Easy Olympic Torch

No Olympics would be complete without a torch, right?

Well, here is about the easiest torch ever!

 

All you need is:

a piece of gold metallic poster board

double sided adhesive

assorted colors of tissue paper including red, yellow, orange, gold

Roll poster board into tight cone shape; secure with double sided adhesive.

Inside the cone, make several verical lines with the double sided adhesive.

Insert tissue at various lenghts to mimic flames.

Ta-da!!  A torch!!!

Great prop for our Olympic Party!
CLICK HERE to see the OLYMPIC PARTY INVITATION

Go USA!
Smiles!


Old School Sack Lunch - PTA Hospitality

This year I plan on sharing some fresh ideas for your elementary PTA hospitality team.

If you are involved with PTA (I highly encourage you to get involved if you have children in school,) you know that most of the budget is spent on programs and items for the school.  We also know that a happy teacher = a happy school.  Hospitality is an important team that has to be creative, often counting on donations and time from the parents at our school.

This year we had about $4 to spend per gift on the 70 teachers & staff at our school.  I started brainstorming ideas, then went to different sites that sell promotional corporate items.

At this site, I found these insulated lunch bags on sale.  The minimum order was 100 but it worked out perfectly as we had a plan for the extra 30 (more on that later in the year!)  It also worked out well  that they only had the navy bags left (our colors are blue and yellow.)

They printed them and shipped them in a timely manner so I was able to get them to the teachers the first week of school.

Now, I don't know about you, but I have a hard time giving someone an empty bag.  There was a little money left in my budget so I priced out some food ideas and came up with an old fashioned peanut butter lunch.  (The teachers' lunches were actually made with white bread, but I didn't want to use one of theirs for the photo op!)  The cookies were fresh baked but from refrigerated cookie dough (it was the most cost effective way.)  I used the small cellophane treat bags from Hobby Lobby to wrap them.  A drink and a banana rounded out the meal.

 

 

 Our theme this year is an old school, vintage schoolhouse theme.

I made these tags to tie on the bags.  The back's were labelled with each teacher's/staff's name.  If you need a label, CLICK HERE for your own free printable.

 

 .

 

Oh, I almost forgot.  The bananas got a little label, too!  It says, "We're bananas for Carroll!"  The monkey graphic comes from The Graphics Fairy.  CLICK HERE for the link to the monkey.  Not sure if any of the teachers or staff saw them or not, but I know they were there!

 

If you have any fun, cheap, cute, wonderful ideas for PTA Hospitality, I would love to hear them!

 

Smiles!!!

Sharing with some of the awesome parties found in the sidebar!

Tuesday To Do #77 and #76 List Makers

It's Tuesday To Do time again!!!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Labor Day!

We enjoyed much needed time with friends thus a little delay in getting the party up!

Let's go ahead and get started!

Don't miss these List Makers:

 

Since I'm only days away from becoming an aunt, I've got my new niece on the brain!

With It's Always Autumn's excellent tutorial, I'm sure I can master these adorable p.j.'s!

 

Love this Poppin' Poppies Baby Shower by Kourtney at Pile 'o Craft!

 

Yummy Cranberry Crunch Muffin from Twirl and Taste!!

 

 



If you were on this week's To Do List, then please feel free to grab a  LIST MAKER button:

TUESDAY TO DO
FEATURED BUTTON  

<center> <a href="http://www.blackberryvine.blogspot.com"><img border="0" src=" <a href="<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/51243403@N02/5510091012/" title="Tuesday To Do FEatured by jamianntexas, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5253/5510091012_ebe78ff067_m.jpg" width="125" height="125" alt="Tuesday To Do FEatured" /></a></a></center>

Now on the the party...

Link up your creations!  Sewing, crafting, cooking, tips, photography, tablescapes, parties, scrapbooking, collectibles...it all works.  Please save your items for sell, your giveaways and your own parties for those specific blog parties.  You're the best!

Go ahead and double up your gift wrapping posts here and at the Pretty Packages Party going on now.

(Borrowed these little rules from the Shabby Nest...she's got it going on!)

1.  Become a follower of The Blackberry Vine and "LIKE" The Blackberry Vine on Facebook.

2. Link directly to your post and not just to your blog.

3. Grab the TUESDAY TO DO BUTTON from the sidebar, and link back to the Blackberry Vine.  (Yes, it can be a little time-consuming, but it's the sweet blogger thing to do!)

4.  Please visit other participants and leave them some comment love.  Comment, comment, comment!!!

I reserve the right to remove posts that are not in keeping with the spirit of Tuesday To-Do including but not limited to those that link to your shop, your giveaway or your linky party, and those that do not link back to the Blackberry Vine. Thanks for playing fair!!

Tuesday To Do Party # 76 and #75 List Makers

Happy Back to School Day!!!

Well, it's back to school day for us anyway!

Have to say, missing those guys a little bit but could't be happier with their teachers!!!

To fill my free time, I guess I'll get started on my To Do List!

Check out these LISTMAKERS:

 

These Wooden Casserole Trays by Doodles and Stitches are gorgeous!  Be sure to check out the casserole dishes she puts in them!

 

 

The perfect after school treat, Peanut Butter and Chocolate Oatmeal Bars, by What's Cooking, Love?

 

 

Just love the fonts and colors in this card by Ashley's Dandelion Wishes!

 

 



If you were on this week's To Do List, then please feel free to grab a  LIST MAKER button:

TUESDAY TO DO
FEATURED BUTTON  

<center><a href="http://www.blackberryvine.blogspot.com"><img border="0" src=" <a href="<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/51243403@N02/5510091012/" title="Tuesday To Do FEatured by jamianntexas, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5253/5510091012_ebe78ff067_m.jpg" width="125" height="125" alt="Tuesday To Do FEatured" /></a></a></center>

Now on the the party...

