Magic Show Cookie

Here are Brodie's  8th Birthday Cookies. 

 

 

His mom bought that super cute invite on Etsy.  I tried to find the shop so I could add the link for you, but I couldn't.  I'll keep looking!

She asked for mustaches as she had also decorated the envelope with them.

Everybody loves a mustache!

 

Smiles!

Lego Ninjago Party Invitation

We just had our Ninjago party and it was a BLAST!!

I can't wait to share it with you.

First, though, we have to start with the invites.

 

 

My Jack likes Kai, the red ninja, so we built the party around him.  It worked out really well because so many of the things I found for the party carried out this red, yellow & black color scheme.

 

These were fairly easy to figure out...just some time spent cutting/editing the invite.  If you'd like the actual pattern or would like to order a customizable printable, stop by my etsy store.  I'll have the details listed there soon!

CLICK HERE FOR LINK TO TEMPLATE ON ETSY

 

Smiles!

 

Will share these Ninjago invites with my friends at the parties found in the side bar=>

Olympic Party Invitations

It's that time of year again...I can't believe how quickly the years are passing!!!

My little boy will be 8 soon!

Since the Summer Olympics are just around the corner, we decided to have an OLYMPIC BIRTHDAY PARTY.

As always, it starts with the invitation:

These are simply printed on the computer with a little

 embellishment added to "cute it up" a bit!

The close up of the "medal" shows you how it was painted with gold paint.

I found little metal charms in the jewelry aisle at Hobby Lobby.  With a little gold paint and a jump ring they are transformed into the perfect Olympic Gold Medals for these invitations.

More Olympic Party ideas to follow soon!

Smiles!

May be sharing these Olympic Party Invitations with some of the fun parties found in my side bar =>

Nerf Party Invitation

We're gearing up for another birthday party around here.

As always, it all starts with the invitations.

Just Deanna threw a great Nerf party for her son.

Thankfully, she shared her ideas and how-tos.  You'll see that I will use her party as inspiration for my own.  The first thing I stole from her was her invitation.

(To see Deanna's entire Nerf Party, CLICK HERE)

To make mine, I used:

 8.5" x 11.5" orange card stock

Craft paper 5" x 6.5" foldover notes by Paper Studio

8.5" x 11.5" camo scrap paper

small black & silver eyelets

adhesive

hole punch & hammer

eyelet setter

In a print shop software, I wrote up the invitation on an Avery postcard template.

The fonts I used were Stencil, My Remington & Urwood.

Once the invite was printed on the orange card stock, it was cut into fourths.

Next, I prepared the other papers.

The camo paper was cut to 4.75" x 6.125". (Two per sheet of camo paper.)

The craft paper foldover notes were laid flat and cut in half at the crease.

Using a small bit of adhesive to keep the papers in place, I put the invitations together.

Then I punch holes and set the eyelets with the hole punch, eyelet setter and hammer.

The completed invitations fit perfectly in the envelopes that came with the fold over notes.

They were quick and easy to complete.

And really, don't we all feel better after we punch holes and set eyelets with a hammer?!?

Stay tuned for more Nerf party ideas!

Smiles!

May share this invite at some of the parties in the side bar =>

Are You Ready for Adventure?!?! - Indiana Jones Party Invitations

(front of invite)

My Sweet Baby Boy has turned 7! 

It was Indiana Jones or nothing as far as birthday themes go.

Since one only knows when they won't want a party at all, I'm happy to oblige my boys birthday party wishes.

Luckily, there are so many creative moms out there that have selflessly shared their ideas, coming up with invitations and a party have been pretty easy. (For your own inspiration, I've listed some of the sites I gleaned from at the end of this post.)

  (inside of invitation)

I had initially wanted to make them on maps, then roll them up and pass them out at school.

To my surprise, my birthday boy didn't want to invite a few people.   (Those kids may not have cared, but I just hate the idea of not giving every kid an invite for the possibility of hurting feelings.)  Mailable invites it had to be! 

(Unfortunately, because of this, we couldn't send invitations to some of his friends because we didn't have their addresses...sadly when people won't let the school share their information, even with classmates, their children are missing out on parties and play dates.)

(back view of invite)

Materials Used for Invites:

Treasure Map 12" x 12" scrapbook paper from Joanne

5" x 7" craft paper fold over notes by Stampabilites found at Hobby Lobby

adhesive

candle, spatula, cookie sheet

(invites and envelopes)

Cut the treasure map paper into 6" x 10" strips.

Print "Are You Ready for Adventure" on outside using Fedora font.

Using a burning candle, carefully burn edges of paper. (I did it outside over a cookie sheet. I also used a metal spatula to quickly put out any run away burns! This is actually very simple...I even let the birthday boy help! Another tip...fold the papers in half before burning so you can easily adhere it to the craft paper cards.)

