Cute As A Button and Ruffled, Two!

Today I am excited to share a dessert table that I designed for a baby shower this past January. The guest of honor was already a mother of two girls and was expecting her third AND fourth (yes, twins!). One boy and one girl. So exciting! I wanted to keep the theme gender neutral, casual, and bright and cheery. I came up with the theme Cute As A Button and Ruffled, Two!

After choosing a theme, I decide on two main gender neutral colors: a bright yellow and an aqua blue. I also used white as my neutral base. I added ruffles that I made from white crepe paper streamers to the cake stand and serving pieces (see my post about this, here) and then finished them off with mini paper fans that I made and/or a little ribbon.

Cute As A Button printables were created for the dessert table (will be available in the Sheek Shindigs Etsy Shop, here, soon!) and embellished with mini paper buttons.

I also made paper fans and embellished them with Cute As A Button stickers to hang above the table for a little extra fun. You can find instructions on how to make these, here.

The main attraction of the table was the button cake. To create, I simply purchased a double-layered 8" cake from my local bakery and decorated it with edible sugar buttons myself (buttons are available in the Sheek Shindigs etsy shop, here). This was an easy and inexpensive way to dress up a standard, store-bought cake. I created a coordinating cake topper by accordion folding a 7" x 1 1/4" piece of paper, embellishing it with two mini paper buttons, and attaching each end to a white candy stick.

In addition to the button cake, there were cupcakes, cake balls, and mini meringue cookies for the guests to enjoy.

What a fun day it turned out to be for a special woman and her growing family!

Credits:

Sheek Shindigs: design, set-up, decorations, desserts

With Love Photography and Design: Photos

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!

Crafty New Year's Eve Decoration Ideas

Now that the hussel and bussel of the holidays is behind us, it's time to get ready to celebrate the New Year! Here are some fun and crafty New Year's Eve Decorating ideas to help you kick off 2012 in style.

I love this Countdown and Clock Decor idea from Fiskars.

To create the New Year's Clocks, make assorted accordion circles by cutting strips of cardstock one half the width of desired circle and using scoring blade in your rotary trimmer to score each half inch. Accordion-fold along scored lines and repeat with enough strips adhered together to form a circle. Hot glue at center. Add number stickers at the 3, 6, 9, and 12. To create clock hands, trim a 3" square of cardstock and punch one corner with the Romantique corner punch. Using your trimmer, cut from the opposite corner to the design without cutting through. Repeat on other side, trim off excess, and adhere to center of circle along with a shorter version. Hang with clear thread.

To create the Countdown Decor, collect 10 champagne or wine corks (can also be found in your local craft store) and cut a slit in the top of each one using a craft knife.  Print out the reverse outline of the numbers using Word Art in Microsoft Word onto assorted, colorful cardstocks. Cut out each letter using the retractable craft knife on a craft mat. Punch the numbers randomly with a star hand punch and insert into corks to complete.

Dress up your New Year's Eve Napkins with this crafty idea from Martha Stewart.

Wrap 2 foam balls with strung sequins, and thread 1/4-inch metallic ribbon through them using a tapestry needle; wrap the ribbon around the napkin, then tuck the smaller ball through to hold it in place. Sew sequins by hand along a runner’s hemstitching for a confetti effect.

Make these Giant Confetti Bags from Oh Happy Day to hand out just before the clock strikes midnight.

Visit Oh Happy Day for project details, here.

Add a little shimmer to your night with these Streamers from Martha Stewart.

Visit Martha Stewart, here, for project directions.

{DIY} 5-Pointed Paper Snowflake Garland

I have been feeling crafty lately. Can you tell?  I had paper snowflakes on my mind today and searched around for a tutorial. Lucky for me (and you!), I came across Jessica Jones of How About Orange. Jessica is a seriously talented crafter/designer/blogger. You should stop by and check her out, here. Anyway, Jessica has a great tutorial on her blog for making a 5-Pointed Snowflake Garland. Isn't it pretty. My paper snowflakes have never turned out this beautiful before. I am hoping that her detailed tutorial will make all the difference for me this year.

Jessica made this garland using origami paper, tape, and dental floss. The second and third flakes in her garland are based on a 5-pointed star. You can download her folding directions here.

The first, fourth, and fifth flakes in the garland are based on 8 points (Fold a square in half diagonally and keep halving it until it's nearly too thick to cut, then snip out small shapes ). Here is an example of an 8-pointer. Jessica recommends ironing your snowflakes with the steam setting of your iron turned off to get them to lay nice and flat.

These snowflakes also make beautiful gift toppers, don't you think? Or, make smaller ones to hang on your tree.

