Holiday Cross-Stitch Cards Workshop at West Elm

make-and-mingle-embroidery-west-elm-flowers

The Every Hostess and your truly hosted a lovely event at West Elm, Denver just in time for the holidays. We gathered to cross-stitch holiday cards, sip coffee and apple cider and snack on cheese, crackers and, of course, cookies! We made wonderful memories with old and new friends, and laughed as we crafted at our 2nd Make & Mingle workshop.

Thanks to everyone who joined us, and to Colby Elizabeth Photography who captured all the cross-stitching fun.

See the beautiful party in its entirety at Couture Colorado. You won’t want to miss all the pretty little details…and the big ass balloons, literally.

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joy-holiday-cards-red-polka-dot-embroidery-workshop-diy-cards

confetti-balloons-white-west-elm-party

 

cross-stitch-holiday-cards-west-elm-denver-party-christmas-holiday-joy-card

make-and-mingle-santa-chocolate-straws-party-gifts

denver-west-elm-girls-laughing-party-white-balloon

Vendor List

Photographer: Copyright Colby Elizabeth Photography | @colbsta
Location: West Elm, Denver | @westelmdenver
Florist: Ladybird Poppy |@ladybirdpoppy
Stationery: Fleur de lis, a paperie | @fdlpaperie
Balloons: Big Ass Balloons | @bigassballoons
Polka Dot bags and straws: Bake It Pretty | @bakeitpretty
Planning/Styling: The Every Hostess | @theeveryhostess and J. Sorelle | @jsorelle3
Cookies: homemade by J. Sorelle @jsorelle3
Food and Hot Apple Cider: The Every Hostess | @theeveryhostess
Ornaments: Sage 8 Studio | @sage8studio
Chocolate bars and peppermint malt balls: Curly Girl Design | @curlygirldesign
Business card holder: Cory Renee Handcrafted Bags and Clutches
Coffee: Peet’s Coffee & Tea, Cherry Creek North | @peetscoffee

How to Host a Winter White Gingerbread Party

The fabulous ladies at The Entertaining Shoppe let us share their beautiful winter, white contemporary Gingerbread House party with Momtastic. The party is adult and kid friendly, plus it’s so pretty!

Get yourself a white apron with pom poms, and invite your friends because this is a winter white party worth hosting.

the entertaining shoppe gingerbread party

 {image via The Entertaining Shoppe}

day 10: {recipe} christmas cocktail cheer

christmas cocktails

On the 10th day of Christmas, j. sorelle gave to you … three cocktail ideas that put you in the holiday/winter mood!

christmas cocktails 2

I don’t know why exactly {I am not a professional mixologist by any means, just enjoy a cocktail once in a while}, but for some reason I always use a rule of thirds or halves when I make cocktails. It always is easy to make and measure, and always tastes delicious.

white snow russian

Cocktail #1:
WHITE SNOW RUSSIAN
1/3 Vodka
1/3 Kaluah
1/3 Milk
(I think whole milk tastes best, but you can use any milk)

little rum-mer fire boy

Cocktail #2:
LITTLE RUM-MER FIRE BOY
2/3 Fireball
1/3 Rum Chada

brandi-nog

Cocktail #3:
BRANDI-NOG
2/3 Eggnog
1/3 Brandy

christmas cocktails 3

Garnish with a candy cane, chill … sip, and enjoy!

{Images via j. sorelle}

Day 8: DIY party hats for Kids and Adults

On the 8th day of Christmas, j. sorelle gave to you…DIY Holiday Party Hats.

Put on your party dress and get out your hot glue gun because today we have a DIY tutorial to create your own, festive party hats.

DIY christmas tree party hat

diy sparkle and shine party hat

diy frozen party hat_jsorelle

You’ll Need:

  • Cardstock
  • Scissors
  • Hot glue/hot glue gun
  • Holiday trimmings, sequins, ornaments aka party hat decor
  • Package of thin headbands {we bought the softer fabric kind to prevent massive hard-headband-headaches}

How To:

Step 1: Print this free template {thanks Oh Happy Day} on cardstock of your choice

Step 2: Cut and shape cardstock into hat form. We used a pinch of hot glue along the ‘inside seam’ just to make sure the hat was solid for our heavy decorations.

Step 3: Decorate. Add some bling and color…or in our case, add tree trimmings, tinsel, and ornaments. We used a hot glue gun to add our tinsel and tree trimmings.

Step 4: Glue to a thin headband.

Step 5: Take pictures of your party hats and send them to us – we want to see your creations.
e-mail: hello@jsorelle.com
instagram: @jsorelle3
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These hats made even a mini-photo shoot in the middle of a massive winter storm {running eye-liner and all} fun!

