Twilight New Moon DIY Napkin Rings

I have to say that I am really happy with how my DIY napkin rings turned out. I have been saving toilet paper rolls for a month. Since the party is next week I got them made up this week.

Here is my tower of 24 napkin rings. See how each one is unique. I love them!

Close-up of a napkin ring

I have two variations of the napkin ring. Here is the first one (my favorite) showing it plain.

Here is the ring with a Bella pin attached.

INSTRUCTIONS:

you need:

TOILET PAPER ROLLS (EMPTY)

TWILIGHT INSPIRED SCRAPBOOK PAPER (RED, WHITE, BLACK- SCROLLS, MUSIC, DAMASK, GRUNGE)

MOD PODGE

FOAM BRUSH AND SCISSORS

Measure diameter and length of toilet paper roll. Cut paper to fit as close as possible. Mod Podge to roll and let dry. After it's dry Mod Podge top to give a nice look and make more sturdy.  Let dry.

Cut each roll where the paper met in the middle. (you will be cutting vertically) Then carefully with out bending too much you cut each into rings of about 1/2 inch. (If you look really hard at the picture you will notice that every ring was a different diameter. I just guessed and didn't guess too well)

If any got out of the round shape just mold it back. You can embellish with some black ribbon, or buttons..... whatever you want! I really like the simplicity and formal look with the pattern of the paper being the complete design.

New Moon Party Idea Cards

I created these 4x6 cards for my recent blog swap. I wanted to share these New Moon cards with you before the movie comes out! They are a quick reference for the beginning party planner. I have been enjoying so much teaching myself to use photoshop elements that I have been creating some date idea cards and dinner date recipe cards to share with my readers.
You can download these cards at:

Download HERE first side of index card

Go HERE to download back side of index card.

Party Time Again!

I took kind of a hiatus from party planning for a month, but I'm back. We hit our one year anniversary so we decided to take a break and re-energize for another round of parties. This time we will host a Tuesday night party sometime during this month. It will be our non-alcoholic Oktoberfest. I am gathering up some party ideas and looking around for some bells (fake cowbells).
This is gonna be fun!
Next month is our big NEW MOON debut dinner/movie night!

July's dinner

Since Jeff and I started planning out these dinners I have known that I wanted to do a Christmas in July dinner. Complete with a gorgeously decorated Christmas tree, Christmas music, favorite Christmas foods and a gift exchange. I'm still working on the logistics. I bought some aqua/silver colored tree decor at Target after Christmas for 75% off. I got some Christmas cards that would make cute invites at Michael's in their dollar bin, and a lot of candles. I am choosing the Aqua scheme versus the traditional red or green so .... It will be more of a challenge matching the tableware. I think that I will use my white tablecloths and make some Aqua colored runners to go down the center of the tables. I also get to use the crystal/silver beaded napkin ring holders that I got on clearance at Bed Bath and Beyond.
With the way people are so careful about how they spend money these days... I need to think of a gift exchange that won't hurt the pocketbook. Any ideas?

Picking a date for May

I sent out a feeler email to 8 couples to see if they would be free on May 15th for dinner. For the first time ever NO ONE will be free. There is a ward father/son campout that night so half the families will be involved in that, 2 families have guests that weekend, one family is in the process of moving to Utah and will be gone by then, and the last family will be celebrating a family members birthday. We are getting down to the last couples who have not been to our home for dinner. So I really want those couples to be able to come. The following weekend is Memorial Day weekend and many will be out of town. I may have to bump it to the following weekend or the first weekend of June.
I can't believe that by mid summer we will be ready to start over reinviting couples who have already been here for dinner.

Sneak Peak at the BBQ decor

This is a sneak peak at the decor for the 1950's BBQ coming up in a couple weeks. I'm having a heck of a time figuring out how to get the 'denim placemats' to fit into the whole scheme. It's still a work in progress... I'll keep you posted.
The condiment bottles I found at Michael's- all 3 for $2.00. And the galvanized bucket for $1.00 at Target
These flowers were from Michael's
A Retro BBQ melamine tray

The oven mitts will be party favors.

