Movie Party ~ Favors

I am getting ready for my son's 9th birthday party next Saturday night ... the theme is movie night!  We are going to watch a new DVD, serve lots of popcorn and candy and order pizza!  What  kiddo could resist coming over to wish my son a happy birthday!  I will definitely post photos of the party as we set up and celebrate but for now, here is our finished party favors.  Pretty simple, paper popcorn bags from Sam's Club (I bought a box of 1000 a few years ago and have more than 3/4 of the box left!) filled with a movie theater sized box of candy and a wrapped bag of microwaved popcorn.  I attached a label and some ribbon and voila... instant movie snacks to go!   My son is dying to get into the bag he reserved, with the Runts of course, he even suggested that we give them out at the beginning of the party!  I told him that they were the favors to go and that I would have PLENTY of snacks to enjoy throughout the evening!
Thanks for popping by ;)
(Hi Audrey!)

Sneak Peek at our Ice Cream Party!

I planned an End of The Year Ice Cream party for the kids on their last day of school.  I told them they could each invite 4 friends plus our family friends.  I thought a circus theme would be great for the Topping Bar!  I uploaded some fabulous free fonts and couldn't be happier (since I always wanted a Circus Font!)

The red and white polka dotted paper is from Moxxie, the Theme Parks line. 

Below is the makings of the ICE CREAM banner!  I actually adhered clothespins to the back to have a little more freedom with how ans where it hangs. 

Stay tuned for a glimpse of the invitation!!!

~Rachel

VIntage Circus Fun!

I found these fun party supplies in the 2/$3 bin at Michaels in Ft Lauderdale when I went away last weekend.

I have no rhyme or reason for them other then they are cute as heck and I know I can use them for a party- eventually!  I love the treat sacks and matching cards!  Can't you smell the popcorm and cotton candy!??! 

And the vintage stamps are PERFECT! 

 Graphic-tastic stickers!  I am envisioning gift tags for the treat sacks!

I love finding inspiration party goodies...

I even have a little plan in the works!

Stay tuned!!!
Rachel

Candy Buffet

We threw our son a 5th Birthday party this past weekend and decided to do another candy buffet instead of a traditional pinata or loot bags.

I transformed the dining room into Candy Land!

Family favorites were in every jar!

I purchased these sleek white frames for $.99 each at Ikea and made a few quick signs celebrating my babies 5th birthday celebration!

I labeled all the goodies (even if it was obvious what they were!)

{I was surprised that there were any jellybeans left when the guests finally arrived!  My husband was magnetically drawn to the jelly beans like bees to honey!!!}

Seriously, I had an abundance of five year olds that needed to know we just don't eat trinkets!  (I know- I am silly!)

I did have the kiddos fill up their goodie boxes as they left instead of lining them all us at once, as I usually do.  No matter how you slice it, it is always chaos!  But always worth it! 

Linking up with :

Tabletop Tuesday  http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/

Tablescape Thursday  http://www.betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

And

Hooking Up With HoH http://www.houseofhepworths.com/

Thanks for stopping by!

~Rachel

Eight Dollar Gumball Machine

 Do you remember when I showed you my haul from a recent garage sale and I teased you, saying I had one more item left to show you??  Here it is!  My Carousel gumball machine I scored for eight bucks!  Stand and all!  I was over-the-top-excited since my youngest son is having a birthday party next week and I am doing (another) candy buffet.  I just knew I had to snag this piece for the party!  Who cares that I already have a smaller tabletop Carousel machine!

 I was stoked to find this box of 850 large gumballs at Sam's Club for $17!  So were my boys!

I plan on putting out a apothecary jar full of the gumballs for Nicky's birthday party- easier access for the kiddos to fill their boxes with!
Linking with Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday's http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/
Stay tuned for more fun photos of apothecary jars full of candy!
~Rachel

Pumpkin Carving Party ~ Halloween 2010

Since Halloween is my families favorite holiday, we always celebrate with a party!