Thank you so much for the wonderful tutorial, Jessica. I am going to give these flakes a try and hope for the best this time around.

{Party Ideas} A Snowman Themed Party

In need of a versatile holiday or winter theme for your next shindig? How about hosting a Snowman Themed Party. Whether you are hosting a non-religious holiday party or a winter celebration, you can't go wrong with a few jolly snowmen (and women) on your side.

Snowman Themed Food: From a Frosty glass of milk to a shot of snowman ice cream, here are some fun snowman themed snack ideas for your party.

{Images and Source Links: Top Row: All You , Good Housekeeping , Better Homes and Gardens , Middle Row: Martha Stewart , Better Homes and Gardens , babble  , Bottom Row: Candie Anderson , Canadian Family , Better Homes and Gardens }

Snowman Crafts: If there is snow on the ground, suit the kiddos up and let them create a winter wonderland of snowmen and women. If not, here are some snowman craft ideas that should be almost as much fun.

{Images and Sources: Kaboose , Kaboose , Family Fun , Kid Activities }

Snowman Activity: Set up a Build Your Own Snowman station for little ones to create their own frosty snow creatures. Stack marshmallows (skewered with tooth picks) onto a graham cracker with a thin layer of frosting. Use pretzel sticks for arms, chocolate chips for eyes and buttons, and orange jelly beans for a carrot nose.

Snowman Favors: Send your guests home with a snowman-to-go favor. Here are a few of my favorites.

{Image and Source Links: Add Ink and Stamp , Married, Broke, and Hungry , Bakerella }



Easy Holiday Crafting Ideas

If you are as busy as I am during the holiday season (and I am pretty sure that you are), an easy holiday craft is a welcomed way to unwind and add a little more holiday cheer to your day. Here are a few that caught my eye:

Tiny Trees:
Turn a plain pinecone into a tabletop jewel. Place pinecones into various containers, cups, and/or bowls, sprinkle with glitter, and top with a star. It's just that easy!

{Image: Good Housekeeping}

A Hanging Window Display:
Glam an old frame up with a little paint, ribbon and some ornaments to add holiday cheer to an unsuspecting window.

{Image: Better Homes and Gardens}

A No-Fuss Kissing Ball:
Encourage seasonal smooches with this no-fuss kissing ball from Good Housekeeping. Wrap a 4-inch Styrofoam ball in a 14-inch fabric square; secure with a rubber band. Thread the end of 1 1/2 yards of ribbon down through the band, around the ball, and up through the band's other side so ribbon ends match up (knot them to hang the ball). Wrap 14 inches of ribbon around the ball's other side (crossing first ribbon, as shown); tuck ends into band. Hide band with a shimmery bow and festive sprigs.

{Image: Good Housekeeping}

Ornament Garland:
Add instant glizt to a space by hanging one of these easy-to-make Ornament Garlands. Gather unused ornaments and string together along ribbon. Once ornaments are secure, hang the garland across your mantle, around your tree, or on an empty wall.

{Image}

Thanksgiving Countdown Ideas: Host A Giving Thanks Party

If you are looking for a last minute Thanksgiving celebration idea for a group of children, this Giving Thanks Party may be a good fit. I designed this party with preschool and younger school aged children in mind. I wanted to create a Thanksgiving shindig that would allow guests to celebrate the holiday as well as give thanks and support to others in the community.

I also wanted to create a design that was affordable and could easily be duplicated by YOU. This past week I offered some Thanksgiving Countdown Ideas (also here and here). I incorporated many of the suggestions from those post into the design and decoration of this Giving Thanks Party. Natural objects, such as pumpkins, pine cones, acorns, and leaves, were used throughout the decor. I transformed what is normally the kids' craft center into a dessert/party "buffet" so that everything was in one place and easily accessible. You can do the same by using a buffet table, bookcase, or a regular folding table that you already have in your home. Get creative!

When planning your party, you can save time by purchasing some pre-made dessert items (I bought these ready made leaf cookies and pumpkin cookie sandwiches from the Target bakery). You can inexpensively dress up brown favor bags by using mini wooden clothes pins and freshly fallen leaves from your yard. There are also many, many cute and FREE printable out there that you can use to add color and style to your party. I used a free printable mini banner from Paper & Pigtails and Kara's Party Ideas, here, to dress up my pumpkin and baskets. 

To help recognize the importance of giving thanks and supporting others less fortunate than ourselves during the holiday season (and any time, for that matter), ask guests to bring canned goods to donate to a local food pantry. Provide craft paper, food labels, and string/ribbon for children to "wrap" their donations and write a message of hope or thanks to be sent with the items. Share a favorite Thanksgiving story, play games, and of course, include lots of yummy treats!

