PRETTIE... VOTIVE CANDLES

I am trying to getting organized for the New Year and am taking stock of supplies that I have "on hand". I hate going to any get together empty handed and I thought these pretty votive candles simply embellished with color co-ordinated tape would make a "prettie original" hostess gift packaged in a cello or glassine bag topped with a hand dyed doily or just tied with a ribbon!.

The Japanese masking tape I purchased from here and the votive candles came in a bulk bag of 250 from Ikea...
I am linking this post to: Made by You Mondays, Making the World Cuter Mondays

PRETTIE...EMBELLISHMENTS #2

I have long been a fan of Julie Collings of The Adventures of Bluegirl xo. She is an extremely talented crafter and author who provides creative inspiration generously and in great detail. Her Etsy store is full of gorgeous vintage delights and eye candy - perfect for any of your packaging needs or party decor elements!

Please share any links that you have to some of your own favorite embellishments! xo

PRETTIE....INSPIRED #3 Golden Globes and Academy Awards

Now the holidays are officially over I am getting in gear for the "Awards Season" which is my not so secret guilty pleasure and a great opportunity to get together with the girls! These are 2 Inspiration Boards I put together and will use for planning each of the festivities!

For the Golden Globes (Jan 18th)

Colors Silver/White/Gold
Style Old Hollywood, Vintage Glamour - Elegant and Understated
Decor Balloons in theme colors, string lights, glittered garlands, flower bouquets, tinsel and glass ornaments, Hollywood inspired backdrop, framed pictures of Hollywood legends, paper lantern chandeliers
Tableware Set up as buffet style with movie inspired centerpieces (cut outs, vintage cameras/movie reels), linen table cloth or table runner, white cocktail plates, gold chargers for food presentation, shimmering gold or silver napkins, gold or silver utensils wrapped in tinsel or vintage white or ivory lace, vintage champagne glasses.
Food Finger-foods on served on white paper doilies or in silver cupcake liners, tiered plates of mini sandwiches, chicken skewers, mini quiches, fruit, petit fors, vanilla cupcakes, lemon bar bites, sparkling flavored water, white wine and champagne on ice.
Music Shuffled mix of old show tunes from movies and TV
Favors Rosettes, Movie Candy or caramel popcorn in glassine or cellophane bags embellished with tinsel and lace

For the Academy Awards (Feb 27)

Colors Black/Platinum/Red

Style Modern Movie Star - Simple and Sophisticated

Decor Balloons in theme colors, contemporary vases filled with fresh flowers in monochromatic colors, votive and perfumed candles, glass beaded garlands, sparkling ribbons and streamers

Tableware Set up buffet style with a movie inspired centerpiece or "oscar" replica, sleek fabric tablerunner, black and/or white cocktail plates, red chargers for food presentation, bundled black or red napkins, utensils wrapped together with satin or grossgrained ribbon, cocktail or martini glasses

Food Fingerfoods - filet of beef mini rolls, brushetta, antipasto plate, smoked salmon toasts, cheese plates, signature Hollywood cocktail mixes, sparkling red wine, red velvet cupcakes, rich chocolate cake bites or tarts and strawberries

Music Shuffled compilation of music from nominated movies

Activities Best Dressed, Oscar bingo and ballots

Favors Take home martini glasses with cocktail recipes, boxed chocolate truffles

CHRISTMAS...TRIVIA

Our Thanksgiving Trivia was a huge hit with all the kids and adults - the conversations and laughs that it spawned were priceless! Anyway my family wants more for Christmas! Be careful what you wish for......


Each printable sheet has 20 questions with answers. I made a sheet each for the kiddos and also for the hard core adult trivia buffs in our family. I cut some of my favorite 12 x 12" scrapbook paper (Cosmo Cricket) into printer friendly sizing (8.5 x 11" - insert blank side down) I printed the adult and kid version onto different papers so the kids wont get intimidated by some of the adult questions! All cut papers went into the mason jar, simply decorated with vintage paper lace wrapped around the bell jar. We are ready to go!

Download a copy here! Enjoy :)

CHRISTMAS GRANOLA GIFTS

My family and close friends and neighbors will be receiving this granola packaged and ready for Christmas Morning!

CHRISTMAS GRANOLA (makes @ 12 Cups or fills 2 1lb Coffee Tie Top Bags)

• 4 Cups of old fashioned rolled oats
• 2 Cups of sweetened shredded coconut
• 1 1/2 Cups of sliced raw almonds
• 1 1/2 Cups of cashews
• 2 tablespoons of dark brown sugar
• 1/2 Cup of honey (or maple syrup)
• 1/2 Cup of vegetable oil
• 2 Cups of craisins
• 2 cups of semisweet milk chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS

• Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F
• Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper
• Toss the oats, coconut, cashews, almonds and brown sugar together in a large bowl
• Wisk together the vegetable oil and honey (or maple syrup) in a small bowl
• Pour the liquids over the oat mix and stir with a spatula until all the mix is coated
• Pour half the oat mix onto each baking sheet
• Bake and stir occasionally every 5 - 10 mins until the oat mix turns a nice even golden brown (about 30 mins)
• Remove the mix from the oven and let cool, stirring occasionally
• Add the craisins and chocolate chips
• Store the granola in an airtight container until ready to eat or package

Play around with this recipe and add or substitute some of your own favorite ingredients!! I will be packaging the Christtmas Granola in Chinese Take out containers and in Coffee Tin Tie Top bags depending on the size of the family...

Gift tags can be printed out on cardstock or sticker paper and embellished with twine, ribbon, crepe paper or flowers..... download here!

PRETTIE..HOLIDAY & GIFT PLANNING

The internet is a fantastic tool! I only wish the onslaught of holiday catalogues and gift guides I have been inundated with in the mail (despite signing up here to have my name removed from their mailing lists....) looked half as enticing as these wonderful Digital Holiday collaborative and free E-Zines which include decorating and styling tips, menu guides, holiday party planning ideas and gift giving showcases!!

From Sweet Paul the Holiday 2010 Issue (don't forget to get lost in his lovely Spring and Fall 2010 issues as well!)

From Creature Comforts and the principle author of one of my favorite blogs - Nice Package..... is Gifted Magazine which includes some amazing tutorials on how to make your gift giving one of a kind!

The TomKat Studio has a shopping guide perfect for everyone on your list as well!

Rue Magazine has plenty of design, styling ideas to keep you busy decorating throughout the New Year too!
Happy browsing! If you know of any other great E-Zines that you would like to share please leave a link in the comment section! Happy Holiday Planning :)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. ~John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Thanksgiving Illustration by Charlotte Byi and reproduced by Grandma's Attic