Color chalkboard paint

On my quest for looking for inexpensive ways to fix up my new store, I came across this color Chalkboard Paint! Where have I been? Am I the last person who wasn't aware of all of the fabulous colors for chalkboards?? How perfect is this for any playroom or remember when I posted these chalkboard ideas? Well now you get colors to match your decor and party. Your not stuck with just black anymore! Yippee!! Paint is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to entirely change a look to any room or piece of furniture!

Great colors! I'm loving this....you WILL see this again in the new space!!

Cowboy party

I have been working on my new business plan so taking a break to post this party is a pleasure!! Does anybody else get no sleep??? As promised, Melissa is back with another DIY party this time for her son. It's a cowboy themed party~I love classic themes ...they never go out of style! I am currently planning a Country Curious George party for a 1 year old in September so thanks Melissa for some great ideas!! Here is the party in Melissa words: I made “wanted” signs for all the kids. I found a website that gives you your own cowboy name. http://cs.calgarystampede.com/stampede-now/online-games/nickname-generator.html I thought some were pretty fun. Before the party, I took pictures of each of the kids in cowboy hats and bandanas and then used those for their custom wanted poster. The kids really liked them. I LOVE this idea!!! I will be stealing...I mean using this one!

I found the bandana stars at Hobby Lobby at Christmas time. They are actually ornaments. I used a lot of the bandana theme. I plan on using black, white and yellow bandanas for the Country Curious George party~wish I could have find these stars in those colors!! Too cute!

I made the cake and the cupcakes. I am no cake designer by any means so I thought I’d try to make the sheriff’s star. My husband is a police officer so I tried to use a lot of the western sheriff motif as much as possible.

Real cute signs!

Here is another one of her posters showing pictures every month of the birthday boy!

My husband would not let me get a pony for pony rides so I settled for a saddle from a friend of mine who has horses. I tied horse helium balloons to it as the alternative.

The tags are from ciaobambino on etsy. I LOVE her things! She is so great to work with and does such a fabulous job. I have used her for most of my parties. I will have to check her out! Cute cowboy hat favors filled with goodies!!

Thanks Melissa for the parties. Many blessings to you and your beautiful family. Stay in touch so I can see what you do next!!

BTW, I have read that many of you want to see more of my parties. The bulk of my clients book my signature theme parties. I have stated this before but I only share my custom parties since I am a theme party business with 8 signature theme parties ~ it would be quite repetitious to show them every week. Although I try to change them up weekly ~ they have many similarities (we change out colors, pattern, etc..)

Also, many of my clients do not consent to me showing their parties on the Internet. However, with the new party space, I look forward to showing you a whole lot more! Since now we are expanding...more on that to come. I believe in old-fashioned values, going the extra mile and the execution of unparalleled details.

Only 14 more days until my birthday...please don't forget about the Tiffany necklace contest. Spread the word....put it on your blogs....twitter....FB...I will be your friend!!! LOL

Ballerina Party

This Ballerina/Princess party comes from Melissa. She does not have a blog yet but sent me some wonderful parties. In fact, I've decided to share one of her daughter's parties tonight and one of her son's parties tomorrow. Melissa is a full time attorney (how cool is that) put loves planning parties. Here is a picture of the adorable birthday girl, Gracie. Here is the party details in Melissa's words~ Here are some pictures from my daughter’s ballerina/princess party. She likes to challenge me. It’s not enough for her to have one theme, she needs 2! Unfortunately, my daughter’s birthday is in April, which in Wisconsin where we live means snow, rain or sun. So for this birthday, it snowed that day! I had to move the party to our garage so we would have enough room. I guess that’s what having a “real” party is all about – even if it is in your garage.

For the candy jars, I took tulle and hot glued it to the top of the glass containers to make it look like a tutu. I did the same thing for the drink tub. I also used tulle on the backs of the chairs and on the tables. I draped tulle and white lights from the ceiling.

I'm loving this wreath.

I made the cupcakes, but not the cake this time. I had grand ideas of making a ballet slipper cake but just ran out of time.

For the favors, I purchased blank canvas bags from Hobby Lobby, used puffy pant to put their names on the bags and added pink tulle to the tops. I had lots of ballerina related items in there. Target dollar aisle coincidentally had ballet slippers, tutus, wands and crowns. For the boys, I found knight/prince bags in the Target dollar aisle and then found “knight” gear from the Dollar store – helmets, swords, shields, etc. Melissa, you are my kind of girl!

