DIY Candy Ring

No need for your kid to be disappointed when she gets to the end of her Ring Pop–save the plastic ring and make her another one, of the chocolate kind! Love this idea from The Idea Room. These would make great party favors. You can use a mold to match your party's theme. For the complete tutorial, visit The Idea Room here.

Stenciled Cake Stand

I'm not sure if it's the pretty pastel blue color or that it's square instead of round, but I love the look of this DIY cake stand from House of Smiths. I'm envisioning it in the same pattern, but in red for the holidays. I think that would look great! See how she made the stand here.

Merry Monday: Mary Poppins Party

"Wow!" was all I could say when I saw this party! So well thought-out. Mom from my life, my loves, really created a setting that made the kids feel like they were in England at a jolly ol' tea party. (She even had a tea cup ride set up in the backyard!)

Although this was a child's party, the sophisticated details are perfect for even a bridal shower. I love the rose-trimmed umbrellas, and the printables from Loralee Lewis really enhanced the party's theme. You'll need to jump over to my life, my loves here to see the rest of the photos!

Peach & Cucumber Salsa

Does this look yummy to you? Would you dip into it at a barbecue??

I just remembered that our neighborhood pool party/BBQ is tomorrow, and we were asked to bring a dip. So, I was hunting around for something beyond a sour cream dip or a regular tomato salsa. I had this in my files and I think I'm going to try it. Serve it with some pita chips. I just love that it's so colorful! I'll let you know how it goes.

If you want to try it yourself, find the recipe at epicurious.com.

Coffee Filter Flower Lampshade

It's amazing what people are doing with coffee filters! Yes-that's a lampshade covered in coffee filters. Isn't it so pretty?? I don't think you'd get the same lush effect from fake flowers. This would look great over the table for a fiesta or garden party. You can also modify this idea and make it into a pinata. From Aunt Peaches, find the full tutorial here.

DIY Polyhedrons

Poly-what?? At least that's what I said–but I definitely fell in love with these cool creations from Anders Ruff. Great party decor if you hang one or three. And the fan embellishments really dress them up. No one will notice they're made out of paper plates. Find the complete tutorial here.

DIY Tile Tray

I've seen plenty of trays decoupaged with fabrics or paper, but I think this is the first tutorial I've seen using mosaic tile–and I love it! Certainly adds a different dimension and probably a more "expensive" look to your tray. This would make a great hostess gift–or bookmark it as a handmade holiday gift idea. From Just a Girl, find the complete tutorial here.

Merry Monday: School Themed Birthday Party

You may have seen this party when it debuted on Amy Atlas months back, but the details are so remarkable, I thought it worth re-posting just in case you missed it. This was done as a birthday party, but it serves as great inspiration for a back-to-school party. Or if you know a couple that met in school, this would make a really cute bridal shower theme, or a baby shower theme for a teacher. Bird's Party FREE printables were used–make sure to check those out! There's so much inspiration in this party from Just Call Me Martha. See the rest of the photos here.

Back to School Goodies

The other day I shared with you the "rocket" I plan on putting on the girls' breakfast table the morning of their first big day of school. Thanks to my sister-in-law, and a couple of wonderful ideas in blogland, here are the items I'm going to put inside. I think they'll be really happy! They're all items you can make yourself!

1) BAG TAG. My sister-in-law was kind enough to send these butterfly bag tags for each of the girls, along with other labels for their lunchboxes, etc. You can easily make a similar bag tag with all the free printables around right now. My favorite is from Anders Ruff here. They have a bag tag for boys and girls. Just print it, laminate it, punch a hole and add a cord.

2) AFTER SCHOOL SNACK. Something for the girls to look forward to when they get home. Also a good time to find out how their first day went! That cute circle tag is a free printable from Eighteen25 here.

