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P&C Real Life Party: Happy Un-Birthday Party

>> Wednesday, March 30, 2011

I am just LOVING this party submitted recently by our customer Charlene. No detail was overlooked while creating this Wonderland Tea Party fit for Alice and the "Birthday" Cheshire Cat!









Dreaming of throwing an Alice in Wonderland party for your birthday child? Stop by our shop and download your Happy Un-Birthday printable set, today.

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Spring Break!

>> Tuesday, March 29, 2011



Yup, the kids were home from school last week. All week. The whole week. When school is out there is no work getting done, what with all of the juggling, playing, driving, arbitrating, mediating, refereeing, intervening, resolving, settling, wait I think I said that.

My husband also took the week off. All week. The whole week. He mostly worked on his garage. I should take some pictures and show you all, it's pretty.

Among other things, we did take one big family day trip, and had one extra special afternoon outing with friends. We had SUCH a good time! Yesterday the kids went back to school, the house was so ... quiet.







their first time mini-golfing!

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Lemonade for Japan

>> Monday, March 28, 2011

I received an email late last week from Missy, of Sweet Funky Vintage Boutique, with the most amazing story. Using our Lemonade Stand printables, she and her girls put together a fundraiser, selling - what else - Lemonade. I was also touched when she mentioned that her husband is currently on the USS Ronald Reagan, off the coast of Japan, assisting with relief efforts. Sher wrote about her experience, here is what she had to say...




After the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, I sat down with my girls and we watched a few minutes of the news coverage and talked about how sad it was. I was very proud of my girls for wanting to do something to help. They are always begging to hold lemonade stands and I try not to let them hustle our neighbors for money too often!;) I usually only let them if they can think of a charity or a good cause to donate the money too. The last lemonade stand they held, they donated the money to a neighbor who was saving to travel to the East Coast on her 8th grade trip (Washington DC and New York - woo hoo!). So, we discussed having a lemonade stand and donating all of the money to the American Red Cross for Japanese disaster relief. I asked a few neighbors is their children would like to participate, and everyone jumped at the chance to join in. I am sure we all feel a little bit helpless when faced with a tragedy so huge. I mean, with the economy the way it is, we all feel a little cash-strapped from time to time. But, in comparison to the HUGE need in Japan, we kind of feel like "what can I really do?". But, just imagine, if we all held a lemonade stand and donated the proceeds? We could really make a difference! (jumping off soapbox now...)




The girls and I baked TONS of chocolate chip cookies (2 big tubs of cookie dough from Costco. I heart Costco. But, that's another post). Our friends brought brownies and lemon cookies, and we, of course, served lemonade.

Wouldn't you know that it was cold and overcast. In San Diego. Where it is warm and sunny practically 365 days a year. Not the day of our lemonade stand. No sirree. But, the kids had enthusiasm to spare! No grey clouds were going to rain out their parade! Just look at the pictures!

I purchased the printable decoration set from a fabulous party supply designer, Paper and Cake, and made the banner, paper chain, signs, and straw circles that we used.




We held our lemonade stand for 2 hours and sold cups of lemonade for $.25, and 2 cookies for $.50. Our grand total was.... $181.37.

Thanks, Neighbors! Now, just think, if we all organized a car wash, bake sale, lemonade stand or something similar, we could really make a difference! What could you and your kids do to help?

***

Thanks for inspiring us Missy!
If you are interested in putting together your own printable Lemonade Stand fundraiser, our collection is now on sale for 
50% off today through April 8th. Let's make a difference!

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Cake Balls: Better left to the Professionals

>> Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Do you ever have one of those days when it's spring break, the kids are home, it's raining outside and you have a overwhelming urge to bake? Well, this is the part where I should have just packed them up in the car and drove to the mall. Instead, we made cake balls.

Mistake number one: "Hey kids, want to help mommy in the kitchen?"






Okay okay, so it did get calmer and more fun as we went along. The kids were really excited to help out.




Now, you can find recipes for cake balls and cake pops almost anywhere online these days, but I had a Bakerella book that I received as a Christmas gift that was all shiny and new. So, I baked my cake and let the kids crumble it up in a giant bowl. Then they stirred in the frosting (really, you have to read the recipe) without too much of a mess.