** I apologize for the fuzziness of these photos. I am hoping that Santa brings me a new camera this year ;) **

Thanksgiving Countdown Ideas: Crafting Some Turkey Fun!

Today's Thanksgiving Countdown Idea will help add some Turkey Cheer to your celebration. Whether there is an assigned children's table, dessert buffet, or just a special place setting for the little ones, these turkeys are sure to be a hit.

Push Pops are a fun way to serve mini cupcakes, pudding, or even candy to your {little} guests. And, a push pop dressed up like a turkey is even more fun, don't you think!

No push pops? How about dressing up your pedestal bowls instead? Wouldn't these be cute to serve pudding, ice cream, or even a little fruit salad in.

These turkey "costumes" are easy to create. Using construction/craft paper, cut out different colored feathers, a turkey face, beak, gobbler, and hat. Using a 2" scalloped punch, punch out 3 or more scallops to attach feathers onto and to assemble turkey head.

Now you can attach your turkey to a push pop, pedestal bowl, or any other serving vessel of your choice. I used a hot glue gun but glue dots may also work. Have fun with this one. Gobble, gobble!

Thanksgiving Countdown Ideas: Create A Natural Setting

Image: Pottery Barn

Keep your Thanksgiving decorating simple this year and let the season's natural resources take center stage. Reuse your Halloween pumpkins and gourds to decorate your mantel, front entry, or dining room table. Place individual or grouped pumpkins and gourds on cake pedestals and stands down the center of your table. Hollow out pumpkins, squashs, or gourds to be used as serving vessels for soups or dessert. For a personal touch, embellish with your guests' initials and use them for place setting markers. Get creative!

Image: Design Concept Ideas

Take the kids on a nature walk to gather pine cones, acorns, and leaves to place in glass vases and bowls for a seasonal centerpiece. Just remember to gather leaves on the day of your celebration. Otherwise, they will dry out and curl up.

Image: All You

Fresh fruits and vegetables can add a great amount of color and visual interest to your holiday table.  Flowers, berries and leaves can also be used to add texture and fill in any empty spaces.

Image: Martha Stewart Weddings

There are so many natural possibilities. Have fun!

In Case You Were Wondering...

Just in case you were wondering, my little Charlotte and I did make our felt Thanksgiving dinner together. It turned out great and we had so much fun working on it (I did all of the sewing, she did all of the stuffing). I used the tutorial that I posted about last week from Smashed Peas and Carrots, here, to make the turkey. Maggie (Smashed Peas and Carrots) did not include a tutorial for the green beans and carrots so Charlotte and I came up with our own. I will share that in the next couple of days. Until then, get started on those turkeys. Your little ones will LOVE IT!

WARNING: Making these fun little felt foods may lead to a serious felt sewing/crafting addiction. I am already working on our next meal!

{Crafty Ideas} A Fun Felt Thanksgiving Dinner

Okay, all of my crafty friends....pay attention! Have I got a fun Thanksgiving craft for you. Gather your felt piles (or make a mad dash to your local craft store) and get ready to make one of the cutest things that I have seen in awhile: A Fun Felt Thanksgiving Dinner.

Seriously, isn't it the cutest thing ever. I was searching for some Thanksgiving craft ideas and came across Maggie of Smashed Peas and Carrots. Maggie made a complete Felt Thanksgiving Dinner for her son several years ago and was kind enough to post a tutorial along with her pictures. The drumsticks are even detachable for playtime!



While sewing is not my strong point, I think that I will be able to handle this one. I am headed out to the craft store this weekend to stock up on felt and get started. My little Charlotte is going to LOVE it!
Oh, and as if the turkey, carrots, and beans were not impressive enough, Maggie whipped up an entire felt-y Thanksgiving feast before everything was said and done, which included mashed potatoes, gravy, a removable pat of butter, crescent rolls and a huge slice of pumpkin pie with removable whipped cream. Love her.

Visit Maggie and Smashed Peas and Carrots here and here for the felt Thanksgiving tutorials. Have fun with this one!

Fall Wreaths...BUY or DIY?

Need to add to your fall decor? A wreath is the perfect accessory, whether hanging from your front door or a mirror in your entry way. There are some great DIY tutorials out there for those of you that are feeling crafty and lots of fun etsy options if you just want to BUY.

{Image: ItzFitz}

{Image: TwoLauras}

{Image: S.A.S. Interiors}

{Image: In My Own Style}

{Image: Two Inspire You}

Are you going to (or did you) BUY or DIY your fall wreath?