kreations by Kristen

FROZEN PARTY!

2014-08-22T00:16:00.003-04:00

This year, for her 7th birthday, my daughter wanted a Frozen Birthday Party (Just like about every other girl in America!) :-) It was so fun to plan this!

THE FOOD

Frozen Punch. I froze blue Hawaiian Punch in ice cube trays, and added it to Sprite. It was yummy, and worked great with a Frozen Party theme!

I created the labels in word, and printed them, cut them, and glued them onto water bottles.

The signs were made in publisher, and then stuck in Styrofoam "Snowballs".

Vanilla yogurt, with chocolate chips, mandarin orange pieces, and chocolate "arms" and "hair".To make the arms, I melted chocolate in a squirt bottle, and created the shapes on wax paper. I made these in advance, and assembled right before the party, They were a hit!

THE DECORATIONS!

These were made on the computer, printed off, and placed in frames.

THE GAMES!

This game was so fun! The kids got into groups and nominated someone to be the "snowman". They wrapped them in toilet paper and added the buttons, eyes and noses!

Pin the nose on Olaf. My sister-in-law drew this on a poster board, and I found clip art of the noses online.

Diving for the treats!

I made the label on the computer (using Word), and put 3 large marshmallows, 2 pretzel sticks, chocolate chipsm 2 small marshmallows and an orange Tic Tac in a snack size zip lock baggie. Then I staples the labels on. I love how these turned out!


The end product!

LEGO Birthday Party

2014-08-21T23:47:00.003-04:00

My son is obsessed with all things LEGO! So it was easy to choose the theme for his birthday party this year!

THE FOOD

I started with water bottles, and simply made the labels in Word, cut them out and glued them on.

Club Crackers with cheese (cut out with a fondant circle cutter)

I arranged the fruit to spell LEGO.

He requested lemon cupcakes, so here they are! The frosting was so good!

he Recipe is found here.

I made the cupcake toppers on the computer, and used lollipop sticks.

These. are. amazing. I look for any reason to make these. If I made them for the family, I would eat them all! So at parties, I get a few, and others can enjoy them as well! Simply take one package of Oreo cookies, chop in the food processor. Mix in a package of softened cream cheese, and shape into balls. Then freeze until firm. Melt chocolate, and dip, Let sit on wax paper until the chocolate is hardened. I keep them refrigerated until they are ready to eat. YUM!!

I made these in a super cute mold that came from the LEGO Store.

THE DECORATIONS!

A friend of mine made this, and was kind enough to let me use it!

A simple and cute addition to the decor! I covered the doors in different color tablecloths from the Dollar Store. Then I taped paper plates on them.

Another great decoration that I borrowed from my friend!

The Favor bags! I bought plain colored paper bags at Michaels. I then used scrapbook paper, and a circle hole punch to make the "bricks"

THE GAMES!

I used Foam Board and duct tape to make this. The kids made cars out of LEGOS and raced. They loved it!


Pin the head on the Lego man.

The Pinata. I took an old paper box, covered it with blue wrapping paper, and also cut out circles of wrapping paper. I cut the tops off of 6 Styrofoam cups, and glued them on, followed by the circles. I cut out a hole on the top, and added rope. It was simple, and the kids gave it a beating!

We had LEGO Spoon Races.

It was a fun day, the weather was amazing and all the kids had a great time!

Hollywood Diva Birthday Party

2013-08-06T21:16:00.004-04:00

For My daughter's 6th birthday we did the Hollywood Diva theme. She loves performing, and of course is always a little beautiful diva. The theme was perfect for her!

Guests entered the house on a red carpet.

The craft area.

The kids were each given an autograph book to collect each other's autographs.

They each got their own Hollywood Star, and they decorated them.

They made their own necklaces, and also could decorate other film decorations.

The favor bags were great for the guests of a movie star.

The food.

Movie Star water bottle labels.

My favorite Punch: A 2 Liter of 7up, a container of frozen pink lemonade, and lemons and strawberries.

We had Hollywood snacks.

Fruit Kabobs were a hit!

These Neapolitan cupcakes are ammmaaaazzziiinng!

To make the cupcakes:

Prepare a box of chocolate brownie mix, and a box of strawberry cake mix. Layer some brownie mix in the cupcake containers, then top with strawberry cake mix. Bake at 350 degrees about 20 minutes (they should bounce back when touched, or stick with a toothpick, and it should come out clean).

Original recipe found HERE

To make the icing:

All you do is mix one vanilla pudding packet with half of the milk called for on the package. Whisk it until it begins to thicken. Then fold in one container of Cool Whip. Pipe it onto cupcakes.

