National Capital Area Cake Show

Thanks to the hubby, I was able to have a girls morning out yesterday with a great friend at The National Capital Area Cake Show. This was my first time at the event and I really enjoyed seeing ALL of the amazing talent that is out there.

The event featured displays of cake and cupcake artwork, vendors, a bake sale, and ongoing demonstrations and classes by world-class sugar artist. There were also Live Cake and Cupcake Challenges that occurred later in the day. Maybe next year I will be able to catch those. I did participate in a hour-long cupcake decorating class with my friend, Mindy. We learned different icing techniques as well has how to work with fondant. Mindy already has mad cake/cupcake decorating skills. I, on the other hand, came away with a few great tips as well as a greater appreciation for the art of cake and cupcake decorating. I think that I will stick to event design! I came away from this event inspired by some pretty creative pieces (and feeling refreshed from a girls morning out!). Here are a few of my favorites: How cute are these Apple Basket CUPCAKES. Yep, they are cupcakes. I know...amazing. Scrabble, anyone? The detail was amazing on this cake. This masterpiece was created using Edible Image decorations. I was not familiar with this type of product prior to the event and was amazed at the endless possibilities that it offers decorators. L-O-V-E this silhouette cake! If I recall correctly, a Silhouette Machine was used to create the images on this cake. How cute would this be for a birthday party! *I wish that I was able to give credit to the artist that created the cakes/cupcakes above. Since they were on display for the challenges, they were numbered and not labeled with specific vendor/artist information.*

{Real Parties} Modern Mindy

Today I am sharing two Real Parties that were submited to me by Mindy of Modern Mindy. The first party is a Sweet Strawberry Party that Mindy put together to celebrate her daughter's 3rd birthday. Mindy's inspiration came from the cute strawberry printables from Dimple Prints. I love all of the bright, cheerful colors that Mindy used throughout the party's decor as well as her attention to detail. How cute it that strawberry table skirt!



The cake (SO cute!) was created by a local decorator, Debbie Eaton.




The second party that Mindy sent over was A Tropical Tea. Every year Mindy's local MOPS (mother's of preschoolers) has a tea for 120 women. This year, insted of the usual "high tea", they decided to have a "tropical tea". With a budget of only $200, Mindy and her team of fellow moms were able to create a tropical oasis in a church gym. WOW! Here is how Mindy did it: "For the centerpieces I collected large cans & we wrapped them in orange & striped wrapping paper. In one we used a variety of tropical greens to create a relatively tall arrangement. We also incorporated the table signs into them. For the other centerpiece, I came up with a new twist on the tissue paper pom. We attached them to tall dowel rods giving a wonderful burst of color! We also had a "center table" were we used a very tall tropical plant to add even more drama. For the center stage area we started with a back drop of orange paper. We created a banner with colorful scrapbook paper & created the tropical tea letters with a Cricut. We flanked this with 2 large palm trees. We used discarded carpet rolls & wrapped them in butcher paper & rested that on umbrella stands to allow the stand up. We then drilled holes in the top & shoved large tropical leave in & fanned them out. We also hung paper lanterns from fishing line that we strung from basketball hoops. The food was fantastic with tons of tropical flavor. Fruit salsa with cinnamon pita chips, keylime pie, coconut dessert, macadamia cookies, curry chicken salad wraps, fruit skewers with creamy fruit dip, cucumber sandwiches, & lots more. Of course we had tropical tea plus a coconut pineapple ice cream punch!". I am amazed at how much these women were able to do on such a modest budget.




Way to go, Mindy! Thank you for sharing BOTH of your Real Parties with Sheek Shindigs. To see more of Mindy's creations, visit her at Modern Mindy.

{Crafty Ideas} A Little Easter Fun!

If you weren't already in the mood to start bringing out those little bunnies and baskets, you will be after you see the recently featured Easter Craft Ideas from Country Living. I am especially fond of these two:

Play it by Ear: To stitch up one of these kid-friendly accessories, you’ll need a child-size headband ($3.99; drugstore.com) and 11⁄2 yards of 1⁄2-inch-wide double- fold bias tape. (For a range of prints, from $9.50 for three yards, visit etsy.com/shop/pollydangernotions.)

1: Cut an 181⁄2- inch-long piece of bias tape. Hem the cut ends under 1⁄2 inch on each side, then stitch together the long side to form a casing. Fold the casing in half so that the ends touch and use a straight pin to mark the fold’s center.

2: Feed an extra-thick, 12-inch-long pipe cleaner through one end of the casing, stopping at the pin. Feed a second pipe cleaner through the casing’s other end until it, too, meets the pin; remove pin. Bring the casing’s open ends toward each other and twist the exposed pipe cleaners together to form a rabbit ear shape. Repeat steps one and two to make a second ear.

3: Cut a piece of bias tape the length of the headband, plus one extra inch. Wrap the tape over the headband, then use pins to mark the two spots where you want to attach the ears (use the photo at left for guidance).

4: Remove the tape from the headband and stitch the long side together, from the pins out to both ends of the tape; stitch these ends closed, and remove pins. Twist the ears’ pipe-cleaner ends around the headband in the desired spots, then slide each end of the headband into the casing. Use a needle and thread to slip-stitch the tape around and between the ears closed.

