PARTY OF THE WEEK

There are so many fun weddings and parties that fill my Facebook news feed every day, and I don't like to spend all my time re-hashing what's already been tagged, said and featured. But some of these events really are worthy of sharing with everyone. SO, I've decided to bring back my 'favour friday' posts to highlight my favourite party from the week from the view point of the party favour or take home treat. Gotta' love a pretty presented parcel!

So to kick things off, check out these favours from Ruby May Designs sons' 2nd birthday party (via AAE) If you need bunting, Dawn's the girl!
I think my favourite part of the party is that instead of one large styled party table, she created some vignettes around the party area for food etc in her chosen colour scheme - love it. And these fabric bags based on a Sarah Jane print look so cute stacked up in the little wagon. You can see all Dawn's images here.

Also, I've had a few "I thought you'd like this" emails and links this week - thanks friends! Here's a few of them as well as some of my own finds from around the www -

// Puppet Invitations (thanks Alicia)
// Get your ambience on
// Chocolate icing just got healthy - I have can in the fridge right now...
// DIY blackboard photobooth (thanks Ros)
// Speaking of blackboards, check out this Arty family (thanks Kristy)
// Get organised - so need this (thanks Maddie)

I hope you have a lovely weekend - enjoy! xo

Image // Graham Sharkey

FAVOUR FRIDAY :: CHOC-A-BLOCK CANADIANS

Did you celebrate Canada day? I'm glad lots of you used the free printables I shared with you. I ended up using the party dots to package some favours I had at each place setting of our Canada Day dinner party (dinner party sounds so fancy eh? We had friends over for dinner and we had a table cloth on the table. That equals dinner party in my books!).

I saw these chocolate bars last year. I discovered they don't ship to Australia, so I have been on a casual search for the perfect moulds to make my own. It took me a few months but I found one here. I thought Canada day would be the perfect excuse to use them for the first time.
The adults had the big bars and the kids got little ones. I used mini Oreos & mini marshmallows on the backs they felt Canadian enough!

I then popped them into white paper bags, crossed over with red ribbon and sealed with a party dot. Sweet!

Hope you have a lovely weekend all!
Jordan x

Favour Friday :: Bagel Bag

A simple theme of a bagel was the starting point of this party by Indigo Bunting & Mount Custard. These matching favours contain bagel shaped cookies for the little guests to take home. Loving the twine and bagel label. Cute! I think it's fun when a little child picks a party theme based on their favourite object of the moment. So random!
What parties are you planning this year - are they random or mainstream?

(image Indigo Bunting via Sara's Party Perfect)

Glassine Envelopes

I've long admired glassine envelopes. I love that you can get a little preview at what is inside.


These little envelopes are new to my store and I've been busy putting them to work. They make such cute favours and I thought they would particularly compliment a couple of my collections.

This is a little peek at a self-promotional shoot I'm preparing for (slowly but surely!). It will be for my space collection. I used my straw/garland tags to wrap around the glassine envelope. Sweet and simple, right?! (You can find them in my store here.)

What would you put in these little guys?

What are you up to this weekend? I wish I was here but home is the reality.
Enjoy surfing this weeks eye candy links!

:: Go styling mum's!

:: I would like to try these at my next kids party

:: This would cost a lot with the price of bananas at the moment 

:: And how the flower toppers are made

See you Monday! xo

Nella's Birth Favour Box

You know when you find a new blog and just trawl through all the archives gleaning as much info as possible about the new gem that you just discovered? I was like that when I cam across Kelle Hampton's Enjoying the Small things. With the crazy pace of the party industry, it felt like a Sunday drive. I love how she captures the beauty of everyday.

At the birth of her second little girl, she had created these 'birth favours'. Not a tradition I am overly familiar with, (and to be perfectly honest I don't know if my pre/post birth organisation skills would be up to scratch for this), but I do think it is a beautiful welcome to the world! And those big pink ribbons...lushious (I would be crossing my fingers the scan determining the babies gender was right! :)
Have you seen this tradition before? Is it just an American thing?

I have my fingers crossed for my new website this weekend...can it be?!?
While I wait with great anticipation, here are a few fun finds from web-world. A little bit Valentines inspired...

:: Naturally Sweet - for your health conscious valentine
:: Happy Hearts
:: Cupid Kit
:: Macaron messages

DIY Gift Packaging

I like the idea of these sleeve gift boxes I found at Celebrations at Home. They look really easy to make.

