Hosting A Party?

I love having an excuse to get people together. Often it's just dinner, but sometimes there are those special events that you really want to go all out for. And I'm not talking all-out like a professional, I'm talking over-the-top for a Mom who's resources are limited and doesn't have time to make everything, let alone remember it. For example, at a recent baby shower I remembered and planned food, decorations, and drinks BUT I forgot paper plates, napkins and cups! UMMM. Hello! Note to self - when planning a party, make a list!

Themes can help make a party - it can be as simple as a color scheme, or way more detailed, like a carnival. Whatever you choose to do, it's always helpful to get get ideas. Sometimes I have a theme in mind already, so I just do a Google Image search for ideas. For those moments I'm not sure what to do I go to these party sources for ideas:

Hostess With The Mostess

This site is full of ideas and themed parties. It's amazing to just look through because there are always lots of photos! Often the parties are way over the top (at least, over my top) but the ideas are still there, and I can bring them down to my budget and scale.

While I may not be able to rent the historic airplane out, I could definitely use some of the fabulous ideas from this Vintage Airplane Party for one of my boys!

How about these paper plates used as bubbles for a Bubbles Baby Shower? That wouldn't cost too much and it can be used for all sorts of parties! A giant wave for a Luau, an Ocean party or Surfer party, or even a pirate party. You could float sea creatures in there, or ships. OR you could use the plates to make a cute polka-dot pattern on the wall for a modern girl party. Just use the colors to go along with your theme! 

Create My Event

This site is a lot closer to my level of planning. They share ideas based on themes, holidays, and also have fabulous photos to look through. 

If we had been home for St. Patrick's Day, I think I would have done this adorable party for my son. Gumballs and Jello?! I can afford that!

Or maybe I would have done this rainbow of Fruit! YUM!

UCreate Parties

This is a newer site, but they are doing well at keeping everyone inspired. I love how the site defines each post: Themes, Tutorials, Trends!

I got really excited about this new trend. Push Pop Cupcakes. I can see all sorts of uses for the Push Pops beyond the cupcakes!

Alright, I know I'm not the only one that likes to plan parties. Now it's your turn to share. Post some of your favorite sites in the comments!

Pomander Balls: The Idea Room

These are adorable. I want to make a whole bunch of them. I'm thinking these would be great for a girls night! Anyone?

Much Thanks to Amy of The Idea Room for an awesome tutorial.

Free Quiet Book Templates

Have you ever wanted to make a quiet book for your child? Alison has free templates online for 9 Quiet Book pages! She has other fantastic ideas on her blog Oopsey Daisy so head on over to check it all out!

These are adorable...

I just love these pinwheel hair clips on eighteen25. Head on over there to get instructions on how to make them!

Lunchbox Love Notes

Okay, so I know for most of us-- the school days for our kids are not here yet (thankfully!). But I think this idea is too cute not to take mention of, and perhaps use for our husband's lunches, or bookmark to save for future use. This creative lady has a free download on this post for adorable lunch notes, plus some cute jokes and ideas of how to make lunch magical for a child, or someone else. Just thought it was a cute idea to pass along!

Adorable Hair Clips Tutorial

Anyone have a little girl that watches Charlie and Lola? Mother Rising has a tutorial on how to make Lola's hair clips! These are seriously adorable.

I also think this Gooey Hearts Day Shirt is adorable. You can learn how to make it using a simple T-Shirt and some fabric at Happy Together.

Happy Crafting Everyone!

Embellished Headbands How To

Head bands can be so cute. I still haven't figured out how to make them look good on me. I think I'm going to try out making a few cute ones with this tutorial though. It looks super easy and I'd be able to make some that are my style. Head on over to U Create to see a tutorial from Ruffles and Stuff on how to make these.

Paper Dolls

Ahh. Stirring up old memories of my childhood with this post. I used to play with Paper dolls. Once upon a time. I loved them. So for all you Moms looking for more entertainment from paper and ink here are some cute dolls to try. Clementina can be downloaded here.

10 years of Betsy and all her clothes can be downloaded here.

Thanks to How About Orange for posting these links.

Accessories for the Play Kitchens!

I have heard of a few people getting play kitchens for their daughters. Or even embracing their creative sides and making one! So I thought I'd share two different sites with wonderful tutorials for making food for your kitchens!

This first tutorial can be found at So You Think You're Crafty!

Many other tutorials are available in this round-up over at One Pretty Thing.

For those that don't sew - some of these I'm sure could be modified slightly and glued instead!

Enjoy!

Great Craft for Boys: Car Cozie

I was given the Chalk Mat (similar to this) at my shower for my little boy (the older one). He of course loves it. He spends more time begging us to draw something in order to wipe it of and see us pretend to be upset. It's so cute. He also loves it when his Dad draws a race track for his cars. So when I saw this cute idea I knew instantly I'll be making one. I'm thinking Stocking Stuffer? Complete with new cars! Sharla over at My Little Gems provides an excellent tutorial on how to make this adorable Car Cozie.

Betty Boo Sock Doll Pattern

I haven't posted in a while, but I saw this and just had to share. The pattern for this adorable little sock doll is available free over at Heather Bailey's site. There's just enough time to make one in time for Halloween!

Road Trip Survival Tips

Honestly, the idea of making a road trip with my Toddler overwhelms me. We always bring lots of snacks, toys, and of course the DVD player, but I confess that it's usually not enough. I read a post this week on Nap Time Journal that made me realize I could be doing a lot more. Her Summer Time Kid Car Kit is super cute! Not only is it a nice container but she's got a fair size list of suggested items and activities to fill it with. I'm hoping one of these kits will help us last just a little bit longer before the DVD's come out!

Finger Painting

My kids really love to color, paint, draw, etc. and I'm sure your kids do too. I came across this idea on the Internet a few months ago and my boys love it. For a fast, easy, and super cheap way to finger paint, all you need is:

• Shaving cream (the really cheap white stuff)
• Food coloring
• Fingers

All you do is mix white shaving cream with a few drops of any color food coloring you want. Its even fun to show your kids how mixing certain primary colors will turn them into different colors (blue + red = purple, etc). Then all you do is let them go to town on some paper. I bought a roll of "butcher" type paper at IKEA a while back for around $6. I tape it to my kitchen table and let my kids go crazy. They love it. Anyway, I just thought I'd share!!

Fun and Simple Project for the Kids

So I've been thinking about making a puppet theater or something for my son. I didn't want to spend a lot of money or time on the project though. That and I didn't want anything too big because it would either be destroyed or take up too much room anyways.

When I came across this idea I knew it was something I could do.  Go check out how to make your own Cereal Box Theater.

Don't have any puppets for your theater? Have your kids draw their own on card stock then cut them out and glue them to Popsicle sticks. Or you could just print out some animal pictures on card stock to do the same thing with. Here are some cute one's to try by Lotta Bruhn. These are stickers but they would work perfectly.

I'll post a picture when I finally make it.