Fashionista Party Dress Box Favor with Sizzix - Video Tutorial

It's that time of year again!

The Mini Diva is turning the BIG 1-0!  Double digits ya'll!!!!  I don't know whether to clap or cry!   
This year, we're getting geared up for her FASHIONISTA themed birthday party and I'll be sharing a series of videos with you full of ideas on all the fun elements we're incorporating into her fancy celebration. 

I also have some exciting news! I've partnered up with Sizzix and am sharing how to use their eClips 2 cutting machine to make all party decor for her big day!

Here's the first video in the FASHIONISTA party series - an adorable Party Dress favor box!

Can ya believe that was my first every video tutorial?!!!  How'd I do?  This was also my first time working with the Sizzix eClips 2 Electronic Cutter and I fell absolutely in love with it and the eCal Software (essentially Sure Cuts a Lot) that you use to create and setup all your images. 

I have other cutting machines and I must say, that this machine superseded my expectations by leaps and bounds.  Dare I say, I'm in LOVE with it?  The precision of the cuts are amazing, the software itself is so intuitive, so much so, that it didn't take me much time to figure out how to use many of the features. Now, if you don't own a cutting machine, don't fret!  You can use the ideas I'm sharing and find a way that best works for your own party! 

I'll be sharing lots more on the Sizzix eClips 2 Electronic Cutter and more ideas for hosting a super fab FASHIONISTA party!



I was provided with Sizzix Products to review for this post - all opinions are fully my own.

{Cupcake Monday} Pretty Pink Princess Party Cupcake Toppers

Happy Monday all!

This past weekend, I enjoyed creating a truly fun pool themed Princess Party for a sweet little girl named, Avery.  Here is some deliciously sweet eye candy that we provided the guests with.

I used the Royal Princess printables from my shop and personalized them with her name and age.  I'll be sharing the rest of the party fun with you in a few days.  In the meantime, check out the complete Royal Princess  printables here.

Receive 10% Off Overstock.com for Cupcake Wishes & Birthday Dreams Readers

I heart Overstock.com.  I was looking for items for a Princess Party and found so many items to select from like, kids furniture; this Princess Plush Kids' Crown Chair is a great place to seat the birthday princess as her guests sing Happy Birthday to her.  All princesses love to dress up!  You can also find adorable girl's clothes like this AnnLoren Girls' Princess Crown Tank and Tutu Set. Overstock even has complete Princess Party Pack gift baskets filled with plates, napkins and decorations.  I especially love the home & garden items on Overstock.  I prefer to use reusable melamine plates for my parties.  This Princess and the Frog Play With Your Food Children's Princess Dinnerware Set is perfect for a young princess and her party guests. 




If you're like me, you can't wait to go shopping and especially love a good deal.  That being said, Overstock.com is giving all CWBD 10% off their next order and FREE SHIPPING on all electronics*.  Yeeeaaaahhh!!!!! 

Use the following information when placing your order:

*The 10% discount code:121745 - good for 10% off Overstock products (excluding movies, books, and electronics).  This discount code never expires, however, it can only be used once per email address. Free shipping promo code for electronics: 202234 .

All the ideas and opinions expressed are my own. No monetary compensation was received for doing this post, however, I was provided with a discount code.

Roller Disco and Down the Bayou Sneak Peeks

I am always humbled, shocked and elated when I get emails from readers who contact me and write how much they enjoy reading my blog.  So, when they ask me to help them plan parties for their kids - but they live miles away from me OR in one case, overseas - I just cannot resist and absolutely honored to work with them.

For the last few weeks I have been working with two separate online clients to design custom invites and decorations for their daughter's upcoming parties this month. 

Here is a sample of the collection I did for one of my clients.  Her daughter is going to have a Roller Disco Skate Party - how fun! 

I went with fun bright colors and tried to create a retro feel while still keeping a contemporary look.  I also made a centerpiece for the birthday girl's table - but forgot to take pictures before I mailed it (dang).  I made up signs for the individual guest tables with 70's themed words to identify where people would sit, like 'Way Cool Cats', 'Platform Players', 'Disco Ballers' and 'Foxy Mamas'!

I had another client who reached out to me from overseas back in June after she came across pictures from my daughter's Princess and The Frog party and this other princess party that I did.  However, she put a cool spin on the idea and choose to do a Bayou theme with a touch of elegance.  After corresponding over the course of five months we are finally finished with all the details.  Here is a look at what we came up with:

BTW - I created that damask pattern myself - using PowerPoint, of course and I also did the other patterns.  That damask pattern was a bitch - but I gotterdone!  I am really considering doing some type of video tutorial on creating graphics using PowerPoint - I don't see that many out there and I have had to learn so much by trial and error.  I will put that in my ideas to bank on file.

Overall, both parties and clients have been such fun to work with; I cannot wait to see pictures of how everything turns out!

More Princess and The Frog Party Photos

Here are more pictures from the party.  I am having some camera trouble (I'm in such dire need for a new one) so sorry if they don't look very clear.  Also, I'm doing something I said I wouldn't do and you probably won't see it often, but I included pictures with The Little Mini Diva.  I mean, it is her party after all :)


My PD&P inspired door sign welcoming guests to party

Tissue paper poms blowing in the wind!

