Crafty Texas Girls

10/9/14

5 "Frozen" Party Tips (For Moms who are Ready to "Let It Go")

I have finally learned to "Let It Go". The song that little girls sing with glee has become my new motto for being a mom. If you have been following this blog for long, you know I like throwing parties for my girls. And while that hasn't changed, my new "Let It Go" attitude has changed the way I host parties. Below are 5 Tips I learned while throwing a "Frozen Birthday Party" for my daughter. Because birthday parties are supposed to be FUN!

1. The party doesn't have to be at your house. WOW! Why didn't I do this before? When you host a party at your house, you have to clean twice. Once before the party and then once after the party. But when you host a party somewhere else (we did ours at "Paradise Pond") cleaning up is not even on your 'to do' list! Which gives you more time to enjoy the party and the guests.

2. Decor is simple. I love, love, love decorating. But Pinterest has kind of ruined it for us 'regular' folks. I bought vinyl table cloths for the tables. Then I used coordinating scrapbook paper to make 'place mats'. Polka dot napkins, solid pink cups, striped paper straws, and Frozen plates were used too. I took advantage of Hobby Lobby's Christmas sale to buy 'Frozen' trees, snowflake stickers, and a snowman too!

3. The cake is for eating. Yep. A cute cake is important, but it should taste good and not cost as much as a wedding cake :) Also, stressing over baking a cake is not fun. There are so many great bakeries that create yummy, affordable cakes. Find one near you!

4. Parties are for kids. So let them do what they really want to do... run around and have fun! (Oh and it's ok for the adults to have fun too! I went down that giant slide at least 3 times!)

5. Opening presents at the party is worth the craziness. Watching a child give a present to a friend is pretty much the cutest thing ever. The 'giver' is so proud and the 'getter' is so grateful. It's a great way to practice manners and feel the joy of giving.

So what about you? Have you "Let It Go" in any area of your life? If not, give it a try! You might be surprised at how good it feels :)

Check out our 'semi homemade' Frozen Party Invitations here!

See all my past birthday parties by clicking here!

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10/7/14

Harvest Breakfast

My Hospitality Committee is the best! We organized the annual "Harvest Breakfast" for our teachers last Friday. The event was for all the school staff, about 55 people total. Breakfast was served from 7:15-7:45 am.

Volunteers arrived in the teacher's lounge with food and to help me set-up at 6:45 am. I used a wreath from my 'fall decor stash'. I made a little bunting by cutting up small paper sacks and adding glittered letters. The sign read "Harvest". The invites and framed printable are from the talented "LollyJane" girls. You can get your own "Happy Fall Deer" from this post on their blog.


Via LollyJane.com


I created the "Harvest Breakfast Invite" with the printable from LollyJane.com. I used PicMonkey.com to add the information for the event. I made copies of these and put them in the teachers boxes.

The menu consisted of bagels, fruit, casseroles, chicken minis from CFA, muffins, pumpkin bread, Starbucks coffee, orange juice, and ice water.

One crafty mom hollowed out a pumpkin and added a bowl inside. This made for the cutest 'fall fruit bowl'!

The teachers and staff were so appreciative. I was in awe of the number of parent volunteers who dropped off food, helped with set-up, then cleaned up afterwards. Seeing others give so selflessly is inspiring and is the true definition of 'hospitality' (see more about that here.)

The work was completely worth it! I am looking forward to our next event :)

10/3/14

Spooky Strawberries {A Yummy Craft Tutorial}

It's October, let the Halloween fun begin! These white chocolate covered strawberries are a little spooky and just the right amount of sweet. They are easy for kids and adults to make. Plus Spooky Strawberries are a great alternative to traditional Halloween candy.

Keep reading to see how to make your own "Boo-tastic Berries"!

Supplies Needed:

1 package (16 ounces) Driscoll's Strawberries
10 ounces white chocolate chips
Candy eyes
Fine-tipped black icing tube

Directions:
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Rinse the strawberries and dry them well with a soft cloth or paper towel.

Melt chocolate by placing chocolate in a glass bowl and microwave for 20 seconds and stir with a fork. Repeat microwaving and stiring until chocolate is not-quite melted. Shorten microwave time to 5 seconds and stir. Repeat if necessary until completely melted.

Hold berries by stem or leaves and dip into melted chocolate. Swirl until coated. Leave about ¼ inch of red showing below leaves. Gently shake off excess chocolate. Place berry on prepared baking sheet to set. Repeat with remaining berries.