I found this recipe here HERE

Angry Birds Birthday Party

2013-08-06T11:48:00.002-04:00

This year my son is obsessed with all things Angry Birds. So of course we had to do his birthday party in that theme! I wasn't so keen on the idea at first, but it ended up turning out great, and most importantly, he had a great time!! Sorry for the junky pictures! My camera was OF COURSE acting up that day. :(

Birthday Banner

Craft Table

Favor Bags (Plain bags, and I printed out the bird faces, and glued them on)

For the food, it was simple snacks. With this theme, it was great! There were so many Angry Birds Brand foods, I couldn't resist buying them all! I used containers to match my colors (most were bought at the local Dollar Tree) and I glued my bird and pig faces to them!

Angry Birds Cheeze-its (Pig Food).

Chips and Salsa (Bird Chips)

Poppin Mad Popcorn

Gummy Worms (Bird Food)

Angry Birds Graham Crackers (Angry Grahams)

Angry Birds Fruit Gummies (Bird Seed)

Olive (Bird Bombs)

Bird Juice was just Hawaiian Punch

I love making water bottle labels for my parties. It really pulls the theme together! And I named them "Bird Bath Filler!" :-)

He wanted Lemon cupcakes. That was my first time making them... they wee good! The frosting was lemon too. (I even had real lemon and zest in it I know, I am getting so fancy!)

These were a hit, and so easy to make!

Bird’s Nests

2 c. butterscotch chips
1 c. peanut butter
2 c. Chow Mein noodles
Any egg shaped Easter candy (I used Robins eggs and M&M’)

Cover a baking sheet or pan with waxed or parchment paper. Either melt the butterscotch chips and peanut butter in the top of a double boiler or in the microwave (heat 1 minute, stir, continue heating in 10 second increments until melted and smooth.) Stir in Chow Mein noodles. With buttered fingers shape mixture into one big nest or individual ones. Place on prepared pan. Refrigerate until firm. Fill with jelly beans or other candy.

Original recipe from here: http://bigsislilsis.com/2010/03/31/easter-birds-nest-candy/

I bought some green cups from Dollar Tree, and glued the pigs faces on the, Then we got a red ball, stacked up the cups and went "bowling"!

My daughter in her Angry Birds Mask she made at the craft table.

This was a great site! It is where I got all my font for the signs. http://fontmeme.com/angry-birds-font/

My bird printables and table food signs came from here:

http://www.craftinterrupted.com/2012/11/angry-birds-party-favors-red-bird-treat.html

and here:

http://www.squidoo.com/angry-birds-party-ideas

Shamrock Cupcakes

2013-03-19T23:10:00.001-04:00

Shamrock Cupcakes

The kids and I wanted to make something fun for St. Patrick's Day. So I scoured Pinterest (my addiction!) and found this awesome idea!

I started with a basic vanilla cupcake batter, and added green food coloring. The recipe I used is from here: Lemon Sugar

Using 3 marbles, per cupcake slot, I formed a shamrock shape!

I baked them at 325 degrees for about 15 minutes, until I poked it with a toothpick, and it came out clean. (Do not pay attention to the messy oven! I made some yummy honey oat bread, and whoops... forgot to clean out the oven! OK let's be serious, I only cleaned it later because it started to smell burnt. )

;-)

I frosted them with a basic frosting recipe HERE, and made it thinner, so it spread flat easily. We then used M&M's for the eyes (added frosting for the dots and smiles)

The kids had a lot of fun "helping me" and everyone, especially my hubby loved them!

HERE is where I got my original idea from!

Christmas Fun

2013-03-05T23:35:00.002-05:00

I made this plate on a Ladies Night Out at a Pottery Store. It is our Santa plate.

Reindeer Pancakes

Banana-Strawberry Candy Canes

Thanksgiving Fun

2013-03-05T23:21:00.004-05:00

It was our first Thanksgiving in Maryland, so I wanted to do some great crafts and we had a wonderful day with each other. Here are some of the fun things we did!

The kids made turkey cinnamon rolls for breakfast.

Thumbprint Indian Corn

We made Personalized napkin holders!

Dessert!

Personalized Valentine's Day Cards!

2013-03-05T23:02:00.002-05:00

My Sweet Valentines!

We had a homeschool Valentine's Day Party for about 55 of their closest friends, and we needed a Valentine that didn't take a ton of time... in enters Pinterest, and Voila!

Take pictures of the kids with their arms outstretched....

Add some fun, print and slice above and below their fists. Stick a sucker in, and you have an awesome and very personalized Valentine!

Dr. Suess Baby shower

2013-03-05T22:05:00.002-05:00

Dr. Suess Baby Shower!

