Book Invitation DIY

This is the most clever and unique invitation I've ever seen!  A book invitation by You Are My Fave that will have any guest dying to RSVP.  Here's what she did:

1. Use a razor blade (or an exacto knife) to cut out a pocket in the pages of a book found at the thrift store.
2. Attach the invitation details to the bottom and fill up the pocket with confetti.
3. The guests remove the confetti to reveal the information and can keep the book as a "hidden-treasure box".
4. Wrap a band of scrapbook paper around the outside of the book to keep it closed, and the confetti inside.

Such a great project!!

Take away tips:

• Use this for milestone birthdays, college graduation parties, or engagement parties.
• Use children's story books for kids birthday parties (Aesop's Fables, Alice in Wonderland, Charlotte's Web).

Party Box Design Giveaway!

I want to introduce you to our newest sponsor, Party Box Design, who should be no stranger to you as I've featured Jess' fabulous party designs here and here.  What I love about Party Box Design is the unique details that Jess adds to her work, and how she has created a signature look with her layering, and the use of grommets on her tags.

The party shop includes an array of items for any special event:  beautiful invitations (above), event fliers, note cards, printables...

...cupcake toppers, and cake toppers...

Cocktail tags, and favor tags...

...and banners, stickers, and confetti.

Now to help you get acquanted with Party Box Design, Jess is offering 1 lucky reader a set of 15 invitations valued at $19.99 - choose from any of the 155 options listed in her shop!  Keep reading to see how to enter...

This Giveaway is now Closed

You Have 3 Chances to Enter:

First visit Party Box Design and let us know what item you love the most, by doing any or all of the following:

1. You must be a "follower" of Celebrations At Home blog, and leave your comment here.
2. "LIKE" Party Box Design Facebook Page, then leave another comment here letting us know.
3. Copy & Paste this statement onto Twitter: I entered to win a set of @PartyBoxDesign invitations on @CelebrateAtHome here http://tinyurl.com/4z2tmre .  Then come back & leave another comment letting us know.

Entries can be made through Sunday, March 13.  A winner will be chosen on Monday morning.  Good Luck!

DIY Airplane Save The Date {Or Invitation}

by contributor Kristi Delfino

Hello my dears!  Do I have a special treat for you today - A Luna and Chloe original design!  Hopefully by the end of this post you will be flying high...he he.  Okay, so I was talking to a friend recently about destination weddings, and it got me thinking...if I was having a destination wedding how would I do my Save the Date announcements.  And in just a matter of seconds it hit me.  I might be dating myself here (eek), but do you remember the balsa wood airplanes, or jet gliders that you would get from the store for $.50 or so?  You would assemble them in seconds, and having them take flight all over the house or yard. 

My brother and I used to fly them down the staircase growing up when we lived in an old victorian home.  However, me being the younger one, I usually was the one that had to go down and get them and bring them back up!  Typical, no?

Anyhow, I put the two together (a destination wedding and jet gliders) and this is what I came up with...

I am OVER THE MOON about how they turned out! I purchased the jet glider for $1.00 at Michaels.  And while it has writing on each side of the pieces, I just flipped them over and used the undersides. There was a small stamp on the underside that said where it was made, but with a little sandpaper it came right off. Ooh, and the sandpaper is fabulous for fixing a mistake if made. Just wait for the ink to dry before you sand off, and don't rub too hard. Now, I know exactly where to get the jet gliders without anything on them (granted they are shaped a little differently), but I couldn't justify spending over $30 and receiving over 30 of them, when I only need 4 for this project.

Here are the supplies that are needed for making a Save The Date plane:

1. Jet Glider
2. Fine sandpaper (optional)
3. Letter and Number stamps
4. Stamp pad

I included some other items in the picture below that I used.  However, you only need the four items above to actual make them.

All you really have to do is stamp...

I made a custom envelope for them, added a piece of chipboard to protect the plane from breaking in the mail, and then added some little details...

And voila!  They are ready for take off...

Yet, don't think I stopped there...oh no!  I tried to think of another, possibly eaiser way to use too.  And here's is another option for you that I came up with...

For the banner you could either print it up (the easy way), or stamp it (a little more time consuming).  Since I started with stamps, I figured I would continue with them! 

