I think I love edible markers…

I recently made Stormtrooper Marshmallow Pops in the easiest-way-possible…by using edible markers to draw the stormtrooper face on.

I can’t believe how easy and cute this turned out to be.

It got me to thinking (yes, I do that sometimes). What else could you use these fabulous edible markers for? How could they make your party treats that much better?

Look at some of these ideas:

You can use them, of course, to write on cookies…

(Isn’t that doodling idea awesome?)

And you can use them (following similarly to what I did with the large marshmallow pops) on small marshmallows to create monster cupcakes (great for monster-themed birthdays or Halloween)…

Yep. They seriously may be one of my new favorite party tools.

There are several brands, by the way, that can be bought in all of your local cooking and craft store and also in places like Walmart and Target. This is the brand I recently found:

 

Memorial Day Ideas

I hope you’re anticipating the opportunity to enjoy a long, three-day weekend. If you are so lucky, I am guessing that there is a barbecue, or pool party, or family get-together in your future.

You need some ideas for the celebrations, however? Well, then…I am here to help!

How about these fantastically cute Hamburger Cookies? They are made simply by stacking vanilla wafers, thin mint cookies, green-tinted coconut, and yellow and red frostings. (Found originally at Six Sisters.)

And then there are these very patriotic Red, White, and Blue Strawberries? Just dip them in chocolate, then sprinkle with appropriate colored sugars. (Found originally at Plain Chicken.)

Going with the same color scheme, how about some patriotic Pretzel Sticks? This is always one of my favorite go-to treats, because you can match it to pretty much any party theme. (Found originally at Life is a Sunset.)

You might want some vegetables at your Memorial Day cookout or party, right? Nah. You just need these adorable Corn-on-the-Cob Cupcakes? (Found originally at Family Fun.)

But, wait. You wanted some actual “food” to eat with all those yummy treats? How about this delicious Slow and Smokin’ Texas Brisket? (Found originally at McCormicks.)

Round out your party with a delicious drink to wash it all down. This Raspberry Lemonade looks perfect for it. (Found originally at All Recipes.)

Do you have fun plans for the weekend? I’d love to hear all about it!

A 16th birthday party is on the horizon…

Time sure flies…evidenced by the fact that my middle daughter, Delaney, was just recently toddling around in diapers and now she’s turning 16 in mere weeks.

My Delaney is a free-spirited, intelligent, creative, and fun-loving teenager. And so that means that she would not have anything to do with a regular Sweet 16 party. Instead, she had to come up with something completely unique/bordering on nerdy.

She has discovered a love of all things Shakespeare, and especially loves “Romeo and Juliet.” Hence, she asked if there was any way I could throw her a R & J/Shakespearean/Elizabethan-inspired birthday party. Of course, I said YES.

Her party is in three weeks and we are currently in the planning, collecting, buying, anticipating stage of the party. We’ve come up with a tentative plan which includes…

* A cake/dessert/treat bash with such things as a layered cake, other sweets, themed drinks (Sleeping Potion and Poison)

* A vintage typewriter to use for invitations and birthday greetings.

* A photo shoot with feathered masks for all the guests.

* A color scheme of gold, silver, and burgundy.

* An outdoor/backyard viewing of the “Romeo + Juliet” movie.

* Lots of other fun stuff Delaney’s still coming up with.

We’ve found lots of inspiration and ideas on the Internet. Like…

Check out those and all the other ideas and inspiration we have found and pinned onto our Pinterest page aptly titled “Delaney’s Turning 16.”

Pinterest Board

 

Some Summer Party Fun (and diy inspiration)

Are you as ready for Summer as I am?

My kids are counting down the days until “school’s out for Summer,” and I have to admit that I’m ready for some sleep-late mornings and pool time.

Summer, in my opinion, is the best time of the year to have a party. Whether it’s celebrating a big Summer birthday (my middle daughter turns 16 on June 11, so we are in full-on party planning mode), enjoying wedding events, or just lazing around the backyard with your close friends…Summer is the perfect time to entertain.

For your enjoyment and inspiration on this early Summer afternoon (what, it’s not Summer yet in your neck of the woods? Down South, it’s already a roaring 85 degrees and my air conditioning is officially on!), I give you some ideas that just shout “sun and fun.”

