Red, White and Blue Cake

What with Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day right around the corner, even my dreams have been in Red, White and Blue!

Let me take just a moment of your time to share a little cake I threw together. All you need: box of cake mix (plus the egg and so forth), cake pan (small medium or large will do), a batch of butter cream (although can of frosting would work just as well), and some Patriotic Nonpareils.

First, bake your cake layers - as directed - and after a bit of cooling time, you will want to slice off the top bump to make flat on the top. I find a long serrated knife works best. For this cake, I used a 6 inch round and I baked up three of them (still only 1 box of mix) I also used a 6 inch cardboard round as a base.

Next, after whipping up your batch of butercream frosting, use a bit to fill between layers, then do a crumb coat. That is, completely cover your cake in a thin layer of frosting to keep all the crumbs in. Refrigerate for 20 minutes.

 Buttercream Frosting
    •    8 oz. unsalted softened butter
    •    4/5 c. powdered sugar
    •    2 T milk
    •    2 t. vanilla extract
    •    2 t. fresh lemon juice
In a stand mixer, fitted with a paddle attachment, add 1/2 the powdered sugar plus all of the other ingredients. Beat until moistened. Add the rest of the powdered sugar. If the frosting is still too thick, you can add a tiny bit of milk at a time until it reaches the desired consistency.

I do find that this next part works best if you are using some kind of rotating cake stand. Coat the sides and top of the cake fairly thickly with your remaining frosting, then, get out your Dritz EZY-hem guide (I know, right?). Hold it parallel to the side of the cake, lightly pressing into it, turning the cake at the same time - drag that hem guide and smooth the frosting out. Cool huh. Wish it was my idea.

And now? the FUN part! I ended up taking the cake outside, because I knew clean up would be super fast using the hose. You could certainly do this inside, but, I'm not coming over to pick up a zillion tiny red white and blue balls off the floor.

Voila! You should totally make this. Add a printable party, or printable photo booth prop set to match and you will be the talk of the block.

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Post-Weekend Update

Thank you everyone for the most successful giveaway that Paper & Cake has ever seen! Hopefully Martha will send some more craft tools our way in the not too distant future - cross your fingers.

I'm not sure if you noticed, but Paper & Cake has a new logo! No, not here on the blog yet - but on Facebook, twitter, etsy and flickr to start. This is just a taste of what our new (and much improved) site will look like, I can hardly wait until it is ready to share with you! Want one for yourself? Visit our FABULOUS and ultra super talented graphic designer who created this for us.

In the meantime, I am still basking in the glow that is all things Rainbow of Bugs printable birthday party. It seems as though every time I turn around, there are more rainbows?

What's coming this week? Well, we need to talk Memorial Day - how will you celebrate? AND I will have a poll available on Facebook for you to pick what type of photo booth prop set you want next, "Graduation" or "On the Farm".

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GIVEAWAY: Martha Stewart Craft Tools

I am SO thrilled to be able to offer craft tools and supplies furnished by Martha Stewart herself! Last week I received a box from the MSLO offices in New York, and could hardly wait to offer it to all of you as this week's giveaway. What did she send? I'm glad you asked!

Martha Stewart Crafts

• Glitter Set - 24 Jars
• Punch Around the Page - eyelet lace
• Punch all over the Page - butterfly
• Circle Cutter
• Paper Pad - 8x8" Brights

A package worth over $100!

But wait, there's more. Let's tack on a little $50 store credit from - yours truly - Paper & Cake! Use it to purchase our ADORABLE new Rainbow of Bugs printable party, or for the more adventurous Jacques Cousteau type, our Shark and SCUBA birthday party.

To win these two prizes worth over $150, leave your comment on this post telling me how Martha Stewart has influenced your life.

You can also get up to two extra entries by becoming a Facebook fan, Twitter fan or by bringing along a friend, who also leaves a comment. Your comment on this post will be your entry into the giveaway.

You have until Friday, May 20th at 5pm (PST) when one lucky winner will be announced.

This giveaway is open to US residents only. Please be sure to link your name, email or blog to your comment. The winner will be determined by random.org. 