May Dinner Party 2 weeks away!

this post was written late at night while I was brainstorming and tapping into the little bit of creativity that I have at this moment trying to pin down the theme and accompanying ideas....
Two weeks from this Friday will be our next dinner party. I'm planning a BBQ Dinner. I have invitations planned out and party favors. I don't always do favors, but since this party will be published on a few other blogs I want it to be really fun and creative. I was at Michael's Craft store and they had BBQ condiment plastic bottles. They'd be great as invitatations. I'd just attach the invite as a hanging tag to the bottle. I could also just fill the bottles with mayo, ketchup and mustard and have on the table as condiments as well as decor. Michael's also had really cute BBQ logo (100's of times over and over) OVEN MITTS. So.. they'll be favors. I am going to have to use my white tablecloths and am making denim placemats with frayed edges and a pocket for either a napkin or silverware.

So... as far as tableware. I will not do the typical plasticware, and paper products that you normally associate with a BBQ. This BBQ will be a step above a traditional one. The colors I'm going with are the colors in the mitt which are orange, lime green, brown, black and cream, with small red accents. At Michael's for just over $2.00 were flower arrangements that will make nice centerpieces. I'm not sure what plates I'll use. I may see if I can borrow 20 of them from my church house. No chargers at this meal that would make it too formal. It would look out of sorts with denim placemats. The cups that I want for this party are the glass pint jars for the lemonade. I'm almost wondering if BBQ isn't the right theme for this party. Yes.. we will be eating BBQ hotdogs and hamburgers... but it's a more formal affair. Maybe.... a 1940's County Fair picnic... or a BarnRaising. Earlier today I was instant messaging on Facebook with Fiola, a friend from church, and was bouncing ideas off her. I love being able to talk through parties with her. It seems to help me to talk through parties aloud. I also spoke with my mom about the theme. I may go with the 1950's BBQ... it evokes images of a simpler time .... plus I can dig out a really cute apron! Well... I'm going back and forth on all the details. I'll let you know more details as they unfold.

Mexican Fiesta- The night before checklist

Here is my to-do list for tomorrow's Dinner Party:

Before Noon- Friday:
Wash chairs and place them around the table
Clean off all counters (make kitchen very clean!)
Line up on buffet bar: water pitchers, 15 glass goblets, soup bowls, plates, chip and salsa bowls
Front door welcome sign????
Make centerpieces
Tie up napkin/silverware with raffia
Find taco cart
Get game ready (tear paper strips and 7 pens)

During kids naptime:
Make Fideo (noodle soup)
Cut tomatillos, onion, press garlic, line up spices for salsa near stove, mince jalapeños, cans of diced red tomatoes
Set table
Mop kitchen floor
Clean bathroom

4pm:
Go get tamales from lady in 99cent store parking lot
Then go to Smith's buy vanilla icecream, tortilla chips

5pm:
Clean up front entry and back patio
Bring in empty garbage with clean liner

5:30pm:
Begin making salsa (with extra for Marta)
Load dishwasher so that countertops are clean

6pm:
Get dressed and put on some make-up
Reheat Fideo
Steam Tamales if needed and cut in half
Fill chip baskets and salsa bowls
Fill taco cart (sour cream, onion, lime, tortillas, chips, salsa)
Fill water goblets with ice and water
Put fideo into soup bowls and serve to guests at 6:30pm

Mexican Fiesta plans

This party has creeped up on me. Yesterday I had to get working on decor. I first went into my party closet and looked at what I have.

Tablecloths:

2 black fabric ones
6 raspberry red fabric ones
3 white fabric ones
50 ft. black plastic on a roll
assorted patterned ones

I want BRIGHT fiesta colors so I decided that I will get some bright plastic ones at the store

Placemats:
25- red stitching with bamboo placemats
A couple neutral fabric ones
Christmas ones
16- Red polyester woven ones
22-Red, yellow, green, white, blue patterned plastic ones - Fiesta style

I'll use the last ones mentioned obviously!

