Twilight Invitation for an Eclipse Watching Party

This is the invitation for a party for a group of Twilight lovers before the midnight showing of Eclipse on June 30th.


A few of the invited have my blog address, so I'll keep my Twilight party post details to a minimum in order to let some of the details be a surprise if they are checking, and then I'll blog about the details for the next 8 or 9 years because I'm pretty excited...or at least until the next shower/party etc I host. I probably won't be able to wait for a few details, but...my rule is I can't post more than one a week until the party. Having said that....Yes, I'm a fan (though I never thought I would be, and I understand why other people aren't interested, but I am glad I read the series), but more than that....I work in a really fun work atmosphere (who else gets a huge group together for a New Kids on the Block concert..and admits it??). Since there are so many of us that have read this series, and like discussing it...and it's summer...and we are teachers....how perfect was this timing for a party?!? We attended the opening of New Moon together in the fall, and I believe we frightened most of the people in attendance in our mad dash to get several rows of seats together. One of 'us' was about 8 months pregnant at the time, and I believe she led the pack of runners...but I won't confirm this for the sake of her insurance premiums. This time around we are getting together for dinner at my house. I have some fun foods planned, some fun decorations, activities, and a certain someone who is perhaps the biggest fan happens to be celebrating her birthday on this day...that's a recipe for fun!
Now, onto the invitation details.
I printed off the movie cover for the front of these chinese boxes.
This is now the third party (with misc small events) I've used these chinese boxes for over the last few years. I order a bulk set a few years back, and have been able to get my money out of the deal! I just like chinese boxes, and it was a fun way to deliver the innards. I attached a little tag, along with some fangs I picked up around Halloween (yes, I plan stuff that far in advance), but I've seen them on Oriental Trading.

Inside is a little invitation. Heather, Taylor, and I are creating a food spread of 'bite' size foods, and drinks that go with themes from the book, but guest are invited to bring 'bite' size snacks or 'sparkling' drinks. Trust me, if you read Twilight, you know why both of these words are a BIG deal.
I also included one little treat to represent each book, along with a famous quote from the story. You may have to be a fan to appreciate them, but...I have to believe there are more fans than the 20 or so of us that will be attending this party, and getting in line a few hours before the movie. I believe this b/c last opening we got there two hours in advance and were only at the front of the SECOND line to enter the movie. Here are the detailed insides. Each of the four books are represented, and a popular quote from each movie is attached to a symbolic treat.
For Twilight

Quote: "And so the lion fell in love with the lamb…"
-Edward Cullen
Apple Shaped Cake Balls

I saw this idea on bakerella (I think?) awhile back for a back to school treat. I used a pretzel for the stem, and rolled out gumdrops for the leaf.
For New Moon

Quote: "How strongly are you opposed to grand theft auto?"
-Alice Cullen
Mini Moon Pies

Let me just pause for a minute and say something about the mini moon pies.
I knew this was what I wanted to represent New Moon. There are a ton of cute ideas I could have gone with, but this got 'stuck' in my head, and I couldn't let go. I wanted them to be mini, because...well, refer to every other post over the last four years and you will see I like mini. I found them on Walmart's website, and the cool thing is that when you find a product on Walmart.com you can type in your zipcode and they will tell you the closest store that carries this product. The closest store wasn't THAT close, but it wasn't so far it was completely ridiculous to pick these up. I did have to ask customer service, but still....my dream (of the day) was fulfilled.

For Eclipse

Quote: "What’s it like — having a werewolf for a best friend?"
-Jacob Black
Licorice 'Ribbons'

My pal Heather picked these up from some candy bins for me, it was that or footlong roll-ups. These smell amazing. Please install a scratch and sniff feature to your computer, and smell them.
For Breaking Dawn

Quote: "Charlie took my hand and, in a symbol as old as the world, placed it in Edward’s. I touched the cool miracle of his skin, and I was home."
-Bella Swan
Chess Piece Chocolate

I found the chocolate mold at a cake store near me, and I'm going to be using this for some party details as well. I'm sure they are online.

Here are all the pieces from the mold.

If nothing else as far as the purpose of this post...if in ten years I run across this chocolate mold for chess pieces and think...WHY in the world do I own this? I can refer back to this post. Trust me, I won't be able to explain it to myself in ten years.
Here are most of the invites ready to be delivered.

