e-mag
Spring 2012 Mother’s Day May 13
Baby Bird Baby Shower Perfect Spring Gender-Neutral Shower Theme pg. 6
Geocaching Party Theme I D E A S . I N S P I R AT I O N . D O W N L O A D S Spring Issue 2012
Contents
Event Calendar Baby Bird Baby Shower Partying Naturally Column Geocaching Party Mom Entrepreneur Interview Frosting Tips Cookbook Review Frosted Sponsors
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About Party Frosting e-magazine is aimed to reflect the spirt of PartyFrosting.com - collecting inspiration from across the internet, creating an idea board and applying them with my own flair into an event. Hopefully you’ll be inspired to collect inspiration and add tons of Frosting to your next get-together! p.s. I am not a great photographer, artist or seasoned magazine creator. I am just a woman that dreams about parties all day and having fun doing these setups pretending a party is underway!
hugs!
Kim @ Spring Issue 2012
Special dates for April & May
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event calendar APRIL 1 April
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Mother’s Day
Memorial Day
National Teacher’s Day
Spring Issue 2012
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Baby Bird Baby Shower Perfect choice for a Spring baby shower! Tons of inspiration for a rustic affair...
Spring Issue 2012
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Baby Bird Baby Shower Baby Bird theme is a great gender-neutral Spring theme for a Baby Shower. You can take it many different directions - rustic, cute or colorful. You can also work refocus the theme, too. You could do a “feather her nest� and use lots of feathers on placemats, centerpieces and invitations!
Spring Issue 2012
Tabletop: Set your party table with rustic elements and don’t forget to
shop around your house for items! Use an old picture frame to create a fun centerpiece! Add a birdcage, birds and plants then surround with moss and bird seed eggs. The open birdcage provides a great focal point, but does not block the view from each side of the table. Party Frosting E-mag
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Placesetting: Bring nature to each placesetting by using woven branch chargers and wooden bowls filled with moss and candy eggs. Also, present your guests with a birdhouse (tutorial on page 18) to take home!
Placecard: Using the same recipe as the birdseed platter (page 16), create
a base for your placecard. Hot glue a cut branch and a chalkboard label. Add moss to cover any connection points.
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party details
Frosted Elements 1 Birdseed eggs make the perfect decoration and favor for your guests! Follow Birdseed Platter instructions (pg 16), but use plastic Easter eggs as the container mold.
2 Create a rustic banner using craft paper and cuts of burlap. Thread and hang with twine and clothespins on a branch for a rustic touch!
3 Store bought items can make a welcome entry as long as you dress them up! For example, take these store bought mini pecan tarts. You can Frost them with a floral curly stem and place each on a wooden disk - instant forgiveness for cheating a bit!
4 Use a bird cage lined with moss for your guests to place cards for the new one on the way.
5 Food offerings that play off your theme helps tie the party together. Try these Bird Seed Bars served up in a bird’s nest! Simply combine 1 2/3 cups of assorted seeds (sesame, pumpkin, sunflower, etc), 1/3 cup of honey, 1/3 cup of light brown sugar.
6 Display birds that match your theme sprinkled throughout your party space. Don’t forget fun spots like in the powder room or in the kitchen! Spring Issue 2012
Planning a shower is stressful... he It’s coming! Don’t sit around, baby is coming soon! It’s never to early to start planning any party, but with a shower you often have to coordinate with people you don’t know, so don’t sit there! Get started! Let mom in on it! It doesn’t have to be a surprise! Let the mom-to-be have some say in the shower – this can help make it extra special and ensure it’s what she would like, she can have the chance to be “photo ready” AND reduces the chances a “surprise!” will cause early labor!
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ere’s some tips... I don’t know you! Will it be a mix of male/female, people who mostly know each other/strangers/family? Make sure the way you pick/setup your venue and games supports the type of mix you will have. Strangers may be uncomfortable performing physical games with others. Spread it out! Plan your flow so that there is a good flow of games, eating and mingling. If the group is mostly strangers, start with a game to break the ice so that eating time is less awkward. On the other hand, if most know each other you can start right in on the food! Don’t kill the guests! In your time planning, figure out how long before you will eat, ensure hot foods stay hot and cold foods stay cold! This is a forgotten thing at a lot of parties (not just showers!). You can rent hot plates or have everyone bring their griddles and crock pots! For cold foods, think about doing something decorative like freezing different shapes with coordinating items frozen inside to set your food on and in to ensure food safety! Have a stash bag! Especially if you are having the shower at a venue, ensure to pack a stash bag! Ensure you have things like paper, pens, tape and scissors in your bag for when you are setting up or playing games! And above ALL... have fun! Having a baby is STRESSFUL. Remember, you are there to celebrate and let mom-to-be and guests have some fun and laughs in celebration of the coming of the new one! Spring Issue 2012
Birdseed Platter
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craft tutorial TIP
Add a pin or flat thumbtack to the back of shape. After applying powder sugar, grab pin and lift! No mess-ups!
