Vintage Alice in Wonderland Party

I'm knee deep in getting ready for our Halloween party for Saturday, but I had to share this adorable party with you.  My good friend and co-worker Rebecca, who I've mentioned a time or two on the blog had a Vintage Alice in Wonderland party for her adorable daughter Chloe - coincidentally the same day as Ethan's Car's party.  So while I was decorating for a boy, she was putting together cute, girly decorations and favors.  We both had the same struggle - how to take a Disney theme and make it non-commercial.  I have to say, she did such a GREAT job!  I am so impressed.  She is so talented (and if she had more time, she should have a blog too.)  Some day when we don't have to have real jobs, we are going to be party planners - oh to dream big :)

So without further ado, here is Chloe's Alice in Wonderland 5th Birthday Party.

The Birthday Girl

How cute is she???

Chloe's dress - Chasing Fireflies (I couldn't find it.  I'll add the link when I find it.)
Rebecca made the bean bag toss game that Chloe is standing in front of in the first picture out of foam board.  She also made Chloe's headband and headband favors for all of the girls using finds from the Dollar Store.  The tea cups were in a set of Disney Princess teacups and saucers.  She took the decals off and used them in the headbands.

The Decorations

Rebecca did this herself!  She got the teacups and saucers from Michael's at the end of summer at 80% off!  Using foam and a dowel, she stacked the cups and saucers on top of each other.

Each of the little boys received a top hat.  Rebecca added the ribbon.

Rebecca's husband drew this Cheshire Cat freehand!

Rebecca made this for her front door.

Eat Me!  Drink Me!

These cupcakes were from Rebecca's local Pic-n-Save store.  They are adorable! 

She added the Alice in Wonderland figurines that she got from Fancy Flour (one of my favorites!)

Here they are up close:

Source

A tea party for little princesses!  The "Eat Me" tag is from Etsy.  She also had coordinating invitations and a banner in her foyer (if you look closely in the picture above of her foyer, you can see it.)

Here are the invitations:

Source

Here is a close up of the banner:

Source

Congratulations Rebecca on such a fabulous party!



Buckets of Show and Tell

This week, my gal Betsy is hosting a Show and Tell on her blog, Belly Feathers.  When I saw her post, I couldn't wait to participate.  She's looking for everyone to show and tell about their favorite entertaining and serving pieces.  What a great idea Betsy!  Even better, Betsy stole my idea!  She featured her Pampered Chef Trifle Bowl.  I have the same dish and LOVE it!  I have used it from everything from Trifles (it's intended use) to Christmas decorations using an array of ornaments to displaying candy for candy tables.  It is definitely a go-to piece.

So, seeing as I would hate to arrive to Show and Tell with the same thing as Betsy, I'm featuring my next favorite item - the Southern Living at Home Astoria Flatware Caddy.  Much to my surprise, Southern Living was sold and is now Willow House and it looks like this has been discontinued.  But, if you are swayed by my post, there are some available on eBay.  I'm guessing you could try Craig's List as well.

I've used my caddy for everything from displaying fresh flower arrangements, to using it for silverware.  But my latest favorite thing for this item is to use it for candy tables.  I used it at Ethan's Cars Birthday Party:

For my upcoming Halloween party, I'm using it to display orange and black rock candy.

Here are some other uses for the Caddy:

How cute is this for Christmas?

Or Valentine's Day?

Having a wine and cheese party?

Source

If I had to pick a second item, it would be my new Pottery Barn three-tiered stand. 

I used this also for Ethan's Car's party.

I've seen this used on other party blogs as well:

Source

I've probably broken the Show and Tell rules by bringing two items, but I couldn't resist.  Thanks Betsy for the great idea and letting me share!  Can't wait to see everyone's ideas!

More Buckets of Halloween

Is it just me or are there just so many cute DIY ideas out there for Halloween!  So many craft projects, so little time.  Or, so many craft projects and Halloween is just one day of the year!

One of my colleagues first pointed out this adorable candy corn wreath from Woman's Day magazine and shortly thereafter, bam - the wreath is on all the party blogging websites.  She has an eye for good taste :)

Click on the link for this super easy how-to.  

This was just too cute not to make.  So I made my own version.  Keeping with the orange and black theme of my Halloween party, I used the Indian Corn version of candy corn.  I made two of them and plan on using them to anchor my Anders Ruff "Trick or Treat" garland on the candy table.

If you are thinking about making this, here are some tried and true tips:

1. When you wrap the wreath with duct tape, use smaller strips of duct tape rather than trying to do it all in one continuous piece.  The pressure of pulling the tape may break the Styrofoam.  Also, the tape tends to overlap itself if you use one continuous piece - you'll use more than you need that way.
2. Work on the top surface of the wreath first.  Then work on the outer edge and then the inside of the wreath.
3. The directions say to leave your candy corn to dry out before you use it (let it get hard.)  I didn't do that (mostly because I didn't read the directions before I was ready to make it and I didn't want to wait.)  It worked out well to use the soft candy corn because I could manipulate the pieces in the spaces better - especially if they were tight spaces.

I recently posted some of my favorite pumpkin ideas.  I have one more to share.  This is courtesy of my good friend Tina.  She used clear glue and black glitter to make her pumpkins.  Super easy and super cute!

Tina used real pumpkins, but I think this idea would be great too using Funkins - then you could save the pumpkins year-to-year.  You could use a spray finish so the glitter stays year after year as well.  Thank you Tina for sharing!  They are very nice. 

Buckets of Halloween Freebies!

