Meg over at Threadbanger has a nice Decor it Yourself video about creating a three tier serving tray from thrift store dishes.

These clever little paper "candies" from the folks at Nice Package can adorn giftwrap, hang as a garland, or even spruce up an outfit as a brooch. See how to make them over on Nice Package.

I love these fun toadstool invitations made by Calli of Make it Do. She shares her process, including a handy tip for how to trace the shape of the toadstool top.

Beautiful and delicious. [via hosteswiththemostess]

This colorful jello mold has me rethinking what kind of desserts I'll be taking to future dinner parties. Brett Bara of Manhattan Craft Room shares how she was the hit of the party when she unveiled this beauty. I think my favorite line is, "I decided right then and there that I would always match my outfits to my desserts." [via @thecrochetdude]

Not So Humble Pie has a neat idea for a tasty sea-themed treat: sea glass candy. Don't get it mixed up with the real thing at your beachcombing birthday party! [via EMSL]

These fully-edible cupcake stands from Giver's Log would be so much fun at a Valentine's Day party or special occasion. I like the idea that you can make them in different colors and shapes and sizes, too.

The Creative Jewish Mom blog has a super simple post on how to make cherry blossom garlands from disposable tablecloths. I love that "randomness" is a key in their making.

Here's a neat idea: use this Ikea ice cube tray designed to work with water bottles, but freeze a small straw through the length of the tray, then remove once frozen to make ice straws, great for frosty cocktails. [via Core77]

I decided to get the year started properly, with a "Breakfast for Dinner Party" last night. It was a great success, and the highlight was a make-your-own-waffle-bar. I set out a belgium waffle maker, and a friend whipped up Martha's batter. I included a ladle and a timer and the guests were responsible for everything else. (The smoke alarm only went off once!!) The toppings were decadent: maple syrup, chopped pecans, whipped cream, Mexican caramel, strawberries and bananas. It was a great food activity and people were really engaged with their creations. The dinner was rounded out with a frittata, Peanut Butter Puffins, roasted potatoes, fresh fruit, and a custom bloody mary station. I hope that all my parties will be that much fun for the rest of 2010, and that yours will be too! Cheers!

I love this festive, bright felt garland from Molly's Sketchbook at The Purl Bee. See how to make it in time for your New Year festivities.

Heidi Kenney of My Paper Crane came up with several simple ideas for items to include in classroom goodie bags. I always struggle to come up with something for these kinds of projects (or birthday party favors) so I am bookmarking these for future reference. See how she made these cute gnomes, hot chocolate in a bag and jingle bell necklaces.

Get the kids involved in creating their own gift wrap by making these brilliant yarn stamps. Check Lion Brand Yarn for the complete tutorial.

Here's a brilliant way to use up scrap pieces of wrapping paper to make coordinating bows for your packages. Tuppence from Momfetti shows you how!

I have to admit that when it comes to planning my kids' birthday parties, I tend to be a bit of a slacker. Occasionally, though, I come across party inspiration that is so fantastic, I am throttled in to wanting to plan the best parties I can imagine. That's how I'm feeling after reading Mena's post about her daughter's It's a Small World party. After getting fed up by "cool" versions of commercialized characters, she decided to devote the party to something her daughter loves: the It's a Small World ride at Disneyland. Only mildly daunted by the fact that she landed on a theme with no purchasable decorative components, she went on to create one of the coolest birthday ensembles I've ever seen. Read on to see how she pieced together a fantastic backdrop, decorated cupcakes and made personalized handmade party favors for each child.

I love what Heidi Kenney of My Paper Crane has done with these paper party streamers to make them extra special. She's sewn and ruffled them in multi-color strips. Fantastic!

Another reason I like these is streamers in general are thought of as disposable. They are thin, cheap, and rip easily. But when sewn like this the streamers become something you can use over and over again. The sewing/stacking/ruffling makes them feel real sturdy and thick.

Sarah James at Instructables shows how to make these Halloween-themed mummy dogs, which would be a perfect snack for your party!

Christy Canida at Instructables shows us how to make an easy, delicious, successful roast chicken first by trussing the chicken (securing the legs and wings so they don't dry out by being overcooked), and then roasting the chicken. If you've never roast a whole chicken before, give it a try!

Perfect for a fall dinner party or even Thanksgiving, check out these felt autumn napkin rings, via The Kitchn.

I love the bright, simple, fun style of these printable pennant cupcake toppers from Rachel at Fog and Thistle.

By Lindsey North, projects intern

So your best friend calls -- you're to attend a fancy dress party, costumes mandatory. But you have nothing to wear! However, you see fun beads and feathers sitting on your crafting table ...

From these small items, along with a clothes hanger, a headband, and a few scraps of fabric, you can make the perfect cocktail hat. (And if you want to make it completely outrageous, you can cover it in peacock feathers and sequins.)

In CRAFT Volume 10 we featured a Fancy Cocktail Hat and showed readers how to make a basic hat form. You start with a piece of metal wire -- an old clothes hanger works wonderfully, since it's light enough to bend easily but strong enough to hold its form.

Instructables user sleepingkills has a tasty tutorial for fried ice cream, what a treat!

Don't these flowers just scream celebration? This set of grouped dahlias makes a lovely arrangement for late summer. Photographer Michelle Feileacan created the scene for her 10th anniversary party. I think she struck the perfect balance of shape, color, and height. Each vase is a standout, but doesn't detract from it's bloom, or it's neighbor. The effect is elegant and complex, while being simple and attainable at the same time. Just like any good soiree!

CRAFT Twitter follower @mommyknows posted up this nifty tutorial for making "sushi" rolls for kids' birthday parties using flat sheets of rice krispies treats and various colorful candies. The results are enticing, and they look fun to make! Gotta love that Swedish fish!

It's Rachel's birthday! Happy Happy Joy Joy! In that spirit, here's are three stunning garlands that I would love to use to decorate her house! The first is a stained glass garland from Pamela Angus in France, the second is a sweet tutorial by Anna Maria Horner, and the third is an epic and popular fabric flower garland from Dolci Odille.

For more party madness, check out Ga-Ga for Garlands on Flickr.

For your next party, try freezing your spirits in a sheath of ice to keep them chilly.

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How-To: Basic Bar Essentials

Yarn & Quilled Paper Place Card
By Ann Martin

Here's a place card design that's quick and easy enough to make a large quantity in a short amount of time, assembly-line style. They would look pretty at a bridal shower luncheon or could even grace your Thanksgiving table.

The flowers were made with colorful 2-ply yarn I'd been saving in my sewing box for ages, leftover from a crewelwork pillow kit. I love it when I finally find a use for extra bits that were just too nice to throw away.

A few strips of quilling paper were rolled and folded to make the flower centers and leaves. If you don't have quilling paper, you can easily cut your own strips with a paper trimmer. Just use any paper that's similar in weight to standard computer paper. If you need to join two strips to make a longer one, tear the strip ends before applying a small amount of glue to each, overlapping the ends slightly. The torn edges will blend better than straight cuts and the join spot will barely be noticeable.

Decor it Yourself shows us how to make a simple backyard tiki bar for a festive summer party "getaway" on a budget. Meg even has some cocktail recipe suggestions!

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How-To: Basic Bar Essentials

Cheapie party favor squirt guns are hard to fill without a small stream of water, so Instructables user gabebillings hacked together this clever squirt gun filling station for his son's birthday party.