Bugs & Kisses V-Day Party Countdown

Last year I threw my daughter a No Boys Allowed Sweets & Treats Valentine's Day  party for her and her little gal pals. Well, this year, I wanted to do another party for her.  It seems that she goes through "par-tay" withdrawal every other month.  So, in hopes that  this party will keep her satisfied until her birthday in April (not holding my breath at all on that).

When I sat down to design a theme for the party, I was a bit stumped about what to make.  My first thought was Cupid's Arrow - but that really didn't fly with me (get it??? fly??? Cupid has wings.......anyway....), then I thought maybe to do just a bunch of hearts - but that kinda bored me.  Eventually, I decided use a  Love theme.  I got the idea from the Love Bugs printed bedding in her room and I thought it was perfectly cute for a little girls V-day poorty!  So, I created the Love Bugs Party Collection  as a printable pack for my Etsy shop too!

For the last few weeks, I've been collecting all kinds of sweets and goodies for the girls.  I'm so excited to put it all together!!!  Here's the invitation and mailer I created for my daughter to pass out to her friends at school.  I did this after the Super Bowl game last night (more on that later) - I was up until 3 AM - 3 FRIGGIN' AM - crazy....insane.....

I added a little lollipop treat and tied one of the circle tags with ribbon to it. Then I hand wrote 'You're Invited' on the front!

 The Love Bugs printable pack comes as a fill-in invitation - but for the party I created this version.

I love using coordinating foam stickers to seal my envelopes.  FYI - this idea works best if you're hand delivering invitations.  Sometimes, the foam stickers get stuck in the mail sorter or the Post Office won't mail them.  (side note: I have no idea why the envelope is this color pink - it's really a deeper more hot pink color - but whatevs!)

I wanted to add a little bit more interest to the invitations so I threw in some heart shaped confetti and stickers....it's like a little party inside the envelope.  It's also a great way to let guests know what's in store for them at the party - a fun time to be had by all!

I'm also working on some other crafts and decorations I'll be using for the party.  I'll be updating you on those throughout the week - so check back soon!

Oh, BTW, I made all this food for the game and I have no idea why, it was just me and my family (which includes my husband, the kids, three grandbabies - don't ask - and my stepdaughters and one of their husbands)......I was a little sad that more food did not get eaten, until my husband looked at me lovingly and said, "Baby, you always do much more than needed....it was just us, you didn't have to do all of that."  I looked at him and said...."I can't help it....it's just my nature....I love big, fun parties!"  He just smiled and went to lay down for the night.   Yeah, yeah...it really was nothing fancy, but the point is I made a bunch of food....wings, meatballs, sausages, a cheese and meat platter, hot dogs, chips & dips, MORE WINGS, a fruit tray.....I know it won't go to waste though.  Well, anyway, here's the food and table spread....


My daughter's after school  group had a nutritionist as a guest speaker last week - since then, she's been going on about eating healthy foods, I'm not going to complain....this is her creation.

 I love wings most of all.....they are my favorite....unfortunately, they're 3 points each!  I make mine easy, fry them naked (no flour) and melt 3 tbsp butter and a cup of hot sauce in a pan with some celery seed and pour the sauce over them wangs!!!! Mmm-mmm!

My party banner was just too cute, I think!!!

 This is my sandwich platter - it was huge!  not one person ate a sandwich - not even me.....can you believe it?

Some of the Spread

FREE Super Bowl Printables & Tips for Throwing a GREAT Bash

Here are some photos of an easy snack table I created to showcase some of the Super Bowl printables I designed for Sunday's game.

Create an easy and affordable snack table for your guests

Create a festive table using items from our Super Bowl XLV printable party kit

 Show your colors and cheer on your favorite team! 

Print out a table sign letting your guests know that they can help themselves to some delicious bites!

Keep your menu selection simple - Chips & Salsa are a staple for Big Game Parties!

A decorative crepe paper pom dresses up this tiered stand and adds an explosion of color.  Serve your guests platters of Wisconsin Cheese and bite sized Pepperoni or Salami!

Serve snacks like Chips & Pretzels in a fry box!

  Wrap deli sandwiches in parchment or wax paper - makes it look like you hired a fancy caterer!

You can download our Super Bowl Party Printables Kit (fo' free) here.

If you're planning a party, make it great.  Here are my tips for throwing a GREAT Super Bowl Bash!

• Invite GREAT guests - a nice cool mix of guests will ensure a good time to be had by all! 
• Setup GREAT decor - use our Super Bowl XLV printable party kit and other festive accessories to create a fun and sporty atmosphere.
•  Make GREAT food - our lives our busy enough K.I.S.S. (keep it super simple) by preparing  small sandwiches, chips, salsa, wings and bite sized snacks.  Give them a catered look by serving them on tiered stands, wrapping sandwiches in parchment paper and presenting snacks in fun snack boxes.
•  Serve GREAT cocktails - it seems beer and spectator sports go hand in hand, but why not choose one awesome cocktail to serve your guests.
•  Have a GREAT time - more than anything else, kick up your feet and enjoy the game and good company!

 

 

 

Big Game Giveaway Winner

Here's the winner of the slider grill!

She wrote: "Wow!! I love sliders too. And they'd be awesome as I root for the Steelers!!!!"

Hey @AButterflyLife - make sure you email me your name and address so I can overnight your grill for you!  You're also getting a $40 gift coupon to use at CSN stores!!!  How exciting is that?


