Friday, April 30, 2010

Way 2 Go Monkey

The reason I bought these two stamp sets, "Fox & Friends" & "Picture This", because of the Monkey and the sentiment Way 2 Go. I think this monkey is adorable and the number "2" in the sentiment is in my favorite font, "Rosewood".

First I adhered the pattern paper to my 2 1/2" square of paper. Next I stamped both the sentiment and the monkey.  I then stamped the monkey again on another piece of white paper as well as pink paper. I cut out the tummy and face from the "pink monkey", paper piecing them to the second monkey that I stamped on white. Once those pieces were dry I cut out the monkey from the white cardstock leaving the tail out. So you are actually stamping the monkey a total of 3 times. Once on the card front, once on a sheet of white paper and again on pink paper. (I guess you could just leave out the second white piece, but I thought the extra pink step gave more depth) Using a foam dot I places the cut out body of the monkey to the card front overlapped where I had stamped, so that he has some dimension. Since I left the tail out you can still see it "behind" on the card front. Last, I added some twine and put all the pieces onto the pink 3 x 3 card. Voila!

These are fun to put in kids lunch boxes. Small note cards are also a great idea in a set as a gift. Teacher appreciation is next week, why not make some little notes for your favorite Teacher or Principal.

Hope you all have a wonderful day AND weekend!

Hugs,
Pam

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

I feel the need, the need for stamping!

I have the itch to stamp and have pulled out some stamp sets that haven't gotten dirty yet, I know...for shame! Hopefully sometime today or tomorrow...most likely Friday...I will get these babies inked up! What kinds of notes do you need? Thank you's, birthday cards, invitations??? Leav a comment and let me know,  I just might pull from some of your ideas.

Thanks for stopping in!
Hugs,
Pam

Monday, April 26, 2010

A Frost Me Give Away!

I am very honored to be a part of one of Frost Me's great giveaways. Want a chance to win my latest cake, the "Woodland Fairy" themed creation or a custom design gift certificate? Well hop on over to Kim's blog, Frost Me and see how you can win!!

This "Woodland Fairy" Paper Cake Favor set goes well with the "Woodland Fairy" Banner & Door Sign. Do you think I should create cupcake picks & candy bar wrappers to match?

 Have yourself a wonderful day!
~Pam

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Happy Earth Day 2010! {Upcycled Felted Wool Spotlight}

While volunteering at school I had the great pleasure of meeting a very talented woman who also has an Etsy store. Hello...instant connection! I of course "hearted" her store as soon as I found it and adore everything she has listed in it.

Right now I am absolutely in love with this "Upcycled Cream Felted Wool Rose Pin" that she has made. These would make fabulous party favors, bouteniers for a wedding, or simply a sweet gift for someone special.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Woodland Fairy Sneak Peak

Yesterday I was able to finish up a couple of images for my daughter, Aly's "Woodland Fairy" party.  I  created this Fairy silhouette which I will be using along with butterflies and maybe some other little creatures as well as this mushroom. Still trying to decide on a color scheme, but as of now Aly wants Purple for sure, so maybe purples and greens with splashes of color from the mushrooms and butterflies. We have a whole 3 months to plan, so it will be fun to come back and read how it started and where we finally ended up at.

Of course while I am playing with these images I will be making things with them to go into the Party Starters Shop. I will give you the heads up when they make their debut!

Thanks so stopping.
Hugs,
Pam

Monday, April 19, 2010

A Toxic Waste Birthday Theme

 At the end of June we celebrate our son, Tyler's half birthday. Ty's birthday is actually December 28th, so celebrating with my husbands side of the family and friends in June helps to spread things out a bit. It really isn't easy to invite friends to a birthday party just 3 days after Christmas.
So this year we will be celebrating 13 years with a Biohazard/ Toxic Waste themed party. Why...I have no clue why Ty chose this theme, but I will run with it. I am always up for a challenge and I am sure this party will be just that!
 I will make a bunch of caution signs and use the toxic waste symbols on the banner, invitations, and cake. Tyler found this candy, that will be fun favors. Maybe we can find some of that caution tape to put around the house instead of streamers.  I want to find a way to put some green slime around the house as well, most likely cut out of butcher paper.
As I start creating things I will share some photos with all of you. If you have any fun ideas or see any cool photos please, do share!

