Etsy: Great source for invitations and ideas

Etsy is the coolest website for individuals who sell home crafted items. You can find stationary, soaps, clothing, bedding, jewlery, and most everything that can be created.
I have enjoyed looking at their differently designed party invites. Here are some nice ones with the name of the seller and a link to their page on Etsy. The descriptions were written by the creators:
This invite is my favorite design. Look at all the little details!!! This would make a great vacation or tropical themed party. If you change the paper and the dangling charm it could be any other theme.


Florida, Mexico, Jamaica, the Caymans...a local seaside??? This shimmered signature pocketfold (4x5) invitation is petite sophistication that will make a lasting impression to your invited guests.
The above pocketfold is shown landscape style but could also be customed to a portrait style invitation. This invitation is perfect for any destination wedding or seaside/beach event in sage green and creame shimmered cardstock with bunches of large printed leaves.
Your invitation wording is printed on diamond white cardstock with a brown matte underlay and a elegant palm motif adds charm. As an embellishment a hemp cord is wrapped twice and tied into a bow with a dangling silver starfish. Just SWEET!!!

Wouldn't this make a lovely invite for a Ladies luncheon or a dinner in the Spring?
A round edge crisp white cardstock is mounted on a round edge shimmer pink cardstock (5 x 7). A soft pink and floral band of paper wraps securely around the invitation while a crystal flutter bug rests. (Please note, the flutter bug is adhered to the invitation). If your interested in the matching matchbox favor please convo me through my other shop Sweetrayne{dot}etsy{dot}com



This invitation design would work for ANY event. I especially love the belly band closure.
This (5x7) booklet invitation was inspired by precious poppies. Papers used have a gold shimmered tone to provide lusciousness. With this booklet invitation you can customize to include additional pages if needed.
Your RSVP and RECEPTION enclosure cards are held in place under the front cover with a matching belly band as the whole ensemble is held together with a belly band that's address to your guest. http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27139939


This invite would be great for a Chinese New Year party or any Asian inspired gathering.

Terra Cotta and Cream are the hues that inspired this invitation style. This is a three layered 5 x 7 invitation, a textured terra cotta, circular print, and smooth creme cardstock. To set the theme a Chinese character "Happiness" motif is printed flat while a natural hemp cord is double wrapped around the invitation and tied into a knot.

Matching elements such as programs, menu's and escort cards are also available.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23547930


Inspired by all that is victorian or vintage elegance, I designed a romantic ceremony program that would compliment any garden or exquisite event.
Your ceremony and/or wedding participants are printed in flat ink on diamond white cardstock in the shape of a fan. Short lace adorns the top edge for extra softness and a double faced satin ribbon flows from the bottom.
This program can be customized in any way you choose: include your monogram, change the print color or even the ribbon color or add a special motif to add to your events theme!
All programs are hand cut and laced by me...This would also make a nice compliment to your tablescape as a menu card.Inspired by all that is victorian or vintage elegance, I designed a romantic ceremony program that would compliment any garden or exquisite event.
Your ceremony and/or wedding participants are printed in flat ink on diamond white cardstock in the shape of a fan. Short lace adorns the top edge for extra softness and a double faced satin ribbon flows from the bottom.
This program can be customized in any way you choose: include your monogram, change the print color or even the ribbon color or add a special motif to add to your events theme!
All programs are hand cut and laced by me...This would also make a nice compliment to your tablescape as a menu card.Inspired by all that is victorian or vintage elegance, I designed a romantic ceremony program that would compliment any garden or exquisite event.
Your ceremony and/or wedding participants are printed in flat ink on diamond white cardstock in the shape of a fan. Short lace adorns the top edge for extra softness and a double faced satin ribbon flows from the bottom.
This program can be customized in any way you choose: include your monogram, change the print color or even the ribbon color or add a special motif to add to your events theme!
All programs are hand cut and laced by me...This would also make a nice compliment to your tablescape as a menu card.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25817571

A fun invitation for any real celebration... do it in reds and black to celebrate New Years or red and green for Christmas

How fun and playful is this save the date announcement. The colors just scream out vibrant sensations, and with the confetti your letting your guest know that they are going to have a good time.White linen cardstock is layered atop a shimmer tangerine cardstock. A vellum envelope is attached to the announcement holding circle and vellum flower confetti giving your guest the instructions to "Don't Celebrate Yet"!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26481922

Wouldn't these be cute Luggage tag invites for a Dream Destination dinner party... I'm doing this theme for August.
I really love this invite and could totally picture it for a retro 60's or 70's themed party. If the color's were more flourescent it would be great for an 80's party!

