Desserts!

I love showing kid's stuff, but we grownups need some great parties too! I will pepper them in here and there for us! ...well, I couldn't eat for 27 hours because of a medical procedure this morning - and all I was craving was chocolate cake - my total weakness - I am not a big icing fan, but LOVE chocolate cake! So in honor of what I couldn't have... here are some fantastic desserts for your next party - I am focusing on presentation, can't vouch for taste! But I always say presentation is everything!

Did you just do the same thing I did when I saw these [gasp!]!?!? Hello!?! I am not sure if I have ever seen a more beautiful dessert! These are individual chocolate-espresso charlottes - they may not be all chocolate, but I'll forgive them ;o)  Source and recipe

These are another omg moment - edible spoons with a dab of peanut butter mousse! How good would dessert be if you could eat the spoon too!?! (I'm sounding like a big 'ol pig lol!) I am SO making these - just waiting for the form to arrive! Source .... p.s. I bought my spoon template here

I found these in some book and didn't write down the book! UGH! sorry... mini brownies with toasted marshmallow and drizzled caramel sauce YUM! I just love the presentation with the silver picks.  If you don't have a kitchen torch (first, get one) you can put them under the broiler for a min.

Am I making ya'll hungry yet?!? These are mini rootbeer floats! The glasses are so dang cool! And if you are only having a mini one, you can have one of each of the above too ;o)  Source

Decorating for Easter

With all the rain we have had it seems like April already! Hope you all are finding the time to plan for Easter! All I am planning now is a nap and it's 7:30 in the morning lol... Hope these ideas might help inspire your Easter decor!

What a beautiful alternative to a wreath!?! Stuffed full of vibrant flowers and plastic eggs - would transition from holiday to regular days so easily! You could change out the inside and the ribbon for a whole new look! Just keep it full so the postman doesn't use it for bills ;o)  Source:  Magazine: Southern Living 04.2010

Yarn eggs would look fantastic outside or in! This would be a great project to make with the kids too! Just need a few supplies - like balloons yarn and glue and you are on your way!  You could make them in half and use for a basket or candle holder, too! Source and tutorial

 I have seen this one a lot, so forgive me for posting, but I just LOVE it! How whimsical is that!?! The colors are so amazing too! Think about all the different candies you could put in to match your next occasion - just make sure you put a cup or bowl inside for the water for the flowers or you'll have a big gloppy mess!  Source found via Celebration Shoppe

If a more natural look is what you are looking for, these nesting balls would be perfect! If you look close, there are carefully blown out eggs slid into a twig ball and hung by silk ribbon.  You could cheat too and get some small plastic eggs ;o)  Great for a baby bird baby shower theme, too! Source

I loved this Easter tablescape! Don't you just want to be invited to their brunch!?!  Full of bird houses, birds and Easter eggs really makes you crave Spring!  Source

Repackaging...

Was feeling a little crafty - I tried not to over craft this, though because  I wanted to show how you can take inspiration from store packaging and make your own pretty easy - just 2 pieces of paper and twine! I found this caramel corn "corn on the cob" at my local Walgreens for $1 - I thought HEY! This would be so cute in better packaging! (Wish I could have done a whole basket full!) You could make homemade caramel corn and packaging for a picnic/bbq or farm theme party! Hope it inspires you to try to repackage something!

 Store Packaging....

My packaging...

Shopping Saturday!

Local finds (at chain stores) that hopefully will help you with your next party! Make sure you get them now before supplies switch out! Visit my link to the right under "Frosting at Local Stores" for a rolling 2 months of posts!

Dr. Seuss puzzles! They had about 5 or 6 different books represented - these would be fun to glue together and hang, use on a buffet table or if the kids are young enough just have it as an activity!

Found:  Borders Books
Section:  Clearance
Price:  $5.99

Kohl's has a few Dr. Seuss plush characters - you have to check them out - they always rotate!  They always have the book to purchase too!

Found:  Kohl's Department Store
Section:  Near registers
Price:  $5.00

I totally didn't let myself buy these today, but I found them cheaper here.  These animal cracker cookie cutters would be perfect for a circus or zoo theme!!

Found:  Williams & Sonoma
Section:  Cookie cutter
Price:  $19.99  ($12.99 online here)

Fantastic!!! Porcelain egg place card holders - Great for Easter dinner for either name or buffet cards - AND they are on markdown!

Found:  William and Sonoma
Section:  Easter display table
Price: Marked down to $9.99

How cute are these!?! Mushroom cookies- use for Alice in Wonderland, fairy or woodland theme!

Found:  Borders Books
Section:  By register
Price: $2.49

I love when people do parties based on children's books! All kinds of Curious George stuff was there!

Found:  Target
Section:  Bargain bins in front of store
Price: Think all were $1

Fiance's wish list: An Illustrated Life: Drawing Inspiration from the Private Sketchbooks of Artists, Illustrators and Designers, Phonogram Volume 2: The Singles Club, Drawing with Lee Ames

New Cupcake Book!

I had to share what I just got today! You saw me give away a copy of "Hello,Cupcake", well the follow-up to that is "What's New, Cupcake?" and OMG! I am so in love!! There are so many dang cute cupcakes I want to try - and the best part is they are all SIMPLE (just look deceivingly hard!) made with candy and stuff from the supermarket, not anything professional (or fondant, etc).

I had to pass along that I got mine for only $9.90 from Amazon! It is $16.95 at Barnes & Noble! Here are some sneak peeks! (sorry for the bad pics - I have a migraine and was too lazy and just used the camera on the phone ;o)

Ladybugs

Every year around this time we get the brownish colored ladybugs in our master bathroom - I don't know how or why! I love a great lady bug or garden theme... here are some fun inspirations!

ps... Look out for end of next week - have a GREAT giveaway coming! You are going to love it! 

