Parties to Pretties – A Booth of Smiles!

by Emmadime

I know that photo booths aren’t foreign to anyone these days – they are almost a staple at weddings and/or the local bar. You can’t go wrong with some silly props ( and creepy masks ), bright colors, good friends, and lots of smiles!!

Booth Picture by : Candice Lake / Balloon Picture by : Geronimo Balloons / 01. Pink Hat Prop / 02. Confetti Garland / 03. Mod Cloth Dress / 04. Pig Mask / 05. Glitter Boots / 06. Chalkboard Speech Bubble

Parties to Pretties – Inspired by Love

by Emmadime

With Valentines Day right around the corner, I have started gathering glitter + cards + treats to send out to the people that I love!! What better way to spend time with a few girlfriends than to sit around the table with glue + champagne & get crafty!! …maybe even throw on a romantic movie in the background – Happy Love Month!!

Inspiration / Hair Clips / Heart Tote / Glitter / Heart Balloons / Lipstick / Pillows / I Love You Card / Chipboard Hearts / Letter in a Bottle

Fortune Balloon Garland

by Steph Hung

Wondering what the new year will bring?  Look to the balloons! Monday marked the beginning of Chinese New Year, and I always love seeing the strings of lanterns that line the streets of Chinatown.  The holiday is surrounded by myths about luck and prosperity, so I wanted to make something that might inspire good fortunes too.

Just pop a balloon to see what the future has in store:

Advice, encouragement, warnings, and recommendations – let the balloons give their two cents’ worth.

Materials you will need:  water balloons, pump, string, paper, pen, and scissors.

Step 1:  Cut paper into 1/4″ wide strips and write your fortunes.

Step 2:  Roll up fortunes and slip one in each balloon.  Blow up balloon and tie with a knot.

Step 3:  Tie balloons onto a length of string.  If you cinch the string tightly below the knot (i.e. between the knot and the balloon), this will help prevent air from leaking out.

Step 4:  Hang your garland and let the divining begin.

Parties to Pretties – 2012 is so Close!!

by Emmadime

With the New Year right around the corner, I thought I would put together a little list of necessities for a fun + festive New Years party! I hope you guys had a WONDERFUL Christmas and are ready to kick off 2012 with a bang and some sparkle + bubbles!!

Confetti & Balloons / Glitter / Earrings / Pink Camera / Champagne & Champagne Flute / Record Player / Lipstick / Gold Top Hat

Falling Snowflake Garland DIY

by Chiara Alberetti Milott

Can you envision walking into a party where hundreds of tiny snowflakes dance their way down from the ceiling? That’s what I set out to create with this floating snowflake garland. We haven’t had a lot of snow in Brooklyn this winter – just a few days ago it was 60°! I think I’m missing our usual snow here in New England, and this garland will set the winter wonderland theme for any Holiday party.

This is such a simple party do-it-yourself – all you need are white balloons, thread, needle, assorted papers, snowflake punches (available at Michael’s or any other craft store), and a scissors. Oh! And a small, portable helium tank, which are now available at party supply stores. Even Target carries them now. (Personally, I think they’re the greatest thing to happen to kids’ birthday parties since pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey!)

Step 1: Begin by punching out lots of paper snowflakes. I had two different sizes, but one will do quite nicely. You can choose any color paper, but I went with pale blue, pink, white and a little bit of light green. Gather your snowflakes, and grab your thread and needle.

Step 2: Thread about 1 yard of thread onto your needle. Knot the very end. Sew through your first paper snowflake and push it down to the end.

Step 3: Create a french knot about 1 inch away from your previously threaded snowflake. This will be the barrier that keeps the next snowflake from slipping down and resting on the last one. Continue this process until you have about 8 – 10 snowflakes per thread. At this point, I taped my thread to the wall for safekeeping until I was able to attach them to the balloons.

Step 4: Blow up a balloon, tie a knot in it. Gently take a garland, being careful not to tangle it against itself, and tie or tape it to the knot of the balloon. Release and let it float to the ceiling.

The delicate snowflakes look so pretty hanging together ~ it makes for a very festive party! And, it’s the craft that keeps on giving. When the party is over, there are so many uses for the snowflake garlands. Wrap gifts, decorate a mini-tree, tie them to candy canes and rest them on a mantel or table, or simply hang them in the window. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Photos by Kate Mathis.