Print invitation on the inside of the fold over notes using 1942 Report (free font found at dafont.com)

Print envelopes with address & return address also using 1942 Report

After stuffing and sealing the envelopes, I finished them off with a stamp of a french antique stamp and post mark

(back view of invites)

Inspiration for these invitations & other Indiana Jones Party ideas were found at the following sites:

Tip Junkie

Sippycups are for Chardonnay

Party Wishes

I'm Topsy Turvy

Paper & Paint

Disney Family.com

The Busy Bird

Roots and Wings

Green Jello

Other Kids Pack Lunch

The Frog and Snail Society

Mom's Toolbox

More Than Mulberries

A Lemon Squeezy Home

Bella Deeva's

Em-agination

Embellishing a Fabulously Flawed Life

If you have an Indiana Jones Party post that is not listed above...let me know!  I'd love to add it to the list to share with others!

Smiles!

Linking to:

Strut Your Stuff

Show Off Your Stuff

What Little Boys Are Made of

Hookin' Up with HoH

It's Par-Tee Time

In a few weeks, we'll celebrate my honey's 40th Bday.

(He likes golf...)

I worked for hours on these invites...70 in all.

But even Jami-the-great can make a mistake...can you see it?)

I forgot the date...looks like we play golf everyday and we serve dinner and drinks every evening at 7:00.

Thankfully, it was easily corrected with a sticker on the envelopes.

(If you're a friend and feel slighted that you did not get an invite,

please don't...it was probably an oversight...I didn't even get the DATE on the invitation!!)

PS...though the tees look super cute as a closure for the invitation, we found out that the U.S. Postal Service finds them a nusance and charged us...wait for it...

$1.71 to mail them!!!

EEEKKKS!

So, if you want to make these for yourself, I would suggest (including the date,) securing the grass wrap around with the golf ball cut out....still very cute.

The invites are probably pretty self explanatory, but if you'd like more details on how-to do it, let me know!

Happy Par-teeing!!!

Smiles!

Linking to:

Just Something I Whipped UP

market yourself monday

Motivate Me Monday

Craft-O-Maniac Monday

Making the World Cuter Monday

More the Merrier

Wild Game Dinner

There's still time to link up to the Pretty Packages Party! 

I'd love to see your gift wrapping ideas!

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For years, my brother(s) put on Wild Game Dinners.  I usually contributed some sides as they were the "men at the grill."  Well BB, husband & I decided to have a surprise party for LB's 30th birthday.  Between brother & husband we had plenty of game.  Of course, this was way back before computers...well, not really, but I'm pretty sure I had never even heard of blogging then.  Anyway, we were so busy at the party, that I never had a chance to take pictures (on film...no digital) of the spread...and was it ever a spread!

My sweet MIL is having a Wild Game Dinner soon, that I'm sure will put my little affair to shame.  She will not doubt share her beautiful table on her site EntertainingWomen in early November.  Even if wild game isn't your thing, her table and hostess skills will blow you away.

This morning, we were chatting about her event and I told her I'd send her some of the recipes that I often used.  She asked for copies (high praise) so I thought I'd also share them with you.

We had the invites printed at a cute stationary shop in Austin.  (Sorry I can't remember the name, but it is in the same shopping center as Central Market.)  Now I'm thinking, "I could have SO made that."  I was a working gal at the time and had more money than time.   Things -  have - changed.

You may be wondering, how in the WORLD can she remember what she made for that dinner?!?  Don't worry...I don't take large amounts of Ginkgo Bola or anything.  As I planned the party I made a notebook to keep my recipes for that event in as well as a time table for preparation.  I also do this for Thanksgiving and Christmas.  It makes it so much easier to find past recipes, ideas and suggestions for next time.

Here is the entire menu.  In the future, I'll add the recipes of some of the other dishes.  The caponata is another particularly good recipe.  One couple sat at the end of the table where I had the caponata and proceeded to eat and eat and eat it.  I was flattered, but I'm not just a one trick pony!

The Menu
Caponata w/assorted Crackers
Hot Artichoke Dip w/assorted crackers, chips
Spinach Dip in Sourdough bowl
Chips and Salsa
Queso
Horseradish Squares*
Spinach Pom-Poms*
Crunchy Potato Bites*
Black Bean Salad
French Bread Salad
Wild Boar Sausage Crescent Rolls
Grilled Dove (Recipe Follows)
Grilled Venison Skewers
Grilled Venison Link Sausage
Venison Tamales
Fredricksburg Wild Game Roll w/Jezebel Sauce
Venison Chili
Hunters' Stew
Corn Casserole
Baked Beans
Green Chile Rice (Recipe Follows)
Wild Rice & Sausage Dressing
French Bread Loaves
Blackberry Cobbler (BB's & LB's favorite dessert!)
Margarita Cheesecake
Pina Colada Bread Pudding with Rum Sauce
Bottled waters, cokes, assorted beers, wines and Slushy Whiskey Sours
*These did not turn out that well...have not made again.

