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Monday, January 31, 2011

Big Game Giveaway & 'Little Aviator' Airplane Party Collection Sneak Peek

I have been working like crazy on a few new items to add to my Etsy shop.  Here is a sneak peek at one party collection I'm close to adding to the store.  I designed the little airplane a while ago and like so many of my designs, never really completed a  whole collection.  Well, this collection is near completion and I think it's just too cute.  Here is the invitation I made:

Can you believe, I am still using PowerPoint to make everything???  I know one day using that program is going to catch up with me, but it's just so easy for me to use and even though I'm slowly but surely learning Photoshop and Illustrator (thanks mom), I tell you, I've just become accustomed to PowerPoint. 

Well, I had the flu all last week and felt like I was hit by a freight train, so I couldn't post like I wanted to.  I had a great giveaway that I wanted to do and - I still do - I just wish I had more time to run the contest. 

If you love sliders like I do here is your chance to win this All League Sliders Electric Mini Burger Maker courtesy of CSN stores who has over 200 different stores....traveling??? Check out their luggage stores. You can also find many other items!

To enter for a chance to win, just leave a comment below and tell us who you are routing for on Sunday (even if your New England Patriots didn't make it this time).  On Wednesday, 2/2 - a winner will be chosen at random.

UPDATE 2/1/11:  You will also receive a $40 gift code to use any of CSN's stores.


Thanks and good luck!


Thursday, January 20, 2011

Inspiration Thursdays: Stylish Party Trends I Heart

My new hearts are succulents (yes, as in fleshy plants with squishy innards), chalkboards and outdoor furniture vignettes!

I know it's winter, but I have been keeping a running photo tab on some really fancy ways for some do-it-up-party style when the warm weather returns.  I am sooo digging these stylish details that I've noticed over the past months and think they have a strong chance to continue on through this year. 

Here is an example of how Miss Carissa Jones of JL Designs used succulents last year for some of her remarkably spectacular events:



Spray paint succulents or hang them from glass bird feeders for a whimsical display!  Super cute!


For warm-weather parties build an outdoor room or vignette using furniture pieces from your home to create and eye catching focal points.


I am crazy about chalkboard now - I've been seeing little black boards everywhere lately - I am soooo inspired by these designs!



Leave a comment below and share what inspires you!

Photo Credits:




Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Love Bugs Party Printables on Etsy!

Calling all love bugs!

I am working on an adorable Valentine's Party Setup, and I created a new collection for it.  I love the design so much that I added this printable Love Bugs collection to my Etsy shop for Valentine's Day!







This collection includes:
4x6 Fill-in Invitations
2" Circle Tags
4" Circle Tags
2x4 Mini Card Tents
'Bugs & Kisses' Pennants (for banner)
8x10" Coordinating Papers
Print & Cut Characters and Shapes
Valentine's Trading Cards

*** If you order the collection before January 24th - you will recieve a bonus printable item***
 
Check back later in the week for details on sneak peeks for my party setup and great ideas on creating your own kid-friendly V-Day bash! 


Friday, January 14, 2011

Parties for Grown Folks: Inspiration by Martha

I love the new ideas for adult themed birthday parties in the current issue of Martha Stewart Living magazine:



There are some really great budget friendly party ideas, eye catching photo collages, and super easy tips on making party favors.  Check out more party tips, ideas and inspiration from the current issue here.

If you have your own party inspiration to share, check out the Share Your Party page and be featured on our blog!


Wednesday, January 12, 2011

NEW!!!! Share Your Party with Cupcake Wishes & Birthday Dreams


CALLING ALL PARTY PEOPLE!!!! 

There are so many of you outside the blogging world that are kind enough to share your party photos with me.  You are inspired by so many of the talented party planners and stylists in the blog world and what you, in turn, create is absolutely amazing.  That is why I'm so excited to annouce I just added a new Share Your Party page on my blog for anyone who wants to submit photos of their parties and have them featured on Cupcake Wishes & Birthday Dreams! 

