Fête Gazette and Central Kentucky Home & Garden Show

Hello friends!  I honestly have no idea if people read blogs these days, but I like to pop in once in a while to update my portfolio, and to say hi!  So, if you happen to read this, I hope you're doing well and I would love to hear from you!  For an update on my end, I met Amy at the fall market held at Manchester Music Hall here in Lexington.  We immediately bonded over our love of fun party decor, quirky items, and 80s childhood memorabilia, and I took her business card with plans to reach out.  We met for coffee, (it was my first time at Brevede, and I highly recommend the place), and Amy sold a few of my handmade items at some of her Christmas markets and events.  We had snowball piñatas, beautiful bells, and some sweet treats.  

I have currently been working on some springtime goodies for the Central Kentucky Home & Garden Show where Amy will be selling this weekend.  If you are in Lexington, buy your tickets now, and be sure to check out the PK's Gift Closet booth for some really unique gifts and products including some of my handmade party supplies.  We are also working on a really fun backdrop, so be sure to stop by and take some pics!  

So, these are Easter Egg piñatas filled with fun treats.  You can stick them in a basket, or send the kiddos on a hunt.  Either way, this could be a really unique addition to your Easter gifting.  

If you plan to host any parties this Spring, you'll definitely want to pick up some cotton candy cupcake toppers!  They come in a set of three - pink, light blue, and peach.  I designed them for county fair, carnival, circus or candy themes, and I am sure there are a lot of other ideas for cotton candy!  How do you envision using them?

    

I thought some wooden pill gift tags would be adorable on any "get well soon" present, and I believe these will be attached to the cutest gift baskets that Amy is pulling together.

These handmade sushi roll gift boxes will be sold in sets of three, and they're really cute in real life!  

In the first photo, I shared the mushroom and carrot piñatas I designed.  Unfortunately, the mushroom was especially time-consuming, so it will not be available for sale.  Neither will the carrot, but I wanted to share anyway because I love how they turned out!  I wish they were easier to whip up, because I would love to see them used for a party.  I'm afraid I will not be offering shipping at the moment, so I really hope to see you at the show!  Happy Spring!!  

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

"You're Shrimply the Best" Valentine Shrimp Piñatas

You are “shrimply” the best!  I have always wanted to try making shrimp piñatas, and adding a little pun made these perfect for Valentine’s Day!  It would be so fun to host a seafood or sushi night for Galentine's and send the girls home with some piñatas filled with chocolates…or just make one for your love and go out to your favorite sushi restaurant.  If you have a mini sushi lover, it would be an adorable birthday theme!  Be sure to check out these sushi favors as well.

SUPPLIES:

• Twisty balloon

• Balloon pump

• Clear tape

• Newspaper strips

• Paper mache paste (1 c water, 1 c flour)

• Scissors

• Acrylic paint in peach + pink + hot pink

• Sponge brush

• String

• Paper plate

• Mesh loofah sponge

• Party streamers in peach + pink

• Hot glue gun

• Box cutter

• Valentine candy and/or favors

HOW TO:

Step 1

Use a balloon pump to blow up your twisty balloon to about 8 inches long.  You really have to blow up the entire thing, and then let out some air to get to your desired length.  Use a long piece of tape to hold the ends together.  Leave a decent length of tape in between the two ends to curve the balloon like shrimp, without allowing the ends to touch. 

Step 2

Dip newspaper strips in paper mache paste, and wrap the balloon in a few layers, starting in the center, and working your way up to the pieces of tape.  Allow to dry. (Overnight would be ideal).

Step 3

Remove the tape from the balloon and cover the ends in newspaper strips dipped in paper mache paste and allow to dry.  It is best to place newspaper strips in an “x” around the ends, and then wrap horizontally down the sides. 

Step 4

Paint the shrimp body in pink, and then place the pink and peach paint colors on a paper plate.  Dip your mesh loofah sponge in both paint colors, and dab it all over the shrimp, until you have a nice, varied pinkish-peach color.  Allow to dry.

Step 5

Place some hot pink paint on a paper plate, and hold a string at each end, and dip it in the paint.  Wrap the string around the shrimp body in multiple places, about an inch apart.  Allow to dry.

Step 6

Layer about 2 ½”-3" long pieces of pink and peach party streamers and cut a tail shape with scissors.  Fan them out a bit, and bunch them up at one end.  Use a glue gun to attach them to the end of the shrimp body. 

Step 7

Use your box cutter to cut three sides of a rectangle on the back of the shrimp, to make a little door for placing the candy and favors.  Take out the balloon and shake out any dried paper mache flakes over a trash can, and then fill with favors. 

Happy crafting, and Happy Valentine’s Day! 

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!

DIY Lucky Charms Sushi

Top o' the mornin' to ya!  You didn't think that I would let St. Patrick's Day slide by without a good ol' Lucky Charms DIY, did ya now?  I have to admit that this sushi didn't turn out exactly how I had envisioned it, but it's cute enough to eat, nonetheless! 

   

Every year my kids look forward to a bowl of Lucky Charms on St. Patty's Day!  It's our favorite March 17 tradition.  These Lucky Charm Kabobs are probably still one of my all-time favorite posts on this little blog, and you have to check out the Lucky Charm Pinatas as well.  This year...it's SUSHI!  Lucky Charms sushi!  Actually, I realize they look like Lucky Charm patties, but sushi sounds cool, and a lot more appetizing!       

I have seen a ton of cool candy and cereal sushi ideas this year, and decided to make a St. Patrick's Day version for my kids.  They LOVED it!  

So, if you want to make some of your own...

WHAT YOU NEED

• Lucky Charms Treats (see recipe here)
• Extra Lucky Charms marshmallows
• Icing
• Wax paper
• Butter
• Knife
• Strawberry milk + tiny bowl
• Chopsticks (optional)
• Sanding sugar (I used peach)

HOW TO

Step 1

Rub butter all over both hands, and flatten a ball of Lucky Charms Treats on a piece of wax paper.  

Step 2

With freshly buttered hands, roll the piece into a log, and flatten the ends.

Step 3  

Pour a pile of sanding sugar on your piece of wax paper, and spread it out. Roll your Lucky Charms "log" through the sanding sugar, until it is completely covered.

Step 4

Using a knife, cut the log into slices, making each slice about one inch wide.  

Step 5

Once you are done slicing your "sushi" pieces, spread a small circle of frosting on the top of each piece.  

Step 6

Add a couple of Lucky Charms marshmallows to the top of each piece, and you're almost done!

Step 7

Now you will need to pour strawberry milk in a small bowl, to be used as dipping sauce.  

Enjoy!  Happy St. Patrick's Day!