GIVEAWAY: Martha Stewart Party Crafts

Who wouldn't be excited to check their mailbox and find a giant envelope from Martha Stewart? I know it wasn't actually from Martha herself, but eh, close enough.

Anyway, inside? Super fabulous items from her Party Craft line!

• Eyelet Cupcake Stand
• Pink Pom-pom Garland
• Tissue paper Pink Pom pom kit
• Eyelet paper Lanterns

Over $50 worth of ultra party crafting cuteness!

And how about a couple of half off coupons for Joann? Just in case you needed some glitter or ribbon or stickers or beverage labels or cake and cupcake stencils?

and you know I wouldn't stop there because what is a party without some Paper & Cake printables? A $50 shop credit goes a very long way toward throwing the party of your dreams (handmade by you of course). Our Pink Polka dot printable party or the Printable Pink Pirate party or the Fairy Wonderland printable birthday party would all work perfectly with these Martha Stewart party craft items.

*  *  *

To win these prizes worth over $100, leave your comment on this post telling me which Martha Stewart Party Craft item is your favorite!

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, June 24th 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... Dana Beeman!

Read more...

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!

Read more...

Who, Me?

It has been the most amazing whirlwind of a ride this year (all 33 days of it)! An amazing trip to New York (I never go anywhere), breathing the same air as Martha Stewart (and I'll tell you, it does not stink), meeting amazing and talented women from the blogosphere (DID+Amy+Jenn), and tops off with a little thing called the Martha Stewart "Doer of the Week".

But, I couldn't have done any of this, with out the never-ending support from you -- my friends, family, readers, followers and faithful customers. Thanks for being there for me, I appreciate it!


And now, I'm off to bake a cake and wrap a gift, my cute little girl turned 9 today! Now THAT is an accomplishment!

Autumn at 3 weeks... a rare moment of quiet

Read more...

the end: A Martha Adventure

Day two of the Dreamers event in NYC, held less freezing rain and more lovely speakers. We began the day with a little welcome breakfast and a fantastic workshop lead by Terri Trespicio the Senior Features Editor at Whole Living. It actually felt like she was speaking directly to me - seeing as how I can't seem to find any work/personal balance these days. If I could have put her in my suitcase and brought her home you better believe I would have!

Over lunch, we heard from Maria Otero, Founder of Women's Venture Fund. She brought along two of her clients to tell us their success stories - Jackie of La Lumina and Yukiko of Tesage - fascinating! In the afternoon we were treated to a little cooking demonstration by none other than Sarah Casey, the food editor for Martha Stewart Living, I'm pretty sure Brenda fell in love.

And with gift bags in hand, all the Dreamers said good bye to one another, and good bye to our Martha adventure. Would I do it again? You bet! Will I get to shake Martha's hand next time? I will make it my mission!

But, wait, Brenda and I had one last stop - Jean-Georges' Spice Market. We ordered their "tasting menu" which for any price was unbelievable. This is what we ate:

Shaved Tuna, Chilli Tapioca Asian Pear and Lime (then I licked the bowl)

Lobster Summer Roll, Citrus-Dill Gelee Sriracha Emulsion

Spiced Chicken Samosa Cilantro Yogurt

Charred Chili Rubbed Beef Skewer Thai Basil Dipping Sauce

Cod with Malaysian Chili Sauce, Thai Basil

Char Grilled Chicken with Kumquat Lemongrass Dressing (I'm not kidding, it made me cry)

Ginger Fried Rice

and for dessert? Ovaltine Kulfi, Caramelized Banana with Spiced Milk Chocolate Sauce. To DIE for! and sadly paired with their Thai Jewels Crushed Coconut Ice, which on its own is probably fantastic, but alongside the kulfi just didn't stand a chance.

stopped at the Chelsea Market and went to Jacques Torres Chocolates for some, well, chocolate!

Yum. What a way to end the trip! Thanks for listening to me go on and on - I promise to have some new product for you... this week!

Read more...

part 2: A Martha Adventure

Martha answering questions after the taping

So now that Martha and I are BFF's, she invited me back to her corporate offices for a day of workshops. Okay okay, so it wasn't just me.

Brenda and I walked the 4 blocks (again in the FREEZING RAIN, and stopping to buy a crappy umbrella) arriving at her office building (a 50 thousand square foot number, spanning a city block) looking like a couple drowned rats. So, before walking into lunch, we paused to wring out in the restroom.

I'm not even kidding, this was on that back of every stall door

We were immediately thrown into a room with SO many talented women! Where do I start! Jill from Modern Cupcake, Terri from Terri's Party Treasures, Kristen from 3 Little Birds, Barbara from Kitchen Kuffs, Peggy from ComfyCozy, Maria from Maria Harper Designs, Crista from Creations by CristaMarie, Laurie from Twinkle Couture, Johanna from Familytopia, Lindi from Love the Day, Jasmine from The Couture Cakery, Danielle from A Few of My Favorite Things, Jean from Rotem Gear, Andrea from Dolce Drive, okay I'll stop now.

So, Terri Shapiro, from Deluxe, spoke about public relations while we ate a beautifully catered lunch. We listened to Brenda Dargan of MSLO talk about social media, and Danielle Marvel from Etsy give us tips and news for the future. So much great information - my brain is on overload. Overload. Overload. The day wrapped up with Martha herself showing up to interview Susan Solomon co-founder of NY Stem Cell Foundation.

Sadly, we did not have the opportunity to get a group photo with Martha. Could it have been the bum rush at the end of the evening? 80 women dying to shake her hand, thrust their business card in her general direction, kiss her feet? I was definitely one of them.

and once again, it's time for me to go to bed... more tomorrow?

Read more...

part 1: A Martha Adventure

I am tired. It is late. So I'll make this one short short short!

As Brenda and I walked out of the hotel this morning, we met up with a lovely "Dreamer" named Heather. You may have heard of her? She deigns the most amazing children's backpacks and accessories. Anyway, there was not a cab in sight, so the three of us hoofed it the 4 blocks (long blocks, really long sleet filled blocks, these were NOT petite blocks) in the FREEZING RAIN to Martha's studio.

Once there, we had was a little bit of waiting, form filling out and mandatory bathroom breaks, before we filed into the studio itself. They do require bright and colorful attire for the audience, so I think it was the bright mustard jacket that got Brenda and I placed in the FRONT ROW! (thanks for the suggestion Missy)

The guest of the day was the oh so funny Fred Armisen (of Saturday Night Live). He made chicken tostadas with Martha. Now that doesn't sound very humorous, but the way he handled her was definitely memorable.

I did really enjoy the taping, but it was just bizarre to be there. If you want to see me smile and clap, watch this...




Well, it's off to bed... more tomorrow!

Read more...