harry potter party - house ties

With the countdown to Harry Potter in full swing we are in total HP mode here preparing for the final bash.


I'd like to post frequently about all we are doing to celebrate but if I'm being honest I'm not sure that will happen - my health is still not 100% and the party planning + life in general is about all I can handle.  I do however want to share ideas with others who may be planning a Harry Potter party so I'll do my best at posting - just don't expect beautifully written and photo laden posts.


Our current guest list is at 100 high school aged kids.  To that we'll be adding some families that we know love Harry as much as we do (or at least love a good party)  The invites are all done up and saved on my computer - I just need to get them printed up and put together for delivery.  Once they are out I'll post an invite for you all to see.


Today I'm working on my order from Oriental Trading.  First thing in my basket are these guys.  The plan...guests can hit up Madam Malkins and make themselves a house tie using these inexpensive cardboard ties & colored duct tape.  Once I have the supplies in hand I'll make up a sample and try to get it posted.

need a reason to party?

It's mole day! Ya, I hadn't heard of it either but it's an excuse for a party. The only reason I know about this glorious holiday, that is sure to sweep the nation (I hear it has the potential to pass Christmas as the favorite holiday), is because my daughter had to sew a stuffed mole for her chemistry class. Sewing/chemistry?!?!? Don't ask.

The kids had to design the mole after something or someone that would allow them to add mole to the name, for example...

Eskimo/eskimole

Edward Cullen/Edward Molen - this one would have been awesome!

You get the idea. Anyway, here is what my daughter came up with..

Any ideas on who this mole might be? Eternal glory awaits those with the right answer so put your thinking caps on because don't we all want some eternal glory?

I thought her mole came out pretty darn cute, so cute in fact that we may make some more of these magnificent moles for gifts. Anyone have good ideas for things or people with mole names? Perhaps we'll pick the one we like best and send you your own mole. I know it's been your life long dream to own a stuffed mole made by some high school kid - admit it!

invite: lil' pumpkin

This stack of papers...

became this...

A friend and I are hosting a Halloween themed baby shower for another friend of ours (yes, she loves Halloween as much as I do).  The color scheme is traditional black and orange with a bit of blue thrown into the mix since the new arrival will be a boy.

Speaking of boy, this little detail is my favorite on the invite.  

After designing the invites I realized that the little strip of blue paper might not be enough info for guests to know that Kendall is having a boy so I added this little tag.  I love it!

Although these are for a baby shower they would work equally as well for any Halloween bash you may be throwing.  Want to recreate this invite?  Here's what I used...

striped black and cream paper:  My Mind's Eye, The Spider Web "Toil and Trouble"

blue paper:  Bazzill  

orange paper:  Bazzill

"oh boy" tag:  my design, black box with lettering in white, printed on cardstock

main font:  century gothic 

"baby shower" and "boy" font:  Ithornet

I put it all together with my trusty Xyron - the crafting tool that I can't live without.  Sure you can use double sided tape but why would you when you can use the Xyron.  If you don't have one Christmas is coming up - you may want to ask Santa.

Be sure to click on all of the above links for more info and stayed tuned for pictures of the shower in a couple weeks.

for your little gunslinger

Found these adorable mustaches over at Little Birdie Secrets this morning and thought they'd make a perfect little party favor for a cowboy shoot-out at the OK Corral.  What little guy wouldn't love a cowboy party?  Heck, they'd be fun for an adult party too!

countdown to halloween

Today's countdown to Halloween idea really is a countdown.  I saw this idea on Kristi's blogand I love it.

You can find the directions here.  This is a fun way for your kids to countdown to Halloween. If you are not in the crafty mood you can sometimes find Halloween advent calendars at Target or Cost Plus. Pottery Barn Kids has one this year that I am totally in love with but not enough to fork over the $100+ dollars it costs.

How cute is it?!?!  My kids would love this (who am I kidding - I would love this)  How fun to open up a door each day and find a little treat. Maybe I can pick this up after the holiday when it's on sale - I'll have to keep my eyes open.