Summer Party Tips

Take time this summer to create fun, family memories. And if the economy has your budget limited, look for affordable ways to entertain in your own backyard. If you are like me, I find myself re-prioritizing how and where I am choosing to spend my "recreational budgeted" money. My kids are doing less camps and more getting together with neighborhood friends. And I am enjoying having families over for casual get-togethers more so than heading out to a restaurant.

I put together an All-American party with some of those ideas in mind. You can check it out at:
PartyOriginals.com/All-American.

Here's a simple, fun, affordable dessert that my kids and I like to make. Hope you enjoy at your next backyard summer party:

Homemade Ice Cream Sandwiches
Premade and precut cookies (Whatever flavors you like - chocolate chip, sugar, peanut butter, etc. The precut version allows for all of the cookies to be exactly the same size.)

At least 2 or 3 flavors of ice cream (pick your favorite flavors that go with the cookies. IE: strawberry ice cream with sugar cookies, chocolate chip with peanut butter cookies, banana ice cream with chocolate chip cookies, etc.........!!!)

Bake cookies and let cool thoroughly. When ready to assemble, make sure ice cream is soft. Using an ice cream scoop, place 1 - 2 scoops on a cookie and then put the other cookie on and press lightly. Use a knife to clean and mold the ice cream that tries to push out around the sides.

These are best prepared a day in advance. Make sure you have enough room in your freezer for a large container (I usually store mine layered in a square plastic storage container.)

Have Fun,
Barb

People Make The Party

One of the things I love best about Party Planning is getting to know my clients on a very personal level - who they are, what they like, what makes them happy - and it is sometimes as much a discovery for them as it is for me! And when I wrap up a successful party (or have one of my own) I love to hear about the way the event made them FEEL - connected, happy, silly. I'm glad when they like the flower arrangements - I'm more satisfied with a positive emotional climate.

So - during this tumultuous economic climate, I want to encourage you to take the time to entertain(and yes - you can do it on a budget). I know that might sound ridiculous on the face of it - but nurturing others through opening your home, cooking, and decorating can be very cathartic and self-satisfying. And it will also allow your guests to forget about their issues for a while and have some fun!

While I love the decorative parts of a party - the invitations, centerpieces, napkin rings, take home gifts, etc., etc. - the truly meaningful part of a party is your connection with people. Whether you are extending yourself for a special guest of honor or celebrating your best friends or gathering the soccer team for an end-of-the-year party or sharing a meal with family, take a moment to think about the little things that will make the event that much more special. When you do, your decision on what colors, textures, activities, location, etc. will all come from an authentic place for the group of people that you are gathering together.

I wish you positive people connections,
Barb

Are Do-It-Yourself Projects Really Worth It?

I like being artsy/craftsy - I've already admitted to being an artist-wanna-be - so adding special handmade touches to a party is something I really enjoy. With so many books and magazines and television shows touting all different kinds of craft ideas, I've really learned to choose projects that meet a few goals:
1. Making something that I can't go out and easily buy
2. Making something that would otherwise cost quite a bit
3. Making something that I can fit into my busy life from a time perspective
4. Making something that brings me joy

Recently I designed a centerpiece runner for a party that meets all of those criteria:








1. I definitely could not easily buy it.
2. The materials I bought for it were very inexpensive.
3. It took me about 45 minutes which included time for the paint layers to dry.
4. And it was working with paint sponging and feathered yarn - how fabulous!

Best of all, I love how it looks on the table with clear votives alternately filled with roses and tealights sitting on top. Quite a glow!

For detailed instructions on this Artful Handmade Runner, check out the "How-To Guide at PartyOriginals.com"

I'd love to hear about some of your original do-it-yourself art projects!

Happy Creating!
Barb

Where Do You Get Your Ideas?

OK - I must admit I am a frustrated artist wanna-be. But after numerous watercolor, clay, pastel, funky feel-the-movement-of-the-object-as-you-draw, (you get the idea) art classes, I realized being an artist just wasn't going to happen for me.

Then I had children! And we would sit together and do millions of art/craft projects and I absolutely loved working with their things - especially Glitter Glue (you know that fanciful glittery multi-colored in a tube stuff)! And I dare to say that was the impetus for my party planning.

I love playing with what I call "junky-junk." It's the feathers, glitter, ribbon, tulle, shredded paper - OH - I could go on and on! I literally get an excited feeling walking through Michael's!

I started with Children's Birthday Parties and then people began hiring me to work on more adult parties and I had to get a tad bit more serious - a little less glitter and paper!!! Which was still a load of fun.

I definitely have to take field trips into the world for inspiration. A walk through Border's Books, a visit to Hobby Lobby, wandering through my favorite wholesale florist, flipping through a myriad of catalogs I get or perusing inspiring magazines. I really look for things that give me that little - OOOOOOOOOO neat feeling and then my brain takes off.

Where/how do you get "inspired" ideas for parties???? I'd love to hear from you! Try a few of mine and I would love to try a few of yours!

Alas - after working today on more organizational aspects of "The Site" I'll have to count on the Grocery and Ski Shop to give me some inspiration. A Swiss Alps/Hot Cocoa Party Anyone??? Wait - I am working on a winter Book Club with just that feel!!! Hmmmm... life is interesting isn't it?

Take Care,
Barb