are several people invited and it's a pretty big deal for me to make sure it all goes well, even though it's not my party! :)

Bare with me...

I need a break.
There is just too much going on right now in life.
I'll be back....later.

Monday' Favors {Candy jars}

Here is a sweet idea with a different twist. I love the jars and the tags and raffia finish them off so well.
Found on Once Wed.

Wednesday's Parties {Pink-Pink}

I found this party at Daisy Pink Cupcake and I just love it!
First of all pink is such a fun color to work with.
I really like the sweets buffet and LOVE LOVE this chandelier! Sweet! :)
This party could be adapted to use for a
Baby Girl Shower,
a Bridal Shower
or Breast Cancer Awareness Party.

Teusday's DIY/Tutorials {Eco Friendly Blossoms}

Ok so this has to be one of the coolest ideas I have seen yet!
These beautiful garlands and chandeliers are made from recycled soda bottles!
How genius is that??
I'm kinda wondering if my niece would like these chandeliers at her wedding.
Her fiance' works for Coke so I am guessing he'd have access to plenty of bottles.

For a few more pictures and details head on over to iDIY...you won't be dissapointed.

Monday' Favors {Candy Bags}

Here's a sweet bag you can make yourself to use as the favor bag at a candy buffet or just fill it ahead of time with favor gifts.
It looks fairly easy to do and won't your guests just be impressed when they find out
you made them!!

Head on over to
Eat Drink Chic
to get the download and the tutorial.

Friday Food {Invisible Pops}

If you hurry you still have time to make these for Halloween.
They would certainly be better than any lollipop you buy at the store! :)
Just think of all the cool things you could put in these to make them unique.

Here is the ingredient list

Makes 1 dozen

• 2 cups sugar
• 2/3 cup light corn syrup
• Assorted candies and seeds, such as red and black licorice whips, candy corn, and pepitas (hulled pumpkin seeds)

and here is the link to Martha's site for directions.

Thursday's Etsy or Printables {printable party package}

I found this adorable printable party package on Etsy today. Wow...so cute!
Everything you need!
I know for myself when I am working on the things I print for parties,
I get a little frustrated trying to find just the right clip art or font, etc. I really like that you can buy these packages with everything designed so well.
This one from paperglitter on Etsy is so very cute.
And she has some other ones too that are just as cute.
There is also a Halloween printable package if you haven't yet finished up all your Halloween party things.

Wednesday's Parties {Quack Quack}

I'm in love with this party!
I'm even wondering if I haven't already done a post about it.
Hmmm...I checked, but I don't think so.
Sorry if it's a re-post....it's so incredibly cute, don't ya think? :)
Typically ducks make me think of baby shower or maybe part of a farm party,
but not this duck party.
It's all girl and all pretty.

Lots of inspiration to gain from this board. Visit Alannah Rose for even more!

Tuesday's DIY & Tutorials {Paper Bows}

You do not need to buy another bow....ever!
You can make your very own, very easily, and get this........coordinate it to match your packaging perfectly!
I found this great idea at How About Orange.
For complete directions...head on over there and in no time at all you'll be making ALL of your bows...even for the holidays!! :)

Winner!

I can't believe I had 39 comments and yes,
Billie Jo, you made it in on time.
This was a fun giveaway to do and I hope that Bryssy enjoys her prize!
So yes, Bryssy is the winner!
She is a new follower to my blog.
So glad she has joined. :)
I will do more giveaways in the future.
I kinda like doing them. :)

Look what I bought!

Candy for the giveaway! :)
So......I'm picking a winner (using Random.org) tonight or in the morning.
I have to get this candy out of the house SOON or it will be eaten!

Blogoversary Giveaway!

Last day to enter my giveaway.
I'm off buying the chocolate!! :)

I'll be drawing a winner late tonight or early tomorrow morning.

Friday Food {Cheesy Pumpkins}

Ok, so this is something I could see myself making.
Cheese...mmmm and they are so cute! I found this on Gourmet mom on the go blog,
which by the way...has some amazing fun foods.
Her blog is awesome.
I know my sister-in-law is enjoying all her good ideas too.

Thursday's Etsy or Printables {Fonts}

I have come upon a very cool site with some cute cute fonts and doodles and I thought some of you might just enjoy them as much as I am.

So........here's a couple of samples...

Head on over to Fonts for Peas to download any of them for free!

Don't forget to enter my giveaway! :)

Tuesday's DIY/Tutorials {Name labels}

I've seen many labels being offered for free download and they are all just so cute and versatile.
I happened to come across this site that offers labels with a name preprinted on them.
You can customize the label to your liking with different background options, fonts and colors. Really liking these today.
Head over to What a lovely name to make yours today.
Or if you are just looking for a name for your new baby, this would be the site.

Don't forget to enter my giveaway! :)

Monday' Favors {Ipods}

I found these really cool Ipod favors on Everythingthatisnice.
This is such a great idea with a low cost and easy to do.
Ipods

made from these:
With Ipod's being all the rage now, this is a great favor idea.
Yummy and cool at the same time.
I wonder how many kids would even want to eat the crackers.
I'm thinking they might want to just keep it just like that and not take it apart to eat. :)
It's just so cute.

Don't forget to enter my giveaway!! :)

1st Blogoversary!! A giveaway!

This is it!
I've been blogging about parties for a whole year already!
I have found so many very neat ideas by searching around that it has been such a good thing for me to be blogging.
It is helping my party planning for sure!
So...to all of you who I've received the ideas from....
THANK YOU for sharing!
Of course I HAVE to do a giveaway for the very special occasion! :)
And....
I've decided to go ahead and put together a mini party package as my giveaway.

Here's what you'll get IF you win:
1 Happy Birthday Banner {I know, it's my blogoversary, not birthday, but whatever!}
8 Cupcake picks
8 Napkin seals with the paper rings
8 Favor bags and Tags
Confetti
AND
this fabulous Party Planning Book! Yay!!

I used the colors that my Party Planning Business uses...
hope that you will have some party in the future that you could use this with.

Ok...so, how to enter:
1. Leave a comment on this post.
2. Become a follower...and tell me on this post. {If you already follow, just tell me that}
3. You could blog about my giveaway and then let me know. :)
Ends on October 25th.
So start the comments. :)
Good luck!
Oh....I might throw some CHOCOLATE in too!! :)
What's a prize without chocolate.? :)

And JOEL...my future nephew-in-law who says he faithfully reads my blog.....
You can enter too! :)
Maybe someday you'll be a party planner too!

Yes it is my Blogoversary!!

Today is the big day! :)
Ok, whatever.
But I AM doing a giveaway.
I will be posting that sometime today.
I just need to get a picture taken of it and put it up here....so hang tight, check back later. :)

Friday Food {Vampire Blood Soup}

I originally saw this on Edible Crafts


and you can find the recipe here.

Now I like Tomato soup and this recipe looks very good,
but I'll be honest here,
IF I did these,
they WOULD be made from Tomato soup from a can. :)
Love the idea though.

Thursday's Etsy {burley girl designs}

Burley girl designs
on Etsy has such cute banners! I love her design style. She also has door signs and cupcake toppers and well, even a party package if you'd like. She is selling things I would love to sell. I need to get on that. :)
Anyway...check out her Esty store for lots of fun party things.