Wizard of Oz Party for Young Women in Excellence

Halloween took a back seat this year to a fun Wizard of Oz party thrown by Dot for a church Young Women In Excellence program.  Here's the breakdown:

In Invitation, modified so you can download it and edit in your own specifics if you'd like.  I sewed rainbow ribbon across it under the "Somewhere."  This is sized for Costco's 6.5 x 7 greeting cards. 

The room at first glance with hot air balloon centerpieces:

I also made 140 flying monkeys to work as placemats and flying around the room.  And of course I included my smashed witch legs and "Ding Dong the Witch is Dead" sign:



I painted a Lollipop Guild Sign and had a bucket of paper lollipops on wooden dowels (hey we were on a budget!)

Then I painted a "Watch out for Tornadoes" sign and wrapped tomato cages in wrapping paper to make some twisters.

And of course, I rounded up a vintage bike with basket for Mrs. Gulch.

We had a round up of the gang: Scarecrow, Tinman and Lion.  I made the tinman by just gluing together different cans.

We had a "Somewhere over the Rainbow" side of the room for the girls' value projects.

We decorated with tissue paper pompoms and a yellow brick road in front of the table.

We had just a dessert table for this event, with a variety of themed treats, such as these Melted Witch cupcakes (vanilla cupcakes with green frostin, topped with Thin Mints and Hershey Kisses witch hats)

We also had Ding Dongs, (get it?!):

There was also Yellow Brick Road Rice Krispy treats and a rainbow of fruit.

Here's some pictures of the drinks: Wicked Witch Repellant (Water) and Melted Witch Punch (green kool-aid with dry ice)

I just loved this punch!  Why is dry ice so cool?!  And there's a shot of me, Dot, over there on the left!  I was the mayor of Munchkinland so I wore polkadots and stripes.

Finally we had a handout to send home with girls.  Attached to the handout was a clothespin Dorothy Doll:

Our program looked like this:

There’s No Place Like our Heavenly Home

Young Women in Excellence

November 9, 2011

Conducting:  Sister  

Opening Prayer: 

Speaker:  the Wizard of Oz (Bishop) to introduce the evening and Personal Progress Program

Speaker:  Dorothy (YW President) “There’s No Place like our Heavenly Home”

Musical Presentation

Presentation of Awards:  Glinda the Good Witch (Personal Progress Leader)

Speaker: YW who had recently finished entire Personal Progress program

Closing Prayer



 Well, I hope these ideas are inspiring and help you out if you're throwing a Wizard of Oz Party or Young Women in Excellence Program!

I'd also like to send a shout out to all the fabulous websites that inspired this evening:

This flikr photo stream for the Lollipop Guild sign, This photo for Tornadoes sign, The Happy Housewife's cupcakes, and most of the ideas came from THIS POST on Kara's Party Ideas

Linking here:
Sunday:
http://iheartnaptime.blogspot.com/, http://niftythriftythings.blogspot.com/
Monday:
http://craftomaniac.blogspot.com/, http://makingtheworldcuter.blogspot.com/, http://diyhshp.blogspot.com/, http://www.skiptomylou.org/, http://sumossweetstuff.blogspot.com/, http://marvelouslymessy.blogspot.com/, http://www.creatingreallyawesomefreethings.com/
Tuesday:
http://todayscreativeblog.net/, http://ladybug-blessings.com/, http://tipjunkie.com/, http://www.sugarbeecrafts.com/, 
Wednesday:
http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/, http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/, http://www.mybackyardeden.com/, http://reasonstoskipthehousework.blogspot.com/
Thursday:
http://www.momnivores-dilemma.com/,  http://www.houseofhepworths.com/, http://nightowlcrafting.blogspot.com/
Friday:
http://www.whipperberry.com/, http://sassysites.blogspot.com/, http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/, http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/, http://www.tidymom.net/,  http://www.findingfabulousblog.com/
Saturday:
http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com
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Low Key Pool Party Ideas

I'm getting a few friends together tomorrow for a low-key pool party.  I hate to even call it a "party" because then my psycho snobby brain starts thinking I need favors, labels, a dessert buffet... you get the jist!  But, "pool get-together" doesn't have the same ring.  I think I'm calling it a pool play-date.  Ooo-kay, this is turning into a tangent that needs to end!

Anyway, here's a few ideas that are inspiring me:

I am thinking of giving the girls this cute free printable in 4x6 from Vintage Marigolds:

 I don't have a source, but I have this on my pinterest board and it looks easy enough:

This one is like the pool party in my dreams!  The Joys of Home Educating has the cutest idea for serving food at a pool party, I might end up with a version of this if my friends are lucky!!!

And MMMmmmm, I think I must make these pina colada cupcakes from Keri at Pressed Down, Shaken Together:

*update!!  Of all my fun ideas, I actually only did the pina colada cupcakes, here's mine:

They were sooooo good!  But they seemed slightly more pineapple upside down cake that straight pina colada.  I did use the pineapple juice I had leftover from the can to add to the buttercream instead of as much milk.  I liked it better than I was feeling about the buttercream.  So just FYI :)  But head over to her site and try this recipe out!

And I saw a recipe in the latest issue of Family Fun, but there isn't a picture.  It's for a "pool noodle" salad.  You use ziti pasta so that it looks like pool noodle toys, cucumber rings, and watermelon cut into balls.  And it doesn't have mayo so it should outlast the heat.  I know it needs a picture, but here's the recipe anyway from Family Fun's website:

Hands-on Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Serves: 4

Pool noodles, swim rings, and beach balls -- this splashy pasta salad has it all. Plus, it's mayo-free for easy, delicious picnicking.