I love the idea of doing different color ladybugs and not just red! I thought this napkin was so dang cute! You could make different sizes and colors of ladybugs and put them everywhere to match! Source

These ladybug treat pails would make the perfect favor! Source

Ladybug tuffles - YUM!! You could try and make these with cake balls dipped in chocolate - so dang cute! Source

These handcrafted, personalized note cards would make great thank you cards! Source

This is an art splashmat, but it would be a perfect backdrop to a dessert buffet, use as a tablecloth or put it under the table as a crumb catcher ;o)  Source

Have to have polka dot balloons! Source party - can buy here

These little nylon guys would really set the scene outside! Super cute! Source found via PisforParty

Have to end on my FAVORITE ladybug cupcakes I have seen! Super crazy adorable! Not sure if I could bite their heads off... but if that is the only way to the chocolate cake underneath... so be it! lol  Source unknown :o(

Paint/Art Party (Part 3!)

http://frostmeblog.blogspot.com/search/label/artWe are starting to design my fiance's son's room (he comes for the summer) and the first thing we have bought is art paper that goes on a roll - arts & crafts are VERY important in this house! Wish I could finger paint everyday ;o)  ...It must be why I love this theme so much!

I love this artist palette with the different color cupcakes on it! Just mix white icing with different food coloring and va-la! Source ... you can find the palette for under $8 on Amazon

These clear paint cans are popping up everywhere in the arts & craft stores... why not fill them with different colored candies and add paper paint brush with each guest's name or "Jake's party" on the handle! Great favor! Source

This is over the top fantastic! I don't think I could pull off this centerpiece! but how cool!?! You could use the idea of the splatters and spills and cut paper or vinyl to add to the tablecloth and the floors... even leading into the house! How about using an old shoe and dipping in washable paint and putting foot prints outside like someone stepped in paint too! Source

I thought these would be the perfect invitations.... Source

This is a baby food server, but I though it would be perfect to incorporate on the buffet table or for paint.  Source

"Paint card" cookies would be so much fun! You don't need artistic vision - just a steady hand! You could write on fun color names with an edible marker.  These would also be a great thank you gift for someone that helped you paint the house (note to self:  have painting party this spring ;o)  Source and tutorial















Previous Art Posts

Under the Sea!

I am totally under the weather! Not fair! It is so beautiful out! I want to thank everyone for such a warm response to my tea bag cookies! You all made me feel so good! ...Today's inspiration is Under the Sea - hope you enjoy!  Check out the Facebook page for Under the Sea handmade felt invites!

(click pic to see large version)

Sources:

Under the Sea Cake:  Super perfect for this theme! Source unknown :o(

Underwater camera:  These would make great favors, especially if it's a water/pool party! They have an underwater scene on them.

Sea bath toys:  You could use these on the tables as decorations

Fish bowl centerpiece:  It has real goldfish in it! The kids would go crazy seeing these swim around as they ate! I think beta fish would beautiful too!

Sea decorations:  These would totally set the scene!

Oyster cookies:  Simple cookie project that would be fun to eat!

Fish placecard holders:  Perfect for holding your buffet tags!

Sea creature bubble wands:  What is an under the sea party without bubbles!?! You should even add a bubble machine!

Submarine cutout:  The kids will love receiving a copy of their picture taken in the submarine as a thank you gift!

Fish lollipop cover:  I love this idea for any theme - just a fun way to dress up a plain lollipop!

Wave cupcake stand:  Add cutout waves to all your displays to really carry the theme!

Sea tablescape:  Lay a net, starfish and shells to a blue tablecloth to create a fun background!

Octopus napkin:  Wrap cotton balls or a small ball with a rubberband and a a blue napkin and glue on some eyes... instant Octopus!

Octopus prop:  This giant cardboard prop would be a great focal point and photo op!

Fish topped cake boxes: Same ladies that did the Alice in Wonderland one - I just love their stuff!

Easter bunnies!

Is it just me or did Easter just sneak right up on us!?! I feel like there is no time to prepare this year! Here are a few bunny related ideas to make your Easter special!

ps. don't forget to help me with newsletter ideas! I am excited to start doing more!

How adorable is he!?! She added fondant to a regular chocolate egg and va-la!  If you break down each component, I think it wouldn't be too hard to pull off (well, maybe the carrots would heehee).  She even did Mr. & Mrs. Potato Head, they cracked me up! Source and tips on how to make.

These would be so perfect to serve lunch in or a special surprise! If you are hosting Easter dinner, you could send guests home with a slice of zucchini bread or some other dessert in one of these - a table full of all these pastels would surely look fabulous! I am a bedazzler, so I would have to add glitter, ribbons and/or stamps and dress it up a bit.  You could even add the guest's name to each bunny!  Source

These bunny cake pops are my fav I have seen.  It's an old stashed photo - I thought they were Bakerella, but they aren't.  Source unknown :o(

A cookie sandwich is the best way to justify eating two cookies at one time ;o)  You could use this idea with any cookie cutter, any theme! I love how the tail has a little dot of white! Source

Have to have carrots for the bunnies! They took popsicle sticks and glued carrots to the end, "planted" them in a box and each guest "picked" their name out of the "garden" to reveal their table number! You could turn this into a matching game with different veggies for the young ones to play (pull them out one by one till you match two potatoes, or two carrots, etc), or attach a small bag of seeds to the back as a favor! Source and tutorial