VIDEO: How to make simple baby toys from foam rubber sponges

What's a toy that a baby can't break, won't hurt them and is something you can easily make with things you can buy inexpensively or more likely have lying around your house? It's baby gifts made from foam rubber or more specifically a swimming noodle or a sponge.

Cut them into the size and shapes that best suits the baby or small child you're making them for. And since noodles come in different colors and shapes and you can buy sponges in a variety of colors, you know that they will stimulate the child and best of all, they don't make any noise. And they can have as much fun with it in the living room or crib as well as the tub.

They can bend it, chew it, toss it around and no one is going to get hurt. And if they get dirty, just toss them into your washing machine or dishwasher to keep them safe and sanitary. Now how many things can you do that with?

And if it wears out, you can just cut up a couple of more shapes.

In this economy, isn't it nice to know that you can give your child or any child a gift they'll enjoy and won't break the bank.

One tip - it's easier to cut the kitchen sponge if it's totally dry.

Who needs Sponge Bob when you can make your own sponge characters!


How to Make Simple Baby Toys -- powered by eHow.com

VIDEO: How to make decorations from baby footprints

How to Make Footprint Decorations for a Baby Shower -- powered by eHow.com

Baby footprints are a sweet theme to use for a baby shower, bris or christening. And it's easy to do with either clip art footprints, or if the baby has already been born, by taking the actual footprint of the baby. You can use a water-based stamp pad. You can even find stamp pads in colors to match the baby's sex or your color theme.

As shown in the video, you can add them to paper or plastic glassware and favor boxes but you can also scan the footprint and then put it on the invitations, name tags, place cards for sit down events, affix to balloons, or blow them up into giant posters.

If you want, you can even take the print or scan of your baby's footprint and have it turned into a rubber stamp so you can personalize everything for your shower. From crepe paper to table cloths to wrapping paper - you're only limited by your imagination.

Footprints are as individual as fingerprints, so for party decor that no one else will ever have, try the baby footprint them.

Event Leftovers - what do you do with all that stuff?

It happens to every party or wedding planner, whether you're a professional or amateur party host, at the end of the event you have all of this...stuff. What do you do with it?

Event Leftovers is an exciting website where you can buy or sell new or gently-used items that are leftover after the party's over.

Not only is it a green way to go by recycling products but it's also a great money-saving or money-making idea.

Props, linens, party favors, paper products - virtually anything durable you have that's left over at the end of the event can be sold on the Event Leftovers site. But it's not just party products. You can also buy and sell wedding gowns, bridal party attire, cocktail dresses, jewelry and more.

As a consumer what does that mean to you? Well, now you can take advantage of someone buying too many high quality party products who are now trying to sell them at a discount for you to buy for your upcoming wedding or party. That's right, you can buy the leftovers that people like celebrity lifestyle expert, party and wedding planner Colin Cowie purchased for his star client list.

Whether it's a wedding, shower, rehearsal dinner, bachelor or bachelorette celebration, birthday party, holiday gatherings, fundraiser or any celebration or entertaining occasion, you can find great deals at Event Leftovers.

And while you can save money by buying for less, you can even make money. You can sell any leftovers that you may have after you've used them for your event to recoup some of your purchases as well.

Listing items is free and there is a nominal fee if you sell anything. And isn't that better than cluttering up your garage or warehouse with a dozen extra vases and a collection of party favors?

When selling, the trick is to be as specific as you can in your item's description such as including the dimensions of the item, color, style and so forth. Be sure to include a high quality photo. Remember a picture says a thousand words.

And if you're not sure about something you're thinking of buying, you can contact the seller to get a better description or answers to your concerns. Some items are priced as the entire lot and some things are listed with a per item price and the designation isn't always necessarily clear, so contact the seller to make sure that you understand the total cost of what you want to purchase.

Many of the durable items are less expensive than you would pay to rent them. And since you can still sell them after the party, it's almost like getting things for free.

And if you don't see the item you want and have the time to wait, you can subscribe to get an e-mail alert when your product becomes available.

Spread the word about Event Leftovers, the more people that use the service, the more products that will be available for you to buy and save.

If you enjoyed reading this article and want to learn more about wedding and party-related products, services, etiquette or just fun stuff to know, click on the SUBSCRIBE button.

Itching for a DJ? Scratch!

If you're itching for a great DJ for your party, fundraiser, wedding, or wedding-related events , call for a Scratch!

Started in 2002, Scratch Music Group, a leading music and lifestyle company originally founded by the legendary Jam Master Jay from Run DMC, created Scratch Events , a mobile DJ service that offers a massive selection of highly-qualified, thoroughly screened DJs.

Unlike many local DJ services that have a small roster of DJ talent, Scratch has more than 600 DJs to fit every style, occasion, taste and talent needs.

Based out of New York with offices in Miami, Chicago and Los Angeles, Scratch will work with you to find the exact DJ to suit your needs from their local selection of talent .

From conservative to classic dance club jam masters, Scratch's talent directors will help you select the exact DJ who will work for you and your guest list. Want a high energy DJ that will provide constant patter and classic club tunes? They have them. Prefer a lower-key personality to provide the right mix of music for every generation that won't blow them out of the room? You'll get it. Need someone who can provide a balance of high energy talent and conservative rhythms throughout your event. They have those DJs too.

