Mayra is joining us today to share a fabulous take on one of our newest collections from The Market! Before she takes over, I wanted to remind you to cast your vote for the Crew’s “Head-to-Head Team Challenge” and enter to win a signed copy of the delicious Push-up Pops book by Courtney Dial Whitmore. Click here to do both!

Without further ado, here’s Mayra…

What better way to celebrate the end of School Year than with a Picnic?!!

I styled a small Picnic using the Piggy Bank Parties’ Picture Your Future Collection and inspired by my own kids! With one in Elementary, one in Middle School and one in her Junior Year of High School, I wanted to create something that would be great for all ages. I used a basic color palette of blue, red and khaki inspired by my daughter’s high school band colors of red and blue. This would be perfect for next year when she’s graduating!

From the Picture Your Future Collection I used the Folded Party Cards to create place cards and cute messages. The menu—which serves in the collection as an invitation as well—included all the goodies for them to choose from.

I bagged some sandwiches and used store-bought products for our Picnic Lunch.

I used dishes and items that I already had for decor, picked up some flowers and styled a little self serve table. The plates and cups I picked up at Target for this Summer because I love having plastic and melamine dishes for the kids for all the Summer activities; however, disposable in solid colors works just as great and it’s easier on the clean up!

The yogurt shots are made with vanilla yogurt, blackberry syrup and I used strawberries and golden berries to top them. The small spoons are from Party City’s Mini Appetizers Set.

The little individual Nutella products—which I happen to think are super cute—were purchased at an airport on my Spring Break Vacation. They came in as a ‘”weekly pack”—one for each day of the week!

Enjoy your Summer Break and congrats to all of the students on another great year!

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Vendor Credits:

PICTURE Your FUTURE Collection – Piggy Bank Parties

Kraft Poka Dots Bags – Whisker Graphics

Since the end of school is fast approaching here in the Midwest, I thought I’d share the graduation party I designed for Tots to Teens Magazine’s Spring/Summer 2012 Issue (page 67). I’ve shared links and some of my favorite tips from the article but never the entire party. It utilizes one of my favorite collections from The Market which was inspired by these adorable paper Polaroid boxes I saw on Etsy one day.

"Perfect Paper Polaroid Camera" by Mel Stringer's lil' shop (girliepains)

Can you believe I was inspired by a paper box?!? {giggle} Y’all know my love of unique favor boxes! Without further ado, here’s our “Picture Your Future” Graduation Party…

Graduation is often a time of reflection when photo albums and yearbooks from the past are reminisced over while dreams of what the future holds are ever present. Our graduation party design was inspired by the magical Polaroid photographs of yesteryear and the slides you’d see projected on the white wall of your grandparents’ basement!

As soon as the calendar flipped to June when I was growing up, it meant every weekend would be jammed packed with graduation open houses. We’d head out right before the lunch hour and return late in the evening with a little too much sun on our faces and way too much food in our bellies! Most of the open houses included full-course meals and, being a gracious guest, I always made sure I ate a bit of something.

Keeping this in mind, I created a buffet focused on one main food item—Sliders. Simplifying the menu allowed me to have fun with the buffet and not overwhelm the guests with too many food choices. It also reduces the stress level of the hostess by allowing her to plan and prep ahead versus making a huge variety of dishes.

The backdrop for the buffet table was created using silver square paper plates attached to a piece of foam board. A Polaroid inspired banner was hung on ribbon using small binder clips from an office supply store. The backdrop was finished off with a graduation tassel inspired bunting in school colors.

The buffet included a SLIDE-rs Bar filled with toppings and condiments for guests to create their very own “custom” burger. As a hostess, I always want to please everyone and “create-your-own” bars are a great way to achieve this. Guests can pick and choose what they like without the worry falling on you!

The toppings and condiments were clearly labeled with photograph and slide inspired cards. It’s always a nice touch to let your guests know what they are eating with either food labels or a menu at the beginning of the buffet.

To round out the buffet, “Healthy Fries”—aka carrot and celery sticks-—were served in school colored fry boxes with “Class of 2012” tags. Veggie Dip was served in taster cups. Portioning food and dips is an easy way for guests to fill their plates quickly and keeps the line moving when you are serving a large guest list.

I always leave plenty of room on my buffets for guests to set their plates down. If they need to take the lid off of a warmer, they will need two hands and this is especially important around beverage dispensers. Watching a guest juggling a plate and cup while trying to turn on the spout of the dispenser is good for a laugh but cleaning up after they spill isn’t quite as fun! The “Picture Yourself Punch” dispenser was topped with a mortarboard and clear cups were embellished with tags. The tags were printed on full-sheet labels, cut out using a 2” circle punch and attached to the cups.