Since my daughter’s 1st birthday, I’ve made posters of the kids with a picture of them from every month. I’m going to save them and then bring them out at their high school graduation or wedding. I just love this idea....now to execute it before Maddy is 18!

I made the kids tutu peanut butter and jelly sandwiches out of pastel colored bread I got from our local grocery store. They were very time consuming, but very cute! I love this so much~ I shall be copying Melissa.

I had lots of activities for the kids for this party. We played “pin the tutu on the ballerina.” I found a coloring page that I blew up and put on a poster. I made little tutus for each of the kids. We also had a ballet slipper piñata. Melissa, awesome job! When did you have time to prepare for your cases?? I tell you ~mothers are the most amazing people I know!! Stayed tuned for another great DIY party tomorrow from Melissa the Magnificent!

Bubble Party

This lovely bubble party comes from Amy at Living Locurto. She is a talented graphic designer who is also a mommy of two. Amy has wonderful printables and is always offering free printables on her blog as well. If you aren't familiar with her blog~check it out!!! She did the printables for this bubble birthday party which are now available in her shop. Kids LOVE bubbles especially the wee ones! However, this theme would be awesome for a back to school party or end of summer party as well. This party would not cost an arm and leg either. Loving the cookie bar. A tray full of vanilla wafers, icing and sprinkles makes a festive display. Kids truly love making their own creations!

Buy some Dollar Store bubbles and get Amy's printables. Easy and inexpensive but cute favors!

Who knew that pipe cleaners made great bubble wands?? Just fill a kiddos pool with bubble solution and instant fun! You can get the big containers of bubbles from places like Big Lots~super duper cheap too! Check out more party pics and details over at Living Locurto.

Decorative Cotton Candy Tree

(Click on photo to enlarge) Another cotton candy tree for your viewing pleasure (I HOPE)! This cotton candy tree is for looks rather than eats like this one. However, everything else on the table is for eating. Why is it everytime I make a cream puff cone tree people aren't sure they can eat it?
Blessings

Dollar Day Creation

This Dollar Day Creation is not mine but this frugalista did an awesome job transforming Dollar Tree canvases. Here is a comparable artwork from Ballard Designs 9 for $99 on sale. (Orignally $149) This is what Carol from Frugal Life Project (my kind of girl) did using Dollar Tree canvases, spray paint and scrapbook paper.

Here is the tutorial on her blog~ it looks super duper easy!! You could also use fabric to coordinate it with your bed linens, curtains or fabric shower curtains.

I really love this! I am bookmarking this one~ you may see it again!!

Retail vs DIY ruffles

Ruffles are HOT right now!! You see them all over in decor, fashion and of course parties!! Check out this really great ruffled shower curtain from Anthropologie...retails for $118. Why am I showing you a shower curtain?? I use shower curtains for parties all the time. I use them for backdrops for buffet tables, tablecloths, cut them and use for cupcake stand fabric...and so on. (You can find shower curtains cheaper than many fabrics) Here is an awesome DIY version of the above expensive Anthropologie. It was done for $9!!

Tutorial here

Here are a couple of pictures from around blogland that shows this concept as a tablecloth. (source)

I am in total DIY mode. My brain is in overload trying to think of how I'm going to transform a 1074 sq ft old and run down home into a fabulous party location in one month. Since my new venture is in a historic home, you cannot tear down walls. If I told you my budget ~ you would tell me it's not possible and if I told you that I plan on doing all the work myself...you would probably send me to a therapist. Just remember 3 things:

• I am a MAJOR frugalista
• I used to be a Marine and I'm used to hard work and challenges~ and most importantly
• I am a child of God and I can do all things!!

It seems like you all want to see the updates so will start postings as soon as I take over property. (In about 30 days) I hope all those years of watching This Old House with Bob Villa with my mom pays off!!

Ice Cream Baby Shower

Yesterday, I posted an ice cream social. Tonight, I'm posting another variation of an ice cream buffet. I have ice cream on the brain and in my tummy!! It is 110 degrees here in Phoenix so ice cream is a staple in my home. This cute ice cream and butterfly themed baby shower was giving by the dynamic duo of Sheek Shindigs. I LOVE the color combo of orange, fushia and white~very fresh. See how nice it looks when you put a backdrop behind your buffet tables? Love the use of the letters on scrapbook paper circles.

