DIY Party Diva: Rapunzel Slumber Party {Decor}

Rapunzel Slumber Party

{Decor}

Theme: Disney's Tangled; Guest list: Girls, ages 2-8

Paper Lanterns

What you'll need: Scrapbook paper, scissors, glue or double-sided tape, craft wire, pen or pencil

What to do: For two mini lanterns, cut the scrapbook paper in half.  For a tall lantern like the middle one in the top photo, use a whole square sheet.  Fold the long edges in a little, like hemming in sewing, and glue or tape in place.

Fold the paper width wise, not quite in half.  You want enough extra sticking out to tape or glue later.  Fold the extra over the end of the paper and crease both folds.

Now unfold the paper and fold both ends - the end of the paper and the crease marking off your tape extra - to the middle fold and crease again.  Unfold.  Match the crease for the extra with the edge of the paper and tape or glue in place.

You should now have a freestanding lantern.  All you have to do now is carefully poke a hole in two opposite sides of the lantern using the pen or pencil.  Make sure not to get too close to the edge and keep the length from the edge the same on both sides.  Keep the hole small - just big enough for the end of your craft wire to slide through.  Now cut a length of craft wire, slide one end through one hole, and tie or twist it to keep it from pulling back out.  Repeat with the other end and other hole.

Voila!  Your own royal birthday lantern!

Rapunzel's Braid

What you'll need: A skein of pale yellow yarn (about 650 feet, actually); purple ribbon; at least two assistants (I had four)

What to do: Have an assistant hold the skein of yarn while you measure out an 18-foot piece.  Yes, 18-foot; that's 6 yardsticks.  Cut and repeat twelve times; set aside these pieces.  Make two more 12-piece clusters, same length.

Now, use a scrap bit of yarn to tie the clusters together with a six-inch or so tail.  Have an assistant hold that end while you and the rest of your assistants braid the three clusters.  The original tutorial said one person held the end while two others braided.  I found it helped immensely to have one person per cluster (three people braiding) while another person held the end and Mom watched the actual braiding.  There were a few times when the strands got twisted or a 'bump' (if you've ever braided real hair, you know what I mean!).  Mom would point that out so we could fix it without having to undo a lot of braiding.

Once you have about six inches left, tie off the braid with another scrap of yarn.  Tie a pretty purple ribbon bow over the scrap on each end.  All done!

Tune in next week for party activities!

Camp NaNo Pinspiration

Feel free to drop by and check out the Pinterest board for this book.  If you like what you see, come follow me! :)  To see what this is all for, go visit campnanowrimo.org.

Click each image to see its pin.

Camp NaNo!

Good morning, my lovely readers!  Remember this past November, when my blog was taken over by Pinspiration for and discussion of my NaNoWriMo book?  Well, this month I'm going to keep the writing/non-writing posts a bit more balanced, but right now I'm participating in a similar month-long challenge: Camp NaNoWriMo!

Today, I'll let the officials from camp tell you how the program works.  Then on Thursday, I'll share a bit of my Pinspiration for this project.  Don't worry, Saturday will be a non-camp post.

"Based on November’s National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), Camp NaNoWriMo provides the online support, tracking tools, and hard deadline to help you write the rough draft of your novel in a month… other than November!

Camp NaNoWriMo was established in 2011 as a project of the Office of Letters and Light, the parent 501(c)(3) nonprofit to National Novel Writing Month and the Young Writers Program. 2013 Camp sessions will take place in April and July."

Participation is key.  Community is a strong part of this event - you get assigned to a cabin with 4-6 great supporters, and you can discuss anything and everything you're working on in the NaNo forums!  You can set your own word goals, and you can even use an already-started story.  *gasp*  You NaNo rebel, you!  (Traditional NaNoWriMo requires that you not start the actual story until 12 AM November 1.)  I think my favorite parts are my cabin (with several people I requested and already know well) and the novel page on my profile.  I'm a simple, easy-to-please person.  Give me a spot for my story description and the gorgeous cover Ruth Ackiv so graciously made for me (again).  I'm one happy Camper. ;)

New Saturday Series: DIY Party Diva!