I glued the twine and a very thin piece of chipboard that I cut to the back of the banner.  I didn't want the paper to bend or fold, so this gives it some stability.  Also, I glued one piece of twine to the top of the back of the plane and one piece to the bottom to attempt to keep the banner straight when flying through the air. 

In talking with my sister the other day about my idea, which I knew she would love, she was ecstatic to say the least!  She has a little boy (Baby Riley is what I call him, with the most fabulous red hair EVER) that is turning one soon.  Well...guess what?  Oh yes, these are perfect for a boy's birthday party...or a girl's too. 

And even if you aren't having a destination wedding you can still use these if you love to travel, are a pilot of just for the fun of them! 

There are so many ways to customize them too, and you could always use a colored stamp pad instead of black.  And for those of you that love the idea....but don't want to make them yourselves, I am offering custom made Save the Dates or Invitations in my Etsy store if you are interested, as well as the little stitched heart on the tag.  They will be available for purchase in my Etsy store come Monday, February 28th!

 ~ Ciao

...concept, design, styling & photography all by luna and chloe weddings 

*** Both the airplane save the date and the stitched key tags are my ORIGINAL designs. PLEASE do not copy, and pass it off as your own! I am sharing with you how to make the airplane save the dates out of kindness, return the favor. Thank you bunches!

Ice Skating Party Inspiration

I don't know about you, but I am just about DONE with this cold winter and snow, snow, snow.  Being in the South, it's just not normal!  However, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade...and when the weather gives you low temperatures, have an ice skating party! 

This idea was inspired by the adorable invitations from one of our sponsors, BNute, and a family-friendly skating party recently shared on Hip Hip Hooray blog.  These fun invitations immediately set the tone for good old fashioned fun with it's retro design.  The color scheme is carried into the flower arrangements using silvery foliage and white flowers (similar to snow).

You can incorporate the pink through printable collections, sweet treats, and fabric or paper goods.

Of course you need to warm the guests up when they come in from the cold, and hot cheese fondue is a great interactive way to do that.  Dense bread cubes and raw or steamed veggies are the perfect dippers.  For a little protein you can also add sliced cooked sausage medalions to dip.

Hot chocolate helps finish everything off and can be enjoyed with other sweet treats like cupcakes and cookies.

Don't have a place for ice skating in your area?  Host a "snow day" and have snowball fights, build snowmen, go sledding down a hill.  Bring your inner child back out to play!

Other photos in this board: flowers (Martha Stewart), fondue, hot cocoa, cupcake topper (Save the Date for Cupcakes)

Storkie - Stylish Stationery

I'd like you to welcome Storkie invitations & cards as our newest sponsor here!  I've created a bridal shower collage above using one of their invitations as inspiration.  All of the stationery products they feature have a modern flair for today's stylish bride-to-be, mom-to-be, or any party hostess.  

You'll notice above they have classic-contemporary designs as well as whimsical designs for both weddings and bridal events.  You can even choose to add personalized stamps to your envelopes as well as coordinating address labels and reply cards. 

Storkie also has many baby shower invitations and announcements to choose from.  I love their Couture Collection for modern moms.  But if you  prefer something sweet and adorable they have that too.  And of course there are fun coordinating options here too, like matching cookies, candy bar wrappers, and thank you notes.

Take some time to peruse Storkie for your next big event!

Collage Photos:

Invitation (Storkie), paper hearts (Martha Stewart), glasses (Alchemy Fine Events)

teacup & napkin settting (Wohnidee), flowers,
wine bottles (Alchemy Fine Events), gift box (The Sweetest Occasion)

Christmas Cocktails & Cheers Party

Time to spread a little holiday cheer by hosting a small cocktail party (for 6-8 guests)!  I teamed up with Fresh Press to design this gathering inspired by their "Cocktails and Cheers" invitation.  Their designs are sleek and modern, and for this one I simply brought the swag from the invitation into my design, using ribbon and felt circles.  Read on for the party details.

The food is part of the design with it's green, red, and white hues. 