Food was served on servingware that was either square or had square compartments. The squares continued the Polaroid and slide theme throughout party space. A single shape, color scheme or object can create a cohesive and seamless event.

The sweet treats table was backed with white square paper plates accented with school colored tassel bunting. Photographs of the graduate growing up created a “Sweet Memories” photo banner to finish off the backdrop.

The desserts continued the square slide theme and were embellished with letter cookies for a graphic twist.

Yearbook favor boxes and “Class of 2012” confetti completed the table décor. The Yearbook favor boxes were a fun way to say, “Thanks for the Memories” and were filled with the graduate’s favorite treat.

Guests were asked to sign a non-traditional guest book which can be framed or placed in a scrapbook. The yearbook inspired 8” x 10” cards had photos of the graduate and their school attached to them to personalize the pages.

Here are some of my favorite party tips and tricks for keeping any size event on budget:

• Simplify your menu. “Create-your-own” bars allow you to focus on one food item while allowing your guests to have their “favorite” food.
• Serve finger foods or portioned servings. Usually these don’t require silverware which can be an additional expense.
• Plan ahead. Finalize your menu so you can stock up on items you need when they go on sale.
• Use small plates. A guest will feel satisfied when they have filled their plate versus having lots of empty space which makes them feel like they haven’t taken enough.

• Serve punch instead of soda pop. Punch not only saves you money but it saves space. A beverage dispenser takes up less space than a bucket full of drinks which you have to keep refilling with soda and ice.

I hope you’re inspired to create an affordable and extraordinary celebration for your graduate!

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Vendor Credits:

Party Design, Styling and Photography: Piggy Bank Parties

Printables: Piggy Bank Parties

Paper Plates: Party City

Servingware: Home Goods, Party City and Dollar Tree

Beverage Dispensers: Target

Binder Clips: Staples

Buffet Warmer: Bed, Bath and Beyond

When I put this challenge before the Piggy Bank Parties Crew, I knew they would work really hard because that’s just who they are. They also LOVE to compete! In my eyes, they are all winners and I am constantly amazed by their talent and creativity! Since I knew I wouldn’t be a very good judge—”You all win!”—I called on a few of my favorite party chicks to make the decision along side of you, our FaNs!

I am a HuGe fan of these lovely ladies and have worked with almost all of them on a professional level. They are clever, unique and each have mad skills when it comes to throwin’ a party! On a personal level, they are some of the sweetest and most supportive chicks I know…and they often make my pork belly hurt from laughing so hard! I encourage you to get to know these girls if you don’t already. I’m sharing links so you can see their work and inspiration as well as sharing my current favorite party they’ve produced. I think you’ll be inspired by them as much as I am!

Brittany :: GreyGrey Designs

Website :: Facebook :: Blog :: Pinterest

“Greyson’s Skippyjon Jones Birthday Four-esta Party“

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Carolyn :: Christmas Specialists

Facebook

“Fabric Canopy: Three Ways”

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Dina :: Deliciously Darling Events

Website :: Facebook :: Blog

“Buddy the Elf Holiday Brunch“

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Ebony :: Sparkling Events & Designs

Website :: Facebook :: Twitter :: Blog :: Pinterest

“The Love Boat: A Valentines Voyage“

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Kristy :: The Purple Pug

Website :: Facebook :: Twitter :: Blog

“The Donkey Kong APE-ril Rave“

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Mindy :: Creative Juice

Blog :: Facebook :: Pinterest

“Potty like a Rock Star“

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Staci :: Lizard & Ladybug

Blog :: Facebook :: Twitter :: Pinterest

“SuperHero Swim Party“

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Aren’t they FaBulouS?!? If you haven’t voted for your favorites in the Crew’s “Head-to-Head Team Challenge,” you can cast your vote here. Don’t forget to enter our current giveaway for a chance to win a signed copy of “Push-up Pops” by Courtney Dial Whitmore! Click here to enter.

I hope you’re having a great weekend!

The Crew has had such a great time planning, designing, crafting, styling and sharing these two incredible parties with you! If you missed seeing the parties, pop over to the Sassy Spring Chickens “Old Mac’s Farm Band” Playdate here and the Barnyard Babes “Barnyard Buddies Brunch” here. You can also see all of the tutorials these talented ladies shared throughout this past week.

Tomorrow I will share with you the amazing party chicks who will be judging our Crew’s Team Challenge but today it’s time for you to be the judge! We want to know your favorites so I’ve set up an easy voting ballot for you. {This is our first vote ever on Oink! Hoofs crossed that it works!} You can vote once for each category per IP address. Voting will be open until Thursday, May 31, 2012 and we’ll announce the winners next Friday along with another fun surprise!

