Party Invitations, Party Planning & Event Ideas

DIY Halloween Serving Platters

Huzzah! Halloween is here! I am making costumes, pumpkin bread, and these Halloween serving platters that would look awesome at any holiday party! 

I found some chargers at a thrift store for $1 and I thought I could use them somehow. After mulling it over I realized I only had white serving platters for my halloween party and needed something more festive. So I forged ahead thinking of how I could come up with the perfect DIY. This was the culmination of all that thinking!

Are you psyched? Great! Here we go...

Materials:

Old plate or charger

Plaid Blank Stencils that will fit your plate (mine were 8x10)

Skull and bones image

Glossy Black Spray Paint

A well ventilated area for spray painting

Spray Adhesive

Exacto Knife

Safe cutting surface (I used a pizza box, but a magazine will work well too)

Krylon Sealant

Step One:

Find an image that is really simple in design and goes with the theme of your party. I love this Punisher-inspired skull for its simplicity and style.

Step Two:

Print off this image in a size that will fit on your plate. Then tape your stencil over your image and place it on your cutting surface.

Step Three:

With your Exacto knife, cut around the image. I usually score the image onto the stencil, then go back and cut all the way through; that way, if I make a mistake I can fix it! (And I make a lot of mistakes. I like to call it the "Handmade Love")

Step Four:

Head to your designated spray painting area, and spray adhesive onto the back of your image. Wait about 30 sec before putting it onto the spot on your plate you want to see your image. Make sure to get the edges nice and stuck onto your plate (as I did not and you will see how it turned out).

Step Five:

Now this is where you can decide how you want to do your plate. If you want to paint the whole thing but your image, then put the cut out piece onto your plate and spray the whole thing (don't forget the sides too!) Here is what my first attempt turned out to be...

 (See the blurry edges? that's what I get for not actually making sure the edges were secured)

Or you could....

Do the actual image onto the plate, which turned out much better the second time. Live and Learn! This one you have to cover any exposed area with duct tape so no spray paint gets on the plate. (let me know if you're confused and I will help you)

 

Step Six:

Finish it off with some Krylon spray sealant and you've got yourself an awesome platter! 

I love DIY's because they can be customized to just about any need! So now that you have the basic knowledge, the sky is the limit. You can do a whole set of serving ware (once you've got the stencil made it's a breeze) or specialize it for a Hostess Gift! I am sure you have a hideous platter you got 10 years ago that is collecting dust somewhere so grab it and turn it into something useful. Waste not, want not!

 

Hope you have fun, be creative and get inspired.

Christine 

 

Black Crow Halloween Dessert Buffet

I am busy preparing for my own Halloween Party this Saturday, but I thought I would share with you the evolving backdrop for the dessert buffet. My party has a Gothic feel to it this year. My original thought was to take sheets of newspaper and spray paint skulls on it for behind the dessert table. As I started decorating other objects using black crows...I came up with a whole new concept. I ventured to the woods to find a few branches (I found very creepy looking ones) to spray paint black. After they dried I attached them to the newspaper board with Gorilla Glue and let dry overnight. The next day I used the newspaper I sprayed the branches on for an additional 3D effect. I crinkled the paper and attached it with tacky glue to the background. The crows had wire on their feet making it easy to attach them to the branches. The backdrop took on a sculptural look!

This side view shows the 3D effect of the branches.

See more party inspiration at Entertain Exchange.

Kim's Birthday Brunch

As you read this, I will be in South America, hopefully on a beach. So C's party hasn't moved forward much this week...so instead, I bring you a brunch I hosted recently.

My dear friend, Kim, was going to celebrate a birthday while I was on vacation, so I put together a little brunch (her favorite meal-- and mine) for just the 4 of us. So I sent her a cute little invite online to make it official from gonnaeat.com. The service was pretty limited, but good for something intimate like this.

She loves the store Anthropology--so I went for a rustic modern theme, mixing my grandmother Wedgewood with modern silverware and patterns. Over the summer, Kim and I went to an art fair together. Etsy was giving away tiny bunting kits-- so I put it together and used it as decoration-- and it informed the color pattern.

