A Letter from Elfie {Including a FREE Elf on the Shelf Printable Letter from Piggy Bank Parties}

We are so excited that Christmas is finally here, 

though a little sad that our Elf on the Shelf will be leaving tonight. 

We have grown quite fond of our friend Elfie. 

We will miss his curious and happy nature. 

Wasn't it nice of him to leave us a note 

to reassure of of his return next December 1st?

See you next December 1st Elfie!

Create your own free editable note here from Piggy Bank Parties!

Do and J were so generous to offer the Elf letter as a free printable from their ultra adorable
Enchanted Elves Collection available in the Piggy Bank Parties Etsy Shop! 

Free & Printable Gift Tags Round Up

Presents are picked out and wrapped. 
Now we need some fun gift tags!
Here's some {FREE} printable tags made by some super sweet & talented peeps.

Chevron Tags by Swanky Press

Naughty/Nice Christmas Tags by Sew.Craft.Create

Four Tag Designs by Jones Designs Company

Festive Tags by Hank and Hunt on The Sweetest Occasion 

Tags from Paper Crave

Holiday Mail Stripes Gift Tags by Eat Drink Chic

An entire collection of free Holiday printables are available at Party Box Designs!

Happy Wrapping & Gift Tagging!

Divine Twine Ornament in 5 Minutes or Less

This ornament is so easy it will take you less than 5 minutes to make.

Wouldn't it make a cute Christmas present for a friend?

Just don't try to photograph it with one hand.

Trust me. 

Materials Used:

Cherry Divine Twine

Clear glass ornament

Ribbon

Scissors

Dab of hot glue

I thought about adding special messages inside, but it was just so pretty by itself 

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!