$50 Oriental Trading Gift Card GIVEAWAY!!

UPDATE:  Congrats to our winner Virginia H!!

I'm so excited to team up with Oriental Trading for a $50 gift card giveaway.  As many of you know, they are my favorite company to use for party and craft supplies.  Go visit their site and get excited to plan your own!

$50 goes a long way at Oriental Trading, so be sure to enter the giveaway below!   This giveaway is eligible for U.S residents 18 and older and runs from May 25th - June 11th.  The winner will be chosen and contacted after the contest closes.

$50 Oriental Trading Gift Card Giveaway

Football Party Centerpieces

Whether you are planning a Super Bowl party or football themed party, these centerpieces are easy to make and perfect for the occasion!  Oriental Trading once again outdoes themselves with fun products to help me create them.  

Supplies needed from Oriental Trading:

Galvanized bottle vases

Football laces bracelets

Kid's whistles

Self inflating football mylar balloons

Black tissue paper

Directions:

1. Tie bracelet around the bottom of the vase.
2. Tie and tape the whistle around the middle of the vase.
3. Inflate balloons.  Wrap a piece of tissue paper around bottom of balloon and insert into the vase.
4. Cut a piece of tissue paper in half.  
5. Cut the tissue paper into 1/2 inch strips about half way down the paper.
6. Wrap around balloon and stuff into the vase.

If you are looking for more great party supplies go to THIS LINK.  
 There are so many items to choose from.  

**Oriental Trading sent me products for this post.  All opinions are my own. 

  Thanks ~ Nichi

 I like linking my posts to THESE GREAT PARTIES!!!!

Triple Wreath Heart Decor

Oriental Trading has some of the greatest craft supplies!  I think you have probably figured out that I have a great relationship from my posts.  It took me a while to decide this time what to do with these wreaths and wooden hearts.  After painting and a lot of strategy, I came up with this festive addition to my home decor.

Supplies needed:
small branch wreaths from Oriental Trading
wooden hearts from Oriental Trading
brown twine
paint
paint brush

Directions:

1. Paint each heart to the color of your liking
2. Tie each wreath to another with twine.
3. Wrap twine around hearts and tie to wreaths.
4. Make a twine loop for the top hanger.

If you are looking for more great Valentine or home decor ideas go to THIS LINK.  
 There are so many items to choose from.  

**Oriental Trading sent me products for this post.  All opinions are my own. 

  Thanks ~ Nichi

 I like linking my posts to THESE GREAT PARTIES!!!!

Bubble Gum Tube Valentines

This is my last year to do Valentines for my girls.  My youngest is in 5th grade.  Moving on to middle school next year.  I love Valentines, and giving something unique each year.  To celebrate a great 5th grade year, we created these super fun Bubble Gum Tube Valentines with the catchy saying on the side.  Want to make some of your own?  Just follow my easy directions below and let Oriental Trading provide you with the supplies!

Supplies needed:
large favor tubes from Oriental Trading
washi tape from Oriental Trading
tub of bubble gum from Oriental Trading
Silhouette machine and white vinyl
permanent pen

Directions:

1. Push 5 pieces of gum into each tube.
2. Wrap washi tape onto top of tub cap
3. Cut the "5th grade is BLOWING by!" saying out of vinyl.
4. Attach vinyl to the tubes.
5. Write your "To:" and "From:" message with permanent pens on the tubes.

If you are looking for more great Valentine ideas go to THIS LINK.  
 There are so many items to choose from.  

**Oriental Trading sent me products for this post.  All opinions are my own. 

  Thanks ~ Nichi

 I like linking my posts to THESE GREAT PARTIES!!!!

Burlap and Tulle Valentine Wreath

All of the Christmas decorations are down and resolutions have been made.  Anyone ready for spring?  I am.  It has been super cold here the past few weeks in the Midwest.  I've been hibernating and working on craft projects.  With February quickly upon us, my front door needed something new to celebrate the next holiday.  So, I created this fun and easy Burlap and Tulle Valentine Wreath.  Gather the supplies and make one of your own!

Supplies used:
18 inch metal wreath frame
red tulle
burlap
wooden hearts
red and white washi tape
glue gun

Directions:

1. Put strips of washi tape across the font of the wooden hearts.  Cut around the sides to make a clean edge.
2. Cut strips of burlap and tulle.  Tie onto the wreath frame alternating between the burlap and tulle.
3. Glue hearts onto the wreath.
4. Hang and enjoy!

  Thanks ~ Nichi

 I like linking my posts to THESE GREAT PARTIES!!!!

Gingerbread House Party

Every year my kids, nieces, and nephews gather at my house for our annual gingerbread house making party.  It has become a cherished event each year.  The smell of gingerbread and laughter of the kids fills the house.  This year, Oriental Trading, helped me to step up my party supplies.   Look at all of this amazing stuff!!

I created a backdrop out of red and green tablecloths by cutting them in half and draping them over a thick cord.  Then, added the cute gingerbread garland.

These fun gingerbread house boxes will be for the kids to fill with goodies to take home. 

These cups are one of the going-home surprises for the kids. 

 Boxes of gingerbread house kits wait to be put together.

Themed dessert plates and napkins are ready for treats. 

Lunch size plates are ready for all of the snacks. 

 There are even gingerbread shaped suckers to greet everyone.

So, start your own tradition of gingerbread house making 

and let Oriental Trading help with the decor and treats!!  

If you are looking for more great party ideas go to THIS LINK.  
 There are so many items to choose from.  

**Oriental Trading sent me products for this post.  All opinions are my own. 

  Thanks ~ Nichi

 I like linking my posts to THESE GREAT PARTIES!!!!

Red and Turquoise Christmas Decor

Usually I'm very traditional when it comes to decorating for Christmas.  I do green, red, and gold with angels and Santas.  However, this past year we redecorated our first floor and created a more rustic feel with wood accents, grays, and a pop of turquoise.  Knowing I didn't want to get rid of the turquoise, I decided to just add to it.  So, here are my decorations using a fun red and turquoise color scheme.  

This is also the first year that I put ribbon on my tree.  I love the look and will probably do it again next year.  The ornaments were found at a local craft store, Oriental Trading, and a friend that passed along her turquoise balls to me.  Then, I added our family ornaments to complete the tree.

The mantle is decorated with a beautiful poinsettia garland from Oriental Trading.  I tied silver snowflake ornaments on my stocking hooks to keep with a silver accent rather than gold.

Each side of the mantle has wooden coasters (from Oriental Trading) stacked and topped with a glass vase and ornaments.

Even the wrapping is red and turquoise.  These fun tags from Oriental Trading keep with the theme.

My last post showed you how to make these foam cone trees.  They have been a great addition to my overall decor this year.  Hope you enjoyed seeing my red and turquoise Christmas decor.   I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

If you are looking for more great Christmas decor ideas go to THIS LINK.  
 There are so many items to choose from.  

**Oriental Trading sent me products for this post.  All opinions are my own. 

  Thanks ~ Nichi

 I like linking my posts to THESE GREAT PARTIES!!!!