UPDATE: Congrats to our Winner! Kristin of  Meringue Bake shop!

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P&C Real Life Party: Sharks and SCUBA divers (part 2)

I do love it when a plan comes together. I'm talking about all the little details that just happen because maybe the planets are aligned... or maybe because the force is with you? Notice the beach towels as tablecloth - I had no idea that I already had these towels in my linen closet - a perfect match!

A Smoothie Bar with custom made smoothies on the spot. It takes a special husband to find this kind of patience. He was pretty funny with the kids too - asking them, "would you like banana? would you like strawberries? would you like ketchup and mustard?"

And take a close look at the cake toppers from Edible Details, they not only match the party exactly, but fit oh so perfectly on the cake! Brittany can make these for you as well - and ship across the country with ease.

Lucky for me, my daughter has a shell collection - otherwise these centerpieces would have taken a bit more time and maybe even some money to put together.

Rounding out the food table, some healthy snacks, a pretzel bar, lemonade and ice tea. Yum!

Stop by the shop today for your Shark and SCUBA printable party collection. And don't forget that this party has a corresponding Party Planning How-To guide just chock full of party info, lists and recipes.

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P&C Real Life Party: Sharks and SCUBA divers (part 1)

Last Saturday we celebrated my son Jack's 6th birthday - practically underwater (DISCLAIMER: no part of this party was actually underwater, nor was any guest attacked by a shark). Jack is learning all about all ocean life in school this year, and has been completely obsessed with sharks as of late. So, what's a mom to do but create a Shark themed party complete with SCUBA accessories.

Decor in the yard to welcome/warn party goers. Yes, that is a 6 ft great white cardboard shark. They are quite rare, and hard to catch.

Once inside, the guests were nearly frightened away by the shark above the fireplace, but alas, he was stuffed - with a meal of swimmer. The Dive flag was raised, warning all of the SCUBA divers below.

Jack and his buddies had a choice to dress in scuba attire or don a shark fin. Pretty much everyone wore both at some point, but almost all started with the scuba tanks. Because the tanks had a "regulator" that went in the mouth, I put out some home made stickers and name tags to differentiate their little germ factories.

I have not laughed this hard in a very long time... their little masks were fogging up, and yet, they were taking it all very seriously.

Now for an activity, I just took into consideration that a 6 year old boy, and his friends, would require some time to run. Just run. Flat out, RUN. This was an obstacle course with a twist. The kids lined up on two teams, and had to run with a tiny cup of water through the course and pour what water was left into a jar. So the team to fill their jar first, well, was the first team to fill their jar (we are a non-competitive family). Those boys were having some fun!

After the first couple of turns through the line, all the kids just wanted to do the course. So I passed out more little cups, and boys were running - on either side - just going for it! It was really cool to see it (and they burned lots of energy).


The Shark and SCUBA Birthday Party printables and coordinating Party Planning Guide are available now - get your party started today!

and stay tuned for part 2... we will cover the food and the CAKE! 

Photos courtesy of Missy and Krista.

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Sneak Peek: Printable SCUBA & Shark Birthday Party

Phew! Just threw this super fun birthday party for my cute son, Jack yesterday - and man am I tired! Be sure to check back by next week for the printable party set and a How-to party guide full of details and tips and tricks - including how to make SCUBA tanks and scary sharks.

SUPER special thanks to Brittany of Edible Details for the cake toppers - be sure to order yours soon to match your party! Also to my paparazzi, Missy of Missy Marie Photography, and Krista of Krista Lucas Photography for taking about 6 million fabulous photos.

I also want to give a shout out to my friend Julia for putting up with me the night before the party - always a life savor in the last minute printing and cutting. And I can't forget my patient husband, my knight in shining shark-shaped-cardboard-cutouts.

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6 Years Ago

My cute son Jack was born. He came 3 weeks early, and was a surprise - mostly because I was convinced I was having a girl - but also because of his shocking crazy neon hair.

And Jack now? Well still crazy, but the hair is no longer neon - just red. He loves Star Wars, his bear called Henry, playing baseball with his dad, singing, his sister and, I'm pretty sure, me.

Happy Birthday Jack!

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