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Let's Get Crafty! DIY Place Card Holders

partysugar — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 06:40:05 -0800

Let's Get Crafty! DIY Place Card Holders Even when it's just my family at Thanksgiving, I always find it fun to seat everyone by using place card holders. They are simply festive and make it feel more like a holiday.

Making Preserves at a Public Fruit Jam

YumSugar — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 05:50:57 -0800

Last weekend, I attended a collective canning event. Sponsored by Fallen Fruit, an activist group that promotes the planting of public fruit trees, the public fruit jam was a free, communal jam-making session where participants shared fruit and jam-making tips. I arrived with empty jars and lots of plums, and left with new friends, half a dozen jars of different kinds of jam, and the know-how to make fruit preserves. To see how it went down, read on.

Yummy Link: Homemade Tempeh

YumSugar — Tue, 06 May 2008 14:15:41 -0700

When I was in college, one of my favorite professors — hi Manfred! — invited me to a dinner where he served homemade tempeh. I've had it many times since, but it's not as tasty as homemade. Maybe it's time I try to make tempeh. It requires special equipment, and patience, but looks like it could be worth it. — HomeMadeS

Easy and Affordable Leather Napkin Rings

partysugar — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 16:11:31 -0700

The other night, while dining at Bar Bambino, I was inspired by the restaurant's simple and rustic napkin rings. The napkin was elegantly rolled into a tight scroll and closed with an angled piece of worn leather. A hole was drilled into the leather, and the thinner part was pulled through to create a decorative artistic finish.

This would be wonderful at a country cabin dinner or Western-themed party. Instead of going to the craft store to purchase leather, look in your closet for an old belt! This technique can easily be applied to other types of durable material like suede or even denim. What do you think of this idea? Couldn't it be creatively tailored to suit your own entertaining needs?

Roast Coffee Beans with a Hot-Air Popcorn Popper

YumSugar — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 16:22:57 -0800

Want to roast your own coffee beans, but don't want to splurge big bucks on a home coffee roaster? Then try using a hot-air popcorn popper. Sweet Maria's has a full how to, and the folks at KK just put it to the test.

You order unroasted green beans, and put them in the popper like you would popcorn. As the beans roast (they're not going to pop like the popcorn does), the bean casings separate. The skins will float up and make a big mess. However, after a few minutes, you'll have wonderfully roasted beans — they'll need to be cooled, but you can use them like you would normal.

At least, this is how it works in theory. I personally haven't tried it, and I don't have an air-popper at the moment. But I might just have to go out and get one. How about you? Would you try to roast your coffee beans this way?

Come Party With Me: Chinese New Year — Invite

partysugar — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 11:13:18 -0800

This year, the start of Chinese New Year falls on Feb. 7, and the celebratory festivities last for 15 whole days! To kick off the fun, I'm putting together a Chinese-themed dinner party. Gather together a group of friends and throw your own version of this party. All week I'll provide you with tips and ideas for a fabulous Chinese New Year. Before the event can begin, we have to send invitations. To see how I made these sparkling invites that can be modified to suit any lunar New year celebration,

Introducing Our Downloadable Invites!

partysugar — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 10:20:12 -0800

As you may know, I believe that it's very important to send beautiful invitations through regular mail. It may be old fashioned, but it's incredibly special and exciting to receive an invite in your mailbox. If you love the thought of sending a real paper invitation, but don't have time to get crafty this holiday season, download one of our new print-and-fill invitations!

Our fabulous designer has been hard at work creating a variety of festive invitations to suit your party needs. All you have to do is download the invite, print on the paper of your choice — I recommend card stock — fill in the details of your party with a fun pen, stick it in an envelope, stamp and send! The invites are free allowing you to spend more on other aspects of the event. We hope you enjoy these invites — it's our little gift to you!

