DIY: Marshmallow Cross Kabobs

Recently I received a phone call from a client in dire need of some marshmallow kabobs for displaying table numbers for her granddaughter's Christening.  She showed me a photograph of her idea; I  thought the idea would be one that I could pass along to others.  Simple. Easy. Cute. Especially for her fun-loving marshmallow-crazed family.

I am sure if you played around a bit, you could make anything with marshmallows, but a cross was very fitting for this religious occasion.

The order was for 30 marshmallow kabobs, so I gathered my material:

Material:
30 large skewers
15 small skewers
4 bags of Kraft marshmallows
1 bag of pink melting chocolates
1 small Wilton squeeze bottle
1 tube of Wilton white pearl sprinkles
30 clear cellophane bags (I used 6x9 inch with a gusset of 2 inches)
pink dotted 1/4 inch fabric ribbon

Steps:

1.  Place four marshmallows on a large skewer, sliding them down covering about 1/3 of the skewer.  Be sure the marshmallows have their flat side facing toward you.

2.  Because the small skewers are so thin, you could actually use scissors for the next step.  Cut one small piece of skewer to fit in perpendiculiarly to the large skewer, placing it through the second from top marshmallow.

3.  Place one marshamallow on each side of the small skewer piece.

4.  Then, melt the chocolate and pour it into the squeeze bottle.

5.  I am sure if you are talented with chocolate, you can be more creative, but I replicated the design I was given.

6.  Save the middle marshmallow until last.  As soon as you finish that middle marshmallow, immediately place one pearl sprinkle in the center.

7.  Let the marshmallow cross dry for about five minutes.  You may need to stick the skewer in the refrigerator for a minute or two to harden.  When it is hardened, you are ready to place it in the bag and finish it off with a pretty ribbon.

DIY: Tissue Pom-Pom

I first caught a glimpse of the tissue pom-pom ball on Martha Stewart's website.  Then, they started appearing all over the web.  They looked simple and fun, so I decided to dive into a new project.  Of course, they can modified for size, color, and thickness.  More options for their use will come to you the more you experiment with them. 

Necessary Supplies:

• Tissue paper (20 inches x 30 inches). Choose one color, choose two colors for more of a flower-effect, choose three hues for some multi-colored FUN! *HINT* Using dinner napkins offers a varied thickness that is less likely to tear when you are manipulating their "puffiness."
• Scissors
• Wire Cutter

• Floral wire. I used silver, but the color is pretty-much hidden once you play with them

Instructions:

1. Stack six to eight sheets of paper on top of one another, depending on what type of volume you are looking for.  If they are going to be placed on a flat surface (wall or table) they will appear more puffy.

    2. Now, fold the sheets into approximately 1 1/2 inch accordion folds, all the way across.

    3.  Cut about a foot length of floral wire.

    4.  Wrap the wire around the center of the folded tissue and secure it by twisting.

     3. Prune the ends of the tissue into round shapes, to give them a petal-like look or cut them in a
         triangular shape and get a funkier design.

        4.  Spread the sides out like it has butterfly wings.  Then carefully, pull apart each layer toward
             you, separating it from the center one piece at a time. The first time I attempted this
             project, I ripped the tissue because of its thinness.  Hence, I opt to use the thicker
             dinner napkins.

         5.  After puffing each pom-pom, I work like Edward Scissor-Hands and cut away perfecting
              the pom-pom to the size and puffiness I prefer.

Uses:

1.  Adding dimension on a wall or table for decoration
2.   Creating floral-looking arrangements on the wall of your baby girl's room. *Add two sheets of another color to the top of your layer in Instruction #1 to form the center of your flower.  When you are cutting in Instruction #8, cut the center a little shorter, allowing it to appear like the stigma, or center of the flower.*
3.  Hanging focal points for a fun party or gathering.
4.  Jazz up your dessert table!

HAVE FUN!!



INSPIRATION: Wine-Tasting Theme

Winter months bring about warm, robust-flavored pastas and hearty soups.  Wine is an excellent complement to these flavors.  Wine tastings are a chance to allow your guests to experience wines that they may not have had the opportunity to taste before, or, perhaps, have never thought to purchase in the store.    It is important to include no more than a handful of wines, because you want your pallet to concentrate on its taste buds, and not let a “drunkenly-impaired” mind get in the way. 