Bird Stencil Technique With cutting machine, punch, or tracing a shape on thick paper, cut out a coordinating shape for your cake. Place cutout on cake, dust with powder sugar and remove!
Birdseed Platter Tutorial Make batch of birdseed mix (below). Use cooking spray on a baking pan, dish or anything with a bit of depth. Spread mix and let set for a few hours. Turn over and allow to fully dry before using. Make sure not to store in closed container - mold can grow!
Recipe: 3/4 cup birdseed 1 sm packet of gelatin 1/4 cup water
Step 1: Boil water, dissolve gelatin. Step 2: Let cool a bit. Step 3: Add seed, ensure all coated. Spring Issue 2012
craft tutorial
Birdhouse Project Birdhouses Glue Gun Glue Sticks Moss Bark Marker/Paint (optional) Paper (optional)
For precise bark cuts, you can cut paper stencils first, or just wing it! Hot glue both the bark pieces and moss onto the house. For the hole, make a X slice with a knife and bend in, secure with more glue. Add marker or paint to the bottom ledge if desired.
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Spring Issue 2012
Spring goodies... to Frost your next event!
Go Against the Grain Your place to find the perfect event accessories, maps and graphic design! From cupcake toppers to custom logos, you can find all your event accessorie needs!
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gifts sponsors The Twinery Baker’s twine for crafting, packaging and more! The Twinery’s baker’s twine is made from plush 100% cotton and it’s eco-friendly...and it’s made in the USA! www.thetwinery.com
Scentsy Dress up a room with a Scentsy Warmer, add one of 80plus fragrances, and enjoy! Earn 1/2 price and free items! Home parties, basket parties and online parties! Andrea Mason - Independent Consultant - 623.261.9613 https://andreamason.scentsy.us/Scentsy
FireFly Confections Mixing together equal parts imagination and deliciousness, FireFly Confections is the perfect on-line bakery spot for delicious cookies and caramels and artist worthy decorated cookies! www.fireflyconfections.com Spring Issue 2012
Party Naturally by Hillary Jo A. Finley
When you love parties, it’s not hard to find yourself throwing a few every year. This can lead to waste which is expensive for you and for the environment as well. But don’t start cancelling those extra fêtes just yet—there are ways you can cut back on waste at your parties that will also save you money!
Hillary Jo A. Finley Daisy to Sunflower Blog (link) Omaha, Nebraska
Invest in Servingware in Neutral Colors Instead of buying plastic platters and dishes that will only last one or two parties, invest in some platters that are made of glass or metal. Not only is this cheaper in the long run, but it is safer to serve food off of glass than off of mystery plastic. Some plastics contain BPA’s that cause cancer and could leach into the food, and later into the Earth. Plain white or even clear glass serving dishes are always well coordinating options for most of your parties. If you want something fancier that’s still within budget, try heading to a thrift store to find a one-of-a-kind beauty to showcase your party food. Odds are a thrift find that has already survived for many years will last many more in your home and can be used for many parties to come. Party Frosting E-mag
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party naturally
Eliminate/Fiind Alternatives to Disposable Cutlery and Dishes The bulk of what tends to be thrown away at parties is forks, plates and napkins. If you are having a smaller affair like a dinner party, ask yourself if you could use your washable dishes and cutlery. Even just substituting fabric napkins for paper can make an impact at a 20-person event. The key is to do what you can; no one wants to stay up all night after throwing a party to clean 100 plates! If you are having a large party where it is absolutely impractical not to use disposable party ware, try finding eco-friendly alternatives at your grocery store like bamboo forks that are disposable and plates made from vegetable proteins. They are often very sleek-looking and go unnoticed by guests. The name of the game when you’re trying to be more eco-friendly and Earth-conscious is to simply deviate from the norm of throwing your entire party away after it’s over. Taking steps to find and invest in neutral vessels and serving dishes can save you money over the course of even a few parties. Using your everyday metal cutlery at a dinner party or cloth napkins at a picnic can save hundreds of pounds of waste from ending up in a land fill or in the ocean. Do what you can, be mindful and happy planning!
