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And the Winner Is....

You can't have an Oscar party without an actual Oscar at the party.  Since as the Host of the party, I am supposed to be the rich, arrogant producer of many films, I need to have a few Oscars for past wins scattered throughout the party.  What better way to do this than to have Oscar shaped sugar cookies?


And who better to turn to for a great tutorial than our own personal star Bakerella!?!

As always her tutorial and step by step instructions will help you to make these Oscar trophy cookies that even "stand up" to the test of sweetness.

A Night At The Waskers

If you've ever read my profile "About Me" page, you will know that I am the daughter of a party planning queen.  Many of my birthdays were amazing, over the top fun, but one that I remember as being an ultimate show was my 16th birthday.  For my party, my friends and I had a Murder Mystery role playing game.  I can't quite remember what the theme was, except it was supposed to be at a movie premier of dinner party, so my mom went over the top with decorations and food.  I wish that blogging had been around then so I could have the party documented, but unfortunately, it is only in my memory now.

In planning a party for my dear friend, I decided to try and recreate the glitz and glamor of that night.  After all, my friend LOVES Hollywood and would have a blast with playing a snoopy Gossip Columnist who is right in the thick of things digging up the dirt on a murder.

So I searched the net and found exactly the party I was looking for at Host-Party.com.


While we haven't played this game yet, so a true review is kind of hard, after reading the paperwork within it, I am super excited.  We have all the makings of a fun Hollywood glam event.


The game comes with everything you need to create a great murder mystery including Character information, notes to help you know when to play certain clues and helps, prop lists, suggestions from other hosts, and more.

If you aren't into Hollywood, Host-Party has LOTS of other games that you can use for a unique birthday party including Colorado Bones and the Temple of Death, The Great Chocolate Mystery, and The Mystery of the Vanishing Vampire

Shout Out Sunday


Here are a few of my favorite party ideas from fellow bloggers to share...

Wayward Girls Crafts shared these Chocolate Covered Bears in a bride and groom design.  I love how simple these are but how they make such a beautiful treat.  I can see these at a bridal shower, or what about dipping the bride in different colors for prom dresses?  I think I may make a few of these for my Oscar party and let them be "extra guests" at the festivities.

City Girl Gone Costal shared this Fruity Bunting.  With all the Back to School parties going on, this apple bunting would go perfect hanging alongside the treats and school supplies.  I love the polka dots on the apples to give each piece a little pop of color.  I may have already had my school party, but I can't wait to do some 'fruiting' to my fruit themed kitchen.

Pams Party Planning and Pratical Tips shared her Cat Pizza Biscuits.  I love so many of Pam's great projects and these biscuits are no exception.  They would be a great treat for a cat party, or even a jungle themed party.  Heck, my boys may even want them just for dinner some night if I tell them they are Lions or Tigers.

Bacon Time with the Hungry, Hungry Hypo shared the tutorial for making Angry Bird Cupcakes.  I can't tell you enough how much I LOVE this cupcake. I love the use of different candies to decorate the face in such an easy fashion.  What's better than a cute cupcake with extra candy that was easy to make?  I HAD to pin this to my Angry Bird Party Pinboard and need to try and talk my boys into this party theme.  LOVE it, LOVE it, LOVE it.

Happy Hour Projects shared this Scrap-tastic Team Wreath.  I am a HUGE fans of wreaths lately as they really spice up my front door in a fun way.  I can't wait to make one of these in our school colors, or even one in fun holiday designs and colors.  I can just see several of these in my party and decoration stash already, especially with some cute embellishments.  Although hopefully I will learn a lesson from Happy Hour and won't out price the cheapness of this wreath with my decorations.

Shindig Saturday Weekly Linky Party #26


I was really hoping that once school got back in session I would have LOTS of time to get myself organized.  I have SO much to do with the move and my big Christmas craft show being only 2 weeks after the move.  I don't think I'll get much last minute crafting done in a hotel with 5 other people crammed into each other's personal space.  I'm not sure I'll get much done at all.
So I am trying to craft away...but it always seems as if something comes up.  But I wanted to show a few sneak peeks of a few projects that I've been working on and have managed to get finished.



Hopefully it will be a productive next few weeks...but since I'm leaving town to go House Hunting soon, I'm not holding my breath.

Maybe I should just forget the house hunting and move into the house shared in our Blog of the Week.

Home Grown Beanes shared the tutorial on making this Scooby Doo Candy House.  This house would be so much fun to move into, expecially as we get closer to the Halloween season.  I would love to see my house as a little Hansel and Grettle type cottage dressed with the different candies of the season.  So fun.  And this house is so clever too.  I never would have thought to use a cardboard box to make such a big house.  But it's perfect for a party centerpiece!

In honor of Home Grown Beanes' candy cleverness, our party favor of the week is
our Football Gum Heads.
These fun gum head favors are great treats for the football player in your life.  Let us make these in your team colors and use as Locker Spirit sweets to cheer your team onto victory. These would also be great to hand out at your football birthday party or Superbowl game get-together.  Your guests will be thrilled to sweeten their breath or satisfy a craving with these fun party favors.

Now it's time to PARTY!

Show us your newest party or fun creations by sharing your favorite party themed craft, table scape, photo, favor, or whatever! I'm pretty flexible since just about everything can be used at a party...that's the great thing about us moms! We can see the potential in ANYTHING!
Linky Party Guidelines:
* Link up to your OWN project post, not just your blog, but your actual post. (We want to see it!)
*Grab a Shindig Saturday button for your post or blog page. (Hey, it benefits us all!)
*Stay and enjoy the party by visiting and commenting on other's projects. (It's fun to mix and mingle!)

