~ DIY Tutorial ~ How to assemble a Banner using Printable files

Happy Friday!  I've been asked several times how to put together the pennant banners using the printable files, so today I just wanted to show you how I put together the Happy Birthday banner shown in Nikky's Parisian Birthday Brunch with the printables from the shop.

 Putting your banner together it's very Simple!

1. Print your files on regular 8.5"x11" white cardstock paper.

2.  Cut out using a paper cutter or scissors

3. Punch small holes on each side of each pennant

4. String a small ribbon through {Either from the back or the front if you want to show more ribbon}. 

You can also attach one pennant with the next one individually with little bows, which looks very cute too. 

Check all the details of Nikky's Parisian Brunch birthday party here!

Check here for more DIY tutorials!

~ Tutorial Thursday ~ How to Use Printable Party Designs

While I was getting everything ready for the 'Photo Shoot' of My Strawberry Shortcake Printable Party Collection,  I took some pics to show you how I used the printable files to make Cupcake toppers, Water Bottle Labels, Food Labels, Straw tags and Treat bags. 

 Here are some Essential Tools Required:

 Paper Cutter - I really like the Fiskar Brand

Punches - I've had the Uchida Punches for a while and they work really good and my new favorite one is the EK Success Flourish Punch

Small hole Punches - For favor tags and straw tags

Lollipop Sticks and Small Envelope Seals for cupcake toppers

Double Sided Tape

8.5 x 11 White Cardstock Paper

Stapler for treat favor bags and

Printable Party designs from my Shop.

Cupcake Toppers:

I printed my design on a 8.5"x11" White Cardstock Paper, and with the paper cutter cut out 3 separate strips. I used my 2" Scalloped and Flourish punches to cut out all the designs and attached to lollipop sticks with small envelope Seals. 

You can use these same cutouts for favor tags, napkin rings and straw tags.

Treat Bags and Favor Tags:

These are the new printables now on the shop, I'm making Treat Bag Favor Labels for all of my designs. The file is designed to print two Treat Bags Favor Labels and four 2" tags that can be used to attach to favors, cupcake toppers etc...

  I just printed my file on a 8.5"x11" Cardstock Paper.  I used the 2" scalloped punch for the favor tags, made a small hole punch and attached to the Mini-Gumball machine with a small elastic string.

I filled my bags with the candy, fold over my treat tags labels and stapled on each end.  I love how these ones in particular look with the strawberry candy. So cute!

Water Bottle Labels:

There are several ways to do this.  You can either get Water Bottle Labels, a full size Sticker Sheet or for an easy and economical but still cute party just print in regular 8.5"x11" white copy paper, like I did, and attach to bottles with double sided tape. 

I just serve the water  at room temperature; but If you want to serve your water cold and don't have waterproof labels, you can still make them waterproof yourself with Clear packing tape :) Yes, the width of the tape is the exact width of the label.  I've done it before and the bottles look good and the labels didn't get ruined when placed on ice, it's just more work - you will ruin a few labels for sure until you get the hang of it :) Just laminate both sides of the label with the clear packing tape, do it slowly to remove all the air bubbles. 

Sweet/Food Table Labels:

Food/Sweet labels look adorable on your sweet or food buffet. All of my printable files are designed to print on 8.5"x11" size paper and customized with your own food/sweet selection. I just printed on White Cardstock paper, used my paper cutter and fold in half to make them stand up alone. 

Lollipop and Straw Tags:

To decorate the lollipop I just took one of the 2" scalloped circles and layered it on top of a 3" scalloped cut out with double sided tape.  For the Straw tags, I punched two small holes on my 2" cut outs and insert the straws through.

All of the tools required can be purchased at Michaels Stores or Walmart - they carry a lot of the craft tools as well. You can also visit the Craft tools Page of my store where I link my favorite tools that can be purchased online at Amazon.com

I hope you enjoyed my little Tutorial! 

If you haven't enter in our weekly giveaway, you still have chance to win $50 Gift certificate to ThePartyRoom The new online Party Favors and Gift Shop. Don't miss it, Click here to Enter!