HillJo
http://daisytosunflower.blogspot.com/ Spring Issue 2012
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Mother’s Day A mom's hug lasts long after she lets go. ~Author Unknown
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Mother’s Day
Spring Issue 2012
Download here!
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craft download
Mother’s Day Door Hanger Leave a Mother’s Day Menu hanger on Mom’s door at night and let her pick what’s for breakfast in bed! You can create a special fried egg sandwich by using a cookie cutter to create a heart shaped cutout in a large slice of bread. Lightly butter each side, place first side down to brown, then flip, then add egg and let cook. Add special touches like sliver dollar pancakes with toothpick stacked with fresh blueberries! Go ahead, print for yourself! You deserve it!
Spring Issue 2012
It's never too early to start getting your skin ready for summer time fun! Moodylicious has a whole line of children’s products to do just that! Check out the entire spa line at http://moodyliciouschildrensspa.com/! Here’s yummy spa recipe you can make at home with the kids and enjoy a whole spa experience with them! Yummy Berry Yogurt Facial Mask This simple berry (tons of antioxidants) cooling mask is great for sunburns and perfect for all skin types. Prep time: 10 minutes Ingredients: 2 Tbsp greek yogurt 1 tsp. honey ( microwave a minute to soften) 2 Tbsp. mixed berries (strawberries & blueberries) Preparation: Mash berries very fine then fold into yogurt. Add honey and stir well. Apply to all over face and let set for ten minutes. Wash with steaming washcloth. Rinse with cool water. For dry skin use an extra tsp. of honey. Oily skin? Add a few drops of fresh lime juice. Pat dry . Yummy smooth skin and tons of fun!
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Spring Issue 2012
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Ge caching Party The world’s largest, most popular treasure hunt... gets Party Frosted!...
Spring Issue 2012
GEOCACHING is a great Spring theme. It gets the kids outside, active and who doesn’t love a treasure hunt?!
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Spring Issue 2012
What is Geocaching?!
Geocaching is a world-wide treasure hunt using handheld GPS units! There are th are caches for all skill and adventure levels - you can take the kids for a long hik them grocery shopping! Grown-ups and kids alike will love going on the hunt f treats! The rule of thumb is “take something/leave something�. The treats are usu to find none-the-less!
How
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Hide your own! That’ need is a container, G all the goodies in the you reach your hiding enter your cache on have the kids find on years to come to help
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caching
101
housands of hidden caches just outside your door! There ke in the woods or search the parking lot when you take for the cache! Extra bonus - each cache (of size) contains ually kid-centric and are of not much value - but exciting
w to get started?!
ou need is a computer, a handheld GPS or a smartphone with a geocaching aption (download from your phone’s app store) and an adventurous spirit! Hop e computer, log on to www.geocaching.com for tutorials, tips and to search for es near you!
Touch
’s right! You can design your own cache(s)! All you GPS and imagination! Have your child help prepare e container and find a perfect spot to hide. When g spot, write down the longitude and latitude and www.geocaching.com! Not only will it be fun to n the day of the party, but the cache will remain for p remind you of the special day!
Spring Issue 2012
Snacks Setup a trail mix station so the kids can make up their own snack for after a long hike. Include favorties like granola, chocolate chips, yogurt covered raisins and nuts! Let the kids line up and pick their favorites for a mix all their own! Make sure to pack spoons or scoops!
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Lunch/Favors
Make Caching Kits for ea gear: binoculars, compass picnic style lunch for them and jelly sandwiches, fruit add a small toy they can caches or a small hiking d
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ach of the kids with basic ses, flashlights, etc. Add a m, such as peanut butter t and a drinkbox. You can n use to exchange in the diary!
party details
Theme Items Try to always think of how to incorporate your theme. Compass toppers on even purchased cupcakes would wow the crowd (see tutorial next page)! Don’t forget to use items like caching boxes, caching coins, lanterns, backpacks, etc to make your dessert table theme-tastic!
