Tangarang

Bah Humbug!

2011-12-07T14:33:00.000-08:00

...and this would be the diy holiday gift that is so not going to plan... (hopefully plan-G will work a little better). I've been through candlesticks, cake-stands, ornaments and more glitter than you can imagine....

I'd feel better if Plan-H was baking, but I'm the worst cookie maker in the world.

(it looked really fantastic in my imagination...really)

I've totally lost my craft-mojo; not a good time.

BAH HUMBUG!

40th Birthday Party Deets

2011-11-15T13:56:00.000-08:00

And yes, I'm still cleaning up... I don't have a ton of pictures ~ I was having too much fun dancing with a bunch of thirty-and-forty-somethings in my living room!

the girls getting ready for our photo-booth with neon fingerless net gloves & other 80s accessories

But I did want to share some of the fun details and give you the printables that I made to go with the 80s theme.

Invitations: I made a simple mixed-tape invitation from some clip-art that you can fill-in by hand (or if you want a type-in version, post a comment and I can send it to you).

Decorations: I didn't do a whole lot in the way of decorating, just some tiny disco balls in the windows with some hideous hot pink zebra print fabric & neon tulle draped here & there. I did find a great deal on three small party lights; and let me tell ya what happens with a bunch of moms, Just Dance on the Wii and a tiny party light...well, maybe I shouldn't tell you...

I also melted some records to use as bowls.

to make your own: heat oven to 200 degrees, place record over metal bowl for 8 - 10 minutes. Shape.

Food: I had two tables that I covered with neon-paint-spattered white tablecloths. For the dessert table I went all out 7-Eleven: fun-dips, pop-rocks, blow-pops, pixie-sticks, red vines, twinkies & ho-hos, etc... And a friend surprised me with this hysterical Birthday Cake...Hello-40!

For the other table I made goat cheese-stuffed turkey sliders with an amazing roasted pepper relish, veggie-burger-sliders with fontina, french fries & sweet potato fries with a bunch of dipping sauces (curry-ketchup, rosemary aioli, cranberry-gorgonzola, etc...)

And for cocktails I made Blow-Pop Martinis and one brilliant mama brought the makings for the "She Blinded Me with Science" martini (recipe at the end of post).

She-Blinded-Me-with-Science-Martini

I also made a few 80s printables like these candy vase labels, drink tags, and favor-bag tags. Here are a few for your next 80s night. (The favor bags included: leg warmers, neon fingerless-net-gloves, lip-smacker lip gloss, 80s earrings, a ring pop, a Jem pin, and a ribbon barrette!)

"She Blinded Me with Science Martini" Recipe (for one serving)

4-5 tapioca pearls in green & black (available at your local asian grocery)

shot of vodka

2 shots of prosecco

for a reddish hue: shot of black currant liquor or for a neon-lime hue: shot of sour apple pucker schnapps

Place tapioca pearls in bottom of a martini glass.

Add all other ingredients to a shaker filled with ice. Shake.

Pour into glass.

Cootie Catcher Party Favor

2011-11-14T13:56:00.000-08:00

I'm still cleaning up the after-math of my "Totally-Awesome-80s-Dance-40th-Birthday-Party".

I have a bunch of fun 80s printables for you, recipes (hello martinis two ways: "Blow-Pop" or "She Blinded Me with Science"), decoration ideas, easy favors, activities, a simple but "totally rad" dessert table plan and a chic make-ahead menu.

But to start, I made these fun 80s cootie-catchers. Here's my cootie-catcher template download, or you can make your own by tracing the guidelines and adding your own spin...truth or dare anyone? (Or you can simply take an 8 1/2 X 11 sheet of paper and fold one corner down to make a square and draw your own...c'mon we did it in 5th grade EVERY DAY!)

And since it took me a while to remember how to fold those darned things, I thought a DIY cootie catcher tutorial might be in order.

1. print cootie-catcher template (or cut a square of paper)

2. fold diagonally, corner to corner. Un-fold, and repeat with other corner.

3. Un-fold, and turn square face-down. Take one corner and fold so that the corner of the sheet meets the center of the square. Repeat with all four corners. (Oh, come ON....you can do it!)

4. Flip the square over. Fold each corner towards the center.

(see how Totally Awesome you are?)...

5. Fold in half. And then the other half. (You can do it.... you were born in the 80s... or even earlier, like, I don't know... 1971 even.... now figure this sh#t out; people are depending on you.)

6. Using your forefinger and thumb, pull out the outer-most squares. (Almost there....)

DONE!

...and I don't know if you remember how to play....but here's the gist of it:

the player picks a word on the outer squares, you spell it opening & closing the cootie-catcher with each letter. Then the player chooses a number (open & close that many times). And on their final choice, you lift the tab and it tells them a fortune.

WHAT's YOURs?

Jem....Truly Outrageous!

2011-11-02T13:35:00.000-07:00

I've got lots of craft projects in the works...all for the surprise party I'm throwing for myself.

1. Ribbon Barettes (this is the best tutorial from Remarkably Domestic).

2. Friendship Pins (these are crazy-easy) stuff some small beads onto a safety pin. Add them to your Polo Collar or Sneakers....

3. Leg Warmers. I danced (from age 3 up through 20); and while I wouldn't say I was a "Dancer", I certainly got my groove on. There was nothing better than putting on that leotard with a pair of parachute pants and topping it all off with leg warmers. I loved that mine would get that hole in the bottom from dancing on my jazz shoes... Here's a fun DIY leg warmer tutorial.

4. And we can't forget the lipgloss! Here's a fantastic DIY Kool-Aid-flavored lip gloss. Those Lip-Licker tins were so awesome!

5. I'm also trying to make little tulle shopping-bags like these... any DIY advice would be very much appreciated...

Will let you know how it all works out....next week!

Birthday Party Mood Board

2011-10-30T10:40:00.000-07:00

Here's the inspiration for my upcoming 40th Birthday... think Jem & The Holograms meets pajama party!

Easy Halloween Craft...Just in Time

2011-10-27T11:57:00.000-07:00

I can't take credit for this super fun idea (this Halloween craft has been around the blogosphere for a couple of years now).

But, if you, like me have yet to take out that box of Halloween Decorations, and don't feel like digging around the attic or garage ~ try this easy, inexpensive & quick craft to add just a touch of spooky to your house before the kids start ringing your door bell on Monday night.

Supplies:
Wooden embroidery hoops (small and/or medium): $1.29 from Joann's
Doilies: $.99 a piece from local thrift stores
(optional): black spray paint: free from husband's stash
Spider Ring (or two): $1.99 for a bag of a gazillion (I glittered mine at the awesome Seattle WitchCraft Night hosted by Marie & Lyndsey!)
Ribbon: $1.99 from Joann's

Steps:
1. Paint the hoops black
2. Place a doily over the inner hoop (sometimes you can get the doily to look more "webb-ish"
by moving it around over the hoop)
3. Fit the outer hoop over the "doily-ed" inner hoop and twist knob to tighten
4. Trim excess at back & hang with a ribbon
5. Add spooky spiders

Total Time (for 6 hoops): 20 minutes (not including the dry time, which took about 30 minutes in the sun).

Ah, now I feel ready for Halloween!

Need Ideas...

2011-10-24T13:12:00.000-07:00

My 40th Birthday is fast approaching. I used to host a Dia de Los Muertos shindig (being born on the Day of the Dead makes for a super-easy go-to theme), but this year... well, it's a big one right? And I wanted to do something different.

My husband suggested a couple's dinner at our new favorite restaurant La Bete, and I thought it might be fun to host a family Halloween Party. Both sounded pretty great, but just not quite right.

I really just wanted to ring in my 40th birthday with my best girlfriends, wearing my jammies; with maybe a little dancing, good food and cocktails... So I thought a 70s/80s-ish theme might be fun (basically a-little-wii-just-dance-disco-ball-some-kind-of-wonderful-grease-slumber party).

Here's my invite (thanks to Mr. Spooner for his free 80s vectors...totally awesome!). But now, I need a little bit of help.

Any advice on: Music? Decorations? (all of the pre-made 80s party stuff is pretty lame...)

Food? Cocktails? (I admit to having a wine cooler or two during the latter part of the decade, but, ewwww...) Favors?

Halloween Craft Gone Wrong...

2011-10-21T14:39:00.000-07:00

I had this idea to create an elegant Dia de Los Muertos Skull for the one shelf I have for such inanities in my house. But it went pretty horribly wrong.

I started by finding a foam skull at Michael's. I was hoping for one less detailed, but one does what one can right?.... I shoved a skewer into its brain (feeling very Halloween-ish & wicked) and affixed to a floral foam brick.

Step #1: spray paint it white. This part worked ok, I guess...

Step #2: cut-out fantastic glitter-foam-paper shapes to mimic a cool Day of the Dead skull. Totally sucked at it. The flower petals were all wonky and when I realized how lame they were, tried to yank off...but they left...well...leftovers. Poo!

Step #3: Re-group and START OVER. Glitter & Glue are hardly ever wrong, right? I think I was a bit hasty and haphazard in my "design". Glue started glopping and the glitter should have been that wonderful fine-grain, not this stripy kind. Grrrrr...

So, lesson learned: PLAN that craft girl! (Confession: I even tried to photograph it in the dark recesses of my dark bookshelf to make it look better. It didn't. Can I say "Poo" twice on a blog?)

I do however love the wee-white pumpkin I got to make at Make 'N Takes wonderful Witch-Craft night here in Seattle. That part I did ok...but only with help from Marie & Lyndsey.

And look at what happened to my attempt at the spider-card stitchery...ooops!

