THE CANDY CAKE

For this slumber party I've opted for an unusual cake... A CANDY CAKE! They can snack on this while watching a movie! I know, I know, they probably won't sleep but who sleeps at a slumber party anyway! This is how I made the candy cake with Mickey's help of course!

You'll need a hat box and also a smaller round box (not shown...but the lid of it is there for some reason), double sided tape (lots of it), candies, chocolate bars and chips!

Cover the whole outside of the hat box with the double-sided tape take off the protective strip as you stick your favorite candies on it...be adventurous. No matter what you do it will end up looking like a sweet mess anyway...so have fun with it. As you can see, We've stuffed the inside of the box with chips! Yummy!

We've added the smaller box on top of the bigger box's lid to add height. We added lollipops and sparkly pipe cleaners. It acts as a tier...We then proceeded in sticking our candies onto the box..and of course, we've added fake tea lights...

How beautiful is that! Sssaawweeeetttt! So there you go, have your cake and eat it too!

SLUMBER PARTY!!!

As my daughter gets older thematic parties will soon be a thing of the past. I think, to my dismay, this year will mark the end of an era. She's turning 11. I suspect that Mom's quirky parties will no longer have their place in this young girl's (nearly young lady) life. I will have to stay cool...hmfff...

So, for a grand finally, I've tamed things down a little. A little less effort...but longer time with friends.

THE  INVITATION:

Subtle, yet feminine and also more age appropriate. 

Bought hot pink invitation cards, googly eyes, and construction paper at The Dollar Store (ta dum). Cut a black piece of paper and glue to the front of card. Add googly eyes to give impression of eyes in the dark.

Work on the text....say whatever you want to say. Mine includes what the activities will be during the evening. Pizza and movie on a big screen and girl time. I did mine on a pillow image. Use any background you desire! I've asked them to bring their own pillow and blanket (sleeping bag). I plan on giving them a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, brush in the their loot bag. 

Just to add a little softness I've added feathers sticking out of the pillow. As per usual, I've goofed on the dates (I really have to get rid of that funny calender I have hanging on the kitchen wall...urh). If you've been following me, you know that personalizing is key to making your guests feels special so, don't forget to write each guest's name on the invitation somewhere (envelope in this case)!

The SLUMBER PARTY lasted 19 hours but, it was the easiest party to host! As my daughter turns into a pre-teen the less her friends need to be entertained. Girls after all will be girls and do what girls do best...talk.

The party started off slowly and calmly while waiting for the pizza guy to get there. A quiet game of Monopoly...sometimes not so quiet but hey, it is a party.

Yay! Pizza! - The two Victorias (hands up) are very happy!

A little Monster's University on the big screen to polish off that candy!

Opening the gifts

The famous candy cake (instuctions on earlier blog post)

The girls with the help of Victor destroyed that cake in less than 30.2 seconds in a very noisy way!

Making snowglobes

Cool...no?

The whole living room turned into a giant bedroom! Good night! (yeah, right)

The Angry Bird-day Party

The Bird House Invitation

A soon to be 6 year old gave me an Angry Bird Challenge recently. I fear that my son, Victor, is growing up to be a little like me. He's been coming up with ideas for his Angry Bird theme party for a month now AND his bird-day isn't for another month to come. I've searched on Pinterest for inspiration for invitation ideas but nothing sparked my creative juices until my trip the...wait for it..."The Dollar Store". The trip was also filled with challenges as my patience and concentration skills were put to test. Victor came with me on this trip! Ouf!

Found these beautiful wooden bird house facades...I picked up 6 and continued on my round to find complementary accessories to complete my much more than just a simple "bird brain" idea!

Wouldn't you know it? These Angry Bird Toppers were tucked away on a shelf way up high...did they fly up there? My creative son then said "Look, Mom...it fits in the bird house hole!" Thank you Vic! Smart cookie, he is!

Back home, I took out some craft paper and cut it to fit both the front and back of the house. Cut hole in "almost" the  right spots...umph!

Made a trip to my craft room to paint the roof and quite honestly...left everything there for the morning!
See the coffee stir stick? Had  those handy and planning to use them to stick it in the birds...no wonder they're  angry.

And...attach the stick like so...with the stapler! Pretty darn easy...any cuckoo bird can do this...

Cover the back with your craft paper and turn it around. Cover up the front with paper of your choice...and you're almost done!

Write your text as you wish...turn around and add details of the party on the back portion...

like so....

The finishing touch includes a "bomb" tag with the name of your guest! ;) Now...we just need to get them delivered!

The rest of the party will be documented soon....until then my angry friends!

The Loot Bags

 

 There are a lot of Angry Bird stuff out there but most of it is too expensive to throw into a loot bag. I resorted to my safe place once again...The Dollar Store.

I found a whole bunch of stuff and even put some of it back on the shelf. There comes a time where you have to set limits and be more selective. Found a Angry Bird note book set complete with pad; 2 pencils; 2 erasers; and pencil sharpener. Along with...
- an activity book
- a water bottle
- sling shot
- rings
- rubber worms
- moss and string
                                                                                    - feathers (which I did not end up using afterall)
                                                                                    - small plastic plates (not shown)

 The plastic plates come in all Angry Bird colors which is a bonus...so pick what you want. I opted for green to give contrast to the red items. I placed some moss on the plates and taped the pencils in a way to stay true to my bird house invitation.

