HOW TO MAKE PARTY TOPIARIES

What is a party topiary? Just a fun take on traditional hanging decorations. Pop a few honeycomb balls on a stick and call it awesome. These couldn't be easier to make and just bring a ball of fun to the party. Think of all the different combinations you could make. Don't forget that you have a variety of sizes to choose from and can even make shapes - a geometric topiary would be so fun!! Pop on over to Minted's blog Julep and check out the full tutorial HERE.

A little hint, unless you have these sticks stuck in the ground for your perfect garden party, you are going to need a base. Check out the quick and easy DIY to put the dowels in a base and make these cuties over on Minted's blog Julep HERE.

HOW TO MAKE DIY FRINGE POUFS (SPONSORED BY BING)

What is a fringe pouf exactly? Hmmm...it's not quite garland, but you could make it into one. It's not quite a tassel, but it's even easier and has the effect of many tassels together. It's not quite a tissue pouf, but it's fluffy and I am calling it that anyway. Ta da! Every party without fail has a few surprises. These little poufs were made for Bing's 'Dot the i' dinner at the Naked Fish Restaurant for Alt. When Natalie asked if I would decorate for the party, I was thrilled. We immediately starting thinking of ideas around polka dots and copper. I love taking an idea and running with it. Not everything for a polka dot party needs to be a polka dot. Here I stuck with the color palette and made a fun accent to the party. I made four of these to hang on the sides under the large beams that went across the room.

You will need:

black tissue paper

copper mylar sheets

rotary cutter, a ruler and a mat

fishing line to hang

Take 6 sheets of tissue paper and 1 sheet of mylar. Lay 3 sheets of tissue paper flat. Lay the mylar sheet flat on top. Add the remaining 3 sheets of tissue paper flat on top of that. Fold all 7 sheets in half lengthwise.

Using your rotary cutter and mat, cut fringe into the open end of the folded tissue, about 1/2" apart. Leave about 1 inch to the fold so the sheets stay attached or your fringe will be strips of tissue. Continue down the entire length of the tissue fold.

To hang, fold the fringe about 1/3 the way down and turn the folded portion to the back of the pouf. Fluff with your fingers.  Make as many or as few as you need. This also works great in multi-tissue colors, if you use the darker shade inside it really adds definition to your fringe.

Use techniques for other DIYs and add a twist. It's the details that really tie your party together and when it is this easy? Well, all you have to do is smile and say "thank you" to the compliments that are sure to come your way.

This post was sponsored by Bing. We wanted to share a little bit of the party with you. Want to see more bits and pieces of the party? Stay tuned!

WASHI TAPE IDEA: PARTY PENCILS

It's quick and easy and a great way to add some spunk to that old desktop staple, the pencil. Did I mention that it is easy as pie? Peel, stick, party...in pencil form. All you need is a plain old pencil and some washi tape. This is a craft for all, even non-crafters can participate in this. Use it to spruce up those tiny pencils for a baby shower or birthday party, you could even use this idea on boring ballpoint pens.

Check out the full DIY over on Minted's new blog Julep. Happy Monday!

DIY FOIL FLAGS

I love a good cupcake topper, a simple classic flag is my favorite. Try this flag made out of foil! Yes, foil. No, not the kind from the grocery store, but a slightly thicker, adhesive backed wonder that comes in sheets. Pair this little flag with a matching bunting and bring in some spring metallics into your entertaining style. How's that for flair? Oh, did I mention, the foil comes in metallic gold? I was kicking myself for not buying that, too, but I wanted to be fair and give my metallics equal billing. I think all I did was give myself more gold fever. Go check out the full tutorial over on THE SWEETEST OCCASION.

DIY CMYK LANTERNS

This next DIY is fun, CMYK LANTERNS, you know, RGB, HSB and CMYK are the color models that depict colors as codes for the printing process. CMYK is cyan, magenta, yellow and key (black). Sorry, design nerd showing through...I must admit, I am crazy about these printer brights together for spring.  Not quite neon, but just as awesome. I want to modpodge everything with tissue paper on it now, I love crafts that are simple but just as fun as when you were a kid. Go check out the how-to for this DIY on OH HAPPY DAY.