Posts in the ‘Party Themes’ Category

{DIY} How to Make Vintage Paint Wine Bottles

Here’s the latest DIY Wanessa of Wanessa Carolina Creations came up with. It’s a great way to turn old wine bottles into beautiful conversation pieces! Wouldn’t these be perfect as vases, centerpieces, or even to serve wine out of? 

Supplies
  1. Glass bottle
  2. Metalic spray paint (Krylon)
  3. Water spray bottle
  4. Twine
  5. Hot glue gun and glue

Instructions

  • First scrub off the labels. (My method is simple. I put the bottle under running water and scrape the label off with the back of a knife. Then I scrub the bottle with a sponge to get the rest of the glue and paper off.)
  • Dry the bottle and spray some water all over the bottle (not to much, just enough to look like sweat)
  • Spray the bottle with the first coat of paint, wait at least 30 minutes, and apply a second coat

The bottle will look like this!

  • When the paint is completely dry, start to wrap the twine around the middle of the bottle. To fasten, glue the twine with hot glue (just a little), then do the same on the bottle neck.

 

Your bottle will look like these, beautiful!

To add the monograms, I used this Martha Stewart Fancy Script Stencil Set, some black paint and done!
The Favor tags are part of the FREE Paisley Bridal Shower Printables I designed exclusively for Catch my Party!
Thank you, Wanessa. What I love about your crafts is how beautiful and unique they are.
To learn more about Wanessa and see more of her designs, please visit her blog, Facebook pageand Etsy shop. Also, if you haven’t entered Wanessa’s $120 custom party printable giveaway, head over and do so now, it’s easy to enter!
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PARTY PHOTO OF THE WEEK

I’m dying over this little face and this little outfit! For a boy who loves golf, I couldn’t think of a better party than Mercer Turns FORE!

 

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{PARTY ON A BUDGET} Pirate Party

Melissa N from My Party Passion is a party aficionado. She’s added thirty three parties to our site! The best thing about Melissa is she knows how to throw a great party on the tiniest of budgets.

She just recently threw her daughter a Pirate Party and made it look so easy.

I asked Melissa to share her best kept secrets, and here’s what she said…

Ahoy Buckeneers!  I love a good challenge!  Don’t you?!   My “challenge” on this Pirate Party was the fact that I needed to STICK to a strict budget (not easy to do with my creative mind).  

My daughter is a lover of pirates, Izzy from Jake and the Neverland Pirates to be specific.   I knew that I wanted to have a quality party and less quantity (of children) which is something “we” don’t do that often!  I told our daughter that she could invite 5 other girls (besides herself and her sister).  What I would love to share with you today are my top 5 Pirate Party Budget Challenges and their solutions!

1.  Challenge:  Cover the white plastic outdoor chairs for the party table

HIGH END:  White fabric pre-made chair covers (not in the budget).

BUDGET:    White plastic rectangle tablecloths from the Dollar Store (didn’t break the bank). You only need 1 tablecloth per 2 chairs – cutting them in 1/2 – Solution! (I also splurged on 2 rolls of black crepe paper at the same store to tie around them.)

 

2.   Challenge - Venue drapery covering  to cover the green tents we had up

HIGH END:  Fabric Curtains or other fabric to use as curtains around the tents.
BUDGET:    Again using Dollar store tablecloths for the curtain effect.  Solution!

3.  Challenge - Find a cake the guests will eat and not waste

HIGH END:  Bakery made cake (my opinion  - so much cake gets wasted as the children really only eat the frosting).

BUDGET:   Store bought 1 layer cake used to make into Cannonball Cake Balls – sticking with a pirate theme, cannonballs seemed appropriate.  Chocolate and red chocolate melts. I used reusable Push Up Pop containers to showcase them.  Solution!

4.  Challenge - Quality goody bag items that will not be lost in the bottom of the Mini Van! 

HIGH END:  Fill with a lot of little trinkets that somehow end up at the bottom of the minivan never to be seen again – money wasted.

