Friday, July 22, 2011

Trend: Tissue Paper Petals

I've been seeing alot of diy projects using  layered tissue paper petals, to a great effect.

Isn't this tablescape so fabulous? So summery! The best part is those lanterns. This project comes to us via Martha Stewart, full instructions are here


 Image source: http://www.marthastewart.com

I think this is a great way to salvage cheaper paper lanterns that are not quite right.  I bought some cheapos once and they were definitely not perfectly round. Perhaps I could have saved them by covering them with tissue paper circles.  Apparently, you can buy the circles pre-cut at craft stores if you are not into cutting out dozens of circles yourself. Paper lanterns and tissue paper is very inexpensive, but what an impact! Great way to stretch your party budget.

I have also seen this method used to decorate pinatas. 


Image source: http://www.younghouselove.com

Here's a tutorial from one of my favourite blogs to read, Young House Love. This pinata was from their daughter's first birthday party.

Image source: http://www.everydaycelebrating.com

If you are not into getting messy with flour and glue,then this very similar project uses a store bought soccer ball pinata and just adds on the tissue paper "petals". Because it's uses a store bought form, it is perfectly round which might appeal to those perfectionists out there (ahem, me).
You can find more photos and instructions here

What a lovely alternative to those gaudy character pinatas you see everywhere in the store. I love the pretty, modern look of these.

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Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Canada Day BBQ

Guests: 10 all adults plus 1 dog
Location: Keswick, ON
Budget: $20 for decorations and supplies, $60 for main course, side dishes were potluck 

*as always, no pictures of guests are included in this post.

Menu:
  • Mini Ribfest: honey bbq, honey garlic, smokin stampede and regular bbq
  • Corn on the cob
  • Caesar Salad
  • Garden Salad
  • Veggies and dip
  • Salsa and tostitoes
  • Raspberry Lemonade (just add fresh raspberries to any kind of lemonade)
  • Beer & Mixed Drinks
  • Cupcakes
Corn simmering on the side burner and racks of ribs cooking away
I decorated the dog too, doesn't he look cute?
Decorations:
  • Flag Banner
  • Pin wheels
  • Canada Day Buttons
  • T-shirts and Hats
  • Bandana for the Dog
  • Glow Sticks for after dark

 Activities:
  • Bocce
  • Drinksbee
  • Relaxing on the desk in the sunshine
  • Fireworks 

Bocce:
You can play with 2, 4, or 8 players. Divide the colour balls amongst teams, I played yellow and red, for example. The little ball is called the pellino. Somebody throws the white ball a decent distance away. The idea is to get your coloured ball as close as possible to the white ball without hitting it. One point is awarded for every ball that is closer than the other sides. 
For more information and rules, see this site

See how close I was? I win! 


 Drinksbee:
Materials Needed:
  • 4 plastic beer cups
  • 4 dowels or stakes
  • 2 frisbees
  • Drinks for each team member (preferably alcoholic)

Playing Field: Set up the field as shown in the photo. Each side has 2 poles and 2 cups. Two players on each team, each player guards a pole (and the cup). Set the ends a good throwing distance apart, but not so far that you won't be able to hit the targets. That's not fun at all.

 Concept: Throw the frisbee, knock off your opponent's cups.One cup knocked down equals one point. If the cup you are responsible for hits the ground, you must take a drink. Team members can catch each other's cups. Catch your cups to reverse the point to the throwing side, you get the point, they have to take a drink.
Doubles: after a point, you get to throw again. Knock it down again, means double the points and double the drinks. 
Trifecta: Go again for a chance to score three points. The other team has to chugg the rest of their drinks. Obviously, this is the most coveted and rare of plays. 
Tips: Distractions are allowed, including faking, dancing, rude gestures, etc.
Offense: fake outs, cross overs, bouncing the frisbee off one pole to knock down two cups at once are encouraged. 
Defense: Catch those cups! Sacrifice the body if you have to. 
Subbing players is encouraged, everyone can play!

Slips out of my hands. Grrr. Time for a drink.




Fireworks:
One of the guests brought an assortment of fireworks. As expected, some were better than others. Some nieghbours had really good ones. I handed out glow sticks for everyone. Fun! We all walked down to the beach to set them off, which would have been fantastic except for the mutant sized mosquitos. Yikes!
 
 
Hope your July long weekend was as fun as mine!