Elf on the Shelf Photobooth Idea

It seems like every time you turn around, there's another Elf on the Shelf idea on Pinterest.  Most of them I just cruise on by, but when I saw this Elf on the Shelf Photo booth idea from Amy at Living Locurto, I just had to stop and laugh.

What a great idea!  It almost makes me wish I had a little elf to go and play with!

Easy and Elegant Candy Cane Vase

I don't know who thought it was a good idea...because I certainly need to have words with them...but I was put in "charge" of the church Christmas party this year.  It's two weeks away and has already been charged with all sorts of drama and chaos, so much so that I'm sure even Charlie Sheen would be proud.

I've already delegated out the program and the dinner, and left myself in charge of the fun party...the decorations.  I've decided to go with a red and white Candy Cane theme to try and keep the party elegant, but fun.

My first project was inspired by this vase from Better Homes and Gardens.  

I started with an empty chili can (I used the large pound size), candy canes, silk flowers from Dollar Tree, some spare glitter ribbon, and a glue gun.

I started by running a glue line down the long back side of the candy cane.  Then I secured it to the can with the loop side down.  I think it would look super cool with the loop on the top too, it's your choice.

Once I used about 2 1/2 boxes of candy canes to go all around the can, I added 5 red sparkly poincetta bushes from Dollar Tree and one white poincetta bush in the center of the can.  The bushes bend fairly easy, so you can prod them to spread out from the can and over the sides.

 To finish off, I secured a scrap piece of glitter ribbon to the top of the candy canes to bring a little sparkle to the vase itself.

I think I may make a few extra of these for my table at home....if I can keep the kids from eating all the candy canes.

Christmas is Coming!

You've enjoyed your turkey.  You've been out shopping at all the stores.  Now you're Cyber shopping for more sweet deals to finish off your Christmas shopping....but don't forget to throw a little sweet cheer into your holidays this year with a fun red and white themed Christmas party.

While you're enjoying all the great deals in Cyberland, don't forget to support the small businesses out there who are trying to make a little extra money for Christmas.  Here are some great Etsy shops with some fun Candy cane themed party favors and decorations!

'It's a Candy Cane Christmas!' 

All your party favors, treats, and decorations to throw a sweet Candy Cane themed Christmas party!

White & Red Cotton Ball Wedd... thailights $12.99	Set of 3 red and white polka... TheSouthernWil... $42.00
Christmas Candy Cane Stripe ... GiftsbyGaby $12.00	Christmas Wedding Centerpiec... KPGDesigns $39.00
Candy Cane Lollipop, Holiday... SweetCarolineC... $30.00	MINI Red & White Christmas P... BlueMoonStudio... $14.00
Christmas Decor Pinwheels- C... HalosHaven $11.70	Vintage Pair of Christmas Ca... humphreyshouse... $11.95
Christmas Holiday Candy Cane... anniescraftcor... $5.00	Christmas Chevron Printable ... doubleudesign $14.00
Candy Cane Sugar Cookies guiltyconfecti... $21.00	24 Chocolate Santas and Cand... DelightfulChoc... $48.00
Christmas red and white chev... LuxuryLinenLof... $16.00	Candy Cane Twirler Ribbon Wa... BlackCatBazaar $10.00
Paper Straws, 25 Candy Cane ... PaperStrawsPar... $4.25	painted Christmas wine glass... DelightfulFind... $25.00

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Thanksgiving Plate Decoration

I know you are probably in full swing, having your Thanksgiving table already planned and ready to be set.  I wish I could say I was right there with you...but I still have to go grocery shopping and there is NOTHING worse than grocery shopping on the day before Thanksgiving.

So, I may push it off as long as I can and go at midnight tonight or something.  Surely the stores won't be crazy busy then...

In the meantime, I plan to spend the day finishing up my Thanksgiving plates.

You'll remember my crazy obsession with decorating plates lately.  I made a set for Back to School and one for Halloween and now I'm in the process of a set for Thanksgiving.

When I saw this awesome tablecloth from Becca at Blue Cricket Design, I REALLY, REALLY wanted one, but I can't even imagine the time and effort it went in to making such an heirloom.  So I went a little smaller.

I started by making a list of all the things I could think of to be grateful for.

I listed everything from my kids to my parents to personal things such as Koolaid and Red Gummy Bears.

Then, I added each one of those items in a Subway art style to a plate using a Sharpie Marker.  I used different font styles and different directions and different styles.

When I was all done, I baked the plate for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.  Now I have a unique and personal Thanksgiving plate for my table.

If you are looking for more fun Thanskgiving party ideas, check out these great ideas.

An InLinkz Link-up

Gobbling Some Etsy Shopping

The craziness in my life isn't near over.  I am working on a BIG craft show that I attend every year to kick of the Christmas season.  But it's kind of nice to focus on something different.  So here is a little window shopping for a fun Thanksgiving party from the small businesses of Etsy.

'Gobble Till You Wobble'

All the party treats and eats to help make your Thanksgiving dinner one you'll really be thankful for!

Thanksgiving/Fall Balloon Wr... LSBoutiqueKids $52.00	Thanksgiving Dinner Invitati... MVDesignInk $13.00
Thanksgiving Preppy Polka Do... ThePreppyPolka... $14.50	10 Sleepy Turkey Thanksgivin... MemorableFavor... $8.99
Paper Straws - 25 Fall Mix R... EnchantedFrogE... $4.00	Thanksgiving and Christmas D... mimicafeunion $60.00
Photo booth props /Thanksgiv... FoamyFactory $32.00	Turkey decoration Thanksgiv... PaintedPoshDes... $15.95
Pink Thanksgiving Party Hat ... SandysSpecialt... $15.50	Happy Thanksgiving Lucky Sta... meligami $7.50
12 Gobble Gobble Turkey Than... DDCupcakeAcces... $6.00	12 Thanksgiving Cupcake Topp... sosweetpartysh... $12.00
Thanksgiving Cake Pops myangelpops $29.99	Wooden Tile Wine Charms GOBB... Stemnotes $14.00
Turkey Thanksgiving cookies ... thetalentedcoo... $32.99	Thanksgiving Themed Bingo Se... QuestAdventure... $5.95

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