send these cool invitations that can be printed for free at Twig & Thistle.

A table decorated with photo cylinders like Hostess with the Mostess would be lovely.

I would print these ballots and popcorn bags also from Twig & Thistle---- isn't she amazing!

It would be fun to play How About Orange's Oscar Bingo during the awards.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has an Oscar Night Essentials Party Kit including recipes, party ideas, printable ballots, bingo cards and cross word puzzles.

I am always looking for appetizer inspiration! Delish and Woman's Day serve up some yummy ideas. Food TV shares some best supporting snacks. Food and Wine Magazine doesn't disappoint with their 10 Oscar Appetizers. Food and Wine Magazine also has a Make Ahead Cocktail  Party!

Movie themed food would be a must! Epicurious and Allrecipes have themed dinners for each of the nominated movies.

Gourmet and that's the spirit share the perfect cocktails to pay tribute to the nominated movies and actors.

We could also dine on tuxedo strawberries.

These Oscar Award Cookies from Bakerella would make a spectacular statement.

How about these Oscar statutes that were made from white chocolate and then painted with edible gold made by My Little Cottage in the Making. Served with a slice of cheesecake and a chocolate "Hollywood." Simply pipe melted chocolate onto parchment paper, allow to cool. Once hard, peel away from parchment paper and embellish the dessert.

My Little Cottage in the Making sent her guests home with some swag --bag full of candy, a bag of popcorn, a movie gift certificate, a Hollywood clap sign key chain and a pin in the shape of the pink stars on Hollywood Walk of Fame. I would want to do this also!

I would also borrow some of Cathy Filian's  great ideas for Oscar party decor, food and fun!

]]> http://www.skiptomylou.org/2010/03/04/oscar-party-ideas/feed/ 6 http://www.skiptomylou.org/2009/12/28/how-to-make-a-pinata/ http://www.skiptomylou.org/2009/12/28/how-to-make-a-pinata/#comments Mon, 28 Dec 2009 13:32:52 +0000 cindylouh http://www.skiptomylou.org/?p=10559 A snowman pinata that is...

Blow up balloons and tape together in desired shape.

Mix up a thick soupy mixture of flour and water.

Cut or tear pieces of newspaper and begin covering balloons. The balloons will need 2-3 layers depending on the strength of the party attendees. Older children might need more layers.

Before final layer add a strong string for hanging the pinata. The string went all the way around the snowman to keep the head from being knocked off. Pieces of tape kept the string in place around the snowman until final layer was put on and dry. When paper is completely dry, cut a hole somewhere on the pinata (we cut the hole in the top of the head). Fill with goodies.

Fold strips of crepe paper in half. Make a slits on the folded sided 1/4" - 1/2" apart.

Glue uncut edges of the strips of crepe paper.  spiraling around entire pinata, cutting more strips as needed. Slightly pull crepe paper as gluing to allow the cut edges to pop out.

Allow pinata to dry and then add details. Hot glue construction paper buttons, eyes and a cone shape for the nose to the pinata. The scarf is made of felt (one piece cut in thirds lengthwise, sewn end to end, with slits cut on the outside ends to make fringe).

See the pinata in action at Bella's breakfast with Santa birthday party.

We have a very special four year old turning five next week. To celebrate Santa is coming to eat breakfast!  Normally this is a tradition for my basketball player in the house, but he has grown too old (at least what he thinks) and is graciously passing. So we now have one thrilled little girl!

Santa Coat Invitations

For the invites I made Santa Coat invitations. Really these would be great for any holiday gathering! They went together very quickly (I only made 10 though).

I first cut a shape to use for the  buckle out of a cereal box. Remember when Cricut generously let me try their machine? Well I have had it now over six months and am completely satisfied (in love). I find I use it for so many different things. The paper doll cartridge has single handedly been helping me through preschool Sunday School. Those dolls have been Adam and  Eve, Joseph and his coat, Ruth and Naomi. I have made star wands and hearts for a special game.... on and on. My husband and boys even continue to find it useful.

So once again the Cricut has come in handy.  I used the frame (with shift key on) from ACCENT ESSENTIALS cartridge (this one comes with the Cricut Expressions)  set for 2" size to cut a shape for Santa's belt buckle. To cut through the cereal box I used a deep cut blade set to 6, maximum pressure and low speed.

