Over the Top, DIY Summer Ideas

We've got a case of the summer fever, and have been searching for days and days to find you fabulous, DIY ideas to create for the perfect summer get together.


Spiked Watermellon Keg



Materials & Ingredients

We got this one from Evite!

10-pound seedless watermelon
Sharp knife
Big spoon
Big bowl
Drill with a 1/2-inch drill bit
3/4-inch ball-valve faucet with a handle that’s easy to turn with one hand
PVC-to-faucet adapter that will screw into the back of the faucet
Rubber O-ring that fits the back of the faucet

Blender
Sieve
Pitcher
1 1/2 cups rum
4 limes

To view the instructions, please visit http://blog.evite.com/evite/2007/09/end-of-summer-b.html


Paper Treat Candy Cones



These are great to put summer treats in! Pretzels, Popcorn, or candy!

Materials and Ingredients

gift wrap or other decorative paper
lollipop sticks
craft styrofoam sheets – approx 1″ thick
shallow tray or vase/container
candy/treats for the cones
candy/treats to cover the styrofoam
tape, glue stick & scissors

Instructions

1. Create a template for the cones.
2. Trace the cone template onto the paper, then trim out. Repeat as many times as you need.
3. Roll the trimmed paper into a cone shape, making sure there’s enough of a hole left in the bottom of the cone for the lollipop stick. Secure the cone shape with a piece of tape on the inside, and use the glue stick to make the outer edge lie flat.

For the Display:

1. Cut a piece of the styrofoam sheet to fit securely within your tray or vase/container.
2. Place the styrofoam in the container, then insert the lollipop sticks into the foam, leaving a few inches in between the sticks to make room for the cones. (You can insert the sticks in neat rows or in a random configuration – whichever you prefer!)
3. Pour candy or popcorn on top of the styrofoam until it is completely covered.
4. Fill each paper cone with candy, popcorn, or another treat, then slide them onto the lollipop sticks.


Mosquito Repellent

Materials and Ingredients

2 ½ teaspoons of any mixture of the following essential oils: basil, catnip, cedarwood, citronella, juniper, lemon, lemongrass, myrrh, palmarosa, pine, rose geranium or rosemary.
½ cup of 190-proof grain alcohol (such as high quality vodka)
½ cup distilled, filtered or spring water

Put this mixture in a small spray bottle, shake it up and you’re set.


Festive Drink Umbrellas



Materials and Ingredients

Soup can
Origami-paper sheets
Pinking shears
Wooden skewers

From each circle, remove a pie-slice shape measuring about 1/8 of the circumference. Fashion into a cone, slightly overlapping straight ends; use a glue stick or double-sided tape to secure. Dab white craft glue inside nose of cone, and pierce tip with a wooden skewer (snip skewer for a custom fit); allow to dry.


Mix and Match Napkins




This one is great if you have lots of random napkins left over from previous parties!

Materials and Ingredients

White doily bands
Random napkins
Plastic forks

Fold two napkins together. Cut a strip from a round or square paper doily; for a band that's lacy on both edges, accordion-fold a small doily in the middle. Wrap it around napkin; tape at back. Tuck in a plastic fork.