Favor Tails

I haven't blogged in a while, sorry about that!  I hurt my back and was out for 3 days, then after Easter I got sick and was out for another couple days.  Now I feel like I am behind by a week!! Time to catch up! 
This weeks celebration is a Dragon and Knights Party.   I actually am not quite finished yet, but I will post what I have and add more later.      

First let me start by introducing my good friend Holly from Twist and Shout who designs all of my beautiful Balloon Centerpieces to match my party favors at my corporate events. (btw, I am a corporate event planner if you don't already know that)  This week, Holly's beautiful balloon decor is my In the Spotlight so check out her website...she is an AMAZING Balloon Artist!  Holly and I have worked together on events for the last several years.  I can't tell you how much it means to see the kids at my corporate events "light up" when Holly makes them a cute balloon character.  It's not just your typical run of the mill balloon poodle, or sword.  Holly goes ALL out for the kids bringing her balloons to life.  She is truly an artist and I love having her at my events!

Balloon twisted sculptures are PERFECT to serve as decor, but it's a nice take away, as well as a prize for winning a party game. We did this at my daughters' baby shower, and the ladies were so excited to choose the balloon sculpture they wanted to take home. (look under "baby shower" blog post for more on Holly's balloon sculptures.) Thanks Holly, for all you do for me!  I can't wait to see what else you come up with for my future parties.  

Dragons and Knights are all about little boys....knights, castles, dragons, shields, armor and maybe a damsel in distress!! So without further ado...

Hear Ye! Here Ye!  All Nobel Knights and Fair Ladies the King requests the honor of your presence at the Royal Celebration of Sir Dugan's 4th Birthday Party.  Please arrive on the 3rd day of June, in the year of our Lord 2012, at the hour of one, at King Phillip's Court and join us for great feasting and entertainment!  

I started with this adorable dragon SVG, adding layers and layers, giving him personality plus and of course the BLING!! 

He really came out cute...even much cuter than I thought. Let's start this party with a Centerpiece of Dragons and Knights. Normally, I make a Pretty Poke Centerpiece, but this time I just took the pokes and inserted them into a clear cup with lid, filled with gum balls. (see Candy Filled Method, posted Feb. 13th)  I think it would be cute to place these in individual vessels on your tables...add 1, 2, or 3 pokes per table.  Each poke is built onto a printed paper straw.  After your party, save these images for scrapbooks or banners for the child's bedroom...too cute to throw away!!  

  
So I didn't go all out and make a cake, and decorate it for this party, but I did find this adorable cake mold (in my kitchen cabinet).  I normally use it as a Sand Castle, but it really can be used as a Medieval Castle as well...how cute would that be?  Dress it up with flag pics, or maybe a Damsel in distress, so many creative ideas.   

I have to say, I love putting together the favor boxes.  These are Cricut French Fry boxes with the Dragon SVG attached.  I would add a napkin or food safe cello bag filled with cookies or candy inside, poke out the top, tie with a curling ribbon to match. Personalized digital art is a perfect add-on to my parties...cute, cute, C-U-T-E!!!

Each of my parties are individually handmade, per your theme and colors.  Please contact me for details.  Thanks for stopping by this week.  Stop back mid-week...I have more to blog about!  Have a Creative week!

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

  

My New Craft Studio

 What a busy week, so busy I didn't even blog last weekend!  So this weekend I am playing catch up.  I decided I needed more workspace since my little table just wasn't cuttin' it. I had a few ideas and headed right over to Ikea.  I had been looking for a while and found something I thought would work...but after I got there, I found a table I liked  better.  A 74" table with adjustable legs.  I loved it!  I could store my paper storage and drawers underneath.  The adjustable legs allowed me to raise the workstation high enough that I can stand next to it and assemble my Pretty Pokes and Party Favors.  

Then I purchased a few glass shelves I can place displays on.  Being that the wall is painted DARK BLUE, everything really POPS! I just love it!!

I did add another table on the other wall to sit and design at. The sleeper couch is staying, but looks fine and serves it purpose when I need to relax or have friends visit.  Not sure how my daughter will feel when she comes home from college on summer break and her game room is now my craft studio and her large tv is now in another bed room, and the little tv is in this room!!  Time will tell. It's really perfect for me...I can't imagine how I did it before.  My room is nice and organized now.  Everything right at my fingertips!  

Oooops!

For the last several weeks, I have been blogging on Sunday, but not today!!  So sorry, just crazy, busy!!  I promise to post within the first part of this week.  I do have a lot to show you...new craft room, lots of cute boxes and a new party favor idea.  So while you are busy getting started with your work week, I'll leave you with a Sneak Peak of what I am working on...now this is just a sample, not the REAL Piece.  All I can say is Martha will LOVE the final piece!  Can't wait to share!!

