Friday, January 3, 2014

CFC #125 - Trickin' out the Beverage Dispenser + Other Christmas Party Crafts


It's time for our first CAS-ual Fridays Challenge of 2014! Instead of a resolution, choose a word that describes what you hope for the new year, and use that word on your project. If you're stuck for a word, you might want to check out Ali Edward's One Little Word project. Each year Ali picks a word that she can "focus on, mediate on, and reflect upon" as she goes about her daily life. In the comments section of this year's post, there are 800 people talking about what word they've picked for 2014. Lots of inspiration!

This is a two week challenge, and the talented winner will receive a prize from CAS-ual Fridays Stamps!


For this challenge, I don't have a particular word, but an idea represented by the words.


We hosted Christmas for my side of the family this year, and I got to try out my new 3 tier beverage station. Hello color! I loved the way it looked on the appetizer table. I got the idea to label each drink from an awesome wedding that features typography. It doesn't tell people what kind of drink it is (they were all types of fruit punch), but I thought it was fun, cute and something different.

So why am I posting it for this challenge?

This year I'd like to focus on using my dies, stamps, paper, ribbon etc. where ever and when ever I can. Cards, of course, but I'd really like to get the most of what I have and use my supplies for other things too. Putting words on beverage servers is an example of this. 

Other examples from the Christmas party are:


Holders for hot chocolate bar toppings. Having hot chocolate in a crock pot is an easy beverage/dessert at the party. To make it a little more fancy, I put out toppings like marshmallows, chocolate chips, cinnamon sticks, wafers, etc. Double-sided 6x6 Christmas papers folded into a cone and stapled together hold the toppings. So easy.
  

Punched snowflakes to hide. I usually have 100-200 and hide them for the kids to find when they start getting restless before presents. We end up finding them for weeks afterwards. But it's a great reminder of the party, and the kids have fun trying to see how many they can get. This year I gave Logan the bowl of punched snowflakes and had him do the hiding. 
 

Baked potato bar labels. New this year, we tried mashed potatoes in a crock pot with toppings (ham, bacon, chives, cheese, french onions, sour cream). Not only did people enjoy making their own creations, but it's a huge time-saver to make mashed potatoes the day before! The craft supplies were used to make labels for the toppings. I had the bowls in an old gun case I got from a garage sale for $2 (score!)


Felt numbers on the Santa hats. A couple years ago I glued felt die-cut numbers on Santa hats for all of the cousins. We're up to number 21 now. Before opening presents we make them all get on the steps for a photo with their hats on ... it's quite a sight to see all 21 of them together! While cute, they also serve a practical purpose. We let the youngest kids open presents first, and the bigger our family got, the harder it was to figure out who was born next. Now we know! Their names are inside each hat, and after the party we put the hats all in a bag for my mom to store until next year.

Wow. This post really took a different direction than what I had planned! Sorry if it was longer than you expected : ) But I would love to do more things like this with my craft supplies throughout the year, not just on cards or for parties.

Can't wait to see your creations in the CAS-ual Fridays Challenge gallery!

Thanks so much for looking! 
-Kelly

That DIY Party

27 comments:

  1. Kelly, this post is awesome! I love how you used all your paper/dies. My favorite is the santa hats with the numbers of the grandchildren. So fun!

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  2. How fun does your party look Kelly!! The numbered Santa hats are a really CUTE idea!!

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  3. You are the most fun person I know! Everyone must look forward to your parties just to see what you've cooked up each time. The numbered Santa hats are a great idea! Even more, I love seeing your creative freedom in every project. You know I'm sitting here smiling!

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  4. I bow to your awesomeness. The thought of hosting that many people raises my blood pressure, but not only do you manage it, but you manage it creatively and with a smile (I've seen the previous photos!). Love the drink station and the mashed potato bar! So cool!

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  5. Holy cow! 21 cousins! That is a lot, it must be madness when you are all together! Love your resolution! Get rid of that stash and have fun doing it!

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  6. If you want to use your craft supplies in unique and different ways, I'd say your Christmas party got you off to a good start. You have a post full of interesting ideas and I thank you for sharing.

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  7. A house filled with the joy and laughter of 21 cousins...doesn't get much better than that! Love that you are upcycling things, and that you're determined to utilize your craft supplies in multiple ways. My goal is to give all our kids "stuff" from the house! Maybe you should come up and pick out a few things.....lol. Bev

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  8. Kelly ... I'm speechless in admiration ... Anita :)

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  9. Can I please come over for Christmas next year? I promise I will be good!! What a fabulous post--so many incredible ideas and wonderful pictures. Merry Merry.

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  10. When I saw your picture I just had to check out your blog to see how Pink Red & Green were part of your hope for 2014. :) You have such fabulous ideas here! Thank you for sharing them with all of us.

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  11. Wow - you really went all out for your Christmas Kelly - what creative fun ideas! 21 Santa hats - that's a LOT of kids!!

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  12. My favorite detail is the numbered Santa hats - looks like you had a wonderful Christmas Kelly!

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  13. Love all your party planning ideas! Looks like a lot of fun! So creative as always!

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  14. What an Awesome Party Kelly!!! Happy New Year :)

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  15. Oh you had so many great ideas here Kelly. I love the snowflake hiding game and that your son hid them this year. We have a large family too. Looks like you had lots of fun. TFS, Happy New Year!

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  16. they are all great ideas . I try to find uses for my paper other than for cards as well . Thanks for sharing .

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  17. they are all great ideas . I try to find uses for my paper other than for cards as well . Thanks for sharing .

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  18. they are all great ideas . I try to find uses for my paper other than for cards as well . Thanks for sharing .

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  19. Yep, like I said, great things to come from the Notable Nest in 2014! You rock, Kelly!

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  20. Oh I love your party ensemble Kelly! How fantastic! The mashed potato bar is such a great idea! LOVE that.

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  21. Okay, I was totally confused right at the beginning of this, I must admit! But the more I read and the more I looked, the more it made sense and the more I smiled. I don't think you will have any problem meeting that aim Kelly. And btw love all those special Christmas touches - hidden slowflakes sound awesome!!

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    1. *snowflakes! Although I might totally keep 'slowflakes' as an invented word.

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  22. I totally agree with Maria.
    You rock and I love it when you do your thing because we get so much inspirtaion when you do!
    You have such a way for living a very beautiful and creative life. I'm very grateful you share it all with us!
    Thank You~

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  23. Crathco G Cool Mini Quattro C4D Cold Beverage Dispenser.Kingstaurant.com - Distributor of Restaurant Supplies and Equipment.

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I absolutely love reading comments. Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to leave one! - Kelly