Linette’s post about her party ring yesterday reminded me of something I like to do to keep some of my party beverages cold without diluting them. I like to make flavored ice cubes. For instance, if I’m making a big jug of lemonade or ice tea or punch for a barbecue, I like to make a little extra and fill ice cube trays. This way we can chill drinks without diluting them. Here’s another trick I learned. When I was 19 years old I visited my sister in Ohio and we went to a rock festival at her college. We took a picnic lunch and a large jug filled with a beverage. Instead of putting ice cubes in the jug, we put it in a large plastic bag and floated the bag in the jug. This way the ice melted but didn’t dilute whatever it... [Read more]

b5Media’s Lifestyles Channel is having a party this month, a 3 Doors Down party. This means we get to introduce you to some of the blogs three doors down from ours. As someone who likes to cross stitch now and then and also has a sewing basket practically piled to the ceiling, Tangled Thread is one of the blogs on my RSS feed. As a Mom, I also like the easy kids crafts like this simple felt flower, for instance. Right now, Chloe has a major How to Make Silk Paper series going on. Do it yourselfers don’t want to miss this great series. If you’re handy with a needle, do stop by Tangled Thread and say hello. You’re sure to return again.   Image: Buy at AllPosters.com [Read more]

Party invitations are a big business. Even if you’re purchasing store bought invitations for a kids’ birthday party you can spend $10 to $20 after they’re all mailed out. Plus, if you’re having a small party, save five or so kids, you end up buying a whole pack of invitations, most of which you won’t use. Fortunately, there are a few ways to save money and waste. Use Evite or another online invitation service. Evite is free and sends a custom designed (by you) invitation to your guests’ email addresses. You can set it up to ping you every time someone RSVPs or to send out reminders to those who don’t respond. I use it for the women’s club I belong to as it makes it easy to keep track. Make and... [Read more]

May and June are graduation months, and many graduation parties are beng planned. Here are a few graduation party favor ideas for you so your guests can go home with a special memento or goody. These adorable graduation favor boxes are shaped just like a graduation hat and hold candy, jewelry or more. Giving each of the guests an autograph book will also let them take home good wishes from fellow graduates and friends a like. Graduation bubbles will add a fun touch to any party. Graduation figurines are sure to put a smile on everyone’s face. Graduation keychain party favors are practical too. Other ideas include cookies shaped like diplomas or graduation hats and molded chocolate of the same. Wedding favor supply places also chocolate... [Read more]

Do-It-Yourselfers will enjoy making their own graduation cakes without visiting a baker. Now, I’m not a great cake decorator like my blogging partner Linette, but with some of today’s cake pans and accessories no one really has to know. Check these out: This adorable smiley face graduation cake pan looks like it would be a breeze to decorate too since the impression of the decoration will come out on the cake. It’ll run you $10.99 at Confectionary House. Also at Confectionary House is a more traditional graduation cake pan – your basic mortarboard. Just use food coloring to make the icing the same color as your graduates hat. If cupcakes are more your thing, try these graduation cupcake toppers from ShopBakersNook.com.... [Read more]