Posted on June 25, 2012 by Kara

DIY 4th of July Sparkler Party Favors- Free Printables!

I wanted to create some cute and simple 4th of July party favors this year…

Just imagine how fun these SPARKLER FAVOR TUBES would be at a BBQ; or how about handing them out to all the kiddos in your clan at the parade or firework show?

Follow the easy tutorials below by using a few inexpensive items from my shop and the dollar store. These favors can be made with little money and hardly any time at all!

Supplies needed:

Clear plastic gumball tubes- Available in Kara’s Party Ideas Shop for only $1.25 here

Red bakers twine- Available in Kara’s Party Ideas Shop here

Red burlap/jute ribbon- Available in Kara’s Party Ideas Shop here

USA Flag Picks- Available in Kara’s Party Ideas Shop here

Matchboxes- Dollar Store

Sparklers- Dollar Store

Smoke Bombs- Dollar Store

I dressed up the matchboxes in two different ways. I used flag picks and regular cardstock for the first set. To find out how to create the fun ribbon type gift topper follow the tutorial below…

STEP ONE- Cut the sticks off of the flags.

STEP TWO- Glue the flags one by one on top of each other, alternating the orientation between each one.

STEP THREE- Attach the flag ribbon strip to your matchbox {or anything you want} and cut off the end.

I also made cute little pinwheels out of regular flag picks. Learn how by following the tutorial below…

STEP ONE- Cut the stick completely off the flag and cut the end of the flag off so you have a miniature square.

STEP TWO- Starting at all four corners, cut a straight line into the center of the square {but not all the way}, leaving a small un-cut space in the center of the square.

STEP THREE- Fold every other corner into the center of the square.

STEP FOUR- Attach the cute miniature pinwheel to the end of a match with hot glue.

These next sparkler favor tubes were made a little differently. These ones have more of a vintage feel to them, which I love.

If you would like to use the same tags that I did, click on the image below to enlarge and save to your computer…

I hope you enjoy! I would love to see pictures of your sparkler favors if you would like to send them to me via my submit form! Stay tuned for more fun favor ideas using gumball tubes and other party items!

xoxo

Posted on February 13, 2012 by Kara

BIG Big News! Kara’s Party Ideas BOOK!!

image source here

YES, it’s true! If you didn’t hear on Facebook a couple week’s ago, I have officially signed a book deal!! I’m SO very excited! I still just can’t believe it. I’ve been dreaming up, working up, and envisioning this book for a very. long. time.

My publishing company is Cedar Fort Books. They are absolutely wonderful and have been so great to work with. Lately I have been devoting almost every waking hour to this precious project, and a lot more work is ahead of me this next month as we finish up all the photo shoots. It’s so much fun, though. I feel so very blessed.

Kara’s Party Ideas {the book} is scheduled to hit shelves in October of this year! It’s going to be chuck full of never-before-seen parties, tons of inspiration, beautiful photographs, DIY instructions, party printables and more!

I want to personally thank all of you for your support and kind words. Because of each and every one of you my dream is becoming a reality. I can’t thank my wonderful fans enough.

Stay tuned for more book news and sneak peeks! Ahhhhh!

Image source here

Posted on April 26, 2010 by Kara

Fisherman Themed Birthday Dinner Party

this is the fisherman themed birthday dinner i put together for my husbands birthday last week! to see the HGTV feature gohere.

my husband is an AVID fisherman…so for months i’ve been planning the ultimate fisherman’s escape, a dinner just for the two of us, right by his favorite fishing spot. the weather turned out to be great. and although there still isn’t much green on the tree’s being that it’s still april, the setting was perfect.

hope you enjoy!

the red ball is a vintage glass fishing float…

dessert table…

i wanted to add a vintage feel to the party. so i found some vintage glasses, and old vintage picnic basket {that i used for the flower arrangement}, a vintage fishing net, vintage fishing lures, vintage dishes, vintage fishing creels, vintage lanterns, a vintage vase, vintage canning jars, a vintage owl..and more.

oh, and i bought some authentic fish fossils off ebay that i used as little coasters….

i borrowed the vintage fishing creel from my mom, it was my great grandfathers. so cool.

Posted on September 5, 2009 by Kara

Pina Colada Pool Party Cupcakes

How fun are these Shark cupcakes?! The best part- they’re Pina Colada cupcakes, baby!

I made the shark fins out of card stock.

Here’s the cupcake recipe:
Ingredients:

1 package yellow cake mix
1 package instant vanilla pudding and pie filling mix
3/4 cup Coco Lopez Cream of Coconut
1/2 cup white grape juice {or rum, if you drink alcohol}
1/3 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
1 can crushed pineapple, well drained
1/2 cup shredded coconut

Preparation:
Preheat oven to 350°. In a large mixing bowl, combine cake mix, pudding mix, 1/2 cup cream of coconut, 1/2 cup white grape juice, oil, and eggs. beat on medium speed 2 minutes. Stir in drained crushed pineapple & shredded coconut. Divide into cupcake liners. Cook for 15-18 minutes.

Posted on August 20, 2009 by Kara

Robot Party Sneaker

here’s a little sneak peak at the robot birthday party i’m planning. i went to the oil can section {robot’s need oiled up so they don’t rust, remember} for some party decor items & inspiration. i’m getting pretty excited! also coming soon…kenzie’s pool party! stay tuned!

Kara's Party Ideas

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Tag Archives: Kara’s Parties

DIY 4th of July Sparkler Party Favors- Free Printables!

BIG Big News! Kara’s Party Ideas BOOK!!

Fisherman Themed Birthday Dinner Party

Pina Colada Pool Party Cupcakes

Robot Party Sneaker