Here's what it was supposed to look like:

Halloween & I are not faring so well this year.

May need to make some offering to the craft-gods; cuz they are not happy with me....

A Free Set of Spooky Stickers!

2011-10-19T14:26:00.000-07:00

Here's a set of Scary (if slightly elegant), Halloween Stickers that you can use on treat-bags, cards, or just about anything else Spooktacular that you can think of...

These are made to fit the Avery 2-inch Round Labels (#22807), or you can just print onto card stock and use a 2" punch.

Halloween Village

2011-10-14T07:50:00.000-07:00

A bunch of folks have been asking for the Halloween Village Download... Here's a full-color version. And a blank version that you can use to cut-out from your own patterned paper, or better yet, have the kids color...

Muffin Tin Mania

2011-10-13T06:00:00.000-07:00

I know that I'm not the first to discover the joys of muffin-tin cooking, but I must say; since its "discovery" in our household, its made dinner much easier, and more fun for everyone.

My kids have what we like to call "selective" palates. Oh, all right: they're the pickiest, finickiest eaters I know.

So I often found myself making three different dinners. (And, yes, I know we're not supposed to do that; but after a long day I like to have a happy dinners, not confrontational ones...)

Anyhoo, introduce the old muffin tin and voila! muffin-tin pizzas, muffin-tin eggs & toast, muffin-tin burrito-stacks, muffin-tin meatloaves, muffin-tin apple pie; you get the idea. See, the muffin-tin allows everyone to add their own ingredients, but we're all having the same dinner. Love it.

Here's my favorite pizza dough recipe (from Julia Child of all pizza people) if you want to start off with the individual deep dish pizzas.

HOW-TO:

1. Just spray you muffin-tin with oil.

2. Divide the dough into 8-12 small balls (a bit bigger than a golfball) and dust the dough with flour. Stretch and plop into the muffin-tin (don't worry if they sag, the sauce can help pull the sides back up).

3. Add a dollop of pizza sauce or pesto (and spoon up onto the sides of the dough. Add a bit of shredded mozzarella, then pile on the good stuff (pepperoni, mushrooms, peppers, etc...) and top with a second bit of cheese.

4. Bake in a 450 degree pre-heated oven for 12-13 minutes. Yum!

And here are a few more links to fantastic muffin-tin recipes: muffin-tin tacos, mini-lasagna, savory-phyllo pies, breakfast-for-dinner.

Funnily enough, haven't made actual muffins in a long time...

Edible Sea Glass Tutorial

2011-10-12T06:00:00.000-07:00

This was by far the hit of our Ocean-Institute-but-Cute Party! It does take a wee bit of patience, but is actually quite easy!

Ingredients:
2 cups granulated sugar
2/3 cup light corn syrup
3/4 cup water (at room temperature)
6-10 drops food coloring (we used green, blue & varying combinations of both)
2 teaspoons flavoring (we tried chocolate, which was very mild and peppermint, which turned out to be the most flavorful. Next time I'd like to try a berry flavor...)
cooking spray (veggie oil, don't use olive oil, yuck!)
confectioner's sugar
candy thermometer (a MUST; I found mine for $10 at my local kitchen supply store.)

Directions:

Spray a small cookie sheet with cooking spray. (I found that if I wanted a nice thick sea glass, I had to set a small square cake pan on my cookie sheet to halve the surface area).

Attach the candy thermometer to the side of a small or medium non-stick pot.

Add the sugar, corn syrup, and water. Heat over medium and stir until the sugar dissolves.

As soon as it starts to bubble, DON'T TOUCH IT, let it bubble away until the thermometer reads 250-275 degrees.

Add the food coloring, but don't stir. It'll take care of itself. (And be careful of spatters: ie: no children allowed).

Let it bubble until the thermometer reaches 300 degrees. Remove from heat.

Add your flavoring, again being cautious of spattering.

Pour (CAREFULLY) into your prepared cookie sheet. Let cool (for about 1-2 hours).

And then (the FUN part), cover with a dishtowel and whack intermittently with a mallet or rolling pin (check often to make sure you're not making sugar dust).

Pull out the cracked bits & pieces, and sand sharp edges (you can do this by just rubbing with a pot-holder or dishtowel).

Put confectioner's sugar into a small bowl and rub each sea-glass piece with the sugar to give a matte look.

Ocean Life Felt Pencil Toppers

2011-10-11T11:57:00.000-07:00

More easy-felty fun!

For my daughter's 6th birthday, we did an "ocean-institute-but-cute" theme. The favors were a little activity book that I made (similar to the one I did for my son's Lego Party), a couple of markers and a whale pencil with these super cute felt pencil toppers.

We invited her whole kindergarten class (plus siblings), so I made 32 of these little guys.

To make your own, just download the felt patterns here. Print onto iron-on transfer paper, iron onto felt (this will make your felt kind of pleathery, which I actually kind of like).

And then embellish with embroidery and sequins. You can find a more in-depth tutorial here. (Can you tell I'm addicted to felt and sequins?)... Finally, stitch both front & back together, leaving a 1/4 -inch opening for the pencil.

Here are a few more pictures from the party...

ruffled streamers, garland and blue cello-phane

ruffled streamers (I'll share a tutorial in a couple of days...I LOVE the way they turned out!)

"sea-sponges"

individual fish-bowl jell-o

lemon-parsley fish-cakes for the grown-ups

customized water-bottles

"sand-castle" ice cream towers, served with brownie bites

giant jelly-fish in the living room: everything is super blue because we lined the walls, ceiling & windows with blue cello-phane

And tomorrow, I'll show you how I made edible sea-glass for the party. Here's a sneak-peek:

edible sea-glass: tutorial tomorrow

Back to Business

2011-10-10T12:04:00.000-07:00

ok, so not really "Back-to-Business".... more back-to-basics.

I've spent the last year worrying about kids, not crafts; and playdates instead of paychecks.

But now that we're all settled (well, mostly) in our new and wonderful city... its time for this mama to get back to it. Back to crafting, cooking, drawing, painting, sewing, and throwing parties.

(felt pencil-topper favors)

(the jellyfish was the cutest)

(or maybe the clam?)

so welcome back.... I missed you.

It'll take me a few days to get back up to a healthy posting speed; but come back soon for fun craft projects, party ideas, easy recipes, embroidery patterns, felt crafts, design finds, kid crafts, trend spotting, and other random cool stuff.

The first will be a tutorial on these fantastic (and inexpensive) felt-pencil-topper party favors.

oh, and I know many of you have been asking for downloads that no longer exist (so sorry), but I promise to re-create one old download a week (I promise!).

So, if you want one in particular, please post a comment and I'll put them in order of request...

xoxo, kfk

Home Made Beer Gifts

2009-12-21T14:18:00.001-08:00

My husband and our next door neighbor brew their own beer (guys gotta have hobbies too). We like to give a few bottles as gifts over the holidays (not everyone likes hot cocoa you know:) And their latest batch is a steamed lager/ale (very tasty I might add).

So I designed these labels last night doing a quick illustration based on the Mike Mulligan's Steam Shovel children's book...and I think they turned out pretty cute...

My super cute husband Ben proudly showing off a bottle of his CB Steam Beer (clearly he and Chip are super creative with the whole naming thing ...)

Just wanted to share... oh and by the way, this is the last tangarang post for the forseeable future.

Changes are afoot at Paper&Cake and I'll be blogging daily over there about all things party: etiquette, DIY party crafts & games, easy make ahead recipes for entertaining, and we'll have a bunch of freebies...so check it out. And not to worry for my felty-embroidery readers, as much as possible I'll make felt gift tags and favors and have embroidery downloads for gift giving...

Thanks for putting up with the zebra sweatpants and my felt circus critter obsession!

Bah Humbug...

2009-12-17T17:46:00.000-08:00

You know its bad when you don the zebra-print-velour-sweatpants and the over-sized-yellow-plaid-button-down...

I thought I was way ahead of the holiday game; gifts purchased, check; gifts shipped, check; cocoa jars made and ready for happenstance visitors, check; volunteer hours logged, check; tree trimmed, check; lights up, check...but wait, what's this?

...I forgot teacher gifts and wrapping and those pesky cards...#$&%(*&@

Who invented this holiday? what about that great idea of dressing up and going house to house for candy... I like that one...or what about that one with the cards with hearts, that I can do...

this is just too much...laundry is piled, gifts are unwrapped, dinner is a bunch of chicken nuggets, I feel guilty about not being able to visit deserving and patient grandparents and I just realized that the kids are home AS OF MONDAY....when am I gonna wrap this stuff?

plus I really, really need a haircut... BAH HUMBUG!

ok...now I remember...off to wrap I go...

Hot Cocoa!

2009-12-17T13:37:00.001-08:00

Head on over to the Paper&Cake blog for my cocoa-in-a-jar holiday gift idea!

Felt Advent Stocking Project

2009-12-06T15:17:00.000-08:00

Here's my take on an advent calendar... Tiny felt stockings that get filled each night with a little goodie. Click here for a simple christmas stocking pattern and here, for an elvish stocking pattern.

Elf Embroidery Download

2009-11-23T15:21:00.000-08:00

I'm really liking ELVES this holiday season... probably because three years ago I made 25 tiny felt stockings to use as an advent calendar... Each morning in December I dropped a little gift in a stocking for my kids (a pencil, a little note, a chocolate, etc...), but last year the whole thing became its own story with an Elf that visits our house during advent (every house has an elf dontcha know)... ours is Elimiah-Jerimiah.

So in the spirit of our Elf, I've created this little embroidery pattern. I think Elimiah-Jerimiah might use it to emblazon his likeness on tiny canvas art bags, pencil cases or bathroom towels...