Since the colors were similar to the graduation party I threw for my husband, I added some additional details to the banner using washi tape I had on hand (I love that stuff!).

I think I mentioned that I love menus, and this was no exception! Again with the tape!

The first course and china...

Each setting with their own syrup and pumpkin. This tape is amazing!

Here's the entire table. I used crepe paper to make a yellow and blue runner.

What do you think? Did I accomplish the look I was after?

Happy Birthday Kim!

Until Next Week! xoxo EventLucky

Creepy Crawly Appetizer

Having a Halloween party?  Try out this haunting appetizer.  It was inspired by my daughter-in-law who is having a spider themed Halloween party.  It is sure to keep your guests crawling back for more.  (Cheesy but seriously, who doesn't love guacamole dip?)

Spider Body

1 ½ cups warm water

1 tbsp. yeast

2 tbsp. sugar

1 ½ tsp. salt

4 cups flour

1 tbsp. black food coloring

Green Olives for spider eyes

Combine the water and black food coloring into a bowl and sprinkle the yeast, sugar and salt on top of the yeast to dissolve.Put the flour in a food processor (or bread mixer  with dough hook).  Turn on the food processor and slowly add the liquid to the flour.  If it is too dry add a tiny bit more water.  Knead dough for 2 minutes (5 minutes if using a bread mixer).

Cut off a fourth of the dough with a knife for the legs.  Roll this dough into a 8”x6” rectangle.  Cut eight 1”x6” strips.  Cut a piece of heavy tin foil 2 yards long.  Fold the tin foil accordion style in 3” sections and then fold into tent shape.  You are going to drape the legs over the tin foil to get the creepy crawly shape.   Pinch ends of dough strips flat.  (Refer to picture below)  Bake legs in a 350 degree oven for 10-12 minutes.  Mix black food coloring with egg whites and brush over legs last 2 minutes of baking.  This makes them nice and shiny.

Place remaining dough in a greased bowl.  Rub surface of  dough with olive oil, cover and let dough rise about 1½ hours or until  triple in volume.  

Punch dough down and shape into a ball.  Place ball on a greased cookie  sheet,  rub with olive oil, cover and let rest until double in volume.  Remove cover and bake ball at 350 degrees for 35 minutes.

Mix black food coloring with egg whites and brush over dough ball last 2 minutes of baking
When bread ball has cooled, scoop out the center, fill with guacamole add the spider legs and eyes and serve with chips.  

Spider Guts

3 large ripe avocados

3 tbsp. lemon juice

¼ cup minced onion

½ tsp. ground pepper

One 4 oz. can, chopped  green chilies

1 clove garlic, minced

Salt to taste

Few drops hot pepper sauce (opt. and to taste)

Mash avocados with a fork, leaving some bigger chunks.  Add remaining ingredients, mix well and enjoy!!!

Hope you have a CREEPY CRAWLY HALLOWEEN!!!!
For more spider fun click here. 

Halloween Chic DIY: Festive Fabric Flowers

Wow, I cannot believe Halloween is less than 2 weeks away; the month has flown by super fast! I have been amazingly lucky to coordinate a wedding for Jon & Sara, launch a Holiday Line and crochet tons of scarves for the kids of the Plaza District through Rethread. The time is ripe for a little me-time! I get to teach myself how to make a chiffon flower, then share it with you!

I had some trouble actually deciding what I was going to do with the flower, so I came up with a few uses, and these were my 2 favorite:

 

Table Adornment 

OR Super Cute Headband!

 

 

So I will leave it up to you what you would like to do with this fun little project, but here are the super easy instructions.

 

Materials:

Chiffon in black and orange

Cardstock

Pencil

Pins

Scissors

Needle

Black Thread

*Floral Wire

*Headband

*Glue Gun

 

*Depending on what you want to do with the flower, you might not need this

 

Step One:

Using your pencil, draw a flower about 4-5 inches in diameter. I drew spokes so as to get my petals evenly spaced; I am terrible at free handing and this helped a lot!

