Friday, May 27, 2011

Teacher Thank You or Teacher Appreciation Free Labels


Just in case you've still got a little time before school is out, I thought I'd share a cute set of FREEBIE Teacher Tags that I found  at Anything But Perfect via It's Always a Party at the Parkers. These are perfect for those of you "in a bind" right at the last minute without a sweet gift for those amazing teachers who take care of our children each day.... 

Not to worry though! Anything but Perfect Blog gives you a few different options.

The photo above is made from the  gift tag below, she just used a circle punch
This is a 3" oversized tag to attach to just about anything.... some muffins, banana bread, a book, a gift card, etc. And just in case you don't have a 3" circle punch, no problem. Just cut them out carefully with scissors and it will work just fine. Angela attached her tag to a a To-Go Tumbler with a Starbucks gift card inside - so smart!!



Click HERE for Teacher gift Tags




This is a quick and easy FREE Candy Bar Wrap. In pink for girl teachers and blue for boy teachers.... how cute! This fits a 1.55 oz regular size candy bar which can be found just about anywhere.




Click HERE for Teacher Candy Bar Label


This is an adorable set of FREEBIE gift flags that can be used around candy sticks and given in a cute glass jar as Angela did with this chalkboard "A+" sticker. I just love this idea!! Angela used some candy sticks that she found in the Walmart wedding aisle and wrapped them with her fun"You're the Apple of my eye!" flags.







Sunday, May 22, 2011

Oprah's Farewell Party

"Did You see Oprah Yesterday?????"
How many times have we all said this?

We can not let her last show end without honoring Oprah!
Catherine at Design Editor made this party printables, that I first saw on Kara's Party Ideas.Click on this link to her FREE viewing party downloads/printables to share! These designs were inspired by Oprah's audience.
You can use these printables to throw a great viewing party.
Say farewell to Oprah with class & charm!
These designs, inspired by Oprah's audiences in their bright colors, would look great with coordinating solid colored plates and napkins. I'd do everything else white to contrast the colors: Tablecloth, flowers, frosting on cupcakes, strawberries or pretzels dipped in white chocolate...you name it.


This free download includes, a banner, Oprah Bingo to get the party going,
and other printables that can be used as cupcake toppers, on bottles, gift bags, etc.

Thank You Oprah...you will be missed!



Sunday, May 15, 2011

Margarita Party



Margarita Cupcakes, Margarita Cakes and of course Margaritas

My friend sells jewelry, and I decided to help her out and host a Girls Night Out Shopping Party.
Since, I love to have a "theme" for everything....it seemed like a perfect night to make everything "Margarita"
The pitcher had real Margaritas (with Alcohol!),  and the beverage dispenser had lemonade with limes in it for color,  on a separate table I had chips, black bean salsa dip and fruit.
The Margaritas were easy and delicious, I used Jose Cuervo ready made Margaritas WITH alcohol and just poured them over ice. No need for a blender, they were delicious!

As for the desserts, I made Margarita Cupcakes and Margarita Cake!
Here are the recipes

Margarita Cupcakes Recipe

Ingredients:
For the cupcakes
1 box white cake mix
3 egg whites
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon lime zest
8 ounces Margarita Mix (without liquor, I used Jose Cuervo)
2 ounces silver tequila
1 ounce triple sec

For the icing
2 sticks butter
3 tablespoons margarita mix
3 tablespoons triple sec
6 cups confectioners' sugar

pre heat oven to 350

for cupcakes, mix all ingredients with mixer, line cupcake tins with wrappers, pour mixture into wrappers 2/3 full (makes approximately 21 cupcakes)
bake for 18-20 minutes, until toothpick comes out clean and they spring back to touch

let cool before icing

for icing:
beat 2 sticks of butter until fluffy, slowly add confectioners' sugar and liquids, alternating sugar and liquids, gradually add confectioners' sugar until desired frosting consistency is reached (you might need to add more liquids and/or sugar) 

Frost cupcakes, the cake is delicious on own, heavy frosting isn't needed. I just added sprinkles to the rim of cupcakes (like a margarita) and cut up little pieces of lime!

please note, I had small margarita candles (Wilton Brand), that I had purchased previously and had saved in my "party stash box", but I think the cut up fresh lime looked even better!
The best part is the presentation of the cupcakes in the margarita glasses. I used rock salt on the bottom of glasses and simply placed the cupcakes on top. How cute is that!
(By the way, next time I will splurge on the green sprinkles. The  green sprinkles were left over from St. Patty's Day.  I will buy the pretty green crystal sprinkles next time!)



Margarita Cake Recipe
Ingredients:
for cake
1 box lemon cake mix
1 (3.4 ounce) box instant lemon pudding mix
1/2 cup frozen limeade concentrate
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup water
4 large eggs
1/2 cup tequila
2 tablespoons triple sec

for the glaze
2 tablespoons tequila
1 tablespoon triple sec
1/2 tablespoon lime zest
1 tablespoon margarita mix
2 cups confectioners' sugar

preheat oven to 350

combine cake mix with pudding mix, eggs, oil, limeade, tequila, triple sec and water. Mix with electric mixer. Pour into well greased bundt pan.
Bake for 45-55 minutes or until toothpick inserted in middle comes out clean.

Cool on wire rack for 10-15 minutes then remove from pan to cool completely.

Mix all ingredients for glaze with a wire whisk. Add more confectioners' sugar for a thicker glaze. Spoon over cooled cake.

please note...My cake tasted good,even though it was not perfect! I left the cake in the bundt pan too long to cool, and the top of the cake stuck to the pan....ugh....I am sorry it is not picture perfect, but it tasted yummy!

Cheers!

Friday, May 6, 2011

Mother's Day "Grease Party"

Happy Mother's Day...

This year's theme started out as a "1950's Make Over /Sleep Over Party Theme"
I was giving Make-Up kits as presents to my Mom and Mother-in-law....it then evolved into a "Grease Party"!

my favorite detail is the pink curlers as  napkin rings!


 we had a Grease Trivia contest...


 made this bowl with a vinyl record bowl....click here for a tutorial


 pink scarfs for the pink ladies


 Twinkies and Ding Dongs!




Happy Mother's Day!

p.s. I still love the Movie "Grease!"