Back to School!

Summer is coming to an end and the first day of school is soon upon us.

Don't forget to give your child's teacher something special.

We think some of the most thoughtful gifts are hand made, like this DIY highlighter vase & paper bouquet. It's also a cute little way to start off the new school year. 

Constructing the Vase:

Remove the label, wash, clean, and dry a recycled can. 

Next wrap a rubber band around the can. 

One by one, add your highlighters around the can.

Tie a ribbon around the can to hide the rubber band. 

Insert a small piece of Styrofoam or floral foam inside the can. 

Set the vase aside.

Making the Paper Flowers:

Constructing paper flowers can be made however your heart desires.

For this project, you can make simple accordion flowers.

Use craft punches in flower and circle shapes to embellish the accordion flowers. Hot glue each paper flower onto a wooden skewer and arrange them in the highlighter vase.

You can then make a sign or hand-written note that says,

“You as my teacher is the highlight of my year."

Have your child sign it to add a special touch.

Back to School Teacher Gift - DIY Inspired

For the college-bound back-to-schoolers, here are some stylish dorm room decorating ideas we love!

Decorating Dorm Tips

Dorm Room Bedding

 Dorm Room Chevron

New Otter Box iPhone cases from Harper Willow!

Express yourself with a HOT Otter Box phone case from Harper Willow!

Don't miss out on our August Promotion!

Like us on Harper Willow's Facebook to receive a promo code

for $5 off the case of your choice.

To view our selection, visit  www.harperwillow.com.

Harper Willow is a  Division of Paper so Pretty Designer Stationery.

http://www.facebook.com/myharperwillow

End of Summer... already?

Summer is winding down and back-to-school is near.

You may find yourself wondering where the time went! Before it's over, grab a few friends and have a cookout.

The occasion provides a moment to enjoy a beverage (or two)

and grill some burgers!

For these Paper so Pretty summer invitations, head over to our website!

Try this recipe for a good, ole fashioned, Texas Ranch burger.

(from Texas Beef Council)

1 lb. lean ground beef
2 tsp. sweet paprika
2 tsp. dried thyme leaves, crushed
1-1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. ground red pepper
4 egg-bread hamburger buns, split
4 leaves Romaine lettuce
4 slices tomato
1/4 cup prepared creamy ranch dressing
2 Tbsp. canned French fried onions

Combine paprika, thyme, salt, onion powder, and red pepper in an airtight container and shake to blend.

Shape ground beef into 4 patties, 3/4-inch thick. Press 1 tsp. of the spice mix evenly into both sides of each patty. Store remaining spice mix in airtight container for future use.

Grill over medium heat or medium coals to internal temperature of 160 degrees F.

Line bottom of each bun with lettuce and tomato. Top with burger and spoon ranch dressing evenly over burgers. Sprinkle with French fried onions and close sandwiches.

Halloween Mixology

Halloween is a time for gathering with friends, costume parties,
and celebrating in the creepiest of ways.

It also happens to be Michael's absolute favorite holiday, and he LOVES designing Halloween invitations. Here is Paper so Pretty's newest design, Halloween Mixology! This little spider and his assistant are busy creating a spooky concoction, and they hope you get inspired to throw the most spooktacular of parties!

1. Halloween Mixology Paper so Pretty Invitation

2. Halloween Pom Poms

3. Goblin Mimosas

4. Spider Cake

5. Green Monster Cupcake

6. Toxic Cocktail

Goblin Mimosas (from PartyTipz)
Ingredients: 
5-6 oz Orange Juice 
1 shot Black Vodka
Black Olives
Cream Cheese

Instructions:
Pour orange juice into a glass about half way.
Pour black vodka carefully over the orange juice.
A great tip is to pour the vodka over the back of a spoon so the vodka runs down the side of the glass.
For "eyes" use pitted black olives stuffed with cream cheese.
Cut up one olive into tiny little pieces, and use those pieces for eyeballs.
Pierce the eyes over wooden toothpicks and place on the rim of the glass.... enjoy!

Proceed to Party!

This big red cup is synonymous with good times! So why not throw a themed party?

Whether you’re throwing a birthday party or celebrating an engagement, this disposable drinking vessel is sure to be a hit!

Grab a pack of cups and proceed to PARTY!

1. Big Red Cup Invitation

2. Solo Cup Cake

3. Solo Cup Hanging Decor

4. Red Solo Cup Cakes

5. Happy Birthday Banner

6. Big 30

Red Solo® Cup Margaritas (from Bigredkitchen.com)
 
Ingredients:
12 ounce can frozen limeade
1 1/2 cans white wine
1/4 can cointreau or triple sec
4 cups crushed ice
Margarita Salt
4 lime wedges

Instructions:
In a blender, blend the first 4 ingredients until smooth. Pour into four 18 ounce Solo® plastic cups. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze 24 hours to 6 months. Remove from freezer and rim with Margarita salt if desired, allow at least 30-60 minutes to defrost before serving. They should be slushy like a frozen Margarita. Serve with a straw and a wedge of lime. Double or triple the recipe and store in freezer and remove as needed. Great for parties! Serves 4.

Christmas in July

Everyone at Paper so Pretty loves Christmas!

 

To continue with your Christmas in July theme, here are a few tips on planning the perfect holiday dinner party.

 

Place cards

Holiday chair covers

Candle centerpiece
Festive Place Setting Invitation by Paper so Pretty

Planning a menu and an entertaining evening with guests can be quite intimidating. But with some planning, you will have a wonderful time at your own party!

First decide on the date of your party, guest list, and theme.
Make a realistic assessment of your cooking and baking skill levels, and the time you'll be able to commit to the party. A sit down dinner party is more formal than a buffet, so think carefully about what type of party makes you the most comfortable.

Get ready to make lists! Once you have the basics well planned and written down, your mind will be free to be creative with the food, fun, and decor.

Make your guest list and invite them. Be sure to send your invites well in advance. Because December calendars fill up so quickly, try to get your invites into your guests' hands before Thanksgiving.

Plan your menu and take inventory of your supplies. Make sure the things you own are sparkling clean.

Think about how you want to decorate. Decorations for a party can be as simple as candlesticks on the table, or more elaborate streamers, flower arrangements, tablecloths, and even chair slipcovers.

Happy Independence Day!

This week we are celebrating Independence Day!

Did you know the Declaration of Independence was published on July 4th,1776? Betsy Ross was commissioned by the Congressional Congress to sew the first American Flag which she finished in May or June of 1776. That was just in time to celebrate our nation's very first Independence day in Philadelphia on July 8th, 1776 when the Declaration of Independence was read aloud for the first time. 

Whether you celebrate with bar-be-ques, fireworks or parties, be sure to keep cool off with this refreshing and patriotic beverage recipe.

 

What you need:
Cranberry Juice
Blue Gatorade Frost
Diet 7-Up
Ice cubes

What you do:
You can do this in individual servings by the glass or in a dispenser.

Fill the glass or drink dispenser with Ice.
Start by pouring in the cranberry juice.
Next pour in the Blue Gatorade Frost, BUT make sure that when you're pouring the Blue Gatorade Frost that you pour straight onto some of the ice to gently add the layer. If you pour it directly into the juice it will mix!

Next, pour in the Diet 7up, also pour onto an ice cube to prevent them from mixing.

You will need to use drinks with varying amounts of sugar, since those that contain more sugar (such as soda) are denser than those with less (such as diet drinks), this makes it possible to actually stack one on top of another.
Happy Fourth of July!!