To see all of the invites we've created — there are eight different options including some that are not holiday related — all you have to do is

Let's Get Crafty! DIY Place Card Holders

partysugar — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 09:13:33 -0800

Even when it's just my family at Thanksgiving, I always find it fun to seat everyone by using place card holders. They are simply festive and make it feel more like a holiday. You could run to Williams-Sonoma and buy some, but with a little creativity, you could make them! I quickly made the ones pictured at right using real apples. To see how I made them,

Yummy Link: DIY Wine Charms

partysugar — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 05:28:33 -0800

Instead of spending money on wine charms that match your table's Thanksgiving theme, make your own! The technique is unique, original, and oh-so-easy! So get crafty! — Hostess with the Mostess

DIY: Glitter Falling Leaves

partysugar — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 11:03:33 -0700

Last year, as part of my Thanksgiving table setting, I created a hanging decoration of glittery falling leaves. The leaves hung from the chandelier above the dining table.

It made for a rustic, yet glamorous, addition to the look of my Thanksgiving table. To see how I made this simple yet stunning decoration,

How to Make Ghost Toast

YumSugar — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 10:00:28 -0700

Who says Halloween food only comes out at night? You can also start your day in a spooky way with this ghost-emblazoned cinnamon toast recipe from The Charlotte Weekly. (Thanks, Curbly.)

I haven't made cinnamon toast in ages, so I can't wait to try this super-easy project. To find out how to make it,

DIY Bloody Halloween Candles

partysugar — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 10:15:42 -0700

I'm going a little party-crazy this week in preparation for the huge Halloween bash I'm hosting on Saturday. While I'll be using lots of orange Christmas lights in my decor, candles will also play a huge role in creating a spooky look. Better yet, I've decorated long white taper candles to appear as if they are dripping with blood!

This DIY project is incredibly easy, and the final product is super fun for a Halloween bash. These would be great incorporated into a Halloween dinner centerpiece. To see how I made these candles,

Yummy Link: Make Your Own Butter

YumSugar — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 13:33:18 -0700

Alright folks, the word is out, making your own butter is incredibly easy. I say we give it a try and enjoy delicious homemade creaminess. - New York Times

Hostess Wedding Cakes

YumSugar — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 14:27:19 -0700

So you've decided that you don't really want a traditional wedding cake, but you're not so sure about cupcake wedding cakes either. Well how about one made from Hostess creations? That's right, I'm talking about a cake made from Twinkies, Ding-Dongs, Ho Hos, Suzy Q's, Sno Balls and more. Last year, Readymade magazine's editor Shosana Berger featured a ding dong cake at her wedding.

However, chef Phil Delaplane took his to the next level and incorporated a ton of different
Hostess creations into his wedding cake.

If that one is too over the top for you, then be sure to check out these surprisingly elegant wedding cakes and favors made from Twinkies. You have to admit, those bride and groom Twinkie favors are pretty damn cute.

If you're interested in making them for your wedding, Hostess even has instructions on how to achieve the look.

Savory Sights: Homemade Aprons

YumSugar — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 15:11:19 -0800

I love aprons and I love homemade gifts, so when I saw these adorable homemade aprons posted in the Savory Sights Group, I absolutely went gaga! Reader SweetPeasMom posted this one and six others that she made for her friends.

Your photo could be shown here next! Just post them in the Savory Sights Group.

To learn how to post to the group,

OpenSource Cola - Make Your Own!

YumSugar — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 00:11:18 -0800

You've heard the phrase "open source" before, haven't you? If so, then you know it usually relates to software (where the source code is "open" to everyone to see and make changes to). Well, some folks got together and decided to start a soda company called OpenCola. And guess what, the "source" (or in this case the recipe) is open to the public.

Sadly, the company is now defunct (it was originally meant to be a promotional product for computer trade shows), but the recipes and instructions are available to anyone who wants to try his or her own hand at making soda.

Download the pdf "Source Code" (aka brewing instructions) and see what you come up with.

Source: Everything Else