The Tin Can Man

I love making clever packaging.  This cute little "Tin Can Man" was made from a can of creamed corn I had in my pantry. I used a CLEAN CUT can opener to cut the lid open, so it wouldn't have any sharp or jagged edges. Next, I measured and cut papers for both the lid and around the can itself. Then find a cute, simple design to apply as a scene to this background paper. Mine designs came from My Scrap Chick, Snowman Gift Card Holder and O Christmas Tree. To the lid, I added the Puffy Star, snowflakes and a little bit of bling. At this point, you can add a handle, if you would like.  It took me all of 30 minutes to complete this piece. Makes a great gift box for a pair of socks, a tie or a scarf, or even a candle would be darling!! 
Thanks for stopping by friends!  

~Margie 

Playing it Cool

Hey Friends, Did you hear the news?  My Scrap Chick is having a Design Team Call, they are looking for talented paper crafters...I'm so excited, I think I am going to give it a try!  

I remember a few years ago, I came across My Scrap Chick and instantly fell in love!!  It took me a bit to figure it all out, but I was determined to somehow use this cute little pieces in my event planning business.  Since then I designed a special canopied table top called a Tabletop Candy Shop and in doing so I have used MANY, MANY My Scrap Chick Favor Boxes and Bags.  As a matter of fact, I have almost EVERY PATTERN and am very proud to admit it!  So without further ado, I would like to share one of my all time FAVORITE parties I threw for my family and friends last year using My Scrap Chick Winter Pavor Favor Boxes and Bags.  Everyone loved these cute little snowmen, they are just adorable!!

Thanks Kristi and Val for designing the cutest SVG files for us. 

Good Luck to everyone and thanks for stopping by! 

~ Margie 

    

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

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

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

.  

Theme Parties

Bridal Showers, Baby Showers, Graduations, Birthday Parties, Cheerleading, Sporting Events, Girl Scouting, Boy Scouting, Picnics, Bar Mitzvah, Bat Mitzvah, Dinosaurs, Pirates,  Zoo Animals, Camping, Ballerina, Princess, Sports, Holiday Parties, Farm Animals,BBQ, Once Upon a Time 

I will add to this list weekly!

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. 

   

Holiday Christmas Party at The Country Club

For the past 8 years Party Connection Events and I have planned a Holiday Party for 250 families at a country club in a suburb of  Chicago.  It's been so much fun bringing in live reindeer, horse drawn sleighs, Santa, Mrs. Claus and of course refreshments to these families on this very special day. This year was no different, well Santa's reindeer were getting ready for their Christmas Eve flight and didn't attend, but two beautiful horse drawn carriages took our guests on a "jingle all the way" ride through the community.  Holly, one of our favorite balloon twisters brought a fellow twister and they made some fabulous balloon characters for each child.  She also created holiday balloon critters as centerpieces for each table at the Gingerbread Bakery...I can't begin to tell you how cute these little guys are, take a look for yourself!

After visiting with Santa, each family stopped at the Gingerbread Bakery for a Christmas Cupcake and a Hot Chocolate.  The entrance way to our Bakery this year was something new.  It was a sure hit as everyone used it for an opportunity to mingle and visit with old friends.  Many neighbors were seen taking pictures around it.  Lots of smiles and laughter were shared that afternoon.  Even Santa strolled through the bakery chatting with families along the way.  

After refreshments, the kids ran downstairs to the craft area where they met Holly and her sidekick in their festive, but crazy hats!!  Lines were long, but well appreciated as each child was able to have their own balloon favor made right before their very eyes!  Holly is always a hit at our special events!  Three new stations were added to our workshop this year. At the Spin Art Station, the kids created their own colorful picture by squirting streams of paint onto a spinning piece of art. The kids loved it and Elf Scarlet was able to help more than 175 kids create their masterpieces.

Then there was Elf Nicole, who helped the kids make a Pucker Powder tube of crazy holiday colors.  Of course this was a HUGE hit with the little ones...the more sugar the better!!  Watch the blog for more ideas using Pucker Powder Straws as we turn them into GREAT party favors at Party Connection Events Polka Dots and Parties. Lastly, the kids made a craft ornament  of Santa's face each piece was carefully cut so all the kids had to do was glue it together. 

   

The day was a huge success and everyone had a GREAT time.  The Holiday Event is already in the works for next year, complete with Santa's Workshop and many more pieces to add to the Gingerbread Bakery.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!  

