Happy Easter - Spring Planter Box Centerpiece

I hope you have a blessed Easter Day.  We are lucky to be spending it again with family and realize what a treasure that is.  No completely decked out tablescape this year but I did create a centerpiece that I thought you'd like to see. It's been a while since I've dabbled in floral arranging but am pretty happy with how this turned out.

Easter 2011 Tulip and Hydrangea Planter box centerpiece - Cindy Rippe

The arrangement was inspired by the tablescape that I fell in love with at the International Housewares Show last month featuring Paula Deen's new dinnerware by Meyer. You can see a picture of it on her facebook page.

After finding a bargain on a flat of tulip plants ($4.00 at Lowes) and Hydrangea bushes (Michaels - 60% off) I was good to go!  Spring is my favorite time of year and the "New Life" theme worked out pretty well.

Afternoon Shadows on the centerpiece - Cindy Rippe

Dinner will be served buffet style with disposable dinnerware. We've all been going through some crazy, busy times around here and decided that easy cleanup would be the way to go for a change. (After my concerns about using disposable products I was reminded that they will be recycled)  I found these at Party City.  We'll use my stainless flatware instead of plastic and I chose the hand towels instead of napkins because of the way they are folded and the size is just a bit larger.  We'll alternate napkins and plates to make it easy for guests to pick them up in the buffet line.

Pretty Paisley Napkins and Leaf Green Plates from Party City - Cindy Rippe

Here's a link to last year's tablescape.  Enjoy!

From my house to yours: Happy Easter, Happy Spring, Happy Life!

Greatest man in history, named Jesus, had no servants, yet they called him Master. Had no degree, yet they called him Teacher. Had no medicines, yet they called him Healer. He had no army, yet kings feared Him. He won no military battles, yet he conquered the world. He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him. He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today.

Blog Hopping this week with:

Take some time to visit these cute blogs too please.

Hot Beverage Bar - Follow up for Sizzix Blog Hop Week 7 post

I went through some photos during my Christmas break and found the pictures from the Hot Beverage Bar that I created for the Sizzix Triple Play Blog Hop - Week 7 in a previous post.   I made signs for each beverage with matboard shapes cut out with the Sizzix ScoreBoards XL Die - Treat Bag Toppers that were designed by Eileen Hull.

The signs were simply decorated with a little pen and ink with a wash of color and one thin coat of Craft Twinkles glitter using DecoArt Americana acrylics.  I printed sign on the computer to identify each beverage.  The coffee flavor is Winter Frost  made by Coffee Masters. I'm lucky to have a local resource for specialty and gourmet foods - D'Masti Catering Inc.  They also carry a variety of wonderful Hot Chocolate flavors!
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Hot Cocoa stays warm in my thrift store find Thermos pot.  You could also fill the Thermos with hot water and offer a basket filled with an assortment of Coffee Masters flavored Cocoa Amore.  (Also available at DMasti.com) my favorite is Chocolate Creme Bruelee)  This tag is easier than the others and I painted the holly berries painted pink to match the pointsettia.  I attached all the labels and ribbon with Glue Dots.

The recipe for the Spiced Apple Cider in the crock pot can be found HERE.  I used a soft chenille fabric (found in the baby section) for the tablecloth because the bumps look like little snowballs.  A green fabric napkin and my snowmen finish the display.

Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home. Edith Sitwell



Sweet Christmas Joy from Bakerella

I'm a big fan of Bakerella.  Her delightful Cake Pops and blog just make me so happy!  I was reading her blog today and she shared pictures from her friend "Cupcake Julie's" Christmas party again this year.  I'm glad I took a few minutes to see what she's up to.  I needed something to get me out of a bad mood.  (You know, one of those days when you know you shouldn't be complaining about things but you just can't help yourself!) 

If you need a little touch of "Happy" too you'll want check out her blog.

Last year's party - December 2009.  I love the sugar cookies, the signs on the dessert buffet, and well... everything!  Wonderful pictures!

http://www.bakerella.com/candyland/

Tablescape from this year's party. December 2010.

http://www.bakerella.com/sweet-soldiers/

Enjoy!

Sizzix Triple Play Blog Hop Week 7 - Hot Beverage Bar Signs

This is the last week for the Sizzix Triple Play Blog Hop, I'll miss playing with all the shapes.  This week I received mat board shapes cut from the Sizzix ScoreBoards XL Die - Treat Bag Toppers designed by Eileen Hull.  So cute!