At first I thought they were matchboxes. Alas they weren't but that did make me think - wouldn't they be really cute if you wrapped the sleeve of matchboxes and did something similar with a sticker or seal? Go the miniatures!
...........................................................
As so not to swamp you with multiple posts tonight, the winner from the Simply Christmas gift tag & twine giveaway was Comment #8. Congratulations Jo, your prize is on it's way! Thanks to all who entered and came and visited...I hope I will keep seeing you around! ...........................................................

Here are some other things from around the web for your regular Weekend Whiparound - 

:: Nothing says welcome like these

:: Oh Christmas Tree

:: Dreaming of a white christmas

:: A great escape from the summer heat

Party Favour Friday :: More & More S'Mores

I know s'mores aren't really an Australian tradition, but having had them a few times in my childhood, thanks to some American friends, I can say I am a big fan - It's a sugar hit on a stick!

So today being all about favours...here are a couple of creative ways of packing up s'mores for your guests!

A fun wedding favour created by Oh Happy Day for guests to enjoy around the fire after the bride & groom have left.

And little bit of clever packaging makes these simple ingredients look so stylish. Source Twig & Thistle

Before I start craving marshmallows, let me give you a few goodies for this weeks 'Weekend Whip Around':

:: What a simple and fun birthday tradition for your kids
:: Would love to see the behind the scenes of a stop motion promo like this video
:: Hello Good Looking. Did you think to pray? My favourite Etsy store of the week
:: And after my care bear post this week, my sister told me about these life sized care bears...funny! Would you ever wear one??

On that note...have a great weekend everyone!

Party Favour Friday :: Pie Box

Love this as a simple yet stylish take-home favour idea from Stepmodo. Use for pie as she has done or, after too much party food, a slice of birthday cake for your guests to take home could be just the thing. You could even get a head start in the car on the way home with the included cutlery...I like her thinking!

Here are some things that are worth a mention in this weeks "Weekend Whip-Around":

::  I may have crawled out from under a rock, but did you know Etsy has had a baby?
::  Playing with boxes and pillows in the lounge room has never looked better!
:: A fun neighbourhood idea if you celebrate Halloween
::  Love this fresh colour combo
:: Do you remember these from your childhood?

Looking forward to sharing a new design and more event ideas next week! In the meantime, why don't you put your feet up and have a browse through the Polkadot Prints store over the weekend.

Have a lovely one!
Jordan
xo

Favour Friday - Plane Cookie Favours

I'm keeping the plane theme going for this weeks party favour feature...a zoom in on the favours we designed for Levi's 2nd birthday.

I decorated more of these cookies (and my icing technique hasn't improved too much at all!), placed them on a bed of 'cloud' mini marshmallows, and packaged them up with some, oh so stylish, divine twine and a 'Cooper' tag. Here they are all stacked ready for our "Baggage Claim" area on the dessert table. 

Note: The boxes are not in the Polkadot Prints store, but if you live in Australia and are interested in these, I can let you know details! I have large sweet boxes (15.5x10x7cm) and small (11.5x7.5x5cm) available till sold out, so get in quick! 


Thanks too for all the lovely comments and interest in the milk cartons. I will share those with you next...they are totally my favourite!!

Party Favour Friday :: Rustic Notes

Today's party favour is from this party from Traci of 45wall design. They matched these invites she designed. Cute eh? Couldn't you see this adapted to a favour for a graduation party...a pre-school party...


Have a great weekend all! xo

Party Favour Friday :: Stitched Paper Bags

Remember the farewell party from last weekend? As much as I wasn't able to design as much as I wanted to, I was able to put together some little favours for everyone to take home. 

Again I want to highlight the humble Polkadot Party Dot. They are so versatile and so handy to have around for a quick 'jazz up' of...well...anything!
I had designed the dots previously, and then sewed the bags just the morning of the party. 
Paper bags + party dots + sewing machine = 

Inside was a family photo and some of these delicious Jersey Caramels...good family memories!

Hope you have a lovely weekend. I'm off to Melbourne...brrrrrr...so looking forward to it though...just what the Dr ordered I think! Hoping for some great design finds & inspiration!

CELEBRATE FRIDAY :: D.I.Y Fabric Pocket Favours

Know how to cut? Can you sew in a straight line? (or can your mum?!) If yes, then todays party favours will be a piece of cake! Very much a DIY project Twig & Thistle designed for this simple & stylish Baby Shower.  

Check out the shower details here

The finished product ready for the guests

The little shortbread treats tucked inside the pockets...yum!

And these are all the supplies you will need! 

Find the full DIY details here. And have a great weekend all!