• I've always loved a mashed potato bar so I served some up in mini martini glasses.  The mini glasses keep the portion size just right.  Set out toppings such as shredded cheese, bacon bits, and chives.
• At my annual Christmas party, shrimp cocktail is always the first thing to go.  I made individual servings using small tea light holders.  The well is perfect for holding cocktail sauce and the shrimp sits on the side nicely.  
• For some international flair I served wonton potstickers in asian spoons.  Again, the bowl of the spoon holds a sweet chili sauce that you can guiltlessly double-dip in.
• For a fun and unexpected touch, I served individual ceasar "salad shooters" in small shot glasses.  The colors are right on with green lettuce and red cherry tomatoes.
• Finally, serve a signature cocktail for the evening and give it a themed name.  Champagne is always my celebration drink of choice and it's made that much better with the addition of cranberry juice and amaretto add-ins.  Get the full recipe here - I called it a "Jolly Old Elf" cocktail!

   I hope this party inspiration gets you in the mood for holiday entertaining. 

Cheers!

HazelBug - Pretty Paper Goods

We have a lovely new sponsor to welcome to the blog!  Say hello to Hazelbug - designer of pretty invitations, note cards, and other printable party wares & stationery.  HazelBug loves designing  CUSTOM orders, or you can choose from a portfolio of classic designs.  I decided to put together an inspiration board using one of the invitations as a starting point.  I think it made for a beautiful modern bridal shower idea.

You'll see just a sampling of some of the other designs HazelBug has done, below.  I can't say enough good things about the classic style Mahsa portrays - it would appeal to anyone!  Please visit their Etsy shop for your party paper needs, or their blog for more ideas!

Inspiration Board Photos:

invitation - Hazelbug

Monogram - Heavenly Blooms

Drinks - The Knot

Table Setting - Martha Stewart

Place Setting - Martha Stewart

Dessert Table - unknown

Greetings! From My Expressions

Please welcome our latest sponsor to the blog, My Expression!  You've got to check out their amazing collection of Christmas invitations, but first let me introduce some of their other party invitations.

They have a great variety of birthday invitations for girls, boys, and adults!

The Fall/Thanksgiving collection has some beautiful and modern designs that could inspire your entire party decor!

Of course there are so many choices in the Christmas collection for girly gatherings, cocktails, and dinner parties...

But my absolute obsession is the stylish and chic line designed by Doc Milo.  These definately make me want to put on the Ritz and celebrate!  Visit My Expressions to see all the other options for your invitation needs.  Do you have a favorite?

Ella's Fairy Birthday Party

I'd like to introduce you to Jennifer Birkhead Design.  Jennifer submitted pictures of her daughter's Woodland Fairy birthday party full of fun and fairy magic!  She designed the invitations and table signage, as well as crafted an incredible toadstool prop that I am obsessed with!  To set the scene, the ceiling was draped with cloth, and hanging poms butterflies.  A woodland 'scene setter' covered the walls!

Lots of fun activities were played such as 'finding the coins dropped by the tooth fairy,' musical 'toadstools,' and making special fairy wishes with fairy dust - the little girls would sit on the toadstool and say "Fairies, fairies I believe in you, please help make my wish come true," while being sprinkled with 'fairy dust.' Of course a sweet table was set up with lots of whimsical treats!

Boxed Invitations

One of the best ways to create a buzz about your upcoming party is to create a fabulous invitation.  Boxed invitations are a great way to do that.  The fun thing about these is that you can add fun details and items that wouldn't fit into a traditional envelope.  You can get so creative with these and the possibilities are endless.  Here are some good ideas to get you going:

Add candies to the bottom of the box and wrap in tissue.(Wedding Bee)

Pink maribou feathered box with beaded ribbon!  Bachelorette Party, or Special Birthday?(Paper Olive)

A "school" themed box with button magnets and personalized pencils.(Amber & Jeff's wedding blog)

Add decorative "snow" for a winter soiree.  Maybe a warning to "open with caution." ; ) (My Personal Artist)

I love this for a man's birthday party.  Cigar and animal print...very rugged! (Paper Olive)

A mini Candyland board with lollipop for a child's birthday (Paisley Quill); A fun questionnaire with pencil for a bridal shower.(Gourmet Invitations)

The rustic look is very popular and these would be great with it's moss lining and scroll invitation (Celebrate Beautifully);  For a baby shower, write directly on a newborn diaper (or add a sticker with the info) and send it in a box!(Make Your Own Invitations)

You can't tell me you wouldn't want to attend any of these celebrations!