Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Rock Candy Chandy Tute



Roses are red.
Rock candy is cute.
I should be cleaning,
But I am eating lots of sugar + writing this tute:)

Enjoy this sweet + simple tutorial.
Disclaimer: The candy is for adorable presentation. Don't eat it-it has glue on it:)


Stuff you need:
Rock candy on strings
Assorted ribbon
Floral wire picks
Purple Hot Glue Gun
Scissors
Display stand or tree




Homegoods purchase that I spray painted silver

cut rock candy strings into desired lengths 

cut wire picks into 2-3 inch pieces bend a hook at end

make sure glue gun is very hot, it should burn/melt the candy
I add glue until the candy cracks and melts a tiny bit, then insert hook
let cool for about 15 minutes

add ribbon and hang




Another option-just use rock candy sticks and hang with ribbon


Another candy chandelier idea courtesy
of the sparkling Shawna Brockmeier



Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Ode to the Value Pack of Gift Bows...


I feel kind of bad for the old school value pack of gift bows. Once the Gold Standard of polished gift wrapping-they have now fallen into the clearance bin shadows of baker's twine, washi tape, snazzy yarn and more clever packaging ideas. I, however, still believe gift bows can offer old school charm. I also adore the idea of using everyday, underappreciated items and imagining them into something wicked cute. With minimal physical effort. Come on, you know that's funny:)



Oh, Value Bag of Gift Bows, I love you so...

Create the world's easiest table runner with a piece of
fabric and add gift bows for adorable drama

cut fabric edges with scalloped scissors for an easy, inexpensive runner


animals crakers dipped into melted white chocolate
and then dunked into a pool of nonpareils

perfect for any party presentation
or a special afterschool snack with your chimps



 string gift bows for a bright, colorful garland


use gift bows to create a spectacular entrance
this dazzling wreath is by Maria {Love & Sugar Kisses}
Tutorial here.

totally adorbs gift bow usage to jazz up some cuppies
by the sparkling Jeannette {J. At Your Service}

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

25 Things You {Probably} Don't Know About Me...


25 Things You (Probably) Don’t Know About Me…


Laura from Live Smile Celebrate has come up with a blog series called “25 Things You Don’t Know About Me” based on the celebrity series in US Magazine.
She tagged Jillian from Catch My Party and Jillian tagged me and four other party gals to write the same post and after doing so, tag some other party friends. 
Wicked cool idea:) 



So here are 25 Things You (Probably) Don’t Know About Me




1. I am extremely particular about the shades of purple I adore.
2. I am craft crazy. I will dabble in almost every aisle in the craft store + I love to learn new skills.
3. I love Cinnabons. A lot. Not the tiny, crappy ones you get in Burger King, the   real ones.
4. I have been married for 18 years {together for 23} Ah, young love…
5. I have two little chimps that are my heart + soul.  My boys complete me.
6. When I was a teen I worked at the Renaissance Faire, had to dress up like a wench and say, in the lamest accent, “Programs, get your programs here-only ten pounds.” Worst. Job. Ever.
7. I will always stand up for the rights of those that cannot stand up for themselves.
8. I never make my bed. Unless my MIL is coming overJ
9. I am always envisioning how logos and partyware designs of other businesses would look with glitter.
10. My favorite TV shows are Chopped, Top Chef and any of the RH.
11. I think greed is a disgusting trait.
12. I love the smell of apples.
13. I worship anything handmade. Just so special, original + meaningful.
14. My favorite color is Pantone Purple Ash.
15. I like big hair. I know, shocking! I cannot understand the time some people spend to flatten and straighten their hair.
16. I hate to cook. Especially bacon. I always get burned by the grease. Lame.
17. I adore real parties.  
18. By the time a party trend has become popular-I’m way over it.
19. I firmly believe that talent will always trump hype.  
20. I am a lova of handbags. Seriously.
21. I never paint my nails-interferes with the glitta + paper.
22. I am kind of shy + quiet in real life.
23. I'm not really into Pinterest. Or Instagram. 
24. The most satisfying part of my job is getting to be a part of such important milestones-an honor I do not take lightly.
25. I’m with Jillian on this ~I never want anyone to throw me a surprise party because I think I would freak out and then walk out! 