Feather your nest with papier-mâché: Take a page from the grade-school activity book with these delicate candy dishes, made using shredded brown lunch bags and sheets from an old dictionary.


1. Tightly cover a small bowl with plastic wrap, then flip the bowl upside down on wax paper. In another container, mix equal parts water and clear glue.

2. Dip handfuls of shredded paper into the glue mixture, then immediately lay them on the bowl until it’s covered.

3. Lightly press dry paper strips along the outside to create a “nesty” look.

4. Let dry for 12 hours; carefully pull the wrap off the bowl and away from the nest.

Visit Country Living to view these craft ideas and others as well.

And the winner is...

This week's random Giveaway winner sponsored by CupKate's Event Design is Amanda of Shindigs. Congratulations!

Thank you to everyone that participated in this week's giveaway. I look forward to the next!

{Party Inspiration} A Mexican-Inspired Bridal Shower

One of my dearest friends is preparing to give her youngest sister a bridal shower and asked me to put together some ideas. Since the wedding is being held in Mexico, the shower's theme and decor is going to be Mexican-Inspired. Here is the inspiration board that I created:

The shower is going to be casual and FUN. So, I suggested that they incorporate lots of vibrant colors into the party decor through the use of flowers, table linens, and fun decorations (maybe a sombrero on each table, Mexican-inspired flags/banners, lanterns, etc.). I also suggested adding tea lights on the tables for a touch of elegance and sending guests home with a jar of Mexican wedding cookies.

Now I want to throw a little fiesta of my own! Who's in?

Image credits from left to right: (1 & 11: The Tea Room, 2 & 6: Social Couture, 5 & 12: Aymujer, 3: Good House Keeping, 2 & 13: The Little Things)

Celebrate Spring!

Spring is officially here. Hooray! Here are some fun ideas to help celebrate the new season and spread a little sunshine around.

Floral Cones: Paper cones can be great for popcorn and candy, but what about flowers! Make a stunning display at your next soiree by tucking assorted colors of your favorite springtime flowers (Cymbidium orchids are shown here by Martha Stewart) into handmade paper cones, then affix by ribbon to a board covered in pink linen to create a garden of floral favors. Each blossom is anchored in a tiny vial of water.



Daffodil Candy Cups: I love this idea from Martha Stewart. These would be great for an Easter celebration or spring-themed birthday party. And, they are really easy to make. Simply print the provided daffodil template, trace onto decorative paper, and cut out. next, fill baking cups with candy and place onto flowers. If desired, join cups to flowers with tape.


A Lavender & Lemon Cake: Bake and serve a slice of this Lavender & Lemon Cake by Rosie of Sweetapolita (one of my new favorite blogs to follow!) to your guests and warmer weather is sure to be on their minds.

A Surprising Fruit Centerpiece: Real Simple offers this fun and unexpected idea to turn fruit into a festive centerpiece! So spring-like, don't you think? Click here for the details.



A Garden To Go: A cluster of potted flowers can do double-duty at your next shindig. Grouped together, they make a gorgeous centerpiece for your table. When the party is over, let your guest pick one to take home as a favor and plant in their garden for the upcoming season.

{What's Cooking?} Banana Split Ice Cream Sandwiches

Y-U-M-M-Y! These Banana Split Ice Cream Sandwiches take a little planning-ahead prep work but are totally worth it. They look great and taste even better!

Banana Split Ice Cream Sandwiches

Ingredients:

Cookies:
7 tablespoons powdered sugar
6 tablespoons sifted all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg
Filling:
2 cups vanilla low-fat ice cream, softened
3/4 cup ripe mashed banana (about 1 1/2 medium bananas)
6 tablespoons coarsely chopped dry-roasted peanuts, divided
Remaining ingredients:
6 tablespoons frozen fat-free whipped topping, thawed
6 tablespoons chocolate syrup
6 maraschino cherries, drained

Preparation:
To prepare cookies, combine sugar and flour, stirring with a whisk. Add vanilla and egg, and beat with a mixer at medium speed 2 minutes. Cover and refrigerate 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 350°.

Cover a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Draw 6 (3-inch) circles on paper. Turn paper over, and secure with masking tape. Spoon about 1 tablespoon batter into center of each drawn circle; spread batter to outside edge of each circle. Bake at 350° for 6 minutes or until edges begin to brown. Carefully remove cookies from paper, and cool completely on wire racks. Repeat procedure with the remaining batter, reusing the parchment paper.

To prepare the filling, combine the ice cream, banana, and 1/4 cup peanuts, stirring well.

Place 1 cookie on each of 6 plates. Carefully spread about 1/3 cup ice cream mixture over flat side of each cookie. Top with remaining cookies, flat sides down, pressing gently. Top each sandwich with 1 tablespoon whipped topping, 1 tablespoon chocolate syrup, 1 teaspoon peanuts, and 1 cherry. Serve immediately.

Nutritional Information
Calories:310 (20% from fat)
Fat:7g (sat 1.6g,mono 2.3g,poly 1.6g)
Protein:6.9g
Carbohydrate:55.9g
Fiber:2.3g
Cholesterol:39mg
Iron:0.8mg
Sodium:54mg
Calcium:79mg

* Recipe and picture taken from Cooking Light