Oh, and don't forget to head down to Portside on Sunday morning for the Boutique Markets...hope to see you there!

CELEBRATE A PARTY FAVOUR :: Homemade Jars

Here's to a homemade party favour! Giving your guests a little something for coming to your event doesn't have to cost the earth. I love these wedding favours of homemade jam. 

Fill a 'mason'/canning, jar with homemade jam, treat or maybe the ingredients to make your signature cookies like the ones below!

Some co-ordinated paper, fabric or ribbon, bakers twine, and personalised tags finish it off to be something special. Cute enough for a home party, yet stylish enough for a wedding!

Image source Once Wed, Bakerella

CELEBRATE A PARTY FAVOUR :: The Lunch Pail

Maybe a little large for a party favour, but what a cute way to package food for an event, conference or party!

Image source

Party Favour Friday :: Candied Apples

What a cute way to package up the ever-sticky candied apple! While it's moving into winter here in Australia, these are a great little favour for those of you heading into summer.

You could even do a 'make-your own' favour at your next party (I'm a big fan of these) with a "dipping station" of various coatings and nuts and lollies to cover your apples on a stick. Think caramel, ice magic, sherbet, crushed Tim Tams...mmmmmm. 

Oh, that is a actually a good idea...I think I'm on to something here! What kind of party would this apple station suit? An outdoor party? Carnival party? School fete? You know I am going to have to work that idea in somewhere soon!

Just poke a hole in the top of a transparent (or plain cardboard) box with party dots & ribbon for easy transport home!

Image GiversLog

Party Favour Friday :: Cupcake cups

It's a short and sweet post today for favour Friday! Sending you off for the weekend with another idea for your next event. 

Send your guests home with a cupcake cup filled with co-ordinated sweets & treats! Gather with cellophane and tie with ribbon and a party dot. Really easy!

You can find pretty cupcake paper and tins at your local kitchenware or craft store. Try Robin's Kitchen, Relish, Spotlight or online at Little Betsy Baker. 

Boutique markets & mothers day for me this weekend! Happy weekending to you!!

Party Favour Friday :: Barnyard Egg Carton Favour

A barnyard party is a great gender neutral theme, and I have to be honest, I have never seen one as detailed as this party - It looks like one high-end 'do'!! 
One thing that jumped out at me though was the favour they gave to all their little guests. The humble egg carton!

Just a label on top and filled with some farmyard treats. Wouldn't it be great to fill with mini muffins or Kinder Surprise eggs? Any other ideas? It's a great way of tying this theme together...

Party Favour Friday :: Triangle Snack Pocket

It's Friday again...I can hardly believe it! Time to uncover another party favour idea! This 'green' snack pocket by abeego (via The Violet Hours) is re-usable and quite substantial looking. It would be a great gift within itself, but could be filled with many lollies or treats that match your party theme.   

They remind me of this idea from Martha Stewart that I love.

Made from paper bags, you could fill with treats & string them up for decorating within your house at your next celebration. A brief how-to can be found here.

AND, don't forget to enter my party accessory giveaway! It closes Monday 9pm (AustralianEST)

Party Favour Friday :: Mini Pinata!

(image source)

How cute would these mini pinata's be to hand out at your next celebration? Made in the colours of your event's theme, you could fill them will some teeny lollies - dolly mix, smarties, m&m's, jellybeans or for those on a diet - grains of rice, glitter or confetti! 
For a full tutorial & how-to, visit Not Martha


Have a lovely weekend one and all. And stay tuned as next week I have a my first ever giveaway on the cards! Yippee!

Party Favour Friday :: Inspiration...with paper!

I love a little party favour. The ways of wrapping a box, tying a ribbon, and presenting a lolly are endless! Favours really are the classy version of the 'take home lolly bag' we all grew up. 

And the best part is...they don't have to blow your event budget! Most of us probably have a stash of scrapbooking or craft paper lying around, and maybe some ribbon, put them together and...voila!, personalised favours! Try these on for size...

Printed Bag - Put a paper bag through your home printer (note from experience - use the brown kraft ones or greaseproof lined white ones - otherwise...paper jam!!) Image source 

Bag of Treats - A cellophane bag never looked so good with this tag of stylish typography (image source)

Candy Cone - Sealed 'Candy Cone' made from a square of coloured paper

Image source

I might see how I go featuring some favour ideas on Fridays...just 'cause, 'Favour Friday' kinda rhymes and seems like a fun 'bloggy' thing to do!

I have my boutique market debut on Sunday (Boutique Markets, Portside Hamilton if you're in the neighbourhood) See you on the other side...