Super Shindig: Harry Potter Party


I love the Harry Potter books.  I have read them all myself and then read all 7 of them to my boys during bedtime over the past few years.  Not only is it a great story with so much imaginative elements, real characters, and great story line, but it lends itself perfect to a fun Halloween or Birthday party.

This Harry Potter Party by Little Ant Designs is the perfect example of how fun and amazing it can be when Harry and his friends step off the pages and into your party.


Each of the rooms in the Little Ant Designs house got into the fun by "dressing" up for the party by become a room from the books.

I LOVE how simple but perfectly these candles fit into the Great Hall.  Looks almost like the movie with the floating candles everywhere.  It sounds as if this is a pretty easy addition to add too!


The Divination Room had fun games for the guests to play where they could tell their fortunes in a dark, comfy atmosphere.  There is even a Hot Chocolate station there if the dementors came or your fortune was too dreary for you!

The Potions Room is probably my favorite with all the bottles and decanters needed to make the perfect drink for each guest.  And look at all the added touches to make it look just like Snape's classroom!


There were even Hogwarts House Elfs to help if needed!
Go check out Little Ant Designs Harry Potter party for a memorable and AMAZING party.  You'll feel like you stepped into Hogwarts and be inspired to find Harry, Ron, and Hermoine!

Super Shindig: Crossword Birthday Tablescape


My dad is a HUGE crossword puzzle fan and so growing up I remember seeing him doing the Sunday paper almost religiously.  When I grew, I learned my vocabulary wasn't as well developed and I could only get the "easy" Texas themed crossword.  But, it wasn't hard to get why I love the fun elements in this Crossword Puzzle dessert table set up. 

This table was set up by Sarah at Dreamers Joy Events & Design and found on Hostess with the Mostess.


I just love the use of color in this party.  It fits so perfectly with the classic joke "What's Black, White, and Read All Over?"  The use of newspaper with red accents is such a fun touch.  The table looks classy without being boring by adding the pops of red color.


The food carries the colors with easy coordinated treats that are easy for a party goer to enjoy.  I LOVE the donut holes with the cute tag on top that says "20 Down Donuts".  How fun would that be to have all the food labeled as part of the crossword puzzle? CLEVER!


You should go check out this fun and colorful party Crossword Table scape! It has so many great ideas for a birthday, retirement, or game night party.  I can't wait to try it myself!  When's my dad's birthday again?! (grin)

Super Shindig: Back to School Party


I'm going to be pretty busy this week with moving stuff...so I wanted to share a few inspiring and AMAZING parties that I've found from fellow bloggers.

After just having spent the past week working on Back to School projects myself, I cant' begin to tell you how much I love this party! 


Dukes and Duchesses shared this cute Back to School party she threw for her kids' playgroup.  The kids are starting kindergarten this year and she wanted to celebrate in a fun way.


This chalkboard Welcome is just the cutest touch.
The notebook paper bunting adds such a fun and unique touch to the board that ties the theme into the school supplies and party favors.

I can't decide which of the centerpiece ideas I like the most here.  Scrabble is really big in our house, so I love the use of the tiles.  It brings the spelling and learning aspect to the table as a cute decoration.  But I also LOVE the printable witht the School Rules.  I am totally going to have to make that printable for my home.

I absolutely LOVE the seating name tag above each of the place settings.  It both functions as a great way to tell the kids where to sit and as a tie into that first day of school. 


Defintely go check out Dukes and Duchess' Back to School party for all her game and party details.  It's one SUPER SHINDIG with lots of ideas that you can use in your own party.

Shout Out Sunday


Here are a few of my favorite party ideas from around the web...

Random Thoughts of a Supermom shared this Disney Autograph Book.  We are planning to have our family reunion at one of the Disney parks this year and these would be great gifts to hand out as memory favors.  The kids could all get the character's autographs as well as leave notes for each other for when they are home...kind of like a year book.  If you're not going to Disney, this idea would totally work for a Mickey or Minnie mouse party, or with a little imagination for any theme!

Making Memories with your Kids shared these Oreo Brownies.  In an effort to support "Dare Devil's" desire to have a brownie shop someday (much like the cupcake stores so popular today), we've been trying a new brownie recipe every Sunday night to find our favs.  We made these last weekend, and let me tell you...they were so YUMMY! We didn't use the mint oreos, although next time I will certainly try that, but loved how rich and sweet they were.  These brownies would be great as a cake substitute or just as a great treat at any party.

A Fish who likes Flowers shared these Mason Jar Solar lights.  I know summer is starting to wind down, but if you're like we are, you still spend a lot of -if not more- time outside in the fall.  The weather's cooler and we LOVE to sit around our backyard fire pit and roast s'mores with friends.  Since this will be the last year we will probably have this luxury, I can't wait to try these lights to add to the fun.  They will be great additions to any backyard party or even a Halloween party!

Cute as a Fox Creations shared these Mario & Luigi poster board Visors.  I love how crafters can make just about anything.  I would never have thought you could make your own visor hat out of poster board.  Very CLEVER! I have seen a few Mario Brother parties as of late and these visors would make a great party favor...or you can change the colors and make them for a sports theme party or backyard get together.

Lady Behind the Curtain shared these Baby Shower Cupcakes.  Aren't these just the cutest? I love how the cupcakes are pink and blue and look like little baby bottles.  There's nothing quite like eating a cupcake in a jar, so these are both fun and cute!  Can't wait to try them for the next baby shower I get to throw.