Mistake number two: "Wouldn't it be fun if we used this pan of little cakelet molds that has been in the pantry for 3 years?"




There is probably a way to do it without all the cake sticking inside, but spraying it wasn't enough - let me know if you figure it out. Anyway, those helpful kids of mine jammed cake into all the little molds.




After freezing, and prying all the cakelets out one at a time with a knife, I got to dipping in melted chocolate. The kids had had enough at this time and were out in the garage with dad - I'm sure up to no good.






I would say it took a good hour of dipping time - mostly because I had to take a break, or two, and check my facebook - before I was finally finished. They are not the most beautiful things to look at, but boy they sure tasted good!




Want some advice? Leave the cake balls to the professionals, or at least try to follow their directions!

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P&C Real Life Party: Art Birthday Party

>> Monday, March 21, 2011


My sweet daughter turned 9 last month. Nine. Years. Old. It seems like just yesterday I was planning her first birthday party - my first real party planning adventure. But, that's another story for another day.

Anyway, Autumn has been an artist since birth - I'm pretty sure it's in the genes. My mother is the director of the American Museum of Ceramic Art, she began her artistic career as a ceramicist just after I was born. Her parents, both extremely creative. My mom's sister - Aunt Janet - also an artist. See? in the genes I tell you.

So this year, when my daughter asked for her birthday party theme to be "all-things-Art", I was excited! Fun to plan, perfectly age appropriate, and lots of ways to save money!



Luckily for me, Autumn chose to do away with a traditional cake in favor of ice cream sundaes. We had a wide variety of toppings and sauces to put on top of plain vanilla or chocolate ice cream.




We also had some yummy cakeballs on hand, supplied by Terri's Party Treasures, served in artists palettes to match our theme.




That's my mom... the director of AMOCA giving the kids a little abstract art lesson. They painted with anything and everything I could think of, including straws and feathers.




And if that wasn't enough, Autumn herself put together a Photo Booth area that she and her friends used to take pictures of each other. Is she my kid or what?




Happy Birthday to my baby, ahem, I mean big girl?

Is your Birthday Child dreaming of an Art Party? How about a Printable Art Party! This Spectacular paper printable set comes complete with everything you see in these photos, and more! It includes:

Invitation (fits A6 envelope) +
Address Labels +
Thank You Note
Birthday Gift Log
Jar Labels +
Candy Buffet Labels +
Mini Popcorn Boxes
2” and 3” party rounds +
Pennant Banner +
Table Tents +
Front Door Sign +
Straw Markers

All the items listed with a + sign can be easily personalized -by you- using nothing more than adobe acrobat reader (free from adobe.com).

Now here is the best part - we are now offering an Art Party Guide so that you can easily throw this party with all of our tips and tricks. With lists and schedules and plenty of instruction, the printable Art Party Guide will help ensure your success with an Art Party of your own.

One last thing.... and its a good one... included in the Art Party Guide package is the beautiful Art Supply Posters that you can upload to your favorite photo printing website and hang for added themed decoration.




So? What do you think? Stop by Paper & Cake to purchase the Art Party Printable collection and the printable Art Party Guide (a new website is under construction) your artist will thank you!



SPECIAL THANKS.... to my sister Missy of Missy Marie Photography for taking ALL of the photos at the party, to Terri of Terri's Party Treasures for the yummy rainbow cakeballs and lastly to Jenn at Hostess with the Mostess for featuring this party on her fabulous blog.

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New Party! All Aboard the Printable Train Birthday Set

>> Tuesday, March 15, 2011



Does your little one eat, drink, breathe, dream and play with a certain blue Tank Engine? Throw a birthday party they will remember long after the train runs out of steam! In this Printable Train Birthday party set:

Printable Invitation (fits A7 envelope) +
Thank you note and Envelope
Front Door Sign +
Crayon Box +
Individual Train cut outs
Cup Sleeves
Snack Box / Hamburger Sleeve +
Cone Party Hats
Cupcake Picks +
Pennant Banner +
Birthday Engineer’s Hat +
Goodie Bag topper +
Train shaped serving tray
Gift Log
2 styles of coloring pages

+ Customizable item - Those items with a + sign can be easily personalized, by you, using Acrobat Reader - a free download from Adobe.com.



