Pumpkin Carving Party

Tonight was Madison's pumpkin carving party. She had over a few of her friends to carve and paint pumpkins. It was chilly here (it's 65 degrees here but when your used to 90's to 100's- it's freezing!) so we did the carving outside but ate inside. I decided to set up the kids table in the kitchen - that way we could turn the television towards them and they could eat and watch Charlie Brown's The Great Pumpkin. (my childhood Halloween favorite)

Here is the kids table. I have blogged about printables in the past. This is my first time actually using them- I LOVE THEM!!! I'm hooked!! These printables are from Paper and Cake. It was so easy- I picked out a design, paid (only $8) and they sent pdf file right away! Once you get file -all you do is download, print and create great stuff! I wanted the centerpiece to be totally edible. So here is my version of marshmallow pops and brownie pops! I'm no Bakerella but the kids loved them. By the way, if you don't know about Bakerella check her out- she is simply amazing! I just stuck the lollipops in Styrofoam and covered with Harvest mix candy corn. I got Franky (the bucket) on sale at Michael's for $2.49.

The printables came with so many files for things to do. The candy wrappers and circles on tables and the finger puppet (which I used to put the fork through) are some of the things I got from Paper and Cake. I got the favor bag from $ Tree (3 for $) filled with candy. The placemat is scrapbook paper that I got in a pack from Big Lots for $5. Big Lots has lots of scrapbook items at a discount.

Here are my cupcakes with printables which included the wrappers, circles and menu cards. Aren't they adorable! How about them mummy dogs!! If I would just learn Photoshop- I could edit out the TV!!

Close up of my cupcakes- yes I made them. (Remember I'm not much of a baker) I love the printables, cute huh??? It was so easy to customize and tie in all the decor this way!

A close up of my masterpiece.

A close up of my daughter's masterpiece.

I think hers is the best though!! smile

Happy Halloween!!

Halloween Treat Bags

Growing up I have fond memories of trick or treating and getting carmel apples, popcorn balls and homemade goodies. Unfortunately, now unless you know the kid's parents - your homemade treats would be thrown away. It is not a kind world sometimes and parents must be careful. Since I can't make Halloween more memorable with homemade treats- I love to do treat bags. However, this year with all of my parties -I am behind and haven't done any yet. I found these simple and budget friendly treat bags on All You. If you follow my blog, you know I find many creative ideas there. Halloween is a day away and I have Maddy's pumpkin party on Friday so I doubt I will make these but wanted to share.
This would be a fun project to do with your kids. I will post my treat bags once I figure out what I'm doing. I'm afraid mine won't be this cute!!!!

Maddycakes Trade Show

I know you all probably already know about Smilebox. Just in case you don't - it is a great way to quickly upload and send your photos. I am an avid scrapbooker but sometimes (almost always) I don't have the time. Smilebox has hundreds of already done scrapbook pages, cards and slide shows - all you do is upload pics.

I wasn't going to participate in Tablescape Thursday this week but then I thought - these are tablescapes. Here is a trade show that Maddycakes did so it has various table displays for kids parties. I hope you enjoy. Stop by Between Naps on the Porch for wonderful Tablescapes. This week Susan is featuring 2 awesome Halloween tables.

I think I'm falling for Fall

If any of you out there have little ones I'm sure you watch Noggin now turn Nick Jr. Well, the title of this blog is a song that is stuck in my head!! Anyway, wanted to post some Etsy finds that would be perfect for your upcoming Harvest and Thanksgiving celebrations.

These leaves look so real and are totally edible! You can find these at Sugar Robot. A dozen for $8.95.
These are really cool autumn leaves place cards with tree-branch place card holders from A Remark You Made. What is even better is they are 40% off right now. You get 6 for $11.95. These would make a natural and rustic table display - great for Thanksgiving as well! Love these gift bags - perfect for party favors or to put gifts in for family and friends who come over for Thanksgiving! Autumn leaf placecards by Timeless paper .I am really missing leaves and the changing of their colors during fall right now. Can you tell? I might need to take a trip back home to the East Coast.

