Margie's Tearoom

Margie's Tea Room

In May of this year, I was asked by a friend if I could make a TEAPOT as a centerpiece.  My response, "Sure, I can try."  I had the perfect pattern, but I had never made one. Needless to say, I got busy with a sample.  At this point, I didn't know how many she needed.  I'm thinking...1 maybe 2 at the most? Boy, was I wrong!! I got the shock of my life.... 

YIKES, Look at all of those PIECES!!!!

My friend works for a Assisted Living/Retirement Village in our area. They were planning a Mother's Day Brunch and were looking for reasonably priced teapots.  Now, I have to say, my centerpieces are not cheap, but I gave them a deal if they ordered in bulk.  OMG...they needed 20....in a week!!  A week???   I had one of my helpers give me a hand...and production was started.

They came out so adorable!!!  I made all different soft colors and hinged the lid with a little coordinating bow.  I added a little doily to the bottom as well.  

Not only did they want 20 teapots. but they also wanted 100 strawberries!! Luckily, I didn't have another job that week, so I was able to start right away.

I loved the way everything came out.  So darling!  Thanks for stopping by everyone.  More parties coming this week...so visit again tomorrow.  

Stay Cool!

~Margie

Irish Themed Bridal Shower

Last week I worked on a 60 piece bridal shower...30 favors and 30 flowers with an Irish theme.  So I set out in search of 4 leaf clover scrapbook paper...with NO luck!  So, what's a girl to do?  I printed my OWN paper!  I love that option, I didn't even have to leave the office.  I wanted something very simple, not too busy and more white than green.  I found the perfect kit at Nit Wit Collections.  I hold their commercial license so if you are looking for something special, you can check out the site, find your favorites and give me a call.  I probably have the kit and if I don't I will purchase it!  I love their stuff, MaryFran is an amazing artist.

So, I wanted to put a little twist on the bridal dresses...you know me, I can never just cut the darn box and be done with it.  Funny, I actually took a picture of a simple design so you could see exactly how I jazzed it up...you'll laugh at it's simplicity. As for my design...it's one of those...'why didn't I think of that' type boxes!  

The one in the middle is the simple favor box pattern.  I used one sided printed paper, very simple with tag attached.  The 4 leaf clover dress on the right, is the paper I printed.  I added a solid light green paper to the bodice area.  The first one your left, is just a plain white dress with a separate white overlay that is dry embossed and glued to the skirt area. (I turned the printed paper over to the non-printed, plain white side to make the skirt)  The bodice of the printed piece was also used as the ruffle...printed side facing toward the front.  Hope you got all that!  I confuse myself sometimes!

I really, really love the green plaid dress.  I used very inexpensive paper, and added the white embossed overlay to the front.  I jazzed it up with a little bling, added a simple tag with a pop-dot, and a ribbon to the midsection.  I can see so many possibilities with this pattern.  How about red and white checks, or a cherry print?  Maybe add an apron...great 50's party or BBQ favor!  Love, Love, Love that!

Those of you who know this pattern know it had a silly latch in the treat area.  I hated that piece, so I cut it off and tucked in the tabs to make the box a little sturdier.  I added two mini cupcake liners to the inside just so the treat won't slide all around. (they do make rectangular liners that might work as well)

So here's a close up....I just add a little bling to the flower centers.  Really pretty!  I made 59 of these and  1 single favor for the bride with a little bridal tulle attached to the back, as a veil.

Next, I made 6 Pretty Poke single stem bouquets adding a clear lolli to the center (it had a clear, pastel heart candy in center of the sucker) really pretty.  I used the 4 leaf clover paper as a flower, and a white flower layer with a couple cupcake liners to each stem.  I have to say, I get so many questions as to how these flower are assembled.  I wish I could tell you...but it's my own design.  A girl has to keep some secrets to herself.  I will say, it's not in the materials used, or even the layering process.  I use a tool to get it all to work as one.  BELIEVE me ...it took me a long time to come up with this piece.  Maybe Martha Stewart will have me on her show, THEN I can teach you all the How To's! Thanks for understanding.  