Stuffed the red note pad in the center of the moss and plates and worked the smaller items around it. Added some worms. Once begun...almost done.

Once all the trinkets are in place and secured with tape wrap in cellophane paper.

 Use your string to add the activity book, water bottle and sling shot...and there you have it. An attractive nest of goodies!

Energy and Sanity In A Jar

Teacher/educator/camp counselor thank you gift

It's becoming more challenging each year to stay original in my thank you gifts to teachers, educators, and camp counselors. Some may say gifts are not necessary but I find it's important to give recognition where efforts are made. Especially if it involves your children's well being. This year, our summer camp G.O.'s will be getting a little energy and sanity in a jar. I figure, that's what I would want if I spent the summer with a hundred screaming kids...ISH! 

The kit includes whatever fits the theme and fits in the jar you've picked. Here's what these contain:

- a jar

- instant cappuccino mug

- Hershey's kisses

- mini snickers bar

- mini M&M pack

- mini Twix bar

- sleeping blindfold (this one says "finally...peace!")

- herbal teabag

- bath beads

- bag of Reisen candies

- pocket kleenex pack

Use your imagination...fill it up with other goodies too!

Of course, this is to wipe the tears that will be shed from saying goodbye to your kids... So, imagine this: the counselor, a few weeks later reaches for a tissue from her purse or his pocket and a little reminder of camp surprises them...one last time... (go to next picture) ;)

I've printed a picture of my kids and left a caption as well: " Don't cry! We'll be back! Mickey & Victor xoxo

That will result in an instant smile and this camp employee will surely remember and maybe even keep an extra eye on your kids as camp next year... (Hey, you've got to keep the odds on your side). 

Finishing touch to your jar - A note from your child! Attach it to the jar and voilà

RainDarkSuper herowineEyesWires -mixed mediaCanvas printsCanvas acrylic prints

jazzy feel canvas

Black Acrylic prints link
http://fineartamerica.com/art/all/lips/all" style="font: 10pt arial; text-decoration: underline;">lips art</a>
African Art
 Reds
Blues
Zen Art
Flowers

http://fineartamerica.com/art/all/michael+jackson/all" style="font: 10pt arial; text-decoration: underline;">michael jackson art</a>

http://fineartamerica.com/art/all/Dance/all" style="font: 10pt arial; text-decoration: underline;">dance art</a>

http://fineartamerica.com/art/all/Africa/all" style="font: 10pt arial; text-decoration: underline;">africa art</a>

<a href="http://fineartamerica.com/art/all/abstract/canvas+prints" style="font: 10pt arial; text-decoration: underline;">abstract canvas prints</a>

Bake Sale - So Sweasy!

BAKE SALE 

Chocolate / Peanut Butter / Marshmallows

My office has made a new tradition by having a bake sale fundraiser for a different foundation each year! This year it was for breast cancer.

I'm not a baker...at least not a great one so, I like to make simple crowd  pleasing sweets and make them look pretty :)

Recipe :

1 cup peanut butter

1 250g chocolate chips (milk or dark...your choice)

1 tablespoon of softened butter or margarine

2 cups of small marshmallows (white or colored)

- Melt chocolate chips, peanut butter and margarine for about 1 1/2 minutes in the microwave.
- Add marshmallows and mix. 

- * Pour in a greased 8inch pan and put in fridge for about 2 hours.
- If you need this quick, put in freezer for about 45 minutes.

* You can substitute to 8inch pan and use a muffin pan instead and using the cupcake liners of your choice.

I spruced mine up by adding a marshmallow on top and sticking a theme appropriate flag on top. I got my flags on this helpful website: http://www.chickabug.com/free/breast_cancer_printables.pdf .

NOTE: This recipe allows you to use your creativity...why not replace the marshmallows by almonds?

Prep Time:  10 mins

Cook Time: 1 min
Total Time: 11 mins

Makes 12 cupcake size...

Doubled recipe gives 24

Baby Shower Wishes

Baby baby...I wish...

There's a new Mom-to-be in town and you're invited to the shower? Or maybe even ...throwing the baby shower? You want to leave that new Mom with a lasting memory of the day...don't you? Yes, you can buy her a high chair, a stroller and cute little booties all of which the newborn will eventually outgrow. So, why not go a baby step further and add a wish book for the baby to keep...forever! This is a simple idea and one of the most precious ones I've come across (on pinterest).  It's a simple fill in the blank questionnaire of hopes and wishes that you have for the baby. There are many versions of the wish book and here's mine:

 It's a priceless keepsake...hopefully you know some of the guests that will be at the shower and you can get them to fill out the little sheet ahead of time.

I hope you love: ____________________
I hope you learn: ____________________
I hope you laugh: ____________________
I hope you never forget: _______________
I hope you become: __________________
I hope you aren't afraid: _______________
I hope you have: ____________________
I hope you grow: ____________________
I hope you experience:________________
I hope you ignore: ___________________
I hope you smile: ____________________
I hope ____________________________
Love,
_________________________________

I printed the word document directly on 8"1/2 x 11"scrapbooking paper (Michael's) two copies per sheet and cut them up...et voilà!

 Easy and fun...my daughter helped me out with this!

 Use your imagination to create a different look for every page...

 Print extra sheets for guests to fill out while at the shower!

Warning: you will get all teary eyed when reading all the witty wishes... just have a kleenex box nearby and you'll be fine...