Cake Pops- Love this packaging!!!

Funny little story from last night.... We had some great friends over for dinner and while we were chatting my girlfriend Katie (who is basically my cake ball spokesperson) asked if I happened to have a couple of cake balls already made because her manager has been dying to try them. I said, sure I can make a couple of cake balls...but I don't have a box for two cake balls. What would we package them in???

The wheels start turning...........I have JUST the thing!!!

I once saw someone package lollipops similar to this design so I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I go outside to the garage and grab my random spare piece of 2 by 4 wood (I might be a hoarder), ask Brian to saw off a small piece for me, sand the wood, paint the wood, cover the wood with pretty paper (all while Katie is telling me "all I want is two cake balls!"), modgepodge it, drill two holes in the wood and stick on some letters to spell "Enjoy". (all this as I'm trying to carry on a conversation w/ my guests, entertain the babies and get dinner ready to be served). I seem to seek chaos!!

Gordons, if you're reading this I promise, the next time y'all come over I will not have restless baker/crafter's syndrome!!! I will sit down with you (without my drill) and relax with a beer. (just don't get my wheels turning!!!!!)

Its cute though huh?!

More options...

I started thinking the cupcake stands available for giveaway seemed a little...hmmmm...whats the word?? Gender biased? Girly maybe?

So tonight I added another option... Just wanted to give y'all a heads up. :)

It doesn't get more "male" than Superman!!!!!!!

Cupcake Stand Tutorial and GIVEAWAY!!!!!

Remember those cute little cupcake stands I posted a few weeks ago?? If not, click here.

Well, I promised a cupcake stand tutorial so here it is. :) These are easy to make that I feel silly even posting a tutorial for it!!!

OK, here goes...

Get yourself a wooden candle stick and paint it whatever color your heart desires. They come in all different heights. I found mine in the unfinished wood section at Hobby Lobby.

Then get a round platter. Again, I found this one at Hobby Lobby. Also, in the wood section they sell all different size wood rounds if you wanted to go w/ painted wood as your top.

For this stand I used a little porcelain platter and thread some ribbon through the holes around the edge. This one is a little different than the others I made. I love this top b/c you can switch out the ribbon to coordinate with whatever colors/theme you're using. :)

Grab some glue....

Apply glue to the top of the candle stick...

Flip the platter over and stick the candle stick to the back. Make sure to center the candle stick in the center of the round top.

Let the glue dry and VOILA!! You have yourself a cute little cupcake stand. :)

I want to give a special thanks to my assistant apprentice, 4 year old Bailey Marie Petronis, who made the adorable cupcake featured on today's cupcake stand. Thank you sweet baby.

Together, one day you and I are going to do big things!!! ;)

Sooooooo, DA DA DA DA, along with this tutorial I would like to announce a GIVEAWAY!!! I will be giving away a cupcake stand to one lucky reader of my blog, you choose which style!! :)

All you have to do is leave a comment on this post with your favorite cupcake stand photographed below. You have until the day I turn 29 to leave a comment...

(that day is also known as Monday July 26, 2010). :)

I will be randomly choosing the winner on my birthday. Good luck!!! :)

Elmo for dessert...

Lately our little Olivia (16 months old) has been getting more and more interested in books and its been great!! She is so fun to read to (its about the only time she'll cuddle) and I really think its starting to broaden her vocabulary. One of her new favorite pieces of literature features Elmo dancing to "If You're Happy and You Know It". ;)

So I decided to make our Sunday night a little special with a new dessert in honor of Olivia's latest love interest.

What did I come up with?????

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OREO SUCKERS!!! Elmo style :)

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Elmo is a furry little guy so I had to make him as "furry looking" as I could. ;) I was a little sloppy with these suckers, but in the end all that matters to my family is that there is sugar in them! ;)

YUMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!

One happy girl....

Another very happy little girl.......

Wait....let me think about this for a minute. You want me to EAT Elmo??

Ok, fine. Whatever! I'll eat him. He'll forgive me!!

Brian kept asking her if he could have a bite...finally she was generous to "share". Thanks Liv. The stick is empty! You're so thoughful. ;)

"Where did it go?" she asks...

Burgers and Cupcakes

This is about the only way my daughter will eat a hamburger. ;)

(in cake truffle form)

Fun and funky!

Another packaging idea...

A girlfriend of mine (remember Jill?) just had her baby and a few of us girls went up to the hospital to visit her. I put together a New Mommy Pamper Me Kit for us to give to her. Before I started putting it together I decided to take a few pics of the "packaging process" so I could share.

I've used this idea a couple of times in the past (thank you gifts and teacher appreciation gifts) and its always a fun way to "wrap" a present, especially if there are several small things you're giving.

So....first step, start off with a 2 liter bottle.

Empty it and clean it (obviously). Then make a small opening. (just big enough to fit objects in)

And stick a bunch of fun stuff inside! For this gift I included several "mommy stuck in the hospital for a few days" essentials such as lotions, chap stick, gum, coffee, a luffa, hand sanitizer, mouthwash, some chocolate, etc .

Then close the opening with some tape.

Then I decorated the bottle with cardstock to cover the opening where I stuffed everything in. I got the Coca Cola font free from here.

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Hopefully you can have a little fun with this packaging idea the next time you give a gift. :)

Fourth of July Cupcakes

You'd better like icing if you're going to bite into one of these!!!!!!

Polka Dot Candy Shop Party

Oh my goodness I just love this mom's creativity!!!! A couple of weeks ago I was asked to make some cupcakes for a one year old's birthday party.

See the cupcakes ...

no big deal right?

Keep going, its about to get interesting...

I had NO idea they were going to be part of such a fabulous celebration!!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this cupcake stand/grand centerpiece! It is perfect for the occassion!

BTW, Jackie made all of these decorations herself. I love the creativity!

Jackie is a woman after my own heart with all these details!!! I LOVE it!

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I love this snow cone idea! We have one of these snow cone machines, but I never thought about bringing it out for a party.

**Duh!?!? Why didn't I think of that?? **
Its such a yummy, refreshing treat. And super easy to make! Great idea.

Lolipop favors with the birthday girl's pic on the front. And on the back they had custom made stickers that read, "Thank You, Love Jocelyn". Cute Cute!