~ Baby Shower ~ Diaper Cake Tutorial Part 1

If you have been invited to a baby shower and you want to give the new mom a practical gift with a personal touch, a diaper cake is a great choice! I've made them in several occassions and they are always a hit.

I know there are tons of instructions over the net on how to make diaper cakes, but most of them use tape to hold the cupcakes sorry I mean diapers together. I have figured out a way to make them without any tape and still hold together, and now I will share it with you!

To bake this cake you need:

• 1 Bag of newborn diapers (I am using pamper swaddles

#2 MEGA bag 64 diapers bag) I used 63 diapers to make this 3-layers diaper cake.

•1 (16" diameter) disposable cake board. You can purchase it at any baking or party supplies store.

• Size #18 Small elastic bands or 15 to 20 yards of approximately or 1/8” narrow curling ribbon to tie rolled diapers.

•5 or 6 yards of approximately 7/8”ribbon (I am using “It’s a girl” pink paper printed ribbon)

•5 yards of 1/8” pink curling ribbon.

• Little silk flowers to decorate the cake (optional)

•Little clothespins (available at Michaels craft store, dollar store)

• Baby bib, bodysuit, hat and baby socks: You can decorate your cake with anything you like. That’s what makes it a unique gift.

Tools: Scissors and Drill (optional): To make 4 little holes on cake board, you can also do it carefully with a knife.

STEP 1: Roll all the diapers as shown in the picture below.

I am rolling them inwards because I don’t want the yellow print

motive of the diapers to show on the cake. Wrap a small elastic band around each diaper and set aside.

Or if you prefer tie each diaper with a little piece of ribbon (approx. 10” - 12” long each). You will need approximately 15 to 20 yards of 1/8”curling ribbon to tie all the diapers.

If you use elastic bands you will need a wider ribbon to cover them later when you are decorating your cake to cover the elastic.

STEP 2: Preparing cake base

Mark the center on the back of the cake board. Measure 2” from the center to draw an X. And with the help of a drill or scissors make 4 little holes on each end of the X as shown on the pictures below.

Starting from the back of the cake board pass a long piece of 1/8” ribbon (Approximately 1 ½ yards) through 2 of the holes, and another one through the other 2 holes

STEP 3: CAKE LAYERS

I do an inside small 3 layer cake first and then I start building the rest of the cake around this one. This first cake will be tied to the cake base and will be the centre of the cake, and this way your cake will be more stable and won’t tip over. I don’t like using tape to hold the 3 layers together because the idea of the cake is for mom to use the diapers afterwards. Taping the diapers will cause them to rip when taking them apart.

Inside cake 3 layers:

Make the 3 inside layers as shown in the picture above

• Top layer- 3 diapers

• Middle layer- 7 diapers (1 diaper in the centre and 6 around it)

• Bottom layer- 14 diapers (3 inside and 11 around: Tie first the 3 inside diapers with an elastic band and then build around it with the other 11 diapers and tie all again with another elastic band).

• Securing first inside bottom layer to cake base: Put bottom diaper layer on top of cake base and secure with the ribbons tying a knot over the diapers as shown in the pictures below.

• Add middle inside layer and secure with the ribbons.

• Add top inside layer and secure with ribbon. Leave all the remaining ribbon hanging; it will be used later to tie the top bow or anything else you would like to top the cake with like a stuff toy or bottle.

Part 2 continues in next post

~ Baby Shower ~ Diaper Cake Tutorial Part 2

Continuation from Diaper Cake Tutorial Part 1

Outside Cake:

Now that the inside cake is ready we will start building the cake around this one to make our finished cake.

Bottom diaper layer:

Start building your cake adding diapers all around bottom layer as shown in the picture. It will take approximately 18 more diapers to complete the bottom layer for a total of 32 diapers (18 diapers outside + 14 inside)

Once is ready, secure the bottom layer around with 1/8” ribbon and continue to add diapers around middle layer.

Middle layer:

It will take approximately 12 more diapers to complete the middle layer for a total of 19 diapers (7 inside + 12 outside).

Top Layer:

Add diapers around top layer and tie with 1/8” ribbon. It will take approximately 9 more diapers to complete top layer for a total of 11 diapers (3 inside + 9 outside)

Now we are ready for the fun part,

decorating the diaper cake!