This handmade triple layer invitation is made from shimmer cardstock... lime and fuchsia. The top is lined with a fuchsia satin ribbon with dangling beads and shiny circles.
This invitation measures 5x7 and a white envelope is included.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=21100172

Hawaiian Luau

The Goebel's

The Cleveland's

The Doty's

The Foremaster's

The Lauenstein's
The Cossman's

It's party time again this month. We thought that since it was summer, school just got out and the weather has been really nice... we would do a Luau Dinner Party. We had 5 couples from our ward attend. We have known the Lauenstein's and Foremasters for a few years, but the other 3 couples we just met in the last few months.
Celeste brought a veggie tray.
Juliett brought a Chow Mein.
I made Sweet and Sour Meatballs with rice and a Brocolli Salad
Kim brought Watergate Salad.
Bree and Brittany brought brownies (to eat with the vanilla icecream)

As always, we play the get to know you game where everyone writes down something that they did together or experienced as a couple. So here were the answers... you can guess who did what....
#1-They watched a Red Cross team do a "bone harvest" (organ donation) while they enjoyed a dinner from SONIC
#2-Almost lost engagement ring over the side of a dam
#3-Met while one of them were on a date with someone else
#4-First Kiss, Engaged, and First Date- All in one day!! (in that order!!!)
#5-They got into a car accident on their way to church two weeks before they got married. He blames it on her.
#6-Their first date was an overnight trip

Hawaiian Luau Party Details and Ideas to use for your party

This party was really easy to plan and host. Luau decor can be found at most all party stores, and in the summertime the dollar store, Walmart and other stores carry Luau themed items.


MUSIC
For this party I actually began gathering items in mid January. I found the music at the dollar store. There were a number of CD's. I got the themes- Hawaiian Party, Hawaiian Luau, Tropical Breeze and 2 different CD's titled Tiki Music.




DECOR
At the dollar store I picked up a yard sign, some tissue paper garlands (pineapple and flamingos), lei's (for each lady to wear), drinking straw decor, foam fish to use as placecards, and grass skirts to cover edge of tables.
At Costco I got pineapples to use for centerpieces, and a blue and white tropical print paper plate and napkin set.
From a friend and her mom I borrowed- a little surfboard, seashells, and lava lava's (I'm wearing one)
I already had- bamboo placemats, bamboo coasters (from Beau-coop.com) that I recently won), nice elegant white paper napkins, ribbon and silk orchids to make the napkin holders.
At Target I got a metal door sign. I got 3 large palm fronds outside someone's home (after they did some trimming) and used them to cover my computer printed in the corner.
Placesettings
I used the bamboo placemats and coasters that I already had along with the white linen tablecloths and natural fish nets.

Napkins

I folded the plasticware into the white larger paper napkin.
Then I wrapped the designer paper napkin around that.

I cut a ribbon just larger than the width of the wrapped plasticware and wrapped it around the roll and stapled.
Then I tucked a cut orchid (flower) into the front of the napkin.

Hawaiian Luau Invitation

I debated about making the invitations from scratch or buying them... but when I came across a pack of 10 of this design at Walmart for $3.00 I couldn't pass it up. They came with pop dots to attach the beachball to give a 3-D effect.

Hawaiian Luau Party Ideas

Often Luau's are held in the backyard under tents, with palm fronds woven together to make windbreak walls. The tent poles are decorated with ti leaves, ferns, heleconia and red ginger. Entertainment is usually provided by friends with guitars and ukuleles and impromptu hulas abound.

FLOWERS

• When you throw your luau, be sure to decorate with plenty of silk flowers or you can even order tropical flowers, foliage and orchid sprays from lei vendors in Hawaii who will ship to the mainland (our name for the other 49 states).


• To save money buy silk leaves and do one large centerpiece at the head table or near the buffet bar and smaller flower bouquets at the guest tables.
  

MUSIC

• Hawaiian music is a must for your luau. You can buy a CD or tape by some of our great local musicians whose styles range from the traditional Hawaiian slack key guitar to Hawaiian-style reggae. Click for our music suggestions.
  
  

TABLES

• To decorate your tables you can create a traditional center table runner of leaves, ferns and flowers or you can go with an ocean theme and spread an ornamental fish-net topped with shells, sand and glass balls.


• Another great look is a Hawaiian print sarong used as a tablecloth. Raffia hula skirts look tropical edging the buffet table.


• Reproductions of the old travel posters from the '30s and '40s would look great on the walls and also make great art for your invitations.

CENTERPIECES

• Place a few real whole pineapples along the center of the table. You can also set out candles in real coconut shells or bamboo stalks.


• For a Hawaiian themed party, wherein you plan for a candlelight dinner, you can very well fit in a pineapple centerpiece. Take a pineapple and carve out small, oval shapes on three sides of the fruit. Scoop out the excess of fruit and let it dry. You can place small light lamps in these openings and place them at the center of the table.



• Another interesting pineapple centerpiece that can be easily made is Pineapple Appetizer Centerpiece. For this, take a pineapple and peel it off. Do not remove its crown. After this, chop other fruits into small cubes or take small fruit items such as grapes, cherry tomatoes, apricots, olives, chunk cheese etc. Now, take toothpicks and prick the fruits, tucking them onto the pineapple. Cover the whole pineapple with fruits and place it at the table. Your guests can pick different fruits with the help of the toothpicks and once they are finished, you can chop the pineapple for dessert.