Step Two:

Fold your chiffon so you have at least 8 layers. It's a pretty thick amount without it being difficult to cut through. Then pin the card stock through all the layers of the chiffon on each petal. Chiffon is very slippery so this is necessary for your sanity. 

 

Step Three:

Cut out the flower. It is easier if you cut a circle around the flower first, then the finer details. There is less fabric to be managed and again, it will save you some sanity.

Step Four:

Unpin the card stock and repeat as many times as you need. I recommend using 8 layers per flower so consider one cut to be one flower. Do both black and orange all at the same time; it will be easier to get this step over and done with. 

 

Step Five:

Layer 3 black pieces then 5 orange pieces, with the orange on top.  Make sure the petals don't line up, then fold in half.

 

Step Six:

Thread your needle with black thread. Then start sewing about 4 stitches in the middle bottom of the flowers. (Sorry I forgot to use contrasting thread... I will remember next time!)

 

Step Seven:

Fold in half again and sew a few more stitches until you start to get a little knob at the bottom of the flower. Once you've got a nice little knob, tie a knot and cut the thread off.

Step Eight:

EITHER YOU CAN grab your headband and arrange the flowers on the headband in a fashionable and pleasing way, then hot glue them to your band. Instant awesomeness. 

 

 

OR YOU CAN take your floral wire and wrap it around the knob at the end of your flower, make sure to start wrapping above the knob and as tight as you can. (It took my a few tries to get it really secure, but if you start above the knot, that will be your best bet) Then you can attach it anywhere you'd like!

 

There are a million things to do with these flowers, so let me know if you have any other ideas!

 

Hope you have fun, be creative and get inspired!

Haunting Halloween Hurricane Candles DIY

I have been working on a few decorations for this year's Glam Goth Halloween Party. After seeing a few projects creating hurricane candle holders from dollar store candle sticks - this is what I came up with for Halloween!

What you need...

 

Glass candle sticks and glass cylinder candle holders - these were from Dollar Tree

Gorilla Glue

Assortment of trims, feathers, netting and skulls. These skulls are made of felt from Wilton - they are actually labeled as coasters and I bought them at Jo-Ann Fabric. Most of the Halloween trims are now 50% off!

I bought a few shorter candle sticks to make the finished hurricanes varying heights. First attach the candle sticks to the glass cylinders with the Gorilla Glue - let dry overnight. Using a glue gun or tacky glue attach the assortment of trims and feathers to the hurricanes. No two need to be alike. For a more kid friendly version, go with a pumpkin theme.

 

Posted by Entertain Exchange

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Contest runs October 15 - November 2.

C's Party:Entry #4

Invites

Once we figured out the theme, we had a hard time connecting the wording for a milestone birthday party and camping. We struggled with it for awhile, while trying to decide when to get the invite out. Usually I recommend 6 weeks, but over a holiday weekend the more notice the better. I started asking for input from friends-- because the more heads the better! I love it when people have great suggestions!

One friend suggested the wording for the invite-- to connect the theme.  Her suggestion made us laugh out loud-- so we used it! (see below-- my husband's name is Christian.) Thanks Kim!

Another friend suggested that we use pingg.com to manage the invites and RSVPs. Since I wanted to design the invites and personalize it more than e-vite will allow, I am trying out. I'll be sure to give you my full review after the party! Thanks Bri!

Early on I found some inspiration images on Etsy that I liked for the invitation.

I liked this.

And this-- especially the colors.

And this is super cute.

Obviously, I liked the hand drawn look.

In the end, my sweet husband drew and made the invitation for his own party. And he did an amazing job. Take a look.

Cute, huh?

I ended up sending the invite out via email this past weekend-- about 7 weeks before the event. So just a week earlier than typically scheduled.  Keep your fingers crossed for a good response!

