I absolutely love Skip To My Lou, and I’m so honored to be able to share this tutorial for my sweetheart cake pops with all you fantastic peeps. These cake pops are so simple to create and make the perfect little bite sized dessert for your Valentines Day celebration.

These cuties are so easy to make! All you need is cake, icing, lollipop sticks, candy melts and a little heart cookie cutter (mine is about 1.5 inches).

First step, mix cake and icing. If you have never made cake pops before you’ll need to play around with the amount of icing you add to the cake. I wish I had an exact measurement, but I don’t. I add my icing, little by little, until I reach the consistency of play doh (meaning you can play with it).

and cut out your hearts…

Dip your lollipop stick into melted candy melts and then insert into the heart. (The candy melts help the cake to stay on the stick)

Now pop these suckers into the freezer for about 30 minutes to firm up.30 minutes later…

Its showtime!!!!
Add a generous dollop of shortening to your candy melts and microwave your candy in 30 second intervals until melted. (the shortening helps thin the chocolate making it easier to cover)Once your candy and shortening is melted and mixed together its time to dip that sucker!!!
BEAUTIFUL!!! Now, set your heart pop on waxed paper to dry. Once dry you can eat them, gift them or just look at them (and even take a few pictures b/c you’re so proud of how cute they turned out). These little heart containers (they’re found all over the place in the Valentines Day isle) are the perfect size for these little treats!

You can check out the rest of the party below…  

Me and my crazy Olivia!

I took their photographs to a local copy shop and had them copied onto velum. I used a tape roller (from Michael’s) and a glass votive candle to complete these photo votives.

Trim the velum so you have two pieces the same size with a photo on each piece. Use a tape roller to place a line of tape on each side on one piece of the vellum.

Stick the two pieces together and place the votive inside.

We sat them on the tables and amongst the food for a flashback of when they got married!

Congratulations mom and dad!

I originally was wanting to make the one from the Giver’s Log, but I couldn’t find the thrift-ed pieces.

The supplies for this project can be found at home improvement stores (like Lowe’s). The plastic plates are from Target. I also found some cool plastic plates at a local thrift store.

Supplies for Tiered Serving Tray

2 plastic plates

one knob that fits threaded rod

1 – 1/2″ X 3′ round aluminum tube (there are cool square ones too!)

1 – #8-32 X 3′ threaded rod

1 package of #8-32 X 1  1/4 combo round w/nut (or one nut to fit end of threaded rod)

2 rubber washers 3/16″ X 1/2″ X 1/16″

11/64″ drill bit

fine sandpaper

(we did not end up using the #10 flat zinc washers)

You will have plenty of supplies left over. These would make great gifts!

How to make a tiered serving tray

Cut aluminum tube with saw, making sure cut is level. You will need a 6″ length and 3″ length (these can be adjusted to your own needs)

Cut threaded rod into a 9 1/2″ length

Lightly sand aluminum tubes to make surface even and remove imperfections

Drill hole in center of two plastic plates. It worked best to place masking tape where the hole needed to be drilled and drill from the front.

Put 9 1/2″ threaded rod through bottom plate and put a nut underneath the plate.

Next place rubber washer on top of bottom plate, place 6″ aluminum tube around threaded rod.

Place next plate, a rubber washer, 3″ aluminum piece and then screw knob tightly to top.

The pieces can be easily removed and interchanged with other plastic plates to fit any party theme or color scheme!

{Free Printable} New Year’s Eve Party Decor

Download your free New Year’s Eve printables HERE!

ENJOY!

Thanks Stefanie for such great New Year’s Eve Party ideas and free party printables!

The table is always a feast for the eyes. Even the chandelier and ceiling are decorated.

A real pumpkin was the perfect centerpiece and glittered leaves covered the table at our last party.

Always beautiful dishes at each place.

She sculpted us each own own woodland creature!

The children are treated equally well with this cool table.

Yes, real cornstalks were the centerpiece and crows hung from the ceiling.

The show stopper was these paper mache pumpkins made for each child.

Unbelievable! I can’t wait to see this year’s theme.

Supplies

Wet Floral Foam – a 3 pack is about $4.00, and will make 12

Plastic plant saucers – .35 cents each

Candle – less than a dollar

Flowers – free, I used blooming branches from my yard

Cut floral foam in half lengthwise and then each piece in half.

Slightly trim off bottom corners of foam at an angle so the foam sits snugly into the plastic saucer.

Soak floral foam.

Place foam in container and add a candle (I wish the candles I had on hand had been a bit taller.)

Stick flowers into the foam. Depending on the flowers you use, if  you keep the floral foam wet these flower centerpieces will last for days! These are even great to make in the winter with evergreen from your yard!

I made 7 centerpieces for less than $1.00 each!

send these cool invitations that can be printed for free at Twig & Thistle.

A table decorated with photo cylinders like Hostess with the Mostess would be lovely.

I would print these ballots and popcorn bags also from Twig & Thistle—- isn’t she amazing!

It would be fun to play How About Orange’s Oscar Bingo during the awards.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has an Oscar Night Essentials Party Kit including recipes, party ideas, printable ballots, bingo cards and cross word puzzles.

I am always looking for appetizer inspiration! Delish and Woman’s Day serve up some yummy ideas. Food TV shares some best supporting snacks. Food and Wine Magazine doesn’t disappoint with their 10 Oscar Appetizers. Food and Wine Magazine also has a Make Ahead Cocktail  Party!

Movie themed food would be a must! Epicurious and Allrecipes have themed dinners for each of the nominated movies.

Gourmet and that’s the spirit share the perfect cocktails to pay tribute to the nominated movies and actors.

We could also dine on tuxedo strawberries.

