Party DIY {Polka Dot Menu Cards}

This weekend I discovered the most amazing blog ever, House of Earnest. If you haven't checked it out before, I suggest you do. Immediately. The site is full of amazing DIY's and great tips for crafting your way to an amazing party. After spending hours on Erin's website, I felt rejuvenated and the urge to begin creating for you all again. So, my promise to you is to give you more fun, cute things to craft the perfect soiree.

To start off, I took a dive into my craft box to see what I could concoct. After a little digging (my box is a little disorganized), I found a craft paper card, some neon string, paint and white card stock. With a little bit of thought, I cam up with the cutest handmade menu card! Take a look below at how I made it happen...

1. Ruler

2. 4x6 Craft Paper Card

3. 8.5x11 White Card Stock

4. Neon String

5. Single Hole Punch

6. Scissors

7. Light Blue Paint

8. Fine Point Sharpie

9. Pencil

10. Paint Brush

Step 1: Begin by tracing the card on the white card stock two times with the pencil. Cut them out.
Step 2: On one of the pieces of card stock, trace lines 1/4 inch apart forming a grid. (See above.)
Step 3: Place a "X" in the bottom row, first box. Continue to place a "X", skipping one box between each. Skip the row about it, and place a "X" in alternating boxes than the row below. (See image below.)

Step 4: Take the single hole punch and punch out the "X"'s.
Step 5: Place the card stock full of whole over the front of the card and paint each hole blue.
Step 6: Insert the other piece of card stock into the card and punch two holes at the crease.

Step 7: Loop the string through the holes 4 times and tie at the front. 

Step 8: With your Sharpie, pen the word "enjoy", or "menu" if you like. You can really choose what you what here. I also like the idea of "bon appetite" 

Fun and Games {Ring Toss}

What's a carnival without ring toss? It's one of my favorite carnival games from when I was little. And, by the way, there is a huge gap in the market for purchasing/renting ring toss games. Hence why I decided to make my own! After many, many beers (over the course of a couple months...), 4 cans of spray paint, and countless hours of label peeling later, it is finished. I made two sets of this game so that more than one person could play at a time. So here's what you need to make it....

{50} label-less beer bottles -> note. It's better to use bottles with paper labels rather than ones that have sticker labels. The sticker labels leave a residue that DOES NOT come off. Trust me...

{4} cans of spray paint -> I used "Caramel Latte" to add a splash of something different. I was starting to get a little over the top on all of the navy, red, and yellow details. However, feel free to use whatever color you like. 

{1} pack of shower rings. 

So the best method for getting the labels off the bottles I discovered, is to fill a bucket with hot water and submerge the bottles in the water. The longer it can soak the easier it is to peel off the label. Once it's peeled off, you will still need to scrub it with a wash cloth to get the remaining residue off. Once the bottles are clean, dry them off and begin to spray paint. Once all the bottles are spray painted, let them dry. I left mine outside for a couple of hours. Maybe 3 or 4. After they are dry, you are good to go! 

Have fun! 

Let's Get Crafty {Wine Bottle Tiki Torches}

Why yes, I did just say wine bottle tiki torches. I mean, hello, talk about the most amazing way to keep annoying bugs away. Plus, they are so easy to make and you don't have to worry about having a place to stick the base of the torch in the ground. Oh and let's not forget to mention that it's cheap. Cheaper than buying a brand new tiki torch. Yes, the wine it probably a little expensive, but if you are like me, you have the wine already and a recycling bin full of empty wine bottles. Okay, so here is what you are going to need...

{1} An empty wine bottle

{2} Tiki brand replacement wicks

{3} Tiki brand torch oil

{4} 1/2" x 3/8" copper coupling 

{5} 1/2" teflon tape

And here is what you are going to need to do...

{1} Take your wine bottle and peel the label off. I have determined that the best way to do this is under hot water in your sink.

{2} Take your copper coupling (1/2" side up) and slide it over the wick leaving approximately 1/2" of wick at the top.

{3} Use the teflon tape to tape the wick in place on the 3/8" side. It should be thick enough so that it will fit securely in the bottle.
{4} Fill the bottle with oil until it reaches the curve in the bottle.
{5} Put the secured wick in the bottle, grab a lighter, and enjoy a bug free evening!