The Raven Nevermore Halloween Party

My Michaels Makers challenge for October is “Halloween Party” and what a fun time shopping the aisles of Michaels for accessories. From cute and friendly to creepy-spooky, they have everything you need to host an awesome monster-bash! 

makeitwithmichaels

Edgar Allan Poe’s The Raven is a poem often noted for its supernatural atmosphere, making it the perfect theme for your next Halloween party…The Raven Nevermore Halloween Party Ideas @diyshowoff #MakeItWithMichaelsThe Raven Nevermore Halloween Party Ideas @diyshowoff

Shop for fun accents with Victorian, modern bold patterns and creepy Halloween vibes. Connect the variety of design styles with a black and white color palette. 

The Raven Nevermore Halloween Party Ideas @diyshowoffThe Raven Nevermore Halloween Party Ideas @diyshowoff The Raven Nevermore Halloween Party Ideas @diyshowoff The Raven Nevermore Halloween Party Ideas @diyshowoff

Journals make the perfect party favor for this author and poem – inspired party. The Raven Nevermore Halloween Party Ideas @diyshowoff #MakeItWithMichaelsThe Raven Nevermore Halloween Party Ideas @diyshowoff The Raven Nevermore Halloween Party Ideas @diyshowoffPopcorn is the perfect snack to serve while ‘The Raven’ is just the right length to read by candlelight via candelabra…The Raven Nevermore Halloween Party Ideas @diyshowoffThe Raven Nevermore Halloween Party Ideas @diyshowoff The Raven Nevermore Halloween Party Ideas @diyshowoff #MakeItWithMichaelsThe Raven Nevermore Halloween Party Ideas @diyshowoff #MakeItWithMichaels

Nevermore Tree Centerpiece (an oldie by favorite craft)

Materials:

  • Vase, container, urn. 
  • Small branch (desired size that fits your container). Choose one that has several branch-offs to look more like a tree.
  • Black spray paint
  • Styrofoam cone
  • Handful of dry moss. Other options: shredded newspaper, crinkled paper
  • Accessories: faux crows/ravens, plastic spiders, cotton spider webbing, ribbon
  • Optional: hot glue

The Raven Nevermore Halloween Party Ideas @diyshowoff

Tutorial:
1. Spray-paint branch black and add a touch of black to dried moss and let them dry.
2. Using the bottom of my tree branch, I poked a hole into the circular side of my cone. Insert the Styrofoam cone into container with the circular side/hole facing up. You can secure your foam to the container. I didn’t.
3. Insert the branch into the Styrofoam hole. Secure with hot glue if needed.
4. Cover styrofoam with dried moss, crinkled paper or shredded paper. Glue into place if desired.
5.  ACCESSORIZE: String dried moss and spider webs to branches (drag the spider webbing). Attach ravens. I used black twist ties to attach some of my crows, others are just propped on branches. I did use hot glue to attach a few plastic spiders and added a couple of snips of sheer ribbon here and there for a little added whimsy.

The Raven Nevermore Halloween Party Ideas @diyshowoff

Whether you’re into spooky sights, playful pumpkins or giggling ghouls, Michaels is your Boo-It-Yourself Halloween Headquarters and has tons of ideas for DIY costumes and décor.

The Raven Nevermore Halloween Party Ideas @diyshowoff

Make up some cute candy coated marshmallow Halloween treats for party favors!

So cute! Halloween (essential oil infused optional) marshmallow treats @diyshowoff #makeitwithmichaels

The Raven Nevermore Halloween Party Ideas @diyshowoffThe Raven Nevermore Halloween Party Ideas @diyshowoff #MakeItWithMichaels

Be sure to check out all of the other Michaels Makers Boo-It-Yourself Halloween ideas on the Michaels blog or by viewing the links below on Monday, October 3rd at 11 a.m. CST:

makeitwithmichaels

 Loading InLinkz ...

Backyard Wedding Ideas

One of my best friends is getting married this summer! Celeste and I have been friends since 7th grade. We won’t discuss how many years ago that was! haha! Her wedding will be small, no more than 45 guests on August 20th. Our gazebo is the perfect spot for a for a small intimate wedding ceremony. 

Looking for summer entertaining ideas? Check out the #michaelsmakers summer party challenge @diyshowoff

Michaels’ Makers June Challenge: Summer Party.  A backyard wedding is the perfect fit for the June challenge. I got a big head start with ideas by browsing the aisles at Michaels. Celeste’s wedding colors are turquoise and purple and I’m having so much fun adding pops of color to our lush landscape. 

pretty backyard wedding ideas for celebrating your special day outdoors @diyshowoff #michaelsmakers

It’s always a challenge for me to decorate for someone else, infusing THEIR style rather than my own. Since this is Celeste’s special day, I wanted to add decorative touches that reflect her style. Here are a few ideas from my ‘dress rehearsal’ over the weekend. But I have plenty of time to tweak, add, take away and work on creating a setting for making happy memories. There will be a white tent for shade and chairs for comfort…well as comfy as folding chairs can be; hors d’oeuvres and bubbles too and more planters, flowers and landscape work as we get into summer. In the meantime, here’s my starting point and a few ideas for hosting a small outdoor wedding ceremony. 