I decorated the frame to our canopy gazebo with sheer fabric, tissue paper poms and large flowers and butterflies. 

Party Table before we set it with party hats and tableware.

Sweet Shoppe candy buffet and birthday banner.

Guests filled their bags with sugary sweets!

My daughter had her own personal cake.  I decorated it with fondant, buttercream and purple luster.  The cake toppers were ordered online and I found that number five candle at The Christmas Tree Shops.  I also did the cupcakes as weel. They are decorated with lily pads and the cupcake toppers were ordered online.

I don't think it turned out so bad - it was my first attempt at fondant.

Lily pad cupcakes.

I made a crown for my daughter to wear - you can learn how to make your own here.

Girls got to choose their own tutus for dress up time at 'Eudora's Dress Shop'

The Birthday Girl got her own princess costume and crown.

I hung up mini poms from the chandelier.  I came up with the idea because I had left over tissue paper from my big poms.

I found these garden stakes at The Christmas Tree shops!  Good buys!

I found this seat cushion at Ikea about a month ago and decided it would make a perfect decoration for the Birthday Girl chair. 

We gave away 3 frog themed filled bags for winners of our games.  Kids who didn't win a big prize got consolation prizes.

The girls went home with these satin princess handbag party favors filled with hair accessories, lip gloss rings, glitter pencils, candy necklaces and princess stamp rings.

My mother designed this poster for our "Pin the Kiss on the Frog" game.  She designed it and then printed it on my home printer - I don't know how, but good job mom!

All the kids lined up to play a fun game.....where everyone won a prize.  We also played 'Facilier Says' and had a trivia game where the kids answered questions about the movie to win a prize.

All the girls decorated their own princess crowns for the crafts activity.

After the games and activities, the kids were surprised with a special guest.....

Princess Tiana!!!!!

She read The Princess and The Frog story to the guests and took pictures. 

After the party, Princess Nikki opened all her gifts, but I think this one was her favorite.....

Believe it or not - there are more great pictures.  I'll post those at a later date.

Princess and The Frog Party Photos

Happy Monday!

I hope everyone had a fabulous Easter!

Here are some photos from the Princess and The Frog party I did over the weekend for my Little Diva.  These pictures are of the sweet shoppe that I set up.  You can see the cake and cupcakes that I made.

I have more to post but have to go through them because there are a lot!  Check back later in the week for more.

Birthday Cake and Cupcakes along with loads of sweets for the kids!

More sweets....

Centerpiece that I created for the party table.

Lily pad cupcakes that I decorated with fondant icing

(my first time using fondant -- didn't know what I was missing!)

More Princess and The Frog Sneak Peek, Early Giveaway and the Friday Freebie Winner

The Winner of the Princess and The Frog Party Pack is.....

Congratulations Stevie! Please be sure to contact me within 72 hours of this post to receive your prize!!!

Okay, okay - I know I said I'd announce the party pack winner and the next giveaway on Saturday and now it's after 11 PM on a Sunday.  Well, amongst other things, I have been so focused on getting things together for, what I know call "Princesspalooza" that I forgot to post....sorry, my bad.

In any case, while I was out this weekend picking up items for Princesspalooza I went to one of my FAVORITE stores EVER, The Christmas Tree Shops!  I know what you're thinking....what do Christmas trees have to do with parties?  Well, it's actually a bargain store with just about everything you can imagine. There are seasonal items, party items, toys, food, houswares & toiletries!  They have a bit of everything.  They recently opened a store near me and that just makes my day.  I'd only shopped at the one in CT - but I guess the stores are expanding.  If you have one near you - GO!  While I was there I got all of this!

I actually got more than what is here - but I got everything for under $100 before taxes!!!!  I LOVE CHRISTMAS TREE SHOPS.

Since I didn't get to post the giveaway winner until today and since I most likely won't be able to post a giveaway this Friday (due to Princesspalooza) and I didn't do this week's giveaway, here's what I'm going to do....for Easter I thought a great idea for a party would be an Easter Egg Decorating party. You know, invite a few kids over, get the eggs out on the table, and decorate!  Now, given Princesspalooza is the day before Easter, I'm certainly not getting into all of that.  What I can do though is give away a pack of goodies to get the party started for one of my followers!  Here is what you'll get:

AN EASTER EGG DECORATING PACK!
Giveaway has ended!

You will receive:

- Classic Egg Dyeing Kit

- Sticker Book

- Martha Stewart Egg Dress Up Kit

- Foam Door Hangers Kit

- Marshmallow Egg Candies

- Glitter Pens

(Prize Pack does not include, basket, grass or accessories - sorry)

....and because Easter is right around the corner, the contest will end on 11:59 AM on Tuesday, March 30.  To enter you have to do the following:

- Be a follower of my blog or become a follower

- Leave a comment why you want to win

DOUBLE ENTRIES WHEN YOU:

- Post a link about the contest on your blog or Facebook page

(be sure to send a link back in your comment to verify your post)

Good luck!