Once chocolate is set, pipe a small amount of frosting to the back of candy eyes and attach to berries.

Finally, use frosting to add a smile, a spooky mouth, fangs, or other fun ideas you have.

Check out my other ideas for 'Healthy Halloween treats' by clicking here!

Special thanks to Driscoll's berries for the crafty recipe and for the supplies to make this treat. All photos and opinions are my own!

9/30/14

Mustang Panther Cheer

I live in Texas and around here, football is kind of a big deal. Which means that cheer is too! My girls and I have been involved with the Mustang Panther Cheer program for four years now. I love our recreational cheer program because it gives all girls the chance to build a great cheer and dance foundation, build confidence and coordination, and create lifelong friendships.

This year, the original founder of MP Cheer, Kristen Lawless, handed over this amazing program to Tiffany Carey and myself. We are honored to take the reins and continue to grow this organization.

MP Cheer is a non-profit organization that serves 5 squads and a total of 55 girls. Our group works along side the Grapevine Colleyville Youth Football League. The coaches for both the cheer and football program are volunteers. I can't tell you how amazed I am with the level of dedication shown by all of the parents who give their time and talents to this program.

At the beginning of each season, MP Cheerleaders learn pom dances and cheers at a three-day long summer cheer camp. This year, each girl was given her own personalized megaphone. Throughout the season, the girls earn stickers on their megaphones for showing "Bow 2 Toe" spirit. We created this chart to help girls focus on being the best cheerleaders they can be.

Craft Project Ideas.com was kind enough to send us these great 'cheer holographic' stickers to use and review for our program.

The stickers from Craft Project Ideas.com have been perfect for the girls' megaphones-- stickers make great incentives! And every cheerleader loves a little sparkle :) This week is Homecoming for our high school. These stickers will be perfect for decorating signs and mums for the annual parade.

Our MP cheer season will continue through November, ending with a league 'Super Bowl'. I love the team work and enthusiasm these girls bring to every game.

We "Go Pink" for the entire month of October!

Are your kids involved with rec sports in your town? What is your child's favorite sport?

PS-If you are a cheer fan... be sure to check out my "Cheer Board" on Pinterest too :)

9/14/14

DIY "Frozen" Birthday Invitations

It's finally my turn to host a "Frozen Birthday party"! Between my daughters' friends and Pinterest, I have seen so many adorable "Frozen-themed" parties. And now my sweet Maisy has decided that she wants an "Elsa Party"!

I looked online for invitations. I saw a lot of cute ones on Etsy and Zazzle. But to have them printed was going to cost about $40 for 20 invitations, plus shipping, plus the cost of stamps. So I when I found these cute pre-made ones at Hobby Lobby that were only $5.99 for 10 invites and some snowflake stickers, I was thrilled.

The invites are pink princess dresses with a layer of tulle over the 'party details'. At first glance, they don't really look like they could work for an "Elsa Party". But with a few snowflake stickers they were transformed into beautiful Frozen gowns.

To me, the best part was that my daughter got to help make her own invitations. Helping with her party, has made her even more excited for the 'big day'. I love that each dress is a little different, just like a snowflake.

After the party, I'll share some photos and decor details. Stay tuned!

Project Sources:

"Bag of Chips" Princess Dress with Tulle Skirt Invitation

"Jolee's Boutique" Snowflake 3D Sticker Embellishment

"EK-Sucess" Winter Snowflake Stickers

9/4/14

Ready Confetti

The night before school started, my four year old's teacher sent her a special note and this magic 'Ready Confetti' to put under her pillow. Maisy's eyes lit up when she heard the words 'magic'!

Have you ever heard of "Ready Confetti"? The poem is so sweet. I don't know the original source, but it's so clever and a hit with the kiddos!

The next morning, thanks to the "Ready Confetti"--this kid was ready to go!

After a quick slice of toast, an episode of "Sophia the First" and a photoshoot, we were off.

Lots of nervous moms and kids in the parking lot at preschool, but this girl was cool as a cucumber. It's her last year in preschool, so technically she is a 'senior' on this campus :)

In our opinion, we got the very best teachers. Warm and huggy, the way preschool teachers are meant to be. And about an hour into school... they sent me this photo. Maisy snapping pics of her friends with this 'pretend' camera. Wonder where she learned that?!