pretty backyard wedding ideas for celebrating your special day outdoors @diyshowoff #michaelsmakers

Decorations:

• Aqua/turquoise painted flower pots (or tire planter and chandelier planter in my case) filled with purple flowers. I do this every summer anyway so coordinating my flowers and planters with her wedding colors works well. Last year I did reds, yellows and oranges. This year it’s all about shades of purple in aqua and turquoise planters and pots. 

pretty backyard wedding ideas for celebrating your special day outdoors @diyshowoff #michaelsmakers pretty backyard wedding ideas for celebrating your special day outdoors @diyshowoff #michaelsmakers

• Decorative Letter Accent: I LOVE these circle wooden letters. I painted a “J” in her wedding colors (aged with a trans-tint dye technique). I wasn’t able to capture how colorful this truly is in real life in a photo. But it’s a pretty personalized gift that doubles as a decorative accent. 

pretty backyard wedding ideas for celebrating your special day outdoors @diyshowoff #michaelsmakers

• Michaels’ has SO many fun party decorations to choose from. Paper lanterns, paper fans, tissue paper honeycomb ornaments and poufs. I love the colors! I displayed them in the grape arbor/gazebo for this blog post but they’ll decorate a white tent with outdoor lights on the big day. Take a look at the outdoor lighting options Michaels’ provides too: pretty string lights, flameless candles, and my favorite solar options!

pretty backyard wedding ideas for celebrating your special day outdoors @diyshowoff #michaelsmakers pretty backyard wedding ideas for celebrating your special day outdoors @diyshowoff #michaelsmakers pretty backyard wedding ideas for celebrating your special day outdoors @diyshowoff #michaelsmakers

• Banner: Check out the wedding aisle at Michaels’ for adorable “Mr. & Mrs.” and other wedding banners. Mine is a DIY “LOVE” banner at the top of a curved gazebo frame … perfect for a photo opportunity. I’m going to layer it with a lavender and light aqua rag banner behind the l-o-v-e letters, around the top of the gazebo.

pretty backyard wedding ideas for celebrating your special day outdoors @diyshowoff #michaelsmakerspretty backyard wedding ideas for celebrating your special day outdoors @diyshowoff #michaelsmakers

• Silk flowers around the grape arbor will add some color and romance to the greenery.

pretty backyard wedding ideas for celebrating your special day outdoors @diyshowoff #michaelsmakerspretty backyard wedding ideas for celebrating your special day outdoors @diyshowoff #michaelsmakers pretty backyard wedding ideas for celebrating your special day outdoors @diyshowoff #michaelsmakers pretty backyard wedding ideas for celebrating your special day outdoors @diyshowoff #michaelsmakers

Chalkboard signs: So many to choose from. I love this framed chalkboard easel for instructing guests to take their “thank you gift”. One near the road to direct guests. One with their names and wedding date. I like having chalkboards on hand for labeling, designating areas, instructions, etc. for guests at parties. 

pretty backyard wedding ideas for celebrating your special day outdoors @diyshowoff #michaelsmakers

Party Favors: Michaels’ is the place to go for wedding favors. The best selection of little containers (glass jars with flip top lids or corks, heart shaped tins, cute cardboard boxes) for candy or in our case, lavender bath salts. 

pretty backyard wedding ideas for celebrating your special day outdoors @diyshowoff #michaelsmakerspretty backyard wedding ideas for celebrating your special day outdoors @diyshowoff #michaelsmakers

Lavender Bath Salt recipe: Mix 1/4 cup of epsom salt with 3-5 drops of lavender essential oil into a mason jar. Shake and pour into glass container, top with a “thank you” sticker (included with the glass containers), embellish with coordinating decorative tape and ribbon. 

Since it’s an outdoor ceremony in August, I’m also going to create some hand held paper fans for guests by printing the bride & groom’s names, wedding date, a poem or bible verse onto card stock or scrapbook paper, cutting out a pretty and functional shape then glueing to a large wooden popsicle stick. 

Flowers: Silk flowers are budget-friendly and long lasting. If not for the bride’s bouquet, a great option for the “bouquet toss” at the reception, decor or a pretty accent to a table. 

pretty backyard wedding ideas for celebrating your special day outdoors @diyshowoff #michaelsmakers

Unity Candle: Michaels’ has a section designated to a stunning collection of unity candles or create your own set from the candle aisle with a pillar and two tapered candle sticks. Crystal holders and a beautiful charger complete the look. 

pretty backyard wedding ideas for celebrating your special day outdoors @diyshowoff #michaelsmakers pretty backyard wedding ideas for celebrating your special day outdoors @diyshowoff #michaelsmakers pretty backyard wedding ideas for celebrating your special day outdoors @diyshowoff #michaelsmakers

