2011: A Year in Parties at Crossing the Bugger-Dixon Line

It's fun to look back at the year and see just how far I have come in just one year.  I have had some total craft fails and spent many hours researching html codes and blog tutorials, but I wouldn't change a thing. I have learned so much along the way and enjoyed every minute. 

FEBRUARY

I discovered my passion for party planning while creating a country "All Pigs Are Beautiful" themed baby shower for my sweet sister-in-law. This was the first party that I ever styled and photographed. 

All Pigs Are Beautiful Baby Shower

APRIL

April Showers Birthday Party 

I created this party for my rain boot loving 3 year old bugger with an April birthday. I'm still giddy that this party was featured by Amy Atlas!

JUNE
He's FAST, He's FUNNY, He's FIVE Party

An action packed, fun filled party for my special 5 year old. The kids all received capes, masks, and t-shirts and put their super hero skills to the test with a bouncy house, pinatas, and egg races. 

July
Book Swap Playdate Party

August
Little Monster Inspired Photo Shoot for Bird's Party Magazine

September

Kate Landers Classic Baby Shower

 Image courtesy of Bambella Cookie Boutique 

I had the unique pleasure of working with Kate Landers to help design and co-host her very own baby shower. Not only is Kate a mega-talented children's party planner, she is also a major sweetheart!

November

I finally had a chance to style a GIRL party for the daughter of a sweet friend of mine !

Pajama Glam Barbie Sleepover

So there you have it, a year of parties here at Crossing The Bugger-Dixon Line. A heartfelt thank you from the bottom of my heart shaped paper punch to the tips of my scissors for following along with me. I hope you stick around to see what 2012 brings!

{Days Until Countdown Boards} Teacher Gifts

My boys are both in preschool, soooo... that means LOTS of teachers & teacher assistant gifts for Christmas. I nearly jumped out of my skin when I saw Very Jane's deal of the day right after Thanksgiving. Right at that moment I was knee deep in researching vinyl decal prices, chalkboard paint, boards, paint, and tutorials on how to make that happen. Very Jane offered these E.A.D. Designs Countdown boards already made for $4.50 each, perfect! I bought 10! I added tags and red and white divine twine.

My sons' teachers are so wonderful at helping teach and prepare my children for all the special holidays we celebrate, I thought this would be the perfect way to help them with their own special celebrations.

 

Want to make your own?

The Vinyl & Chalkboard decal can be found here

& a great tutorial 

DIY Sugar Cookie Kit on Piggy Bank Parties

It's another challenge week over at Piggy Bank Parties. I am sharing an easy and inexpensive gift idea using Piggy Bank Parties brand new 

Holiday Sugar Cookie Collection

Isn't this sugar cookie garland so clever?!!!

Head over to Piggy Bank Parties to see my DIY Sugar Cookie Kits!

Paper Straw Winner & More Paper Straw DIY Ideas

Today I am sharing some creative and fun paper straw projects that I've seen around town...

Paper Straw Snowflakes by Centsational Girl

Paper straws holding pumpkin pie pops by Domestic Charm

Paper straws and cake pops by The Sew*er, The Caker, The Copycat Maker

Paper straws used for cake bunting by The TomKat Studio

Paper straw rattles featured on Bakerella

Paper Straw Wreath and Ribbon with a tutorial by Tatertots and Jello

A little extra paper straw flair by The Girl Creative

Add some fun by adding paper straws and lips to your drinks by Anders Ruff

Or make chocolate malt cupcakes by The Winsome Girl

 STRAW-many possibilities! 

And now, the lucky winner of the Funpaperstraws.com giveaway is....

Congratulations to the ultra fabulous and creative Joanne from Oh Goodie Designs! I am super excited to see how she uses her paper straws because in her comment she said she had an awesome idea to make with the straws. A BIG thank you to Funpaperstaws.com for hosting this fun giveaway! If you didn't win but still want some straws, check out their site for very reasonable prices and oodles of paper straw color/pattern options!

If you give a girl a computer...

