Create My Event - Event & Party Ideas Blog

Halloween Favor Bags

Broom and pumpkin favor bags from Martha Stewart. Easy to make and are sure to delight your guests when filled with Halloween treats. Brooms: $9.99 for 6 -  Pumpkins: $6.99 for 6.

Halloween 2008 - Setting the Scene Outdoors

So, you've sent the invitations, have your table ideas, and now it's time to turn your attention outdoors.  There is always that house on the block every Halloween, tricked out to the nines with gianormous spiders and killer zombies, a graveyard scene with smog rolling across the moors, frightening small children. It's ok, you don't have to reanact the opening scene from "The Addams Family" to get your yard into the spirit. I call on my favorite woman-in-league-with-the-devil to inspire you...

A giant spider weaves an evil web to ensnare unlucky trick-or-treaters. I've made those egg sacks last year, my only problem was using white tights instead of pantyhose. The tights were too thick and didn't stretch down and hang as well. If you love carving, try any or all of these shapes on this year's pumpkin lantern and making an otherworldly path to your front door. Shroud your entrance in darkness with a Witch's Curtain. If eyes are the window to the soul, then these creepy silhouettes show a souless house.

Over at Better Homes and Gardens, many haunted slideshows await you. Here are a few hightlights.... Scare the pants off passersby with a front yard featuring zombie-like mummies and haunted tombstones. I'm making the tombstones and beetles, I went and got my foam-cutter tool at Michael's (and with a 40% coupon, became a steal!). Hanging a jack-o'-lantern from a shepherd's crook creates an eerie but enticing scene, especially at night, it will look like an disembodied head. Another way to add shadowy webs to your front windows, this time with black yarn. A double-car garage door serves as a blank canvas upon which you can place a multitude of Halloween images. Not Just A Mommy!

An outstanding and unique baby gift

For the next baby shower that you are invited to, I have a gift solution that is unique, special and is fun for the baby long after he/she has grown into a little adult.  The gift that I love to give at a baby shower is the Caldecott book winner for the baby's birth year and the Caldecott book winner for the mom's birth year. 

When I was born, my mom purchased the Caldecott winner from my birth year.  I still have the book and am still captivated by the amazing illustration.  Books are awared the Caldecott because of the beautiful art that graces the pages.  In fact, the Caldecott Medal is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children published that year (source, wikipedia).

2008's Caldecott Medal winner is:

 

"The Invention of Hugo Cabret" by, Brian Selznick.  So, if your off to a baby shower soon, think of this as a gift to give or, like my mom, you can give your kids the winning Caldecott book from their birth year.  It's a wonderful and beautiful gift.

Best,

Meghann Kopecky

www.urbanitystudios.com

Recycled Aluminum Modern Candelabra

A Modern Candelabra made of recycled aluminum that can be used from Halloween through New Years - reasonably priced - display several for a stunning holiday centerpiece. $20 at www.2modern.com.

TIME to celebrate

Hi all!

Denise here and I’m a new guest blogger at Create My Event. I couldn’t be more thrilled to be a part of a blog dedicated to one of my loves...entertaining!

In my opinion there is always time for a party!

You don’t need a birthday, holiday or some other big event to host a great shindig. Sometimes all it takes is a free morning, some creativity and a great group of friends to have a memorable party.

I recently hosted a brunch at my home with a theme that celebrates simply for the sake of celebrating. The theme...TIME. Although the party I hosted was for a friend’s birthday this theme was specifically created to be used as an anything theme. I went with “TIME to celebrate” but the time theme ideas are endless…

School TIME (for a start of the year party)
It’s about TIME (for the friend that is finally getting married, or a recent graduate)
Free TIME (an especially good theme for a just becasue party
TIME is ticking (an new take for an over the hill party)

The list could go on and on. I’d love to hear some of your thoughts. If you were planning this party what TIME theme would you go with?

This party was simple to put together. If you have been reluctant to throw a party because you’re not sure where to start I’d encourage you to go with this theme - it’s an “any one can do it” idea that your guest will oooh and aaah over.

