My New Craft Studio

 What a busy week, so busy I didn't even blog last weekend!  So this weekend I am playing catch up.  I decided I needed more workspace since my little table just wasn't cuttin' it. I had a few ideas and headed right over to Ikea.  I had been looking for a while and found something I thought would work...but after I got there, I found a table I liked  better.  A 74" table with adjustable legs.  I loved it!  I could store my paper storage and drawers underneath.  The adjustable legs allowed me to raise the workstation high enough that I can stand next to it and assemble my Pretty Pokes and Party Favors.  

Then I purchased a few glass shelves I can place displays on.  Being that the wall is painted DARK BLUE, everything really POPS! I just love it!!

I did add another table on the other wall to sit and design at. The sleeper couch is staying, but looks fine and serves it purpose when I need to relax or have friends visit.  Not sure how my daughter will feel when she comes home from college on summer break and her game room is now my craft studio and her large tv is now in another bed room, and the little tv is in this room!!  Time will tell. It's really perfect for me...I can't imagine how I did it before.  My room is nice and organized now.  Everything right at my fingertips!  

Oooops!

For the last several weeks, I have been blogging on Sunday, but not today!!  So sorry, just crazy, busy!!  I promise to post within the first part of this week.  I do have a lot to show you...new craft room, lots of cute boxes and a new party favor idea.  So while you are busy getting started with your work week, I'll leave you with a Sneak Peak of what I am working on...now this is just a sample, not the REAL Piece.  All I can say is Martha will LOVE the final piece!  Can't wait to share!!

Bow and Babes~Once Upon a Time

Hi Everyone,

What a beautiful weekend in Chicago.  We went from the dead of Winter to a beautiful Summer afternoon...I even have the air conditioner on, can you believe it?  This is nuts, but I am not complaining...just lovin' it!  

I am so excited about my Polka Dots and Parties Blog.  Not only am I having a GREAT time making all these centerpieces and favor boxes, but I love sharing it with you too. I have even starting Tweeting a bit!   So far, I am only blogging 1 day a week...Sunday, but hope to add on another day midweek.  I just need to find a extra time...who doesn't need more time, right?  So without further ado let's move to some of last weeks projects.  

I have one Event Designer and 2 brick and mortar stores who are purchasing my pieces so far...hoping for a few more. I will tag them on my blog and post pictures of the pieces they have chosen.     Check out their links...one never knows when you might need something special that they might be able to provide to you.

Last week I created a couple centerpieces for for Bows & Babes in Naperville, IL. Owner, Anne Miller has a beautiful little shop right in downtown Naperville with everything little girls love, lots of pink bows, hair bling, tutu's, dress up clothes...a little girls dream.  Bows and Babes also plan fun birthday and dress up parties for little girls.   So my Pretty Pokes Cake Pop Centerpieces will be a adorable addition to their parties. Cake Pops?  Next week I will have a place for you to purchase those cool new CAKE POPS too!
I thought you might like to see the details on each Pretty Poke.  Now, I am NOT a photographer, so my pictures are NOT great, but promise to work on this too.  I don't think you can really see the dimension of each piece in these photos.  Each are layered 3 or 4 times and are double sided. More details show up in the final centerpiece.  

This Pretty Poke Flower reflects the child's age. 

I wish I would have added a polka dot bow to tie the slippers together.

After adding stitch lines on the green checked fan I added a brad to the center

7 Piece Princess Bunting (missing ladybug)

Ok, drum roll please...My favorite Pretty Poke Centerpieces.  Pretty Poke Ballerina Centerpiece:

You are probably wondering why the wooden cake pops?  Not having yummy cake pops on hand everyday, I made these cake pop props to add to my centerpieces...I actually painted them since I took these pictures and they really do look yummy!!

Lastly I wanted to show you a second centerpiece called Once Upon a Time.

Pint Size Pretty Pokes

Hi All!!  Before I even begin, I want to send out a BIG SHOUT OUT-THANK YOU to all of my friends who have visited my blog!!  My number of visitors has increased from 700 to  over 1370+ in just 7 days...WOW!!! Your amazing!!  Subscribe to keep up with my latest and greatest creations or follow my  Pinterest, I will be tweeting soon! 

Ok, it's been a busy week and next week is looking just the same.  But, I came up with a few new things this week I wanted to share with you.  I was asked to design a few theme favors.  I love using my Cricut files to make these gorgeous boxes, but I am also a big fan of cutting files and SVG's as well.  I also like to create my own unique pieces....you know me, I'm pretty crafty!!  Here are just a few...next week, I will have favors to match my Pretty Pokes.  I think I am most excited about the Pirate Theme!! 

Now on to something real COOL!!  I now have a MINI version of my Pretty Poke Centerpiece...I am calling it Pint Size Pretty Pokes. I apologize for using the same Pokes as last week...but it's been a crazy week!!   Print Size is made specifically to hold up to 12 treats.  Anything on a stick, but the famous CAKE POPS,  Tootsie Pops or Blow Pops look DARLING! This week I actually ADDED Cake Pops from Lilly Cakes of Naperville.  Have you tried them?  If not, you need to go there...they are to DIE FOR!!!    Thanks Kelly, I am glad you liked my Pint Size Pretty Poke Centerpiece and can't wait to see them on your website!!  They come in many, many themes and I will continue to add new themes each week.

Lastly, I want to Thank Tootsie Roll in Chicago for the nice phone call...Yes, Blow Pops do look GREAT in my Pretty Poke Centerpieces too!  I love the colors...they match most themes.  And I can't forgot my friend, Debi Lilly from A Perfect Event for introducing me to Candice from Cacao Sweets and Treats.  Candice was nice to give me a couple of suggestions while building my pieces and now they look marvelous!!  Thanks Candice for your "sweet treat" tips!

  

Eventfully Yours, 
Margie


(Please leave comments...I would love to hear from you!) 

Candy Shop 'n Cake Pops

OMG...I am so excited to share with you my newest designs!!  After being asked to design something as a lollipop stand.   I thought, how about making it a little larger and combine a lollipop stand and a Cake Pop stand?  Yes, Cake Pops can fit snugly into the holder,  but it actually depends on the size of the stick used.  As you can see, I used Blow Pops, but Tootsie Pops and Suckers would also fit; each giving a different, fun look to this centerpiece.  OMG...the ideas running through my head...can you IMAGINE?  Send me your cake pop theme and I will design you a Pretty Poke Centerpiece to match...'oh the possibilities'!! Remember your Cake Pops or suckers should be wrapped to keep in-line with food safety or I would be happy to add a mini cupcake liner with a hole for you to insert Cake Pops before adding them to centerpiece. 

So far, I only have a handful of themes, but by weeks' end I will hopefully have added, pirate, princess, circus, candy shop, and both boy/girl birthdays...with favors to match.  These samples shown are actually two sided, so I call them Pretty Poke Centerpieces.  Pretty Poke Bouquets are only one sided which work nicely as a desk arrangement. (see February 26th blog entry for more info)

I will be adding some digital Polka Dot Printables for you in the next coming weeks.  Lots of Freebies here on Polka Dots and Parties.   I will keep you updated.


Thanks again for checking back!
Margie