Elf on the Shelf Idea Calendar

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Does your family have a beloved “Elf on the Shelf“?  Our elf, "Elvin" joined our family two years ago and has been a fun addition to our holiday traditions every year!  Most of our friends have elves and I have been amused by the things their elves are caught doing year after year.  Well, thanks to the latest issue of The Party Dress Magazine, you now have access to a calendar full of ideas of places to hide your elf.  Cute, creative, amusing (to both adults and kids) places to put your elf for your kids to find every day.

The calendar is above (if you click on the picture, it will take you directly to the free download) – please print it off, share it with friends and have fun!  Post links to your crazy elf antics below so we may all get inspired!

Hello Kitty Invitations & Thank You Notes

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A quick post tonight to show off our latest creation...Hello Kitty Party Invitations & Thank You Notes!  So cute and I love that they are a classic alternative to a lot of licensed Hello Kitty items on the marketplace.

Hello Kitty Invitation

 

Hello Kitty Thank You Notes

  

Check out the "bling" on the bow!




As always, I love to hear what you think!  What are looking for as alternatives to licensed partyware currently on the market?  Share with our readers cute & fresh ideas to have a themed party with a classic twist!

{Parties I've Styled} Hello Kitty Party Ideas

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Tired of the same old Hello Kitty party supplies that you find in the big box party stores?  So was my friend who asked for my help when planning a Hello Kitty party for her 3 year old.  The two of us searched the web but didn't find anything we liked.  So I made her some Hello Kitty party supplies!

It's really easy to pull together your own Hello Kitty party!  The overall color scheme is pink & red, so when you are out and about, look for anything within that color scheme to add to your decor.

Hello Kitty Party

To pull this party off, consider these Hello Kitty party hats.  They are personalized with your child's name and age so everyone can celebrate her special day.

Hello Kitty Party Hats

To make this party a true Hello Kitty party, we added Hello Kitty beanie babies in two coordinating designs to set at each place setting.  These beanie babies are a perfect party favor for each of your guests to take home.

And just look at these Hello Kitty Cake Pops from Bakerella!  They are the cutest and she gives you a full tutorial on how to do these yourself!

Hello Kitty Cake Pops from Bakerella

And look at these cute hello kitty cupcakes!  Using Wilton Hello Kitty Icing Decorations for toppers and cute pink cupcake liners, you can make yummy cupcakes for your party too!  

Hello Kitty Cupcakes

Have fun creating your Hello Kitty party and we'd love to see what you come up with!  Submit your photos on our "Feature My Party!" page and share your party with all your friends.

Hello Kitty Resources: (See items we used for our party pictured above...we did the searching for you!)

 

Here are some great sources for baking a Hello Kitty cake or cupcakes!

Hello Kitty Cupcake or Cake Rings (Set of 12)
Wilton Hello Kitty Baking Cups
Wilton Hello Kitty Icing Decorations
Pink Polka Dot Cupcake Liners STD 50 count 

{Parties I've Styled} Dancing Monkey Birthday Party

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UPDATE!!!  This photo was just featured on Martha's Dreamers Into Doers!  Thank you DID community!

Dancing Monkey Invitations

When I first started my etsy shop, I fell in love with some Anna Griffin scrapbook paper with what I call "Dancing Monkeys" all over it.  These monkeys were such a cute alternative to the same old "modern monkey" theme that seemed to be everywhere on Etsy.  I was looking to do something different...more creative...more fun!  So this was my first theme I put together and my first item sold!  Click on the collage of pictures below to view a slideshow of how it all came together.  The hats are still my favorite item!

Dancing Monkey Birthday Party

Here are some quick tips and resources I used to make this party come together:

Scrapbooking Resources for invitations, hats & banners:
Anna Griffin Riley 8'' X 8" Designer Mylar Overlay Sheets By The Package
Anna Griffin Riley Chipboard Letters By The Package







Invitations:
For your invitations, print your own with one of these great invitation kits, and embellish it by cutting out a monkey from the scrapbooking paper.  The monkeys on the paper I used are flocked so they are soft and fuzzy!  Really cute but a lot of work!  If you don't have time for handmade invitations, then purchase some from Anna Griffin.

Party Hats: 
Take a party hat from any party store and use it as your template.  Lay it down on your scrapbooking paper of choice and draw your template.  Cut out your party hat and assemble it.  Embellish the hat with ribbon trim, fun toppers & any additional details to make it your own!   You can reuse the stretchy string from the store bought party hats on your own creations or add pretty ribbon for an alternative solution.

Decorations: 
Be creative with your display and the way you set your table...purchase a clear paint bucket and wrap it with scrapbooking paper, (the Anna Griffin paper I used was a clear acetate with the pattern of the dancing monkey on it...which made it very easy to use).  Use the bucket as your centerpiece and fill it with balloons or pinwheels, or lollipops for your guests!

For the napkin rings, purchase gift wrap bows made from real ribbon and tie to a baby rose...place on top of your napkins or tie around your napkin/fork rolls.

After the Party:
Have fun and be creative!  And after the party be sure to document your child's special day with a keepsake photo album.  Make it theme related and pull it out each year at the birthday parties so your guests can see how your child has grown year to year and each album will be evidence of each themed party she had.  Making a keepsake album is easy to do:  Purchase a small "brag book" size photo album and embellish it with scrapbook stickers, embellishments, and chipboard letters with your child's name and age.  Then add your photos, some quick notes about special memories and you are done!