Make It Monday- Custom Party Favor Bags

Muslin bags make great party favor bags and are very simple to personalize. They can also be used to wrap a gift.  This idea has been around for a while but just this week I have seen them on lots of party sites- probably because they are so easy to make and pretty inexpensive.  I just used them for bowling party I did but here they are for a
fairy party,

a fireman party,

and a candy party.

Aren't they cute!
Supplies: muslim bags (I bought mine from Pilgrim Peddler, just Google)
Iron-On Transfer Sheet- you can by a pack at any office supply store or online (much cheaper)
Your design- I just made mine on Word.  You can find clipart and background paper for every theme on Etsy.

Make your design.

When you go to print your design, you need to make a reverse image.  On Word, click on print. Click on copies and pages. Click layout.

 In layout, click flip horizontally.

Trim your print out and iron on according to your paper's directions.

Wait for it to cool, then peel off paper.

I would love to see your bags.  Send me the photos!
Off to another beautiful week.
XO,
Jenny

This Time Last Year- Pirates Vs. Mermaids

This time last year, I was hosting a pirate and mermaid party for my twins birthday.  Color scheme was pale pink, pale blue and black- which I love.  The soft pastel was perfect for Charlotte but there was plenty of black for Luke.  I divided the dessert table into a pirate side and a mermaid side and used burlap on the tables to create a sand feel.  Candies included sea glass, tentacles, and sea foam.  When I look back at they pictures now, I am still very proud of the party but I think I have learned a lot since then.  First, I am a much better photographer (please excuse these photos).  Now, I usually set up for photos then adjust the layout to work for the party. Second, the layout of the candy jars was a little off.  I needed to create a little more difference in height between the cupcake stand and candy jars. Otherwise, I would do the same party again in a heart beat.  We made mermaid necklaces out of "pearls," wrote messages in a bottle and decorated treasure boxes.  On the pirate cove side of the party, there was sword fighting, walking the plank and digging for buried treasure.  Everyone participated in a treasure hunt where they earned mermaid money or pirate's treasure.  These type of hunts are one of my favorite party activities.  They work for every age.

I am happy to say that this complete line of pirate vs. mermaid printables are available in my etsy store.  They are also available for just pirate and just mermaid parties. 

 The mermaid line is now available in pink, turquoise or lavender!

Have a great weekend!

XO,
Jenny

Happy Birthday and Link Party 9

Happy 6th birthday to the sweetest twins I know- my little Luke and Charlotte. The perfect pair, two peas in a pod, who I love endlessly. Here is one of my favorite photos of them from a few years ago.

Ready for this weeks Link Party?
Last weeks most viewed entries were

DIY Cupcake Stand by Busy Modern Family

Odd Uses For things Around Your House by Alderberry Hill

Congratulation Ladies-  Make sure to grab your button!

This is your chance to share something YOU created on my blog.  I would love for you to share your parties, creative holiday ideas, and favors. Really, I would love to see anything pretty.  Next week, I will highlight some of the most viewed links. 

HOWEVER,  if you want to be featured, you must have a link back (text hyperlink or my linked button) to my site on your blog. Thank you!

 A few rules:

1. Please be a follower of Bloom Designs Online (a member in bloom)

2. Link directly to your idea not your home page.

3. Insert a text hyperlink back to my blog or grab my button and link it back.

4. No Etsy shops, giveaways or personal link parties.

<a border="0" href="http://bloomdesignsonline.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img 

  

Amy Atlas's Book, Sweet Designs, finally arrived at my house at 3 o'clock today. I have been waiting for it for months and have been reading it since I opened the box.  It is utterly amazing.  I don't even know where to begin!If you haven't bought your copy you can get it here!  Guess what- she has a whole apple of my eye chapter!  I just love seeing her ideas on this party. Back to reading and planning more parties!
XO,
Jenny

Pretty Perfect

Hi have two absolutely pretty and proper parties to share with you this week.

Featured Submission- Derby Days!

Are you going to a Kentucky Derby event this year?  It seems as if more and more people are.  It's a great reason to have a beautiful party.  I absolutely love this party submitted by Deanna of Mirabella Creations.  Best of all the Deanna has made the printable available to you free of charge on her blog by clicking here. Here are the details of this adorable party in Deanna's words:

Kentucky has been “home” my entire life – born and raised (as we’d say here).    And, there is no bigger day in Kentucky than Derby Day.  All eyes are on our beautiful state and every Kentuckian’s head is held just a little bit higher that day.   Early in life, Kentuckians realize that Derby day also means fabulous Derby parties.  Whether it is a small family gathering, an intimate catered event, or a huge blow-out, everyone attends some type of Derby party on Derby day.

Even as a child, my favorite Derby moment was crowning the Derby winner with the traditional rose garland.  Thus, the red rose was my starting point for this Derby dessert table.  The printables incorporated the red rose, along with a silhouette of the state of Kentucky and a horseshoe.  I chose a modern color palette of red, pale blue, and chocolate brown.  I designed party circles, cake bunting, blank and fill-in invitations, place cards and candy bar wrappers.  

The rose theme was also repeated in the table décor.  I made a crepe paper rose garland, which hung above the dessert table.  Fresh red roses were placed in a mint julep cup.  The rose was also visible in the desserts -- the Strawberry Rose Meringue and a decoration on the Jockey Silk Sugar Cookies.

For the desserts, I first purchased the White Cake from a local bakery, then adorned it with a pale blue ribbon and a Derby cake bunting.  I made one of my favorite Kentucky desserts – Bourbon Balls.  Every year at Christmas, my mom, like most Kentuckians, would make bourbon balls and I couldn’t wait to eat them.  These traditional bourbon balls are updated by being made into a pop.  Another traditional Kentucky dessert is the Derby Pie – a gooey brown sugar, pecan, and dark chocolate treat.  I made Derby Pie Inspired Cupcakes: a butter cake with mini chocolate chips and pecans in the batter, topped with brown sugar buttercream, mini chocolate chips and pecan pieces.  Jockey Silk Sugar Cookies were topped with a small red rose (I made the roses using a fruit roll-up).  Strawberry Rose Meringues also carried out the Derby rose theme.  

Take a minute to check out Deanna's shop.  She has some beautiful items!

Vendors -

Printables, Styling, Photography:  Mirabelle Creations,  www.mirabellecreations.blogspot.com

Cake:  Burke’s Bakery,  www.facebook.com/pages/Burkes-Bakery/208309485856231

Horse Frames:  Maple Tree Gallery, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Maple-Tree-Gallery/66245564044

Jockey Silk Sugar Cookie Cutter: Copper Gifts, www.coppergifts.com

Tea Party from HWTM

I just love this little tea party. It feminine and fresh.  Also, there's tons of detail without it appearing overly done. Hop on over to HWTM and check out the party in full detail.

Isn't this the sweetest cake?. 

Don't forget to download your Derby printables.

XO,

Jenny