These Oscar Award Cookies from Bakerella would make a spectacular statement.

How about these Oscar statutes that were made from white chocolate and then painted with edible gold made by My Little Cottage in the Making. Served with a slice of cheesecake and a chocolate “Hollywood.” Simply pipe melted chocolate onto parchment paper, allow to cool. Once hard, peel away from parchment paper and embellish the dessert.

My Little Cottage in the Making sent her guests home with some swag –bag full of candy, a bag of popcorn, a movie gift certificate, a Hollywood clap sign key chain and a pin in the shape of the pink stars on Hollywood Walk of Fame. I would want to do this also!

I would also borrow some of Cathy Filian‘s  great ideas for Oscar party decor, food and fun!

]]> http://www.skiptomylou.org/2010/03/04/oscar-party-ideas/feed/ 7 http://www.skiptomylou.org/2009/12/28/how-to-make-a-pinata/ http://www.skiptomylou.org/2009/12/28/how-to-make-a-pinata/#comments Mon, 28 Dec 2009 13:32:52 +0000 cindylouh http://www.skiptomylou.org/?p=10559 A snowman pinata that is…

Blow up balloons and tape together in desired shape.

Mix up a thick soupy mixture of flour and water.

Cut or tear pieces of newspaper and begin covering balloons. The balloons will need 2-3 layers depending on the strength of the party attendees. Older children might need more layers.

Before final layer add a strong string for hanging the pinata. The string went all the way around the snowman to keep the head from being knocked off. Pieces of tape kept the string in place around the snowman until final layer was put on and dry. When paper is completely dry, cut a hole somewhere on the pinata (we cut the hole in the top of the head). Fill with goodies.

Fold strips of crepe paper in half. Make a slits on the folded sided 1/4″ – 1/2″ apart.

Glue uncut edges of the strips of crepe paper.  spiraling around entire pinata, cutting more strips as needed. Slightly pull crepe paper as gluing to allow the cut edges to pop out.

Allow pinata to dry and then add details. Hot glue construction paper buttons, eyes and a cone shape for the nose to the pinata. The scarf is made of felt (one piece cut in thirds lengthwise, sewn end to end, with slits cut on the outside ends to make fringe).

See the pinata in action at Bella’s breakfast with Santa birthday party.

We have a very special four year old turning five next week. To celebrate Santa is coming to eat breakfast!  Normally this is a tradition for my basketball player in the house, but he has grown too old (at least what he thinks) and is graciously passing. So we now have one thrilled little girl!

Santa Coat Invitations

For the invites I made Santa Coat invitations. Really these would be great for any holiday gathering! They went together very quickly (I only made 10 though).

I first cut a shape to use for the  buckle out of a cereal box. Remember when Cricut generously let me try their machine? Well I have had it now over six months and am completely satisfied (in love). I find I use it for so many different things. The paper doll cartridge has single handedly been helping me through preschool Sunday School. Those dolls have been Adam and  Eve, Joseph and his coat, Ruth and Naomi. I have made star wands and hearts for a special game…. on and on. My husband and boys even continue to find it useful.

So once again the Cricut has come in handy.  I used the frame (with shift key on) from ACCENT ESSENTIALS cartridge (this one comes with the Cricut Expressions)  set for 2″ size to cut a shape for Santa’s belt buckle. To cut through the cereal box I used a deep cut blade set to 6, maximum pressure and low speed.

It made quick work of cutting my buckles.

I then used another handy tool (for the first time) and it worked great for cutting a slit in each side of my buckle wide enough for my  1 1/2″ satin ribbon to slip through.

Next  spray paint the  buckle shapes with silver paint, allow to  dry then paint around the edge (making a kind of frame) with Deco Art Twinkles paint.

Once completely dry I hot glued a 14″ piece of 1 1/2″  black satin ribbon to the back of the buckle.

Fold each short edge of an 8 1/2 ” X 11″ piece of red card stock to meet in the middle. A bone folder ran along the fold will make a nice crease. Hot glue a piece of 1″ fur trim to the bottom of the card. I cut my pieces of fur just shy of  11 1/4″.

Print your invitation on white card stock, trim to fit and place inside. We also included a letter to Santa for the girls to bring back to the party.  You may download the Santa Letter if you like.

Free Printable Letter to Santa Download

Slip the black ribbon around the card and through the buckle and you have a Santa Coat card.

I will do many of the things we have done for past seven years at our breakfast with Santa parties, with a few wild ideas thrown in (remember my party planner is four). So this week I will be making a snowman pinata while my sister-in-law is dreaming about how to make a snowman cake — yes I know we are slightly off theme but again I remind you of the party planner’s age.  If you have some ideas or tips to make this party special I would love to hear them!

See how the party turned out here.

If you want to cover all your bases then be sure to also fill out a wish card and send to your chief gift buyer! Click on the banner at the top of my blog (or image below)  and you will be taken to a fun little spot where you can make a wish list and send your list to someone who might need a few little gift hints for the holidays!

First, she made these cute customizable Halloween Invitations. All you do is download the invitation, open with Adobe Acrobat and you will see instructions on how to edit the invitation. No handwriting involved and you have professional  custom invites for your party. They would also make great menu cards.

Free Halloween Printable Party Invite Download

Next we have cupcake toppers.

Owl Cupcake Toppers Download

Download, print on cardstock and cut out with a 2″ circle hole punch. Glue two together back to back with a wooden pick in the middle.

You can also print the owl circles on sticker paper and use them for envelope seals …… so many great uses for these cool owls.

We aren’t done!  You still need envelope mailing labels, treat bag labels, food labels and place cards.  Skip on over to Whisker Graphics to finish downloading your party printables!

Enjoy!

Looking for more Halloween ideas? Try here.