Travel Theme

First, don't forget to enter this week's giveaway from Party Starters!

I don't know about you, but I grew up with Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego - and the only reason I can probably name more than 2 countries rofl.  I think it would be so fun to do a travel theme party - how perfect for gender neutral kid's party or even an adult moving away?!?

You could decorate the room with maps and flags of all different countries.  Hang globes down from the ceiling and cut out shapes of countries or even just the names and put them on the floor and walls - don't forget to decorate all the space!  Source 

 Use paper maps as placemats.  Cut them with craft wavey scissors to give them a fun edge! Go to you local office supply store and check on laminating prices - you could get them laminated and send them home with each kid when they are done eating! Source

How dang cool is this!?! This website you type in your address and a message to appear (click on pic to enlarge) - it does a google earth map of your addy and formats it to fit the inside of your envelopes! You just print it out, cut it and adhere to the inside of your invite envelopes! genius! Source

Use old suitcases or even cardboard boxes made to look like a suitcase as props.  Find images on the internet, print and glue on! Source

Have your invites and cupcake toppers stamped with "passport" stamps! Create passports that the kids can get stamped at different country stations set up! Source

How adorable are these!? You could send as your invite, use as favors or even have the kids write a message on with edible markers at the party! Source found via Hiphoorayblog

Frosted Sponsors!

I don't know if you have noticed but look to your left and right and see our Frosted Sponsors! These are two amazing women handcrafting personalized items for party or gift! Click on over and show them some love!

Do you want to be come a Frosted Sponsor?  Click here for a limited time offer!

More Garden Inspiration!

 First, don't forget to enter this week's giveaway!

Getting ready to plant our veggie garden inspired today's post of more garden theme inspiration.

How fantastic is this setup!?! I would love to be at this party! Perfect for a garden, fairy or woodland theme! Source found via delightfulevents

I am so in love with these veggie cookies! They would make a great Mom's day gift, too if she's a gardener.  From one of my fav cookie sites Source and tutorial






Garden invite that is so simple but so dang adorable! I think this would work for both kids and adult parties.  Source

You could modify this with any flower or topper - just a simple glue the end to a toothpick and you have instant whimsy even on your appetizer trays! Source

These are too adorable - chocolate cupcakes baked in terracotta pots and finished with a mint sprig.  Use chocolate rocks - our local Super Walmart sells them.  Source, directions and recipe

A veggie cake I made and took to work for a vegetarian coworkers bday.  Just in a cake carrier - no fancy presentation at work ;o)  Made multi-tone chocolate veggies in Williams - Sonoma veggie cake pan.  I used petal dust to give the veggies some more dimension.

Giveaway closed, thanks!

To celebrate hitting 600 Frosted Fans (reader & blogger), I bring you ANOTHER giveaway!

Website, Shop, Blog

 
Party Starters:  Weary of the mass-produced party flotsam that lacked the personal touch that her events deserved, Pamela Smerker set out to create party designs that accentuate each occasion's significance.  From this desire, Party Starers was born! Pamela's creations have been featured on both Martha Stewart and Amy Atlas Events! No matter what you're celebrating, Party Starters can help with handmade party favors and decorations, or a complete design for your unique party!

Prize:

 This fantastic woodland fairy cake box favor set (hello!?! crazy cute, right!?!)   

OR $25 gift certificate to Party Starters

Rules: 

• You must be a follower of Frost Me!
• Head over to Party Starters and drool over the Gallery section - try and pick your favorite (it will be hard!)
• Leave a comment here as to your favorite 
• Favorite has to be in addition to the fabulous woodland favor set!
• Only comments with favorite will count!

 Important:

• Leave your email where you can be reached if you are the winner!
• Only one entry per person will count!

Ends:

•  Monday, May 3rd at 8am EST
• Winner will be chosen by using Random.org with qualifying comment count

Shopping Saturday!