Who's your Elimiah-Jerimiah? Oh, and yes, as soon as I dig them out of the garage I will show you the tiny stockings and give you patterns to make your own felt advent stocking calendar...

We Three Kings...

2009-11-19T11:56:00.000-08:00

Abigail and I are happy to introduce our latest Holiday Printable Party Collection over at Paper&Cake..."Peace on Earth"...

It's an elegant and EASY way to decorate your tree (haven't you always wanted one of those fancy themed trees? we've got you covered!).

It also makes a lovely tablescape on a budget.

And...for those of you who love sparkles (who doesn't?)... this collection looks beautiful when glittered (thank you Martha)!

Oh, and I almost forgot the best parts...a lovely little advent calendar to hang on your door, a photoframe to send as a holiday card and a DIY wreath!

Super Hero Craft

2009-11-14T08:09:00.000-08:00

Paper Dolls are a big deal in my house... I have a huge collection left over from childhood and my four-year-old daughter is addicted to the magnetic kind.

My son likes the idea of the magnetic ones too, but alas there are few options for boys who are into legos and alien-super-heros. A while ago he found this really fun online superhero design program at HeroMachine.com and then yesterday the lightbulb went off...

I purchased magnetic printer sheets, then using the HeroMachine program created a super simple base body (the "doll"), printed and cut out...easy!

My son then designed a bunch of outfits for his guy...and again we print out and cut out.

I had a tin lying around so that became the container. I'd like to get a bigger one and create "scenes"..maybe next week...

So anyway, my son now has a customized magnetic paper doll (although he doesn't call it a paper doll, he calls it "MAGNET HERO"....can't you hear the theme music...

Its Turkey Time...Pass it Along!

2009-11-03T17:01:00.001-08:00

This Thanksgiving marks the one year anniversary of Paper & Cake printable partyware, and it has been quite a year - we've done Baby Showers to Bachelorette Soirees, Fairy Parties to Farewell Parties, Pirate Parties to every Printable Party in between!

We want to show our appreciation for all of the support you have given us - with your business, your blog postings and your kind responses to this creative endeavor - by offering you a little thank you gift.

The Paper & Cake "Thanksgiving" collection includes all you will need to entertain your family in style:

* Invitation + Envelope

* Menu* Place Cards

* Wine Glass Tags

* Napkin Rings / Vase Wrap / Candle Wrap

* Party Food Label

* Recipe Card

* Favor Box

Download yours

here, and thank you again for a great year!

Sincerely,kira & abigail

BIKE DAY!

2009-10-31T12:08:00.000-07:00

My incredibly talented husband built me this grocery-getter-kid-transporter bike...Love it!

He made it from an old tandem, then added a custom wood deck with handles for strapping kids and/or groceries...oh, and it has two pannier-styled baskets for carting stuff.

Makes quick runs to the grocery store pure joy! But it needs a name. We name them all (yes, there are 9 bikes in my garage for a family of 4). My beach cruiser is "Gertie"... any ideas?

Halloween Village Craft

2009-10-25T12:14:00.000-07:00

Last Christmas I made a little paper village; the kids liked it so much they asked if we could do one for Halloween.

Using the same idea, I created a Halloween Village Template to share. (There's also a blank version in case you want to use it to cut-out from your own patterned paper, or let the kids have at it with the crayons!)

Just cut them out, and decorate!

I also cut out tombstone shapes (and a little crow) out of black construction paper and glittered...

Boo!

Re-Posting Halloween Download

2009-10-12T15:47:00.001-07:00

I have been a crazed bat of late and in my haste I am lazily re-posting my halloween to do list from last year...

Need DIY Halloween Party Gift Tags? Try These! This goes really well with our Elegant Halloween Tablescape.

Haunted?

2009-10-05T16:14:00.001-07:00

lanterns (go together in a snap), party decorations

Want to host a Modern Halloween Party with a Gothic twist? Have no time? Not a lot of money? No problem... Head on over to Paper&Cake for the newest Halloween DIY party kit.

sinister snack boxes and spooky candle wrappers

It's inexpensive, it takes about an hour to put together and best of all...it's totally chic!

bottle labels (for wine or non-alcoholic libations), invitation, glass tags

This collection is great for teens (the bottle labels can be non-alcoholic) and grown-ups alike. I LOVE the halloween window decor and lanterns! Don't you?

cupcake wrappers (great for bringing to the neighborhood Open House)

So get out that witch's hat and heat up the cauldron!

best of all - favor bag-toppers

This Halloween party kit includes:
Invitations, Menus, Bottle Labels, Napkin Rings/Candle Wrappers, Cupcake Picks, Cupcake Wrappers, Food Labels, Lanterns, Window Decor, Bag Toppers, Snack boxes, Banner that reads "Happy Halloween", Patterned Paper and a Halloween Trivia Game to help break the ice...

Party for a Cure

2009-09-19T13:27:00.000-07:00

As many of you are aware, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Having family members who have fought and are currently fighting cancer, is a daily reminder of just how important finding a Cure is.

Paper and Cake would like to do our part by donating 50% of the proceeds from each "Pink Party" sold, to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation.

FREE DOWNLOAD

2009-09-15T11:26:00.001-07:00

Went to tuck some lunch box notes in my son's lunch the other day (seeing as its the first week of school I'm still on top of things), but...the little woodland critter ones I made last year are just not cutting it....so I made up some robot ones this morning to share.

Click HERE to download yours (oh, and I included a little note to the teacher just in case you have a "spirited" child like mine...you know who you are...)

Kid's Halloween Party Mood Board

2009-09-08T17:03:00.001-07:00

super creepy and yet scrumptious cake from CakeLab, and how cute would it be to have fun halloweeny buttons for favors?, super cute finger puppets from our own Paper&Cake store, turn the traditional Christmas village into a Halloween with this easy tutorial from ziggity zoom, must-do pumpkin decorating craft, and how about adding a colorful banner from MaryLittfin's etsy shop, try tiny treat bags from our Paper&Cake shop, coll colorful spider lights, frightful frankenstein cupcake bites via Root Coffee.

So every year I throw a casual trick-or-treat gathering at my house to keep tradition alive (and the ghouls and zombies and mummies..no vampires please...so passe!).

I offer simple pumpkin-butter and apple sandwiches *, witch's fingers, creepy jell-o, and Shrieking-Split-Pea Soup Shots for moms and Dads. Kids can decorate pumpkins (carving is really too time consuming and potentially life-threatening, so I offer stickers and glitter instead) while Mom and Dad have a light Tarot Terror Cocktail. Then its off to the neighbors to trick-or-treat.

* my sandwiches are just whole-wheat bread spread with Trader Joe's pumpkin butter (sigh) and super thinly sliced apples (granny smith), then cut into pumpkin shapes with a cookie-cutter.

Kid's Art Desk

2009-09-02T16:17:00.000-07:00

Four years ago my husband built this little art table for the kids...who were, well, little. We made it out of pre-made table legs from the hardware store topped with a slab o' plywood painted teal. Seating was two RIE stools (the best little-person seating in the world that I bought from our RIE teacher Hari, moons ago)...

While my kids are still little, they're not little enough for our tiny art table...ART has moved off the table and onto the coffee table, the dining table, the sofa, the floor...and in my wee 1100 square foot house, space is a precious commodity...so...

Time for new art digs. I loved the handmade quality of our former table, but neither my husband nor I have time to whittle away at wood these days...

Solution:

Ikea + handmade = easy, organized art table.

I admit that I'm addicted to bins...and my labelmaker, embarassing, but true. So we have a lot of those ugly, but fabulous Ikea bin things in the kids rooms.

I decided to put two low Ikea bin-things together in an L shape and top with a similar-to-our-beloved-but-too-small-art-table-top...

And, there you have it...and everything is organized and the kids have a ton of space...now, what to do with my RIE stools?

Needle Felting FINDS

2009-08-23T16:32:00.001-07:00

Spent vacation in Seattle and was introduced to the most amazing shop called Weaving Works! (they told me they ship, so give 'em a call)...

So, I bought a ton of wool roving (at $1.60 an ounce I couldn't pass up a single color...)

I fell in love with needle felting last Christmas with a wonderful kit from WoolPets (so easy, and they really do turn out beautifully...see my bird below...go buy one now!)

(bluebird kit from WoolPets)

(my first attempt at the bluebird)

Anyway, we're super into Greek Mythology in my house right now (combination of Edith Hamilton's Mythology Book from my childhood and the Percy Jackson series...), so my son requested a "god...like Hades, with fire for hair". Clearly, I have much work to do in the needle felting department, but what a great way to pass an afternoon...

Hades

Quaterly Update on Daily Planner

2009-08-08T20:33:00.001-07:00

Fall is quickly approaching (see how positive thinking can help change the seasons?). So, its time for the quarterly update of the Daily Planner. Get yours here!

How To

2009-08-07T16:11:00.000-07:00

As promised, here's a tutorial for a Paper&Cake printable (curious how printables, work, see below).

page from back-to-school pdf (bookmarks)

I printed out the Back-to-School pdf file (for a couple of items I re-inserted the full-pattern pages into the printer, then on the other side, printed the notecards, so they're two-sided...super cute).

double-sided notecard printing

Anyway, I picked one of the more "complex" items, the snack container, just so you could see how truly easy it is to assemble the items, just think how simple invitations, notecards, bunting and cupcake wrappers will be...

1. Print out (double-sided if desired)

2. Cut out along outer edges of design (if you're good with an xacto knife, go for it, but I use scissors).

3. Pre-Score along dotted lines (you can do this with a ball-point pen with the ink removed, even a fork or, if you're fancy, a scrapbooking scoring tool). Pre-scoring makes the folding infinitely easier and the end product look super clean and professional.