   

Ok just a few more pictures of all of the pieces as one party.  I like to set up my orders in my formal living room before I deliver them. 

Lastly, a preview of my next blog entry

Stay tuned.....

Thanks for stopping by!  

~Margie

 

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 


   


  

Fancy Favors

I made a few Favor Boxes last week I thought I would share.  I loved the way they came out.  A friend of mine owns a Candy Company that specializes in Candy Tablescapes for weddings and showers. (Her webpage is being redesigned so I will add a link when it is complete.) Anyway, she  uses my favors boxes to put her candy in...what a GREAT connection, hey?  She has been doing a lot of sales calls which is giving me a chance to really put my creative juices in gear and design some new things.  

I went a little crazy with these apple boxes.  The idea here was for a hospital, "An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away."  I also made a few for a fall craft show...great for teachers gifts!

Don't you just love these adorable doctor bags?  I added a little tag that said, Doctor and Nurse Bag with a medical insignia on it. 

This wonderful little chair box serves more than one purpose.  I have since made one chair for each guest and write each name on the seating card along with the table number. Fill the box with a sweet or savory before dinner treat. Now for the back of the box...my favorite part!  Add a matching bow...cute, cute, cute!

So this next set of boxes are BRIDE and GROOM FAVORS.  Actually, these can be used for rehearsal dinners or even prom.  It's hard to see, but there is a silk bow tie on the tux box.  Again colors on box or ribbons can match the bridal party colors.  Very pretty! 

I have to say...this is really one of the prettiest boxes!!  I love the dry embossing paper I used on this box as well as the cute polka dot paper by Bo Bunny for the butterfly.  You'll notice I use a lot of this paper in all colors.  It really just jumps out at you!!  Watch for more embossed pieces coming soon. 

This is a BEAUTIFUL box.  I love how the bow actually looks like a part of the brides dress.  I think I would use wired ribbon next time so I could puff the dress more.  The box is big enough for many things.  The bow can be matched to the wedding colors and I would make a 3D flower for the bouquet as well.  I use Bazzil Dotted Swiss cardstock.  

I have another post this week, but I am going to hold off another couple days so I can complete something special....so I will post again MID Week!    Something fun and new in the SPOTLIGHT this next week.  

Thanks for stopping by friends!

Margie

  

Bouquets and Centerpieces

I was asked by a friend to design a few pieces for a Bridal Show she would be attending as a vendor this weekend. Of course, I jumped at the chance!!  She asked for a centerpiece and a bouquet and a few favor boxes.  So I got my thinking cap on again and decided that I REALLY like making these picks, which I call PRETTY POKES. Some may like the idea of poking the Pretty Pokes into a vase filled with coated or wrapped candy pieces (see 2/13th blog entry) such as M&M's, Gumballs, or Hershey's Kisses.  While others prefer a nice solid base as seen below in the SPRING FEVER BOUQUET.

     

So I thought this Spring Fever Bouquet would be a cheery piece for a bridal shower...all made with matching wedding colors.  As I was putting this together I began thinking how pretty this would be as a get well or a happy birthday bouquet!!  Wow...endless possibilities.  Just by adding a Doctor Bag, or a Birthday Cake this piece would change in an instant.  My mind was "racing with ideas." Looks like I will be adding Greetings and Holiday Pokes so you can purchase them separately if you need a themed bouquet or centerpiece.  

  

A few friends have asked, "what's the difference between a bouquet and a centerpiece"?  Well, I like to refer to a bouquet as one sided. The flowers in the Spring Fever Bouquet above are all facing toward you, the other side is plain and neatly made.  A centerpiece can be viewed from all sides.  Of course, a Pretty Poke Bouquet is a little less expensive  than a Pretty Poke Centerpiece. Both of these pieces have 7 pokes included with an option of an 8th poke to swap out for a themed gift, example... get well, congratulations, graduation, birthday, new baby,  you get the idea. 

