HOW TO HOST AN ICE CREAM BAR

 I've designed a few ice cream bars in my days of sharing here on the blog. It's my fall back desert - it's fun, interactive and I haven't yet met someone who doesn't like a spot of ice cream! You might remember my sisters baby shower, Australia Day party, family photo shoot & wedding that all had an ice cream desert.

When we were planning our farewell party, I again pulled out the ice cream bar from my bag of tricks as I thought with a large crowd it would be a really simple option and let our guests create their own sundae's. Not being a 'stylist' as such, I think ice cream bars are a really easy to make look pretty too. A win in everyones books!

Do you want to see where I begin when starting any kind of project or event? 

I always sketch up my ideas and make notes to consolidate my thoughts.

And here's the finished product.

Image // Gerty Photography


It definitely helps when I'm shopping and collecting props and things for an event, and keeps things on track when I'm tempted to squeeze in every idea into the one event!

I thought I'd share some tips and things I've learnt along that way, that might encourage you to host your own little ice cream get together!

Here Goes....

Mock up - I always do a little mock up a few days before an event. I like to just set things out and make sure I actually have the room for that big 20 Litre tub of ice cream! Also it gives me time to do any last minute running around and purchases if I need to.

Image // Gerty Photography

Keep things in order  - I like to place things on the table in order that you use them. From cups and ice cream right down to toppings and garnishes. It might sound common sense, but sure helps things flow nicely, particularly if there are a lot of guests.

Glasses or paper cups - I've only had the opportunity to use sundae glasses at my sisters wedding. Otherwise I use plain paper cups and decorate them to match my theme. You can use party dots, ribbon, stamps, wrap with fabric, a cup wrap (eat drink chic) or coloured cups are also an option.

Image // Etta Photography


Good quality ice cream - you can't build a sundae cathedral without a good foundation! Phone around your local ice cream shops and get prices on buying their bulk tubs, big and yum! I have always had a Sorbet for those people with allergies too. Trust me, they'll thank you for it! : )

Mix ins -  Think cookie dough, marshmallows, crushed Tim Tam's or chocolate bars & after dinner mints, macarons, ferrero Rocher etc for a classier 'do'.

Image // Etta Photography


Garnishes & Toppings - again depends on the style of bar you're creating, but can be anything from glace cherries, sprinkles, nutella, to fudge sauce, crushed nuts, gold leaf etc.

Essentially, let your imagination take you away! It's summer here at the moment in Canada, so it's getting to be perfect ice cream weather. Can't wait!

Need invites, buffet labels & tags for your next ice cream bar? You can find printables for some of these ice cream bar themes in my shop!

CRAFT TOOLS OF THE TRADE

Want to take a peek into my supplies?
These are the things that I find I'm always pulling out of my tool box and using for anything to do with paper craft. Even when I couldn't bring all my craft supplies on my person when travelling overseas, these were the basics that were included in the suitcase.
With just a few tools, I can create something fairly easily such as this craft, on the run with just a few other purchased consumable items.

There are a few other bits and pieces in my box of tricks like a few other punches and such, but these are my essentials. What about you? Do you have your essentials for whipping up some crafting genius?

Origami Gift Box & Giveaway

I have had the pleasure of contributing to the 'Simply Christmas' project over at Woodberry Design today. You will find a cute packaging idea for serving up your Christmas treats. And there's even a Polkadot Prints giveaway going on! Head over for the full post and instructions.

Back to Basics :: How to put a Cupcake Topper together

Well, there has been a blogging lull for a week around here, but I have been busy doing projects behind the scenes. I will have some Christmas printables and a matching freebie coming within the week. Big hooray!! I've been keen to show you all the fun things that I have been working on but haven't been able to blog about yet. I hope you will like them as much as I have enjoyed putting them together! Only a little wait to go! Until then....here's a little something for you.

The whole printables/print-it-yourself concept of invitations and paper goods, while becoming quite the staple at parties on the Northern side of the globe, is just starting to pick up and take off here in Australia! (We do set trends in other areas though I must say!) Some of the feedback I get from customers or friends is: "I could never do a party like that", "that must take you ages", "cost so much" or something to that effect. So I wanted to start doing some 'Back to Basics' blog posts, that show just how easy a few bits of designed paper can be pulled together to make a party look themed and fun. Today's post is a little 'How-To' on the Party Dot aka Cupcake Topper...

Start with your personalised party dot design of choice from my store (of course!!). Print onto heavy weight paper or cardstock - even standard paper would work fine.

Trim full sheet into strips, following the marks on the page. You can trim them to the squares in the design or for the dot part you can punch out the circles.

I use a Fiskars 2" circle squeeze punch to cut the circles. They also have a scalloped 2" punch that suits a lot of designs. Totally up to you. I like this punch because it's designed like a skillet so you can line up the design perfectly centred without having to turn it over - very clever!

You will have a pile in no time! (You can also use a circle template cutter like this one, or a digital cutter if you have it - but this really is a 'back to basics' and really the punch does a fantastic job!)


Next, grab a bunch of 7cm lollipop sticks (available through me or cooking/craft store). Put some tape on one end. I find it easier to do this sticky side up, so I can place a dot on top and make sure I have it centred. (I just do use my eye on this).

I then turn over and make sure it's then stuck down well on either side of the stick.