So it’s about TIME to get started (total pun intended) I found the clocks at Ikea. To brighten them up I hit them with some spray paint in pink, orange and a couple shades of green. These served as my chargers. It was especially fun to watch the clocks tick away as we enjoyed our meal.

The centerpieces were pink and green photo stands (again found at Ikea - a great source for a party) that I tied fun watches to. The watches were found at a clothes store - Forever 21 and came in pink, orange and white with a little bling for sparkle. To fill out the centerpiece I added cupcakes with candles. This proved to be an easy and inexpensive way to complete the centerpiece plus it made dessert easy to serve.

Now all you need to do is throw in your own plates, glasses and utensils and invite some friends over - it’s really that simple. But wait, it gets simpler. Act now and I’ll throw in (said in my best infomercial voice) the chance for you to win these chargers, photo stands and watches so that you can throw your own TIME bash. Head on over to my blog at Little Ant Design and enter the giveaway. But hurry this offer ends Tuesday the 23rd (again, in my best infomercial voice)

Hallmark's Evil Twin

Ever wondered what would happen if Hallmark had cards and stationery that really say how you feel? For those bad days when, just for a second, you could go postal? Here are some cheeky ones that fit the bill. Kitty, I don't know what you're doing but it's not right! Supermarket's Stabby Cat. Offensive + Delightful has a full line of birthday, baby, and holiday cards. I did it all for the nooky...and yes, you are. A spoonful of bitterness makes the medicine go down...Bitter Barren Spinster Store of Wonder and Knowledge. Pretty Bitter's Man Notes - I'll Be Brief and Dirty Doillies. For the gal-pal who has been 25 for the past 6 birthdays.Your to-do list. I love Etsy Greetings' typewriter card.  Not Just a Mommy!

Charming Glasses

Guests being able to keep track of their glass at a party spurred the wine accessories industry to provide a solution: wine glass charms. It is likely we all have a set that we have been given as a hostess gift.

NapaStyle has come to the rescue of those who aim to set rather than follow trends, charming mismatched glassware.

Giardino Etched Glasses, $68-98

Venetian - Style Flutes, $68

This And That, $58

Wedding Invitaiton Wording Question...

Let's help Diana out with her invitaiton wording question:

"What would you write on a very formal wedding invitation where the groom's mother has passed away but wanted her mention on the invitaiton."

Any ideas?

Halloween Invitations

New Halloween Invitations from Sendomatic Online Invitations. Send these modern einvitations in minutes - easy to create with spooky sound and music. Keep track of your RSVPs, poll your guests and send reminders.

Bats Invitation >

Haunted House Invitation >

Orange Lantern Invitation >
 

Halloween 2008 - The Table's the Thing

Continuing on with our Halloween series, let's focus on tablescapes. The food is where everyone gravitates to at any party, so really make it stand out. Regardless of your party there are only two types, a buffet or a sit-down table. Here are some ideas to get you off and running towards your nearest craft store.

Halloween Buffet Table Ideas - A buffet is great for children's parties or if you are hosting a large adult party. Check out these ideas from BHG.com: A groan-ups' Halloween buffet table complete with tantalizing treats and decadent decor or this fa-boo-lous feast. A whimsical buffet complete with yummy mummy dogs and spiderweb soup will tickle the bones of all present. Martha Stewart's sweet-laden table is terrifying yet tantalizing.

Halloween Sit-Downs Table Ideas - Sandra-Lee's Semi-Homemade have a wonderful write-up on this tres chic tablescape. I especially love the candy bundles that serve as a place setting and a party favor. Have a spooky chic dinner party with HWTM's very hip tablescape. It's so easy to recreate this look with scrapbook paper and those plastic spider rings you can find just about anywhere. Their fun kids' table starts with a playful palette of bright purples, oranges, and greens for your table linens and partyware. Spell-bind your guests with Social Couture's ghoulish setting, complete with skulls and specimen bottles.  Not Just a Mommy!