3) CLAY STAMPED CHARM: Something for the girls to wear on their first day. Originally I was going to stamp a heart, but once I saw the butterfly bag tag, I figured I'd make a matching set. Plus, my girls LOVE butterflies. The charm is really easy to make. I followed this thorough tutorial at Then She Made here I pretty much followed her entire instructions with a few minor exceptions. I didn't apply a craft paint or Mod Podge the finished charm. All I did was spray it with a Clear Glaze I had. I used a toothpick to make the hole in the charm, and I used a "crinkle cutter" found in the clay dept at Michaels to cut out the form. So easy. And even a great craft to do at parties!

So, there you have it! I hope you have some fun with your kids' first day back at school!

DIY Brownie Sugar Stencils

I have to say, I don't see brownies on dessert tables as often as I would expect. Maybe it's because cupcakes look fancier? (Truth be told though, I'll reach for a fudgy brownie before a cupcake!)

Well, here's a great way to dress up brownies for a party and make them perfect for any dessert table. Using this tutorial from Anna Bondoc, create custom designs to match your theme. Find the full tutorial here.

Back to School Rocket w/Printable

I want to surprise the girls with a little something at the breakfast table the morning of their first big day at school. When this idea of a rocket came to mind, I thought "perfect!" Perfect because there was a good saying to go along with it, but even more perfect because I can fill the rocket with some goodies (Update: See the back to school goodies I made here) And I already have everything on hand. And I bet you do, too. Plus, I've given you the printable in different colors to make it even easier to make!

All you need is:

• A 16 oz. cup
• White card stock for the top
• Curling ribbon
• Double-sided tape
• Printable. Download here.
• Little goodies for inside

Feel free to decorate it as you wish, but here are the basics of what I did:

• Print and cut out your color choice of the download. Attach it to the cup with the double-sided tape.
• Cut a circle approximately 6 1/2" in diameter from your white card stock. Cut one slit from the outer edge to the middle to create the cone rocket top. Tape closed.
• Cut and attach pieces of curling ribbon to the inside bottom of the rocket top, and set it on top of the cup.
• That's it! I wouldn't glue the top to the cup, just to make it easy for the kids to open it.

THEN, when they're ready to walk out the door that morning, put up streamers to help them "blast off" to school!

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DIY Grapevine Ball Lights

This woman had me at "...and this project only cost me a $1 to make"! Made using an already owned string of white lights and a package of grapevine balls from the Dollar Tree--this light-up garland is great for the patio. Spray paint the grapevine balls and it would be perfect for the holidays. From Crafty Butt, see the full how-to here.

Merry Monday: Blue's Clues Party

My sister had a Blues Clues party for her son's first birthday. When she first told me about the theme, I searched high and low for inspiration to send her. Although she did a great job, I wish this was published before her party. The styling and printables from Fresh Chick Design Studio are so adorable! The backdrop really captures the look of the show. You'll have to jump over to their site here to see the party activities and other details. The printables are available in Fresh Chick Design Studio's etsy shop.

DIY Paper Plate Flowers

You can find bright, summery patterned paper plates on clearance now to make these fun wall flowers. Great for a backdrop, garden picnic or even to decorate a little girl's room. From Creative Jewish Mom, find her tutorial here.

Chocolate Peppermint Icebox Cake

Could this sound or look more refreshing?! A perfect dessert to end dinner on a hot summer night. Use crushed red and green peppermint candies on top, and this would be a good one for Christmas too! Find the recipe at Cats and Casseroles.

Teacher's Survival Kit w/Free Printable

How many of your kids bring a gift to the teacher on the first day of school? My girls start in two weeks and I was thinking maybe they should bring a "Meet the Teacher" gift (and of course there's nothing wrong with trying to get on the teacher's good side right away!).

Teacher gifts are hard because you really want to give them something useful. I've seen this idea of a "Teacher's Survival Kit" done before using a box, like a pencil box. I think it's a great idea because you can fill it with essentials that'll get used throughout the year: band-aids, post-its, aspirin, cold medicine, maybe even a little trial size hair spray?!

