DIY Pixie Sticks

I had the pleasure of finding myself, yet again, with the task of creating 500 bag stuffers to include in Tagalong Tot's Baby and Kids Expo, October 19th and 20th at The Ranch Larimer County Fairgrounds.  

I LOVE the striped paper straw party trend and knew I could get them in just the right colors to compliment my logo.  But what could I do with them?  Kids don't just want empty straws......then it occurred to me, fill them with sugar!  (Sorry parents, I realize this may cause unwelcome reactions.  During an initial taste test, my own child laid on the floor of my kitchen sucking at the empty paper straw for 10 minutes until I was finally able to take it from her grip.)  

But just in case you would like to make these Homemade Pixie Sticks yourself, here are the instructions.

Materials:

Paper Straws - I can't give away my preferred supplier but you can find these all over the place right now in a huge variety of colors and patterns.

Glue Dots - It took me a few trial and errors to find the perfect size to make these stick but not be too big that they would bulge out on the sides, try to find "Glue Dots" brand, size 3/8" (1cm)

Paper Tags - This is optional for you, but I wanted to include my logo and contact info, so I printed off some info on blue card stock and my logo on white address labels.

A Funnel- I made one out of paper

A Mixing bowl and whisk

A Measuring Spoon

Lemonade Pixie Stick Recipe below

 Lemonade Pixie Stick Recipe - found on About.com
6 tbsp of granulated sugar
1 tsp flavored-Kool-Aid (about a half of a .23 oz packet) I used pink lemonade, lemonade and orange.
1/8 tsp citric acid Don't worry, I know if sounds scary, but its not.  Here is a link to more info about what citric acid is, It is a natural acid found in citrus fruits.  I found some at my local health food market.
About.com says that the above recipe fills about 30 straws, mine must have been bigger because I got about 20.

Directions:

1. Place glue dot at end of paper straw and fold over to secure end of straw.
2. In a mixing bowl, whisk sugar, citric acid and kool aid together, add additional sugar or citric acid to taste.
3. Pour about 3/4 tablespoons of mixture through funnel into straw.
4. Attach another glue dot to top of straw and fold over to close.
5. You may choose to add a tag such as "Thank you" or "Happy Birthday," a ribbon, etc.
6. When giving to your child to enjoy, please snip off the top of the straw, entirely so that the glue dot is not a choking hazard.

The basics of this project were pretty simple, but I may have developed carpal tunnel after finishing 500....no seriously.  So if you don't have the time, or patience to work on these or your other little party details, please entertain the idea of hiring Little Bird Celebrations to help with all of your party planning needs.  

............a little bird told me you'd like some help with your event.

Brown paper packages tied up with string......

these are a few of my favorite things.

Everything looks better when its in pretty gift wrap.  I was recently asked by The Skin Place, a cute local shop with amazing skin products, to brainstorm some packaging for her bottles.  I had so much fun putting a variety of boxes and decorations together that I decided to offer my gift wrapping services to the masses. So I added a gift wrap and packaging section to my Etsy shop.  You can choose my gift wrap as an add-on to your other purchases in my store, or you can by the packaging, unassembled.  The possibilities are really endless as far as sizes and shapes of boxes, materials, colors and embellishments so if you just contact me, I can make something just for you!

Here are just a few examples:

Yarn Decorated Large Gable Box

Mini Gable Box with Embelishments

Washi Tape Gift Box

Felt Flower Take Out Box

Apple of My Eye Party

Click here to purchase a Pre-Made Party Kit.

Tissue Paper Pom Pom Kit $25.00

Tissue Paper Pom Pom Kit $25.00    

Polka Dot Mini Wrappers $8.00

Chevron Wrappers $8.00

Glitter Reusable Wrapper $13.00

Polka Dot Wrappers $8.00

36" round balloon $6.00

36" round balloon $6.00

Tissue Paper Pinwheels $30.00

Tissue Paper Pinwheels $30.00

Striped Paper Straws $3.00

Striped Paper Straws $3.00

Chevron Paper Straws $3.00

Polka Dot Paper Straws $3.00   

Striped Washi Tape $6.00

Striped Washi Tape $6.00

Red Baker's Twine $13.00

Green Baker's Twine $13.00

Dot Gift Wrap Sheets $12.00

Dot Gift Wrap Sheets $12.00

Print Your Own Invitations $5.00

Disposable Wooden Forks $5.00

Mini Wooden Cupcake Stand $16.00

Apple of My Eye

In honor of the kids going back to school AND their wonderful teachers, I put together an Etsy Treasury List of my favorite homemade apple finds. Please enjoy!