I bought these rising hand picks from my grocers bakery and made my own dirt topped cupcake - you know the dirt is actual Oreo crumbs, right!?!?!I re-purposed my blue beverage tin to a more useful black colored one. I also sprayed on a little black chalkboard paint for a little more fun!Time to eat! Spanakopita, pigs in a blanket, honey BBQ chicken bites, shrimp cocktail, buffalo chicken dip, pizza rolls and sweet -n- sour meatballs!And Mama's homemade candy apples too!When the kids first entered, they made Halloween candy necklaces :) My eldest is such a ham!Then my guests and kids enjoyed pumpkin carving. We had plenty of patterns, pokers, knives and helpers to go around!Most of the helpers were "taker-overers" ... the Dad's really got into it!My boys didn't get any help, I was too busy checking on our guests and Daddy was still recovering from our neighbor's Halloween party from the night before ;)My son's fabulous pumpkin! I love it! And the white pumpkin smells devine as you carve it, kind like cucumber melon! We love white pumpkins around here!Apple bobbing... I am so glad the other parents didn't have the birds eye view I had, they WOULD NOT have let their kids stick their heads in that bucket. Kids can be icky sometimes !!!

And then we went trick or treating with a few friends and happened upon this house in my neighborhood. They only set this display up on Halloween morning just for the trick or treaters! They put so much heart and soul into it and it shows! No pun intended!

Thanks for stopping by!
Rachel

Impromptu Family Game Night

Since I have been an adult, I have loved board games. I don't really have to much of a recollection playing them as a child but discovered them in my early twenties. I have since enjoyed all the laughter and great memories that board games bring!

I decided to set up a family game night in the afternoon to surprise the family with later in the evening... well, they actually caught on and enjoyed overseeing my project, so much for surprise! I even tucked a few 'Stashes on a Stick in the beverage tub for some unexpected laughs!

I set out some of the guys favorite snacks, chocolate and creme filled cupcakes, Twizzlers, Oreos and Chips Ahoy, Bazooka and our favorite bottles of sodas, Orange Crush and Cream (complete with straws for sipping!)

And Sunchips and (MOM'S FAVORITE) Pretzel M&M's!!!!

Our new family favorites, Life (a gift from Jessica), 80's and 90's Trivial Pursuit (my 30 yr old nephew whoops my butt in this game!) and Sponge Bob Operation... fun for my 4 yr old!

YUMMMMMMMM!

My son, Zach, and I always whip out the Uno cards for a quick game or two. He loves slapping down the +4 cards for me, even if he has 6 of the current color. I call him a sore winner! But we still manage to enjoy playing together!

I think soda tastes better in a bottle. Would you agree?Bubble gum is great to chomp on when you are thinking about your trivia answers.I bought this fun and colorful piece of polka dot fabric from Walmart's fabric department and used no-sew hem tape for a more finished look. I think everyone should take the time to explore Family Game Night, whether elaborate or impromptu! Get out there and PLAY TOGETHER!My little guy knows how to use that 'Stashe on a Stick! He had me in stitches with his facial expressions!

I am linking up with Marty's weekly party (see above)

And Susan's weekly party (see above)

Thanks for playing with us!

~Rachel

My Moxxie Projects for CHA

I was very excited when our Design Team Coordinator, Kelley, called and asked me what papers I wanted to do projects with for CHA. CHA is the Craft and Hobby Association Trade Show, this years summer show was held in Chicago. I submitted several projects that were used for Moxxie's Ice Cream Social.This line from Moxxie is called OFF TO THE PARKS, I made a gift tin to resemble Minnie Mouse (thanks to my husband for engineering the ear assembly for me!) and matching gift tag! The project below is a fun notebook to help get the kids excited for school!I designed the Beach Bucket from the KEEP IT COOL line! I love love love this project best. It imparts my love of giving unique gift "baskets" and creating something special and different! I added an inflatable beach ball, sand bucket and shovel for a little summer fun!I made this with the OFF TO THE PARKS line and this is a close personal favorite of mine! I love the old fashioned carnival graphics. I covered an old checkbook box with the paper and lined the inside with tissue paper and added a cello bag with popcorn and candies to match the color and theme!More OFF TO THE PARK for some fun party and school supplies in INCREDIBLE style!Birthday gift bucket filled with Jolly Ranchers and a homemade party hat! This line is called IT'S YOUR DAY. What kid wouldn't be thrilled to unwrap this gift!?!?!

Birthday caddy- upcycle project here! I altered an ORANGE CRUSH package from the four pack with the IT'S YOUR DAY line, as well as a utensil caddy. I added a special touch to the utensils and wrapped the napkins around the forks, knives and spoons then tied it with a ribbon!

I hope my projects inspire you to pick up some of these great sheets of Moxxie paper and embellishments from your local craft or scrapbook store.

Thanks for looking!
Rachel