Mad Hatter Hat Box

Hi everyone!!  I have been so busy, but I wanted to share a great Hat Box I made using a few files from My Scrap Chick. I built a Mad Hatter, Alice in Wonderland Birthday Party for my Granddaughters last week.  I promise to share it when I am less busy, but for now, you get to see one of the hats I made. 

I really like using no more than three files on each piece.  I absolutely LOVE this Hat...isn't it darling? You won't believe what files I used!

The Hat is from the Uncle Sam Hat Box

The Red Rosette is from Easy Rosettes

and the Rabbit Ears are from Bunny Top Hat Box

As you can see, I made a lot of them, though the ones shown are not decorated.  It rained the day of the party, so I only used a couple of them to decorate the house.  

Here's a game...Hat Stacking.  Not as easy as you think for 4 year olds!  Another idea is to take the lid off, add a ping pong balls and have fun with the game, Bozo Buckets. 

Add them to a Wine Bottle Holder...nice centerpiece to a tablescape!!

Punch a hole in the lid, add a cute little die cut to a straw and insert in the lid, create a great table decoration.  

I Love how it opens so easily at the top!!  What a great gift box or party idea for any occasion!!

Thanks for stopping by! I am finishing two parties this week you won't want to miss!!

~Margie

Easter Mugs

Do you remember the blog entry from November, 

The Snowman Mug Shot? This new piece, the Easter Bunny Mug, is using the same kit, Full Cup Treat Holders!  I am not going to go through the process of how I made this piece again, but, I did use the Trio of Bunnies Kit as well  to create this adorable little guy.  I choose spring like pastels colored cardstock and some pretty twine. 

Just like the snowman, the bottom mugs hold some wrapped candy treats, and the middle mug can hold a cello bag full of treats.  Each size mug piece fits into the other.  I did cut two holes in the top of the hat to poke in the ears.

The little blue bird is from Bird on a Branch.  I love the little birdies...they add a touch of whimsy to these favor boxes. Lastly, I just want to mention that I used two embossing folders, buttons and dotted swiss.  Oh...and don't forget the buck teeth...I just cut those myself.  

Until next time...Thanks for stopping by!!

~Margie   

Loving Lady Bug

Hi everyone...

Wow, this has to be a record for me...I think this is my third piece I have showcased since last week.  I have actually made several of these My Scrap Chick Pavers....like the Snowman, Reindeer, Santa and Gingerbread Man...but this is my first little BUG, from Garden Bugs and I totally loved it!!  I did make a change to the file.  She had little dots on her back, but I made them into hearts instead.  

I wish I would have used a polka dotted paper for the liner on the inside of the box...maybe next time. I have several little Valentines I am going to give to my little Granddaughter....and this will be one of them.  Later this week, I will be sharing a cute sewing card I made for her and I to do together so be sure to stop by again.  

My Scrap Chick  has some "stinkin cute" new files this week.  Check out the adorable little Skunk and Monkey Belly Boxes, you're going to LOVE them!! My Scrap Chick Team shares some really fun pieces on their FB page.  Come on by and check them out. 

Thanks for stopping...

~Margie 

  

Heart Top Treat Box

Hi everyone!!!  So happy to be sharing yet another darling file from My Scrap Chick.  This cute little box is from the Heart Top Treat Box Collection.  I made the Tall Box version and plan on filling it with Hersheys Hugs and Kisses for a friend.  The box came with some adorable tags, but I like to mix two files and make something different, so I added some HOT LIPS to the tag instead.  "SMOOCH"!! 

After searching for vintage paper, I found this cute print from Fancy Pants Designs, called the Sentiments Collection and from Bo Bunny, the Head over Heals Collection. I love the look and they seem to really work perfectly together; giving it the vintage feel I was searching for.  The cardstock is double sided, so it gave me a few choices of patterns.  I LOVE the stripes, aren't they adorable...they really tie this project together!!  It took me all of 15 minutes to make this little package!  I even used twine to tie it all together. Adorable!! 

Next week I am scheduled for two more projects ....a sweet candy box and a Lucky in Love Lady Bug which I am going to fill with something special for my 'apples of my eyes', my grandbabies!!

Until next week...

Thanks for stopping by!

~Margie   

Dracula and Frankenstein Dispencers

OMG, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these little guys from My Scrap Chick!!!  They just have SOOO MUCH personality!!  When you open their mouth the candy spills out.  I think the polka dot paper really looks cute on both of these pieces.

I thought it would be cute to make Frankenstein and the bride of Frankenstein.  I just punched a hole in the top of her head and knotted a piece of tulle through the hole for her vale.  I added big lips  and a little blush to her face.  I bet it would have been cute to add a bigger BLUE eyebrow (uni-brow with blue eye shadow!) as well....hahaha!!  She is wearing jeweled earings...I am thinking next time I will add hoops!

Until next time!

