Girls Camping Party

Now that we are on the theme of Camping Out...I found this awesome Girls Camping Party on
Hostess With The Mostess
"Camp Out! Girls Birthday Party"

Here are a few of my favorite Photos

 How Beautiful is this... I love the Quilts, bandanas, clothes pins, signs....

A Cute way to serve s'mores

S'more cupcakes

s'more pops...coat marshmallows in chocolate then dip in graham cracker crumbs

Happy Trails to you....

p.s. I hope you like these ideas, Barbarann!

"Camping Out" Camp Fire Cake

Camp Fire Time

I LOVE this cake for camping out!

Thebirthdayblog.net posted this cute tutorial for making the fire for this "Camp Fire Cake".

The logs are Pepperidge Farms Cookies (how clever)

and here is how she made the fire:

While the cake is baking, make the candy part of this cake. Place 1/2 cup of sugar, 1/4 a cup of corn syrup (Karo syrup) and 1/8 cup water in a sauce pan and brought  to a boil. If you don't have a candy thermometer, use this trick,  have a bowl of ice water next to the stove and when it starts to get thicker and you think it might be ready, use a spoon and put a little in the water. If it hardens and cracks when it breaks, then it is ready. If not, stir a little longer and then try again.  If you want a more exact way or if you already have a thermometer then it needs to reach 295 F. Add the coloring at the end . Do not mix the color, try to get the color to vary a little. Pour it onto tin foil on top of  a cookie sheet. Cool before removing from foil.

p.s. don't forget the camp fire songs...and scary stories!!!

Popsicle Party Ideas

I just was reading the new Martha Stewart Magazine and fell in love with these cute invitations.

I love these Popsicle invitations and a great Party Theme.

Click here for a complete tutorial with free downloads for invite, envelope and mailing label with sprinkles...thank you Martha, you are amazing!

I was given a Zoku Pop Maker and I love it!

We keep it in our freezer and use it often.

It is so easy to use and clean,and your popsicles are ready in minutes! I consider this a "must have" item.

There are endless combinations of fruits and juices you can use and you know they are healthy because you make them. No added sugars or preservatives.

You can buy them from here or Williams-Sanoma.com

Click here for Recipe for Pineapple Coconut POPS from Zoku.com

AND HERE IS A GROWN-UP ONLY RECIPE

from Betty Crocker.com

Mai Tai Tiki Pops

Stay cool and enjoy Summertime!

Brown Paper Bag Star Tutorial

I Love this cute tutorial on making "Party Stars"

This is from Mirabelle Creations (I saw this on Hostess with The Mostess)

I really like the color of Natural Craft Bags (Lunch Brown Bags) and have been loving burlap fabric lately....hmmm...I think this might turn into a party soon...
Let's brainstorm, craft paper, burlap, natural papers????

Anyways, here is the tutorial for these rustic looking stars.

You will need:

– 5 Gusseted Paper Bags

– Double-sided Tape

– String

– Scissors

– Hole Punch.

Cut off the end of all of the paper bags.

Stack all 5 paper bags and cut the other ends into a point.

Place two pieces of double sided tape on either side of each paper bag, near the ends.

Stack all 5 paper bags together and punch a hole in the bottom, middle.  Tie the bags together with string, not too tightly.

Join the two ends together to make your star.

You can also use white or colored paper bags in different sizes to mix things up a bit. Maybe even try making a GIANT version from grocery sized bags! That could be fun! 

DIY: Chalkboard Platter (Notes or Menu Board)

I love my new Message  Board. I plan to use it at parties as a Menu Board, as well.

This DIY project was so easy and fun.

I bought a large platter from Home Goods for $9.95 and a can of chalkboard paint at MIchael's with a 40% off coupon and voila!

any plate, platter will do...the chalkboard paint sticks to tons of surfaces

Make sure to tape it off well, press the corners down real well, on the edge of the platter there is paper to protect the edges while painting

Please note, this was sprayed outside!!!! Not on my countertop!!!!