Handmade Montessori Counting Tree by The Handmade Classroom
Wood Toy Autumn Harvest Apples by Apple n Amos
Sweet Apple Hat Photo Prop by Crafty Chics 2
Mod Apple Fabric by Oilcloth by the Yard
Apple Art Print Illustration by Brigit Joy

DIY Watercolor Party Supplies

On a budget?  Feeling crafty? Looking for a low-key party theme to fit any occasion from birthday to bridal shower to end of summer popsicle party?  Try some of these Watercolor Party DIY projects for making your own party supplies.

Painted Paper Cups

from Design Sponge

Materials:

• white, paper coffee cups
• paintbrush
• acrylic paint
• water

Instructions:

1. Squeeze some of the acrylic paint into a cup and slowly dilute with water, while mixing.
2. Apply thin stokes of the paint to your cups- don't use too much and don't paint the brim where people's lips will be.
3. Allow about an hour to dry.

Watercolor Tags

from Wed in Love

Materials:

• watercolor paints
• painting sponge
• glass of water
• a white crayon
• a paper plate
• white craft tags
• string or twine

Instructions:

1. Write or draw on the tags with the white crayon.  (Some sample phrases may include "thank you" or "happy birthday" or "i love you," depending on the occasion.)
2. Dip the sponge into your chosen color and paint onto the craft tag.
3. Allow to dry.
4. Tie onto a gift bag, hang on a party favor or clip onto clothesline to use as a seating arrangement placecard.  

Flower Bows

from Victoria Hudgins- Bloesem

Materials:

• white or colored, store bought gift wrap bows
• scissors
• watercolor paints
• a paintbrush

Instructions:

1. Paint the bows with the watercolors, however you please.
2. Allow to dry for about an hour.
3. Cut the center loops of the store bought bows with your scissors.
4. Layer 2 or 3 bows on top of each other to combine a variety of colors.
5. Staple through the middle to keep the bows together.
6. Use to decorate gifts, make hair accessories, pins, etc.

Popsicle Mini Tote Favor Bags

from Creature Comforts

Materials:

• free popsicle iron-on printable from Creature Comforts
• iron-on transfer paper
• iron
• mini cotton tote bags
• sharp scissors
• small favors to put in the bags

Instructions:

1. Print popsicle iron-on onto transfer paper.
2. Cut out the popsicle shape as close to the design as possible.
3. Put transfer face down on fabric bag and iron on according to transfer paper directions.
4. When transfer is fully adhered and cool to the touch, peel the paper backing off.
5. Fill with treats and disperse to your popsicle loving party pals!

Watercolor Kit

from Tip Junkie

Materials:

• store bought, individual paint sets (can be found at the dollar store or most big box stores)
• watercolor paints
• a paint brush
• scissors
• masking tape
• your choice of wording printed on textured, white cardstock paper (Grab my free printable below by righting clicking and choosing Save As)

Instructions:

1. Print off the free printable above or your choice of wording, using bubble letters, onto textured white cardstock paper (this type of paper will allow for the paint to bleed.)
2. Using alternating paint colors, paint over the bubble letters with the watercolor paints. (Follow your inner child and do NOT stay in the lines!)
3. Allow to dry.
4. Cut out into individual tag strips.
5. Use masking tape to tape tags onto individual paint sets.
6. Give out as party parting gifts.

Watercolor Party Streamers

from Dandee Designs

Materials:

• plain, white party streamer
• glass bowls
• cooling racks
• food coloring

Instructions:

1. Fill bowls with 1 1/2 cups of room temperature water.
2. Add food coloring to bowls (more drops for deeper colors.)
3. Place rolled up white party streamers into bowls to absorb the colored water. (Do not leave in for too long, just long enough to soak up some of that color on the bottom portion of the roll.)
4. Place rolls on drying racks and allow to dry. (May take a few days to dry completely.)

I'd love to see your DIY Watercolor Party projects!  Please feel free to email me pictures to share!