BUDGET:    I try to find something that goes with the theme that the guest will keep for a while. In this case I found bottlecap Izzy necklaces with the chain on Etzy – less than $ 3.00 per necklace.  The bags themselves I found at Hobby Lobby’s after Christmas sale (red & white polka dots) for 80% off, less than $2.00 for 10 of them!  I would have spent more than that on little trinket stuff that would never be seen again.  Solution!

I also found the black medium size handled bags after Halloween for $0.28 each. Slap on a skull and crossbones sticker and you have a goody bag, or in my case a bag for the kids to put all their loot in (crafts, etc.).

5 Challenge – Craft that are higher end for less price

My advice on crafts, find something that can be showcased in your guests’ own homes or something that they can keep and use to remember the party.  In this case, I rummaged thru the clearance rack at Michael’s  and found these good sized pirate banks to be painted for $0.77 each!  They were behind a lot of other items and I had to search to find 8 that were not broken.  Success!  

In short, don’t be afraid to search out deals, bargains, clearance items, and Etsy for some great goody bag ideas! Use your local Dollar Store and find the after-holiday sales at the party stores to pick up generic colored items to be used for other parties!  

Thank you, Melissa, for these smart tips. A little common sense and ingenuity go a long way to throwing a great party.

Do check out Melissa’s other fantastic parties on our site and her new blog, My Party Passion.

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Eventup — A New Site to Book Cool Party Venues

I just learned of a great new site I had to share. It’s called Eventup and it’s an online party venue booking site.

It’s based here in Santa Monica, so a few weeks ago I had coffee with the founder, Tony Adam, and he told me all about it.

Now if you’re looking for that cool loft, new restaurant, or great house to throw a party or wedding at, you don’t need a party planner. All you need is to head to Eventup and you’ll find exactly what you need. The site currently only serves LA, San Francisco, and New York, but they plan to expand to other cities soon, so be on the lookout.

What’s great about Eventup is they offer a wide range of unique locations in every price range, but I asked Tony to share with me some of the most incredible spots in LA you can book, and here’s what he chose. Wait until you see these spots… You’ll drool.

Oviatt Penthouse

Tap into the glitter of old Hollywood at the Oviatt Penthouse in downtown Los Angeles. Housed in the 13-story Oviatt Building, this Art Deco landmark was built in 1927 and 1928 for James Oviatt. A rich haberdasher who dressed the dashing likes of John Barrymore and Clark Gable, Oviatt’s building was inspired by the novel splendors of Art Deco he viewed on a trip to Paris. The ground floor houses the glamorous Cicada Restaurant, featured prominently in the 2012 Oscar-winning The Artist, while upstairs, the ten-room penthouse and expansive rooftop terrace with entrancing downtown views provide 7000 feet of undeniable Jazz Age glamour for any event. Lalique himself designed the building’s glass front doors, gilded elevator doors, and etched glass used throughout the building. The rooms feature Oviatt’s original burled mahogany furniture and built-in cabinetry.

Disney Hall

Downtown Los Angeles’ Disney Hall is an architectural wonder. Designed by world-renowned architect Frank Gehry, who Vanity Fair called “the most important architect of our age,” the structure’s swooping, curved façade, uniquely laden in stainless steel, is breathtaking. Within, the auditorium, fully paneled in fir wood, is equally peerless in its sailing ship-inspired design. This home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic can be rented for weddings, parties, and other events. Opened in 2003, Disney Hall may prove to be as representative of Los Angeles as the Chrysler Building is of New York City.

Frank Lloyd Wright Wright Jr Mansion – Sowden House

Frank Lloyd Wright Jr.’s Sowden House in Los Feliz is one of L.A.’s most unique homes. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright’s son Lloyd Wright in 1926, it beautifully exploits the wonders of nature, with every room surrounding a spacious central courtyard. An important part of L.A. history, the Mayan-inspired dwelling played host to famous photographer Man Ray in the 1940s and has been featured in Architectural Digest and Martin Scorcese’s 2004 film The Aviator. It’s perfect for a truly exceptional wedding, launch party, or birthday soiree.