To see Entry #1 click here

To see Entry #2 click here

To see Entry # 3 click here

Until Next Week! xoxo EventLucky

A Bewitching Halloween Party

Halloween certainly isn't lacking in witches.  Stir your cauldron up a bit and invite your guests to a costume party that is truly bewitching.

These invitation let your guests know that witches aren't all old hags with warts...

1. A and C Paper Obsession  2. Gen's Scrapbook Kitchen  3. SOCALCRAFTY 4. Paper and Print 

Create a wicked atmosphere, including a spellbinding scent, with these decorations...

 1. Wine Charms by Joan of Art Creations  2. Wall Decor by Cottage 6 Studio  3. Creamy Goats Milk Soap by Seashore Suds & Co.  4. Glass Plate by Parachute 425  5. Tea Towel by 12 Legs Curiosities & Cards  6. Love and Desire Incense Powder by The Well and Spindle  7. Coasters by Robot Candy  8. Ouija Board Wood Sign by The Homespun Raven 
 
Put a spell on your guests' taste buds with these delectables...

 1. Apple Cider Brewing Potion by White Magick Shoppe  2. Fondant Cupcake Topper by Artisan Cake Company  3. Crystal Hard Candy Lollipops by Sweet Lollipop Shop

Send your guests off into the night with these witchy favors...

 1. Home AFTER Midnight Oil by The Well and Spindle  2. Magnet by Picard Creative  3. Whipped Sugar Scrub Cauldrons by Sugarcandie Beaty Bar  4. Scrabble Tile Pendant by The Gilded Lily

 1. Party Tags by Sweet Melodies  2. Treat Box by Amy Wren

 
 
 
  
 
   

Halloween Candy Food Allergy List

 

Here’s the list you’ve been looking for! Halloween candy to avoid for specific allergies. Sure Foods Living puts this list out every year and it is a MUST READ if you kids or your neighbors have little ones with food allergies. Check it out!

C's Party: Entry #3

Planning Process

This week, party planning has been all about researching and list making. The nitty-gritty details begin!

Working on the inspiration board certainly inspired me to party plan. After thinking about it all night, I put a list together the next morning (while on a plane to Chicago). Mostly it was menu (customizable foods have lots of options), plus what was needed for each item (bamboo sticks for roasting marshmallows, paper liners for hot dogs, straws for the drinks, etc). Some things I already have, so I made a list of the items that I need to box up to send to my mother-in-law (she lives in Los Angeles and graciously offered to let me send things to her in advance.)

And--Good News! In looking through my supplies to for the party, I hit the jack pot. My husband doesn't like the idea of plaid with the camping theme-- he prefers whites and khakis. oookkkkayyyy. But in going through my fabric bin, I found over 5 yards of white canvas left over from our wedding. Yes! It could make a beautiful tent! I also found a good amount of muslin and some odd pieces of earthy, brown fabrics left over from an apartment designs years ago-- perfect for bunting, tablecloths and runners. Yea! Check-- first things in the box bound for L.A.

I also researched where to get tin cans, since I needed some time to create them. I would love to have brightly colored tea tins for vases and soup cans for the lanterns (ideally painted black). I think they would give a great look of "re-using" items from around camp for the party.

We don't drink coffee, so we don't have tons of cans hanging around. I did some research on vintage cans on etsy and ebay, but didn't find a lot of options. For the best value, I am considering ordering plain cans. I can apply decoupage labels to make them more interesting. Just why does shipping have to be so much?!

Unless any one has better ideas?!

Well, I need to crack down on these details and make some decisions, since we just decided that we are going to travel to South America for 2 weeks in October! I am excited about the trip, but I need to get super organized to make sure I can get every thing done in time. Not to mention, between now and when we leave I am hosting a birthday brunch and out of town for (another) 2-day birthday get away to the Catskills. So I need to be on it, especially the shipping dates, to make sure everything arrives on time. Will I be able to manage it all?

Next Week: Invitations! All about the invites!

To see Entry #1 click here

To see Entry #2 click here

Until Next Week! xoxo EventLucky