I've decided, for however long it takes, to replace The Pinterest Report with my new series, DIY Party Diva!  It's similar in that it shares projects that (usually) I've found on Pinterest, with pictures, instructions, and my thoughts.  It's different in that it focuses on parties I've planned/hosted and will not include a focus on the pins and original links, although I'll do my best to link back to original sources of everything.

To kick things off, next week I'll share projects from a Rapunzel Slumber Party I planned for two sweet little girls I used to babysit.  :)  Meanwhile, check out this post from a year or so ago explaining my party-planning process.  It'll make things a bit clearer as I share my party skills throughout the series.


A Talent of Mine {originally posted May 2012; edited here}


Planning a party really isn't that hard.  All it takes is a theme - a favorite movie, book, activity, or color.  Most of my own parties come from movies or movie characters the guest of honor loves, like Rapunzel from Tangled.  My own sweet sixteen came from my love of the new Alice In Wonderland movie.  My brother's party was inspired by Jumanji and a board-game party featured in a magazine.

Time eras make great themes, too.  Victorian teas, 70's-themed sleepovers, and Wild West birthday parties can all be lots of fun.  Keep in mind the number and age of guests, where you're having the party, and the type of party: all-day, an afternoon, a sleepover.

Once you have a theme, all you really need is Google.  Just type in your theme (example: Tangled Rapunzel party) and list all the ideas you find that would work for your party.  I usually make these lists: food, decorations, activities, entertainment, invitations, and favors.  Make sure to bookmark any tutorials or photos you might need later.  Narrow your lists down to one invitation, a few activities, one or two 'entertainment' ideas, a few favors if you want them, and a reasonable amount of food and decorations.

Now you're ready to actually get started.  Most of my parties are very DIY - and, yes, you can tell that many things are homemade.  But it saves money and makes the party more fun and personal for me.  Make a list of everything you'll make and another of everything you'll buy.  Then make a separate list of the supplies you'll need for homemade stuff.  I generally make everything over the course of two weeks, working in the evenings before bed.  Often I play a movie or an audiobook on my computer while I work, although some more involved projects may require full attention (and/or Internet help.)

If your party involves a lot of people, you may want to recruit some friends to help prepare.  The first thing you should focus on is the invites, so you can send them out a couple weeks in advance.  Once everything is made or purchased, make a schedule for the party.  It doesn't have to be set in stone - just some basic ideas of when things need to happen to ensure you get to do everything you have planned.  Sometimes I don't even write down times, just the order of events.  Plan to arrive at the party location early enough to set up the food, decorations, and anything else that needs setting-up.  Again, a few friends will make this go a lot faster.

When the guests arrive, relax and enjoy your party!  Make sure someone's around with a camera so you'll have photos of the party.  Try to follow your schedule, but don't stress if problems arise.  Remember, parties are intended for having fun!

The Versatile Blogger Award

My lovely readers, you know that I absolutely love blogging.  Why else would I still do it three times a week after two years?  But some days, I really, really love blogging - and every time I am nominated for an award or referenced by a blogger inspired by or helped out by my post(s) is one of those days.

Today I'm finally sharing the nomination from a couple weeks back by the wonderful NerdyWordyBirdy.  I've seen this award around the blogosphere, and I am so honored to now be receiving the Versatile Blogger Award!

This award simply asks that recipients nominate 15 other blogs and then share seven facts about him/herself. However, I've already told you all the state of my blogroll, so you'll understand that my nominations will, sadly, have to take a rain check.

Without further chatter, seven things about me:

1. I am using CLASS high school curriculum, and I love it.
2. There's a little paper TARDIS I made with a free printable this past Thanksgiving sitting on my desk.  The tabs on top won't stay closed right, so I use it to store things like candy or money periodically.
3. My Uncle Dan lent me a movie nearly a year ago that I still haven't watched yet.  Bad Emily, I know.
4. I get excited over sales on baby names books and pocket dictionaries.  I'm a writer; what can I say?
5. Tuesdays and Fridays I work at a lady's house, cleaning - you know, laundry, mopping, vaccuming, dishes, etc etc.  The pay's great. :)
6. I no longer have a favorite color, because deciding between seven awesome main choices with countless subdivisions is impossible and paralyzing and way too limiting.
7. My future wedding Pinterest board has surpassed 400 pins... so I've started a future home board to help me organize my obsession a little better.