Customizable Train Invitation - you enter your information using Acrobat Reader



A simple and age appropriate tablescape can be beautiful AND healthy.






this pennant banner can be customized by you - spell any words you wish



Serve healthy snacks in fun containers - your tots will come back for seconds!





Train shaped serving tray filled with goodie bags







you can even write the guests name on their cup sleeve



these matching fondant cupcake toppers from Edible Details are custom made to match this Train Birthday... 
order yours today!





Special thanks to Brittany of Edible Details for the spectacular MATCHING custom fondant cupcake toppers. These are the perfect addition to our Printable Train Birthday Party - order yours today!

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Sneak Peek: Printable Train Birthday Party

>> Friday, March 11, 2011

Just HAD to share the (almost) finished product... Check back next week for the cutest little printable Train Birthday party!





AND check out these custom MATCHING fondant Train cupcake toppers from Edible Details!


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Guest {Cousin} Krista: Dinosaur Party

>> Monday, March 7, 2011


 Happy Birthday Boy with his crown


As soon as I saw Paper & Cake's dinosaur party, I knew I had to have it for my son's 5th birthday party. I love the colors, and the dinosaurs are perfect!


The Invitation:



Here's the invitation (totally customizable so you don't even have to write in the information...just type it in once and you're set!) I found these envelopes with a set of stationary at - $10 for 100 flat cards and envelopes in assorted colors. I figured I would use the fun envelopes in the future, and I like to have flat cards around to use for other crafts, so I'm sure it will come in handy.


The Decorations:




Customizable banner

I added streamers for a little something extra (about $1 per roll at Party City). Then we added balloons in two shades of green.



Door Sign


The Activities:



As the kids were arriving, I put out paper lunch bags and a bucket each of markers and dinosaur foam stickers. Each child decorated their treat bag with their name and some dinos. I then stuffed these with a sheet of dinosaur stickers, a few dinosaur tattoos, and some fruit snacks. (I added a couple of plastic dinosaurs after we did our fossil activity as well.)

After they decorated their bags, I took photos in our little dinosaur photo booth! We had dinosaurs on sticks, hats, magnifying glasses, and mustaches. I also borrowed a large dinosaur toy from a friend and hung up a sandy colored backdrop.






Then the kids all sat at the table and we made fossils! A good friend of mine who teaches kindergarten gave me the idea and it was a huge hit!!

Materials: crayola model magic clay, a pail of plastic dinosaurs, a pail of rocks, some plastic shells/shell-shaped beads, a square of cardboard for each child, and some watered-down brown tempera paint and a brush.



Each child got a ball of clay that they flattened onto their cardboard. Then they press dinosaurs, shells, rocks, etc into the clay leaving an imprint. once they finish then they painted it with the brown wash to make it stand out a little bit. The kids loved it, and my mother-in-law (a former art teacher) did a great job telling them what fossils are and helping the kids while I made lunch.





The Food:
For lunch, I served dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets (from costco), apple slices for herbivores, and dinosaur bones (pretzels). I loved using the treat bag toppers as food labels! (I used them on the bags too, but forgot to take a picture, of course!)






The kids loved that their juice boxes had dinosaurs on them!




After lunch, we did a T. Rex excavation using plastic sand molds.  I had originally planned to have the party outside, but rain prevented that. I traced the molds onto a piece of poster board, and  ended up hiding the bones in my living room before the kids got there. I showed them the picture, told them that they were paleontologists looking for dinosaur bones, and they went hunting. They placed the bones on the board once they found them. They loved it!


The Game:



Finally, we played pin-the-horn on the triceratops. You can buy this game, but since my mother-in-law is so talented I asked her if she could paint a triceratops. I was in awe of what she created! I traced the horn onto some white cardstock for the kids' to play. They were so funny. And I'm hanging that triceratops in my son's room now!


The Wrap up:



Finally, it was cupcake time! Looks like they had fun!




There are so many game/activity options for a dinosaur-themed party for almost any age - I liked this one and this one. Have fun partying!


Discover more about Krista, at Krista Lucas Photography

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