Red and Black Candy Apples

Halloween is only 5 days away. I'm sure by now you have either already had your Halloween parties or already have everything already planned out for your parties this weekend. Found these apples on mattbites.com and thought they were too cool so I had to share. How unique! Red & Black Candy Apples

8-10 medium sized apples
8-10 wooden twigs, twimmed
3 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 cup of waterseveral drops of cinnamon flavored oil
1/4 teaspoon of red food coloring
1/4 teaspoon of black food coloring

Clean and dry the apples. Try to remove as much of the wax as possible. If you purchase them from your local farmer’s market then chances are they have not been treated with the food grade wax that makes then shine. Remove any stems or leaves and insert a twig into the end of each apple. To facilitate easier twig entry you can carefully sharpen the end of the twig or use a candy stick to create a guide hole. Set apples aside.
Heat and stir sugar, corn syrup and water in a saucepan until sugar has dissolved. Boil until the syrup reaches 300 degrees on a candy thermometer. Don’t go over 310 degrees or your candy burns and then you’ll be sad.
Remove from heat and stir in flavored oil and food coloring.
Dip one apple completely in the syrup and swirl it so that it becomes coated with the melted sugar candy. Hold the apple above the saucepan to drain off excess. Place apple, with the stick facing up, onto a baking sheet that’s greased or lined with a silpat. Repeat the process with the remaining apples. If your syrup thickens or cools too much, simply reheat briefly before proceeding. Let the apples cool completely before serving.

A note about the black apples: Lighter colored apples (Granny Smith, Golden Delicious) work well in making the red appear bright and glassy; darker apples like red delicious help the black candy appear as dark as possible. Spooky!

31 Halloween Pumpkins

Tonight I laid down with my daughter and next thing I knew it was 11:30pm. I was going to skip blogging tonight but had to check Maddycakes Muse before I went to sleep (again). The lovely Amy left me a comment sending me to Southern Living to check out their 31 Halloween Pumpkins. Thanks Amy! You really know my style- I LOVE THEM! I picked out a few of my favorites to post. Make sure you go to article to check out the rest and details.

Love this topiary.

Never ever thought about putting a fishbowl in a pumpkin- LOVE this!

A cute spin on See no evil, Speak no evil, Hear no evil

A mini pumpkin wreath-genius!

Polynesian pumpkin- I love the unexpected!

This weekend Maddycakes scheduled no parties so that we can create special memories for my Maddy. Friday is her pumpkin carving party and Saturday is of course Trick or Treating. We decided against the dive in movie because Maddycakes has been over the top busy. I will find a way to do it though some other time!

Quick Favor and a Sneak Peek

Here is a quick and easy favor for a movie theme night! I love having over the girls to have a movie theme night. However, this particular favor was made for a Halloween party...I know your thinking huh?? Michelle ,why do you have a red and white popcorn bag for a Halloween party?? Well, I'm not going to tell you yet. I have attached a couple of more photos for you to ponder on.

The popcorn bags were 10 for $1 at you guess it- $ Tree.
Ribbon-free- recycled from my saved ribbon stash. (okay this ribbon not particularly free- this one came from buying a Coach -it's put in box and wrapped in red ribbon) but you get what I mean- save ribbon that you get from presents, etc...
Used the computer to put personalized message, fill with microwaveable popcorn and candy and viola - quick and easy favor!

Sneak peek from Halloween party.

Can anyone guess what is on the upper left corner of photo??

Will post photos from my FABULOUS photographer later this week.

We did it!! And the winner is......

Maddycakes Muse reached 50 followers!!! Yea!!! I'm so excited! Thank you all so much for becoming followers. I love blogging so much!! I didn't discover blogging until this year! I'm all late!!! I have to make up for lost time! As promised, we are drawing our first winner's name- and it is--- Melissa Ortiz!!

Please email me and provide me your address so I can mail your $50 giftcard from Target!

I will let you pick what the next giftcard should be. So if you are a follower please leave a comment and tell me what giftcard you want. When you leave a comment your name will be entered twice for the giveaway. This giftcard will be worth $100!!!! Maddycakes Muse will draw another name from our followers when we reach 100.

Halloween Sale!