So moving on to a Wedding/Bridal Pretty Poke Centerpiece. I have 7 Pretty Pokes included in this centerpiece all of which have a wedding theme.  I do have several more pokes to choose from...hearts, flowers, bells, glasses, verses even crosses...you choose.  I added a nice big table number to this piece as well, or you might consider a letter instead.  (I will get some samples in the next few days.)  Each poke can be seen from both sides of the table.  And of course some shiny BLING!!  

I can also personalize this for you...how about adding some of your own photos.  How pretty!!  The base on this Bridal Centerpiece looks plain but it can be dressed up...give me a few weeks and I think you will be  very excited when you see what happens to this piece...something new and different is joining Polka Dots and Parties!!  Stop in often to catch up!!!

Margie

  

I Do!!!

I wanted to post just a few wedding favors. These are just so simple and clean looking. I really didn't add much BLING, because I like to use pretty papers in my pieces. To me inked edging, glitter paints, bows and ribbons are as much BLING as I like to add to wedding favors. Of course, I love to match ribbons to the bridesmaid dresses.  Wired ribbon is pretty...but I am also partial to polka dots.  So without further ado ...here are just a few of my favor boxes. 

It's the lantern adorable?  I will be creating more centerpieces with this pattern...so check back often!

And last but not least, this sexy lingerie die cut can be used as a bunting at a bridal  shower, bachelorette  party or even a big girl birthday. I have also made this design into a party favor box with a ribbon handle...very sexy!!  

When ordering party favor boxes, please order in quantities of 12.  Banner/Buntings have 15 pieces (13 flags and 2 fillers). 

Happy Crafting!

~Margie

Pretty Pokes

I have to say...these pictures do not show the "cuteness" in these Pretty Pokes!!  Lots of dimension is  included on each poke....layering, buttons, brads or ribbons. I add a little craftiness to each piece.  Are you looking for a certain theme?  Just let me know; if I don't have it, I will create it. I am hoping to add at least 15 pokes per month to this collection.  I love to use SVG Files, as well as Cricut Files. If you're looking for a a design, check out my "Craftiness Sites" listed on the left side bar of my blog.  It's filled with SVG and digital files.  As a side note, I can create Favor Boxes of each of these same designs, so your Pretty Poke Centerpiece will MATCH your Favors, Goodie Bags, Cupcake Picks and Banners/Buntings.You can either order the pokes singly or as a whole centerpiece, base included.  As a single poke you can create your own base using the "DIY Candy Filled Method" as mentioned in my February 12th blog post. Either way makes a beautiful centerpiece!! Let's say YOU LOVE to add your OWN craftiness...and you LOVE to shop for your OWN decorative papers.  How about I cut your designs, sit down with you and your friends and teach YOU how to put a Pretty Poke together...YES, that will $ave you a bundle...It's a great way to set up your OWN CrafterNoon with friends and family! You will have to supply glues, ribbons, brads, buttons etc. I will provide cut files, and straws as well as one hour of my time.  

I can pretty much do any theme.  A WHOLE centerpiece includes 7 large Pretty Pokes set into a matching themed base.  Is this a gift, a Pretty Poke Bouquet...for maybe a New Baby,  Birthday or Graduation Celebration, Get Well Gift, how about a Wedding Reception or Baby Shower Centerpiece?  Within the next month Pretty Pokes will be adding Cake Pops and Candy Lolli's  to these centerpieces!!!! I can't wait to share those with you...they are sooooo adorable it will be love at first site!!! 

Ok let me show you the batch of Pretty Pokes  for this week.  Next Monday, more will be added.  Looking for a special theme, just send me an email with your suggestion and I will come up with something special for you and post it on my blog.  

~Margie~