My Dog

Those of you who read my blog know that I lost my sweet little Sadie recently. 

OMG, I can't begin to tell you how much I miss her everyday.  I look out my back door and can almost see her leaping through the yard, sprawled out on the lawn chair, or chasing bunnies out of my garden. Her favorite spot was spying at the neighbors while sitting in a leather chair looking out the window or curled up on the couch with our daughter.  

Sadie was more than a DOG, she was my companion, my watch dog and truly my "little girl".  She wasn't too friendly to others, but she was the best for our family. I didn't think I would want another dog so quickly, but I am so lonely!  I look everyday on Petfinder and can't even settle on a breed because Sadie was SO PERFECT!  I love the dachshunds, but I am so scared that since they have back problems the same thing could happen again....and I just can't live through it again.  I still see Sadie's little face looking up at me as if to say, "Mom, I can't walk, what's wrong with me?"  It breaks my heart everyday to relive that day.  

So, I am coming to you, my friends...my blog is VERY active with over 500 visitors each week, so please pass this on, pray that I find a "Forever Friend"  ...I am hoping there is a lonely dog that is looking for a loving family, nice house, beautiful yard...lots of room to run, loves to snuggle and sit on my lap, and needs more love than it could ever imagine.  I want something small, that I can snuggle with,  calm and likes my little granddaughter who visits Pop Pop and Gramma's house often.  Rides in car and short walks would be great too. 

If you know of any pups in need of a loving, forever home please email me! 

Thanks for listening

~Margie      

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

Baby Shoe Favors

Aren't these the cutest little baby shoe shower favors?  Who could resist this?  These little ones are just about the size of a newborn shoe, complete with bling, bows and baubles. Place at each place setting or play a game with them.  Everyone loves taking one of these home.   

I have also made them for baby's first birthday Christmas, Halloween, Valentines or special holidays.   How about adding them to the top of a baby gift...I'm sure this cute little favor won't be sent to the trash!  I recently had a friend who's baby was in the hospital.  Mom and Dad tied the little shoes to the hospital bassinet....oh so cute!  Both a baby girl and boy shoe versions are available, so if you are unsure of what you are having, mix them up!  Use them as ice breakers or as a game at your shower..diaper pin  one booty to each guest when the walk in the door ...have them find their matched pair and learn a little about their new friend.  Maybe you just found out your expecting ... have your husband or your parents unwrap their special gift...SURPRISE!! Many ideas Contact me for pricing.  Must have a few weeks to complete larger orders.  

Wedding Expo

This past weekend, I shared a table with Arbor Vitae Cafe and NIU Satillite Campus at the Bridal Show in Naper Settlement.  The crowds were steady and the traffic to our table was pretty good. I actually made a couple of fabulous connections with other vendors. 2012 is looking pretty good down the road.  I spoke with quite a few new bride to-be's, and very excited moms.  Boy do I remember those days, looking for venues, searching for the perfect sweet treats, accessories and especially finding the most unique wedding reception and shower favors.  Did someone say Party Favors????? We all know where to find those... Polka Dots and Parties  of COURSE!!  LOL  I remember when planning my daughters bridal parties, we searched for that perfect favor...I wish I would have had  Polka Dots and Parties  back then!! 

I wanted to include the flier information I handed out.  It really explains how the  Polka Dots and Parties -DIY Wedding actually works. I will actually do this same cutting service for ANYONE, not just Bride-to-Be's.  I really prefer this to selling you a complete, already-made favor.  At that point, I am selling, not only my cutting service, but also building and accessorizing that favor...so remember if you want to keep your cost down, I don't mind sitting with your group and teaching you how to put your favors together, and adding the "bling".  Let face it, assembling is so much fun!  If you are having a party, selling at small craft show, or are you a party planner and you want the PERFECT FAVOR for your PERFECT EVENT...call me, let me help you.  I cut for $1.00 a sheet!!  OMG...so reasonable!!  Call me!

Polka Dots and Parties

Planning, Party Favors, Polka Dots & More...

Congratulations! You’re getting married!!

How exciting to be planning your own wedding!  I know how important it is for everything to be just perfect on your special day.  Polka Dots and Parties is here to guide you, as you create and decorate your own party favors for bridal showers, wedding receptions, and dinner parties.