4. Fold along pre-scored lines.

5. Using adhesive (ie: tape, double-sided tape or scrapbook adhesive), affix as noted in the instructions.

6. Fill with good stuff.

Yup, its that easy. For a full party for 12 guests, it takes me about 45 minutes to assemble a complete party (everything from the celebration banner to the cupcake wrappers, the favor boxes to food labels). It took my mom (with scissors and tape) and hour to do her first Paper&Cake printable party!

p.s. feeling the need to crate a new felt pattern - should I continue the circus theme, or something totally new? woodland critters, sequined rainbow?...help!!!

FABULOUS FIND!

2009-08-05T18:22:00.000-07:00

I haven't done a find in a long time....but I just got my package from Plastic Foliage today and giggled for half an hour...I bought their hysterical "hand soaps" which feel silly and modern/sculptural at the same time.

Had to share... still giggling...oh, and they are handmade from super mild natural vegetable glycerin and my daughter's hands smelled nicely clean and not at all overly-soapy after the first test-run...

Please Explain

2009-08-05T11:47:00.000-07:00

A lot of people have recently been asking about Paper&Cake...they look at the store, say "That's really neat, but I don't get it"...So, I thought I'd take a post to explain.

Paper&Cake is basically the party store you always looked for, but never found (amidst all the plastic-party-town-dora-favors-for-too-much-money places that abound these days). My friend Abigail and I created a party store with no packaging, no shipping (we like our planet), for people like you and me... people who are not Martha Stewart, but who have a pair of scissors and some tape lying around...somewhere.
Here's how it works: A customer buys one of Paper&Cake's Collections; price range is $5-$10. Or directs the design of a custom collection,; price is $60 (we just finished a custom collection for a "Waiting to Exhale Divorce Party")

You receive (within 24 hours of purchase) a multi-page pdf document (you know what those look like right?)...

Each collection comes with a front instruction page with supplies your might need, what kind of paper works best and other little tips and tricks.

Then you just hit print on your color printer (and if you don't have one, you just save your pdf to a disk or jump drive and take to your local kinko's or staples and have them print it out for you).

The cool part is you print out as many as you need as often as you need. Have only 4 guests, print out only 4...no paper wasted...having a wedding with 176 guests, print that many.

And the stationery collections are great for people like me who never seem to have the right thank you note on hand...with one from Paper&Cake, you just print as you need...and gift tags too! Doesn't get better than that!

Next I'm going to show you how to actually assemble one of the items from a collection (its sooo easy and everyone will think you're brilliant!)

FREE DOWNLOAD

2009-07-30T11:12:00.001-07:00

Need a babysitter checklist? If you're a wee bit type-A, like myself, you'll appreciate having a place to put all that kid info (ie: don't let Fia talk you into reading 50 books before bed, cuz she'll try), dvd instructions (what you don't have 4 remote controls that each need explaining?), and the neighbor's number just in case the house gets burnt down and our cell is out of range...see how useful it can be?

CLICK HERE to download

School?

2009-07-21T16:47:00.000-07:00

I have a confession to make...went to Target to buy beach stuff...and found....Back-to-School stuff. What? It's the middle of July, what's up with the School stuff? While (and here's the confession part) I am more than ready for school to start, I'm surprised... it is July after all, but it got me thinking and, to be perfectly honest, wistful...

So, in my school-wistfulness (I'm a horrible mother), I thought y'all could get a head start (that' s apparently not really a head start seeing as Target has beat us to the punch), and illustrated this "Back-to-School' embroidery pattern.

Use it on canvas lunch bags, back-packs, iron-on to fabric book covers (see, now you're getting wistful too!) (Oh, and all solid areas are for satin stitch...)

DIVE IN!

2009-07-17T11:52:00.000-07:00

It's been really, really hot here... so Abigail and I thought y'all could use a cool dip in the pool (even if it's a kiddie pool like the one we've got in our backyard).

Invite some friends over this weekend for lemonade, a BBQ, snowcones...and a dip!

This Poolside Party Collection is so easy to put together and will get everyone in the swim! Go check it out now! Right now!

ENDLESS SUMMER

2009-07-15T07:25:00.000-07:00

Need something for that last summer BBQ, or a going away to college send-off, or just a casual late summer birthday party?

How about the latest Paper&Cake collection?

This one is our first with a customizable invitation... you just type your text right into the file. So no more bad handwriting excuses!

Shell Craft

2009-07-13T07:36:00.001-07:00

My kids love to head to the shell shop (California Shell Co.) in Seal Beach after a day of boogie boarding. So we have bags and bags of little sea shells...
Yesterday, we decided to make shell aliens. Get out your bag of googly eyes, your cool glue gun and craft away!

Happy FOURTH OF JULY!

2009-07-04T08:31:00.001-07:00

4th of July Printable Partyware from Paper&Cake

Obsessed with Meyer Lemons

2009-06-29T12:21:00.000-07:00

My Meyer Lemon Tree (with which I am obsessed) is in need of harvesting (again). I've given a bunch to So Cal Harvest, but the thing just keeps on producing (despite daily pluckings)... so, in a moment of Target-Shopping-Inspiration I bought myself an ice cream maker!

Here's my recipe for Meyer-Lemon-Cheesecake-Ice-Cream. Its a big 'ol mess to make, but the steps are easy...and the end result...heaven!!!

Ingredients:

Two 8 ounce packages cream cheese (softened)

2 cups half and half

12 tablespoons fresh meyer lemon juice (mornal lemons work fine too, not quite as sweet)

4 eggs

1 cups sugar

lemon zest

Directions:

Puree the cream cheese and half 'n half in a large food processor (or blender). Separate eggs (yolks from whites). Beat the yolks completely with the sugar. Add lemon juice. Add cream cheese mixture. Beat egg whites until foamy and slightly stiff, then add to mixture. Pour into container to chill for 1 hour. Pour the chilled mixture into your ice cream maker and do whatever your ice cream maker says to do. Chill for 2-3 hours. Top with lemon zest.

Summer Paper Doll Download

2009-06-27T12:15:00.000-07:00

I painted my driveway deep turquoise last month, and my daughter is having lots of fun pretending she's in the ocean... so I drew these two little friends, Elise & Emily for summer time swimming fun ...Click HERE to download. Have Fun!

oh and p.s. they can share outfits...

New Paper & Cake Collection

2009-06-24T07:36:00.001-07:00

Under the Sea Baby Shower...Perfect for Summer! Click HERE to DIVE IN!

FREE DOWNLOAD

2009-06-20T17:36:00.001-07:00

We have a very large rollie pollie bug collection...which inspired these little crawlies... Click HERE if you want the solid version (for iron-on transfers, scrapbooking, etc...) or HERE if you want the embroidery version!

Lego Knight's Party Part II

2009-06-17T09:58:00.001-07:00

Decorations: I decided to skip my usual all-out-foodie-ness and focus on the decorations this time around..the trick; to make it look Lego-y and Medieval-ish...

First, I bought three lengths of pvc pipe (nicely inexpensive at $1.30 for 6 feet), spray painted one a matte gray (primer gray to be exact), and cut in half, then cut large foam sheets into flags, cut a couple of slits, and voila - entrance Lego-Knight Flags...(my favorite part of the decor by the way and still in the front yard).

I kept the decorations in the house to a minimum with just this banner (again trying to keep it Medieval and Lego-ish) on the fireplace ...

...and a Lego Castle set up on the coffee table. I made a moat out of blue paper and set the castle on a box painted vaguely rockish (gray with black and green)... the kids had a great time taking a break from outside and playing a very focused and elaborate scenario with the Knights.

On to the outside: (You've already seen the silly inflatable dragon in her Lake of Fire), but I also made a Dragon's Cave/Lair out of a few cardboard boxes painted gray. I made a hole in the back of the "lair", attached red-foil-tissue-paper (cut into fire-ish strips) to the inside of the hole, then set up a fan to blow the fire (looked like a dragon hiding and spewing "flames"), I also bought a bunch of "jewels" from Michael's that were strewn on the "lair" floor...

Then I made Medieval-ish pennants (some parti-colored like this and some solid), to make our outdoor Medieval Bazaar (aka: spot where grown-ups drank beer).

The castle itself was easy...just cardboard painted castle-ish...my husband did the fire-scorched tower part. The most amazing thing was that the kids went with the theme wholeheartedly and slayed the dragon, found its treasure, defended the castle for a good 3 hours...holding their sheilds the entire time...

Oh, and I happen to have a giant (he stands 9 feet tall) Kung-Fu Panda living in my backyard...he got painted green with gold to become a giant Kung-Fu Ogre...

FAVOR BAGS: I made a simple bag-topper with a Lego Knight...

...and a small Activity Book, added three markers, a couple of Knight tattoos, one Lego Knight and a small bag of loose lego pieces (also with its own bag topper).

For the Activity Book I found a bunch of Medieval-inspired games, puzzle and jokes...I just altered them to have a Lego element like this:

FOOD: I decided to make life easy and not go all foodie like I usually do (having Vietnamese-Fusion was fine for my daughter's 2nd birthday, but really...what was I thinking?) So, I order pizza, had some crudite and fruit...But, I did steal my friend Abigail's awesome Popcorn Jar idea...in fact I stole her actual popcorn jars and made sheild-labels...

...and made little popcorn parcels (out of construction paper in Lego colors) for everyone to scoop popcorn. (Click here for instructions.)

And for the cake...well you need to go visit Piece of Cake Parties for that next week...cuz I don't bake...but it totally rocked!

