Pop Goes the Pumpkin

If you have been following my blog, you know that I have been dreaming about hosting a Halloween party for the past couple of years. Well, despite having our middle child's birthday on the 26th, I have decided that I am going for it this year. The Halloween party planning has begun! Nothing too fancy. Just a little Halloween Shindig for my kids and some of their friends to help celebrate the SPOOKY season. In the midst of my planning, I have come across some really great ideas that are easy and super kid friendly (nothing too scary, since I am catering to a younger crowd). Over the next couple of weeks I will be sharing some of these great finds. I hope that you are able to use them for your own Halloween celebrations.


Today's find is a fun Halloween game called Pop Goes the Pumpkin. This version of a classic carnival game will thrill your guests as well as provide your party with a festive wall decoration. (I will note that this game may not be suitable for younger children. Six years and older would be my suggestion). Guests are given a pin or dart and take turns popping the mini "pumpkins" to discover confetti, candy, and whatever else the balloons are filled with. I think that this is a fun alternative to a pinata for an older group of kids.

Here are the instructions from Martha Stewart:

TOOLS AND MATERIALS

•4-by-5 1/2-foot piece of foam board
•2 yards of burlap or other fabric
•Duct tape
•Removable hooks (such as Command hooks)
•Thirty-five 12-inch orange balloons
•Confetti
•Candy (small, thin types work best)
•Pump, for balloons (optional), joann.com
•T pins
•Green paper
•Ribbon
•Pushpins (or darts for bigger kids)



HOW-TO

1. Cover foam board with burlap; secure in back with duct tape. Adhere it to wall with hooks.

2. Fill balloons with confetti (using a funnel) and candy. Leave a few treat-free to add to the suspense.

3. Inflate the balloons (a pump makes it faster); tie off with a knot. Attach balloons to board with T pins, in a pumpkin shape.

4. Cut a stem shape (download the template) from green paper, and secure with T pins.

5. Cut ribbon; tie onto pushpin handles to make them easier to hold on to (and find, if dropped).

Happy Popping!

A Campout Party

This post is for all of you moms out there who struggle to come up with fun party ideas for the little "men" in your life. This CAMPOUT PARTY by Lisa of Moore Minutes screams BOYS! Lisa designed this party around her son's love of camping and included 3 main party scenes at the campsite: the gift and banner area, the main food table, and a S'mores buffet.

The Banner and Gift area (the banner said "Adventure")



The Main Food Table included little hot dog boys in sleeping bags, Bug Juice, and trail mix.








The S'mores Buffet









The boys got a lesson in how to make wooden sailboats, sling shots, bow and arrows, and more.

I love the idea of giving Hobo sticks to each boy instead of favor bags. Could this party get any better for a little boy?

Amazing job, Lisa. I know that my boys would LOVE a party like this. Thanks for the inspiration!

Printable "Booed" Sign {TomKat}

October is just a few short days away and on our street, that means that the Halloween "Booing" is about to begin. Each year someone starts the tradition by "Booing" a house with lots of fun Halloween treats (toys, candy, decorations, stickers, glow sticks...) for the kids. The Booed house then has to Boo another house and the tradition contiues until every house on our street has been "Booed". The kids love it and have so much fun trying to figure out who Booed who.

Kim of The TomKat Studio posted a FREE printable Boo Sign and Instructions a couple of weeks ago. Aren't they cute!



DOWNLOAD HERE


If your street or group of friends doesn't already do this Halloween tradition, give it a try and start the Booing. I gaurantee that your kids will LOVE IT and that it will stick for years to come.

It's Tea Time!

Check out this Tea Party by CupKate's Event Design! It was put together for one lucky little playgroup and to help launch CupKate's Event Design.




I love outdoor parties and this Tea Party has a great outdoor setting! The Tutu bench is one of my favorite details and could be used for so many different party themes (princess, Angelina...).




This is my other favorite detail: a Cupcake Bouquet! Love it!!

Each guest was sent home with a bag of homemade chocolate tea cups, saucers, and spoons. Yummy!

CupKate's Event Design put together a beautiful party. Best of luck with your new venture!