I just threw this baby shower for one of my best friends. I planned this shower in Maryland, and it was held in IN. So I got to town early in the week, and bought all the food. I had a friend rent the hall, and I didn't know what it looked like until we got there in the morning to set up! That added a little stress, but it was worth it. I had a blast creating everything! I think it turned out great!

Here is the themed food I made. I love making everything match the theme!

We sorted the colorful Goldfish crackers. :-)

Water Bottles

I made the labels on the computer, and glued them on water bottles.

My "Pink Ink Yink Drink" Is a homemade punch.

I take a can of frozen Pink Lemonade Concentrate, and add 7up or Sprite (usually 1.5-2 2L, depending on taste) and cut up strawberries and lemons. They add a great taste, and I love how pretty it is!

Hop On Pop "Corn"

Biggle "Meat" Balls

Green "Deviled" Eggs

I made them like traditional deviled eggs, I just added a green gel food coloring and piped it into the eggs. I wasn't sure how people would feel about the green eggs.... but they were a hit!

"Poodles Eating Noodles"

"Cat in the Hat Kabobs"

We made a Candy buffet. It was yummy!

We made those "Lorax Trees" on the wall also! I got a 24 pack of tissue paper and a 3 pack of the bamboo sticks from the Dollar Tree! Here are the directions I used! (We did cut them pointed not round though.)

http://spottedink.blogspot.com.au/2011/11/our-top-10-diy-party-decorations.html

I found a great cake idea on Pinterest, on left,

and I showed the pictures to my friend who does cakes on the side... I think she did AMAZING!!

Oh and notice my friends adorable baby belly in the background?? ;-)

Another picture of the cake! If you are near northern Indiana, check her out at Make it Sweet by Mandy

The "Truffala Treats" Table!

I bought the pails and napkins at Ikea (LOVE that store!) Then I glued ribbon and a bow on them to fancy them up!

I made the Baby Bingo cards (Everyone writes baby items on it, and as she opened gifts they cross them out, keeps them active during gift time) and put some cotton candy in a cup as favors.

Created this notebook on www.vistaprint.com!

I had guests write tips and/or encouragement for the new mommy. (Sorry it's blurry!)

We made these little "Truffala Trees" for the food table out of paper straws, garden wire, fluffy yarn (from Michaels)and a hot glue gun. We put them in mini vases and added some shiny crinkle paper from the Dollar Tree! I loved them!

We decorated the tables in bright colored tablecloths and ran streamers down the middle. I got the vases at Ikea, and the polka dot flowers from Micheals.

The prizes (on green table on the left side) were great things like lotions and potions from Bath and Body Works, and Some smell good candles!

I made the banner on the right out of bright poster board, and created the letters and design on the computer. I downloaded a free Dr. Suess Font of course!

I cannot find the picture of it hanging, but here is a horrible picture of it after I made it on my living room floor. It says "Baby Shower"

Here is part of it behind us.....

Jack-O-Lantern Cupcakes

2011-12-19T02:02:00.002-05:00

Jack-o-lantern cupcakes

Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes

2011-12-19T01:57:00.000-05:00

I set the cones in a baking pan, tightly so they would not tip. I filled them with cake mix, and baked according to cupcake directions. When cooled, I frosted them with white icing, and put a cherry on top! They were cute and tasty!

Construction Party

2011-12-19T01:51:00.000-05:00

For my son's second birthday, we chose construction vehicles. He was obsessed with these vehicles! We lived in a new subdivision, and he saw them going by frequently to the new homes that were being built... so this theme was an obvious choice!

The spread!

Construction tape was all over!

The entrance!

Drinking out of his cone cup. :-)

Minnie Party

2011-12-19T01:44:00.000-05:00

Minnie Ball Toss

Homemade Minnie Cupcakes

Straberry with cream cheese frosting. I found a bow mold and made the pink and white chocolate bows. The ears are chocolate wafers from the candy store (you could also use mini Oreo's and licorice)

Pin the Bow on Minnie

Luau Party

2011-12-19T01:39:00.001-05:00

For my daughter's second birthday party, we chose the theme "Luau". It was great! Here are a few pictures from it!

Cheeseburgers in Paradise

Nilla wafers, icing dyed the color of the condiments, shredded coconut dyed green and mint cookie. Stack to look like a mini cheeseburger!

The luau entrance

The spread.

Jello fish tank.

I put graham cracker crumbs in a trifle dish and added blue jello. As it was setting, I added gummy fish!