Need a Fun Summer Day in Southern California?

2009-06-15T16:40:00.000-07:00

On June 20th (from 11am to 5pm) the Santa Monica Pier is hosting a "School's Out" Extravaganza. Kids can learn to juggle with Cirque du Soleil or hip hop moves with Groovaloos; partake in drama workshops with Kids on Stage or puppetmaking with Santa Monica Puppetry Center and tons more...oh, and our favorite...Lego My Pier...to find out more check out the Pier's website (and no, this plug has absolutely nothing to do with my husband being the Director of the Santa Monica Pier...nope, nothing thing at all! and yes, my kids think Dad has the coolest job in the world...)

LEGO KNIGHT Birthday Party Part I

2009-06-15T12:51:00.001-07:00

fire-scorched-castle tower (that Dragon is mean!)

Last year my son and his best friend had their 5th birthdays (they're two days apart) at Adventure City. Yes, it was fun for the kids and super easy, but I really missed making stuff and creating a homemade adventure with my son. So this year we decided to do his 6th at home. His top two choices were Lego Star Wars or Lego Knights. I figured I could do a castle on the swing set better than the Millenium Falcon so I admit I was very enthusiastic whenever Lego Knights were mentioned. (We did have a day or two when he wanted a "Make-your-own-video-game-gormiti-alien-zombie party", but I put the kibosh on that (and yes, that's the way kibosh is spelled, I looked it up)...

So, INVITATIONS first...I thought it would be kind of neat to make the invite look like a Lego Box...so I did a postcard-sized version that I created myself (graphic designers avert your eyes)...and it turned out ok. It would have been great to actually make a box, but I'm lazy and how on earth would they be delivered? The back had all the details...

Next we came up with the ACIVITY...if you've got knight's you must have swords. So of course I thought "we can make cardboard sheilds to decorate and cardboard swords"...oh, wait...we're inviting 4-7-year-olds and cardboard kind of hurts when smacked upon the head...hmmmm? I looked and looked for foam swords, sqishy swords, plush swords... I finally found these fabulous inflatable swords; they're huge (48") but the handle is really squashy so they can't inflict a lot of damage...and they're so big the kids felt very knightly swinging them around (proud to say, not a single eye was poked out!)

Next, I set up a decorating table (thank you Abigail for the craft-table idea) with pre-cut cardboard sheild shapes (handles duct-taped to back), a bunch of adhesive jewels, foam stickers and... I pre-cut out Lego-ish shapes out of adhesive foam paper. Kids decorated sheilds (which they were quite proud of by the way), and were given a sword...

...to vanquish the Dragon... We have this 10' kiddie pool and I thought it'd be fun to have a dragon in it...So I dyed the pool red. But it just didn't pack any punch, so my brilliant husband came up with the idea of bubble-bath AND dry ice (genius). Now we had an actual Dragon living in the LAKE OF FIRE, and it bubbled and frothed and the kids vanquished that dragon (not sure it'll ever be the same poor thing)...
(Lego-Knight-ish Banner)

Part II soon (in which Abigail makes a spectacular castle cake, I show you how to make your very own swing-set castle, the dragon finds a lair in which to hide his treasure and we put together fairly inexpensive but totally awesome Lego Knight Goody Bags)!

Birthday Party

2009-06-14T18:59:00.003-07:00

...just finished 6th birthday party...must rest...blog later...

FOURTH OF JULY!

2009-06-12T13:53:00.000-07:00

Hosting the Fourth of July? Try the latest Paper&Cake collection.

It includes everything you need for a 4th of July Spectacular

(including invitations, food label flags, cupcake wrappers. drink parasols, pinwheels and more!!!)

FAIRIES...

2009-06-10T12:44:00.000-07:00

Its here!

Fairy Wonderland is available NOW in the Paper&Cake store.

Remember, you can change colors or add text for only $15!!!

Free Fairy Embroidery

2009-06-09T13:27:00.000-07:00

If you like this little fairy embroidery download... check out the Paper & Cake store next week for a whole Fairy Wonderland party collection!

RECIPE: Homemade Finger Paints

2009-06-07T19:16:00.000-07:00

2 cups soap flakes

2 cups laundry starch

vegetable coloring

muffin pan

saucepan

Follow the directions on the starch box for making boiled starch. Add soap flakes and mix. Put a little in each cup of the muffin tin, add coloring. Paint!

Coolest Nonni Craft-on-the-Spot EVER!

2009-06-02T16:58:00.000-07:00

My mom is awesome...how cool is this fun play set she just whipped up one day with my kids...(using copy paper and a ballpoint pen no less) hours of fun!

You can do it too... you and your kids can draw people, buildings, vehicles (once my son and I did a volcano that was really a secret spy-lab on the backside)...

Once you have the drawings done (making sure you've put a fold or two so the buildings, people, etc... can stand up), just cut out..

Ta-Da village/city/master-spy-base in fifteen minutes!

...and I really, really love my mom's drawings...what can I do with them? Transfer onto tee-shirts? make into a more permanent shadow box? ideas?

Chocolate Soup

2009-05-30T20:30:00.000-07:00

Yes, that's right, chocolate soup. I myself am not a huge fan of chocolate (I know, blasphemy), but my husband and son are pretty fond of the stuff... so once in a while I break out the Chocolate Soup... super easy, super decadent, and pretty much a crowd pleaser (at least in chocolate crowds).

Ingredients (purists and slow foodies, avert your eyes):

1 package cook and serve chocolate pudding
3 cups whole milk
store-bought chocolate cake (you know the kind they have in little plastic containers near the bakery - buy two) or brownies (if you are adverse to store-bought you can make your own, but those that have tasted my baking would prefer the store-bought kind...)
whipped cream - yes the kind out of the can

Directions

cook pudding according to box directions let cool 5-10 minutes...you want it to be super warm, but not burn-your-tongue-hot

place a bit of the cake in the bottom of a dessert dish, top with almost-hot pudding, layer with more cake, then pudding, etc...

top with whipped cream

YUM!

Craft Gone Wrong...Try Two

2009-05-30T11:54:00.001-07:00

Remember that craft I tried a long time ago with the octopus and the chair? and the disaster I made out of it? Well, I decided to tackle the project again.
Step One: Strip the Paint (from the first try)
Step Two: Print out silhouette image on sticker paper. (last time I tried window decal paper and it didn't work)Step Three: Paint. Remove Sticker. Done. (Now it's onto the other three chairs)...

Post Script: ran out of yellow paint...went for sparkly gold for last two chairs...LOVE IT!

Post, post script: here are the gold squat chairs... definitely needed a good sanding so the paint would stick...

Random Political Thoughts...

2009-05-27T10:16:00.000-07:00

I wouldn't normally use a blog to espouse my political leanings, but this is just too much. I cannot sit idly by while blatant bigotry is the rule of the day in my state. I understand that some people have religious or personal views that dictate that gay marriage is not proper...ok, I absolutely respect your right to believe whatever you want to believe (in fact our constitution dictates that I TOLERATE your views, while I may not live-by nor believe they are correct), and really, if you don't believe in gay marriage, fine, then don't get one and shut up already... (ah, that feels better)...

A friend of mine shared this and I thought it was a great quote for the day:

"Bear in mind this sacred principle, that though the will of the majority is in all cases to prevail, that will, to be rightful, must be reasonable; that the minority possess their equal rights, which equal laws must protect, and to violate would be oppression." --Thomas Jefferson: 1st Inaugural, 1801.

Oh, and just in case you happen to think that all people are created equal, here's a little free download to get your party started!

Post Script: All right, all right...I totally get it:

Ten Reasons to Be Against Gay Marriage

1. Being gay is not natural. Real Americans always reject unnatural things like eyeglasses, polyester, and air conditioning.

2. Gay marriage will encourage people to be gay, in the same way that hanging around tall people will make you tall.

3. Legalizing gay marriage will open the door to all kinds of crazy behavior. People may even wish to marry their pets because a dog has legal standing and can sign a marriage contract.

4. Straight marriage has been around a long time and hasn't changed at all; women are still property, blacks still can't marry whites, and divorce is still illegal.

5. Straight marriage will be less meaningful if gay marriage were allowed; the sanctity of Britney Spears' 55-hour just-for-fun marriage would be destroyed.

6. Straight marriages are valid because they produce children. Gay couples, infertile couples, and old people shouldn't be allowed to marry because our orphanages aren't full yet, and the world needs more children.

7. Obviously gay parents will raise gay children, since straight parents only raise straight children.

8. Gay marriage is not supported by religion. In a theocracy like ours, the values of one religion are imposed on the entire country. That's why we have only one religion in America.

9. Children can never succeed without a male and a female role model at home. That's why we as a society expressly forbid single parents to raise children.

10. Gay marriage will change the foundation of society; we could never adapt to new social norms. Just like we haven't adapted to cars, the service-sector economy, or longer life spans.

(from FaceBook author)

Embroidery Download

2009-05-24T10:01:00.000-07:00

Click HERE to download this little woodland critter embroidery pattern. I'm going to do the squirrel on a tee-shirt and the mushrooms on a skirt for my niece.

PPPParty

2009-05-22T11:42:00.000-07:00

A reader asked for a PPPParty... Initals are a fun way and easy to create a unique birthday party.

Martha has lots of simple ideas for turning just one letter into a whole theme!

And here's a little "P" download for a Perfectly Pleasing Pancake Plus Pajama Party!

Ahoy!

2009-05-16T17:06:00.001-07:00

cupcake wrappers (coins not included, but you can get some at Oriental Trading Co.)

