[outstanding]

At the end of June, I am participating in a graduation ceremony for homeschooled students across my state. Each student has the opportunity to wear whatever colors they like for a cap and gown. I want to go farther than that though.

But I'm scouring my brain trying to think of something outstanding to do with my gown. Not just color... something with the cut of the gown? the sleeves, the hem, the back?

I'm planning to order from <a href="http://www.homeschooldiploma.com/apparel/new.cpgn.page.htm">this company</a> which sells about 20 different colors - a great selection.

A close friend of mine who has lived in my city for four years while attending school is graduating/moving to Philadelphia in a few weeks to teach high school math in the Teach for America program.

I came up with a whole list of things that reminded me of teaching to start with, but am lacking actual project/item ideas.

I want there to be a mix of things that she can enjoy once or twice and some things that she can keep for a long time.

ruler
chalk
notebooks [came across several book-making ideas]
a plaque with a cute quote [?]
candy [one idea: candy cigarettes repackaged to look like a box of chalk]
stickers
apples
sharpies
red pens
a globe
something with "old school" on it
math symbols
starbucks gift card
bookmarks
paperclips
bubblegum
pencils
crayola
items having to do with the 'City of Brotherly Love'

She LOVES to travel and has been to China, Egypt, Russia, Africa--you name it.
She loves jewelry too.

I'm thinking a neato box [possibly decoupaged, possibly just purchased] tucked inside a tote bag [possibly purchased but most likely sewn by moi] for the presentation of it...

Fellow Craftsters, overwhelm me with creativeness Any idea is warmly welcome.

oh, & I can do almost anything and a little bit of everything. Card making, scrapbook type projects, knitting [scarfs mainly], sewing, jewelry, recon projects of all kinds.

I found the perfect shoes last night at the thrift for my Minnie Mouse costume. slightly chunky and very cute. satin bridal shoes.

Alot like this. Just a shorter, dfifferent shape heel:
http://www.wedding-veil.com/wedding_shoes/128estellelargel%5B1%5D.jpg

They're currently white. Dyeing them yellow [with rit I was thinking] would add alot to my costume. but gee whiz they're nice shoes! & if I waited and dyed them black, I could most likely wear em again.

Could I dye them yellow then dye them black when the party's over?

I tried searching this but couldnt find anything to answer my question.

[Are there any threads you have come across you can point me too?]

My family is planning on having two Christmas parties this year. Too many people to have them all at once!!

One party will be aprx 25-30 people over our house to sing Christmas carols. There will be about 16 kids there ranging from age 2 to 16. there'll be about 17 adults.
[three families, a few couples and a few singles]

The other party will be about 4 families, same age range with the kids...that party'll be around 25 people too.

Both parties will basically just be a reason to hang out & enjoy each others company, but we'd still like it to feel like a party.

I searched for Christmas party ideas but really couldnt find any. Are there any threads you have come across you can point me too? Everyone will be asked to bring something festive to eat, but we would like to have a few things prepared ourselves. The party'll be at our house. It'll take place mostly in our family room which is a very good size. there is a dining room table, two couches & a piano in there.

Decoration/food ideas are mainly what I am looking for, but activities would be appreciated too  

a good friend on mine decided to have a costume party sometime this month. Most of the people coming to the party dont celebrate halloween, so it isnt for that. its just a fun fall party. not sure yet how many people, but it will most likely be 10-20. ages 13-16. mostly girls, a couple guys.

I tried searching for some ideas before posting, but all of the threads for costume parties seemed unanswered. Thats why I thought of this post.

Pretty much we're just searching for some awesome party games [general or that have something to do with dressing up?], easy
fall-ish decorations, and maybe even a good theme we could use to get started with besides just "costume party"

anybody maybe got a good costume site we can get ideas from?

If you've had a costume party, post about it!! What did you do that worked/didnt, what did you/your friends come as, what did you do the whole time, ya know. pics are always great  =)

I am in the process of making two full length aprons as a wedding gift [this saturday] for a friend & her soon to be step-daughter. Not that hard. I ended up using my mom's favorite apron as a pattern. I have the body of the aprons hemmed, and now just have to attach the matching bias tape I cut/made for the waist straps/neck.

MY POINT: I want it to have adjustable straps. The only ways I could think to do it were with D rings or just make it so they tied at the neck. Are there any other ways to do it? which do you think is better...ties or with D rings?

Here's the pattern view so you know what I mean about making it so they tie. Dont have one for the D ring type, sorry!
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c360/lanewebb1405/Crafts/M2947.gif


Thanks in advance for any input ya'll can give

My first post!! I've been lurking for a couple weeks now & finally decided to take pictures of some projects I've done...

Comic Earrings:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c360/lanewebb1405/Crafts/September2006037.jpg

This is a round comic bead that I'm gonna make into a dangle earring with chain...just havent done it yet  
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c360/lanewebb1405/Crafts/September2006036.jpg

My version of the classic button earring:
(they dangle straighter in real life)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c360/lanewebb1405/Crafts/September2006038.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c360/lanewebb1405/Crafts/September2006039.jpg

Yes these are those glow in the dark stars that go on ceilings!! now they go on your ears too!! The beads are kinda hard to see. there is a sequin on both sides, a lime bead on top of the sequin, a pink bead, the big glass green bead, and another pink bead  
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c360/lanewebb1405/Crafts/September2006040.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c360/lanewebb1405/Crafts/September2006041.jpg

I'd love to know what you think!! If you want to know how I made any of them just let me know...be glad to explain it  

Hey All. I posted this in a diff section; it was the wrong one so I'm reposting it here  

My mom has an old friend who is getting married in October. The invitation to her shower says we have to bring a gift that has something to do with "lunch" (Everyone gets a different time of day...lunch is what we got...)

So far, the ideas I have are to fill a picnic basket with appropriate things or make her an apron. I thought I would ask if anyone had any ideas of either some things we could buy or a cute project that fits. I sew & knit.

From what I can tell from their registries, they are decorating their kitchen/house with a tuscan/classic/retro feel. Dark woods, matte stainless steel, fruit, yellows, golds, sage. Also, they have alot of accessories with a coffee theme.

Thanks for any ideas!!!  

Hey All. My mom has an old friend who is getting married in October.

On the invitation for the shower, it says that everyone has to bring a gift that will help the bride through a day with her hubby. Each guest gets assigned a specific time of day. We got "lunch" Whatever our gift is, it has to have something to do with that.

We have no real ideas of what to get. Usually for shower gifts we just roam around several stores until we find something cute, classy, fun & practical. But, I thought that I would throw the subject out to see if anyone had any ideas that they thought would make a great gift for a (relatively) close friend??

From what I can tell from their registries, they are decorating their kitchen/house with a tuscan/classic/retro feel. Dark woods, matte stainless steel, fruit, yellows, golds, sage.

Here are some pictures so you know what I mean (if it helps at all!)...

http://www.kohls.com/products/product_page_multiple0.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=308275549&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=5595&bmUID=1156788248231&registryIndex=1
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/regProduct.asp?order_num=-1&WRN=-817868187&sku=13614997
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/regProduct.asp?order_num=-1&WRN=-817868187&sku=12409044
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/regProduct.asp?order_num=-1&WRN=-817868187&sku=13823103

Thanks for any idea at all!!!