I receive at least 3 emails a month from so many creative people who share photos from their parties or folks looking for ideas to help with their parties.  I figured that a good way to get more party inspiration, outside of my own personal style, is to create a page where other people who have a love for throwing parties and entertaining can showcase their talents!

If you are interested in having your party featured click on the Share Your Party page link to find out how to get started.  As an added bonus, every month one featured party will be selected to receive the high honor of being named the party of the month!

So, are you ready to show off your party skills???? 

Monday, January 10, 2011

Straw Happy!

I am in love with paper straws!  I'm seeing them everywhere!!!  I ordered these babies last week for an event in April from the Sugar Diva:


My first infatuation with them was when I noticed them here.  Then I tried to find some and I could only find 3 basic colors and they were priced a bit high. Since then, however, I have seen them gain a lot of popularity. As a matter of fact, I just read a post about them here just today on Bakerella's site. I heart the way she used them in her milkshake cupcakes.

I also ordered summadeez too for Valentine's Day:


I can't wait till my order arrives, be sure to check out more of the fun party items available on the Sugar Diva's site.  The party goods are way too cute and priced just right!

Photo Credits: Sugar Diva


Friday, January 7, 2011

Girlfriend Gathering: Hot Chocolate Mixer

After the hustle and bustle of the holidays, a hot chocolate social 'mixer' is great way to get together with the girls for delicious sweets and a warm treat during the remaining winter months.  Get ready to sit by the fireplace, here are some ideas to help you plan your own.


{Inspiration Board Created by K. Sibert - Cupcake Wishes & Birthday Dreams - photo credits below}


1. Select your Cocoa
Start with good quality hot cocoa like Marie Belle Aztec Hot Chocolate or Ghirardelli for a splurge and set out Swiss Miss or Nestle packets for tried and true standards. 

2. Arranging your Hot Cocoa Bar
Display your hot cocoa by flavors/brand (milk chocolate, white chocolate , sugar free, dark chocolate, etc.). You can present packets in a basket embellished with ribbon or place packets in decorative envelopes cut from scrapbook paper to coordinate with your theme; use this tutorial as a guide to make your own.   If your cocoa is in a canister, be sure to have a small scoop spoon available.

Keep hot water and hot milk warmed in coffee carafes for easy dispensing.  A fondue pot will keep melted chocolate nice and warm for guests who want a more homemade tasting cup.

Put  toppings and 'mixins' in bowls or stemmed glasses so guests can create their own custom flavors.  Some suggestions for toppings are whipped cream, marshmallows, Hershey's Miniatures, sugar cubes, or crushed bits of peppermint, toffee, candied ginger and Oreo cookies!  Don’t forget to label each item for easy identification.



Use tasty confections as stirrers. I recommend chocolate covered pirouettes, vanilla swizzle sticks, peppermint and cinnamon sticks.  Place these items in footed mugs for a grand display. You can also dip spoons in melted chocolate or add a dollup of whipped cream to them.

Be sure to have plenty of mugs and spoons on hand for guests who want to try more than one cup!

3. Provide Sweet & Savory Bites
A hot cocoa social is sweet but be sure to have a few sweet and savory bites which guests can nibble on.  Set out  pistachio biscotti, Chocolate Dipped shortbread cookies and savory chicken salad or cucumber tea sandwiches will keep guests from going hungry.

4. A 'Favor'-ite Activity 
Send your guests back into the wintery world with their own custom hot cocoa mix.  Have guests create their own cocoa mix then package them in mason jars or soup containers to take home as favors.  Label or tag each container with the guests name and what type of cocoa mix they created.


5. Wintery Decor
Hues of soft blues and brown compliment the theme.  Hang knitted mittens, scarves, hats, paper doilies or snowflakes from the ceilings or light fixtures.  Little snowballs made from cotton balls or styrofoam spheres also add a wintery element.  If you have one, a fireplace adds a bit of coziness and warmth to set the scene.