• You can even make Pineapple Fruit Boat as your centerpiece. Take a pineapple and remove the skin from one of the sides. After this place the pineapple on a table, with the flesh side facing upwards. Scoop out the pulp of the fruit by cutting it into cubes. After you have removed the pulp, it will look like a hollow bowl. You can fill this with other tropical fruits, cut into small cubes. Set it at the table and enjoy the fruit salad.


• Fill up large shells with macadamia nuts, and use a child's beach pail to hold potato chips. Place the shells and buckets on the table.


• With the Hawaiian party theme, you do not have to spend a lot on decorations. You can make the buffet table your Hawaiian centrepiece. Decorate this with a Hawaiian party table centre or table runner and hey presto you have your party theme almost covered.

FOOD WITH A FLAIR

• Paper parasols and slices of pineapple on the edge of drinks will put your guests in a tropical mood.


• Check out our Luau recipes.


• Hawaiian's use a lot of chicken, pork, pineapple and rice in their traditional recipes.

SPECIAL TOUCHES AND FAVORS AND ENTERTAINMENT

• Be sure to greet your guests with a shell or flower lei and a big "Aloha" and have them leave their shoes at the door! You can also have loose flowers on hand for your guests to tuck behind their ears. If you're available romantically, put the flower behind your right ear. If you're taken, put it closest to your heart, behind your left ear.

If you also ask your guests to come dressed up in a Hawaiian outfit. This also helps to carry the theme into other rooms, without much in the way of party decoration. This fancy dress approach adds color to the room with you having too.

You might want to contact a dance school or hula halau in your area to have professional hula lessons or professional hula performers at your luau.

Make Hawaii themed cookies to use as place cards. Make a batch of sugar cookies and shape them in the form of flowers. Use icing and write each guest's name on a cookie. Lay it in front of the plate corresponding to the seating chart.

You could pack little take out cartons of chocolate-covered macadamia nuts for party favors or check out Hawaiian Luau Party Supply for a variety of fun kitsch items (like our favorite - the wiggling hula girl sculpture shown here).

A Suggested Menu (for an authentic meal)
Kalua Pig
Poi
Sweet potatoes
Luau or laulau
Lomi salmon
Tropical fruit such as pineapple, mango and papaya
Haupia
Mai Tai Drinks

A Suggested Menu (for a more casual meal)
Skewered marinated meats
Grilled Veggies
Tropical Fruit
Smoothies

Background of the First Luau's

A week from tonight my husband and I are hosting a small Hawaiian Luau for our June dinner party. I have been looking around the internet for some background of the traditional luau. From what I have read- the Luau that we will be hosting will not be an authentic luau with Poi, Taro Root and Roast Pig. But it will have a festive tropical atmosphere.

Where the first Luau originated:
A feast where the King Kamehameha II ate with women was the symbolic act which ended the Hawaiian religious tabus, and the luau was born.(it had previously been banned the eating of men and women together)
The favorite dish at these feasts is what gave the luau its name. Young and tender leaves of the taro plant were combined with chicken, baked in coconut milk and called luau.
Bowls filled with poi, a staple of the Hawaiian diet made from pounded taro root, and platters of meat were set out and dry foods like sweet potatoes, salt, dried fish or meat covered in leaves were laid directly on the clean ti leaves.
Much to the consternation of the proper Victorian visitors, utensils were never used at a luau, instead everything was eaten with the fingers. Poi of various consistencies got its name from the number of fingers needed to eat it… three finger, two finger, or the thickest, one finger poi.

How the Luau tables were decorated:
The traditional luau feast was eaten on the floor. Lauhala mats were rolled out and a beautiful centerpiece made of ti leaves, ferns and native flowers about three feet wide was laid the length of the mat. Tables were draped with white, but the entire tops were covered with ferns and leaves massed together so as almost to form a tablecloth of themselves; quantities of flowers were placed about mingling with the ferns… The natives had turned out in great numbers, and the scent of their leis of flowers and maile leaves was almost overpowering.

Hawaiian Party Recipes

Traditional Hawaiian Pork

Another good Hawaiian party food idea is the extremely popular Adobo. This dish originated in the Philippines but has since been adopted by Hawaiians. To make Adobo you are going to need:

½ a yellow onion diced
1 Head of garlic (yes, the whole head of garlic) minced
2 pounds of pork of your choice cut into1 inch squares
1 cup of vinegar
2 cups of water
½ cup of Balsamic vinegar
¼ cup of soy sauce
1 teaspoon of paprika
olive oil
2 tablespoons of cornstarch
2 tablespoons of water
Add a little olive oil to a pot and brown the onions and garlic. Add the water and vinegar to the onions and garlic and bring to a simmer. Add the pork and Balsamic vinegar and continue to simmer for 10 minuets. Add the soy sauce and simmer for another 10 minuets. Remove the meat from the sauce and brown it in a separate pan with the paprika. Mix the 2 tablespoons of water with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch to make a slurry and thicken the sauce with it. Adobo is usually served with rice.