Simon House

This mid-century modern home in the Trousdale Estates section of Beverly Hills was designed by a builder of dozens of homes in Palm Springs, a city that exudes mid-century style. The 5000-square foot Simon House is situated on an acre of land. The front entryway is home to a unique reflecting pool reminiscent of the one Peter Sellers lost his shoe in Blake Edwards’ 1967 comedy The Party, while the backyard features lush gardens, an infinity Jacuzzi, a heated pool, ocean views, and complete privacy. It’s an ideal setting for photo shoots, filming, and select events.

Union Station

Admittedly, a train station might be the last place you might consider for a fabulous party, but Union Station is a unique and stylish choice. Across from Olvera Street in Chinatown, the bustling station dating back to 1939 brings a sense of style, action, and adventure to any event. Surrounded by palm trees, this landmark’s architecture is Spanish Revival with Moorish influences. The waiting area retains its original elegance with dozens of plush leather-and- wood Art Deco armchairs and vaulted, ornately painted soaring ceilings. One room available only for private events is the old Main Ticketing Concourse. It features grand ironwork chandeliers, a gorgeous wooden ticket counter that doubles beautifully as a bar, and space for as many as 1,000 guests. Another private venue, a former Fred Harvey restaurant, suits a special occasion with its original, elegant details such as red leather banquettes, a horseshoe-shaped bar, and a balcony perfect for a band or DJ setup.

How awesome would it be to have your party in a train station??? Even if you don’t live in LA, SF, or NYC, definitely take a look at Eventup. There are so many fun place to check out!

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FREE “It’s a Boy” Baby Shower Printables from Green Apple Paperie

We recently gave away an adorable collection of free girl baby shower printables, and today I’m thrilled to be giving away the matching boy baby shower set. These printables were designed by Katie from Green Apple Paperie.  I just love how classic and modern they are.

The collection includes: invitations, thank you cards, party circles, cupcake wrappers, Hershey’s Kiss labels, wish tree cards, advice for mom cards, water bottle labels, tented cards, straw flags, and an “It’s a Boy” banner.

DOWNLOAD THE HIGH RESOLUTION FILES FOR PRINTING

Here are a couple photos to see how great they look…

To learn more about Katie and see all of her beautiful designs, check out her Etsy shop andFacebook page. Thank you, Katie, for creating such sweetness for our readers!

 

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DIY — How to Make a Hanging Easter Garland

Here’s a great DIY! Wanessa from Wanessa Carolina Creations designed these beautiful “bunnies and birds” Easter printables. Then she turned her banner into a beautiful hanging garland. Take a look at how she did it…

Materials

  1. Banner template you can download here
  2. Twine
  3. Hot glue / gun
  4. Plastic eggs (approximately 24 units)
  5. Ribbo;
  6. Wire or any kind of stems
  7. Small screw driver (to make holes on the eggs) and lighter
  8. Spray adhesive

Instructions

  •  Print out two copies of the Easter banner and cut it out

  • If your eggs don’t have holes in them, heat a screw driver and make a hole in the bottom and another in the top of each egg
  • Attach the twine to the wire (I didn’t have a wire, so I used a Chenille stem) using a little bit of hot glue. This will make the “sewing” easy.
  • For the word “Happy” cut approximately 60″ of twine. Starting  from the top, pass the twine through the first egg and make a knot very close to the top of the egg so the egg won’t slip
  • Glue the twine to the middle of the H letter (make sure the letter it’s not upside down)

  • Apply spray adhesive to the other H letter and stick them both together
  • Add another egg to the garland, then glue the next letter

 

 

  • Repeat these steps until you are done.
  • To finish, use 2 eggs on the bottom to make the garland heavier. You can also alternate the letters using ribbons instead of eggs.
  • For the word “Easter” use approximately 70″ of twine
  • For the “Bunny/Bird” garlands, use 42″-48″ of twine

Thank you Wanessa, what a great new way to make a banner! To learn more about Wanessa and see more of her designs, please visit her blog, Facebook pageand Etsy shop.

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{RECIPE} Healthy and Delicious White Chicken Chili

If you want something hearty, that will stick to your ribs, but is still healthy. This white chicken chili is the dish!