Refreshments: An August outdoor afternoon wedding ceremony calls for serving ice water and a few refreshments. A special occasion calls for glass. I love these mini glass jugs and coordinating straws. Any suggestions for finger foods? Dinner and reception are at another location later in the afternoon. 

pretty backyard wedding ideas for celebrating your special day outdoors @diyshowoff #michaelsmakerspretty backyard wedding ideas for celebrating your special day outdoors @diyshowoff #michaelsmakers pretty backyard wedding ideas for celebrating your special day outdoors @diyshowoff #michaelsmakers pretty backyard wedding ideas for celebrating your special day outdoors @diyshowoff #michaelsmakers

Are you hosting a summer party? Entertaining guests? There’s so much to celebrate during this time of year! End of school parties, graduation, Father’s Day, Independence Day, birthdays, backyard BBQs and more.

pretty backyard wedding ideas for celebrating your special day outdoors @diyshowoff #michaelsmakers

For more summer party ideas: From paper crafts, party goods and baking supplies to new outdoor lighting, glass and floral, Michaels is your DIY destination for all of your summer celebrations.

Looking for summer entertaining ideas? Check out the #michaelsmakers summer party challenge @diyshowoff

Be sure to check out all of the other Michaels Makers DIY summer party ideas on the Michaels blog.

Visit these talented blog friends starting at 11 p.m. CST for more summer party inspiration:

 Loading InLinkz ...

Hosting an Essential Oils, Chocolate & Massage Party (Graphics and Tips)

Planning a fun get together with friends? In the midst of DIY projects and spring cleaning, I recently hosted a fun gathering of close friends. A day of pampering and friends, chocolate, wine, essential oil and massages. How fun! I spent some time making up some pretty pictures and thought I’d share with my essential oil lovin’ DIY ShowOff friends too. You’re welcome to use the graphics and ideas below as inspiration for hosting your own event {for personal use only}. You may add your own text to the blank flyer but I ask that you keep my watermark. Thank you! Enjoy!

How fun! Get free graphics, tips and ideas for hosting an essential oils party with a chocolate & massage theme @diyshowoff

{Facebook event cover photo}How fun! Get free graphics, tips and ideas for hosting an essential oils party with a chocolate & massage theme @diyshowoff

{use Picmonkey to add your own text including date, time, location, rsvp info}

How fun! Get free graphics, tips and ideas for hosting an essential oils party with a chocolate & massage theme @diyshowoff

{graphics for sharing on your Facebook event page}

A reminder to take care of “you”…How fun! Get free graphics, tips and ideas for hosting an essential oils party with a chocolate & massage theme @diyshowoff

I generally stick to essential oil infused ice water and healthy organic/non GMO refreshments at my gatherings but on special rare occasions, I like to switch things up. Because…chocolate. And wine. Then back to regularly scheduled healthy dietary habits, okay?

{a gentle reminder for the day before your event}

How fun! Get free graphics, tips and ideas for hosting an essential oils party with a chocolate & massage theme @diyshowoff

a wine punch recipe (wine optional, substitutions: Ningxia Zyng, sparkling cider)

How fun! Get free graphics, tips and ideas for hosting an essential oils party with a chocolate & massage theme @diyshowoff

Tips & Suggestions: I only recommend Young Living brand essential oils and products. I invite you to learn more and to get started here. 🙂

  • I have a friend who is a massage therapist but you can hire one to do 10 min. mini massages (hand, foot or neck and shoulders). Allow the massage therapist to bring business cards to distribute and provide the massage oil. (Suggestions: Relaxation, OrthoSport, OrthoEase or V-6 with Peace & Calming or Lavender, etc.)
  • Create a Facebook event page, post a graphic a day or every other day leading to the event. Send a reminder to guests in a personal private message a day or two before the event date. 
  • Host a short & sweet Essential Oils 101 class.
  • Have incentives for joining or bringing a guest handy.
  • Diffuse a calming/relaxing/uplifting essential oil (Suggestions: Lemon+Lavender+Peppermint, Peace & Calming, Stress Away, Citrus Fresh, Grapefruit+Bergamot, Lavender+YlangYlang).
  • Supplies: pretty plates, napkins, glass bottles and straws.
  • Optional: a sugar scrub or bath salt make & take. See recipes hereDIY skin nourishing lavender & ylang ylang essential oil infused sugar scrub for maintaining healthy skin @diyshowoff
  • Serve light essential oil infused refreshments (ideas: ice water bar with citrus essential oils, wine punch (shown above) or wine, essential oil infused chocolate – melt chocolate, add a few drops of essential oil and spoon/pour into a silicone mold. Remove and display or wrap in a baggy and tie with a pretty ribbon for use as a party favor. Or get fancy with essential oil infused chocolate cups filled with chocolate mousse. Yum! essential oil infused chocolate mousse @diyshowoff
  • Charge a small fee to help cover massage/etc. costs.
  • Limit space (5-12 guests).
  • Require an rsvp.

If you’re not familiar with essential oils, let’s talk! Learn more on my Young Living website. Embrace wellness!

diyshowoff young living essential oils member#1836762