{FREE}day

Here's to the weekly round up of FREEbies that I am crushing on right now!

Smore's Bar Printables

I would've loved to have a smore's bar at the Pumpkin Carving party last week, but an apartment building with no fire pit ruled out that idea---Doesn't mean you can't enjoy these now! These were used in the summertime, but I always think of smores in the fall sitting around a warm, cozy fire! I found these great printables from Michelle of So Wonderful, So Marvelous.

Halloween Mini Card

I think these are just adorable mini cards--especially for little "happies" for your friends! These are created by Babalisme and you can download them here!

****As a note, a lot of the printables featured are often posted on scribd. You have to have a FREE account to download from them. So, go ahead and sign up! All the wonderful FREE things out there are waiting!!!

Paper Cupcake Stand

I am dying to try these! I had seen them for sale somewhere around on the worldwide web, and knew that if I put my mind to it I could make them myself. Well, Bird Crafts has done it for me! Click HERE for the printout & visit Bird Crafts for great step-by-step instructions!

I hope that everyone finds great uses for these FREEbies!

Amanda

{party envy} Fall Harvest Thanksgiving Party

I literally had to wipe the drool off of my keyboard when I saw this party featured on Kara's Party Ideas. I immediately forwarded it to my friends and family to check out this AMAZING set up that features Anderson Ruff's new printable design collection.

Love the coffee beans used as a filler in the place setting.

Hands down my favorite detail in this tablescape is the detailing added to the chairs. Burlap & coffee filters! How inexpensive and such a FAB touch!

More pictures and entertaining tips are featured over at Layla Grace.

*****Also, the Fall Harvest Printable Design Collection is available for 50% off in Anders Ruff's shop. Only 3 more days to save on 33 pages of beautiful design!

Amanda

fall inspiration

I LOVE Fall. It is my favorite season! Not too hot...Not too cold... Beautiful leaves. Wonderful! I just wanted to feature some of the decor tidbits that I am crushing on lately:

Gourd Luminaries

These are from the craft-goddess herself, Martha Stewart. Click here for the tutorial.

Better Homes & Gardens Goodies:

Love the simplicity of this frame & leaves combination.

Place cards & napkin rings? Can't beat a so-cute duo.

Other fun fall bits:

These damask wood pumpkins are ADORABLE! I stumbled across Maria's blog, You Craft Me Up! and love LOVE love her project. It was definitley a memorable one for her! Read the story & see the tutorial here.

I actually saw these roses a few weeks ago when brainstorming for ideas for decor for our Marketing department luncheon at work and wanted to try making them. They are still on my list to conquer! I only have pecan trees at my house and they only have brown crunchy leaves! Find beth's tutorial over at The stories of A to Z.

That's all for now!

Amanda

{real party} pumpkin carving party

Grant and I hosted a pumpkin carving party this past weekend, and we had a blast! I want to share some of the pictures from our little shindig!

The invite:

I handmade all of the invitations for the party. The vintage pumpkin was my inspiration for the entire card. I found these great mini file folders at the dollar store, and aged them with some brown paint. I layered vintage papers and inked the edges (I swear I ink everything! That is my favorite part of scrapbooking). I pop-dotted the pumpkin for a 3D effect, and hand cut the party information to fit the file folder layout. The envelope wraps were free online. I just LOVE envelope wraps. What a cute way to address envelopes! will definitely be using them again!!!

The Tablescape:

This was my pride and joy of the party. I had a great time putting together all of the elements. Of course, there is always more one would like to do--but I was pretty pleased with it, especially my book wreath!

Close ups:

All of my fabulous finds are featured in this tablescape. I love LOVE my birdcage. It is slightly an obsession. I found it at Goodwill for $5. Of course, I had to get a little black raven to make it halloween-y. I also picked up some glittered skulls for my apothecary jar.

The rice krispy treats were a big hit. Everyone couldn't resist such a childhood classic! I put reese's pieces candies in them as well for a little bit of a halloween spin.

Drinks table:

Close up of the table pennants I made:

Room decor:


My lovely tulle wreath I made :) Apparently, I was on a wreath making frenzy!

Any party at halloween has to have candy!

Time to carve!

We had small contest for the best carved pumpkin. The winner won a $10 starbucks card & bragging rights! Time to line them up & vote!

And the winner is.....Aimee & Josh! I was very impressed with their carving skills and EXTRA points since it was done free hand!



These are the take-home-gifts for the guests. Inside was a battery powered tea light-- safe, practical, & cute!

Grant & I had such a great time that we are thinking of making it an annual event! We pregutted all pumpkins this year...Maybe next year it will be BYOP (Bring Your Own Pumpkin)! I think Grant will appreciate that since he was a trooper and gutted them for me :)

Amanda

PS---Here are mine & Grant's pumpkins. I did the witch & he did the ghost.

happy {free}day!

Happy Friday to all!

I've decided that each Friday will FREEday! I will feature FREE printables from the web and especially from all of the oh-s0-fabulous blogs out there! All of the printables featured were created by others (unless stated otherwise) so please take the time to visit their blogs to see all of the other fantastic things that they do!


I am hosting a pumpkin carving party this weekend, and it is my inspiration for this week's FREE printables! I am going to share some of the ones I used, and that you will see featured later when I upload my party.


This great printable is designed by the lovely Jessica at Craftily Ever After. I purchased napkins with the same saying--so of course I needed to use the printable! I needed it in black to match my napkins. My wonderful friend Krissy from Trendy Henry converted it for me!


I also used this lovely free printable from the "HowDoesShe?" blog. I wrapped all the mini candy bars for the upcoming party. A great thing to do while watching Glee :)HowDoesShe printables are available exclusively to their readers. Simply sign up for their mailing list and they will automatically be sent to you!

I also used this wonderful vintage pumpkin from Matthew Mead as part of my invitations. It was my inspiration piece for the party--in deciding to do more classic/vintage elements in my decor instead of commercial halloween. If you click on the link above, it will also feature other great FREE printables for more decor!

I hope you enjoyed all that I have shared with you! Have a great weekend!

Amanda

{real party} birds, blossoms, & butterflies baby shower

This baby shower was for my very best friend Tootie & her soon-to-be-here, baby girl Madi Beth! {she graced us with her fabulous, princess presence on September 14th, 2010}

Planning for her shower is what started my obsession with all things party related! I had a great time getting everything together for this shower & look forward to the parties to come!




A close up of the centerpiece.



The floral centerpiece I made. Sorry the image is slightly crooked!




The place cards/napkin rings. Cute & serve a dual purpose!




The tablescape. The paper flowers were a hit with everyone, especially the owner's of the oh-so-cute restaurant, "Just for Lunch".



Close up of the back of the chairs. The fabric was the main inspiration source for the party. It included all of the colors of the new baby room, and was very chic without being to baby-ish.



This is a banner I made out of felt & fabric for the party & was also a great take home gift for the mom!



The gift table.



This is a little card I made on the quick the night before. It listed all of the addresses of the guests on the inside & I used it as her gift log as well. A great resource for the mom-to-be when thank you card time rolls around!



Dessert & prizes table.



Close up of the *yum cupcakes!



The guests with their prizes!



Last but not least, the mom-to-be & me! I am so blessed to have Tootie as a friend & especially getting the opportunity be a part of her life's special moments. We have been on such a great journey together, and have so many titles for one another: sorority sisters, past roomies, maid of honor, and most of all--best friend.

Amanda