Since their list of talent is so large and so carefully screened, it's possible to choose the exact DJ for your birthday party, company holiday party, wedding, rehearsal dinner, bachelor or bachelorette party, baby or bridal shower or any other celebration. In fact, you could choose a different DJ for each event to match the mood you're trying to achieve.

With packages that start at $1,500 and go up based upon time requirements, event overview management and equipment needs, you'll find a package to suit almost any budget. Plus, since you'll have an opportunity to meet your DJ in person or by phone, you can feel comfortable that your personality and taste meshes well with the selected DJ.

Visit their website, call them at 866-955-8580 or e-mail them. If you're itching for the right DJ, all you have to do is Scratch.

Video: Etiquette for a Bridal Shower Invitation

Etiquette for Bridal Shower Invitations -- powered by eHow.com

Just like all invitations, your bridal shower invitation should show the Who, What, When, Where and Why as well as R.S.V.P. information. If your shower has a theme, be sure to include that too.

If there is a list of places the couple has registered, suggest that the guest contacts the shower host rather than including that information in the invitation.

Make them fun, fabulous and give a hint of the type of shower you have planned. Most of all, don't tell the bride of your plans.

You can, if you wish, surprise her completely or tell her the date but none of the details. That's the fun of being the bride. There should be some surprises.

Thanks to Panache, a Classic Party Rental Company, for use of their linens, table and chair rentals.

World Series Baseball - Last-Minute Party Plan

With the World Series coming to an end (just one or two games left to this exciting series), why not throw a last-minute party.

INVITATIONS:
• Phone or e-mail guests to invite them to watch the game at your private "stadium."
• Invite your guests to wear their favorite team’s colors and logos.


SPORTS SETTING:
• Decorate your space by hanging posters, photos or magazine pages featuring headlines, team shots, or articles – anything about baseball.
• Use pennants, game programs, logo caps and other baseball gear as part of your room displays.




FAN FUN:
• When there are many guests, it's best to rent or borrow extra television sets for easy viewing. Your guests can cheer for their team without missing a hit or a steal.
• Between innings, conduct a rousing game of baseball trivia. Give “smarty slips” for each correct answer and a prize to the biggest "Stadium Smarty."
• Rent a few baseball-related movies (Field of Dreams, Bull Durham, The Natural, A League of Their Own, or Sandlot) and set up a club lounge area for those folks who aren't that interested in the sport but who still want to be a part of your game day gala.


CONCESSION STAND SETTING:
• Serve baseball park foods - hot dogs, pretzels, beer, popcorn, Cracker Jacks or have fun and serve some New York favorites such as thin crust pizza or for the Philly fans, go with a steak and cheese sandwich and be sure to have mustard for your pretzels.
• Cut pages from sports magazines of baseball pictures, copies of internet photos and programs and spread them on a table clothed in your team colors. Overlay the artwork with a clear plastic cloth for a grand slam spread.
• Arrange fresh or silk flowers and greenery set into floral foam in a large plastic-lined popcorn box weighted with pebbles. Add small pennants on sticks to show even more team spirit.


FAN FAVORS AND PRIZES:
• Take instant photos of your guests throwing out the game ball.
• Key ring with a baseball or bat design
• Baseball cards and bubble gum packets


For next season or if you want to get a start on basketball, get an early start and find all of your baseball party needs at PartyPlansPlus.Makesparties.com


QUESTION: What's the last to words to the National Anthem
ANSWER: Play ball!

Fun Thanksgiving Theme Decor

As I showed in the video located at the end of this blog and said in a previous post, the ideas shown in the video were meant for a wedding but could just as easily be recreated for a more formal Thanksgiving or autumn dinner party. And with Thanksgiving just around the corner, it's not too early to start planning how your party will look.

However, if your family is more fun than formal, I'm showing you some products from the PartyPlansPlus.Makesparties.com website. They have charming paper products, fanciful decor and funny costumes to add some authenticity (and hilarity) to your Thanksgiving celebration.

Put up an autumn forest backdrop. The leaves will be gone in most areas by the time Thanksgiving comes around (or they won't be there at all in the southern states) but that doesn't mean you can't decorate your room as if you're surrounded by Mother Nature at her fiery best.

Or maybe you want to give your guests a pilgrim's hat as a place marker and a good reason to get everyone giggling. And won't you be the hit of the party if you arrive at someone else's celebration decked out as Miles Standish!

A tinsel wreath will be a more casual centerpiece element than the one in the video but will accomplish the same sparkling setting when paired with a hurricane-enclosed candle.

Finally, for more style, instead of a chair tie, wrap autumn garlands around chairs or edge your table with them or cut them into pieces to use as napkin ties. Whatever you do with the garlands, they will add color and charm to your table setting.

Thanks again to Panache, a Classic Party Rental Company, for use of their gorgeous linens, tables and rentals for the video. Remember Panache offers affordable elegance.

Gobble, gobble!


How to Decorate for a Fall Wedding Theme -- powered by eHow.com