amy is the party

I thought for my last post of the year, it would be fun to do a "Best of 2011" on the amy is the party blog. So, here we go, the favorite, most popular blog posts of 2011 (in case you missed any).

#1. Jaymi's owl-themed baby shower.
#2. DIY bunny cakes
#3. DIY Photobooth and #4. DIY Mustache Pops, both Summer Blog Party posts (check out some awesome posts by guest contributers there too)
#5. DIY cardi-clip
#6. DIY iron-on patches & appliques

#7. DIY vintage spool of thread necklace
#8. DIY tissue covered initials
#9. Autumn printables
#10. DIY pink marshmallow wonderland
#11. DIY cake pop display
#12. Holiday baked-goods printables

Now I am really wishing you a happy New Year as I will be taking a little blog-cation for the rest of the year! Thanks so much for following, I'm looking forward to celebrating another colorful, creative, and party-filled year with you.

<3 Amy

Blog Worthy: Parent Map

2011-12-30T15:51:00.000-08:00

My mustache pops were featured on Parent Map's 20 Homemade Goody Bag Ideas. There's some really cute stuff over there. Check it out!

Eye Candy: Shiny & Bright, Part 3

2011-12-30T15:34:00.000-08:00

Sorry, I can't help myself. Just a few more sparkles...

Source: ruffledblog.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: stylemepretty.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: shopbando.com via Amy on Pinterest

Wishing you a happy and safe New Year!

Happy Holidays

2011-12-29T23:41:00.000-08:00

Here are a couple of cute Instagrams that I forgot to share.

XOXO

Eye Candy: Shiny & Bright, Part 2

2011-12-29T22:16:00.000-08:00

I just can't help myself. I love glittery shiny things.

Source: thesweetestoccasion.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: blog.heylook.fi via Amy on Pinterest

Source: greenweddingshoes.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: bestfriendsforfrosting.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: tablespoon.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: onecharmingparty.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: blog.heylook.fi via Amy on Pinterest

Source: onecharmingparty.com via Amy on Pinterest

Hope you have a happy New Year!

Agreed

2011-12-28T14:30:00.001-08:00

Source: imgfave.com via Cassidy on Pinterest

Eye Candy: Shiny & Bright

2011-12-26T21:36:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday. Mine was pretty quiet - but in a good way! I am SO looking forward to the New Year - new possibilities, new goals, new experiences. I can't wait.

Source: 100layercake.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: hostessblog.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: rock-ur-party.tablespoon.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: stylemepretty.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: thesweetestoccasion.com via Amy on Pinterest

Hoping YOUR New Year is shiny and bright!

Not Normal

2011-12-26T21:23:00.000-08:00

I think this is my lesson for the year. I used to think everyone else was so normal but the older I get the more I realize that crazy is the new normal. Everyone has their own odd quirks. I guess that's what makes us lovable???

Source: weheartit.com via Holly on Pinterest

Last minute holiday gift (for YOU)!

2011-12-22T11:21:00.000-08:00

Guess what? I have a guest post up over at Best Friends for Frosting today.

Hop on over to Best Friends for Frosting to download a set of labels for packaging your holiday baked goods.

You can also download a recipe card for my Grams' special 7 Layer Cookies. They are super-easy to make and always a favorite!

Happy Holidays!

Hard work, sweat, and tears--and holiday cookies

2011-12-22T09:49:00.000-08:00

My Grams taught me the art of holiday baking. I can't remember how old (or young) I was when I first started helping her in the kitchen. Eventually I started baking cookies on my own. And now it just wouldn't feel like Christmas without them. There's just something about creating a plate containing a whole variety of yumminess and then giving away those plates of hard work, sweat, and tears (literally!) to your closest friends, family, and neighbors.

Every year, I work to find a better recipe for the varieties that I wasn't totally happy with the year before.

I also change up the types of cookies a bit, until I create the perfect mix. Some cookies are baked every year: Chocolate Chip, Pecan Sandies, Coconut Snowballs, 7-layer Cookies, Fudge, and Sugar Cookies. Last year I added Linzer cookie sandwiches with jam and decided they should be a yearly staple as well. Pecan bars also threatened to become a staple, but this year I went for pecan pie bites instead because I love that they look like tiny pies. And finally, a new recipe this year - chocolate peppermint sandwich cookies rolled in crushed candy cane. I haven't tried them yet but they look ADORABLE. They are kind of reminiscent of whoopie pies, which are probably one of my favorite baked desserts as of late.

Sometimes I start to wonder if handing out homemade cookies is worth all of the stress, sleepless nights, and countless trips to the store for ingredients I forgot (or ran out of). But then I realize that baking holiday cookies is kind of a lost art form. Back in my Grams' day, baking cookies was a way of life. I like that I can keep a bit of history alive.

My dad called me old fashioned not to long ago. It's not a word you think of when you picture someone in their early 30s. But I suppose I am. And I wouldn't have it any other way, Christmas cookies and all.

Do you have any holiday traditions in your family that you feel responsible for preserving? I'd love to know if you do!

P.S.) I have a free download coming soon - the third photo is a little hint!

A week of lovely things....

2011-12-17T15:04:00.000-08:00

The past week has been crazy busy but luckily I did get a few moments to slow down and enjoy the holidays. I received the most amazing handmade gifts this week too. I am lucky to have such talented friends. Jaymi made me the cutest stuffed owl and tree decoration. They both look adorable in my living room. Lauren made the yummiest cupcakes (red and white) and some lovely ceramic decorations (an ornament and some dainty bowls for my jewelry).

