Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Cupcake Watering Can Centerpiece


Beautiful Bridal Shower with a colorful flower theme by Desiree Chocolates

It's not just a Cake Pop Centerpiece, my friend Desi from Desiree Chocolates ordered a Poppy Bouquet Watering Can and added her adorable cupcake creations...OMG, isn't it DARLING????  I love the colors...so springlike!!


So how did she do it?  Take a toothpick and insert it right into the bottom of the cupcake...push it half way through.  The other half of the toothpick can now be dropped right through the center tube of the flower, holding your treat in place.


We have come to the conclusion that we should add a tag that says, It's ok to PICK the FLOWERS!  So guests know they can pick this yummy cupcake right out of the centerpiece and eat it!! 
On May 15th I posted, It's a Shower, the original blog entry showing other suggestions for the Poppy Bouquet.  This piece is so versatile by adding a toothpick or lolli stick to any type of candy or cookie.  Desi plans on adding many of these ideas in her displays so maybe she will be a guest blogger for me this summer?  What do you say Desi?  

Have an EVENTful week!

~Margie

Friday, May 25, 2012

It's a Boy

I had an order from a Jenn C. in Oregon last week and I wanted to post some pictures, for all to view. I believe she is planning a baby shower...It's a Boy, for her sister-in-law.  

She ordered 7 Sm. Pretty Pokes and 7 Pedestal Table Tops. I am thinking she is going to use these Pretty Pokes with the "candy filled method" (see February blog entery).   Jenn had chosen her colors, but not patterns, so we worked it out that she would visit her local Archivers in Oregon to pick out a pattern she liked and I would run up to my local Archivers in Naperville, Il (which, by the way, is my FAVORITE store) and pick up her paper to be used on her projects.    
Jenn was surprised when I explained that my pieces were double sided.  All of my Pretty Pokes are double sided; I like for guests on the OTHER side of the table to view a DIFFERENT side of the same piece. (that's my event planning coming out).

So in this case, all of my little baby boys are dressed differently on the other side of the Pretty Pokes. I really love the way they came out.  I like to add BLING to my pieces...but no bling for boys! I did add "thread lines" on each of their outfits...I like alot of details. 
She also ordered 7 Lge Pedestal Tops.  I realized I never really explained how these work so I thought I would share with this post. 
These Pedestal Toppers are something I came up with when planning a shower for my daughter.  Sometimes those fancy pedestals are just so costly...but too darling not to have at your shower.  So I came up with this and it worked.  I can cut any size, square, round, or rectangle.  Ribbon is cute to thread through the piece, though, I really like to use matching paper as my ribbon.  I have even printed on the paper, then cut it into ribbon strips...nice to personalize pieces as well.  I think it really ties the pieces together, not to mention they are a true conversation piece, and they keep costs down, with that same darling look.  Weave each paper ribbon strip through in a continuous motion...you don't even have to glue it, it will just stay in place.  Really cute.  Three strips should be plenty to go around a 12x12 square.

Building the Pedestal...find a clear glass.  I like to use my water glasses.  But a wine glass will do, as well as, other stem style glasses with a nice base.  Just make sure you have a wide mouth on the glass with a firm base so it doesn't tip over.    
Now Take the glass and fill it with something...anything...candy works best, but don't limit yourself to just that. Something that ties into the theme...gumballs, ribbons, M&M's, salt water taffy, Kisses, grapes, buttons, strawberries...even something like diaper pins or clothes pins would be cute.  Use your imagination.  
Then take the glass and add a luncheon plate to the top, covering the mouth of the glass.  I like to place the bottom of the plate in the glass, so to speak.
This will help the plate from slipping off the glass.  Good china works great, because it has a nice deep rim on the base of the plate.  If you need a little something to hold it together use glue dots or double stick tape to the top of the glass and the bottom of the plate.  Honestly, I have never had an issue when I did this.  You just need to find the correct combination of plates and glasses and it will be fine. Normally a Large Pedestal Top is just about the size of a luncheon plate.  
Ok, then take the Pedestal Top and place it over the plate, completely covering the plate.  Please do remember, scrapbook paper IS NOT food safe, so use a doily before you place your food on the Pedestal Top. 
I have been told that I spend alot of time on my pieces...but you know what?  I enjoy it!!  Bottom Line....It's a labor of LOVE, kids!!   .
So what do you think? Isn't it stinkin' CUTE????  I can't wait to get pictures from the shower!!!  Don't forget to send them to me Jenn C.  Thanks again for the order!!


~Margie

   

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Desiree Chocolates-Play Ball

Last week, I had an call for a baseball themed, Pint Size Centerpiece for Desiree Chocolates in Vernon Hills, IL.   The Pint Size Centerpiece holds 8 Cake Pops, Chocolate Truffles or just about anything on a stick. The base of the container also holds one themed Pretty Poke right in the center.  Some choose a unique, double sided poke, where others may ask for a name or company logo on the center Pretty Poke.  Desiree filled my centerpieces with the most adorable baseball theme chocolate designs. Doesn't her candy bar look scrumptious?   