Spring Issue 2012
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food tutorial
Compass Cacher’s Cakes Supplies: White Fondant Edible Markers Cupcakes Frosting Powered Sugar
Roll of Craft Bark Hot Glue Gun/Glue Rolling Pin Round Cookie Cutter
Directions Roll out white fondant on surface lightly dusted with powdered sugar. Use round cookie cutter in desired width to cut out fondant toppers. Set out and let dry/harden before you proceed. Once hardened, use edible markers to draw compass.
To prepare Cut the bark down to size and length, wrap around cupcake then hot glue to keep closed. Add dollop of frosting to the top of the cupcake and gently press down to set.
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Spring Issue 2012
Download Your Ca Tags Here! Download
S’more Kits Branches Twine Smore’s Kit Tag Plastic bakery bag Marshmallows Chocolate Bars Graham Crackers Assemble in bakery bag: a marshmallow, 2 graham crackers and a chocolate bar. Thread the tag on twine and then around the bag and stick and tie close. TIP: if your bags are sliding down, just add a dab of hot glue!
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ache Stash
free downloads
Trail Mix Station Download free tag for your make-your-own trail mix station!
Download
Cacher’s Kit Download free tag for your Caching Kit Download
Cacher’s Cakes Download free tag for your own dessert spread of compass cacher cakes!
Download
Spring Issue 2012
Interview with Terri from Terri’s Party Treasures www.terrispartytreasures.com www.craftyworkinmommy.com www.facebook.com/terrispartytreasures Tell us a little about yourself and how you started Terri’s Party Treasures? My name is Terri and I have three beautiful, crazy and energetic little girls. My oldest is 4 and I have 2 year old twins. While I was planning my twins 1st birthday party I realized how much I loved planning parties. It was at that time that I also found a recipe for something called cake balls. I made them for the party, they weren't easy or pretty but they were delicious. Family members started asking me to bring them to family functions. In Oct 2010 I received a phone call from someone that was interested in ordering some. After a little research online I came up with a price-she ordered 14 dozen. I quickly created a business name, Facebook fan page and before had any idea what was going on, I was getting orders every week and began shipping across the country.
You are such an amazing baker and cake pop artist, how did you come about your hard decision to move on (for now) from the business?
Deciding to put the business on hold was not an easy decision. I was very busy, occasionally even turning down orders and was becoming very popular. However, I decided in March 2011 to become a stay-at-home mom to be with my children and this was actually keeping me from doing all of the fun things that I wanted to do with them. I actually wanted to maybe start the business and keep it small until my girls were all in school (not for a few more years) but it was actually getting bigger than I could handle and I was getting stressed out. I was getting little sleep and the girls were not able to do all of those fun things that I wanted to do with them. One day I just woke up and said this is not what I quit my job for and decided to put it on hold.
I think a lot of women can relate - What advice would you give moms like you that struggle with business dreams and raising a family? I am not sure that I am the best person to give advice to other moms out there starting a business because sometimes I feel as if my business failed. I can say that if you are serious about starting a business and raising your children make sure that you know that it is hard work. Set up time for work and time for play. If you have little ones, work at their naptime and when they go to bed at night. Do not neglect them. Party Frosting E-mag
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mom entrepreneur I was good at the marketing part of the business. I joined groups to get myself noticed (Martha Stewart's Dreamers into Doers and Childrens Party Network to name a couple). Create a Facebook fan page, a Twitter and Google account and now with Pinterest you can pin your own images. Images are also important, make sure that you are taking good quality pictures and be original in your staging of them. One of my most popular photos (one that Bakerella called me a "Pop Star" for) was not even taken by me. I sent them to Paper and Cake and she took the photo in such an "artistic" way that it was adorable (left). Get a good camera and learn how to use it!! Enter contests with your pictures. When I won the sweet of the week contest on Sweetopia for my angry bird cake pops photo, my FB fan page numbers really climbed and I was getting emails every day to order the angry birds.
You are known for such fantastic work, what is your best advice for those trying to create original, quality goods? Thank you!! I get inspiration everywhere. For a while my husband thought that I was crazy because I would look at random things and say, "that would be a cute cake ball". I sometimes Google images of clipart or cupcakes and try to make my cake balls look like the image. Making new, never before done cake balls was what I loved. I will never forget getting the call from Bird's Party asking me if I was interested in a collaboration for her Cinco De Mayo party. This was my first order shipped over seas, I was so excited. I created her Chili pepper cake balls and they are still one of my favorites. (see right) That is one where I found a clipart image of a chili pepper and created it! Try to make something that makes you the first and the best, then people will remember you.