Tomorrow I will be sharing some ideas on our daughter Aly's birthday theme. Her birthday is January 6th, so she also celebrates a half birthday. We push hers out until the middle of July, but Aly and I are already having way too much fun planning her party. Aly has chosen a Woodland Fairy theme and I have already started creating some fun cut outs for it! Can't wait to show you a sneak peak!!

Hugs,
Pam

Friday, April 16, 2010

My favorite new font..."Rosewood"

I created this cake slice favor for our  Party Starters "Inspiration Friday" contest this week. I have been dying to create something with my new favorite font called Rosewood. Not sure why this font is so attractive to me, but I know it will be perfect for the circus theme that is stuck in my head. I also have a new favorite girls color scheme...Pink and Orange! This favor slice would work to number tables for a big event where there is assigned seating or in this case it is my daughter's age. Cute little favor for birthday parties.

Speaking of themes, I am trying to create a list of girl themes that aren't commercial. No Barbie or Disney Princesses....something different, original! Any suggestions would be fantastic! Boys seem to be a little easier for some reason and I have a long list of themes for them.

Anyway, hop on over to Party Starters and enter our "Inspiration Friday" contest and check out the other photo I have up of this cake slice as a place card holder.

Have a great weekend!!
Hugs,
Pam

Thursday, April 15, 2010

My take on "Alice In Wonderland"

A couple of months ago I had a request for a  new "Alice In Wonderland" themed Party Starters cake.  I had the vision in my head and was afraid that I wouldn't be able to pull it off. After a couple of style changes to the name in the tea cup I got it! Since I received that request I have sold an additional 6 cakes in this Alice theme. It is so rewarding to have one of my creations become so popular. One of my customers asked for me to create a cake topper pick to match, so that she could stick it in their edible cake. This cake pick is double sided, one side with the name and the other side with the age. A wonderful way to tie everything together!

Unfortunately the tea cups that I used on this style of cake have been discontinued. So I am currently on the hunt for another maybe more whimsical style of tea cup. As soon as I have a version 2 I will make sure to share it with all of you.

Thanks so much for stopping in today!
Hugs,
Pam

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Things I want to try...

Well I had big plans of sharing some things I have been working on yesterday,  but my printer ran out of ink AGAIN (time for a new printer) so my orders have been put on hold until I can get to the store today.  So, I thought I would share my to do list...some things that I would love to try.

I have been drooling over this chocolate cake recipe since Martha introduced it back in 2006....some day I will make it! I love moist dense chocolate cakes with thick fudgy frosting...*sigh* I think I'm in love!

Second, this cute idea to make candy necklace garland. This idea was sent to me by my friend, Chantelle (she is my official hunter and gatherer of all things fabulous). I can just see my kids eating away at the decorations like a flock of crows! So colorful and I am sure, very tasty! I bet you could string colored cereal as well and have the same look and probably less expensive.


 Third, I want to get some really cool Apothocary jars so that I can make a dessert table that is inspired by Amy Atlas. OH how I love Amy's work.  Wouldn't you love to be at a party where there was a set up like this! Almost too pretty to touch. 








 Well I guess there is something I can share with you all. Our candy bar envelopes/wrappers. Oh how I love these favors! This is my latest design to go along with my lady bug themed cake. Hershey bars make a wonderful party favor or thank you for any age. Whether its for a shower or a kids birthday. Inexpensive and a great personal touch to your event.

 Well hopefully today there won't be anymore glitches and I will be able to finish up my orders that I need to get out. Two Alice cakes and 120 wedding favors!  In case I haven't mentioned it before... I LOVE my job!

Thanks for stopping by.
Hugs,
Pam

Monday, April 12, 2010

Holy Strawberries Batman!

Well I couldn't take it anymore...I had to make the cheesecake filled strawberries last night, that I posted about last week. OH MY GOSH...they are SO good!! I am pretty sure that between the 5 of us, we ate 2 lbs of them. I used Martha's recipe for the cheesecake filling and with half of the strawberries that were filled I dipped in chocolate. Now I am a huge chocoholic, but in this case I actually preferred the strawberries without. Crazy I know!! With strawberry season ahead of us, I know I will be making these a lot more often. These are perfect for a light dessert for the family OR a fabulous addition to a dessert buffet for a bunch of friends. Go ahead and make some...I dare ya!


Thanks for stopping by!
Hugs,
Pam

Friday, April 9, 2010

Anchor Hocking Feature!