Last weekend I had the pleasure of hanging out with my dear friend, Courtney Dial {soon-to-be} Whitmore of Pizzazzerie, at her Chicago book signing. Push-up Pops is a beautiful book with lots of yummy recipes, tips for creating goregous pops and ideas for displaying the finished goodies. While I was there, I had Courtney sign an extra book for one of our FaNs and she generously sent along an “official” Push-Up Pops spatula and measuring spoon to go along with the book! If you’d like a chance to win these fun prizes, enter below…

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Have a FaN-tastic weekend!

If you follow Giggles Galore, you know how much I love my Starbucks frappuccino bottles. I don’t actually drink Starbucks but I have persuaded my friends and family members that do to save them so I can use them for parties. I adore those cute little bottles! That’s exactly why I decided to transform them for our Barnyard Buddies Brunch!

Several years ago I had a Barnyard Bash for my twin’s 2nd birthday and I made these cow print milk bottles for party favors. When Do announced our Piggy Bank Parties’ challenge and I saw that we would be working with the Barnyard Buddies package I knew I would definitely be making my cow print bottles! These are super easy to make and can be used as party favors, drink containers or decorations.

First, remove the sticker labels from your bottles and wash thoroughly. Turn them upside down on a tarp to dry.

Next, spray paint the bottle and lids with white spray paint.

I used my Cricut for the next step and cut out random cow print shapes in black vinyl. You can also paint the black spots directly onto the bottle if you don’t have a cutting machine.

Adhere the vinyl to the bottle and smooth out any bubbles.

Finally, tie some raffia to the neck of the bottle for a little extra touch. At this point you can also add party tags for favors or to identify the contents since they aren’t see through.

We generally have 20-30 kids at our parties. So, finding simple, inexpensive ideas that WOW are a must. When we decided to do a Farm Band theme, we knew that a CD of our favorite farm music was a must. The great thing about this favor is that it can be easily used for any theme!

Let’s get started…it’s simple!

What You Need:

• 8.5″ x 11″ or 12″ x 12″ Paper
• Music CD (your choice)
• Scissors
• Double Stick Tape

Instructions:

1. For an 8.5″ x 11′ sheet, trim off 2.5 inches from one side of the paper so the paper measures 6″ x 11″. For a 12″ x 12″ sheet, simply cut in half. This will leave you with 2 sheets measuring 6″ x 12″. For this example, we used the Piggy Bank Parties’ Barnyard Buddies Cow Paper printed on our own printer.

2. Flip the paper over to the back side. On the long side, mark the back of the paper at 3″ and 8″.

3. Still holding the paper the long way, fold the paper up at the 3″ mark. Make a crisp crease using a bone folder or side of a pen. Fold the top down at the 8″ mark and crease it as well.

4. Add double stick tape to the top and bottom of one flap to create a pocket. Press down firmly on both sides.

5. Embellish the front side of the CD cover. For this challenge, I utilized some additional elements from the Barnyard Buddies Collection. The “Create-Your-Own” Party Cards were the perfect size for a label on the front of my favors. I personalized them and printed the cards on full sheet labels. I cut the cards to include just the personalized portion then cut the remaining part of the card into 1″ strips.

6. Place the 1″ strips halfway down the on either side of the front of the CD favor.

7. Top it off with the personalized label.

8. Slip the CD into the envelope you created, seal the folder with double stick tape and you are ready to go. Create your own CD by downloading songs from your favorite music site and burning them onto blank CDs from your local office supply store.

Now it’s your turn! The possibilities are endless…so many fun themes that would be perfect for a little CD favor.

The winner of the Lunchbox is…Shanna Uptergrove!

Comment 63: Tweet About this Giveaway {Winner picked via Rafflecopter and Random.org}

{break for a Happy Dance!}

Thank you all for entering this fun giveaway! We hope you’ll stop by Sweet Mady {paper + gifts} to see all of their fun personalized items which are perfect for parties and every day life!

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Mayra of the Barnyard Babes is sharing a fun tutorial today from…

BARNYARD SHEEP FAVORS

The following tutorial is adapted and inspired by a tutorial found on Granny’s Thrifty Scrapbook Blog. I used the following materials which I had on hand to create the sheep I attached to favor size chocolates.

Materials:

• white cardstock
• brown cardstock
• 1″ and 2″ scalloped circle punches
• self-stick googly eyes
• pink brads
• glue
• black Sharpie

To create 6 favors, you will need 12 white 2″ scalloped circles and 6 brown 1″ scalloped circles. Start by attaching a brown scalloped circle to the center of a white one then attach a pair of eyes.