How beautiful are these images from a luau birthday? The cake is gorgeous, and that do-it-yourself wreath made with paper umbrellas is perfect! (Found at Hostess with the Mostess.)

An easy cake for a Summer party is this sun cake made simply with a round cake (homemade, cake mix, whatever works for you), and yellow frosted sugar cones for the “rays.” Add some edible yellow glitter and you are good to go!

I love the idea of getting out the hula hoops for the little ones (and, well…the older kids too. I love to hula hoop!), and as an added bonus you can use the hula hoop and other props for a photo drop area. (Also from Hostess with the Mostess.)

Watermelon is the perfect Summer treat, and how adorable is this watermelon cake. (Found at Taste of Home, which always has wonderful food and fun ideas.)

Yellow just makes me think of Summer (think: sunshine, lemonade, happiness!), so I adore this Hot Air Balloon party with lots of cheery yellow. (Found at Simplified Bee.)

And who doesn’t need a yummy drink to cool off after a hot Summer Day? These refreshing drinks…Non-Alcoholic Citrus Rosemary Cooler and Watermelon Picnic Cocktail…hit the spot, I say! (Both found at Ruche.)

Now…aren’t you ready for Summer to get here?

It’s an Art Party

I’ve been noticing a lot of art parties on online party sites and blogs recently. And I can understand why…they are fun, interactive, colorful, and filled with plenty of great ideas for activities, food, treats, and decorations.

I recently hosted an Art Party for 20-year-old McKenna and it was a blast! Everyone seemed to really enjoy the theme…enjoying the tie-dyed cake and rainbow-colored-themed treats, and getting into the artsy activities.

Here are some photos from the party, to give you some ideas and inspiration for your own artistic celebration.

On the party menu?

Tie-Dyed Cake, Artist Palette Cupcakes, Rainbow Fruit Skewers and Fruit Dip, Colorful Marshmallows, Rice Krispy “Paintbrushes,” Colorful Candy, and Rainbow Punch.

After eating, blowing out the candles, and sharing gifts, the party guests participated in our own version of “Sips and Strokes,” doing canvas cupcake paintings.

It was a fun, fun time!

Guitar Cake!

I recently made a Guitar Cake for a music-loving, guitar-playing teenager.

I really liked how it turned out (and it tasted great too).

I used the design I found on parenting.com to make the cake. It was really quite easy…using my favorite cake and frosting recipes, and some specific cookies and candies to finish off the look.

Yellow Just Makes a Birthday Happy (Lemonade Mouth Party)

We recently had a blast celebrating Sydney’s 8th birthday with a LEMONADE MOUTH party at an awesome local park (complete with sunshine! high temps! a cool creek! lots and lots of friends!). “Lemonade Mouth” is a super-fun Disney movie that Sydney just loves, so it was a perfect theme for party. Plus…it provide plenty of inspirations for a pretty Spring party (namely, lots of pretty yellows and pinks!).

Sydney’s cake was easy, but beautiful! A delicious vanilla cake colored yellow, frosted with homemade buttercream frosting, and topped with some themed toppers (pictures and ribbons on yellow skewers). We spent an afternoon taking pictures of Sydney a few days before the party, and then used one of our favorite photos as one of the cake toppers. (EASY, diy idea!)

Along with the cake, I made cupcakes with pink and chocolate frosting (and topped Sixlet candies), and other assorted yellow and pink treats.

Goody bags were made with these adorable pink and yellow bags, which were embellished with a “Lemonade Mouth” tag.

Yellow and pink decorations and treats…

Blowing out the candles on the cake is always a highlight (and look what was inside the cake when it was cut).

Themed games are always a great addition to any party. We played lemon races (divided the kids into teams, then raced with lemons on spoons), and then played “pin the quarter on the lemonade machine” (based on the “Lemonade Mouth” movie). Of course, it doesn’t hurt when you have an awesome creek for the kids to frolic in as well.

I made a photo backdrop with yellow and pink streamers and balloons, and it made for some super-fun pictures of Sydney and her friends.

It was a fabulous event for a fabulous birthday girl!