What differentiates a white chili from a white bean soup is… chili peppers (and cumin)! This recipe features two kinds of green chili peppers, the poblano and the anaheim. Not too spicy, but they bring a nice feeling of heat and warmth to the dish.

Ingredients

2 anaheim chilis
2 poblano chilis (poblanos are often labelled “pasillas” in grocery stores)
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 medium onions, diced
2 shallots, diced
4 garlic cloves, pressed or minced
2 teaspoons cumin
2 teaspoons oregano
4 16-ounce cans white beans (I like great northern beans, but cannellini or navy are fine)
4 cups low salt vegetable stock (chicken stock is also great!)
2 cooked, shredded chicken breasts

For garnish
1/2 cup grated white cheddar or jack cheese
1 thinly sliced jalapeño pepper
1/2 cup cilantro (if you hate cilantro!? you can substitute chopped scallions)
2 limes

Directions

Slice the peppers open, and scrape out the seeds. Anaheim and poblanos aren’t super spicy peppers, but spicy enough to really hurt if you handle the seeds or insides and then touch your eyes! So please be mindful as you deseed. Quarter the peppers cut into 1/4 inch slices.

Heat the oil in a large sauce pan or dutch oven.

When it is hot (oil is shimmering), add the pepper and cook for about 5 minutes until they start to soften.

Add the diced onions and shallots and cook until the onions start to turn transparent.

Add the garlic, cumin, and oregano.

Sauté for about 2 minute.

Strain the beans, and add to the pot.

Now add the chicken or vegetable stock. It should cover the beans by 1/2-1 inch depending on the size of your pan. Bring it up to a simmer.

Taste it periodically and salt to taste. I added about 3-4 teaspoons of salt.

Let it cook down until the beans are at surface level (about 20-30 minutes).

Stir in the shredded chicken and cook for another 5 minutes.

Serve with a pinch of cheese and cilantro as a garnish.

If you are serving to a spice-loving crowd, throw a couple thin slices of  jalapeño on as well.

I like red jalapeños for the color, but green are fine as well. Lime can give it a nice kick of acid, so I like to put some slices out as well.

Eat up, it will warm your bones!

 

 

If you make it, please let me know how it is and send photos to jillian(at)catchmyparty.com.

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Rainbow Jello Easter Eggs DIY

Have you seen these rainbow Easter eggs making the rounds?  Nike from Thrive created them with rainbow Jello. I thought they were so beautiful I had to post them.

You just need egg molds, a clean syringe, and Jello in a rainbow of colors.

Take a look at the whole tutorial from Thrive. It doesn’t seem that hard, and how cool when you’re done… Don’t you want to touch them?!

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{RECIPE} Bacon Cheddar Biscuits You Will Want to Make!

Here’s our newest recipe we added to Foodie. com. For you bacon lovers out there (like my husband, David), this bacon cheddar biscuit recipe is for you!

Plus, they’re quick. You can do the whole thing in under 30 minutes. You just use a measuring cup to shape the dough into biscuits,  then drop them on a cookie sheet, no rolling needed, which is definitely a time-saver.

What I love about them is the smokiness the bacon brings to these light, airy biscuits.  If you’re having guests over for brunch, I recommend making these biscuits. They could easily be the star of the show. Plus, they make your house smell so good!

To see the whole recipe, check it out here on Foodie. com. If you make some, please send photos to jillian(at)catchmyparty.com. I’d love to see how yours turned out.

 

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FREE Easter Printables from Green Beansie Cards

Check out these “Mod Easter Bunny” printables Wendy from Green Beansie Cards designed exclusively for us. Aren’t they fabulous? They’ve got a cool Jonathan Adler look about them that I love!

The collection includes: a welcome sign, small flags, blank labels, 3 different patterned papers, party circles, cupcake wrappers, gift tags, drink wrappers and a “Happy Easter” banner.

DOWNLOAD THE HIGH RESOLUTION FILE FOR PRINTING:

Thank you, Wendy, for such a chic collection! To learn more about Wendy and see all of her designs, check out her Etsy shop, Green Beansie Ink.

Also, for more Easter inspiration, check out all our free Easter printables and all the great Easter parties on our site.

 

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