Next, you will attach a brad for the nose. If the brad will not pierce the cardstock, make a small hole first where the brad is going to be attached. I used a pen for this.

To make the sheep’s ears, I used a black Sharpie to draw them on.

Next, attach the chocolate to the second white scalloped circle which will serve as the back. Then attach the front of the sheep to the chocolate.

You’re done!

S’mores…the word brings a smile to most everyone’s face as soon as you hear it! Memories of making s’mores when you were a kid probably come to mind immediately. S’mores always mean FUN! So when I made the cake for our recent Barnyard Buddies Spring Challenge, I knew I wanted to capture that yummy and fun flavor in a cake. This is a super easy cake to put together and it’s sure to put a smile on everyone’s face when you serve it!

Now for the challenge, I used this recipe to make a regular cake…which was awesome! But since we were all caked out around here (yes, it’s possible), when I created this tutorial I decided to change up the presentation a little so we could share the cake with friends. I just loved how cute the mason jars that we used in our challenge entry looked with the red gingham and decided to put the cake in them!

There are many cake-in-a-jar recipes that call for baking the cake in the jars. I used the jars to serve the cake only and baked it in a cake pan instead. Using the following ingredients, I was able to make 6 jars of cake with some cake scraps leftover for snacking {wink}.

Here’s what you will need to make…

S’mores Cake-in-a-Jar:

• 1 chocolate cake (a box mix or scratch…whatever your preference)
• graham crackers
• marshmallow frosting (recipe below)
• marshmallows (I used the flat kind made for s’mores but any will do)
• Hershey’s bar (or similar)
• clean Mason jars (lids optional)
• ribbon
• plastic or wooden spoons
• glue dots (optional to secure ribbon to jars)

Bake cake in a 9″ x13″ pan and let cool in the pan. After cooled, remove your cake until ready to assemble. I wrap my cake in plastic wrap right when I take it out of the pan to keep it moist! While the cake is baking, go ahead and make the easy marshmallow frosting.

Marshmallow Frosting:

• 2 1/2 sticks of butter (softened)
• 1 1/2 cup of powdered sugar
• 2 jars of Marshmallow cream (or Fluff)
• 1 1/2 tsp of vanilla

1. Beat butter with your mixer until smooth

2. Add marshmallow cream and continue beating until smooth

3. Add vanilla

4. Add powdered sugar

5. Continue beating for 3 or 4 minutes until smooth

Once your cake is completely cooled (out of the pan), you can begin assembly. I used a circle cookie cutter to cut the cake to fit inside of the jars. You can just use a knife to cut them if you don’t have the right size cutter. You should be able to fit two cake circles in each pint sized jar.

Then you simply layer your ingredients…cake…graham cracker (break to fit inside jar)…marshmallow frosting…repeat until jar is filled.

I did find it less messy to put the frosting in a pastry bag and pipe it in. If you don’t have a pastry bag, just use a zip lock bag with a corner cut off to squeeze it into the jar. You can also just spoon it in but I found that to be a little sloppy.

Top off with a square of chocolate and marshmallow. You can fill them high if you are serving these or not quite so much if you are going to put the lid on for gift giving.

Tie your spoon around the jar for a cute finishing touch!

Perfect for your next backyard bash or for a sweet gift!

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Today’s the last day to enter our giveaway sponsored by Sweet Mady {paper + gifts}! Click here to enter.

The fun that comes from working with a team and a limited budget is pooling resources and adopting the “someone’s trash is another person’s treasure” philosophy to figure out ways to cut costs. Tablecloths can be expensive. And custom tablecloths can be downright out of the question. One of my teammates not only located the idea of a pocketed tablecloth found here but she had tons of fabric at her disposal. Denim—check. Red gingham—check. Country paisley print—check. All I needed to provide was the sewing savvy and the tablecloth.

Step one was to identify the size of table our team would be using. Once I had the measurements I began brainstorming how to use the inspiration found but create a tablecloth that would be unique to our team. Initially my thought was to just purchase some basic white broadcloth fabric and create the tablecloth like any other tablecloth. You put a square tablecloth on a square table. A rectangular tablecloth on a rectangular table. And a round tablecloth on a round table. But does it have to be that way? Well, of course not!

What I had at home begging to be utilized was a leftover 90 inch round banquet table tablecloth. It was still packaged, originally purchased in my event planning days, and it couldn’t wait to get its time in the spotlight. It became the canvas for our custom tablecloth.