Bow and Babes~Once Upon a Time

Hi Everyone,

What a beautiful weekend in Chicago.  We went from the dead of Winter to a beautiful Summer afternoon...I even have the air conditioner on, can you believe it?  This is nuts, but I am not complaining...just lovin' it!  

I am so excited about my Polka Dots and Parties Blog.  Not only am I having a GREAT time making all these centerpieces and favor boxes, but I love sharing it with you too. I have even starting Tweeting a bit!   So far, I am only blogging 1 day a week...Sunday, but hope to add on another day midweek.  I just need to find a extra time...who doesn't need more time, right?  So without further ado let's move to some of last weeks projects.  

I have one Event Designer and 2 brick and mortar stores who are purchasing my pieces so far...hoping for a few more. I will tag them on my blog and post pictures of the pieces they have chosen.     Check out their links...one never knows when you might need something special that they might be able to provide to you.

Last week I created a couple centerpieces for for Bows & Babes in Naperville, IL. Owner, Anne Miller has a beautiful little shop right in downtown Naperville with everything little girls love, lots of pink bows, hair bling, tutu's, dress up clothes...a little girls dream.  Bows and Babes also plan fun birthday and dress up parties for little girls.   So my Pretty Pokes Cake Pop Centerpieces will be a adorable addition to their parties. Cake Pops?  Next week I will have a place for you to purchase those cool new CAKE POPS too!
I thought you might like to see the details on each Pretty Poke.  Now, I am NOT a photographer, so my pictures are NOT great, but promise to work on this too.  I don't think you can really see the dimension of each piece in these photos.  Each are layered 3 or 4 times and are double sided. More details show up in the final centerpiece.  

This Pretty Poke Flower reflects the child's age. 

I wish I would have added a polka dot bow to tie the slippers together.

After adding stitch lines on the green checked fan I added a brad to the center

7 Piece Princess Bunting (missing ladybug)

Ok, drum roll please...My favorite Pretty Poke Centerpieces.  Pretty Poke Ballerina Centerpiece:

You are probably wondering why the wooden cake pops?  Not having yummy cake pops on hand everyday, I made these cake pop props to add to my centerpieces...I actually painted them since I took these pictures and they really do look yummy!!

Lastly I wanted to show you a second centerpiece called Once Upon a Time.

Pint Size Pretty Pokes

Hi All!!  Before I even begin, I want to send out a BIG SHOUT OUT-THANK YOU to all of my friends who have visited my blog!!  My number of visitors has increased from 700 to  over 1370+ in just 7 days...WOW!!! Your amazing!!  Subscribe to keep up with my latest and greatest creations or follow my  Pinterest, I will be tweeting soon! 

Ok, it's been a busy week and next week is looking just the same.  But, I came up with a few new things this week I wanted to share with you.  I was asked to design a few theme favors.  I love using my Cricut files to make these gorgeous boxes, but I am also a big fan of cutting files and SVG's as well.  I also like to create my own unique pieces....you know me, I'm pretty crafty!!  Here are just a few...next week, I will have favors to match my Pretty Pokes.  I think I am most excited about the Pirate Theme!! 

Now on to something real COOL!!  I now have a MINI version of my Pretty Poke Centerpiece...I am calling it Pint Size Pretty Pokes. I apologize for using the same Pokes as last week...but it's been a crazy week!!   Print Size is made specifically to hold up to 12 treats.  Anything on a stick, but the famous CAKE POPS,  Tootsie Pops or Blow Pops look DARLING! This week I actually ADDED Cake Pops from Lilly Cakes of Naperville.  Have you tried them?  If not, you need to go there...they are to DIE FOR!!!    Thanks Kelly, I am glad you liked my Pint Size Pretty Poke Centerpiece and can't wait to see them on your website!!  They come in many, many themes and I will continue to add new themes each week.

Lastly, I want to Thank Tootsie Roll in Chicago for the nice phone call...Yes, Blow Pops do look GREAT in my Pretty Poke Centerpieces too!  I love the colors...they match most themes.  And I can't forgot my friend, Debi Lilly from A Perfect Event for introducing me to Candice from Cacao Sweets and Treats.  Candice was nice to give me a couple of suggestions while building my pieces and now they look marvelous!!  Thanks Candice for your "sweet treat" tips!

  

Eventfully Yours, 
Margie


(Please leave comments...I would love to hear from you!) 

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