A Garbage Truck 'Trash Bash' Birthday Party...GROSS!!

We are so thrilled to be back with you and can't wait for all of the fun we have in store over the next few months.  First up, our all new Birthday Parties series is going live on PBS Parents tomorrow, and we couldn't be more excited over here!!  Before all of that good stuff ensues, I wanted to share photos of a little 'Trash Bash' we threw for my 3 year old boy, Sully, this past June.

As I may have mentioned before, he is absolutely, madly, & deeply in love with garbage...we wait for the big blue truck every week and dumpsters are a main topic of conversation over here.  If you have yourself one of these trash-talkin' boys or girls, you know EXACTLY what I am discussing here::)

First up, the invitations . . .

I wanted to create a galvanized trash can with the invitation replicating a garbage bag placed inside . . .

You can purchase a customized, printable invitation of your own over at our Etsy shop right here: Juneberry Lane Etsy Shop Garbage Truck Invitations:)

I made these cupcake stands from Dollar Tree trash cans (and filled them with garbage, of course), a Dollar Tree baking sheet, and a glue gun-so simple and a real hit with my little guy . . .

This cake was SO much fun and pretty darn simple too!  I will have to put together a tutorial for you one of these days!!

The favors were made using Dollar Tree pencil holders, a cut piece of a real garbage bags, and filled with goodies for the little ones.  The favor tags are available at our Etsy shop too!

The little ones decorated cookies I made using a Garbage Truck cookie cutter I purchased right HERE.

Newspaper tissue poms were the perfect addition to greet guests on their way in . . .

The Garbage Truck cake reveal was a smashing success . . .

My sweet boy was so excited!!

And printable iron-on transfers were a blast to design for the birthday boy & his little sister's shirts . . .

And there you have it, simple & fun and the perfect theme for the grossest little guy I know!!  I'll be back tomorrow with a link for the pilot to our PBS Parents show and the new Mrs. Frost (my fantastic little sister) is whipping up all sorts of baking, food, and party inspiration to bring your way too!!!!  We've missed you...and are so happy to be back to enjoy the best season of the year with you . . . let's do this!!!

'Cupid's Love Dust' and THREE FREE Printables!!!

I think this little jar of fairy dust is just the sweetest thing.  I can already see the delight in the eye's of your little ones as they come downstairs in the morning and find this on the fireplace mantel.  

And think of all of the fun you can have deciding what to sprinkle this on to open up a world of magic to that special little guy or girl in your life.  I am thinking a little jar of 'Cupid's Love Dust' would be the most darling project.  Something along the lines of these little stunners from These Tiny Treasures on Etsy:

Perhaps your little lovebug could sprinkle some 'Love Dust' on Daddy's pillow and he just so happens to bring home a little treat when he gets home from work the next day?  Or place a little 'Pixie Dust' on a patch of dirt in the garden and surprise the kiddos with a freshly planted flower the following morning.  

Even the tooth fairy might be persuaded to leave a little extra cash if there was a bit of 'Fairy Dust' sprinkled in the pouch along with the usual pearly white.  And, of course, these would make fantastic favors for a 'Fairy' birthday party, a 'Neverland' baby shower,  or even a 'Woodland Wonderland' fete!  Ah, the options are endless.  How much fun is that?

A little inspiration . . .

And now, for a few FREE printables to get you started . . .

And here are your downloads for a multiple page of whatever kind of 'dust' you have in mind . . .

Cupid's Love Dust Multiple Tags

Fairy Dust Multiple Tags

Pixie Dust Multiple Tags

Have an absolutely magical weekend:)

Tutorial Tuesday: Green Gift Series ~ Homemade Hot Fudge Sauce

This next homemade gift in our 'green gift series' is the perfect present to remind your friends & family just how much you love & appreciate them.  And best yet, every time they have a delicious ice cream sundae they will think of you and just how much they return the feelings:)

This delectable 'hot fudge sauce' will last them all the way until spring and is such a  cinch to make that you won't be able to settle for the pre-packaged variety ever again.  Check out this fantastic recipe from My Own Ideas. . .

HOMEMADE HOT FUDGE SAUCE


Ingredients:

~ 3 Tbsp unsweeted cocoa powder
~ 1/2 cup whipping cream
~ 1 – 1/2 cups light corn syrup
~ 12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
~ 4 Tbsp butter
~ dash of salt
~ jars (I like THESE ONES by Ball)



Directions:


1.) In a pot on the stove, mix the cocoa powder with the cream and stir on low until the powder dissolves into the cream. Add the remaining ingredients and stir over low heat until thoroughly mixed.

2.) Bring to a slow boil, and simmer, stirring, for about five minutes until thickened a little. Allow to cool to lukewarm, and pour into jars. Makes about 4 cups.
**To serve, heat until it reaches a stirrable consistency, pour over ice cream.

Variations: 


Mexican Hot Fudge Sauce
~ Add 1 tsp ground cinnamon along with the rest of the ingredients.


Mocha Hot Fudge Sauce
~ Add 2 Tbsp instant coffee powder along with the rest of the ingredients.

You can get the above labels at: My Own Labels.  And a few more excellent examples. . .

(photo courtesy of http://www.clarkwalkerstudio.com/blog) 

(photo courtesy of http://elementsdesign.com)

 (image via http://jownby.wordpress.com)

(photo via Style Me Pretty)

There now, isn't that just as easy as pie?  These would be amazing favors for that chocolate loving bride or even an 'Ice Cream Social' Birthday party or Shower, right?

And you know I wouldn't leave you empty-handed after all of your hard work, so here is a free printable tag to add a quick hole-punch and a strand of twine to, and tie around the neck of your mini-mason jar . . .

You can download the page of multiple files here:

Hot Fudge Sauce Multiple

We certainly have been spending some quality time in the kitchen this season!  Why, we're regular Betty Crockers these days, aren't we?

The Sweetest Thanksgiving Hostess Gifts & a FREE 'Turkey Day' Printable Gift Tag!

Wanting to show some gratitude this Thanksgiving and not sure how to express the proper 'thank you' to the man or woman who will graciously slave away in the kitchen to provide a scrumptious holiday dinner for you and your family, the teachers who are guiding your children towards greatness every day, or that friend in your life who always has your back?

Well, fear not, we've got you covered!  Turn up the cuteness volume on a bottle of wine, a yummy candle, or any baked goody with a FREE set of printable 'Turkey Day' gift tags.  Just scroll down to find the link for a multiple page of downloadable tags . . . all you need is a printer, solid white card stock, and a bit of yarn or twine and you will have a custom tag in minutes!!  

But before  you head off to go printing, here are a few ideas on how to express your appreciation to those you hold near & dear . . .

Burlap bags of homemade snacks . . .

Cookie Mix in a Jar . . .

And a few wrapped loaves . . .

And here is the link for the multiple page (and don't forget, there is a FREE printable banner and a page of cupcake circle/food labels waiting for you there as well!)

Free Printable Thanksgiving Gift Tags

Hope you are having a wonderful start to your holiday week!