2010 Turtles

This candy from Inspiring Ideas is cute, but I don't know if it would last long enough. I am pretty sure that both the 0s would be gone before the guests even got there:

Jeanne is so clever! And if you have more self restraint than I do, you can see the tutorial HERE.

Homemade Party Blowers

These party blowers may take a little more work than the store bought ones, but they sure are purdy:

You can get the directions HERE. And if you have the supplies on hand you can keep the teenagers busy at the party!

Bubble Wrap Noise Makers

This might be one of my favorite ideas for making noise at midnight EVER! You tape bubble wrap to the floor and everyone jumps on it at midnight:

Heck, this might be one of my favorite Martha ideas ever! I think there is JUST enough time to get some bubble wrap!!!

A cake stand and some noise makers (that will be used later in the night) make the perfect inexpensive centerpiece:

That Martha...she is always thinking.

New Years Cupcakes

Although this picture is obviously from 2006, the idea would still be cute in 2010!

image from Martha Stewart

Confetti Eggs

At midnight we always like to make noise AND make a mess with silly string, so these confetti eggs from Martha are right up our alley:


You can get the how to HERE.

Bacon Wrapped Cocktail Sausages

After spending the day with packers and eating only pizza all day long yesterday, it is no wonder that all three of my posts today have to do with New Year's Eve goodies!

These bacon wrapped cocktail sausages from Our Best Bites look yummy. But honestly, what wrapped in bacon DOESN'T look yummy!

You can get the recipe HERE, but if you don't have bacon, little sausages and brown sugar in your house RIGHT NOW to make them I would wait. Unless you have time to run to the store as soon as you read it, because you are going to want to!

Mini Hot Ham and Cheese

I posted about these yummy ham and cheese sandwiches last summer (my in laws always serve them at showers) but after finding this picture of them on Beantown Baker I feel like I need some for New Year's Eve too:


They would be really good for a New Year's Eve party...or just to make for yourself. They will make your new year a a happy one!

Petit 2010s

I found these 2010 Petit Fours from I am Baker on Edible Crafts:

She made them with fondant...but I have NO IDEA how she made the fondant silver. I am guessing there is silver food coloring that I am unaware of...I might just have to go and find it!

The piped 2010 with icing and let it set and then used it to decorate the top. The look would be really cute on a New Year's cupcake too!

Packing Day

Today is packing day. Things are going to be super crazy around here and I don't know when I will have my computer back, so forgive me if I don't respond to your comments right away. I know you will understand because you guys are the best!

I have scheduled posts ahead of time (actually I am typing this one on November 8th to be exact!!) so there will be lots of fun stuff for you to read why I am stressing out over having strangers packing up my life and then freaking out over leaving Arizona!

I hope to be back to live blogging again soon! VERY soon! Wish me luck!

Snowman Mints

I thought these were cupcakes, but they are Altoids decorated with edible markers:


Pretty clever. I still think they would be cute cupcakes. You could make them with fondant.

You can get the how too for this mint card at BHG.

Numbers

This poster from Ikea needs to find its way into my New Years decor somehow this year:

Party Pedestal

Southern Living used a flat bottom glass bowl that they covered in scrapbook paper to use as a pedestal for serving trays. (Add a little depth to your table)

I was thinking that the glass blocks with lights in them would work well too.

New Years Ornaments

If you have some glass ornaments left over, fill them with blue water or blue and silver glitter and you can use them to decorate for your New Year's Eve Party:

Image from Southern Living

New Years Party

Christmas is over and after all the wrapping paper is picked up and decorations put away, it is time to start planning your New Years festivities! (Which for me include a birthday party and this year getting on a plane for Texas....whoooo hooooo!)

I thought I would share some ideas from last year (since I really should be cleaning and getting ready for the movers that come on MONDAY!!!

This is one of my favorite party ideas from last year:

image from Martha Stewart

In Spain it is a tradition to eat 12 grapes at midnight, one on each chime of the clock. It started back in 1909 when grape growers thought of it as a way to cut down on the large production surplus they had had that year. But it has been a tradition ever since.

And lets be honest, it is pretty nifty looking! Even if it is just sparkling grape juice!

Merry Christmas

I hope your day is full of wonderful things and memories more beautiful

than any decoration you can find on Martha's website!

Merry Christmas!!!

Nativity Candles

Last year I fell in love with the nativity silhouette on the glass blocks, but never had time to make one this year. And now I am glad I didn't! Because I love this MORE:

So NEXT YEAR (really...I mean it!!) I will be making a silhouette nativity candle set! I found this on Room Remix (Thanks PK!) and you can buy a set on Day Spring.

And on that note, I hope you all have a WONDERFUL Christmas Eve!!

