Family Time & Looking Ahead to Next Week October 27, 2007

“Friends are the family we choose for ourselves”

Today I’m enjoying this gorgeous weather with my family and I hope you are too.  My husband’s crazy work schedule has finally allowed us to have him the whole weekend to ourselves and we will most definitely take advantage of every minute!  However, we’ve quickly forgotten how much longer a “To-Do” list takes when you have a toddler around. 

I hope you have enjoyed all the Halloween ideas, but I am ready to move forward to the other upcoming holidays and events!  In November I will be travelling back to Washington for a wedding and my best friend’s daughter’s 1st birthday (pheeww..that was a mouthful).  So needless to say I have got some presents to get crackin on.  Hopefully, if my “To-Do” list goes as planned I will be able to get those gifts done today! I have some fabulous ideas for the perfect gift for weddings and kids that I just can’t wait to share.  So be sure to check back with us on Monday!

Until then – have a fabulous weekend, be inspired, get creative, and have fun!

Gotta Make It…Lollipop Pumpkin October 27, 2007

“If the broom fits, ride it!”

Looking for some more decorative pumpkin ideas for those last minute halloween decorations?  Last week we showed that some stickers and ribbon can add  a little character to any pumpkin in minutes and today we have a guest post from the one and only….my mom!  She saw this idea from Martha Stewart on the Today Show and decided to give it a try.  She used a plastic pumpkin she found for around $5, drilled some holes, and popped the lollipops into them.  This fun and festive idea could be used for a centerpiece, left on the porch for trick-or-treaters, or for a fun game for the little ones. 

If you are having a halloween party for your little bugger(s) here is an idea that we used at our annual school fundraiser (ahh…the memories).  Make the pumpkin as described above, but before you put the lollipops in the pumpkin, color the bottom of each lollipop a certain color. For example – choose the colors, red, orange, black, and green.  Randomly color them and place them in the pumpkin so the colors cannot be seen.  Then have four ‘tubs’ that correspond with those colors.  Each tub has various toys, treats, etc in them.  When the child pulls the lollipop out of the pumpkin, he/she gets to pick a treat from the corresponding tub.  Its a very easy game that any age can play and still enjoy.   You could even use the same idea for an adult game – just have the color represent a specific shot of alcohol or any other fun and creative idea you can come up with. :)

The below picture is from Michaels.com as well as the ideas.  I love all the black & white pumpkins and the SPARKLE!!  Check out the how-to instructions here.