Archive for February, 2009

Here’s a twist on pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey, pin-the-jewel-on-the-crown. Here’s what you need:

• 1 yard brown or gold wrapping paper
• Jewel tone craft paper or construction paper
• Blind fold
• Double sided tape
• Prizes

And here are the simple steps:

1. Cut a crown shape out of the wrapping paper.
2. Cut shapes (diamonds, octagons, circles) out of the jewel tone craft paper.
3. Cut an “X” out of the jewel tone craft paper.
4. Just before the game begins, put a piece of double sided tape on the back of your jewels. (Tip: Do not use “permanent” unless you want them to play the game only once.)

And here’s how they play:

• Mark the crown with the “X” showing the kids what they’re aiming for.
• Blind fold each, spin them and let them put their jewel (with double sided tape) on the crown.
• Whoever gets closest to your “X” wins the round and the prize.
• Keep playing as many times as it takes for everyone to win or you run out of prizes. {wink}

 Image: Country Living

I posted an idea for a valentine mailbox a few weeks ago and thought I would try my hand at a birthday version. On birthday mornings I like to have something special waiting by their pancakes and what better than a little mailbox filled with birthday cards and goodies. {I know, goodies before breakfast… but it is their birthday.} This is what I came up with for my boys and here’s what you’ll need:

• small tin mailbox
• scrapbook paper
• mod podge
• sponge mod podge applicator and paintbrush
• prepainted wooden cutout (assortment of designs available at any craft store)
• glue gun

And here are the easy steps:

1.  Measure around the main body and the width of the mailbox and cut scrapbook paper to fit (leaving enough at the front opening to wrap the paper into the box; this will keep the paper from peeling from use). 
2. Using a straight edge, cut a slit and a hole to fit the section where the flag is joined.
3. Using mod podge, attach the paper to the mailbox. Once dry, put another layer of mod podge over the top.
4. For the back of the mailbox, place the cover face down on the back side of the paper and trace around it. Again, cut out and use mod podge to attach it.
5. Attach the wooden cutout to the front of the box with a hot glue gun.
6. Cut two small paper rectangles to fill the top of the flag and use mod podge to attach.

This weekend I was trying to work up a few new ideas for our bugs and butterflies party theme and came up with these little cuties. The bee is yellow chocolate. Yum!

Here’s what you need:

• Yellow melting chocolate wafers (baking section of your craft store)
• Cream cheese icing tinted yellow
• Yellow sprinkles for a little sparkle
• Small bumble bee cookie cutter (available in our shoppe)
• Black gel icing (tube) 
• Wax paper
• NOTE: You can also use a bee stencil, pastry bag, #2 tip and toothpicks. See our chocolate transfer post.

And here’s how you do it:

1. Using a double boiler, melt down your chocolate.
2. Lightly butter your bumble bee cookie cutter.
3. Place the cookie cutter on the wax paper and pour your chocolate in while holding the cutter in place. (The thinner the chocolate, the quicker it will set.)
4. Return your chocolate to the double boiler between bees to keep it warm. Each bee should take about two minutes before you can remove the cookie cutter.
5. Once the chocolate has set completely, pipe on the black stripes using gel icing. Be careful not to use to much or it will run.
6. Ice your cupcakes, sprinkle and set your bumble bee on top.

Happy baking!