~Margie

Log Home Festival -Vintage Halloween

A few weeks ago my friend Carla, told me she was setting up at a craft show in a log cabin in Morris, Illinois.  I had never heard of it but, it sounded like something I would enjoy.  Who won't love to be in a setting like that?  So she explained that this was her 2nd year in doing this unique show and she invited me to do it too.  Well, I don't really do craft shows, I sell party favors by the dozen for parties.  Instead of selling one or two, I like to sell in bulk. If you order a dozen you get one free. I really don't have time to make one or two party favors, but I do have time to make a dozen. So far this has worked perfectly for me.  But, I really wanted to do this show and hopefully get some orders or if nothing else, maybe get a few more followers here on my blog.  I started early this week to build boxes, bags and decorations within her theme...Vintage Halloween. I already had several files from SVGCUTS and decided on 9 different patterns. Since Halloween is a favorite holiday of mine, I was totally looking forward to building these. On a side note, SVGCuts is having a contest and I am going to use these pieces as my entry.  Wish me luck! 

I started out with my patterned Halloween papers from Archivers, matching and coordinating every piece.  I love when the papers are double-sided because everything looks great together...I feel like I am getting more mileage out of one piece of paper. 

I always like to take a picture of the pile of papers after I cut them.  I remember when I first started paper piecing this made it so OVERWHELMING!!  But now, I just take from the top of the pile and work my way down.  

So, lets start with the spooky bat.  I didn't think I would like this one...but I love it.  I added some wire and rag ties and it seem to just bring it to life. It really does hold a ton of candy.  I am going to make a few more for my entry way to my formal living room.  

Next, the little polka dot pumpkin...this was my FAVORITE!  I inked the edges around each panel and glued them to the base.  As always, I like to add the BLING ...so I added it to the leaves.  The paper I used was kind of bright, not vintage, but inking the edges was just the ticket.  I did attached the lid, just so not to lose it. 

The cauldron,  UGHHHH!!  My least favorite...that was such a pain to put together.  I ended up NOT making it as tight as I should have so the bottom ended up too big.  I guess that isn't earth shattering, I just cut the bottom piece a bit bigger and it worked out fine. It actually came out pretty cute, didn't it?  I did run the panels through my Big Shot and dry embossed panels with keys folder on each panel.  I inked in silver and loved the way it finally came out and I won't mind trying it again. It's always easier the second time around.

The apothecary jars were pretty cool. I made two, one tall and narrow and one short and fat.   I also ran the side panels through the Big Shot using a cobweb folder, and the silver ink pad...It came out adorable. The panels on the tall bottle were made with printed papers, but I also think that came out super cute! 

The vintage cat bucket was really easy, I add some glitter and some ribbon & rag ties. I love the pattern itself...it was so big and bright.  

Let see...how about the skeleton?  Very simple, made with silver brads so I could pose it any way. I used suction cups to stick it to my mirror.   

The vintage pumpkin banner was adorable.  In the beginning I thought it was a bit flimsy, so I added kraft paper to each flag, that seem to add a little strength.  I edged the each pumpkin edge with dark ink giving dimension. I found some cute Trick or Treat ribbon at Michaels. It looks perfect and I will be able to save it for next year.   

The candy dish was cute too.  Really simple to make, but the black silhouette with the big yellow moon behind really made it pop. At the show it was filled with my business cards.  
I have a few favorite companies I use for patterns and SVGcuts is surely one of them.  I love Mary's and Leo's video tutorials, and the patterns are very easy to use. Check out their site.  If you see something you like...call me, I will build it for you for your next party.  (wink, wink)

It turned out to be such a nice day at the show.  I followed the signs for the festival through a winding five mile drive back through cornfields, farms and color-changing trees.  The parking was hit or miss, I lucked out and found a close spot. The crowds were unbelievable.  It was nice to see everyone chatting in groups that congregated around vintage garden carts or in the shade of the big old trees.  It seemed everyone knew one another and was catching up about their families and friends, the way life should be.  

I thought for a second, how am I ever going to find Carla's Booth?  I turned to walk into the tent from a side opening and as I walked in (in-awe of the crafts), I saw Carla right in front of me! What luck!! Her booth was DARLING, as I knew it would be.  She and her friends did a GREAT job!  What a talented group of gals! 

Though, I didn't sell anything...I just had her hand out business cards in hopes some shoppers would stop by my blog and check out what I do. I actually didn't give her my things until the second day of the festival, but maybe next year I can have my own booth or better yet, set up with these gals again and be ready for October 2014?  I will have to start NOW building favors in bulk...hahah!!  BTW, these pieces I made were a little bigger than the "regular" size favors.  I actually call them Party Props...they make cute centerpieces groupings or darling packages that actually become part of the gift. 

After getting set up, Carla and I took a little break to chat and sat on a porch swing...omg, so relaxing.  I would love to do that on a daily basis. It looks like the crafters had a lot of interested shoppers.  Their booths were filled with the hand crafted, hand carved, handmade and home baked goodies.  The smell of carmel and kettle corn was in the air.  The only thing missing was the cool temps...it was actually about 82 degrees, but fall is just around the corner and soon I will be complaining that I am cold!!   