Name sign

2011-12-19T01:29:00.000-05:00

I made a similar sign for my friend's first daughter, and when she was pregnant with her second baby girl, she asked if we could make one for her too! Here is the final product. We made this sign with foam rectangles you can get at a craft store. We cut out the letters, and added foam stickers.

Bug Party

2011-12-19T01:23:00.000-05:00

This was the theme I did for my son on his first birthday. It was a great party! I had alot of fun planning and orchestrating it!

Blue punch with a bug ice ring. I made the ice mold in a jello mold and added gummy bugs.

Dirt Cake

Crackers with vegetable cream cheese, cherry tomatoes (halved) and black olives. I put icing spots on them... FYI don't do these too much in advance, or they will become soggy.

Peanut butter filled crackers with chow mein noodle legs.

I found a chocolate bug mold, and made these candies from that.

Beach Cupcakes

2011-12-19T01:15:00.002-05:00

I made these with my friend using graham cracker crumbs for the beach, teddy grahams and candies for my son's pool party birthday.

Girl Park Party

2011-12-19T00:26:00.000-05:00

This was NOT my fanciest party for sure, but we were in the process of moving several states away. I wanted to make a special day for my little girl nonetheless. We had it at a park, and it was a beautiful day!

Wow were these good! My homemade strawberry cupcakes, cream cheese frosting, and I think the strawberries on top looked great!

The kids loved the princess crown pinata!

Pink and Zebra Print Birthday

2011-12-19T00:16:00.000-05:00

I helped my friend make this banner for her daughter's 1st birthday party!

I didn't have anything to do with this (well I helped set it up for my friend at the party) but it was super cute, so I wanted to show you it!

Science Birthday Party

2011-12-19T00:06:00.000-05:00

For my son's 7th Birthday party, we invited about 20 of his closest friends over to do science experiements (and a big ol' mess!) It was a crazy party, but everyone had a blast!

Marshmallows, dipped in white chocolate and rolled in sprinkle.

The snacks! Pop Rocks, cupcakes, Electric Orange punch (aka Tang), green jello in mini cups with a cherry in it.

Elephants toothpaste experiment!

Snow in a testube.

I took random closeup pictures of items outside, and the kids did a scavenger hunt.

An example of a closeup picture (My air conditioner) ;-)

Farewell Cake

2011-12-18T23:55:00.000-05:00

An awesome cake my friends made us when we moved from Indiana to Maryland! I love the doughnut wheels!

Ladybug Party

2011-12-18T23:47:00.000-05:00

I helped my best friend with her daughter's first birthday party. The theme was ladybugs. :-)

We made the smasher cake in two different size glass bowls, frosted, and added oreos for the "spots". The antennas were made of pipe cleaners, just for show (obviously we took those out before we gave this to the birthday girl!) ;-) ... I am sure you could use something edible, but this was a last minute decision and we used what we had!

We made these cupcakes with mini Oreos and licorice for the heads and antennas. The wings were made of Oreo Cakesters, pulled apart, and the cream removed. We froze them to reduce the crumbling, and then cut them in half and dipped them in colored chocolate, and the spots were iced on.

Cute pinata!

Radio Flyer Wagon Baby Shower

2011-12-18T23:34:00.000-05:00

I threw this shower for my sister-in law! I thought it turned out awesome!!

I made this diaper cake for her (we also used it as part of the decor).

I added ribbon to these candles for one of the prizes.

I created this banner on my computer, printed it on cardstock and attached them using ribbon. I think they turned out awesome!

Homemade from scratch red velvet cupcakes (yummy!), and my made from scratch cream cheese frosting! I also printed the little personalized flags, and glued them to toothpicks to incorporate them better into the theme!

I used a Radio Flyer Wagon to hold the giveaways with style!

I created this personalized notebook, and we had the guests write some advise for the new parents-to-be.

Personalized giveaways (prizes for the games we played).

I made this Bingo card, guests filled them with random baby items and as she opened the gifts, they crossed out the items on their card, and we played Bingo.

"About to Pop" favors, filled with red and white peppermints.

Placed the balloons in popcorn containers for centerpieces.

Baby food jars for a guess the food game.

Personalized water bottle lables.

Crayon Signs for Teachers

2011-01-20T13:34:00.000-05:00

Teacher Crayon Letter Signs: I created these by cutting new crayons, laying them into a letter shape ( printed largely on a paper, and typed their names down the side) I then glued the crayons and and put it in a shadow box. I thought they turned out great! I loved the personalized idea for my kid's teachers.

Name Signs

2011-01-20T13:11:00.001-05:00

I created this sign using thin foam, cut out the letters, rectangles and bought some fun foam shapes for the border. What a great addition to a child's room!

Close-up.

In Use.