*Bonus Tip
For a small group of friends, create a cocoa mix recipe based on their different personalities.  For a friend who is spunky and fiery you might create a custom Mexican Hot Cocoa using your favorite chili powder.  For the friend who is adventurous and outgoing, a zesty Orange and Cream Hot Chocolate would be fitting.  A friend who is very traditional, a classic Hot Cocoa is suiting.  Make sure to include instructions for preparation and additional ingredients.

Now that you are inspired and have the plan - here is a free printable invitation for you to download and send out to your gals!


Photo Credits:

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Christmas and New Year's Eve Round Up

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

I hope everyone had a blessed Christmas and is getting off to a great 2011!

I've been 'off' for almost 2 weeks now and during that time, I've been mostly.....lazy.  I have loads of laundry to still do and a couple of rooms and closets to de-clutter, but because I've been a bit under the weather with some whack stomach thing and just burned out from the holidays, I decided to hang back a bit on a few chores.  HOWEVAH, I did manage to squeeze in some baking - well more than I intended, some decorating, and some party styling.

Here's how my holiday went:

I helped Thing 1 and Thing 2 make Santa sugary Sugar Cookies.


They did a bang up job.


I even made my Red Velvet Bundt Cake, but didn't get a picture of it in all it's glory - but I tried my best to get a picture of it before it was entirely devoured....




Then I stayed up all night wrappin' gifts!

And making sure that Sant's gifts arrived and were appropriately placed under the tree.  I made Special Deliver Tags with the North Pole post mark with a lil' clip art found here




(Please excuse the quality of my photos - it was VERY early in the morning when I took these and I just couldn't.....)

Lucky little Thing 1 got just what she wanted for Christmas....



And insisted that we immediately try it out.  Yeah.

So, there I was at 8 am in the morning pushing a teeny weeny cake through a plastic lightbulb oven.



It's been years since I used one of these things, but I don't remember the cakes being this big!


Here's my darling daughter's final product - I caught her before she went overboard on the sprinkles. 

Very cute.



Here's a little montage of how I decorated for the holidays....


Our Red & Gold decorated tree (which I'm absolutely over - more on that later)


These were on the fireplace mantel






My coffee filter wreath a la Martha


Noisemakers that we found on the Island of Misfit Toys - not really but they do tend to cause mischief when their buttons are pushed - get it? buttons pushed......????


I don't think I have ever expressed this, but along with the Christmas Tree and it's red & gold color scheme, I'm also over my dining room chairs.  They need some help - they're old and they are falling apart.  I needed to give them something festive to add to my tablescape.  I'd seen a picture in a magazine where they designer hung stockings on the chairs to use as a place card and gift.  I decided to do that and then I added a sheer red bow to pretty it up.


This is our holiday table!






I swapped out some of my xmas decorations for a small New Year's Eve Cupcakes & Cocktails Station I set up at my house to toast us into 2011!

We did a very small celebration at home and I have a favorite Pink sparkling wine that I love.  I took the idea of Pink Champagne and used that as the inspiration for my toasting station.  I added black and gold because I thought they meshed well with the pink.  Plus LOTS of gold for prosperity and black because I don't want to be in the red this year!  Ha-ha!


I've used this tiered plate stand more times than I can count - but we used it to put Santa's Cookies on!  Now, they show off  Pink Champagne & Tuxedo Cupcakes.  The gold tree was an after Xmas sale clearance find.  I made cupcake wrappers using scrapbook paper and cut out shapes to make the tuxedos.


I designed some toppers and  signs on my computer for decoration  and added pink rhinestones for a bit of sparkle.

I borrowed the gold lace runner from my holiday table and the gold beads and ornaments came off of my Christmas tree!


These Pink Champagne Cupcakes are delicious.  I just altered the recipe that I use for my Mimosa cupcakes and with a little dye - made them pink!


Remember how I said I was over the whole Red and Gold theme?  I'm thinking that I'll work with these colors come December!



I'm already inspired!!!!


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