STEP 4: Wrap your 7/8” wide ribbon around all the layers and tie with a knot.

A wider ribbon covers the elastic bands better.

Using scissors, trim the ends either diagonally (“/”) or in a “∧” shape to look neat.

STEP 6: I also wrapped 1/8” wide pink ribbon on the top of each layer. I will hang the baby clothes from these ribbons using little clothespins; as if they were hanging to dry on a clothesline.

I used mini clothespins to hang the baby hat, bib, bodysuit, and socks. I placed the baby bib at the top and front, and hung the rest at the back of the cake, and decorated it with tiny pink flowers all over. The flowers makes the cake look really cute, covers all the yellow prints on the diapers and covers any exposed elastic bands in between diapers.

You can also fasten other baby necessities to the cake (Teething rings, rattles, nail clips, pacifiers, baby brush and comb set, rolled wash clothes, socks, travel size lotion …anything you like). Just tuck them inside the 7/8” ribbon around the cake. Make sure they fit tightly, and if necessary tie a small piece of 1/8” ribbon around the item and secure to the ribbon on the cake to keep them from falling off. Trim or curl the ends.

                   

STEP 7: Cake topper

To top the cake I made an 8 loops florist bow. To make your bow you will need approximately 2 yards. Just follow each of the pictures below:

• 8" from one end of ribbon, pinch firmly between thumb and index finger. Make a 3 1/2" loop (half the size of finished bow) pinch tightly. If ribbon is one-sided, twist length to right side.

• Go over and make a second loop and pinch over first two pinches.

• Go under to make your 3rd loop, and hold at the centre.

•And over again to make your 4th loop and continue doing the same all around like a wheel until you have 8 loops, 4 on each side.

•Fasten the centre with a piece of 1/8”ribbon. You might need an extra hand here to help you secure your bow. Using scissors, trim the ends either diagonally (“/”) or in a “∧”shape to look neat.

Once your bow is ready, fasten to the top of the cake with the ribbon that was left hanging from the inside cake in step 3. You can also top your cake with a stuff toy, flowers or a baby bottle.

More ideas...

• You can wrap your finished cake with a Cellophane gift bag or white tulle fabric, gather together at the top of cake, and secure with ribbon and add little note for the mom-to-be.

• You can also make mini diaper cakes as baby showers centerpieces.

Mom-to-be can take them all home after the shower to use the diapers when baby arrives. Just do a small one-layer cake (like the top layer of this cake and use a small cake board for the base).

I hope these instructions will be helpful. The Mom-to-be will love this adorable cake and you will be so proud you made it for her. Have Fun making a diaper cake!

Did you enter in our Valentine's Giveaway?

One lucky Winner will get an Awesome Party Pack {Handcrafted Invitations, cupcake toppers, favors and favors tags} Over $150 value.

Copyright Notice: No part of this publication, in whole or in part, may be reproduced, sold, copied, printed or transmitted without written consent of the author. The author forbids any distribution or resale. Copyright violation will result in legal action.

Copyright © 2006-2012. COPYRIGHT Milenna S. All rights reserved.

~ Birthday Party ~ Groovy Neon Doodle Birthday Party

I am so excited to share this gorgeous party with you today! Valeria turned 6 this past weekend and her mom and my friend Timmy asked me to style the celebration and I was so happy to help!

We liked the colors and theme of the 'Neon Doodle' party supplies from Birthday Express.  We just added a few personal touches to make it extra special, like personalized cupcake toppers, thank you cards and water bottle labels to match with the theme.

Timmy asked me to make a 'yummy-gummy pot'. They were a hit at her last party, and she wanted them again.  I wrapped a napkin inside the glass vase and it looked so cute! {So simple and easy, if you haven't seen the Tutorial, just follow the link here}

We ordered the cake from a local supermarket, we asked them to air brush the cake with rainbow colors and I made Tye-Dye cupcakes and designed the cupcake toppers to match. {Tutorial here}

How cool is this Guitar shaped Pinata!

I added some made to match Thank you Cards to Favor Bags and

made coordinated Water Bottle Labels.