By the way, I was reading my emails before going to bed and I got an email from one of my favorite party supply places- Oriental Trading.

They are having up to 75% off on over 400 Halloween items plus free shipping and free gift if you spend over $49. Order now- check the shipping you maybe able to get it before Halloween if not stock up for next year!

Cute Kids Halloween Treats!

Maddycakes is preparing for a huge Halloween party on Saturday. We specialize in kids parties but this one is for adults. I have been in search for some really cool adult Halloween ideas but keep running across cute stuff for the kiddos! These two are from Bright Ideas...they have really cool stuff on their website. Check it out!

3 (9-inch) squares clear plastic wrap (or small clear bags)
1 cup M&M’S® Brand Chocolate Candies for Halloween
3 (9-inch) squares orange or clear cellophane
Double-stick tape
Green ribbon or string
Green floral tape
1 (9 x 12-inch) square green felt, craft foam or construction paper
3 brown, black or green pipe cleaners
Pencil, optional

1. Lay out the squares of plastic wrap on a flat surface. Pour ⅓ cup of M&M’S® Brand Chocolate Candies in the center of each square. Gather the sides up and around the candy, twist it tightly, and tape closed.
2. Place the candy ball, tape side down, in the center of the cellophane square. Gather the sides up and around it, then twist and tie with a piece of ribbon or string. Wind the ribbon, string or floral tape around the nub of cellophane, creating a stem.
3. Cut leaves and vines out of green felt. Wrap pipe cleaners around a pencil, then slip out the pencil, leaving a spring of curls. Attach leaves and pipe cleaner "vines" to the cellophane pumpkins around the "stem" area. Arrange the pumpkins on a table on top of some large felt leaves to create a pumpkin patch that’s ripe for some happy pickin’.

Tip: Turn the favor table into a pumpkin patch for your child’s party. Just curl giant pipe cleaners into vines and intersperse real gourds and pumpkins with the candy pumpkins. Add a few fall leaves, scarecrows and other holiday shapes for fun. As the kids leave, let them pick their pumpkin treat from the patch.

Yield: Makes 8 candy cups.

24 pieces of Mars FUN SIZE® Variety Bag such as Chocolate Mix FUN SIZE® including SNICKERS® Bars, M&M’S® Brand Chocolate Candies and TWIX® Caramel Cookie Bars
4 cups M&M’S® Brand Chocolate Candies for Halloween,optional for decoration
8 (9 x 12-inch) sheets black or orange craft foam
Scissors
Non-toxic clear glue
8 paper clips
1 large bowl, basket or container
Raffia

1. Cut 8 hat cones and brims from craft foam.
2. To make cones, place the interlocking slots together and glue. Hold together with a paperclip while drying. Once dry, rim the bottom edge with glue and set on the brim to dry.
3. If you like, fill the bowl with M&M’S® Brand Chocolate Candies. Nestle the hats upside down into the bowl and arrange 3 pieces of FUN SIZE® candies and raffia in each hat.

Kids Halloween

Since I pulled the Magical Pink Halloween I thought I would replace it with a kids Halloween. Sorry my Thursday Tablescape friends. Thanks for your comments on the pink Halloween though! Thanks Susan for hosting. Please check out all the wonderful tablescapes here. Took a white funkin pumpkin and covered it with gauze. Glued eyeballs and orange spiders and placed raven on top! Took about 5 minutes- easy!
The placecard is put in a skull found from $ Tree. Just put a slit in the top.

Found these favor bags last year at Big Lots after Halloween clearance for 59 cents- got to love those after clearance sale. Stock up!!

Cut out spider and boo using contact paper. I love using contact paper because it already has an adhesive on back just peel and stick. Added rhinestones for eyes. When done with party simply pull off or use disposable cups and throw away!

Pulled Magical Pink Halloween Tablescape

I woke up this morning and looked at my Magical Pink Halloween and it was not my best work. I was trying to quickly get it done to post in time for Tablescape Thursday but don't like the outcome so I pulled it. I will try it again later. Sorry!! Thanks for the comments that I did get though! I hate when things don't come out like you see it in your head!!