Bonus!  I have an ebook coming out sometime this year, and I'm super excited, and I can't wait to share tidbits and interviews and cover art with y'all!

Go Teen Writers Ebook Giveaway Winner

Sorry this is a little late, my lovely readers.  I forgot the giveaway was ending today.  Shame on me.

Anyway, the winner of an ebook copy of Stephanie Morril and Jill Williamson's Go Teen Writers is...

*Drumroll!*

Strength Darrow!

Congratulations!  I'll be sending you an email today, and Stephanie or Jill should get with you soon to discuss  format.  Thanks to everyone who entered!

Book Review: Christy Miller Volume One

Christy Miller {Volume One} by Robin Jones Gunn

Whether you're meeting her for the first time or have known her for years, Christy is a Forever Friend.

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LibraryThing Page
Author Website

Amazon Summary:

Bestselling author Robin Jones Gunn packs each one with enough action, romance, and drama to keep you reading and wanting more. It all starts the summer Christy vacations on a California beach and meets two friends who change her life forever. But after moving across the country with her family, Christy must begin her sophomore year of high school uncertain where she’ll fit in. A red-headed new best friend, a try at cheerleading, a job at a pet store, and expectations for the prom fill Christy’s high school years with a string of laughter-and-tears moments. Fireball Katie keeps everyone guessing what she’ll do next, and surfer Todd keeps showing up while popular Rick has determined to get her full attention! As these memorable years unfold, Christy and her God-loving friends find out what it means to be a “peculiar treasure.” Follow Christy Miller as she stays true to her identity in Christ, drawing closer to God for help in realizing her dreams and dealing with her disappointments.

My Thoughts:


To be up front with you, my lovely readers, this is not my typical book review.  I actually first read this series as a thirteen-year-old and completely fell in love with the older-and-cooler-than-me Christy Miller, who was so totally lucky to have rich Aunt Marti spoiling her and the amazing Christian friends Todd and Katie, not to mention the attention of two great guys at once!  Then, a few years later, I re-read the series - and discovered that, while I still loved the books and the characters, I had definitely grown (both in life and as a reader) since first reading the books.  Now, as I read them again at seventeen, it's amazing how growing up with Christy and reading the books several times has affected my life.

The first time I read the books, I loved everything - characters, setting, emotions, writing, everything!  Ten stars out of five!  This was the best author ever and I just had to get the Sierra Jensen and College Years books that came next!  (Now there's also the Katie Weldon books, which personally I love the most.)

The second time, I still loved it.  I noticed a few things about the writing style that didn't quite sit right with me, although they were grammatically correct.  I had grown as a reader, so I knew my preferences in how books were formatted.  I also noticed a few things I hadn't before that dated the books - the lack of cell phones and email, the abundance of scrunchies and sweatshirts and perms, the slang and speaking style used.  Nothing huge.

Now, the third time, I've noticed how Christy can be a little too whiny and/or insecure at times.  As a thirteen year old, I thought fifteen-year-old Christy was uber-mature and totally cool.  At fifteen myself, I related to her so well.  Now at seventeen, I can look at some things that scare/upset Christy and smile remembering when it happened to me; other times I can see just how immature I (and all preteens/teens) can be, thinking in the moment that something's a big deal and realizing later that I blew it out of proportion and adults really do know what they're talking about.  It really makes me look at the big picture.

My favorite part about the re-readings is knowing how things end up, how everything works out, and sort of laughing at, sympathizing with, or being super happy with Christy.  Sometimes I even get frustrated, because Christy gets so worked up over things I know don't end up mattering at all!  It makes me feel a lot closer to God, because I've learned a bit of how He feels watching us live in the moment and worry about things when He knows exactly what's ahead for us and what He wants us to do in every situation.

I still think some of the writing formatting and 80's remnants from the first publication of these books (1988-on) could use a little facelift.  Other than that, though, these books are unlike any others and probably the number one books I would recommend for girls ages 12-18.  I have absolutely loved growing up with Christy and her friends, and it's an experience I won't want my future daughters to miss out on, either.

I give this book 4.5 stars and am thoroughly enjoying re-reading the rest of the series as well. :)

While I already owned this book, I received a free copy from Blogging for Books in exchange for this review.  All thoughts expressed are entirely my own.