The day Desiree and I met she gave me a beautiful plate of goodies to take home and share with my husband, needless to say, I devoured them on the ride home...not ALL of them, I swear!!  Funny, she called me on my drive home and said, "Margie some of those treats should be refrigerated"...I wanted to say, 'oh no worries, I took care of that before I hit the expressway'!!  I didn't even get to take a picture of them!!  But, believe me, they were YUMMY!!!  I swear I didn't eat them ALL...or did I!!  Wink, wink!! 


Desi sent me pictures to share with you...doesn't her candy bar look AMAZING?   I love it!!





Next week, I will be sharing more pictures from a bridal shower that Desiree is displaying my Watering Can Centerpiece, "It's a Shower". Stayed tuned and be sure to check out Desiree Chocolates, and tell her Margie sent you!!

~Margie





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Tuesday, May 15, 2012

It's a Shower


Bridal and Baby Showers are all the trend for Spring and Summer!!  A couple years ago, I planned  a baby shower for my oldest daughter and a bridal shower for my middle daughter.  I remember how exciting it was coming up with centerpieces for the tablescapes, decor, and favors. Actually, it wasn't as easy as you might think, but both came out LOVELY and that's all that mattered!! I guess planning those special events is actually what brought me to become a Party Stylist, in addition to my Event Planning business.  While I plan large events, I have always enjoyed the tiny details.  So Polka Dots and Parties has become a real passion for me.  I have so many ideas and can't wait to share them all with you.  
This weeks centerpiece is actually the POPPY BOUQUET with a different base...a darling watering can.  So cute for bridal and baby showers or even a Spring/Summer celebration! Remember these aren't your run-of-the-mill centerpieces.  They serve  a few purposes, they can be filled with Cake Pops, Kisses, Gumdrops...just about any type of sweet treat.  I do love the Kisses...the foil give's a touch of BLING to the presentation!  I also added a topper with a greeting or  table number. I have several topper greetings to choose from.  I have even added a company name to it...very, very cute!!  Lastly, you can recycle them.  After using as centerpieces, add your choice of topper, refill with another treat and give it away!! Now that's what I call multi-purpose!!!



As a side note...as you can see I have had more than 4,400 guests on my blog in just a few short months!  That is so exciting to me!  I love to see that number GROW! Please share my website and my blog with family and friends.  Follow me on Pinterest so you have my designs right at your fingertips...thanks!


~Margie 


   


  

Saturday, May 12, 2012

My Story-Event Planning and Party Stylist

It's been brought to my attention that my blog is a bit confusing when I talk about both of my positions, Event Planning and Party Styling.  So let me explain.  Several years ago, I started out planning events for large corporate companies and community country clubs.  Over the years, I have planned company picnics, corporate events, holiday celebrations, country club and school festivals.  Along the way, I met Party Connection Events, and they were able to provide many wonderful pieces for my event planning business.  As we worked closely together, I was honored when asked to be an Event Planner with them! We make a good team and plan events for 500 to 2,500 guests.  We've been together for about 5 years.  
For the last couple years, I have been drawn to Party Styling.  I love themed tablescapes, and the tiny details...like party favors, centerpieces and goodie bags.  In my opinion Party Styling is not so much about the planning stage, as it is the building stage with matching pieces to enhance the party through creativity. Designing and creating party favors and centerpieces have become one of my passions.    
For the 18 months or so, I learned how to use several software programs, design with digital art, and use cutting machines, and at the same time I incorporated my love for crafting to help me add the "bling" my party styling.  With that...Polka Dots and Parties was born!  
So what's the difference?  Event Planning for larger corporate events, like company picnics, country club events, and holiday parties I'll do through Party Connection.    The small details, the party decor, the extra special touches that give a party it's "BLING"...now that's Party Stylin' at Polka Dots and Parties!!    
I  create many, many, party favors, centerpieces, banners, cupcake pokes, goodies bags and creative packaging, all of which I love, but my multi-use centerpieces are my all-time-favorites!  I have a few dessert companies that are now using my centerpieces to hold their cake pops and chocolate desserts.  I love making favors for bridal and baby showers..  Just so many pretty pieces to choose from.    
I hope this clears up any confusion as to the difference in my Event Planning and my Party Styling.  As I combine them both...my world has EXPLODED!!    So does this make me a "Party Stylin' Event Planner" ....hahahaha...sorry Ellie, just a little event humor!

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Lost my Little Sadie



I normally blog on Sundays and sometimes Wednesday.  This week I missed Sunday, and yesterday I lost my sweet little Sadie to a tragic accident.  I will miss her terribly, but I wanted you to know why I have been absent from my blog. 
I do have a wonderful piece to share with ...so please stayed tuned.  I will shoot for Sunday or Monday evening...hoping to feel better by then. Hardest good-bye I have done in a long time!!

Hugs Margie
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