I made EVERYTHING minus the French Loaves (thanks HEB,) venison tamales (brought by BB,)  the Hunter's Stew (brought by one of the brother's "friends,")  and the dove breasts that my husband provided, help to prepare and grilled.

It was a great time!  My LB was SO SURPRISED!  Many of his friends from out-of-town showed up.  They were the real gift.  I also provided brunch for all of the overnight guests (we had a few more than we had planned for!!)...that is a post for another day!

Green Chile Rice
(This is also a great accompaniment to BBQ.  Men LOVE it!)

1/4 cup butter
1 cup chopped onion
4 cups freshly cooked white rice
2 cups sour cream
1 cup cream-style cottage cheese
1 large bay leaf, crumbled
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
3 4oz cans chopped green chiles
2 cups sharp cheddar, grated
chopped parsley

I usually make this ahead and stick in the fridge.  Set out about 20 minutes before baking.  Bake in a preheated 375 degree oven.

Grease a 12x8x2-inch pan and set aside.  In a large skillet, saute onion in hot butter until golden.  Remove from heat and stir in hot rice, sour cream, cottage cheese, bay leaf, salt & pepper.  Layer half of the rice mixture in the prepared pan, followed by half of the chiles and then half of the grated cheese.  Layer the remainder of the rice, green chiles and cheese.  Bake uncovered for 25 minutes (or 30 out of the fridge) until bubbly and hot.  Garnish with parsley.        
Serves 12

Marinated Dove Breasts with Jalapeno & Monterey Jack
Many people are not fans of the gamey taste of wild birds.  This marinade takes away the strong gamey taste, leaving a succulent dove breast.  We made 60+ of these for brother's party.  They were gone as soon as they came off the grill!

1 cup olive oil
2/3 cup red wine vinegar
3 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
3 cloves garlic (pressed)
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
16 dove breasts, boned
4 jalapeno peppers, seeded, cut into quarters
16 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, cut into 16 slices
8 slices bacon, cut into halves

Combine first 7 ingredients in a extra large Ziploc bag and mix well.  Add dove breasts.  Be sure all breasts are covered, seal bag releasing air.  Marinate at least 24 hours.  Soak wooden picks for half an hour prior to putting doves together.  Drain.

Place 1 jalapeno quarter and 1 cheese slice on each dove.  Wrap each with 1 bacon half.  Secure with wooden picks.  At this point, we place them in a large Pyrex dish, cover well with plastic wrap and refrigerate until needed.  When ready, grill the doves over medium-hot coals until the bacon is crisp and the doves are cooked through.

Enjoy!

Smiles!

Secret Agent Party - The Invitation

I found this idea for an invitation at www.mypartyfile.com

There are lots of amazing moms out there posting their great birthday party ideas.

Another place I went for inspiration was www.designdazzle.blogspot.com.

Curious George 3rd Birthday Party Invitations

I made these party invitations out of yellow felt, fabric paint and t-shirt iron on paper for ink jet printers. They're in reverse...you peel the banana to find the party details. Under George it says, "Are you Curious?"

Spiderman 4 Year Old Party Invitations

The spiders were connected by filament to the bug box under neath the vellum invitation.

I painted the boxes with acrylic paint, added spider ribbon around the lid and "sealed" the box with vellum strips and spiderman stickers.

Close-up of vellum strips and stickers.

Many of the invitations were passed out in class. For the ones I needed to mail, I found inexpensive, tiny cardboard boxes at Wal-Mart.

Cowboy 2 Year Old Party

Tags for party favors

Cowboy boot cake and invitation. Party details were on card that slid into boot topped with bandana print tie. To make part of the boot look like suede, I dusted it with cocoa.

Table set up in foyer (party was in early January) ready for the cowboys!

Party favors labeled with personalized sheriff's badges.

I made this jail decoration out of plywood and rubber hosing. The rest of the details I had painted.

For the boot invitation, I used leather and suede papers and sewed everything together with my hand-me-down sewing machine.

I used this as a guide to make wanted posters for all the guests, including the grandparents and uncles.

Thomas the Train 3rd Birthday Party

I made these signs out of plywood using my jigsaw...

Used my Cricut to cut out the letters and used Modge Podge to seal onto the sign.

These are the invitations...paper pieced with a slit cut in back for "ticket."

Party favors - homemade cookies I iced myself...wrote on train whistles "Thanks for coming to my party!"

Batman Party

The cake

Inside the invitation

Front of the invitation

Party favors

Cake from the back.

The cake is frosted and decorated with French Buttercream...takes some time to make, but well worth the effort.

Camping Party Invitations

Check out these cute inviations I made for Jack's 4th Birthday party. I knew I wanted to use a tent for the inviation, so again I looked to the Internet for some ideas. I found a cute one by Julia Azar at http://www.traylorpapers.com/campout.html. It gave me a good idea on how to cut it out so it would fold properly. I used my Cricut for most of the cut outs (Camp Out and Animal Kingdom.) The Camo patterned paper was by The Paper Studio. Will add more details of the party later.