To create the pockets, I took the super duper complicated approach. I free handed a pocket. I know, right? Way complicated.

Next I cut out the pocket pattern.

I pinned it to the fabric. I know, I know—earth shattering.

I repeated this three times. One. Two. Three.

I then decided that denim pockets on a white tablecloth, are well, denim pockets on a white tablecloth. And that’s so boring. So I added a ruffle from the country print provided from my teammate. To create a ruffle without a ruffler attachment for your machine, simply fold your fabric in half, reduce your tension on the machine to a low level, increase your stitch length to a longer stitch and sew your seam. Don’t backstitch. Leave long thread ends on each side. Then gently pull the thread and work your ruffles toward the opposite end. Pull some more then work your ruffles down. Repeat.

Stitch your ruffle to the inside of the pocket top edge and use this seam as your top exposed pocket stitch. Pin your pockets in place. Sew the remaining three sides of each pocket onto your tablecloth.

Step back and admire your work.

Personally, I thought the ruffles would do the trick for me. I was happy with the ruffled pockets but I still thought it was a little boring. So I decided to enhance and bring more attention to the fact that I was using a round bottom tablecloth on a rectangular table. And by enhance I mean, I added MORE ruffles. This time I used the red gingham fabric and my handy dandy ruffler attachment.

{HINT}: If you’re attempting long ruffle lengths, the above advice of hand ruffling will probably make you poke your eyes out. At some point, the thread will break and you won’t make it all the way down your ruffle in waiting seam. I do not condone the poking out of ones eyes, so I do not condone hand ruffling a tablecloth bottom.

Once the ruffle was ruffled, it was simply sewn onto the bottom of the tablecloth. Easy peasey!

Since you used a round tablecloth, the sides of your table will look a little awkward. I simply folded the ends toward each other (fold neatly like a present) and pinned in place. This will allow a form fit from the front of the table and keep your uneven sides nice and neat.

Of course, I took it a step further and created a matchy matchy apron with the leftover fabric but I can’t go giving you all my secrets.

Project Total: $12.00

Thanks for hanging out and ruffling around with me!

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Denim Tablecloth Inspiration: Design Dazzle

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Don’t forget to enter our giveaway sponsored by Sweet Mady {paper + gifts}! Click here to enter.

MAKE YOUR OWN INSTRUMENT

Activity from “Old Mac’s Farm Band Playdate” seen here

Materials:

• recycled household items: cereal boxes, oatmeal containers, take-out containers, paper towel tubes, etc.
• Barnyard Buddies Paper, Animal Faces and Lil’ Party Tags
• scissors
• hole punch
• tape
• adhesive
• string, yarn, webbed strapping or ribbon
• dry beans
• dry rice
• 3/16″ brads
• plastic Easter eggs
• rubber bands

Drum: Cover an oatmeal container with Barnyard Buddies Paper. I had leftover webbed strapping from another project which I attached to the drum. The strap was safety pinned for adjustability and then the drum was embellished with Animal Faces which were printed at a reduced size.

Banjo: The banjo was made from a take-out salad container bowl and the “neck” was made from a cereal box. Each piece was covered with paper then the neck of the banjo was attached to the bowl with red brads. Strings were tucked under the brads after being stretched and taped in place on the back of the banjo.

Tambourine: A tambourine was fashioned from the lid of the salad bowl embellished with paper. Holes were punched around the edge of the lid. Jingle bells were attached with ribbon for a delightful sound!

Maracas and Shakers: Dry beans and rice added to small coffee cans and plastic Easter eggs make great maracas and shakers.

Rain Stick: To create the last instrument for the band, cover a paper towel tube with paper then poke colorful brads through the side of the tube in a spiral pattern. Do not open the prongs of the brad but secure them in place with tape. Cover the ends of the tube with paper circles and secure with a rubber band. Remove one end cover and fill the tube about a quarter full with a combination of rice and beans. Re-cover the tube and slowly turn upside down to create…a RAIN STICK!

Now Old Mac’s Farm Band is ready for a concert!

Other Barnyard-Inspired Activity Ideas:

• Old MacDonald Barnyard Band Concert: Let the kiddo’s perform with their instruments and film it with a video phone
• Musical Hay Bales: Classic musical chairs using hay bales
• Barnyard Animal Puppet Show: Use your favorite hand puppets or the Barnyard Animal Masks

If you don’t have the exact items we used, look around your kitchen and recycling bin. I hope you’re inspired to be creative…that’s what you have to do to be in a “farm band!”

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Don’t forget to enter our giveaway sponsored by Sweet Mady {paper + gifts}! Click here to enter.