PAGING + TAGGING:

Bird {Bird's Party}

Linnette {Paper Glitter}

Angela {Anything But Perfect}

Ebony {Sparkling Events & Designs}

Abigail {Paper + Cake}


Wednesday, April 18, 2012

The Donkey Kong APE-ril Rave

Tiny Cake Cuteness

My little chimp just turned 7. He adores all things Donkey Kong. And bananas. Lucky for me, his birthday is in APE-ril:) I created a this sweet charmer to celebrate our funny little boy with the eternal ketchup ring around his lips. Love you so much Honey Badger.

I am indie. I love the unexpected. Gavin chose a Donkey + Diddy Kong paper plate pattern and I worked from that starting point. I did not want to recreate any of the characters on partyware, so I picked elements form Donkey Kong to make it all cohesive + clever. Lots of bananas, barrels, ladders and neckties.

I mixed it up with an unexpected ruffled backdrop for the dessert table. The ruffles mixed in with matte gold accents, crates, monkeys and glittered bananas made for a beautiful backdrop while still keeping the boyish vibe + charm.

I created a treats and trinkets favor station to resemble an actual Donkey Kong game! A baker's rack, ladders and barrels set the stage for an adorable favor presentation.

Activities were the highlight of the day. Donkey Kong wears his signature "DK" on his necktie. The little chimps all made their own neckties with their initials:)

You heard of the Kentucky Derby? Well, we had a serious Banana Derby. It was the cutest thing. Ever.

Enjoy the pictures. I hope you can find some inspiration. Not a picture perfect party, but a real one with serious love. It was a shiny happy day. My chimp was beyond happy. His besties were thrilled. We are honored to be his parents and overjoyed to celebrate his Lucky 7th Birthday.


Dining table set-ups
Simple, but adorable centerpieces make an impact.
Colored confetti mixed in with shiny gold pieces.



Cupcake Liner Wreath to welcome guests.

Simple gold napkins jazzed up with gold monkeys 
and happy festooning.

Character plates mixed in with simple ideas make a
sweet table setting.

Drinks in little barrels. Clever, no?



My Chimp getting tatted up:)


Donkey Kong is known for his signature necktie with initials "DK."
Each kid made their own necktie with their initials and other
jazzy designs. Easy and super cute.


Tie picture taking time...Kind of a bunch of wild monkeys 
not really into to posing..LOL

They were all doing Ape calls and pounding of the chests..LOL

King of the Apes

 Banana Derby Time. You read that right. 

 Check out my racer-it's way faster than yours:)

We rolled in heats of four:)

The racing was intense.  

Cutest. Ever.

Watch out for banana peels:)

 Dessert time.
Banana splits, tiny cupcakes and milk in mini jugs.




 Donkey Kong's kid, Diddy Kong, always sports
a red baseball cap, so I used red baseball helmets to serve
the sundaes in:) 




Why, yes, that is a Glittered Sno Cone cup on Kong's Head:)


Tiny burlap canvases.



It's all about the gold.  


Tiny gold, glittery flags on baby cupcakes.

A crown fit for a Chimp. 

Mini ice creams spoons with glittered handles. 

 The treats and trinkets favor display. I tried to make it look like
a screen shot from the video game with levels, ladders, barrels
and Donkey Kong figurines.

Gavita Bananas.
Clever, no?

These banana boxes rocked. my. world. 


 Lollipop Girl strikes again.

The Donkey + Diddy Lolli adoption barrel:)

 Donkey + Diddy Bottlecap Necklaces

Banana Boxes Packaging Perfection 


Plain kraft bags snazzed up with some fun fringe. 


Yes, that is marker on his face. No comment.

My heart and soul.

Gorilla Guest Book. Please sign in. 

Make a wish.

The Little Chimp a/k/a King of the Dessert Table


The Girls with the Goods:
Amazing + Adorable Gavita Banana Boxes~
Do {Piggy Bank Parties}
Gorgeous + Glittery Crown for The Ape King~
Natalie {The Knock Knock Factory}
Ridic Painted Peg Doll Donkey Kong~
Jenny {Crossing the Bugger-Dixon Line}
Whimsical + Wild Donkey + Diddy Kong Lollis~
Leanne {The Whimsical Boutique}
Creative + Charming Cupcake Liner Wreath~
Kristin {Stampin' Fanatic}
Baby Kraft Cups + Tiny Milk Jugs + Bamboo Spoons~
Suzanne {Garnish}
Consultant for my Crazy Ideas~
Brittany {Grey Grey Designs}