To keep the look cohesive they covered the ice bucket where the ice cream was placed with tissue pom poms. Tissue poms are not just for hanging.

Take the time to label your toppings and food items....it just gives it an extra something special. Plus then you don't have to answer....what is this??? Thanks Sarah for submitting.

Ice Cream Social

This very cute party sent to me from Emily of Tiny Belles Boutique goes to show you that you can have an adorable party for a little dough by using a little creativity and some of your time. Here was the Ice Cream Social invite. Can her daughter be any cuter?? Note the hanging ice cream ... you will see it again in a second....

I have seen these cups at Dollar Tree...Emily got them 4 for a dollar and added the ribbon and printables from TomKat Studio. Love KIM!! BTW, met her at the SITS blog conference that I attended...she is as sweet and beautiful in person as she looks in her pics!

I'm loving that she used terra cotta pots for her topping bar!! Inexpensive and can be easily used again!

LOVE the hanging ice cream cones with the tissue pom pom....remember the invite??

Great way to use these trendy poms! Thanks Emily for sharing and check out her blog and Etsy store for more goodies.

Big News

So it doesn't look like much NOW but I have a vision. Maddycakes is opening a party location!

This store is located in Historic Glendale. The home is listed in the National Register of Historic Homes. I love this area so much. Historic Glendale is full of unique, eclectic shops and has such a sense of community and charm. Those who know me know I LOVE OLD homes and fixing them up!! SO this is right up my alley! I have been eyeing this area for over a year now and after much prayer and talking with the wonderful store owners of this great community; I have decided to take the plunge of store ownership. I obviously have a lot of work to do to make it mine but I'm ready for the challenge. I would love to share the updates .... if you would like to see??? First things first...getting rid of that blue....any color suggestions??

I have a bunch of fabulous real parties in my inbox just waiting for me to post so I will be posting them starting tomorrow.

Your dreams come true when you act to turn them into realities.

Balloon Garland

Here is another gorgeous dessert buffet but what I'm really digging is the balloon garland!! Remember when I posted about using balloon garland before here?? I love how they used a single color on each line like a rainbow. Great impact but not a great impact on your wallet! Love, Love, Love!!

Breakfast at Tiffany's Party

My birthday is less than a month away. It is high time I start the planning process. The first thing I do is go through my bookmarked sites and images to see what ideas I have saved. These 2 photos are from none other than Martha! I am in LOVE with the cone centerpieces. Since I am only having a few girls over for my birthday breakfast~ I will use this idea with a twist of course.

Loving the favor box. (Especially the Cracker Jacks- one must have seen the movie to get that one!) I know I will be copying some of these items. However, will do another container...stayed tuned for so much more.

Funny Lil' Man Party

I am in love with this Funny Lil' Man party from a really talented and creative mommy (Mel) of Bliss Bloom Blog! No detail was left out and such a unique theme. I love, love, love!! It was for her son's 2nd birthday party. (Hence, the big number 2 on the invite!) :)

Loving the tie lanterns. She took the tie and moustache theme and incorporated it wonderfully throughout the party.

The kids place settings. The kiddos also got to take them home. The melamine plates and cups came from Target. If you don't know by now- Target has the cutest melamine plates all the time. They continuously rotate their stock and I'm always finding something I shouldn't buy but can't help myself.

Loving the tie birthday banner!

I love all of the beautiful pictures displaying perfect ice cream buffets and gorgeous dessert tables as well as the next gal. Which many of them are set up specifically for photo shoots. Beautiful eye candy and I get great ideas. However, in the real world it is not always feasible or practical to have. I love the simplistic and practicality of this ice cream and cookie table. Mel pre-scooped the ice cream in baking cups the night before and put in freezer. It made serving dessert easy and no one was left with the inevitable last scoop of melted ice cream.

Real cute mustache favors for adults.

Adorable tie favor bags. Isn't it great when the details are carried throughout from the invitations, decor...all the way to favors???

Favors for the kiddos. Love the vintage tags and twine. In case you don't know, twine is the HOT thing right now. Great job Mel!! Many blessings to you and your family.