If you give a girl a computer, she'll request a Pinterest account, 

If you give a girl a Pinterest Board, she'll want you to pin some ideas

If you let her pin some ideas, she'll need some materials,

When you give her some craft materials, she'll realize she needs a sewing machine,

If you give a girl a sewing machine, she'll ask you for a Silhouette to, 

 

If you give a girl a Silhouette, scrapbook paper, and sewing machine, she'll then need a craft room. 

Once she's snug in her craft room crafting, she'll then need an upgraded camera, 

and ruffle camera strap, and maybe a camera bag.  

If you give a girl a camera, camera strap, and camera bag, she'll then ask you for an upgraded computer

and a blog. 

Thank you, If you Give A Mouse a Cookie books for the inspiration!

Keepsake Ornaments

Each year I look for a special keepsake ornament to add to our tree. I was so in love with our Christmas card last year, (so simple and cheery) that I made it into an ornament.

Here's our 2010 Christmas card
by Harper Gray made into an ornament

Here are a few of my favorite other ideas I've pinned on my Merry, Merry Board on Pinterest
for making your own keepsake ornaments.

Christmas Tree Ornament

Cut off the bottom part of your Christmas tree & date it

Wishing Spool full of ideas for for Santa

Salt dough Thumbprint Tree Ornament

Reindeer Thumbprint Ornament

Baby's First Ornament from A Sorta Fairytale

Wedding Invitation Ornament

Cut an invitation into strips, curl, and tuck into a clear ornament. 

Origami Star Ornaments

I love this idea and have been looking for something special to do with the stars from our Super J party. 

Stars can be customized over at Origami Delights, there's even Christmas colors.

Are you making or buying any new ornaments this year?

Don't forget, there is still time to enter the PAPER STRAW GIVEAWAY!!!

Signs of Christmas

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at our house. 

I am trying hard not to get overwhelmed by the holidays, 

keeping my decor simple yet still festive. 

Elfie, our Elf on the Shelf has returned. 

The boys are enthralled with his magic and mischief. 

Don't forget to enter the great PAPER STRAW GIVEAWAY by Funpaperstraws.com!

How are you decorating for the Holidays? 

Fun Paper Straw Giveaway!

This giveaway is now closed.. the winner is lucky #57 Joanne!

T.G.I.P.S.F. everyone! 

{Thank Goodness It's Paper Straw Friday}

Why do I love paper straws so much? They are inexpensive, earth-friendly, totally craft worthy, and come in so many cute colors. Paper straws are completely bio-degradable and will compost in 3 months. They really are the friendliest straws on earth! 

Today I have a very fun giveaway from the fabulous Fun Paper Straw company. They carry a LARGE selection of paper straws in many patterns and colors. When you visit their store, you will also see that they carry many other products at CanDoChefs such as reusable bags, kitchenware, cutlery, and more! I've picked out a few of my favorite items to share with you.

Wooden Cutlery Utensils are great for parties and so eco-friendly

Waste Not Saks- Reusable Sandwich Bags

Big Dot Retro Apron

The great people at Fun Paper Straws saw my post on the Woman's Day Paper Straw wreath and want to help YOU make this wreath (or you can just throw a crazy straw themed party instead with all your winnings!). Are you ready for this?  They are giving away up to 500 paper straws to a lucky reader!

GIVEAWAY TIME!

The winner can choose a prize package from one of the following options:

1.    A 144-pack of straws from Kikkerland or Green Party Goods 
2.    4 (25-packs) of straws from the Sugar Diva  
3.    1 (500-pack) of straws unwrapped Red & White Stripe or White

TO ENTER: Hop over to Fun Paper Straws and leave a comment on this post telling me which paper straws are your favorite and how would use them.  Please, pretty please leave a visible email address on your entry. 

Additional Entries (Up to 3 extra):

-  Browse around CanDoChefs.com and tell me about another product you found on their site

- "Like" Crossing the Bugger-Dixon Line on Facebook

-  Share the giveaway on Facebook, Twitter, or door to door if you think your neighbors   
    want in on this giveaway. Just spread the word and leave a comment here that you did. 

Rules: This giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on Thursday, December 8, 2011. Open to U.S. Residents only.  The winner will be selected by random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to our notification email before another winner is selected.  


Good luck and thanks for entering!