Polka Dots and Parties will die-cut your choice of patterns, schedule an hour of instruction, and make design suggestions to help you create that perfect favor box.  Please provide me with your own color pallet of 12x12 cardstock sheets in choices that coordinate with your wedding shades and theme. Your favorite scrapbook store has an array of colors and themes for you to choose from. I will precisely cut each piece in a pattern of your choice.  The cost for cutting is $1.00 per sheet.  Give yourself plenty of time to create your favors while enlisting the help from your bridesmaids, family, and friends in favor making get-together.s. Add your own ribbons, buttons, bows, and charms to create a one of a kind, personalized look.  Very rewarding when you’ve done it yourself.  This is the perfect opportunity for event planners, coordinators and caterers, as well. 

I look forward to hearing from you and helping you create the perfect party favors for your special celebrations.

 Margie Klodnicki –Event Specialist

polkadotsandparties@gmail.com

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Happy New Year...2012!

Wow...the holidays flew by!  I can't believe they are over already.  Now, on to 2012!  Did you make your new years resolutions?  I made a couple, but I never tell; though I will say that the resolutions I made last year, I was able to keep throughout the year!  I will leave it at that, and spare you the details.  :)

This year, will be the year of the small details for me.  I have many party ideas of my own.  After planning events with Neumann Homes,  Chicago Fun and Party Connection Events over years, I learned so much from each of them. I follow many wonderful blogs, find great parties on  Pinterest, and have learned so much on my own, that I now need to put them in motion for POLKA DOTS AND PARTIES.   While working with many companies along the way,  I want to step it up a notch and add in some of my own special creative touches.  Sometimes in planning an event for 2,000 guests, the small details get lost in the shuffle. This year, I will make those details pop!  I added the POLKA DOTS AND PARTIES line to my last couple of events of 2011, and had so many nice comments. Guests were actually noticing each detail, taking more pictures and commenting that these were the BEST events ever!!  YEAH!!

I am kicking 2012 off with a Bridal Expo this weekend at Naper Settlement.  I was invited to join a Catering Company, whom I will share with you soon.  I will be adding a few of my favors  and centerpieces to the table, kicking off the DIY Polka Dots and Party Favors line.  Hoping the brides-to-be love this line so they can create and design their own favors for their bridal celebrations.  Of course, this service is open to all...so if you would like special favors for your events, you can contact me for details.    

A friend came to me to say she wanted to learn from me. That's sweet, so the first thing I am going to say to her is ..."Jump in with two feet and hit the ground running ..don't look back!" I wish I would have taken my own advice several years ago.  But it's no time like the present!

As I watch the Tournament of Roses Parade I will leave you with their theme... 

....................JUST IMAGINE!!

Zoo Babies Baby Shower

Zoo Animals Baby Shower

Used in This Package:

*15 Pce. Flag Banner with Polka Dot Ribbon

*Party Favor Baby Shoes

*Baby Zoo Animal Centerpiece Pokes
*Party Favor Bags

Sugar and Spice Baby Shower

Sugar and Spice Baby Shower #1

Used in This Package:

*Flag Banner with Polka Dot Ribbon

*Pedestal Tops with Matching Paper Ribbon

*Party Favor Baby Shoes

*Party Favor Baby Blocks 

*Centerpiece Pokes

   

Let's Get Started

I am kicking off 2012 with a new and wonderful event concept.  For years, I have been planning events for corporate clients. Company picnics, ice cream socials, covered wagons for Western themed events, 500 pumpkins for a portable pumpkin patch brought directly to you...even a good size haunted house for Halloween and  live reindeer during Christmas with the arrival of Santa in a horsedrawn sleigh for holiday parties!  I will continue to plan these wonderful events throughout the year, but I am now adding something new, and I am SOOO excited to share it with you!!   

Polka Dots and Parties Sweet Treats & Party Favors! 

All event planners look for unique and fun favors to add to their events.  I can provide exactly what you are looking for and personalize with your information or a company logo.  I use good quality papers in a beautiful array of colors and themes.  A pallet is chosen for you, then emailed or text directly to you for your approval prior to designing your party package.  If you prefer to shop for you own paper quantities and color pallets, your pricing will reflect that choice.  Themed Party Packages will be added  to my blog each week. Go through each party, pick out the pieces that most interest you and create your own 

Polka Dots & Party  Package!! 

 Contact me  for information and pricing. 

   

Happy Thanksgiving Friends

Happy Thanksgiving Friends!  This centerpiece was created for a country club story hour.  Each feather is skewed on a paper straw complete with a sweet treat of  2 mini donuts, and a Thanksgiving straw hugger.  Take the entire straw and place it right in the mini milk carton and you have a "walk away snack" just big enough for little hands!   I drew Mr. Tom Turkey's head and cut it out, added a few skewers to his neck and poked it right into a large melon.  I loved the way it turned out.