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Saturday, July 21, 2012

Murder Mystery Party



Invitations

I found this invitation kit at Walmart clearance for 10.00
There are 50 invitations and 50 reply cards
Theye were a simple black and white design so I used the Chic Halloween
Cricut cartridge and cut out the mask at 2" and the chandelier at 2"
Then I cut Black and white card stock paper the long way to wrap around the invite.
Black paper 2" thick and white paper 1/2 " thick and glued the white paper on the
black to make a white and black band around the invite.
Then I put the mask I cut out on top of the band and glued it together.



For the invites I also used a JPEG inage that I found on line of a magnifying glass
and set it behind the text.
For the font of the text I downloaded a free Halloween font from



WE got the invitation kit "Murder at Mardi Gras"
Which is why I chose the masks and chandelier.
The kit comes with invitations name tags and Character info but 
I always like to make my own.
I had many requests from friends about the character they would be
so they could start shopping for costumes so I printed up
 these cards on the reply cards to give them the info they should know about
who they will be.
The rest of the characters info will be given at the party.

Since the set only came with 8 characters
I created 4 supporting characters to
give to husbands and wives or guests who might not be into 
playing a role through out the party.

I bought name place cards at Michael s with a 40%'coupon
for 3.00 for 40.  Most of which I will use next party.
I bought a pack of 12 place card holders at Michael's for 24.00 but with the
50% off coupon they were 12.00.
I coordinated everything to mach the invites by putting masks on the
place cards that I cut with my cricut at 1"
I also cut masks for each place and attached a wooden BBQ skewer
to them.
The whole party was black and white to match the invites
(plus, I thinkMardi Gras colors are kinda tacky).
Under each white plate instead of a charger I used
a 12x12 cardstock piece of paper.
White table cloth and white napkins.

Boy had the traditional Mask shape and
ladies got the more feminine mask
For dinner we has a friend make us Brisket.
I made Red Potatoes, Asparagus, and we had a salad
Total cost for dinner including brisket for 12 was 60.00
I made cupcakes and put the chandeliers that I also
used on the invites on toothpicks and stick them into the
cupcakes.
White frosting with black masks, chandeliers Candelabra's  ect.
Everyone came dressed the part.
Maid, Chef, Jazz Musician, Gothic Writer,
Gator Sausage maker ect...
We all had a ball.

Printable Mask Template...



Sunday, July 15, 2012

Pirate Party



Invitations


 For the skulls and rats I used cut outs from 
Martha Stewart halloween cuts
I used a certificate like paper and burned & ripped
 the edges to 
make it look like old treasure map paper.
I found the paper at Michael's 
I used Harrington Font for the invites and always use 
"shadow" on your font to make it pop more.




Free Template


Decor 
 I found these letter stickers at Joann'es
The traced certificate paper with a top of a frosting
lid the red paper with a 
CD and finally the black paper with a small kids bowl.
I also printed a skull from clip art that I used on the invites
onto the certificate paper.
cut 2 holes in each  circle with a 
paper hole puncher and then 
tied them together with black ribbon.
Food

For the table I used halloween decorations that I got for 90% off at 
Target that year.  I got scull centerpieces found vultures to 
put on the table and scattered gold coins all over the table as well.
I also used scull cupcake toppers to put in the veggies and cheese.

Cake


Attire
 Each kid was given a pirate hat, and eye patch,
mustaches and tattoos when they arrived.






Games
We also arranged a treasure hunt
for the kids...instead of word clues I drew
pictures of objects in the house for then to find there
next clue.
I did 5 clues for 2 different groups of kids
1 for older and one with easier clues for
the younger kids.
At the end of the treasure hunt, each group was lead to the 
basement were our wooden toy box was 
filled with goodie bags containing 
chocolate coins


Monday, July 9, 2012

Wedding on a Dime

Invitations were 40.00 but had a 50% off coupon
from Michael's so they were 20.00 for 40.00
The invites were beautiful but I wanted 
make them unique.
I personalized each invite by adding clip art of a tree
with hearts.  
All the little touches make a difference.
I used a wax stamper to seal each invite.




I purchased the flowers from Trader Joes
Irises were only 3.00 a bunch and roses were
15.00 for 2 dozen at Costco.

 Set Up
Food
it was purchased at Costco...it was a
simple shrimp tray
soup and sanwiches
as well as a self made fruit & veggie tray from produce
from Aldi
It was about 100.00 total for all the food items

 Mums were purchased for the tables from my Aunt.
It was not my choice but since it was 
for my brother's Wedding I rolled with it. 

Candles were clearance from left over valentines day decor
They were 10.00 for 20 but Michael's sells packs of 10 for 10
don't forget your coupon!
very cheap tea lights from Ikea as well as candle holders.
I owned chair covers and table cloths for him to borrow
but you can usually rent them for 3.00 each or craigslist
or even purchase them from 
for the same cost as renting and them sell them 
when you are done with them.

 We bought this tulle from Michales for $10 each roll 
and used 3 rolls
Another Idea is to use 1" robbon from Costco's Craft section
You get 50 yds for $6-7 bucks. 

Use about 2 yards per chair to tie a proper ribbon

Ceremony Site
 The ceremony was a quiet one help in a quiet ridge overlooking 
Minnehaha falls in Minneapolis

Lucky for my brother, my Aunt was clergy and did the 
ceremony for free
Reception Site

We found a newly renovated room with large windows overlooking
The lake.  It included a kitchen for our "Caterers" to prepare the food.

Programs
 Another self print option from the 
"Brides Collection" at Michale's
30.00 for 20 and of course we cad a coupon
for 40% off

Finally the cake.
Luckily for my brother, I do cakes 
so I made it for him as his gift

Pictures were taken by my husband so they were 
free but you can get a friend to do them 
by looking at photography websites to see good angles
and get good ideas for shots.
Renting a great camera is also another option
Check your internet for camera shots and
get some recommendations from their staff 
for what is best to use.