OK....7 more days until I can post anything else, but I will be posting more....lots more.
P.s. Did you know you are required to watch Twilight, and New Moon 16,234 times while making the invitations to go see Eclipse? Just thought you should know, it's a really delicate part of the whole invitation making process.
Linking To:





http://funtocraft.blogspot.com/2010/05/look-at-me-party_20.html>
Bird Crafts

Chicken Salad

I don't eat a lot of chicken salad, I'm not really into 'creamy' meats....or creamy breads. I spent a couple years trying out some recipes for chicken salad b/c everyone else seemed to like it, and I wanted to have one in my arsenal. This is, by far, my favorite. I think it has enough other 'stuff' to counteract the 'creamy meat' issue I have. I decided to make some the other day b/c I had all the ingredients on hand. Yup, it's still my favorite chicken salad.
Mix:
2 c. diced chicken, 1/2 c. mayo, 2 T. sour cream, 1 c. sliced (in four) green grapes, 3 green onions (diced), 1 rib of celery (diced), 1/2 c. walnuts, 1/4 t. salt, pepper (to taste), 1 T. lemon, 1 t. honey.

The Good....The Bad....And the Ugly

The GOOD:
The best part of teaching...

I had bus duty, and a little first grader drew a picture of me as a 'present.' That's not how you spell my last name, but it's so cute, I'm thinking about having it officially changed. I love the heart shoes, and the curl in my hair.
The BAD:

I have an ever growing pile of reject crafts. It's really weird. I can either do it the first time, or not at all. I can hardly ever 'go back' and improve a project I don't like from the get go. It also must be fast, I don't do meticulous. I worked on this reject project for about a month. I saw this idea on Bakerella. A lady sent her the cutest little wooden person, meant to look like her. I thought I'd make a candle holder for Blythe's first birthday to go on a cupcake or something. I repainted it about fifteen times, so it now looks like she has a skin condition. I set it down and picked it up almost daily, wanting to hold onto the hope that I could like this. I cut her dress off, and sewed it back on 5 times. I just couldn't make myself like it, and then I just couldn't make myself start over. Someday I'll try this again b/c the concept was great, just not the designer. I set it on an end table, and walked away after attempt 54 at improving the project. I then walked back in and on a chair was the little ribbon that used to be a bow around her waist, and the Chihuahua, formerly known as my brother's dog was missing along with the 'girl'. I found him, and his new dolly. No introduction necessary at this point. I had to recreate the scene, he had no trouble spending a little time with his new dolly for these purposes.

He can have her.
The UGLY:
Welcome to the portion of this blog titled-A project only a mother can love, and she will. She likes the reject projects most of all. We played with pottery at work as a team building activity. I was not feeling inspired, but I made my obligatory dish. The art teacher called me a week later to let me know my pot had chipped, an eyeball had fallen off a frog on my bowl. There was no weeping involved. I came down and told her I'd rather try my hand at some ceramic beads.
Here are a few pictures from the process.
Roll a snake, chop even pieces, and THEN roll so all your balls are about the same size.
A Skewer of Beads...kinda makes me hungry.

The beads were fired. I then added clear glaze to the ones I thought I'd be using.

...at this point I should have stopped....they look like pumpkins.
Instead I strung them with some beads I grabbed at Hobby Lobby, and I still wrapped it up to add to a Mother's Day pile of gifts because my Mom is obligated to love me no matter what, even when I give her a string of beaded pumpkins. Trust me, it won't be the worst gift I've ever given her....more on that someday. No picture necessary, it looks like a string of Halloween pumpkins with colorful trick or treat candy spontaneously placed along the string, let your imagination conjure up visuals.
The end.

Blythe's First Christmas Album

It's beginning to look a lot like...uhhh....Christmas.

I might have mentioned 1 or 537,564 times our family has a new (getting older) baby in it's midst. Last week she celebrated birthday #1. In honor of her birthday, I'm now going to post one of her future Christmas gifts. I know I said I'd wait to post gifts, but as smart as Blythe is, she's not reading yet, so....I'm not waiting any longer for this one, just because I'm in control of 'this here blog.'
I found these little cardboard cutouts at Michael's around Christmas, and I picked them up to make a First Christmas Album for Blythe. I made the pages, and added the pictures later (shrinking them down to fit the squares). Now Blythe has her very own first Christmas memory book. I love these little cardboard books, and they always have fun shapes at Michael's....I definitely will be doing more of these.





Linking To:

...as I travel down that Bluebonnet Highway...

My favorite thing about Texas (today)? Bluebonnets in the spring.

How about a little musical accompaniment to this post?

