Coming out of the Closet Part II (FINALLY)

Ok! I was going through the blog and noticed that I never showed you the new shared playroom/craft room. Here is the original post. I had a struggle convincing hubby to let go of one of the guest bedrooms but now he loves it. He especially loves when the room is messy ~ we can just close the door! Here is the before guest bedroom. I really didn't feel that we needed 2 guest bedrooms. We only have guests once a year but me and Maddy need a space for creating everyday!!! Here is the "bedroom" now.

This is Maddy's side. I have the other (small) half of the bedroom for my crafting. I will show you my side tomorrow. Ideally, I would have repainted the bedroom but since we had it professionally done, I didn't want to waste that expense. I added vinyl stickers to make it more "kid" friendly.

I love this table from IKEA. Madison is not the neatest crafter (neither is her mommy). Everything wipes up easily. Crayon comes off easy with Goop Off. Maddy still loves Dora...got her from the 99 cents store. Best thing...it's vinyl when she is no longer in love, it will peel right off!

The metal bins came from Marshall's. I put scrapbook stickers to label for craft supplies. I love her crayon caddy! But of course we have so many crayons she needed and additional crayon bin. Got the cute sqaure flower plaques from Hobby Lobby (I heart that store so much) on clearance for 90 cents. Got the adorable Radio Flyer wagon at a yard sale for 50 cents! I'm such the lucky girl! The cupcake bookends came from Marshall's. (I think they were $9.99)

Maddy's favorite teddy bear..."Mr. Brookstone" given by Aunt Jackie on her first birthday. Rocking chair from Big Lots, rug from IKEA and frog table from JoAnn's (50% off). Her pink stove came from one of my favorite children's resale shop for only $40! She loves it! I love these plastic storage containers from IKEA. They hold of all of Madison's art supplies and plastic mats...of course so no paint gets on the floor! The vinyl flowers came from JoAnn's found them on 80% clearance and butterfly stickers are from Dollar Tree. Got the TV unit from Ikea. I LOVE taking pictures!! I have thousands of them!! I am an avid scrapbooker however, being so busy with Maddycakes leaves little time for it. Of course I had to have a little area to display Madison's masterpieces. I plan on putting several in frames and updating regularly...it's one of my many things on my to do list! Right now I have select pieces of her artwork on a large clip.We got Madison's toy storage from IKEA. Ikea has the best storage solutions-perfect for kids toys. So much for Madison's side of our shared playroom/craft room. Tomorrow I will share my side. I must get a move on...today I am getting my key!!! If your new to this blog and have no idea what I'm talking about...check it out here!

Photo props

I love the trend of moustache on a stick for great party pics. Paper & Cake have done it again this time creating this trend for the kiddos. Love the 3 eyes on a stick. Great for a Toy Story theme party!
The best part ...they are free downloads! Plus you can also personalize the bubbles. Thank you so much Kira and Abigail! I love those chicks!!

My fav is the pirate Arrrgh!!

Madison loves to call herself my super helper...so there may be a super heroes theme party in her future!

Click here for the free downloads! HERE

Quick and Easy Banner

Wanted to share with my peeps my new find at Dollar Tree. I found white cardboard triangles in the teacher section. They come in packs of 5~as you can see that worked out perfect for the Myles name on this mini dessert table! I just cranked out the letters on black contact paper (I love contact paper-so many colors, textures and self adhesive) using my Cricut. Then cut and glued red and white polka dots wrapping paper to 2 of the triangles. The skulls and cross bones are coasters also found at Dollar Tree. You know I love my $ Tree!

With 2-3 parties a week~ I must look for shortcuts, however it still must look good or I won't get paid. :) I know many of you are extremely busy moms so thought this little tip may help my sistas out!!

If you are a follower than you already know, I don't show my signature party themes weekly because that would get boring seeing the same 8 themes over and over again. But I will pick out items and shortcuts from them to share more. My next custom party is a Country Curious George. It's in 2 weeks...but get a move on. Speaking of move on...I get my store next week!!! Yippee!!! I hope you don't mind ~ but for a while this blog will not only be about parties but how to do renovations on a budget!! I love being thrifty...I find it challenging and fun! How about you?

