Modern Hostess

I’m working on this post during half time of the Rose Bowl game. Oregon Ducks vs. Wisconsin Badgers. I’m a big duck fan….it’s pretty much mandatory if you grow up in Oregon like I did. I stumbled across this adorable Ducks party by Modern Moments Designs. I just had to share! They even have FREE PRINTABLES!

Make sure to visit Modern Moments Designs for the full party and free printables.

I’ve go to get back to the game. GO DUCKS!

Cheers!

~Steph~

Christmas is about the only time of year I love getting the mail.  I LOVE Christmas cards!  This year I took an idea from one of my other Modern Hostess on how to display my cards.  You can check out Chris’ blog here.

 Now that Christmas is over and the clean up has begun I just hate the idea of throwing away all of those cards.  So here are a few ideas I came across that you can do.

The Creative Place made a book of cards.  There is also another tutorial and cute printable at Eighteen 25.

You could make Christmas Card Placemats.  I remember these as a kid.

Cut out the images and make gift tags.

Photo courtesy of Making This Home

Happy New Year!

I am almost sad to say that this is my last post for the year on Elfy.  On the other hand I have not been nearly as creative at making her “magical” this week.  There is just SO much going on, but I will happily share the small bits of mischief she has gotten herself into.

She took a bubble (marshmallow) bath and invited some of Olivia’s bath toys to join.

I got this idea from one of our friends and you might have seen it on our Facebook page but it is just to good.  Elfy got a little adventurous and zip lined across the livingroom.

Elfy also got into Olivia’s toilet paper.

So in the next few nights that we have left I have a couple of things up my sleeve.  Thanks to Living Locurto Elfy will be leaving a letter from Santa.  Head over to their website and check out some  fun ideas for your Elf.

Last but not least I found this darling Elf plush girl who the kids can actually play with.  So my thought is to leave her on Christmas Eve with a note from Elfy with something along the lines that she will miss Olivia but is leaving this Elf for her to play with.

Hope you have enjoyed our elfcapades!  I also hope that I’ve inspired you to step out with your elf.  If you have read this and just don’t think you are creative enough to have an Elf  for your children I have the solution.  There is an app for it! So next year I expect you all to participate.  Santa is watching!

Merry Christmas!

Our Elf has been extremely busy this week.  How about yours?  Have you been using your helper Elf to your advantage?  Here is what Elfy has been up to:

Things got a little sticky as he tried to wrap up a present for Olivia!

She was thrilled to find that Elfy had left her a cup, plate and bowl all adorned with The Elf on the Shelf.

Check out this display at Pottery Barn for Kids.  This is where Elfy purchased Olivia’s goodies.  They have the DVD of the Elf story, pj’s, place mats and the place settings.

Elfy also did a little fishing for goldfish and caught a big one!

It is official Elfy’s skirt arrived so he is now a SHE!  It is very cute and came with instructions from Santa to just set the skirt next to the elf so she could change into it before heading off to the North Pole that night.

Elfy has been so busy she has worked up quite an appetite. This morning we found her in the refrigerator helping herself to a little snack.

Please share with us on Facebook what your elf has been up to.

Happy Elfing!

The journey at Hogwarts continues as I share more details from the Harry Potter Party.  First, I have to share the wonderful graphics by Susan Acres of  Opal and Mae.  I have used her cupcake toppers for the Wonderland Party and really love her style.  I contacted her to see if my chance she had any Harry Potter themed toppers.  She didn’t have anything at that time, but had some Harry Potter on her mind.  Susan’s Harry Potter creations were perfect for this party.  I her designs everywhere; from cupcake toppers to water bottle labels to photo props.  I even used the cupcake toppers for the tree garland.    Thanks Susan for the great designs.  (be sure to visit her shop and check out her work.)

One of the 2 water bottle wrapper designs by Opal and Mae

Water and “Butter Beer” were served to the guests.  The water labels are by Martha Stewart and the Butter Beer labels and available to print here.  The butter beer was actually cream soda, but don’t tell the kids.

Did I forget to mention that Hermione made an appearance at the the party?  Yes, she did.  She sorted the guests to each house with the sorting hat, tea leaf reading, face painting, and a little bit of magic.  It was great entertainment and really created the feeling of being at Hogwarts.

Dry ice is always a great touch, especially at a Harry Potter party.  Also check out the Mardauer Map water bottle labels by Opal and Mae.

I put together a little photo booth for the kids. I took pics with my camera and with a Polaroid camera.  Funny, they had never seen one before, talk about magic!  I used artwork by Opal and Mae to create the props on a stick.

Each guest was treated to a broomstick party favor.  The cute Thank You tags by Opal and Mae.

 That wraps up the Hogwarts experience. I probably had as much fun creating the party details as much as the kids did at the party.  Happy Birthday to my niece and thanks to Brandy for letting me do my thing for this party.

~ Arianna