Thanks again for stopping by. Come back soon.  I am starting two more parties this week...and a few more Halloween things I know you will love.  I also have something REALLY COOL to share with you that I am SOOOO excited about.  Until then, enjoy your week.  
~Margie

  
     

Puppy Party

I recently a had a call from a young mom to make 1st birthday centerpieces for her daughters' 1st birthday "puppy themed" party.  She sent me a party napkin so I could match the theme colors and a photo of her dogs which she somehow wanted to be built into each centerpiece. We agreed that my Pretty Pokes Stems would make the perfect centerpiece and would keep the cost down as well. One of her dogs were black and other white, which was pretty simple for me, so I visited a favorite shop to purchase two cute puppy SVG files. She also asked that I fill mason jars with gumballs, since the party was outside and she wanted it to be heavy and not blow off the table.  Normally, I just punched the lids of the mason jar, but this time I went ahead and purchased the whole mason jar and gumballs to make it a little easier on this young mom...I remember the days of running to the stores with a 1 year old...sheesh!!  I also delivered this to her home to make it a bit easier on her all around.  

This time I bought those COOL vintage blue mason jars.  Ohhhhh so pretty!!  Have you checked Pinterest to see how else they are using these light blue jars....cool stuff!
So, here we go...I started to cut, and cut.....AND CUT!!  I sorted all my pieces and edged each piece with ink.

OMG, the pieces!!  I only made 8 centerpieces with 4 Pretty Poke Stems in each.  It really wasn't as bad as it sounds, grouping your pieces together before assembling really helps.  I love building these little guys and the PRIZE at the end is so rewarding to me.  Honestly, I can only do 1 job per week so I just focus and move forward.  My favorites are actually building favors...I could do that all day long. 

I also added an intial and a number 1 to each centerpiece. Very simple, but I love the way they came out.

  

  

Cone Favor Box

I created a simple cone box as a Take-Away Favor. (Look behind the candy buckets)   It was actually a freebie box template and I added a few holiday labels, to give it a festive look.  I love the way it came out ....perfect for a Holiday Take Away Box, meaning you can fill up with goodies at a Tabletop Candy Shop, and walk away with it filled while you chat and munch!  LOL  Great for chocolate covered popcorn, salted nuts or some kind of messy, fun foods where you would only take a small amount and you don't want to hold them it your hand.  Think about adding a ribbon, so the cone can be hung on a tree or a hook...this would make a  festive decoration as well.  Some really cute ideas for cone boxes out there...check Pinterest.  As you can see in the link, SVGcuts used it as a Halloween Box..which is adorable too.  Actually, come to think of it...Easter is coming so this cone would make an adorable Carrot as well.  I have something similar I will use for Easter...so stop back and visit Polka Dots and Parties again.  This was actually a holiday Tabletop Candy Shop, but I love to add my favors to EVERY party!  

Thanks for stopping!

~Margie

Happy Fall Ya'll

So this past Sunday I decided to make a couple boxes that I hadn't tired yet, both SVG's that I purchased last week.  A Pumpkin from My Scrap Chick and an Acorn from SVG Cuts.  I loved them.  Both were pretty easy to make...the acorn was a bit harder, but after making one I think the next one will be much easier.  

These would make a great little hostess gift!

Thanks for stopping by!

~Margie 

Cupcake Boxes

I have so many inquires on cupcake boxes, both size and pricing. I can make just about any size cupcake box, but I chose three to share today. You can see the difference in size between them, one actually fits inside the other...minus the cupcakes of course! Hee hee!!

Three different size cupcake boxes.  Yellow is a mini cupcake box.

Medium Size Box w/mini cupcake holder and Lid

Lids~

I can make all sorts of lids, as well.  Hinged, scalloped, plain, windowed...of course the shape of the window can be different as well...circles, squares, hearts, even a fancy square or top note shape. Something different... add a cupcake poke to the cupcake right through the window into the cupcake.  I love that idea and yes, I can personalize the cupcake poke. So many ways to dress up a favor box. 

Medium Size Cupcake Box with Scalloped Lid and flower

Cupcakes come in many shapes/sizes as do the favor boxes.  Right now I only have boxes for Mini and Regular Sizes, but if you are looking for something special or unusual, just let me know and I will design something for you.  

Favor Box Flowers...as you can see I have added a flower to the Favor Box.  They really add so much to the packaging.  

Next week I have an event for 2,000 guests...so I probably won't blog till Tuesday or so....until then... 

Have an EVENTful week!

~Margie   

      

It's in the Bag

Cute little purses are all the rage for baby showers, birthday party favors or gift giving....even to fill up at a candy tablescape...how cute would that be?  In the future I am going to continue to add to this section and give several ideas on Purse Favors, but I am starting with a stinkin' cute favor for baby showers or toddle parties. 

My 1st Birthday Party (my first purse) Favor

These favor bags are the largest I can design using just ONE 12x12 sheet of cardstock.  How do I get two prints?  Double sided cardstock and I like to chose two coordinating patterns.  I think this monkey print cardstock was from Bella Blvd.     This pattern is an SVG from My Scrap Chick...one of my favs.  The pattern can be enlarged but I would have to charge more per piece and I don't like to do that. My goal is to get an entire pattern from one sheet of cardstock. The good news...Order a dozen and get ONE FREE and this will bring down your cost a little more.