Tip Tuesday

Tip # 6: Test your recipes

I often get a lot of my inspiration for the menu of a party from the Internet or cookbooks I have accumulated at home. The images I see look so amazing and easy, I always think my food will turn out looking exactly how it does in the picture. But this is not often the case! The last thing you want to have happen, is test out a recipe the day of a party and have it not turn out. Testing your recipe a week or two before your party can really help you save time and present a dish that looks and taste amazing. Its also a great way to personalize the recipe with something you might not see in your cook book .

Lace Candle Holders

This year for Valentines Day I have decided to try and shy away from the traditional pink and red, so instead I'm going for a more romantic red and black. I had a bunch of tea candles in my room so I decided to try and make them look a little nicer. I hope you like them !

What you will need for this project:
Lace ( I bought mine from Michael's )
Mod Poge
Clothing Dye
Candle
Small votive holder
Scissors *
Sponge or Paint Brush *
* products not shown

Step One: Take your lace and wrap it around the votive, measuring how much lace you will need and then dye it the color of your choice. Its not very difficult to do ,I just read the directions on the back of the box. Depending on how dark you want your lace, add your coloring to a small amount of water and continue adding until you have your desired color. Let the lace dry for at least an hour.

Step 2: Once you have dyed your lace and let it dry, take your Mod Podge and paint a small strip on your votive.

Step 3: Line the top of the lace to the top of the glass jar and slowly lay the it down on the remainder of the glue.

Step 4: Pulling back the extra lace , make another line of glue and lay the lace on top. Repeat this step until the lace is all the way around. Its a bit tedious but I found this way to be the best for keeping the lace glued on. If you cover the entire glass holder with glue at once the glue will dry before you get all the lace on properly.

Step 5: Cut the extra lace off the bottom of the votive and gently dab Mod Podge on the bottom so the lace doesn't fray .

The Finished Project!

Tip Tuesday

Tip # 5: When to send out the invite

With everyone's lives getting busier each day, having a dinner party on a whim is usually not the best idea ( for you and your guests). Inviting your guest well in advance is important so everyone can clear their schedules for your amazing parties! Depending on the size and difficulty of the party I would normally give at least a months notice. If you are having a potluck or a themed party, the more prep time your guests have the better!

How much notice do you give for your parties?

Cupcake Topper

In my inability to sleep a few nights ago I decided a late night crafting session was in order. With Valentines Day nearing , I decided to make a simple cupcake topper that will look great on my cupcake tier. This project is pretty simple and doesn't involve many steps.

What you will need for this project:
Glue Gun
Scissors
Toothpicks
Paper ( preferably card stock or something thicker than regular paper)

Step 1: On the back side of your paper draw a medium size heart. Once you are satisfied with your heart cut it out and use it as a template to trace the remainder .

Step 2: Using your hearts take your glue gun and make a small dab where the top of the toothpick will go. Once you have made a dab of glue, place the toothpick on top and let dry.

The Finished Project!

This project is so easy and takes no time! You can make any shapes, numbers or letters you want. Happy Crafting!

Tip Tuesday

Tip #4: Pick a theme and stick with it

Themes are an important part of a party for a few reasons. Firstly, they help the person throwing the party maintain consistency when preparing . If you are throwing a Valentine's day party, picking 2 colors and sticking with them throughout the decor can take the party a long way . Another reason would be , it helps the guest get into the spirit of the party. There is nothing worse then having a themed party and having one or two guests who don't participate. A theme for a party doesn't have to be something elaborate, it can be the kind of food you make or the color plates you use. As long as it helps you stay creative and in control of your party, that is all the matters.

Sparkled Candle Sticks

With the cold temperature and gray sky I often find it hard to wake up in the morning and drag myself out of bed! In honor of Monday I thought I would post a small project I did on the weekend.

I purchased these candle stick holders from Home Outfitters. They were on sale for 4.99 each because they were a holiday item but, I personally think they can be used year round.
All you need for this project are: Candles, Spray glue and Sparkles ( of course!)

Holding the candle upright spray the candle with glue ( if you are not sure what glue I am talking about click here) . To put the sparkles on you can choose to shake them or roll the candle in a bowl of sparkles until they are covered. And that's it!! Its a really simple and fast way to take a plain white candle and give it that extra kick!

Happy Monday !

Tip Tuesday

Tip #3: Know Your Guests

When throwing any sort of party whether it is a pot luck, a small intimate affair or a large dinner party, it is important to know extra information about your guests. Small things such what kind of wine they like can make all the difference when having a party. But...one of the more important things to know is if any of your guests have allergies . Even if one person has an allergy to a food it is best to leave it out of the menu so that you don't have to exclude that one guest. A small effort can go a long in making each person feel comfortable while at your party!

Pretty Plastic Plates

When people think of plastic plates some of the words that come to mind are cheap, plain and ugly. They don't only have to be used for an outdoor BBQ they can also be used for elegant dinner parties. Using sparkles and glue I was able to make plastic plates that look beautiful, expensive and creative !

For this project you will need :
Plastic Plates
Sparkles
Mod Podge
Spray Glue
Sponge *
* Not shown in image

Step One: Place your plate bottom side up and using your spray glue, spray the plastic plate in its entirety , making sure you get all of the ridges . (It is important that your plate be on a flat surface in order to keep the underside from getting glue on it)

Step 2: After you have sprayed your plate with glue take your sparkles and cover your plate. I did the bottom of the plate first , then the rim and finally the area between the rim and bottom. There will be an extra amounts of sparkles that spill of when you lift up the plate , so be sure to lay down paper underneath so you can save them for other projects!

Step 3: Using Mod Podge and a sponge gently dab over the sparkles and leave to dry . Tip for this step, try not to over saturate you sponge with glue or the glue will pick up the sparkles and leave the plate looking blotchy.

The Finished Project!

Placing the plate on top of a charger plate can push it one step further from plastic to elegant. I bought the charger plates and the plastic plates from a local store called Party Packagers. The charge plate was on sale for 70% off because it was considered a holiday item! Check out your local party and craft stores after holidays, you can find a lot of stuff on sale that can be used all year round!

Tip Tuesday

Tip #2: Clean As You Go

This tip is something my Mum has always tried to instil in me, and I have to admit, she is right. When preparing for a party it is very important to clean while you are cooking. If you are making a dish, clean everything up before you move on to the next thing. The last you want to do is clean for hours after all the guests leave. It saves you time at the end and gives you more time to spend with your guests.