Link up your creations!  Sewing, crafting, cooking, tips, photography, tablescapes, parties, scrapbooking, collectibles...it all works.  Please save your items for sell, your giveaways and your own parties for those specific blog parties.  You're the best!

Go ahead and double up your gift wrapping posts here and at the Pretty Packages Party going on now.

(Borrowed these little rules from the Shabby Nest...she's got it going on!)

1.  Become a follower of The Blackberry Vine and "LIKE" The Blackberry Vine on Facebook.

2. Link directly to your post and not just to your blog.

3. Grab the TUESDAY TO DO BUTTON from the sidebar, and link back to the Blackberry Vine.  (Yes, it can be a little time-consuming, but it's the sweet blogger thing to do!)

4.  Please visit other participants and leave them some comment love.  Comment, comment, comment!!!

I reserve the right to remove posts that are not in keeping with the spirit of Tuesday To-Do including but not limited to those that link to your shop, your giveaway or your linky party, and those that do not link back to the Blackberry Vine. Thanks for playing fair!!

Tuesday To Do #75 and #74 List Makers

Happy almost Tuesday, ya'll!

We're soaking in the last few days at the ranch before heading back to real life and back to school.

It's fun being away, but I have a whole list of things I want to do when I get home.

This week's List Makers are just a few of the things I want to try!

Check them out:

A feast for your eyes....Sweet Boutiques Alice in Wonderland Party

Great Photoshop tip from Scobell Photography

Sausage Stuffed Zucchini from How to Have it All

If you were on this week's To Do List, then please feel free to grab a  LIST MAKER button:

TUESDAY TO DO
FEATURED BUTTON  

<center> <a href="http://www.blackberryvine.blogspot.com"><img border="0" src=" <a href="<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/51243403@N02/5510091012/" title="Tuesday To Do FEatured by jamianntexas, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5253/5510091012_ebe78ff067_m.jpg" width="125" height="125" alt="Tuesday To Do FEatured" /></a></a></center>

Now on the the party...

Link up your creations!  Sewing, crafting, cooking, tips, photography, tablescapes, parties, scrapbooking, collectibles...it all works.  Please save your items for sell, your giveaways and your own parties for those specific blog parties.  You're the best!

Go ahead and double up your gift wrapping posts here and at the Pretty Packages Party going on now.

(Borrowed these little rules from the Shabby Nest...she's got it going on!)

1.  Become a follower of The Blackberry Vine and "LIKE" The Blackberry Vine on Facebook.

2. Link directly to your post and not just to your blog.

3. Grab the TUESDAY TO DO BUTTON from the sidebar, and link back to the Blackberry Vine. (Yes, it can be a little time-consuming, but it's the sweet blogger thing to do!)

4. Please visit other participants and leave them some comment love. Comment, comment, comment!!!

I reserve the right to remove posts that are not in keeping with the spirit of Tuesday To-Do including but not limited to those that link to your shop, your giveaway or your linky party, and those that do not link back to the Blackberry Vine. Thanks for playing fair!!

Tuesday To Do #74 and #73 List Makers

Good morning y'all!

Can you believe it's almost time for the kiddos to go back to school?!?

(Actually, I've read a few posts where the kids have ALREADY gone back to school!!  Wow!)

I love having this time with the boys, but it will be nice to have some sort of a routine again.

There are some great ideas from this week's List Makers that I can't wait to try.

Check 'em out:

Make the Best of Everthing's tip for grilling fish (or chicken) on pineapple bark

GORGEOUS red table makeover with DIY tips from Life of Lake Shore Drive

Five Seventeen's Burlap Flower Craft

If you were on this week's To Do List, then please feel free to grab a  LIST MAKER button:

TUESDAY TO DO
FEATURED BUTTON  

<center> <a href="http://www.blackberryvine.blogspot.com"><img border="0" src=" <a href="<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/51243403@N02/5510091012/" title="Tuesday To Do FEatured by jamianntexas, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5253/5510091012_ebe78ff067_m.jpg" width="125" height="125" alt="Tuesday To Do FEatured" /></a></a></center>

Now on the the party...

Link up your creations!  Sewing, crafting, cooking, tips, photography, tablescapes, parties, scrapbooking, collectibles...it all works.  Please save your items for sell, your giveaways and your own parties for those specific blog parties.  You're the best!

Go ahead and double up your gift wrapping posts here and at the Pretty Packages Party going on now.

(Borrowed these little rules from the Shabby Nest...she's got it going on!)

1.  Become a follower of The Blackberry Vine and "LIKE" The Blackberry Vine on Facebook.

2. Link directly to your post and not just to your blog.

3. Grab the TUESDAY TO DO BUTTON from the sidebar, and link back to the Blackberry Vine. (Yes, it can be a little time-consuming, but it's the sweet blogger thing to do!)

4. Please visit other participants and leave them some comment love. Comment, comment, comment!!!

I reserve the right to remove posts that are not in keeping with the spirit of Tuesday To-Do including but not limited to those that link to your shop, your giveaway or your linky party, and those that do not link back to the Blackberry Vine. Thanks for playing fair!!

SFA Cake Pops

My parents are huge SFA Ladyjack Volleyball Fans.

Each year they help Coach Humphreys welcome the team back with Scavenger Hunt and a dinner (all well within NCAA regulations!)

I offered to do the cake pops as party favors for their event.

Ax'em Jacks!!!

Smiles!

Sharing this with some of the parties in the sidebar~