It made quick work of cutting my buckles.

I then used another handy tool (for the first time) and it worked great for cutting a slit in each side of my buckle wide enough for my  1 1/2" satin ribbon to slip through.

Next  spray paint the  buckle shapes with silver paint, allow to  dry then paint around the edge (making a kind of frame) with Deco Art Twinkles paint.

Once completely dry I hot glued a 14" piece of 1 1/2"  black satin ribbon to the back of the buckle.

Fold each short edge of an 8 1/2 " X 11" piece of red card stock to meet in the middle. A bone folder ran along the fold will make a nice crease. Hot glue a piece of 1" fur trim to the bottom of the card. I cut my pieces of fur just shy of  11 1/4".

Print your invitation on white card stock, trim to fit and place inside. We also included a letter to Santa for the girls to bring back to the party.  You may download the Santa Letter if you like.

Free Printable Letter to Santa Download

Slip the black ribbon around the card and through the buckle and you have a Santa Coat card.

I will do many of the things we have done for past seven years at our breakfast with Santa parties, with a few wild ideas thrown in (remember my party planner is four). So this week I will be making a snowman pinata while my sister-in-law is dreaming about how to make a snowman cake --- yes I know we are slightly off theme but again I remind you of the party planner's age.  If you have some ideas or tips to make this party special I would love to hear them!

See how the party turned out here.

If you want to cover all your bases then be sure to also fill out a wish card and send to your chief gift buyer! Click on the banner at the top of my blog (or image below)  and you will be taken to a fun little spot where you can make a wish list and send your list to someone who might need a few little gift hints for the holidays!

First, she made these cute customizable Halloween Invitations. All you do is download the invitation, open with Adobe Acrobat and you will see instructions on how to edit the invitation. No handwriting involved and you have professional  custom invites for your party. They would also make great menu cards.

Free Halloween Printable Party Invite Download

Next we have cupcake toppers.

Owl Cupcake Toppers Download

Download, print on cardstock and cut out with a 2" circle hole punch. Glue two together back to back with a wooden pick in the middle.

You can also print the owl circles on sticker paper and use them for envelope seals ...... so many great uses for these cool owls.

We aren't done!  You still need envelope mailing labels, treat bag labels, food labels and place cards.  Skip on over to Whisker Graphics to finish downloading your party printables!

Enjoy!

Looking for more Halloween ideas? Try here.

The Bunny Cake cutting diagram

Download bunny-egg-holder.pdf

Print on colored card-stock and cut out on dotted line.

Bring legs up then wrap one arm in front of legs and then bring the other arm around and place on top of the first arm. Staple where claws on bunny should be.

Want more bunnies? Check out Bunny Napkin Rings

Download bunny-napkin-ring.pdf

Print on colored card-stock then cut out. Roll end toward back of bunny head.

Staple where claws on bunny should be

I wrapped silverware in an orange napkin then fastened with a green pipe cleaner and slipped the "carrot" into the bunny.  If you have a hard time with the bunny standing up, a cotton ball glued to the back would provide stability and be a cute addition.

You will find a matching Bunny Egg holder here.

We took two layers of felt and cut out a shamrock shape.  My crafty boy used a sewing machine to beautifully stitch the layers together and also stiched  in a ribbon at the top.  He added a few beads on the ribbon and now they our hanging in our window---hopefully bringing us lots of luck!  If you need some luck, here are the shamrock shapes we used.

We added "pink fairy" glitter (carefully chosen and liberally sprinkled by my daughter) to each of the letters. I used a Fiskers 1/4 inch rectangle hole punch to punch a hole in each side and then strung the letters on a 1/4 inch ribbon. We included two mini clothes pins with each garland. We packaged each garland in a clear cellophane bag tied with a ribbon.

BE MINE Conversation Heart Garland

I LUV U 4 EVER Conversation Heart Garland

Wishing you a very happy Valentine's Day!

They were slightly difficult to attach to the glass, but worked in a pinch and looked really festive. If one had more time the wire ring could be changed to an actual wire beverage i.d. hoop.