Maddycakes Muse was featured!!

Amy at Stem parties featured Maddycakes Muse! I am so excited! Amy is such a talented event planner in the St. Louis area that I am so honored to be on her blog!! Check it out here! If you have never visited her site before you are in for such a treat! She is ridiculous!! (that means really, really good)

Safari Party

I love doing my 8 signature party themes but I really love when a parent asks me for a custom party. Today Maddycakes did a safari theme party for a gorgeous and very sweet 5 year old named Emory. Remember the safari boarding pass invitation we blogged about a couple of weeks ago? If not - check it out! Here are some pictures I snapped about 5 minutes before guests arrive. One of my New Year's resolutions will be to learn Photoshop!! Who has the time to get perfect photos right before a party- so I need to learn how to EDIT!! The napkin rings were snap bracelets. These were a huge hit with the kids.

Don't you just love the animal frame that we used for a placecard! As you can see I did the whole animal print theme. The kids kept their animal cups and frames also.

I found these fans on Oriental Trading. I couldn't resist because they were only $3.49 for 12. I didn't know how I was going to use them but I could not say no to the price! I ended up using them for part of the centerpiece. I attached animal print words to them and put them into the animal print take out boxes.

The fans sat on top of a grass mat (actually it was a practice putting mat) and I put animals on it. Get it- safari!

The favors were animal print take out boxes which had animal crackers inside.

Included in every party package we do personalized theme stickers. So this one said Emory's 5th birthday African Safari.

The kids menu was animal striped pizza, animal cupcakes and juice. I threw in some gourmet popcorn so the mom's would have something to munch on.
The activities were an elephant race, tattoo station, animal puppet making station, animal pick up (safari version of musical chairs-stuffed animals are put in middle, kids walk in a circle when the music stops kids pick up animals) and animal cracker safari. Before the kids went on their animal "cracker" safari -they got safari pith hats and binoculars.

Put the personalized stickers on bags for the popcorn.

In the next couple of months here are the parties that are on our calendar. So stayed tuned....

-pumpkin carving

-Halloween Oscar Bash ---it's next week so will give you all details on later blog

-Havana Nights

-Pink Party

-Dr. Seuss

-Red and Aqua party

-Ornament/cookie exchange

-Breakfast at Tiffany's

- and of course my usual weekly signature theme parties. Life is good! I love my job!

DIY Garland

I just love this ball garland found on Martha Stewart Weddings. Who doesn't love Martha???
The garland is made out of spray painted foam balls and strung together with fishing line. How clever and an inexpensive project! Change the colors and it could fit for any event. Okay, my crafty ladies and gents, how did they get the fishing line through the balls?

Tablescape Thursday- A Green Thanksgiving

It's Tablescape Thursday...Yeah!! Once again, thanks Susan over at Between Naps odon the Porch for hosting. Please go to her site and check out all of the wonderful tablescapes! As promised, this week I did a Thanksgiving tablescape. Didn't want to do 3 Halloween tablescapes in a row!
Here is my green Thanksgiving! I got the color inspiration from one of my guest bedrooms - green, gold and brown.

The polka dot napkins are under the plates. As you know, I don't like a napkin to just sit on the left side of the plate without any pizazz! You could use a gold paint pen to write your guests on the acorns for placecards.

I just love these green and brown acorn trees that I found at Hobby Lobby (50% off)! I bought the pumpkins and votives last year at Kirklands.

Here was the centerpiece container before gold spray paint. What an ugly green...the picture doesn't show how bad! I got it on clearance from Big Lots for $6.

After a coat of gold spray paint. Just added fruit from my backyard and a couple of floral bushes.

Sorry my pictures aren't good! I bought this nice SLR camera but it's so complicated -I don't know how to use it. So for now, I'm still using my point and shoot. On my list - learn how to use my camera and Photoshop!!

Hobby Lobby had matching acorn ornaments.

DIY project: I put a rubber band around the candle and stuffed leaves underneath then used ribbon to cover up rubber band.

Hope you like my Thanksgiving table- please leave a comment. I love reading them and I'm meeting so many new blogging friends. LOVE IT!!