Tableware:
Neutral ceramic plates (enough for 16) but they'd probably clash a little with the placemats.
Assorted bright solid paper plates, cups, and napkins
A few leftover patterns from past parties or from clearance racks
20 Red plastic (reusable) dinner and dessert plates

We have enough silverware and plastic ware. I've decided to go with the red paper plates and desert plates, patterned cups for the juice, solid napkins wrapped with raffia with silver ware tucked inside, and crystal goblets for water.

Wall and Ceiling Decorations:

Nothing for the Fiesta theme
I'm going to look for papel picado (see picture above) and some wall murals. I already have a large Mexican boy to put somewhere as well.

Other Details:

Small Cactus centerpieces tied with a ribbon and tissue paper

Mexican chip and salsa bowls (some borrowed from sister Marta and others of my own)

Chip baskets for the tables

Paper mache fruits and vegatables for centerpiece

6 small maracas

A bag with flowers hanging on the front door that says 'Viva la fiesta!'

Stay Tuned: Amazing Race on Monday Night brought to you by Maggie's Dinner Dates

This coming Monday night Jeff and I will be hosting the Amazing Race here in the neighborhoods within a couple miles of my home. It will be complete with the pitstop, roadblocks, yields, fast forwards, and detours. I will post more details and how it was organized and how to organize your own! Stay tuned. You won't want to miss it!

My Upcoming Twlight Movie Viewing Party- March 21

***reposted****



Invitation insert (note from Edward with his actual handwriting font from the book) for a guest being asked to bring 12 favors for Alice
Invitation insert (letter from Bella in her handwriting font) asking guest to bring favors inspired by Edward
Collection of inserts after inking them and cutting them out.


We are about a week and a half away from the Twilight DVD release day. My friend Erin and I will be co-hosting the movie viewing party. Erin graciously offered to have the party at her home, so while she takes care of decorating and drinks, I am doing the invitations and assembling goody bags. This party was a lot of work, but well worth it. I first sent out a feeler email to all the women I knew since I was unsure of who had read the Twlight books.
I asked them to respond if they would like to attend the party. I included the date and time so that they could check their schedules. Then I had a few stipulations listed (you can tailer them to your group- I did them to keep the group smaller than the 50 total women who wanted to attend)
1. No men or individuals under age 18 invited

2. You must be willing to contribute favors or refreshments

3. You must have read the book by the night of the party.

(that last one narrowed our group down to just under 30 women- I hated to do it, but it made for a smaller group and we want to celebrate the book characters, not so much the actors)
I heard back from 28 saying yes and about 15 saying 'no thanks'. So I made the guest list. Found some gorgeous (as you can see above) wedding invitations by Bride Magazine at Michael's craft store. The package had enough for 30. Perfect. I wrote down all the characters that I wanted to have favors for in the goody bag. This is my list of what should be in each bag-
Edward- 2 favors
Bella- 1 favor
Alice- 1 favor
Dr. Carlisle- 1 favor
Jacob- 1 favor
Esme- 1 favor

Plus a cool Twilight bookmark, magnet and a couple other fun stuff.

The hardest part was personalizing each insert with each guest's assignment. That took awhile. If anyone has Microsoft Word and would like the file emailed to them to do their own party with personalized assigments, then just let me know by commenting below and put your email so that I can send it to you.

I wanted the actual invitation inside to be uncluttered and simple. I'm happy with the results and have enjoyed delivering them today (18 down and 8 to go!). Because most people are in tough financial times not only is this party a great way to just forget for a night and have fun but for less than $15 of their own money they are getting fun suprises for others and will be taking home a goody bag FULL of stuff for themselves. I'll post photos of what is in it next week. But here's a spoiler: Belle (strawberry scented shampoo- remember in Biology class how she sniffs her hair when she see's how Edward is looking at her), Edward (marble cake mix- his lips and body are described and looking and feeling like cold marble)... and a few other fun suprises. I can't wait... I'm worried that I'll be spoiling all the suprises!!!! I'm expecting Twilight chapstick any in the mail any day.

By the way... I downloaded from the internet the Twilight Zephr font, the Edward handwriting font called Carmilla, and Bella's handwriting called Pablo.