And there you have it...all your dots ready to get decorating! I know cupcakes are the traditional, but really they can be used for so many things!

For some of you, this may be a little bit too basic, but hey, as the old saying goes...even if it helps one person it's worth it! :) If you have any questions, I'll answer them in the comments section. Feel free to ask on any other party topic too - it may generate it's own little 'how-to'!
And stay tuned this week as the Christmas spirit starts to flow!!

Party dots and paper goods can be found in my store

HOW TO :: Chocolate Cloud Lollipops

I have a  little tutorial for you today. One thing I found to be the most difficult with creating Levi's recent party was the surprising lack of cloud shaped cutters or moulds. Given it's simple shape, I assumed there would be a tonne of options for me....wrong! I had to get creative with my cupcake fondant discs for instance, that were actually non-symmetrical flower cutter cut in half!


The other cloud I used was this chocolate cloud lollipop. They are really simple, inexpensive, but really created some great height and interest to the food table. Today I want to run through a bit of a how-to for you. 

(You'll have to excuse my photos - nighttime in my kitchen = terrible light!)

1. Download your free cloud template here (following my lab testing, I have modified and 'pretty-fied' for you!). Print out template and place under a piece of baking paper that has been taped to the bench. 

2. Place dobs of melted chocolate in the main areas of the clouds. By doing small dobs (is this a real word?!) and spreading you create the nice crisp joins instead of it being one big blob. 

3. With the back of a spoon, gently spread the dobs to fill the template outline beneath. Pushing from the centre out helps to keep the nice round edge.

4. Place wooden skewer or long lollipop stick in to the cloud. You want it quite high up to help it stay on the stick when it's finished. 

5. Spoon a little bit of chocolate over the stick to cover. Smooth as best you can as this is actually the front of your cloud. Leave to set. 

6. Next comes the decorating! This is where you can vary to your specific theme - stripes, dots, colour, small lollies etc. I piped 'fly' onto my as it fit my theme best. I did all the one colour in a production line style. (Two bags of Nestle choc melts goes a long way!!)

 

7. I added accents with another colour. I used Wilton's candy melts as they have great colours. (Aus residents you can get them from here)

8. I then stuck mine into covered boxes for my table. Done!


That was a long "how to" for something that is essentially quite simple, but I hope that makes it really clear and easy to follow!


I've thought idea could be used for a kite or rainbow party, or even edible photo booth props! What do you think? What kind of theme can you see these being used for?

Chocolate Nests for 'Down in the Garden' party theme

Today I want to share a quick, and easy to make, table decoration for your "Meg" down in the Garden party. Since it's on sale and all!

Inspired by this party from Kate Landers Events, I thought I would Australian-ise her nest recipe. I made some nests for my boutique markets display last month, and they were so easy.  
You probably remember making these in Preschool or early Home Ec classes - I certainly don't claim to be the creator of this idea!
The only two ingredients are these. I just used cheap chocolate as I wasn't needing it to taste amazing. I used one packet of chocolate to one and a half packets of these fried noodles.

Melt choc and mix

Pour into glad wrap lined nest-sized bowls. Press up the sides till you get the depth and thickness you want (mine were way too chunky - could have knocked someone out with it!)

Set in the fridge, peel off plastic and fill with treats!

And those fried noodles really look twig-like!

A sweet addition to any down in the garden theme or fairy theme don't you think?
Don't forget to check out the Polkadot Prints Sale on till the 30th June!

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!

Boutique Markets Debut & DIY Canvas Lettering

It was hot. It was exhausting. But it was so worth it! I'm still unpacking and my feet are sore, but my first market experience on the weekend was a great success! It is a small market of all handmade & boutique products, there were some really classy stalls and I met some lovely ladies. One highlight was meeting one of my readers in the flesh - I love that!


I have some photos of the display I created based on my Archie print to share in the next couple of days but in the meantime, I thought I would post about these canvases I used in my stall.

With my time restraints, I ended up having to hand make them...oh yes, that meant hand cutting and placing way too many adhesive backed letters!! The canvases I pulled from my lounge room wall on Friday night and got to work...

I think they turned out quite nice considering, but I'm so glad we have such things as vinyl lettering these days...

Thanks to everyone who came and said hi! xo

Backstage Pass - Creative Process

I am going to post about my creative process today. It might give you a little background in how a design comes about - from initial thought to end product. Of course this is totally personal and just how *I* do it...hopefully there is no 'right' or 'wrong' way about how one would do this!

Let's take my recent 'Archie' invite as an example.

So to begin...first comes an idea. For me this might be sparked by a piece of, fabric, ad on tv, interior design in a magazine, children's clothing, book, a person, or general theme. This one was inspired by a baby jumpsuit.

I sketch up a concept (or a few if the juices are flowing!)
Scan or transfer that sketch into a digital format. 

Create various elements of a design ie. elephant. I tweaked this elephant a bit before I settled on one I liked the look of. Note the different feet! *UPDATE: I use Illustrator or Photoshop for the element designs. I then bring it all into InDesign which gives more flexibility with type & layout etc. 

Play with colours & fonts (enter time consuming part. I often pray a lot at this point!) Originally I had in my head it was going to be red, white & grey. It ended up looking  a little bland, so swapped it out for the sky blue. Much more friendly!

Tweak and print out for physical review

Save and smile!
Was this insightful? How do you do things different to this?