What do you think the future has in store for you? What the future has in store for me, I am not sure. I will have a big announcement I’m the middle of April but cannot give any more details on that. I am currently a contributor to the site Mixing Mavens where we share yummy dessert recipes. I just moved into a new home and am loving the crafty side of me fixing up the house, you can see more of that on my blog. I hope that once my girls are in school I will be able to get back into the cake balls, if the trend has not faded (fingers crossed). Until then, I am going to enjoy being a crafty, baking, crazy mom and wife.
Thank you, Terri ! You are truly an inspiration! Best of luck in your current and future endeavours, we know anything you do will be fantastic! Spring Issue 2012
Spring Frosting Tip! Lemon Curd
What is “Frosting”?! Frosting is adding that little extra something to your party to make it pop! It’s going the extra step to create something even more memorable for your guests. It can be with food, decorations, music or just the overall atmosphere! Here is taking mouth-watering lemon curd and showing you how to elevate even store bought curd! Think of it like a cake - a cake with out icing versus with icing versus with sprinkles versus with fondant roses - each takes something plain to higher and higher levels of greatness! So next party, look around and see what you can FROST!
Un-Frosted
Dab of Frosting
...served in a regular bowl - boring!
...served in a edible chocolate bowl
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food tips Tutorial Next Page!
Frosted ...served on pie crust spoon with blackberries & powdered sugar
Extra Frosting
...add a white chocolate drizzle
Spring Issue 2012
Pie Crust Spoons Supplies Rolling pin Tuile stencil (buy here) Cannoli forms (buy here) Pre-made pie crust Flour (optional) Cooking oil spray Cookie tray Powdered sugar
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food tutorial
Steps Step 1: Allow pie crust to sit out for a few minutes to soften up Step 2: Roll pie crust against stencil (add flour to under surface if desired) Step 3: Softly run your finger tracing the stencil until the dough cuts and releases Step 4: Prepare cooking tray with a spray of cooking oil Step 5: Drape each spoon over a cannoli form Step 6: Bake, cool and sprinkle with powdered sugar!
Spring Issue 2012
Southern Biscuits
Nathalie Dupree , Cynthia
Buy Here
Spring is the perfect time to start making use of your outside entertaining areas... so why not throw a hearty Spring brunch? Brunch is an inexpensive way to host a lot of guests and be done with many hours left to clean up! Every brunch needs a good biscuit! So here’s a review on my latest cookbook buy...
What’s inside? Biscuits, more biscuits and then more biscuits! Every kind you can think of from famous restaurants to homestyle. But the book doesn’t stop there! Stuffed with tons of carb-lovers recipes like coffee cakes, dumplings, scones and pies just to name a few! Bonus of herb butters, jams and gravies to complement your floured creations! Great, simple, easyto-follow biscuit book for the collection!
Extras... Great introduction in the beginning to ingredients, mixing techniques, differences in biscuits and common mistakes. I am not always one to read through introductions, or any instructions for that matter!, but you’ll find this a quick, easy and informative section! Party Frosting E-mag
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cookbook review
s [Hardcover]
a Graubart (Authors)
TIP: Combine dry ingredients together ahead of time and store in sealed container. When ready to use, you have cut out a lot of your time!
When to pull out... Anytime, hello!? Serving a brunch? Put out a biscuit bar - different kinds of biscuits, flavored butters and jams! Having a dinner party? Serve piping hot as a side - you can make up a few savory butters with fresh herbs to wow your guests! Make as a hostess gift - make a batch and place on a beautiful linen napkin in a bread basket, whip up some fresh butter and put in a small mason jar with a little twine... add a ribbon around - viola!
Recipe Highlight “Big Nasty Biscuits”... how can you not love?! This is one of my favorite recipes from the book. Doughy but not too dry - best with jam or for use in a breakfast biscuit sandwich. Aren’t you dreaming of bacon, eggs and cheese now? Picture: Shown here with fresh cranberry jam all the way from New Hampshire! YUM!
“Big Nasty Biscuits” hello?! tell me that doesn’t sound perfect!?
Spring Issue 2012
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Inspiring everyone to put a little extra “Frosting� on every event!
Daily party inspiration, tutorials & event shopping tips!
w w w. p a r t y f ro s t i n g. c om
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