While I've been away Abby has been insanely busy creating our latest Paper&Cake collection...AHOY! (please stop over and tell Abby how much she rocks!)

Abby's son Captain Jack modeling the Pirate Crown

This Pirate collection comes in two versions, the limited edition ($5) and the special edition ($8) ... how easy can this get?

the mainsail, headsail and pirate flag are in this collection - cake not included (but I bet if you ask Abby will send you the recipe)

Just head on over to our store, print out at home, cut out, and avast me hearty - ye have yerself a pirate party!

pennant banner

It really is a wonderfully economic way to treat your very own Captain Jack to a pirate adventure!

photo frame can be mailed and double as a thank you note (that's my daughter Fia, far left...attempting Pirate-Scarf-Fashion :)

p.s don't worry girls...we've got fairies and princesses coming soon!

2009-05-13T17:59:00.000-07:00

...sorry for the lack of posts (craft, party and otherwise).... My grandmother Evelyn (who was reprimanded by her doctor a few years ago for tap dancing at the age of 89) recently passed away, so I've been writing the eulogy, reminiscing and just taking some time off... Love you Grandma!

I promise to get to THE LIST of great suggestions from this post as soon as I get back on Monday...PROMISE!

p.s. isn't she beautiful? (picture is April 1941. just fyi for my fashion history buffs)

Bon Appetite!

2009-05-10T17:14:00.000-07:00

We are on fire people! Here's our latest Paper & Cake creation...perfect for hosting a potluck dinner or brunch. It's also a great have-on-hand set with jar labels and treat boxes for a perfect homemade hostess gift for summer's first BBQ...

This one comes in two versions - a limited edition (with NINE items) and the special edition (with EIGHTEEN items)...go see what's in each edition!

New Find

2009-05-09T13:22:00.001-07:00

Check out this cute on-line stationery store...Ginko Papers. The owner selects everything by hand on her trips to Japan (how jealous are you?) Stop by and check out the super sweet pop-up-style cards and illustrated tape!

Downloadable Party Favor Cone

2009-05-07T17:39:00.001-07:00

A reader recently asked for a favor idea for the Teacher Appreciation Ice Cream Social she's hosting... so here's an ice cream cone for you to download that goes together lickety-split (ice cream lingo).

Fill with ice cream shaped erasers and neapolitan-colored pencils, and ice-cream flavored jelly-bellys.

Need Mother's Day Brunch Decor in a Hurry?

2009-05-05T19:27:00.000-07:00

Not to worry... This collection of printable partyware will help you with the finishing touches (hint hint DAD!).

This elegant damask pattern in salmon and turquoise has been applied to:

napking rings
candle wrappers
wine glass tags
placecards
menu
food label cards
cupcake picks
invitations
gift tags
gift card holder with pillow-box
full size sheets of the damask pattern

Mom will be so happy you did! Go check it out!

Ideas?

2009-05-05T11:49:00.000-07:00

Sorry for my lack of crafty posts lately - my excuse is lost lectures that needed re-making (if anyone has Fashion History 1940s through 1990s powerpoints...I'll barter), finding hospice care for Grandma, garage re-arrangement and a few parties in between.

So, to get back on track I'll be doing:

Mondays: Craft Tutorial (I'm taking requests... need macrame?, felt patterns?)

Wednesdays: Paper & Cake Party Ideas or New Product (post a comment and tell us what you need - we'll make it!)

Fridays: Embroidery Download or Party Download (curtain borders or cupcake picks...?)

...so, if you have a party coming up and need decorations (invites, bunting, favor boxes, etc...), post a comment and maybe that will be our next Paper&Cake Printable; or if you're hankering for embroidered dishtowels, tell me what you need and I'll come up with a freebie for you...

Vroom Vroom

2009-04-29T18:07:00.000-07:00

This one is all Abby's doing...and isn't is great?

race car serving tray, pennant banner and snack carton

There are so many fabulous items in our "Race Car Birthday" collection that we had to split it up!

So, we are offering 2 packages. The first "Limited Edition" package is priced at only $5 and consists of 7 items (including the invitation). Our second package, the "Special Edition" has everything that comes in the "limited edition" package, but adds an additional 6 items on top - for only $3 more. You can go over to our etsy store right now to see what items are in each package.

cupcake picks can double as food label tags

...and how cute is this easy-to-assemble birthday crown?

invitation, goodie bag tags, cone party hat and photo frame

oh, and by the way, we need someone to design a website for us...perhaps for a year of printable parties (ie: one delivered per month plus one free custom collection)? interested, e-mail kira@tangarang.com

Luau Mood Board

2009-04-22T12:45:00.000-07:00

I have this very chic, very smart friend who is trying to decide what to do for her son's first birthday. This friend understands that the first birthday is really a celebration of the BIRTH day (whether you gave birth or brought that little bundle home, this is a day for YOU to celebrate - your survival, your fortitude, your year of vulnerability, year of insanity, year of true love...). So she needs cocktails!

She and her husband think a luau would be fun (so do I); so here are three fun mood boards to get her inspired (p.s. To the Mama in question, if you like one, we'll design a Paper&Cake printable party based on your selection as a first birthday gift to help make the luau decorating easy!)

My first idea was a goofy Brady-Bunch-Tiki-Adventure-Inspired-Party. (Just because she's chic doesn't mean she doesn't have a sense of humor!)...think tiki torches, tiki cocktail glasses, tiki bibs...you get the idea...

Or how about a 1950s Hawaiian Get Together...Vintage Hawaiian shirts, retro grass skirts, coconut cocktails and a baby blanket with retro bark cloth?

And for a more mellow affair, just go modern! Cool fusion sashimi, tropical leaves, a stenciled hibiscus motif and recyled teak toys for the little one?
So help my friend out and vote on your favorite mood board!

Another New Paper&Cake Collection

2009-04-21T21:14:00.000-07:00

Sorry, but I had to share another new collection (we've been busy!). This one is for a sweet, modern baby shower. Head on over to Paper&Cake to see what's in it!

New DIY Party Collection

2009-04-19T17:41:00.000-07:00

brand new in this collection - cupcake wrappers!

these small handbag style party favor bags are the

perfect size for lip gloss and breath mints

Looking for classy bachelorette party goods but aren't having any luck getting beyond all the male anatomical parts? We searched and searched online, but failed to find ANYthing with a funky attitude but still appropriate for any bride.

And so, we bring you the "Wild" Bachelorette Party Collection. In this printable set you will find:

• 4” x 6” Invitations

• Cupcake picks / Party food labels / Name Tags

• Wine glass tags

• Cupcake wraps / snack cup wraps

• Tiara

• 2 games

• favor handbags

• candle/vase wrappers

add some "sparkle" to this tiara with simple glitter or stick on rhinestones

cupcake picks double as name tags when you print on sticker paper

the bachelorette scavenger hunt, always a crowd pleaser!

And, as always, this hip collection is only $5 in our etsy store!

Tuesday's Find: Invitations for Donation

2009-04-14T11:49:00.000-07:00

Had to share this post from Piece of Cake:

Designing for Donations?

Creating for Contributions?

A Present for your Party?

Designing for Dollars?...very corny.

"...But my point is, in this economy I am very concerned that I will not be able to make my minimum goal of $2,500 (yes, two thousand five hundred dollars) in order to participate in the Southern California 50 Mile MS Challenge Walk. (read my story here)

I had an idea.

A few months ago, Aimée over at Under the High Chair asked if I could help her out with her son's 1st birthday party invitation. I've never met Aimée, we just started to get to know each other through our blogs (love hers!). So, I ended up making a cute invite (note from Kira: you've gotta see this invite and party...too cute!) and she gave her son a fabulous 1st birthday party. Then, I got an email from a reader who loved the Aimée's invite, and asked if I would make an invite for her daughter.

Yes, of course! every little girl deserves a pink princess party

But this time, a stroke of brilliance! Let's swap the invitation design for a donation!Thus, my idea was born.I am offering everyone an Invitation for a Donation. Here is what you will get:

high quality PDF emailed to you (for FREE) that you can print out at home
two invitations come on an 8.5" x 11" sheet
your invitation will be a 4" x 6" flat card, sized for an A6 envelope
invitation can be for any occasion, can also include a photograph that you send me

Here is what you can do for me:

post this Invitation for a Donation story on your blog and/or go to the

National MS Society website and donate on my page - Abigail Barnes - in any amount (just to let you know in advance, I do believe the minimum online donation amount is $10, but I think you can mail a check in for any denomination). And remember, this is tax deductible.

Well, I guess that is it. Do you have any questions? Do you need an invite? email me abigailee2@gmail.com.

surfer girl party! imagine it in blue for a little boy...And thank you in advance for your generosity."

Monday's Free Download

2009-04-13T13:17:00.001-07:00

How about some country-cute recipe cards? I just got a hankering for vintage calico and homemade jam...so....click here (and send jam!)

Thursday's Embroidery Pattern

2009-04-05T10:54:00.001-07:00

Avast me Hearties...Click here! Try these stitched onto toddler tee-shirts or use as iron-on transfers for canvas loot bags for a Pirate Party!

Tuesday Kid Craft/Party Craft

2009-04-04T17:42:00.000-07:00

Aaaaargh! My friend Jack is having his 5th birthday soon. And it's a piratey affair...so I thought it'd be fun to create a blank treasure hunt template for Cap'n Jack (no relation) and anyone else who needs a fun afternoon of treasure huntin'.

It includes a blank map,

a sheet of treasure-hunt paths and a sheet of stuff you might have at your own house/backyard.
So you can customize your very own hunt (or at least your small pirates can). Just print each page, cut and paste and avast me hearties...the hunt's on!