I decided to use the shapes as signs for my Hot Beverage Bar.  We have a Christmas Light Parade in town every year and after some of the parades I've invited friends and family over for a simple meal.  As they arrive they are greeted with an assortment of hot beverages that are set up as a self service bar and beverage area.

I use a crock pot, insulated "Thermos" coffee pots and my coffee maker to keep the drinks warm since I prepare them before I leave to watch the parade myself.  The only thing left to do when I get back is to switch on the coffee pot.

The Crock Pot holds Spiced Apple Cider. (For the recipe click HERE)  I used a brown permanent pen to sketch a flower and painted it with DecoArt Americana Acrylics.  To match the glitter on the artificial leaf accents I finished the sign with a coat of DecoArt Twinkles Glitter.  I wrapped a ribbon around the crockpot, attached a few glittered leaves, the sign and the oval label with Glue Dots.

The serving ladle rests on a little dish that was originally made for dipping bread in olive oil.  It helps with the drips and the guests feel better knowing where to put it.  Oh!  I also leave the lid of the crock pot off during the party.

A few touches to dress up my Snow Lady pulls the grouping together!  I'm working on more signs so be sure to check back again to see the rest of my Hot Beverage Bar.

Click on the forward button below to continue with the Sizzix Triple Play Blog Hop.

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For more tablescapes check out Between Naps on the Porch for a Christmas Tablescape Thursday.

Sizzix Triple Play Blog Hop Week 4 - "Pause and Give Thanks"

Happy Thanksgiving!  I had fun creating a sign for the dessert table using the Sizzix ScoreBoards Pro Die - Frame and Frame Back w/Stand  by Eileen Hull. Of course, there will be many more desserts than my one chocolate cake at Jason and Sarah's house!

There's a nice set of instructions for assembling the original frame and design here. I chose four parts of the frame set, silk leaves in fall colors and painted them with a variety of metallics and glittter paints.

I used brads and gold ribbon to attach the leaves to the sign and assembled the pieces with hot glue.

For those of you following my napkin experiments this week (see previous posts) this is my final selection.

I used the Silverware Roll fold and attached one of the painted leaves with gold ribbon to close it.  Instead of placing flatware inside the roll I printed a Thanksgiving Day poem and used that as a party favor.

I'll post pictures of the project in the Tablescape tomorrow.  Come back after you've finished shopping and eating the leftovers to see how it turned out.

You can click on the link below to continue with the Blog Hop and to see what the other Designers have created.  Or, go directly to the Sizzix Triple Play Blog Hop site to see the list of participating designers.

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Pink Botanicals

I love pink; so Botanicals' beautiful booth at the Antique and Garden Fair drew me in like a magnet!

 

This Chicago based event designer really impressed show attendees with beautiful flowers, lighting, a slide show of their portfolio and an interesting use of miniature mums to repeat the background pattern under the glass tabletop.

 You could use flower heads to spell out a message on your buffet table.

Orchids and more gathered in a lush bouquet and tucked into a boxwood covered niche.

Three chandeliers with pink shades topped off the display.

Part Four - Baby Shower - Beaded Bracelet Theme - Desserts

The girls went all out with the mini desserts.  Each one was pretty simple to make but the variety, display and flavor was outstanding.  We had both Chocolate Cheesecake and Cherry Cheesecake in pastry cups, Apple Cinnamon muffins,

Berries in White Chocolate cups with whipped cream and drizzled Chocolate,

my favorite; Key Lime pie filling in Chocolate cups with berries and mint leaves,

and the ever popular mini Chocolate Eclairs and Cream Puffs purchased from Sam's Club.

Part Three - Baby Shower - Beaded Bracelet Theme - Food

Melissa and Elena chose an appetizer and salad menu.  They had so much fun (with lots of help from family and friends) and we ended up with a huge selection of tasty treats for lunch. I'm sorry, the pictures just don't do the food justice but I wanted to share a few anyway.

We created an interesting display with tiered servers and boxes tucked under the baby flannel tablecloth to make "lifts and levels".  A garland of hydrangeas flowed down the table, tucked in and around the dishes.

We had a really long table full of food!

 

A beautiful and tasty appetizer made with Olive Tapenade. Click here for the recipe. It's really easy.

Caprese Salad made with fresh mozzarella, grape tomatoes, and fresh basil.