Etsy Shop SALE!

If you are planning a party for your little princess, fairy, dinosaur dude, or space/robot lover you will want to check out the Sheek Shindigs Etsy Shop's newly reduced prices. All pre-packaged party items have been reduced up to 40%! This includes invitation sets, cupcake kits, party hats, plates, and decor. Stock up while you can, here!

An Event to Honor and Remember

Over the past two weeks I have had the honor of working on a very special project with an extraordinary group of people called Autumn's Army.This past December a family in our community suffered the most devastating loss that a parent can imagine. The Hoeft family lost their precious 5 year-old daughter, Autumn, to brain cancer.  Autumn's Army is "a group of concerned parents, family, teachers and school administrators, neighbors, classmates, friends and sometimes complete strangers that decided to band together" to help Autumn's family as they struggle to rebuild their lives without their daughter. This amazing group planned and organized a Tribute Dance and Silent Auction to benefit the Hoeft family and I was asked to help out. Sheek Shindigs designed and donated a dessert table for the event. The event's theme was based around two of Autumn's favorite things: pink and butterflies. I decided to use both of those elements to design a table that would honor Autumn and her memory. This is the table before the desserts were added:

I wanted the table to be simple and reflective of a little girl. I found the most adorable butterfly lamps at Home Goods and knew that they were meant for the table. I trimmed several of the serving plates and part of the center cake stand with white ruffles that I made from crepe paper. As a focal point for the table, I created an inexpensive butterfly "picture" by painting a blank canvas (bought at a local craft store) and embellishing it with paper butterflies that were donated by Megan of  Embellished Paper. Megan also donated the cupcake wrappers for the event. Thanks, Megan!

The dessert table featured pink and white cupcakes by a local vendor (Hopelessly Delicious Cakes and Candies), cake balls (Sheek Shindigs), and AMAZING cookies by my talented friend, Nicole. Yummy!

It turned out to be an amazing night for a more than worthy cause. Much thanks to Autumn's Army for all of their hard work and for bringing our community together. Thank you to the vendors and friends that donated items for the dessert table and/or the event as well as everyone that came out to support the family. I know that Autumn was smiling down on you all last night. While I never personally knew Autumn or her family, her story and the impression that she has left on myself and our community is one that I will never forget. Autumn's story has reminded me to slow down and cherish the time that I have with my children. They are truly a gift from God. She has reminded me to be thankful for my family, our health, and life in general. And, Autumn's story has renewed my faith in our community. Thank you, Autumn.

You can read about Autumn's story, here.

Vendor Information:

Dessert Table Design, set-up: Sheek Shinidgs

Cupcake Wrappers & Butterflies: Embellished Paper

Butterfly Canvas: Sheek Shindigs

Butterfly Lamps: Home Goods

Cupcakes: Hopelessly Delicious Cakes and Candies

Cookies: Nicole Soderberg

Cake Balls: Sheek Shindigs

Printables (food/donor labels): The Homespun Hostess





Hand Crafted Valentine's Ideas

Only a few more days until Valentine's Day. Are you ready? I thought that we were all finished with our Valentine's cards and projects until ..... my daughter and I went to a Valentine's playdate/party the other day and I fell in love with the craft that the hostess (and fellow party lover) had waiting for us. I almost immediately came home and googled my way to its original source, Fiskars, and was delighted to find the craft instructions as well as a few other fun ideas.


{Image: Fiskars}

Charlotte and I made the "I'm bananas for you!" craft together at our Valentine's playdate and we both had fun doing it. It wasn't one of those crafts where the child has to basically sit back and watch while the adult does all of the work. It was age appropiate (she is 3 years old) and the final result was so cute. My friend had all of the shapes for making the monkey pre-cut and ready to assemble before we got there. She also provided banana chips in place of the candy bananas which I thought was a wonderful idea, especially when you are dealing with a group of 3 year olds that already have more energy than they know what to do with. Thanks Nicole! You can find the DIY instructions over at Fiskars, here.

{Image: Fiskars}

Check out this "You're Grrrrrreat!" Lion Lollipop cover from Fiskars. I mean, really! These would be so cute for a younger group of children, like a preschool class or playgroup.

{Image: Fiskars}

And what about this "You Rock" Valentine's idea? I know that my oldest son (8) would LOVE getting a package of Pop Rocks to try out and I feel like the presentation of this Valentine's craft isn't as juvenile looking, perfect for your grade-schoolers.

{Image: Fiskars}

For all of these craft ideas and more, visit Fiskars, here. Have fun!

The Sweet Valentine's Giveaway Winner.....

Congratulations to Steffie for winning the Sheek Shindigs Sweet Valentine's Giveaway! And thank you to everyone that participated. Happy Friday!

Ombre Cake Balls Cake

This weekend Sheek Shindigs is helping out with a local fundraising event. In addition to designing a dessert table for the event, I am donating 150 cake balls. {YIKES!} Needless to say, cake balls have been on my mind A LOT over the past couple of days. I have rolled, dipped, and decorated myself a new appreciation for the art of making cake balls. While I am happy with the way that mine turned out, they are by no means perfect. I am not sure how the pros get theirs to look so round and flawless? I guess practice, practice, practice.

Anyway, in my search for cake ball inspiration I came across this amazing Ombre Cake Balls Cake by Gabbi Loubiere of Brew-Ha, Ha on Brides.com. Isn't it stunning!

To create, "Gabby baked bite-size 'balls' of cake in flavors such as tiramisu cheesecake and funfetti; then, she dipped each cake ball in white-chocolate ganache that had been dyed in pale shades of peach, blush, and yellow. The cake balls were affixed to a five-tier base and served alongside extra platters of cake balls for guests to help themselves to". I adore this idea. You could also create a cake ball "tower" using the same design and replacing the cake layers with styrofoam. Place your cake balls on a stick and then skewer/secure them into the styrofoam. It's a simple idea but I know that I have many more cake balls of practice ahead of me before I can pull off a project like that!

What other fun ways have you displayed your cake balls?

{What's Cooking?} Sweetie Pies

One of my favorite local bakers, Dina of Buttercream Bakehouse, recently sent me a Valentine's Day recipe that I know you will love: Sweetie Pies. Aren't they cute!

In addition to their cuteness, Dina's Sweetie Pies are easy to make, even for the novice baker. The only tools that are required are your oven, a heart shaped cookie cutter, and a fork. And no need to make a homemade pie crust. The pre-made boxed versions at your local store will work perfectly for this recipe. Stop by Buttercream Bakehouse, here, for Dina's recipe and tips and tell her that Sheek Shindigs sent you.

{DIY} Confetti Shooters

What a fun idea for your next party: {DIY} Confetti Shooters! I found this idea over at You Are My Fave and Pizzazzerie and had to share with all of you.

{Image: You Are My Fave}

This is a great way to re-use your push-pop containers. Other than push-pop containers, all that you need is a 3/4" dowel, confetti, tissue paper, and some tape.

{Image: You Are My Fave}

For complete instructions, stop by You Are My Fave, here. And, for push-pop containers, visit the Sheek Shindigs etsy shop, here.