Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Ice Cream Cone Balloons

Make "ice cream cones" with a bunch of helium balloons, and some brown kraft paper cones. Genuius!



Image: http://thecraftsdept.marthastewart.com/2010/08/lauras-baby-shower.html


Today's post comes via the great Martha and her team at the Crafts Dept. I love this idea so much, I had to share. It's so easy, and it looks so great. The team made them for a baby shower, but I would use them for a kid's birthday, a family reunion or any other summer time event.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Paper Lanterns

Paper lanterns are hot right now, for both party and wedding decorations.
Personally, I love them. If done right, they look fabulous.
Another big bonus is the price! They're super affordable, and come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colours.

I had intended to use white paper laterns to dress up a feature on the grounds of the Living Arts Centre. For lack of a better description, let's call it a "stage". My idea was to shoot some cool wedding shots using the structure.


The "stage"-wouldn't paper lanterns look cool?

I picked up round, white lanterns into two sizes-small and large from a party supply store. I only wanted a few, so I didn't want to order them online. Perhaps I should have. The ones I bought didn't form a sphere well, they were ended up as odd shapes. So, sadly I didn't use them. When buying lanterns, go for the good quality. They might cost more intially, but it will be worth it in the end.

Luckily, our photographer was able to get some amazing shots anyway. Here are some of those shots....




Photography by Red Garter Studios

My point-I still love paper lanterns. Any shape, any colour. Hang them from poles, from trees, attach them to sticks and drive them into the ground. If you have a clothesline, string some up there. They are an easy and fun way to decorate a backyard for a party. Ikea even has solar powered paper lanterns in red, white or turquoise. Love, love, love.


Party supply stores usually carry them in the summer months. They are also sold online. Chinatown of course, is an obvious source. Dollar stores do have them, but they can be cheaply made. Buy one or two, and try them out first.

Check out my party décor board at pinterest.com for some of my favourite pics of paper lanterns.

http://pinterest.com/razledazlerose/party-decor/