Easy and Inexpensive Paper Cones

Almost a year ago, I showed you all how to make paper cones here. Paper cones have not lost their popularity on the party buffet scene~ they can be used to hold all sorts of food. For Maddycakes parties they are generally filled with gourmet popcorn. (I like to have my "popcorn man" color coordinate the popcorn with the party decor).

I love paper cones but to tell you the truth, I don't like making them. Yesterday, while sitting down getting ready to make them for this weekend parties...Madison was playing with some old paper party hats. She was using them for cups and I thought my baby is a genius!! I couldn't wait to hit Dollar Tree today in hopes to find solid color party hats! Yippee! Not only did I find them but they were exactly the right color and had a cool hologram pattern on them. 8 for $1 - I should have made this a Dollar Day Creation!! Cheaper than cardstock and practically no work! (Ignore Madison's blue paint brush caddy that I stuck my easy paper cone in for pics!)

All I did was cut the string off and put on a sticker that I stamped to coordinate with the party decor.

*Another tip. Sheets of sticker paper is so expensive, if you are going to use stamps for your round tags ~ use name badges/labels. I got a whole stack of them from the Dollar Tree.

My Blogaversary!!

I will be changing out this photo tomorrow from my blog and website. I love it so but Maddy is a year older and so is my business and blog.

One year ago today I introduced myself to the blogosphere. A good friend of mine from college was my first follower! Thanks Melissa! I begged my family to become followers in fear that I would have no others....they didn't except for my niece. Thanks Casara! I cherish every comment and feel like I have friends although we have never met~LaToya, Sue (Someone's Mother), April, Any, Amy from PA, Cindy...to name a few.

Who can forget my fellow party girls~Amy from Stem Parties, Morgan from Pepper Design Blog, Christi from P is for Party, Monique from Enchanted Expectations, Kate from Kate Landers Events, Kristi from The Purple Pug, Eleanor from Pink Peppermint Paper, Abigal and Kira from Paper and Cake, Carli from Dimpleprints, Chris from Celebrations at Home, Kara from Kara's Parties, Shelley from Divine Party Concepts, Kim from Frost Me, Terri from Gossie Girl, Dawn at Not Just a Mommy, my girls at Haute Apple Pie, Jessica from Party Box Design and Susan from Poca Cosas.

(Please forgive me if I didn't list you and YOU KNOW we are tight!! It is 2 in the morning now!)

You are such amazing women and I'm so glad to have connected with you all in some way! Thanks for the inspiration!

I read all of the comments from yesterday's post and looked at every one's blog who had one! I found some really cool blogs....thanks. However, the winner of a $50 American Express gift card is Priscilla from The Teagues blog. Her husband Greg is in the Air Force and currently deployed. She has one adorable son named Landon. Since she is away from her family (and husband) her blog is a way to stay connected with them. Priscilla, I really enjoyed your honesty regarding the struggles as a wife of a military man. I will continue to pray for you, your family and for your husband's safe return home. Many blessings my friend. BTW, you all know I was a Marine for 21 years, right?? Wasn't too hard to pick this one! :)

Please email me your address.

Goals for next year~ I want to reach out to more party blogs and feature more budget parties how to's and do better at responding to comments! Thanks everyone!!

Blogoversary is tomorrow!!

I can't believe it's been a year and tomorrow is my Blogoversary. It looks like I'm not going to reach my 1,000 followers by my birthday goal (my birthday was August 14th) however I'm so happy and blessed to have the many followers that I have. I am truly grateful that anybody finds my "crazy and thrifty" ideas worth looking at. So since there aren't any winners of the Tiffany Necklace, I still want to celebrate my BLOGOVERSARY with a giveaway! I LOVE comments and although I don't respond to them all-just not enough hours in the day- I promise you that I read every one of them on my IPhone all day long! LOL

I would like to get to know you better so please leave a comment on why you blog and what your blog is about. If you don't have a blog~ comment on why you read blogs and your favorite blog besides Maddycakes Muse of course! Keeping the gift a secret until tomorrow-don't want to spoil the fun of you unwrapping it on my blogoversary!