I'm a little behind on a lot of projects because I was sick with the flu last week.  I already showed you one project I'm wrapping up for my Esty shop.  But , I've also been working on some game day party printables that you can use for your own Super Bowl Bash!  Check back tomorrow to see inspiration photos and tips on how you can create a simple table spread for the big game.


Here's a sneak peek at the designs:

Big Game Giveaway & 'Little Aviator' Airplane Party Collection Sneak Peek

I have been working like crazy on a few new items to add to my Etsy shop.  Here is a sneak peek at one party collection I'm close to adding to the store.  I designed the little airplane a while ago and like so many of my designs, never really completed a  whole collection.  Well, this collection is near completion and I think it's just too cute.  Here is the invitation I made:

Can you believe, I am still using PowerPoint to make everything???  I know one day using that program is going to catch up with me, but it's just so easy for me to use and even though I'm slowly but surely learning Photoshop and Illustrator (thanks mom), I tell you, I've just become accustomed to PowerPoint. 

Well, I had the flu all last week and felt like I was hit by a freight train, so I couldn't post like I wanted to.  I had a great giveaway that I wanted to do and - I still do - I just wish I had more time to run the contest. 

If you love sliders like I do here is your chance to win this All League Sliders Electric Mini Burger Maker courtesy of CSN stores who has over 200 different stores....traveling??? Check out their luggage stores. You can also find many other items!

To enter for a chance to win, just leave a comment below and tell us who you are routing for on Sunday (even if your New England Patriots didn't make it this time).  On Wednesday, 2/2 - a winner will be chosen at random.

UPDATE 2/1/11:  You will also receive a $40 gift code to use any of CSN's stores.


Thanks and good luck!

Unique Super Bowl Themed Cupcakes

Like any modern gal, I like to watch football players, ahem, games with my husband and can say for the most part, I get it. I enjoy the thrill of the game, the action, the hard hitting....bodies....oh....I really do. However, there is nothing more exciting to me than the end of the season. The wrap up. The Big Show. THEE GAME!  You see, any opportunity that I have to put my insanity & creativity to work is an opportunity that must happen. So, with the Super Bowl just a little close to two weeks away, I went-a-Googlin' to find some ideas for cupcakes, because....I do cupcakes, right?

What I found in my initial search, surpised me in that there didn't seem to be much liberty taken in the way of making unique Super Bowl themed cupcakes.  I kept finding the tried and true Football in Grass cupcake.  You know.....this one:

I mean, don't get me wrong, they're cute and an easy way to doll up a teeny cake.  But, it's just been done SO MUCH!  It's almost the go to decoration for football season cupcakes - a staple, in fact.  That's fine, but where was the TWIST?  The SPIN?  The TAKE ON... .  Still, I remained optimistic and knew that there must be other creative geniuses who have decorated with originality, some delicious teeny cakes for The Big Show.

I searched low and high and eventually found a nice handful of ideas.  I finally decided on a Top Ten that do Super Bowl Themed Cupcakes justice - I even found, what I like to call, a man-cupcake recipe that I'll definitely be making over the weekend.

Top Ten Super Bowl Cupcakes!

I think this little guy is just adorable (he's actually a cake, but they have a similar design on the Wilton website for a cupcake)!  If you have the patience for it I say do it!  They're eye catching and for some crazy and almost sick reason, people enjoy eating cupcakes that look like people.....I think.

1.

For a real guy's guy Superbowl cupcake,  here are two that are designed to look like party food!

Hello Cupcake's Pizza Cupcake Cake

2.

Smiley's Sweets and Creations Hamburger Sliders Cupcakes

3.

Here are some good old fashioned, team logo cupcakes.  Yes, we know, these have been done before too, but it's about piping technique in this case.  (For the record, I'm not hinting that the Saints will make it to the Super Bowl, I'm just saying, Reggie Bush is a cutie and that's all I know  )

4.

5.

Yeah, I know what I said, and even though I think the whole football in the grass concept is soooo OVAH, here are some ideas that I think are allowable because they have personality, like this one by Wilton

6.

...or the next two which to me are more simplistic.

7.

I love how these cupcakes by Cupcake Chic have lil' chocolate Peanut M&M's and the piped on detail for the football is nice and simple.

8.

Here is another option from Sweet Avenue Bakeshop; use team colors and decorate with cupcake picks and flags.

9.

This last idea is my top choice....has nothing to do with appearance .  These Chocolate Guiness Cupcakes aren't even necessarily football related, but the fact that they have Guiness in them intrigued me enough to want to make a dozen this weekend (look for the final result in my next post).  Topping this cupcake with a festive cupcake pick or one of those cute lil' Peanut M&M footballs would really finish it off for a Super Bowl party. Here's the recipe if you want to make them!

10.

I have a bonus one -but I couldn't get the picture saved to my computer.  Here is the direct link to the Cupcake Queen's football cupcakes on her Flickr page.  Love those little miniature football players!!!

While we're speaking of cupcakes, I came across this Reynold's Baking Cups website yesterday where you can virtually create a cupcake and then get the recipe for it.  Also they have some adorably cute decorative baking cups; my favorite is this pink and red Damask patterned one that I plan to order for party next month!


Photo Credits:
Wilton Cupcakes
Pizza Cupcake Cake
Hamburger Sliders Cupcakes
Cupcake Chic Super Bowl Cupcakes
Cutsie Cakes - Green frosted cupcakes with football
Colts Logo Cupcakes
Little Pastry Shoppe Saints Cupcakes
Celebrations.com Super Bowl Chocolate Guinness Cupcakes Recipe