All the 'Neon Doodle' made to match personalized party printable files are now available at my Etsy shop.  {Click here for instructions on how to use your party printable files}

Everything looked so cute and Valeria and her friends enjoyed the party.  Thanks Timmy!

Linking up to Bird's Blog linky party
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~ Party Printable ~ HELLO KITTY Party circles {Cupcake toppers, favor tags} Free download

I adore Hello Kitty and recently had the opportunity to design these party circles and thought that you would like them too.

If you have a Hello Kitty themed party coming soon feel free to use these. 

Click here for ideas on how to use these party circles

Click here to download file {Free}

 Personalized printable {cupcake toppers, water bottle labels, favor tags, thank you cards and invitations} can be ordered @ my etsy shop. 

If you love Hello Kitty you will like to see my daughter's 

Hello Kitty 'balloon dreams' birthday Party.

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~ DIY Tutorial ~ How to use party printables to make cupcake toppers, tags and water bottle labels

How to do cupcake toppers, treats and favors tags using the party circles:

  I had already posted some of this info in different posts but since I am getting a lot of questions on how to use the party printables, I decided to do a separate post about this. 

Favors and treat tags:  Download and print file on white card stock paper, my designs are done to fit on a letter size 8.5 x 11 paper, cut into squares or use a paper punch of your choice.  After you have punched out your party circles, make a small hole punch to insert your ribbon.

For cupcake toppers, download and print file in white card stock paper, cut into squares or use an scalloped or circle punch and attach to 4" lollipop sticks {available at Michaels, Waltmart or Bulk Candy store} using tape or a small white circle labels.

You can make napkin rings too. Take a look at how I made these using party circles, ribbon and double sided tape.

Ever wonder how to affix water bottle labels?

Print your digital file in regular letter size 8.5"x11" paper, cut labels and attach using double sided tape {This is the easiest way but only works if water bottles will be served at room temperature, otherwise ink will leak from the labels}. You can also print them in full size sticker sheet {available at Business depot, office depot...}

Now if you want to make them waterproof and place them in buckets with ice, an easy and economical way, rather than buying waterproof labels, is to use clear packing tape, the width of the tape is exactly the same size as the labels. Laminate both sides of the label with the clear packing tape and then use the double sided tape to affix to the bottle. This way the ink won't leak.

You can also just attach the label to the bottle with double sided tape and then go over with the clear tape, you will be saving one step but only the top will be waterproof, I've done it before and my bottles were fine when placed in ice, but I recommend to make a trial run and place your bottle in a bucket with ice to check if water goes through. But just to make sure the ink won't leak with the last method, and you still want them in ice, just insert the bottles half way where the ice cubes don't touch the labels and the water will still be kept cold.

Check my party printable designs @ my Etsy shop.

Free Printable by Party-Tales

~ DIY Tutorials ~ Rice Krispie Pops "Little Pirates"

As seen on Ivano's First Birthday "Pirate Party"...

Here are the instructions on how to make these cute little pirates pops: 

To make the pops you'll need:

  

Round Cookie Cutter 

Candy wooden sticks

Parchment Paper

Icing decorating tubes {red, white and black}
Treat bags and curling ribbon to wrap pops  

50 ml	1/4 cup	margarine or butter
250 g	1 pkg	(about 40) regular marshmallows or 5 cups miniature
2 ml	1/2 tsp	vanilla extract (optional)
1.5 L	6 cups	RICE KRISPIES CEREAL

 

Preparation

1. Melt margarine in large saucepan over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat.
2. Stir in vanilla. Stir in RICE KRISPIES cereal until well coated.
3. Using lightly buttered spatula, press into buttered round cookie cutter over parchment paper.
4. Wait a few minutes and insert Candy sticks before they dry completely
5. Let dry and decorate with Icing decorating tubes {Usually available in the baking section of the supermarkets or specialty store like bulk candy or Michaels}, let dry completely at least 6 hours before wrapping.

You can also make your own royal icing with the mix like shown in the picture above but then you'll need colouring gels, piping bags and tips.

 Now you can use any cookie cutter to make any rice krispie pops to match your party theme. 

 

Really easy and yummy!

  All of the pirate printable collection now available at my Etsy store.

 

These boy party ideas were also featured on Spaceships and Laser Beams.