  

Fill it up!!

This is a GREAT gift box.  I even made one with kissable, embossed lips.  I love using Archivers papers on most of my projects.  The selection is fabulous...not to mention that the girls in the Naperville, Illinois store are so helpful and friendly!! This pattered paper actually has embossed reindeer and snowflakes  scattered all over it..they ran out early in the season, too many of us crafters eat this stuff up! Stuff these little babies up with candy or cookies.  Remember it's all about the presentation!!!  Enjoy!!

Cute Favors and Picks

As I play catch up, I wanted to post a few of my favorite creations I made this year for special events and personal things too!!  It's just too much fun to not share them.

Just a little something for a private holiday party

Maggie's 1st Birthday

Guess whoooo's turning 1

Great for gift cards

Birthday Ballerina Goodie Bag

Boo...it's Halloween treat boxes!  These were a HUGE hit...thanks My Scrap Chick for sharing this great pattern!

  

Gingerbread House Contest

Two years ago, at Christmastime, we had a Gingerbread House Contest between my family.  My oldest daughter, Jennifer and her husband Kenny were the first contestants, the second was my daughter Lisa and her husband Jack, the third was my youngest daughter Katelyn, my husband Chet  and myself....unfortunately Kate, Chet and I dropped out before the contest started.  So the battle of the sisters was on. I should mention...this was the second contest of the year between siblings...we did a Pumpkin Carving Contest as well.  Oh what fun we have at home!!

I had my best friend, Mary and her husband Phil come judge our Gingerbread Contest.  We thought it would be a couple hours of fun but it turning into a little more stress than we had anticipated...8 hours later!!  Now we can look back and laugh.  Needless to say, we have not done it since, but we can laugh at it now. I think Jack and Lisa were the winners, complete with electric in their house.  But, I actually think they BOTH won...both houses were beautiful!!

Many More Party Favors

I decided just to add all my favors on one post so I can play catch up and get LIVE with my blogging.  So here goes...lots of things I have made this year.

This was my Cookie Exchange from December 2010 at my home with family and friends.  Unfortunately, this year we did not have another...seems it just didn't fit into our schedules.  Hopefully we will do one for next year.  I was actually thinking of doing something at Easter to celebrate Spring.  

Lots and lots of cookies to share!

 So pretty!!!

Good friends and family!

I Love my flaky friends!!

Guess who I met today?

You will never believe who I met tonight...the very famous Debi Lilly, Event Planner to Oprah Winfrey at C.O. Bigelow in Woodfield Mall!!  We had a wonderful conversation and I am honored to say, she asked me to help her with two events she has coming up in early 2012.  You can not imagine how excited I am right now.  What a night...I am still on cloud 9!  Thanks Debi...can't wait to get started on those party favors!

Snack Wand

Hey check this out...it's my newest creation!  A Walk Away Snack Straw!! It's made using a long straw and threading the goodies right through a couple donuts and add a sugared candy to the top.  Kids can walk away with it, eat the gum drop and drop the straw right in the milk and drink!! Make them for all seasons.    Oh yes, I did make the little bear too.  It's fun digital art...my other passion. Enjoy! 

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Hi everyone, I finally have a little break from my events, so I thought I would post a few things I found while reading some other fun blogs I follow.  The past few weeks I have been working on a Christmas Party for 250 children and 2 sweet baby showers for friends.  I promise to post pictures this week, but today I am taking a little break to add some "holiday" to my home.  Tomorrow, out comes the sewing machine, the photo printer, my computer and a couple cutting machines...while Santa's Workshop continues at www.partyconnectionevents.com to build a grand piece to add to POLKA DOTS AND PARTIES. 

This Strawberry Christmas Tree is something I created for our Cookie Exchange last year. Each year I try to use something within my many wonderful collections of my Moms', whom I lost 5 years ago.  This beautiful vase was a treasure of hers and has now found it's new home as my dining room table centerpiece.  

I just couldn't pass up these adorable Strawberry Cheesecake Santa Hats.  How cute is that?  I bet they are just as yummy too!! Look up the "how to's" and enjoy making them and of course eating them too!

And lastly, I found this adorable hot chocolate and marshmallows gift idea.  OMG, who wouldn't love to get this hostess gift?  I have these edible food markers, so I can't wait to give it a try.  
Until next time...enjoy the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.  

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.