This is, perhaps, one of the best Texas Country songs ever. It's an oldie-Doug Supernaw-Red and Rio Grande
You can see bluebonnets along most roads in Texas this time of year, but if you want to be swept away, head south down 35 or 45 from Dallas. They cover the roads for hours along the highways, byways, backways, backyards, trucklots. They are there waiting on the roadsides. They are everywhere, mixed in with their pink, yellow, orange, and red wildflower sisters. Ennis holds a festival every year, and you can check out their city site weekly for the latest blooms, and the best place to stop for pictures (NOT necessarily along the interstate for families who want to get in a little more peaceful, and safe picture taking). This year, due to schedules, and hiccups....I just had to stop on a misc. highway and take a few pictures. It's not hard to find them in the city, or outside the city, it was a matter of timing the pictures with a time when I actually had my camera with me. I heart bluebonnets, even in smaller patches like these.

Blythe's Travel Activity Bags

Remember this bag? It finally made it's way home for Blythe Anne's first birthday (May 5th).
Every girl needs a cute bag, right? I decided Blythe needed an activity bag she can carry with her the next few years as she visits family....she's quite the little traveler. I also figured she was too young to remember year 1 gifts, so I took the opportunity to make this activity bag-she can use later. Someday I'll have to conform to 'big' and 'store' bought, but....for now....homemade. I got the idea for this from the following site:
http://chasingcheerios.blogspot.com/2009/06/activity-bags_27.html
This blogger has Montessori schooling activities she shares, and she hangs pencil bags in her daughter's environment filled with activities. So cute. She also takes these on trips. I decided to provide the carrying bag, and the bags inside. I hope it'll be exciting for Blythe to choose between the activities in the bags to keep her entertained on trips to see...well, me! I just have the skeletons of her travel pack ready, and, of course, they are not age appropriate now, but I figure her parents can fill them as she gets older and shows interest in various activities. This start up kit can give them a few ideas. It was hard for me to keep it at a skeleton level of 'stuff,' and even more difficult for me not to write 'lesson plans' for each bag. There are soooo many cute ideas I've seen, more on that later. Here are the inside activities to choose between (like I said, most are too old now, and later can be rotated.) I love the colors I was able to find (at Office Depot) for the pencil pouches and I love the two pockets, and the sturdy material they are made from!
Letter Bag

I wanted to find a little magnetic slate for these, or add a sentence strip with a magnetic strip, but....I just kept these as is...for now. She can play with the letters and discover their shapes, match them with her environment, chew on them, whatever! Someday she can start spelling words...How about A-U-N-T C-H-R-I-S-T-Y?
Finger Puppets and Paper Dolls

I found these finger puppets at Target, but I've also bought them at World Market, and online at Oriental Trading for past 'stuff.' I found the paper dolls at this site I loved, and have shared before.
http://babalisme.blogspot.com/2009/12/doll-printableagain.html
The paper dolls are waaaay too early, but I needed to do this. I also saw some really cute felt story boards on various blogs. You can cut out pieces from felt to manipulate and make a gingerbread house, snowman scene etc (also featured items on Chasing Cheerios)... Again, I'll save these ideas for later.
Books!!

This doesn't really need an explanation. I found the sturdy little books at Target as well. I've seen these bags with 'theme' pouches, and theme items that go with each book as well. Uhhh...don't EVEN get me started on that, ask any teacher I work with, there aren't enough pouches at Office Depot to contain my ideas for these sort of project. I know my limits....I....love...theme....everything, I can't be stopped if I ever get started. I can't be controlled, so I can't do it...for now.
Arts and Crafts

I made this little book with blank pages for Blythe to create her own works of art.
I just included some crayons I made awhile back from recycled crayons in bear shapes using a bear cookie cutter(a little early ulterior motive-Sic 'Em), and stickers. I saw a lot of ideas with little scissors, gluesticks, and fun writing supplies, but....she's not ready yet, so....
Sorting

I've seen this sorting idea with bear counters etc, but I just used what I could find easily, which were these little foam shapes. Blythe can either sort them by shapes, or colors. Or she can eat them. Sure, it would have been more educational if they were circles, squares...but....I figure she'll get enough of that soon...she has a few more Aunts who are teachers. They are also stickers, so she can sort them into her art pouch later, and sort other things (obviously not for another year plus). I found the little containers at the dollar tree, they were small enough to slip in the bags, which I liked. :O)
Here they are all together.

And then....inside their bag. They don't even take up half of the bag....room enough for a favorite stuffed animal, and a blanket. :O)

OK, some other ideas I loved (but I ran out of bags) were bags with tangrams, mini potato heads, yarn sewing, beads, variety of open/close containers etc...oh...the potential!
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Linking To:




http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/2010/05/sns-30-brings-you-refurbished.html
Tot Tuesday