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound ziti pasta
• 3 pickling cucumbers
• juice and grated zest from 1 large lime
• 1/2 cup vegetable or light olive oil
• 1 tablespoon suger, 1 teaspoon kosher salt

• 1 clove garlic, finely minced
• 2 tablespoons slivered fresh mint
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta
• 2 cups balls cut from a seedless watermelon

X

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, cook the pasta until just tender, and drain.
2. Cut the ends off the cucumbers, then use an apple corer or run a wide drinking straw through the center to core them. Slice them into rings. Whisk together the lime juice and zest, oil, sugar, salt, and garlic.
3. Toss the still-warm pasta with half of the dressing, then add the cukes, mint, and feta, toss again, and taste. Add more dressing and salt to taste, then fold in the melon.

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Linking here:
Sunday:
http://iheartnaptime.blogspot.com/, http://niftythriftythings.blogspot.com/
Monday:
http://craftomaniac.blogspot.com/, http://makingtheworldcuter.blogspot.com/, http://diyhshp.blogspot.com/, http://www.skiptomylou.org/, http://sumossweetstuff.blogspot.com/, http://marvelouslymessy.blogspot.com/
Tuesday:
http://todayscreativeblog.net/, http://ladybug-blessings.com/, http://tipjunkie.com/, http://www.sugarbeecrafts.com/, 
Wednesday:
http://eisymorgan.blogspot.com/, http://www.paisleypassions.blogspot.com/, http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/, http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/, http://www.mybackyardeden.com/, http://reasonstoskipthehousework.blogspot.com/
Thursday:
http://www.momnivores-dilemma.com/,  http://www.houseofhepworths.com/, http://nightowlcrafting.blogspot.com/
Friday:
http://www.whipperberry.com/, http://www.thegirlcreative.com/,http://tidymom.net/, http://sassysites.blogspot.com/, http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/, http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/, http://www.findingfabulousblog.com/
Saturday:
http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com

Easter on the Cheap: Gorgeous!

It's Always a Party at the Parkers has the most amazing Easter party for an even more amazing budget!  She sells the printable package for only ten dollars, used inexpensive goods and candies, and perused the thrift store for some pretty common finds.  You have to check it out!  I'm debating to myself whether or not I want to throw a big Easter party just to recreate this!

An Anthro Easter

The White Library has this colorful Easter dessert table that is just making me swoon!  And if you head over to her blog she has the printables for sale, plus a closer look at that cupcake liner streamer!

And are you kidding me with these sugar cookies from Sweet Sugar Belle?  She made the cookies for the party and then featured them on her own blog, with a tutorial, as if mere mortals could replicate this!  I love them AND the idea of an anthro-inspired Easter party!

Easter Egg Hunt Party

So today's post is taken from Karas Party Ideas she has a super cute site that features different party ideas everyday. This is taken directly from her site and is a delight for your eyes.  I LOVED this darling little party idea (not that I would have the energy to do all this...I can sure enjoy looking at it and the darling kids) So enjoy!! All pictures are courtesy of Kara.

Spring Easter Egg Hunt Party

Today’s winning party feature goes to this ADORABLE

Spring Easter Egg Hunt Party

submitted by Anders Ruff Custom Designs!

I immediately fell in love with this party when I saw it. I want that little bunny!!

How cute is EVERY little tiny detail?! It’s just SUCH a darling spring party.

You can purchase this party collection here!

– Event Styling, Graphic Design & Printables – Anders Ruff Custom Designs
– Photography – Becca Bond Photography

Desserts:
– Candy – Candy Warehouse
– Custom Cake – Got What It Cakes
– Cookies – Allyson Jane
– Cake Pops – Terri’s Party Treasures
– Fondant Cupcake Toppers – Two Sugar Babies
– Bunny & Chick Marshmallows – Dandy Delights

Clothing and Accessories:
– Dress & Tie – Sweet Funky Vintage
– Hair Accessory - Sweet Things Kids

Decor:
– Paper Parasols - Luna Bazaar
– Paper Straws & Paper Baking Cups – Hey Yo Yo
– Ribbon Topiary – Shes Kinda Crafty
– Label Material – OnlineLabels.com

Here are some real snobby paddy parties to check out!!

Now we saw all three of these parties featured on Tip Junkie who is the queen of all things fab. So thanks to her for tracking down some candy for the eyes and to each of the party planners themselves all featured with their shots! Let's Party.

Darling Rainbow Party

View this St Patrick's Day Idea

Darling Rainbow Party

If you’re looking for a fun twist on the St. Patrick’s Day party and are looking for a more variety of colors than green, then check out this darling rainbow party.
The rainbow decor would add such a flirty vibe to any St. Patrick’s Day party.

Created by: Not Just a Mommy

t. Patrick’s Day Party Dessert Bar {diy decor}

View this St Patrick's Day Idea

St. Patrick’s Day Party Dessert Bar {diy decor}

I adore this green candy bar!  It’s decorated with green M&M’s, lolli pops, cupcakes, mints, taffy, and candy sticks.  Completely darling!

Created by: Anders Ruff Custom Designs

St. Patricks Day Party! {diy decorating}

View this St Patrick's Day Idea

St. Patrick’s Day Party!  {diy decorating}
Seriously, we put the whole thing together in two days flat … via email no less!  And it was all super affordable {Target, Walgreen’s, and the local food store}!  Quick, easy, inexpensive, and gorgeous … who doesn’t love a party with that description?
The printables can be purchased, but they’re a bit expensive.  I thought it was worth a mention as the party is just gorgeous.

Created by: TSJ Photography