My version uses a drink carrier, specifically a Starbucks Frappucino drink carrier--perfect size! Smaller than a 6-pack carrier, so you won't have trouble filling it. And it gives the teacher easy and quick access to the contents.

To deocrate it, I wrapped the carrier in fun paper I had with double-sided tape; made up some embellishments, and tied a ribbon on the handle. I made up different color variations (because I'm so indecisive!) so if you want to make a kit of your own, you can download the label and apple circles here. You'll definitely earn an A+ for effort!

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DIY Pop Stand

Seems like anything on a stick has been quite the trend for a while now! And with good reason–anything on a stick tastes better. Well, maybe not taste better, but it certainly looks cuter! If you enjoy making cake pops, or other variation of food or dessert on a stick, then this little "pop stand" would certainly be worth the effort to make. From Polka-dotted Elephants, this stand can sit alone flat on your food table, or you can set it on 1 or 2 candlesticks. Check out the full tutorial here.

Merry Monday: Woodland Party w/Free Printables

I was originally planning on posting a different party today, but happen to discover this amazing blog, ellinee, over the weekend. Look at this adorable woodland party theme they put together. A woodland theme is perfect to incorporate into a camping party, and it's also a perfect theme for the Fall. Ellinee is amazing because they also provide most of the printables for free! (How cute are those bear ears?!) So generous! Once you check out these photos, check out their blog and the woodland printables. The matching invite and birthday card are available in their shop.

Photos by Lia Griffith.

Today's Takeaway: Plastic Pencil Pop Tips

These apple pencil cake pops from Sweet Cheeks Tasty Treats are super cute for back to school! When reading through the how-to, I discovered a new product–the plastic pencil pop tips that she used to place them onto the pencils... def new to me. If you don't have the time to make the apple cake pops, these pop tips make it easy to stick on any goodie for a back to school treat. Maybe a gumdrop or a candy covered mini brownie bite?

Find the complete how-to for the apple pops at Sweet Cheeks Tasty Treats.

Find the plastic pencil pop tips at Sweet Baking Supply.

DIY Round Art Gallery

On Tuesday I gave you some ideas to showcase your vacation mementos... here's another one from Apartment Therapy! A great repurposing project that uses cardboard tubes you probably have around the house. I would suggest taking the decor one step further by covering the outside of each tube in a fun patterned paper.

Get creative... you can use this idea as a great backdrop for different party themes: bubble or "pop" theme; with some imagination the circles could look like embroidery hoops when covered in a sweet patterned paper.

Visit the complete how-to here.

Ice Cream Cream Puffs

Soft, light and creamy topped with chocolate sauce. This ice cream cream puff found on Delish.com is a happy ending to any summertime meal! I'd love to test this out with the shortcut of using puff pastry. Let me know if any of you do! Find the full recipe here.

Vacation Memory Keepsakes

I know many of you have taken some great trips this summer that have resulted in fabulous memories. if you're looking for a special way to preserve and showcase those memories, here are a few ideas that go beyond scrapbooks or photo albums.

MEMORY JARS: If you've collected sea shells, bottlecaps, coasters or other little trinkets from your trip, this idea from Martha Stewart is a great way to display them. Perfect for any room in the house.

PHOTOGRAPH TILES: How about using these photograph tiles to retell a story from your vacation? Cover some tiles with photos, and others with dates, places and maybe a fun quote that reminds you of your time away. Get the DIY for this project at Midwestern Sewing Girl.

ORNAMENT: Enjoy your summer momentos during the winter holidays by using some of your vacation treasures to make an ornament. Mark the place and year somewhere on the ornament. This beachy vacation ornament is from Crafts for all Seasons.

Merry Monday: Camping Themed Wedding

Oh, Sugar! Events definitely had a challenge on their hands with a camping themed wedding. What they came up with is fun, yet sophisticated. A softer color palette, custom cookies and moss details gave this camp theme a more refined look, worthy of a wedding. Lots of great inspiration for a camping themed shower or just birthday party. Visit Oh, Sugar! Events for the full showcase.