I also received some yummy treats from a new friend, Melissa of Best Friends for Frosting. Melissa and Tessa from The Frosted Cake Shop made a 6-pack of holiday flavored cupcakes (pictured above) and some cake pops too (pictured below). Such a yummy surprise!

This weekend will be filled with lots of baking, peppermint mochas, time with family, and a heavy dose of Christmas lights. I just love driving around to look at the spectacularly decorated houses.

I hope this weekend treats you well!

The time of year for baking

2011-12-13T16:56:00.000-08:00

It's the time of year for baking. If I had unlimited time and funds, I would love to make all of these...

Source: tasteofhome.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: pipandebby.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: shewearsmanyhats.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: charlotteobserver.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: bhg.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: bakerella.com via Amy on Pinterest

Some things...

2011-12-13T16:51:00.000-08:00

Source: minted.com via Amy on Pinterest

DIY: Pink Marshmallow Wonderland

2011-12-04T23:27:00.001-08:00

Check out my guest post - A Pink Marshmallow Wonderland DIY - over at Lu Loves Handmade.

DIY: Printable Holiday Cards

2011-12-04T22:29:00.001-08:00

Directions:
Download the desired PDF file below. You can print these on blank 4x6 postcards or just print on 8½ x 11" cardstock and cut out. To mail, place a stamp on the back of the postcard in the upper right-hand corner. Write the "to" address on the right-hand side of the postcard. On the left-hand side, write a short message.

Have a Cool Yule Snowman
You Make My Heart Melt IceCreams
Shake It Snowglobe
Warm Wishes Hot Cocoa
Holly Jolly Holidays
Sweet Gingerbread House
Deer Friend

These holiday cards are based off these free holiday tags that I designed for Creature Comforts a couple years ago. You can download them here.

Happy Holidays!

Christmas Q&A

2011-12-04T19:41:00.001-08:00

Here is a little Christmas Q&A that I stole from Jaymi's blog.

Egg nog or hot chocolate? Egg nog latte or peppermint mocha, please!

Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Both. Santa doesn't visit me anymore. *sniff*

Colored or white lights on tree/house? White on the tree, colored outside.

Do you hang mistletoe? Not usually. If I come across some I might.

When do you put your decorations up? As soon after Thanksgiving is possible. Sometimes a little bit before.

What is your favorite holiday dish? Mmmm...everything. Christmas is usually more of a hors d'oeuvres holiday for us. I love ham sandwiches, meatballs, shrimp with cocktail sauce, and the cookies, of course.

Do you remember your favorite gift? Hard to say. Maybe my Wrinkles dog from my Grams.

What’s the most important thing about the holidays for you? Family. And giving. I love looking for (and finding) the perfect gift for someone I care about.

What is your favorite holiday dessert? Fudge.

What is your favorite holiday tradition? Decorating the tree, remembering where each ornament came from. Driving around looking at Christmas lights. Baking about a million Christmas cookies.

What tops your tree? A pink starburst.

Which do you prefer giving or receiving? Giving. But I also like the feeling of receiving a gift that came from the heart. It's special when people put thought into your gifts. Makes you feel loved.

Candy canes: yuck or yum? Yummy.

Favorite Christmas show? The Grinch that Stole Christmas (the original one), Elf, and A Christmas Story.

Saddest Christmas song? Gramma got run over by a reindeer

What is your favorite Christmas song? Santa Baby and I want a hippopotamus for Christmas.

Giveaway Alert: Poloroid from OPB

2011-12-01T11:11:00.001-08:00

Hi, everyone! Just wanted to alert you of another awesome giveaway.

One Pearl Button is giving away a Polaroid Camera Starter Kit. Visit her blog to enter.

Eye Candy: Holiday-Style

2011-12-01T00:20:00.001-08:00

Source: thompsonfamily.typepad.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: parents.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: needspark.wordpress.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: flickr.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: blog.heylook.fi via Amy on Pinterest

Source: brightbazaar.blogspot.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: issuu.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: cooking.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Amy on Pinterest

Merry Christmas to me (I hope)

2011-12-01T00:14:00.001-08:00

I almost don't want to share this because it decreases my chances of winning...but I'll tell you anyway. Kaelah from Little Chief Honeybee is giving away a brand-new ipad on her blog. Pretty generous, right? Kaelah has one of the most adorable blogs ever - and I'm not just sucking up!

Visit Little Chief Honeybee to enter the giveaway.

It's beginning to look a lot like...

2011-11-29T00:14:00.001-08:00

Decorating is one of my favorite parts of the holidays. I love putting my ornaments on the tree one at a time, a memory associated with each one. To quote Elf, Christmas is my favorite.

Have you decorated yet?

Business Card Envy

2011-11-28T22:44:00.001-08:00

Several weeks ago, I held a giveaway for free business cards from NextDayFlyers.com. I had never used this company before and wasn't quite sure what to expect so I wanted to report back, now that I've received my free cards.

First of all, customer service was very helpful and quick to respond. I received my business cards in record time (though to be fair, the company is located in California, where I live). Lastly, I was impressed with the quality of the cards - they definitely turned out just as nice as the business cards I usually order. You can see that I worked a few social networking sites into the design as well. I'm SO excited to finally have new cards for BOTH my businesses!