Many Blessings

Belly Bump Ultrasound Photo Invitation

Isn't this invite just darling for a baby shower? I would have loved to show off Maddy's ultrasound photo more!! This comes from an Etsy seller named Design Dream but looks like she closed right now. I'm very sorry for the short posts lately. I am burning the midnight oil trying to get everything done. I really don't have enough hours in the day. So I am losing many hours of sleep time to get things done. Hopefully, once the store is open ~things will change. Bear with me my peeps!! To answer many emails...I take over store property in September and I will keep you posted with every transformation~ I promise.

Oreo Cookies Ladybug

I love to have my food coordinate with my party themes. Being a party planner, I have awesome vendors who I get beautiful pastries and delish desserts from. However, not everyone has this convenience! I'm not a baker so I love it when I find quick, easy and cute recipes like this Oreo Cookie ladybug from Courtney at Between U and Me. What you need:
Oreo Cookies
Red frosting
Mini chocolate chips
Small serrated knife
1. Start by separating each of the cookies in half.
2. Now, take the side without the white filling and use your serrated knife and gently saw that side in half. These are your wings.
3. Take the two wings and press them back on to the other cookie half, gently pressing them into the white filling to make them stick. Place them far enough down to fit your eyes and be sure and separate them to make it look like their flying
4. Frost the wings with red icing and then place mini chocolate chips on top to look like ladybug spots and two for the eyes.

Even I can do this one! Make it yellow frosting for bees!

Dollar Day Creation~Cupcake Liner Lights

I love these cupcake liners....don't they look like mini lampshades!! Too cute! I found these thrifty beauties at Family Chic done by the talented Camilla. There are so many cupcake parties going around...this would be a great decor addition to that theme or would look great at any party. I haven't seen cupcake liners at Dollar Tree but you can find liners at various store $ bins. You can get these cupcake liners at IKEA 65 liners for .99 cents. I love them! I know, IKEA isn't everywhere.....we have one....yippee!! Using an exacto knife, make a cross cut in the bottom of the liner. Remove bulb from socket - slip on liner and replace bulb.

If you're using these indoors - the paper liners are fine. However, outdoor use won't stand up to rain - so you'll have to slip them off when you're through. Camilla has never had a problem – but please use caution and do not leave lights on when not present. Also – make sure paper liners do not directly touch bulb. This project is not meant for long term use. LED lights would be optimal to use since they do not get hot.

Checklist Place Mat

I am a HUGE list girl!! I have every technology device known to man however I always carry a good old fashioned little notebook and pen holding my many, many lists. So when I saw this checklist place mat from Family Fun, I just knew I had to bookmark it for the future when Maddy can read! How great would this be for your kid's morning reminders, which allows kids to take responsibility for their own must-dos.

Materials
Decorative paper
Scissors
Glue stick
18- by 12-inch sheet of poster board
Markers
Clear Con-Tact paper (or have it laminated at a copy shop)
Nontoxic dry-erase marker
Adhesive-backed Velcro dot

Instructions
1. Cut three 6- by 12-inch rectangles from decorative paper. Use a glue stick to affix them side by side onto the poster board.

2. Write a "Do at Home" checklist on the left rectangle and a "Take to School" checklist on the right one (leave a few blank spaces at the bottom of each list for write-in reminders).

3. Have the place mat laminated at a copy shop or cover it with clear Con-Tact paper. Your child can use a nontoxic dry-erase marker to check off items or write additional reminders. Affix an adhesive-backed Velcro dot to keep the marker in a handy spot on the mat.

I'm sure I can find a way to coordinate the colors and theme and use this for a party as well. Hmmm?