As they say, the best things in life are free!  In planning for our Halloween party, I've come across so many adorable Halloween printables and freebies that it dawned on me that I could do an entire post dedicated just to Halloween freebies.  I have to say, there are so many talented people out there that have designed the cutest Halloween things.  I am very excited to share their talents with you.

Do you Boo?
That is your neighbors!  I was introduced to this cute tradition by our old neighbors the first year we lived in our house.  It is very fun and a great way to get to know your neighbors.  Even if you don't check out this adorable printable by my favorite gals at Anders Ruff.  You could print this and put in an 8x10 frame to display.  Or, put it in the center of a wreath.  I am definitely using this at my Halloween party.




Two Entire FREE Party Packages
Another one of my favorite gals, Gwynn Wasson has not one, but TWO sets of entire party packages that are free!  These printables are adorable!  All you have to do is sign up to be a follower of her blog and she will send you her adorable printable packages.  Gwynn was the talented designer that did the red and white banner for Ethan's party and the bubbles container.  Lover her!

(I totally have to have a Halloween party next year to use this set - I'm thinking next year this would be perfect for a candy corn theme!!!)

Free Favor Tags
Not having a party but putting together Halloween treats for your child's classmates or the neighbor kids?  Download these cute tags to add to the bags or candy.  These are from Clickable Party.  Check out her blog - absolutely adorable.



Even though my theme for the Halloween party is polka dots, I couldn't resist using these adorable candy corn favor cones.  How cute are these from Skip to My Lou???  Seeing as I'm already planning next year's party, I will be able to use them next year too :)

 



Here is how The Savvy Moms Guide used these candy corn cones.

Source

Amy at Living Locurto is a talented graphics designer in her own right as well as a vault of cute ideas.  Here is a cute photo frame for you to add your kids' Halloween picture.



She also designed some adorable printables for http://www.family.com/.  How cute are these?  I am using these too for the Halloween party (assuming I have room left for them!)

One of my other favorite blogs is Love The Day.  She too has a line of Halloween printables on her etsy shop.  She also posted a coordinating sign for free!  Again - so cute! 



And finally, a freebie from my idol, Martha herself.  These labels are perfect for any Halloween party.  Martha has quite the line of Halloween items. 

I hope I've filled your bucket with lots of freebies.  Have a fabulous weekend!  It is supposed to be in the 70's here in Wisconsin!  Unheard of in October.  Chris and I are off to the Badger game tomorrow (GO BADGERS!) and Sunday time to hit the pumpkin patch with the kids - in t-shirts :)

Buckets of Parties and Pumpkins

This past weekend was Grandma Glady's 90th Birthday Bash in Door County.  Unfortunately the weather man was actually correct this time - on the way up we had our "spotty showers".  My Grandma commented that it was not supposed to rain today!  In my mind, it was my Grandpa's tears of joy for the celebration.  Even though he passed away 11 years ago this August, it seems like it was yesterday.  My grandparents are Dutch and he would called her "huneck" which she claimed was "honey" in Dutch.  I just think it was his term of endearment for her.  (I looked it up and the Dutch word for "honey" is "honing" - close enough I guess.) 

The shirts I had made from the Nesting Project were a huge hit!  We had lots of people asking us who were "Gladys' Gals."  Lots of people loved our pink flowers too.  Here are a few pictures.

Can you believe she is 90?



From left to right, my cousin Amy, my sister Magan (she's my twin), my mom Patti, me, Grandma Gladys, my sister Margo, my cousin Nadia and my aunt Debbie (the photographer).

The weekend truly was remarkable and memorable.  I think the best part was on the way home when my Grandma said it was her best birthday ever.  Now that says a lot when you've had 90 of them!

After I got home from all the laughs and fun, it was time to focus and get some more things done for the Halloween party.  I was inspired by all the beautiful Fall trees in Door County and gorgeous home decor that I resisted buying.  Lots of the shops had really cute outdoor displays.

Grace was ready for a project.  Unfortunately for her, Daddy is not much for arts and crafts.  As we were getting ready for our project, she said to me, "I bet Grandma Gladys got to see Jesus."  I asked her why she thought that (thinking she thought Grandma was on her way to meet him or something).  She had other ideas - "Well, because she is really old and Jesus lived a long time ago."  I happen to be teaching CCD class this year and last week's lesson included teaching the kids that Jesus lived a long time ago.  I guess for a 1st grader 90 years is like ancient history :)

So besides Grace's great stories and funnies, my mind was focused on pumpkins after finding some in Door County that closely resembled these from Chasing Fireflies:

The price though was a little out of my range.  So I decided to make my own.  Here is what Grace and I came up with:

The pumpkins are from Michael's.  The beads are from JoAnn. 

Here are some other ideas for adorning pumpkins that I myself "adore." :)

Better Homes and Gardens

Eddie Ross

How great is this for your front porch or walkway?

Rather than carving the pumpkins, you could paint the number or use vinyl.  And, to keep from year-to-year, try using the funkins.

Better Homes and Gardens

Here is my version using vinyl and funkins.  I have these placed in pots anchoring my garage door.


Or try this using vinyl:

Source

I love unique colored pumpkins!

Better Homes and Gardens

I also love mixing pumpkins with Fall plants and flowers.

I am also very fond of carving words and polka dots into pumpkins:

Martha Stewart




Eddie Ross

These were carved for a friend's wedding a few years ago. (The pictures were taken with my old, yucky camera.)

 

For me, Fall is one of the more special times of the year!  A great time to be thankful for all the things that fill my bucket - especially one very special 90 year old lady (and a younger one and her brother too)!