Maggie and Erin's Twilight Goody Bag Favors

***Reposted one month later**

Here is a sneak peak of what's in store (so far) for tomorrow night's Twilight DVD release party. As stated earlier in a post for this party- EVERYONE coming to the party is helping contribute to it in one way or another. We have 4 people assigned to bring the movie food/snacks, 2 over decor and punch, 1 over the movie set-up and the rest to bring 12 favors for the goody bags. Just like the stars sometimes get goody bags at movie premieres and the Grammy's or Oscar's - we will have our own! Because we have 28 guests expected there will be a 2 to 4 gals bringing items for the main characters, but each guest may only get ONE of each characters favors. Each guest should go home with about 10 favors in their bag. As the favors come in today I will share them with all of you (and the corresponding quote). Each item had to go with a quote from the Twilight book.

EDWARD




His skin was as icy as ever, but the trail his fingers left on my skin was alarmingly warm- like I'd been burned, but didn't feel the pain of it yet. - Bella (quote attached to BOTH Dentyne gums packs)

BELLA



(below... Mary Kay perfume- 'Bella' Belara
JACOB

DR. CARLISLE CULLEN
Bandaids "Now he is all but immune to the scent of blood and he is able to do the work he loves without agony"

"I'm aftaid you're going to have to make a choice." Carlisle
ESME
"Something about her heart shaped face, her billows of soft caramel-colored hair reminded me of the ingenuses of the silent movie era" Bella's observation of Esme when they meet at the Cullen's

ROSALIE




ALICE


GENERAL TWILIGHT

Party To Do List

2 Months prior
· Set party budget
· Choose party theme
· Make guest list

1 Month prior
· Collect/Buy décor
· Plan a menu
· Choose party activities/games
· Make invitations
2 weeks prior
· Deliver or mail invitations with an RSVP request one week before the dinner
· If doing party favors start getting them done as the RSVP’s start coming in
1 week prior
· If you haven’t heard back from all the guests you could call to verify their attendance
· If borrowing décor from friends go pick up now
1 day prior
· Some dishes can be prepared in advance and refrigerated and baked the next day
· Many desserts and appetizers can be prepared in advance
· Hang/set out décor
· To cut down on party day craziness get the tables and chairs set up early
Day of party
· Set tables with tablecloths, placemats, chargers, silverware, napkins, drinking glasses….
· If serving buffet style have a stack of plates at front of buffet line
· If having serve yourself dessert then put extra small plates and extra utensils near dessert
· I prefer dessert not being brought out till after the meal to keep it fresh and a surprise
· Get food cooked! Hot out of the oven if need by or cold out of the fridge.
· Fill punch bowl or glass pitchers with ice water. Fill glasses at water at the table.
· Have serving utensils near buffet line for guests to put into the dish they bring (if it's a potluck)
· Place clean empty garbage in the kitchen though not in site of the food or dining area for easily disposing of paper or plastic ware.

Candlelight Dinner ideas for this Friday night

These were store bought 3-D invites that I got at Michael's in the dollar bin. All guests were asked to bring a vegetable dish or a meatless rice or potato dish to share.

Day after tomorrow is our dinner party. It will be different from any that we have had yet. It will be candlelit, so I have been collecting lots of pillar, 3 inch and tea light candles and candleholders. I think that I have enough candles for 3 tables. Tomorrow night I'll have Jeff set up the 2 library tables and dining table so that on Friday I can get tablecloths on them, placemats, chargers, and everything else just before our guests arrive. I was going to use our red tablecloths.... but if it's going to be somewhat dim having the dark red will make it even darker. I will use my white knit tablecloths instead, with red placemats and gold chargers. I also will bring down our glass goblets. I already have our punch bowl that I plan to fill with some kind of
'wedding reception' type of drink and maybe even dig out another punch bowl for ice water. I'll play the romantic piano music CD and have guests share their 'item' from when they were dating their spouse. It can be any kind of momento that has a little story behind it.
I will be baking a ham (I need to make up the honey/orange juice/brown sugar/pineapple glaze for it) and also do the dessert. I'd like to make the blondie from Applebee's. We'll see what I have time to do. Luckily I got my dining room wall painted just in time. It is now a bright gold and I'm far from done!!! I think it will make our dinner parties even more fun with the new fun colors in my house.