That's A Wrap

Besides unpacking from our trip and doing all the laundry, I still haven't wrapped a single gift. So here is some inspiration to get me in the wrapping spirit and you too...in case you have some packages left to tie up with string:

sources: Design Sponge, Good Housekeeping and BHG

Repost: Christmas Breakfast

We have a pretty traditional Christmas morning breakfast, but for Christmas Even, it would be fun to make these treats I posted about last year from Ramblings of a Crazy Woman:

Snowman Caramel Apple

Another fun treat from Disneyland:



and all they did was add a marshmallow before dipping it into the caramel and chocolate.

Christmas Treat Ideas from Disneyland

Like any sane person who isn't ready for Christmas or her move, I decided to go on a trip with my kiddie and parents to Disneyland. We had a really great time, and all I have to do is forget that Christmas is a day away!!

And of course there are always fun ideas to blog about at Disneyland. Like these yummy rice krispy treats:

A rectangle cookie cutter, some white chocolate, and a few decorations are all you need. Unless you want to make ornaments, then you need a circle cookie cutter too:

Poinsettia Wreath

My grandmother LOVES Poinsettias. I am pretty sure that they are her favorite holiday decoration. And since she is the only grandparent I have living, I won't get in trouble if I say that she is my favorite.

Next year I will have to make her this ribbon poinsettia wreath from Lilyella that I found on Fun Family Tips:


You can see her step by step picture tutorial HERE.

I found this cute wooden nativity on UCreate:

You can get the pattern to make your own on Melinda's blog, Under My Polka Dot Umbrella. Or you can buy a set from her Etsy shop, Under My Umbrella.

The pattern would be fun for a silhouette as well. And could still be cut out before Christmas. In case you were looking for something else to do. I am going to file this away for next year's projects.

Rainbow Christmas Tree

I know that most of you have probably decorated your tree already...but in case you are one of those people that decorate their tree on Christmas Eve (are there people out there like that?) I thought I would show you this fun tree from BHG:


Next year I think I am going to try to sort my ornaments by color...maybe do a red, green and white striped tree. FUN!

Evergreen Place Cards

Or if you are going a little more organic with your decor, these evergreen place card holders are a beautiful touch:

image from Martha Stewart

Peppermint Place Cards

Some paper and ribbon and you can make these fun candy place cards too:

Tree Name Cards

These tree name cards can be downloaded from Martha's site and put together by the kids while you are making dinner:

Then they can serve two purposes.

Ice Cream Snowman

This cute little guy from Martha is made from ice cream rolled in coconut:

And would be fun to use in the snow globe dessert.

Carnation Wreath

I am not a big lover of carnations, but this wreath from Martha is BEAUTIFUL:

And I won't have to wait until Christmas next year to make it. I think this is going to come live at my house for Valentine's Day!

Pretty Christmas Decor from Martha

Since my house is currently lacking in Christmas decorations (but big on moving boxes) I like to look at pictures on Martha's site and pretend they are my house. Let's pretend together:

Snowflake Swag

This found this Snowflake Swag at Better Homes and Gardens:


I think it needs a little flocking to pull of the whole snowflake look...but it has potential! And if you make it now, you can keep it up after Christmas as just plain winter decor

Muffin Tin Centerpiece

If you need a last minute centerpiece that you can make with stuff you have lying around the house, Real Simple is always a good place to look:

Of course, unless Santa brings me some new muffin tins, mine wouldn't be that pretty!

Felt Bow

Mique from 30 Days posted about these felt bows from Twig and Thistle:

They are cute on packages, but I love it as a holiday pin:

You can get the tutorial HERE.

Last Minute Tree

Even though there are only a few days until Christmas, there is still enough time for this project from Sweet Paul:

Ribbon Cufflink

Add a little touch of festive to your favorite white cuffed shirt by adding a touch of ribbon instead of a cuff link:

Image from Real Simple

I found these cute candy bar wrappers from Laurie Furnell on UCreate:

You can get the template HERE.

Sugar Decorations

Madalina from duhlicious has a tutorial on her blog that shows you how to make these cute Christmas Sugar Decorations:

That you can use to decorate holiday treats:

Check out the tutorial HERE.

Tree Candles

These tree candles from Martha are gorgeous and they actually aren't that hard to make! No melting required!

They used sheets of beeswax to make them. You can see the instructions HERE. And after you have been all crafty, they will make a gorgeous centerpiece for a table.

Plaid Bars

These Chocolate Cream Cheese Graham Cracker Bars from Cakespy sound yummy:

But my favorite part is the holiday plaid they are decorated with:

I think it would be a fun touch to a holiday cookie or cupcake too!