{images via j. sorelle}

Cocktails and Canvas + Wayfair Wish List and {GIVEAWAY}

cocktails and canvas holiday party with way fair

The holiday season is here, and along with the joy and cheer, comes a lot of stress too. We get it…seriously, a dinner party for 4 can stress us out. So, before you fret about your guests’ arrival and how you are going to entertain them, we have a fabulous party idea and tips that will help you stand out as Hostess with the Mostess.

And, we have an AMAZING giveaway for you to enter today. You have a chance to win $500 from our favorite new shopping spot for zillion things home, Wayfair. Keep reading.

Our dear family friends own a gorgeous home, and one of our favorite rooms in their home is an art room. When they host guests, a night of cocktail and canvas is always a highlight of the trip. So, their room served as the source of inspiration for today’s Cocktail & Canvas Holiday Party.

Wouldn’t you love to gather with friends and family adorned in ugly Christmas sweaters, in a room draped with colorful holiday lights, and enjoy a night filled with cocktails, paint, creativity, laughter and cheer? Sign us up.

cocktail and canvas holiday entertaining with way fair

10 Tips to Host a Cocktails & Canvas Holiday Party

  • First, ask guests to wear their finest ugly Christmas Sweaters, or take it upon yourself to buy them at local thrift stores. The memories of ugly Christmas sweaters are priceless.
  • Create a dynamic playlist. Just like bad music can ruin a wedding reception, poor music selection during a holiday celebration can be a Debbie-downer. You should have the classics like Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole, and throw some Josh Groban, Kelly Clarkson and Michael Bublé in the mix too.
  • Have a bar cart easily accessible…and stocked. We lust after the beautiful images of bar carts like this. A more practical cart like below would totally work too. Either way, stock it with essentials such as, Vodka, Whiskey, Soda Water, Orange Juice, Cranberry Juice, lemons and limes, ice, Champagne, Red and White wine and beer. Don’t forget the bar cart tools and glassware.
  • Provide every artist with art supplies. Buy a rainbow of paint colors for your artists’ palette. It is best to use plastic plates instead of paper so the paint doesn’t bleed through. And, give each artist at least 5 brushes in a range of sizes. Don’t forget the canvas and easels too.

cocktails and canvas holiday entertaining with wayfair

  • Ask guests to paint a holiday scene. It can be their favorite memory of Christmas, humorous Christmas with the Griswold’s-inspired, antler art, Christmas trees, lights, bows or even Santa.
  • Have a guest room ready for those who need to crash. Here’s a quick rundown of our favorite guest room essentials: Keep extra pillows and blankets in the closet. Keep a basket of toiletries next to the sink. Essentials include a toothbrush, toothpaste, face wash and lotion, wash cloths and body towels. To really impress, add some pain relievers in case a hangover is imminent. Keep bottled water and a glass on the nightstand. And finally, have a pile of magazines and books close by for those who want to read.
  • Make it a tradition to remember. Just like our friends do with each guest, take a photo of everyone holding their artwork, and hang the photos in the room or for a memory book. Then, ask each guest to add his or her thumbprint on a large canvas among fellow artists in the gallery. Their thumbprints would be great ornaments on a tree or bulbs on a string of lights.

cocktails and canvas

cocktails and canvas holiday entertaining with way fair

  • Provide heavy appetizers for your guests and a signature cocktail like this. An artist needs his/her energy and a good flow of creativity. And, stock the fridge with eggs, bread, butter, bacon, eggs, fresh fruit, yogurt and granola because in the morning, it will be a crowd pleaser, especially for those feeling the effects of good cheer the night before.
  • Send your guests home with their art. After they take their mug shot and provide prints, the canvas is their favor for the evening…a piece of art for their home, and wonderful memories.
  • Shop our Wayfair Wish List for everything you need to host a fabulous Cocktail & Canvas Holiday Celebration.

cocktails and canvas holiday party with wayfair

  1. PVIFS Aluminum I Frame Utility Table
  2. Buffalo Tools Amerihome 30″ Bar Stool (Set of 4)
  3. Altra Marshall 29.92″ 3-Shelf Rolling Utility Cart
  4. Cheungs 3 Piece Metal Bucket Set with Handles
  5. Fredrix Red Label Stretched Canvas (Set of 6)
  6. Chenille Kraft Paint Brushes
  7. Quartet Tabletop Instant Easel
  8. Wintergreen Lighting 70 Light String LED Lights
  9. Crayola Portfolio Series Acrylic Paints

Don’t forget about the giveaway so you can throw your own Cocktails & Canvas Holiday Party.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 j. sorelle received a gift card for this post, however we love Wayfair, even if they didn’t send us any form of payment, and all opinions are ours, we promise.

{images via friend and Wayfair}