For those new Frosted Fans... Every Sat I post finds from local stores (but national chains) that may help you stock up for your next party.   I try and keep a rolling 2 months in the link on the right  "Frosting at Local Stores"

All kinds of Cupcake stuff! I love the cupcake stand... perfect for a Cupcake Theme party!

Found:  Borders Books
Section:  Gifts
Price: Vary



Fun kit for just playing with the kids or for a Science theme party!

Found:  Borders Books
Section: Kids book section
Price: $19.99

Great for your little gardener or your Dora the Explorer party! The also had Sponge Bob!

Found:  Lowes
Section: By Tools
Price:  Vary

Bubbles are great, especially for outside parties - these "jungle" bubbles would be great for your Safari theme party

Found:  Dollar Tree
Section:  End cap by toys
Cost: $1

Little rectangle bins/baskets with ribbon handles - many different style fabrics - so cute! Could use for many different themes

Found:  Target
Section:  Dollar Bins
Price:  $1

Baby Sprinkle/Shower

Set up the tables with matching umbrellas and crystal "raindrops" hanging down! This could be cute for a bridal shower too! Source via ThePartyDressHave you heard of this new concept? A baby sprinkle?  It's for a shower for a child after your first - it's not overboard gift wise, just a smaller scale celebration to "sprinkle" the baby with gifts.  I think it's a great concept!  Here are a few elements that might help inspire your next baby sprinkle!

This invite is just darling! And a free download! How can you get any better than that!?! Source










Set up the tables with matching umbrellas and crystal "raindrops" hanging down! This could be cute for a bridal shower too! Source via ThePartyDress

You could go more cute then elegant side and do blue raindrops out of paper and use fishing line to attach them.  Source

Add umbrellas to each glass - stamp them with a "welcome baby" or "baby sprinkle" or the date the baby is due.  Source

Use inexpensive plain mini umbrellas all around or on favors.  You can decorate them with paint, stickers or my favorite... glue and glitter! Source and purchase

Wilton has a great tutorial on how to do an umbrella cake that would be a great choice for this event!  Source: Wilton Cake Decorating 2009 Yearbook

Don't be shy to add sprinkles everywhere! I love how they did the sprinkles above the table! Source & party

Cleanup!

...well it might not be cleaning up the Earth... but I finally sent myself to my room until I cleaned-up and updated all the links in the frosting pages to the right (all done)! I have been such a bad girl! I am still working on an easier way for you guys to get inspiration for a whole theme based on previous posts... bare with me as I try and learn some more web stuff!

hugs

Happy Earth Day!

Today is Earth Day! If it clears up any, I might actually be able to go plant something today! (fingers crossed).  I hope we all find something environmentally friendly to do, even if it is small... so what is on your Earth Day plans?

When you are done your good deed, treat yourself to a plant cupcake! Super simple... chocolate cupcake in a terracotta pot, green icing and a sprig of mint! Source  There are tons of earth day crafts and activities you can do with your kids to help them learn about Earth Day... here are a few of my favorite listings

http://crafts.kaboose.com/holidays/earth-day/earth_day_crafts.html
http://www.dltk-kids.com/crafts/earth.htm
http://edhelper.com/caring_for_earth.htm?gclid=CI2gzMacmqECFQk65Qod7waSOw

Butterflies

I love using butterflies around for all kinds of themes.  I saw the first pic below today which inspired the theme for today... Here are a few additional finds...

I thought this was great for the day before earth day because these are up-cycled magazine photos! How adorable would these be hanging around your next party!?! And practically free to make! Source & tutorial

You can modify this one for any theme - homemade marshmallows into a shape that compliments your theme  Source and tutorial

Cupcakes that I made for a coworker's bday - didn't take a good pic, of course! But something that you can take from this is you don't have to spend time on decorating every cupcake, a few special ones will still give a great impact (inspired by hello cupcake)

 Find ways to pepper butterflies throughout your space! Let them "land" on lanterns, straws, dishes, tables, etc. Source (Martha mag, I believe - unconfirmed)

Wrap water or juice bottles in coordinating patterned paper and even add a fun tag to mach, as well! Let even everyday food and drink items add to your theme! Source

I'll end a whole lotta sweet notes! I love this dessert-scape for so many reasons - the biggest is that they used ALL the space - they thought up, down, and all around... don't be shy about using more than just the table top! Source found via Karasparty

More birds!