MONDAY's FREE DOWNLOAD

2009-04-04T15:00:00.001-07:00

Need a weekly menu planner? I made two, a Special's Board one (which is kind of silly) and a Cherry one (which I think is kind of sweet)...

Friday Craftiness

2009-04-03T10:26:00.000-07:00

I wanted to make a modern, but warm looking mobile for my living room (which is mostly browns, wood and orange). And seeing as I always have a ton of felt scraps on hand... here it is. It's not as fancy as some felt mobiles I've seen, but I like it and it's easy enough that I could change out the pods and make different colors...thinking about doing brights for summer).

Here's HOW TO:
Step 1: Cut out your felt shapes (I did egg-ish shapes and layered them).

Step 2: Stitch layers together with either a whip or blanket stitch. Place two layered "eggs" together and stuff with just a small bit of batting to create pod shapes.
Step 3: For the mobile hanger I cut out two boomerang shapes with notches so they would fit together. Then I drilled holes near the top to hang the whole thing and eight holes in the boomerang "arms" where I wanted to hang the individual pods.

Step 4: I wanted the pods to appear to float so I used fishing line instead of ribbon or other cording.
Step 5: Next I think I need to paint the boomergang orange...what do you think? or should I just sand it and gloss it?

Thursday Free Embroidery Download

2009-04-02T10:19:00.001-07:00

I wanted to do something with a little bit of 1920s flair, but soft and springy to add to the edge of pillowcases ... if you want to join me, click here and get out your needles. And here's a great basic embroidery tutorial from Purl Bee just in case!

2009-03-30T15:54:00.001-07:00

Any excuse for wine is a great excuse for wine. That is why Abigail and I sat down a couple weeks ago (over wine), and decided to give everyone one more reason to drink (several) glasses of wine.

Our "Wine Tasting Party" has just what you need to get the vino flowing!

5"x7" Invitations, Wine bottle numbers, Wine glass tags, Wine glass tag bag topper, Wine Tasting scorecards, Party starter question game (54 ice breaking questions), and 6 easy-to-make party recipes (like "Figs with Gorgonzola & Balsamic Vinegar")...

Hmmm... is it too early for my glass of wine?

Thursday's Free Download

2009-03-25T13:53:00.000-07:00

Thought an embroidery pattern would be useful for Springy Chicken Day this year (I'm thinking of using it on an apron or tee-shirt for my daughter)... Click here to download!

Wednesday's Mood Board

2009-03-24T20:22:00.000-07:00

We do Springy Chicken Day instead of Easter at my house (don't ask), and I LOVE it. The Saturday before, we all get out brooms and the mop and do our big Spring Cleaning (cuz the Springy Chicken likes clean houses). Once the house is smelling like lemon, vinegar and baking soda (a lovely smell), we build a giant nest out of sticks the kids have collected in the backyard. The Springy Chicken comes during the night to lay her eggs (usually giant chocolate ones) and leaves a few special gifts. It's so much fun to go outside at dawn to see what's been left in the nest! Because really, I get chickens and eggs, and I've never gotten the bunny/egg connection...?

Here's a mood board for this year's Springy Chicken Day...all yellow and turquoise (think peeps!)

credits: top row left to right: printable card from Avlor, Cute Chick business card holder by Sweet Heart Sinner, sweet dessert display from Matthew Mead. second row: chick -a-dee from DK images, nest to fill with almond eggs from The Wedding Line, peeps photographed by L. Marie. third row: be-ribboned pick by Rebecca Thuss, daisy from Plum Daisy, felt chick in a felt egg by Bossy FeltWorks.

Tuesday's Find

2009-03-23T17:44:00.000-07:00

Sequins...there's nothing better really. Sequins on felt, sequins on 1930s Ginger Roger's costumes, sequins on kid's naked bodies...you just can't go wrong in my estimation.

So here are a few on-line resources for the next time your kids decide to roll around in paint and you decide to sprinkle the lawn with jars of sequins...just to see how sparkly the world can get...

Cartwright's, Sequin's Direct, and Berger's (my local favorite)...

Monday's Craft

2009-03-23T06:37:00.000-07:00

Easter Favor Cone in Felt Step 1: Using the cone pattern, cut two out of felt. Adhere or stitch interfacing (in the same pattern) to one of the pieces.

Step 2: Cut out a variety of small circles in three to four colors of felt, cut slits or tiny wedges into each circle to create flower shapes.

Layer two to three flower shapes and afix with a sequin, small button or just a knot. Stitch the flowers to one of the cone pieces.

Step 3: Stitch (by machine or hand) the two cone pieces together. Close the seam by overlapping at the back to create a cone shape.

Step 4: Cut out the handle shape using the pattern. Attach the handle at the sides with a sequin, small button or knot.

Step 5: Fill with candy on Easter morning!

Friday's Recipes

2009-03-20T12:54:00.000-07:00

Rustic Tiramisu (that just means easy and not even remotely fancy...which is just how I like it).

Boil two cups of water. In a medium bowl, mix together 3 tablespoons espresso powder, 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar, 2 1/2-3 tablespoons coffee liqueur and boiling water. Next, beat 4 egg yolks, 1/4 cup dry marsala and 1/2 cup sugar in a medium saucepan over low heat and whisk until super frothy (about 5 minutes). Stir 2 cups marscarpone into the egg mixture until just smooth. In a large mixing bowl, whip 1 cup whipping cream until it begins to peak. Stir in the marscarpone mixture.

Barely dip lady fingers into the espresso mixture and lay on the bottom of a glass or dessert dish. Layer with a dollop of the marscarpone, a pinch of shredded chocolate or cocoa powder. Layer again with dipped lady fingers, marscarpone and cocoa. Chill for at least 8 hours (and up to 2 days).

Recipe for "Birthday Cake for Dad Made by The Kids"

Make a box of vanilla cake from the box (stirring in a bit of turquoise food coloring). Let cool. Cut into cool ziggurat shapes. Frost with can of whipped cream cheese frosting. Decorate (my kids chose bright peeps, sprinkles and candles). All my baker friends (you know who you are) are surely cringing right about now, but Dad loved it!

Thursday's Download

2009-03-19T12:45:00.000-07:00

Here's a fun rocket-ish free download. For a party use the "Blast Off" as in invitation and the circles as cupcake picks, or for scrapbooking use as a journal spot and embellishments. I think the rocket would make a cute embroidery pattern too...

Click here to download!

Sorry...Just Gotta Share

2009-03-18T18:28:00.001-07:00

So Abby took some little drawings I did and made them into this... this collection is really too sweet...How's THAT for a DIY easter?

Here's what's included:

* paper baskets {in two colors}

* crayon boxes

* cupcake picks basket tags {in two colors with 3 styles}

* mini-standees {can be used for your tablescape decor, napkin rings or even placecards}

* full page patterned paper {use your paper shredder to make instant “grass” or use as the backside of your easter basket}...

...hello...Can you say Easter Brunch Decorations for $5?....

Wednesday's Mood Board

2009-03-18T13:13:00.000-07:00

Seeing as its the anniversary of the first walk on the moon, I thought a kid's Space Party would make a nice mood board for today.

Invitations: I really love the modern rocket invites (lower left) from tiny prints, or you can make your own with a rocket-shaped cookie-cutter as a template.

Favors: I'm not a big fan of plastic favors, but its hard to resist these miniature space ships from Plum Party (lower center), or how about a take-home bottle rocket like these from Make (top center).

Food: Can't go wrong with "Planet Cheeseball" from Kid's Cooking Activies (top right), they also suggest space ship pinwheel sandwiches and crudite in star shapes... And don't forget the Hi-C , Space Ice Cream (second row left), and of course Rocket Pops (center) and these cute sugar cookies from House of Sweets (upper left)! And don't forget the cupcake picks from 24-7 Party Paks.

Costumes: Martha suggests white jumpsuits for costumes and how about diy astronaut helmets like these from Birthday in a Box?

Decorations: can you say stars? and planets and asteroids? hang a bunch od astronomical paper cut-outs from the ceiling, and I always like sparklers... Try a table runner of bright blue with glow-in-the-dark star stamping...

If anyone wants any Rockety/Spacey party downloads, let me know and I'll do something for tomorrow's download...

New Paper & Cake Collection

2009-03-17T11:44:00.001-07:00

Sorry for the lack of crafty posts, I have a yucky sore throat and have been teaching too many classes... (I promise one later this week)...
anyhoo, just for kicks, here's the latest Paper & Cake collection...I like the masculine take on gifting...

check it out at the etsy store!

Just Some Weekend Pictures from the Garden!

2009-03-14T12:03:00.000-07:00

Thursday Free Download!

2009-03-12T13:44:00.001-07:00

Time to re-do the daily planner (again)... There are two versions (just for fun).

Click here for the gray-ish/celery-ish butterfly one or here for the purple/waspy one. Enjoy!

Paper & Cake Yipee!

2009-03-11T17:27:00.000-07:00

Go check it out...

Wednesday's Mood Board...

2009-03-11T13:21:00.000-07:00

HELP!!! I am on the committee helping plan my 20th highschool reunion (aack)... and it's presenting a lot of conundrums... So I need your help party people!

Location: It will most likely be one of those generic hotel banquet rooms...we'd like to have it at a winery, but then it gets cost prohibitive, and no one wants to spend more than $90 to see a bunch of graying ninnies...so, ok banquet hall: WHAT TO DO? WHAT TO DO? How to hide, well...everything but not spend too much? Plus I'd like it to look modern and hip... you know not, banquety...