Fab Find: A Crate & Barrel Halloween

The past couple of weeks have been super busy. Sorry for the lack of post! This week's Fab Find is Crate & Barrel's new Halloween collection. It is just so cute!



Check out these ADORABLE Spider Cupcake Holders. I mean, really! They are just so much fun (I couldn't upload the picture with the cupcakes in it...they are even cuter with actual cupcakes in them). What child wouldn't love these?


The Spooky Spider mug, dish towels, and plate would look great on a table with the Spider Web Runner down the middle. So fun!



Stop by Crate & Barrel and check out this fun Halloween collection!

Naturally Beautiful Fall Table Setting

This month's issue of Better Homes and Gardens features some great fall decorating ideas! One of my favorites is this Natural Fall Table Setting. BHG shows you how to use ginkgo leaves, crab apples, wheat, and the beautiful golden backdrop that nature provides to create a serene, autumn entertaining space for you and your guests.

Don't rake those leaves! Let nature provide a natural "carpet" for your setting.

You can mimic this natural fall table setting by using white plates and tan linen napkins to create a crisp and neutral background. Place Ginkgo leaves on a frayed piece of burlap at each place setting for a bright yellow accent and use mini white pumpkins for candlestick holders.



I love this "self-service" idea: Bundle each flatware setting with ivory ribbon, then stand them in a glass bowl filled with uncooked white rice. So simple, yet such an elegant look.



And finally, for all of those extra details (table centerpieces and decor around your table), gather sprigs of crab apples, white and yellow gourds, pumpkin seeds, white beans, tall wheat stalks, and white pumpkins to arrange in glass bowls and vases and display around your natural setting.

All photo images come from Better Homes and Gardens.

Halloween Dreaming

While it is still over a month away, Halloween has been a popular topic of discussion in our house recently. My boys are eagerly deciding what they want to dress up as this year. They want to know when we get to make our annual trip to the pumpkin patch and "How many more days until we go trick-or-treating?". Well, all of their excitment is certainly rubbing off on me. I am dying to host a Halloween-themed party this year. I have restrained my urge in the past because my 3 year old's birthday is October 26th and two parties in one week is just crazy (or is it...???). I tried to pitch the idea of a Halloween-themed birthday party this year but the birthday boy has declined and opted for a pirate-theme instead. So, I am left day-dreaming and drooling over all of these fabulous ideas, courtesy of the inspiring Martha Stewart:

These Folded Paper Halloween Hang-Ups are sure to bring some visual "WOW" to your party.



Fun Halloween Crackers to hold some special SPOOKY treats.



Want a unique and festive decoration that can carry over into the Thanksgiving holiday? Check out this Gourd Garland.



Think twice before you toss those used jars; give them a second life as cute Halloween decorations. Just paint them in pumpkin colors and give them funny faces to make these Jar-o'-Lanterns.

Black Cat Treat Boxes made out of black pressed-paper and upside down heart-shaped boxes. Get DIY directions here.



How cute are these Witch's Broom Favors!! Love it!



This Halloween Tablecloth is easy to make (with layered crepe paper) and will add lots of color to your table.



Who knows...maybe I will sneak in a little Halloween party after all ;) You will just have to wait and see!

{Sneak Peek} Little Ladybug Party

Here is a sneak peek at a Little Ladybug Party that I am designing for one of my favorite couples and their sweet little girl that is turning 1. I just finished up the mini water bottles and am going start on some of the other details this week. More to follow...

Tomkat's Halloween Glam Collection

L-O-V-E it! That's the first thing that came to mind when I saw the photo shoot that Kim of The TomKat Studio did with photographer Laura Winslow for her newest collection. I love the colors and the SHEEK, feminine touch that Kim gave this collection. I want to host a Girl's Night Halloween Party now!









Aren't the colors just amazing. These pictures literally make me happy. I hope that you enjoy them as well!

Fab Find Giveaway Winner....

The Hidden Cupcake Giveaway winner is MINDY. Mindy said that she would put a spiderman action figure in her cupcake for her little guy to find on his birthday. Congratulations, Mindy!

The Hidden Cupcake Giveaway

Don't forget to enter this week's Hidden Cupcake GIVEAWAY by midnight tonight!Click here for the link to the giveaway.