Back-to-School with Party and Parlour!

Back-to-School has been a whirlwind this year!  My son started high school last week, right after we returned from a last minute trip to Nashville, and now we're trying to get back into the swing of routine.  Are your kids back in school, or are you still in summer mode?  

I absolutely LOVE this Pink Eraser Surprise Pouch printable from Party and Parlour!  There is still time to whip these up, even if your kids have already returned, and just need a fun little treat to keep them motivated.  They don't take long to make at all, and you can fill them with candy, healthy treats, small school supplies, or whatever!  The printable eraser gift tags are adorable as well, and you can keep them on hand for teacher appreciation gifts.  Ohhh, did you notice the cute washi tape too?  ...and Crayon Treat Boxes?

No-Bake Stocking Cookies

These no-bake stocking cookies are a fun little Christmas treat to add to your cookie making this year!  You can find the full tutorial at Handmade Charlotte.  Merry baking!  (...or no-baking!)

Candy Calico Corn

Ahhh, can you believe this is Thanksgiving week?  If I’m honest, I started listening to Christmas music on November 1^st, but there is so much to be grateful for this year, and sometimes I forget to stop and reflect on all the good things.  I am beyond grateful for strong friendships.  At twenty-four years old, I remember worrying about choosing the right bridesmaids.  I wanted to pick friends who would still be in my life in twenty years, and I’m happy to say that the friends I chose are my closest friends to this day!  I talk to a couple of them almost daily, and treasure them even more today than I did 20+ years ago.  We have walked through many seasons of life together (good & bad), and it feels like I wouldn’t have survived some of them without these ladies by my side.  I didn’t mean for this post to turn into a tribute to girlfriends, but I’m just SO grateful for them, and I hope they know it!  I treasure the new friends I have made along the way as well.  What are you most grateful for this year?

I wanted to share this pastel calico corn I made using candy bracelets for a fun little Thanksgiving DIY for the kids.  They’re so easy to pull together once you have the supplies, that I made five of ‘em while watching a few episodes on Netflix!  I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and that you are able to take time to relax and reflect.  Here’s a little tutorial for the calico corn!

WHAT YOU NEED:

• Candy Necklaces

• 18 Gauge Wire

• Natural Raffia

• Natural Jute Twine

• Scissors

HOW TO:

Step 1

Cut the candy beads off the necklaces, and place in a bowl. 

Step 2

Cut about a 12 inch piece of wire, and bend in half.  String the candy beads onto the wire, leaving about 1 1/2 inches at the top on each side. 

Step 3

Carefully hold the wire together at the top to keep the beads in place, while wrapping a second wire around the center of the first.  Make the second wire slightly longer than 12 inches, since it will lose length when you wrap it around the first.  Add candy beads to the second wire leaving space at the top again.

Step 4

Repeat the steps with one more wire, until you have six pieces of wire sticking up.  Twist the 6 wire ends together at the top, and fold over to keep any loose ends from poking anyone. 

Step 5

Cut a small bundle of raffia to about 4 1/2 inches long, and use a short piece of hemp string to tie it around the wires at the top of the “corn”.  You may cut the string down if it hangs too much. 

TIP:  Be sure to help younger kids untwist the wires, and release the candy for them. 

Happy crafting and Happy Thanksgiving!

Shop Local - Asian Market

Have you found your local Asian market?  It is seriously the best place to find fun (and adorable) candy, drinks, paper goods, dishes, bento boxes, etc.  We are also a huge fan of bulgogi, kimchi, Thai tea, and wasabi peas.  Mmmm, my mouth is watering just thinking about it!  I would highly recommend Dong Yang Market if you're in the Lexington, Kentucky area, and if not, you should definitely find your local shop and check it out!  The candy would be perfect in favor bags, and there are several other items I would use for a party.     

You may be able to find similar products online, and some are very reasonably priced, but I have found that shopping in person is definitely easier on the budget!  I am linking a few items from the photos below so you can watch for them at your local store.  What is the best thing you have discovered at an Asian market?  

Chopsticks 

Sakuma Ichigo Milk Candy

Senjaku Ice Cream Candy

Chan Hard Candy

Bento Box Divider Cups

Fujiya Milky Candy

Sushi Seawood Punch

Magical Leprechaun Garden

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  I would love to know how you celebrated.  If you have some lucky charms in your pantry, head to Handmade Charlotte for the tutorial on this magical leprechaun garden.  It's edible, and it involves leprechauns, so the kids will LOVE it!  

English Muffin Moons + Make Bake Space Stickies

Oh my goodness!  Have you seen “stickies” from Make Bake?  My kids could hardly believe that these stickers are edible.  Yep!  …edible!  I couldn’t wait to try them out, and unfortunately, I waited a little too long.  I knew exactly what I wanted to do with these space stickies the minute I saw them, but sometimes life happens, and now, this particular design has been discontinued.  Nooooooo!  Be sure to check out the shop though, because there are a lot of adorable choices in stock.  I have my eye on the Good Times Party Stickies.  

Anyway, if you’re having a space party, you can still make these English muffin moons!  You could serve them for breakfast the morning after a sleepover, or just make them for your kiddos as an afternoon snack.  Spread some cream cheese on a few, with swirls of food coloring for a planet-esque look. 

  

SUPPLIES:

Moons

• English muffins

• Knife

• Wilton Color Mist Shimmering Food Color Spray in Silver

• Paper plate

Planets

• Cream cheese

• Food coloring

• Mixer (optional)

HOW TO:

Moons

Cut your English muffins in half, and place on a paper plate.  Follow the instructions on your color mist can to spray them silver.  Allow to dry. 

Planets

Spread cream cheese on your English muffin. (I beat it with a mixer first, to make it extra smooth.)  Place some drops of food coloring on a paper plate, and dip your (clean) finger in the color, placing a few dabs on the cream cheese.  Add a tiny bit of cream cheese on top, and spread around until the color swirls nicely.

Enjoy!!  

Sushi Surprise Party Favors

Turn sweet treats and streamers into some adorable "sushi surprise" for a fun dessert or favor.  Find the full tutorial at Handmade Charlotte.  Happy weekend!

Prize Ribbon Derby Dessert

Since we are currently living in Kentucky, I just had to share an idea for your Derby-viewing parties!  It's so easy to "derbify" a grocery store cake, y'all!  Find the full tutorial at Handmade Charlotte.  

Gumdrop Swans-a-Swimming

If you're looking for a quick cake or cupcake topper this Christmas season, these gumdrop swans would be perfect!  They would also be sweet for a first birthday, baby shower, or any other swan soiree.  Follow the tutorial on Handmade Charlotte, and have a very Merry Christmas friends!

Pool Party Eggs

If you're looking for a healthy snack to serve before your pool party or swim meet...look no further! These hard-boiled synchronized swimmer eggs would be perfect, and who could pass up a cute little egg in a swim cap?  For the full tutorial, head to Handmade Charlotte.

DIY Candy Pretzel Necklace

Happy National Soft Pretzel Month!  For a fun "twist" on the candy necklace, head to Handmade Charlotte.  

5-Minute Hedgehog Treats

If you're looking for a fun after-school snack, or for a treat to go with your woodland themed party, then check out these 5-minute hedgehogs on Handmade Charlotte!