Some of my plan:

Our school colors are green and gold (blech!), so I'm thinking those carnation balls sitting on a bed of moss done in yellows and greens would be inexpensive and modern looking for centerpieces. Check. But how else can we decorate in a modern and INEXPENSIVE way? Amy at Stem I've bet you've got a ton of ideas!

It'd be great to set up a couple of lounge areas (cuz those big nasty round tables, are, well, big and nasty), but again...cost. To rent a decent sofa costs $200, but I can buy one at Ikea for the same amount? Suggestions?

Food: No sit down dinner, food stations or buffet or passed tapas?

Photography: I think it'd be fun to rent one of those giant photo booths as opposed to the psuedo-class picture...cuz you just don't wanna turn on the lights in a banquet hall right? And are disposable cameras just too passe?

Favors: I don't understand what a memory book is, nor do I particularly want one...and no one wants an '89 Rocks shot glass, so what else can we do? I like the buttons above...

I really really need your help on this one guys! And our committee is a wonderful, flexible, smart group...so we're taking all suggestions...

credits: top row: Gotta do the Amy Atlas dessert table in green & yellow, cute little favor boxes from Rebecca Thuss, how about lanterns like these as seen on Social Design. second row: this is the kind of lounge I'm talking about, how about fun buttons like these as seen on Brooklyn Bride ?, DIY candy table in square vases also seen on Brooklyn Bride. third row: flower ball in green, graduates in green from Kettle Moraine High, how about limes or green apples? like these from celebrations.com.

Tuesday Find

2009-03-09T12:24:00.000-07:00

If you, like me, have crayon-paint-collage-crazy kids you need to check this out.

Ok, mine mostly draw on themselves, but they do use paper...a lot of it...no, too much of it; and I am not a keeper of things. I hate stacks. So what to do with all that cute, colorful, pride-inspiring-first-drawing-of-a-person stuff?

Well, send it to See Jack Draw...and you will be sent back a lovely archival-quality ginormous print with said art.
Can you say mother's day gift for Grandma? And get this, they range in price from $50 to $75, with additional prints $5...shut up! yes, $5.

p.s. Nonni and Grandpa wept openly when they got theirs this past Christmas...you gotta love that!

Monday Craft

2009-03-08T19:06:00.000-07:00

I'm working on a craft that's taken me longer than a weekend, so will post that one next week...in the meantime, I'm re-posting one of my favorites...

DIY wine glass charms (for those of us who aren't into pewter grapes, and yet are adverse to swiping a friend's Pinot)...

Supplies:

sequins (I found vintage sequins in downtown LA, but any craft store has a plethora of the sparkly things)

a pair of jewelry pliers (or if you're handy, probably a fork and counter top will do)

earring hoops

seed beads

1: Slide a seed bead onto the hoop (difficult I know...)

2: Slide those sparkly sequins on! A lot of 'em... this is when you get into that zen crafting mode while watching your favorite show that just arrived from netflix!

3: When the hoop is about 3/4 full (and after you put half back on after they fell off after your glass of wine) add a second seed bead...

4: With the pliers (or other useful instrument) bend the end of the hoop upwards (so those pesky and by now seemingly evil sequins do not escape)

5: Ta-Da...enjoy your glass of wine...

6: Make more...because they just don't work unless you've got a few!

Friday's Recipe: BAGELS

2009-03-06T06:55:00.000-08:00

I love making Water Bagels, its a great breakfast for those of us non-bakers (the dough is very forgiving and you don't have to be super precise). Here's my recipe:

Ingredients
4 1/2 cups flour
3 tablespoons sugar

1 package yeast

1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 1/2 cups tepid water

2-3 egg whites

Directions
Mix about 1 1/2 cups of the flour flour, sugar, salt and yeast in a bowl. Slowly add the warm water and beat until mixed throuroughly (be sure not to overmix). Add the rest of the flour about a cup at a time, mix and repeat until you have a soft dough. Knead the dough until smooth and pliable. Cover and let the dough rise for 30 minutes. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface into a rectangle. Cut the dough into 12 equal strips, about 2 inches wide. Form each strip into a circle and pinch to close the seam. Let sit another 30 minutes.

The fun part: In a large pan, boil a 2 inches of water. Reduce to a slow simmer. Add a couple of the bagels, and simmer about 3-4 minutes on each side. Repeat until all the bagels have been "boiled". Once cool, place the bagels on a greased cookie sheet and brush with egg whites. Bake about 30-35 minutes at 365 degrees, or until just golden.

Thursday's Download

2009-03-04T21:04:00.000-08:00

In keeping with the floral theme...here's an embroidery pattern for you to play with. Have fun!

Wednesday Mood Board

2009-03-04T12:52:00.000-08:00

Spring is on its way... So here's a little floral party inspiration for a Springtime Party...Credits: top row: Start with a set of floral utensils like these made by Lisa Storms for Fiskars, add sweet felt flower crowns like this one found at Dream Child Studio, floral barettes by Paola, and how about DIY flower invitations like these by Lauren Meader. second row: flower tote from ehow, flower bubbles for cute favors from bride.ca, floral candy favor pails, and don't forget flower cucpcakes, these are from Amy's Baking Company.

Oh, and look at how our new collection turned out... go to Paper&Cake to see more pictures!

Tuesday's Find

2009-03-03T06:32:00.000-08:00

This isn't really a find, since Abigail designed it for Paper & Cake, but I just like it so much and think it's an awesome idea, I wanted to share (ok, boast)...

It comes in two versions - one is blank, like those blank letterheads you get at the stationery store and you just type in your information and use the Bluebird templates to print on - you get eveything on the list below for $10...everything.

And the other version is customized (ie: we put in your information and send you the pdf all done). This version is $10 per item, (ie: $10 for invitations, $10 for the placecards...still, what a steal.)

Here's what's included:

Invitations
Response cards
Save the Date card s
Ceremony Program covers
Map cards
8.5 x 11 Letterhead
Menus
Favor Bag Toppers
Favor Boxes
Place Cards
Circle tags
Table numbers

MONDAY: Craft-ish

2009-03-01T12:32:00.001-08:00

I have been intrigued by the spiffy decoupaged wares by Bombus, but am not super keen to spend $178 on a plate (even if it does look like the bathroom at Mae's diner in Seattle; I mean that in a good way)...so, of course I decided to tackle decoupage myself....not sure it was a successful experiment, but in an effort to share a weekly craft, here goes...
Step 1: pick out stuff to decoupage. I wanted a couple of catch-all's and found these little plates from my local Thrift store for $.50 each (woo-hoo). You don't need to sand them, you can just start slapping the paper right on...

Step 2: Cut out your paper. I had a couple great textbooks from the 1970s with pictures I've always loved...You can be super precise and use an exacto, but who has time for that?

Step 3: Start by mixing some Mod Podge with a little bit of water (if you're using thinner paper, you don't need to do this, but I wanted to "relax" my paper as it was kind of thick). Then just slather it on the surface of the plate. Sift your cut piece of paper in a bit of the stuff, then lay it on the plate. If you're feeling a bit type-A-ish, you can plan your images ahead of time, but again, who has the time...

Step 4: Once all your images are layered (I had trouble with wrinkles but I suspect I'll get better next time around), let dry overnight, or if you're like me, about 30 minutes.

Step 5: Seal with glossy stuff. I used this really cool spray stuff (Royal-Coat Decoupage 1461 Hi-Gloss Finish to be exact), I liked the spray, because again, I'm into the speedy craft.

And isn't the glossiness pretty? Ta-Da (or more like, now where on earth am I going to put these funky things?)

Friday's Recipe: For When Life Hands You Lemons (lots of 'em)

2009-02-20T18:20:00.000-08:00

My wonderful mother-in-law sent me this incredible recipe from the NY Times... I think she covets my meyer lemon tree (don't worry, we'll send some up with the artwork!)

Try it, you'll like it (its fast, simple and delicious)... Roasted Oysters And Meyer Lemon

Ingredients
3 dozen unshucked oysters, scrubbed
4 ounces butter, softened
Grated zest from 2 lemons, preferably Meyer; cut lemons into large wedges
Sea salt
Preparation
1. Arrange oven racks in lower and upper thirds of oven. Heat oven to 400 degrees. Spread oysters in a single layer in two roasting pans. Roast oysters for 6 to 8 minutes, or until shells begin to open. Remove from oven.
2. While oysters roast, mash together butter and lemon zest with a pastry blender or fork. Season with salt. Continue mashing until well blended.
3. Using a shucking knife and a towel to hold onto oysters, remove top shells and loosen oysters. Put oysters in bottom shells; place in roasting pans. Dab about 1/2 teaspoon of lemon butter on each oyster. Return pans to oven and roast 2 to 3 more minutes, just until butter is melted. Serve oysters with wedges of lemon. And here are a bunch of other great meyer lemon recipes for you to try.

Baked Meyer Lemon Fries
Lamb Stew with Meyer Lemons and Figs (insanely wonderful)
Meyer Lemon & Spanish Almond Semifreddo
Meyer Lemon Gnocchi
Preserved Meyer Lemons (total neccessity when your tree is bursting)
and last but certainly not least, Rioja Sangria with Meyer Lemons (make sure you find a rioja...vital!)p.s. will be taking a week-long blogging break next week...wish me luck!

Time Waster

2009-02-20T07:45:00.001-08:00

Find yourself waiting... with not much to do but, well, wait... here's a super fun time-waster (my cousin sent me from facebook).

1 - Go to "wikipedia random" the article title is the name of your band.

2 - Go to random quotes, the last four or five words of the very last quote of the page is the title of your first album.

3 - Go to the flickr random generator, the third picture is your album cover.

4 - Use photoshop or similar to put it all together. Here's mine, that I did on Illustrator...too funny.