Monday, November 19, 2012

Thanksgiving Tablescape Ideas



I have a couple of super simple, super cute ways to add a little pizazz to your Thanksgiving table.
 
 
If you know me, then you know I LOVE to make craft projects and I love to add words to my tables. Here is a great way to do both!
 
I started with a roll of packaging paper from the Dollar Tree and some colored markers. I cut a strip of the paper to make a table runner and wrote the word family in different fonts and languages all over it.
 
 
 
Next, I wrapped some jars (you could also use cans) with fun fall fabrics, cut out the word family from colored fun foam and glued them on the jars. Then, I added some flowers and placed the jars down the center of the table.

  
 
Finally, took a couple of my little pumpkins left over from Halloween and placed them on candlesticks in the center of the table for some height and interest.


 
That's it! Super cute and easy and all about family!
 
 
For a more traditional look, keep the pumpkins and add fall leaves down the center of the table.


 
Simple, pretty and elegant.
 
Two different tablescapes, both budget friendly and perfect for your Thanksgiving table.
 
 
Happy Thanksgiving!!!
 

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

30 Sucks



A few months ago I had the privilege of creating a dessert table for my friend Nicole" {The amazing photographer behind Simply Sweet Photography who happened to take all of these fabulous pictures.} 30th birthday. After much consideration she decided that she was not thrilled about turning 30 and the theme was going to be 30 sucks! I LOVED it!

I decided I would go with all hard candies. I loved how it turned out! It was so bright and fun!








There were suckers galore, along with candy sticks, pixie sticks, hard candies, and lemon drops and gumballs to display everything.



I love how cute the suckers look in the cupcakes. We also used more suckers as drink stirrers. So fun!



How cute are these glittery number 30 fondant lollipops? The amazing Brittany of Edible Details never disappoints! She is a fondant Goddess.


Finally, I created lollipops from paper fans and sticks for the backdrop and finished the table off with a sucker garland.

This was such a fun theme. I had a blast putting it all together!

Friday, August 3, 2012

DIY Embossed Frame



I took part in the Valentine's Day "Love" themed Designers Challenge and I won Best Favor! So today I am going to show you how I made these Fabulous frames. They are simple to make but create a huge impact!

I started with a with a $1 frame from the craft store, painted it black then I added the embossing.



To do the embossing I mixed spackling compound with just enough water to make a creamy consistency. Then I put it in a zip lock bag and created my design on my frame.




Next, I let it dry for 24 hours then painted it. I wanted my design to be subtle so painted it black and left it. {If you want your design to stand out a little more you can add a bronze or antique rub to the finish.} I LOVE how they turned out! To complete the project I asked each guest's children why they love their mommy, I typed it up and put it in the frame. It made the perfect favor!


I set them at each place setting so it doubled as a place card too.



Don't you love how they look on the table?


Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Dressing Up Dessert With Chocolate



One of my favorite ways to dress up desserts is to add chocolate. Who doesn't like chocolate? {Well actually my youngests child doesn't like chocolate but he's crazy. (:} Adding chocolate not only adds that extra special touch to make your treats look Fabulous, but it tastes great too!!

Here are a few of my go to teats that I like to use on my dessert tables.

Brownie Bites These are tastey on their own but when you add that little extra piece of chocolate it takes them to whole new level! Trust me when I say that your guests will LOVE them. The best part it that is so easy to do. Just melt some chocolate in a plastic bag, squeeze it into a chocolate mold, freeze the chocolate for 5 mins then attach them to the brownies with a little extra melted chocolate.


Chocolate Dipped Cookies Make a batch of cookies and dip half in chocolate. Such a quick and easy way to add some delicious color to your table.




Chocolate Covered Marshmallows  These are so simple but they add such a great pop of color to your table. I like to dip my marshmallows in colored chocolate then dip them in colored sprinkles. The sprinkles really make the color come alive.



Chocolate Covered Strawberries  These are not only delicious, but they are beautiful too. They add a touch of elegance to your table. The key to making your strawberries look like you spent a fortune on them is adding the drizzle. I dip my strawberries in the store bought container of dipping chocolate and let them firm up. Then I drizzle a second color over the top. To add the drizzle simply melt the chocolate in a plastic bag, cut a teeny, tiny hole in the corner and drizzle. {I like to practice drizzling on a paper towl first until I get my rhythem down.} Your guests will be AMAZED when you say you made them!



Four delicious ways to dress up your desserts. Which one will you try first?


Friday, July 27, 2012

DIY Napkin Rings



Theses burlap flower napkin rings are simple and inexpensive to make.

All you need is a paper towel tube, a scrap of burlap and a hot glue gun!

That's it!





Aren't they a great addition to the table? I love the pop of color they add.



Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Simple Fondant Toppers



I have shared some delicious semi homemade cupcake recipes with you, now I'm going to share a simple way to dress them up. Making your own fondant toppers can be a great way to add a little pizazz to your cupcakes for very little cost.

I like to make a simple marshmallow fondant. 4 cups mini marshmallows, 2 tablespoons of water, microwave 1 minute and mix in 4 cups of powdered sugar. Now before you get too excited, it is very messy and takes some effort to work the powdered sugar in but well worth it!  


Let me share some lessons I have learned the hard way.  :)
1. Divide your fondant into small sections before rolling it out. {I thought I would just roll it out like a pie crust. That does not go well!}
2. Use a thickness guide on your rolling pin. This will keep your toppers consistent and give you a more professional look.
3. Wear gloves when you color your fondant!  

Once you have your fondant colored you are ready to create your toppers. First, cut out your base circle. To add an extra detail you can poke holes with a toothpick to make a decorative edge. Next, use mini cookie cutters, letters or shapes to cut out a design. Finally, brush a little water on the back to attach your shapes to your toppers.



Using simple shapes and multiple colors can add a lot of detail and personalization to your dessert table without breaking the bank and they are guaranteed to put a smile on the guest of honor's face.



{He loved his Super Samurai Power Ranger Face Mask!}

Have fun creating!




Friday, July 20, 2012

Add Flair To Your Tablescape



Using chargers are a great way to add a little flair to your tablescape. They can help create the mood for your party and add that extra little detail to WOW your guests.

There are several different options when it comes to chargers:

You can buy them. I wanted a more formal look for this party so I opted to buy a decorative plate that accented my patterned plates. It gave the table a very modern and sophisticated look.




You can repurpose an old charger. I had an abundance of inexpensive gold colored plastic chargers from a Christmas party. I spray painted them yellow and used my cirlce dabber to add polka dots. They added the perfect touch to my summer table.




You can make them. I wanted to add a bit of fun and whimsy to my shabby chic baby shower. It was a chic theme so I chose to create my chargers with feathers. I used a round palcemat and hot glued feathers. Super simple but such a great addition to my rustic tablescape.



There you go. Three fun ways to add a little flair to your tablescape. Have fun and be creative!