Back 2 School Party

The kiddos started back to school here in Phoenix already. Wow, crazy fast summer....I was planning on having a monthly dive in movie party this summer. It's now the middle of August so it's very unlikely that I will have one at all! LOL Here is a too cute back to school party from Staci at Lizard & Ladybug. Loving how she used her kid's little people school bus to hold the snacks. I always look around the house to see things that I can use that I already own for parties. You will be amazed what you already have that can work in your theme with a little bit of creativity!

Simple and really cute centerpiece. You can buy flash cards, crayons and glass bowl all at Dollar Tree ~so economical as well.

I have those polka dot containers found them at Big Lots for $3. Staci used them as cupcake stands. The cupcake wrappers and labels came from Paper Glitter.

I love the "School Lunch" trays from Dollar Tree.

I LOVE the apple cars. My fellow party planning mommy extraordinaire Dawn from Not Just A Mommy is the genius behind these. BTW, do yourself a favor and check out her blog. It is wonderful and she has some really great original DIY ideas!!

I featured these babies before....can use these crayon pretzels for so many different themes.

Thanks so much Staci for sharing your kid's back to school party with us! For many more pics check out Staci's blog!

S'mores pops and Shamu

Here is a great alternative to marshmallow pops for your next party, a camping party or if you want s'mores but don't want the mess. This great recipe and printable recipe card comes from Lisa's Recipe Cards. She has great recipes with recipe cards that are easy to print.

As you know, I have family in town so I am spending quality time with them and trying to be a good hostess. So I've missed a couple of days this week blogging. Madison's cousin is also here (who is only 3 months apart in age) so you know she is having a ball. We are currently in San Diego and went to Sea World today.

I just love this picture of Madison and her cousin. They were just so cute today at Sea World.Here is me and my big girl Maddy. I could not get over Maddy hugging Elmo! Just 3 months ago on vacation at Beaches resort in Turks & Caicos Islands, we had to give away our breakfast with the Sesame Street characters because she would scream anytime they would come near! I was in total shock that she was no longer afraid and didn't even need mommy to stand with her. (a little sad too) Well, that means we can take a Disney cruise next year for vacation since she is no longer afraid of characters. Oh, please tell me where the time goes!! What happened to my little baby girl!? Going to the beach tomorrow.

My Birthday ~Breakfast at Tiffany's Theme

Sorry I left you hanging yesterday by not posting my birthday pics. My hubby surprised me with a night at a resort in Scottsdale for me and my out of town guests. So right after breakfast we cleaned up, packed up and left for a glorious time at the resort. Even though it was a breakfast, you know I had to have a dessert buffet!!I think my favorite decor item was my cake stand. I found the jewelry box at Goodwill. It was originally brown but nothing spray paint can't fix! Spray painted it fuchsia to coordinate with my color scheme and added some pearls to pay homage to Holly Golightly. Got to have cake pops!These beautiful petit fours were chocolate cake. I turned a Dollar Tree square vase upside down and filled it with crystals that I got at Christmas time last year. I wrapped a box with coordinating wrapping paper and ribbon. I secured the ribbon with pearl corsage pins.

All I bought for the table centerpieces were flowers. I used various pieces of crystal inherited from my mother. Of course I had to use my Tiffany Champagne bucket center stage. I filled the crystal with blue M&Ms, fuchsia, blue and silver Hershey kisses. I figured Tiffany jewelry is eye candy ~why not have real candy as well. Plus I have tons of it on hand left over from another party so no additional cost to me! I already showed you my cupcake stands that I made from my wonderful Goodwill finds here.

The Tiffany boxes were Red Velvet cake~my personal favorite! I love the Breakfast at Tiffany blank cards that I found at Papyrus. They were perfect for menus!

The food buffet table. Can you believe I found that picture of Holly Golightly (aka Audrey Hepburn) at Goodwill? It still had the Z Gallerie price tag on it.

Words aren't enough to express how much I love this little girl. I am eternally grateful to my heavenly father for blessing me with such a precious gift! I had such an awesome birthday! Thank you all for the well wishes and lovely birthday comments ~ I feel like we are friends. I guess this is the modern day pen pals!