Are you guys tired of my bird obsession yet? lol... some more ideas I am tucking away for my late summer bird/garden theme party! Also, think about ways you can use each idea in a way that works for your party...

Isn't this tablescape fantastic!?! (click to see detail)... I have to find a way to hang some bird cages outside above the table - probably impossible!  But lesson learned is, don't forget to decorate above you, as well! Source

Even if you are having an outside party, doesn't mean you are limited on decorating! Find a tree branch where you can hand garland down, instead of across to great some whimsy! Source

This full sized easel would look fantastic set up at the entryway to the party with a board welcoming guests - inside or outside! Use a regular easel for an art party, or find one that would work for your theme Source

I love wrapping all the food to coordinate! I fell in love with this bird paper and must track some down! Another element here is lining your party trays with coordinating fabric.  I would say even filling up the dish with birdseed and placing the chocolate bars resting in it would have been cute too ;o) Don't miss the extra touch of the butterfly placed on the side - Michael's has clip on ones that would work perfect Source

I am so obsessed with finding a unique way to use every day things...This is a jewelry stand but how fun would this be to use as decoration on a buffet stand, or hang party favors from (maybe flower seeds in a bag) Don't be shy to "shop" in your own house for items that will go with your theme Source

I am a sucker for blue and brown together and love birds (duh)... so these cookies are so calling my name! How beautiful are these!?! I am not sure I could pull these of - I don't have such a steady hand! Source

Life & Super Grover...

ugh, I am having one of those "life" weeks! Sorry for being light on the inspiration - forgive me! I should be back in full gear tomorrow! I don't normally do a full party post.... but...

Meanwhile... you have to check out one of my blog bffs Super Grover party - we were emailing each other for MONTHS talking about this party and I could hardly wait to see the final product and it's finally here! I don't want to steal her thunder... so head over and take and drool over all the details (make sure you look at all three posts!)  http://thepurplepug.blogspot.com/2010/04/omgoh-my-grover-part-one.html

Winner of Good Gravy Giveaway!

I hope you have all had fun exploring Good Gravy! ...My two favorites are:

But what you really want to know is who the winner is....the winner of the Good Gravy! party package is....

Winner!

Frugal Science Gal on April 15, 2010 6:41 PM said...

I follow you on GFC and I like the Polka Dots pink and Blue.

.

Shopping Saturday!

For those new Frosted Fans... Every Sat I post finds from local stores (but national chains) that may help you stock up for your next party.   I try and keep a rolling 2 months in the link on the right  "Frosting at Local Stores"

Wooden fire, police, taxi and race cars... perfect for FireTruck, Transportation or Racecar themed parties!

Found:  Michael's Craft Store
Section:  Dollar bin aisle
Cost: $1

There are so many cute vinyl options out there right now, why not use them as temp decorations during your next party? They could take a backdrop of a buffet or dessert table into a whole new level! This one is BatMan

Found:  A.C. Moore's Craft Store
Section:  Room decor
Cost: $21.99 (def use a coupon!)

Purple, yellow and green plastic containers - fill them with ice at your next party and use them for the kids toys afterward!

Found:  Lowes
Section:  Main aisle setup
Price:  $7.67

 Mini pots, and plant favors for your next Garden themed party!

Found:  Target
Section: Dollar Bins
Cost:  $1

 Fruit bites shaped like dumptrucks, trucks, etc - dump these in a bowl at your Construction theme party! With kids food so character driven, don't forget to look for food that matches your theme!

Found:  Dollar Tree
Section:  Food
Cost: $1