Check it out! Two of the party packages that I created for Party Starters have been featured on the Anchor Hocking blog. 

I was thrilled to get an email from them asking if they could feature my pictures and tell a little about our company! Why did they feature us...well its because I used their glass canisters and cake plates.  I have been dying to get their Apothocary jars, but they don't carry them at the Target I shop at. Those would be fabulous filled with candy for my party favor displays.

Anyhow, just wanted to share that bit of exciting news. Thanks for stopping in, have a great weekend!

Hugs,
Pam

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Strawberry Goodness!

OH I had to share these here too. I can't wait to try them. Cheesecake Stuffed Chocoalte Strawberries....YUMMERS!
The recipe for these can be found at Family Corner. I have also shared Martha Stewart's version of this idea on our Party Starters blog today.

Another fun idea speaking of strawberries is this free "Kiss Box" template from Belle's Printables I knew it could work as a strawberry. So I printed out the template on a piece of red cardstock. Cut out the shape, scored the black lines & embossed with a polka dot embossing folder. I then folded the box fold which side I wanted to be the top and punched a 1/4" hole in the center. Next I strung a piece of green curling ribbon through the hole as well as through a green paper flower. I tied the ribbon into a knot to secure it to the top of the box and curled the ribbon. Last, I put a Hershey kiss into the box added adhesive and put the box together. Now its a Strawberry covered chocolate! Super easy to make and oh so cute for favors!

Have a great day!!!
Hugs,
Pam

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Things that annoy me...

Things that annoy me...
because I have nothing else right now to post.


1. Spring allergies
2. Flies...I absolutely go insane when a fly is buzzing around me. The sound of them makes my skin crawl
3. Mushrooms...absolutely can't stand them, the smell the taste, the texture... blah!
4. Mean People...well they just suck!
5. Waiting...for anything really...I am not a patient person
6. Being a sucker..which I am a lot of the time
7. Being cold...although I don't like to be really hot either...
8. Being a clutter bug. I am a organized neat freak trapped in a clutter bug body
9. Jello that is rubbery...gross
10. People who don't forgive and forget...everyone makes mistakes, myself included

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Where did the day go?

Pam I am...I do not care for days that disappear on me. I was crazy busy yesterday with a custom order and had so many more things I wanted to get done including post something fun here today. Well, today is another day! High hopes of getting everything done, including a load of laundry...

I will show you quick what I am working on though. I have a custom order for Christening gift/ favor bags as well as place cards. Lots of fun, but time consuming!

Hope you all have a wonderful day! I am looking forward to a sunny one here. Thank goodness my desk faces the large window in the front of our house, so I can watch the birds and clouds roll by. Don't worry, I will get outside about 6 times, picking up and dropping off 3 kiddos to school. LOL



Have a great day!!
Hugs,
Pam

Monday, April 5, 2010

A New Look,Paper Flower Tutorial & Contest


Hope you all had a wonderful weekend! Easter was so much fun for us. We did the not so normal Easter thing and took the kids to see a movie after all of our other traditions were finished. We saw "How to train your dragon".We paid the extra and saw it in Imax 3D...wow is that cool, but the stinkin' glasses are ummmm...hello FACE FURNITURE! Those glasses were huge and took up 3/4 of my face. Oh well they did the trick and I found myself bobbing and weaving in certain parts. Such a cute movie, we all really liked it from age 5-40! I highly recommend this one.

Friday, April 2, 2010

Its finally done!

Well my friends ... Paper Askew STUDIO is finally done...taa daaaa!

My favorite wall in the house...


I love having my desk right in front of our large window...
This is how I file my 8 1/2" x 11" paper. The right one is all of my SU colors filed by name and color family. The left file is just random paper I have.
The reason why this is my favorite wall in the house, it holds all of my favorite family photos and nic naks as well as my other creative necessities.Alright now for the party favor gift bags I mentioned yesterday that I am working on. I still have 19 bags to go so I will sign off for now. Have a wonderful weekend and a very blessed Easter!
Hugs,
Pam

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Hey Little Lady


Well here is the cake I finished up this past weekend, while cleaning. It is always so much fun when a customer says "I want this theme, I trust that whatever you do will be beautiful". So I took the Lady Bug image she gave me and ran with it.
I have added this one and a one layer version to our store...what I couldn't resist!

Now I'm off to create some party favor gift bags, I will share those tomorrow. Have a super day friends!