I couldn't stop spray painting, so I made this little jar. I even sprayed the top of jar with chalkboard paint!

Please Note:

Very Important...Let paint dry 24 hours before using chalk!!!!

you must use a felt eraser on chalkboard paint and do not use Side Walk Chalk, it scrapes the paint off.

July 4th Games and Activities

Make a bean bag toss...

Tutorial from Chica and Jo.com here

To play the game, just line up the saucers with the largest one closest to you, and the smallest one farthest away. The distance between the saucers can vary depending on the age and skill level of those playing. Then have the kids take turns tossing the bags onto the targets of their choice, and score them for any successful hits. Easy and fun!

Trivia Questions are always a great idea for any party.

Here are some questions for your July 4th Party!

(some are hard, some are easier, these questions should be a hit for all ages)

Trivia Contest Questions:

Fourth Of July Trivia Questions

Question : What was the main reason the U.S. declared independence?

Answer: We declared independence because we were taxed without representation.

Question : How many people signed the Declaration of Independence?

Answer: 56 people signed the Declaration of Independence.

Question : In what city was the Declaration of Independence signed?

Answer: The Declaration of Independence was signed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Question : What are the first seven words of the Declaration of Independence?

Answer: The first seven words of the Declaration of Independence are “When in the course of human events."

Question : Whose signature is the largest on the Declaration of Independence?

Answer: The largest signature on the Declaration of Independence is John Hancock’s.

Question : Who was the king of England when the colonies declared their independence?

Answer: George III was king of England when the colonies declared their independence.

Question : How many people were living in the U. S. in 1776?

Answer: There were 2.5 million people living in the U. S. in 1776.

Question : Where does the word “patriotism” come from?

Answer: The word “patriotism” comes from the Latin “patria” meaning “fatherland” or “homeland”.

Celebrations

Question : How many hotdogs are consumed on July 4th each year?

Answer: Americans consume 150 million hotdogs on July 4th each year.

Question : How much money is spent on fireworks every year?

Answer: Americans spend around 211 million dollars every year on fireworks.

Question : Who invented fireworks?

Answer: The Chinese invented fireworks.

Question : How many people have cook outs on July 4th?

Answer: Over 74 million people have cookouts on July 4th.

Question : When did the Liberty Bell crack?

Answer: The first Liberty Bell cracked when it was being tested. It and the second bell were re-melted

and forged again. The third Liberty Bell cracked in 1835.

Question : What is our national bird?

Answer: Our national bird is the bald eagle.

Question : Where is the Liberty Bell located?

Answer: The Liberty Bell is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the tower of Independence Hall.

Question : Does the Liberty Bell still ring today?

Answer: The Liberty Bell no longer rings. It rang from 1778 to 1835, when it cracked.

Question : How did the name “Uncle Sam” originate?

Answer: The name: Uncle Sam” originated in 1812, when a meat packer by the name of Sam Wilson provided meat to the U. S. Army. Someone saw the meat shipments that were stamped with U. S. and joked that the initials stood for “Uncle Sam” and the name stuck.

Question : What is the name of the National Anthem?

Answer: The name of the National Anthem is the “Star Spangled Banner.”

Question : Who wrote the words to the National Anthem?

Answer: Francis Scott Key wrote the words to the National Anthem.

Question : Who wrote the music for the National Anthem?

Answer: The music for the National Anthem comes from an old English drinking song named, “Anacreon in Heaven.”

Question : Who wrote the Pledge of Allegiance?

Answer: Francis Bellamy wrote the Pledge of Allegiance.

Question : What were the colors of the first flag?

Answer: The colors of the first flag were red, white, and blue.

Question : Who sewed the first official American flag?

Answer: Betsy Ross sewed the first official American flag.

Question : Why were the stars in a circle on the first flag?

Answer: The stars were in a circle on the first flag to show that all the colonies were equal.

Question : How tall is the Statue of Liberty?

Answer: The Statue of Liberty is 151 feet tall.

Question : What country gave us the Statue of Liberty?

Answer: France gave us the Statue of Liberty.