Some people may opt to choose wines with the same vintage, grape varietal, or brand.  I chose an eclectic group of wines, varied grape varietals from wide-ranging regions, all imported by Monsieur Touton.  Here are the list of wines that were served:

            (1)    Andre Delorme Sparkling Wine (France)– used to cleanse the pallet  

(2)    Tomaiolo Pinot Grigio (Italy) – goes well with cheese and fruit appetizers

(3)    Chimney Creek Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand) – complements light green salad

(4)    Alain Corcia Bourgogne Pinot Noir (France) – main course

(5)    Agua de Piedra Grand Reserve Malbec (Argentina) – main course

(6)    Cantina Gabriele Moscato (Italy) – sweet, dessert wine served with cake

Necessary elements for a successful wine tasting:

(1) A server – pour each guest’s glass with 1-2 oz. of each wine varietal

(2) Spittoon “spit bucket”- to pour out any extra left in the glass or to spit (some people may have to drive home)

(3)  Scoring/Recording Sheet – allows guests to rate each wine, so they can  remember the name of the wine and its rating when they return home

(4) Glasses -flute to serve champagne/sparkling wine, 2 wine glasses (white/red)

Unique ways to incorporate the wine theme into your party:

(1)     Wine cork place card holders

(2)     Wine favors (always good to include the same wines that you served)

(3)    Wine-colored decor (flowers, table runners, etc)

(4)    Grape and cork embellishments

(5)    “Stock the bar” wishing well - Have guests bring items to help the guest-of-honor stock their wine bar

(6)    Food gift baskets that compliment the various flavors of the wines

(7)    Wine Shelf Talkers – provide summary of wine’s region, taste and rating

Keep it Simple: DIY Holiday Invitations

Every good host/hostess attempts to use decorations or coordinating patterns/colors to enhance the theme of their holiday party. First place to start is with the invitation!  If you are like me, the only invitations that are enjoyable to create are those for small groups, otherwise the craft gets too tedious.  Here is a simple idea that can be modified for various themes, colors, and occasions.  All you need is ONE trip to your local craft store, such as AC Moore or Michael’s.  I chose AC Moore because of its proximity.

Invitation Recipe (Serving Size-20 invitations)

Ingredients:

2 Packs of Printable Cards/Envelopes 4 in. by 5 ½ in. (usually in 10 count packs)

2 Pack of Stickers

5 pieces of colored/textured paper or card stock 12 in. by 12 in.

5 pieces of white cardstock 8 1/2 in. by 11 in.

1. Cut the colored cardstock to fit the cards (4 in. by 5 ½ in. pieces) There will be 4 per sheet w/ extra paper left over

2. Glue colored card stock onto inside of invitation

3. Type up invitation wording using Microsoft Word or other program

Ideas for holiday invitation wording:

http://www.holiday-invitations.com/wording-christmas-invitations-cards.htm

http://www.purpletrail.com/partytrail/holiday_parties/christmas/holiday-invitation-wording

4.  Glue top layer. Be sure that the background colored card stock is still visible.

5.  Add embellishments, such as stickers or stamps to the front

6. I chose to print onto the invitation and the envelope for addressing and a simple message

Total Cost: $22.25/ 20 invitations

If you need some "flair" to embellish your event, try adding a Candy Buffet or Sweet Treat Dessert Table from CW distinctive DESIGNS to coordinate with your celebration!  Click here to check out some ideas to continue with the teal and shimmery silver decor of this invitation!

Apple Theme: Fall Wedding Inspiration

    

I cannot take credit for the following DIY ideas.  It is the design of one of my closest friends, Jess.  If you are like me, the person who goes to a wedding or celebratory function and gawks at the small details and eyes up the simple, but unique details, then you will appreciate this post.  By far, this was one of the most outstandingly well-thought-out weddings I have been to.  What comes to mind when you think of fall weddings?  Leaves, pumpkins, and perhaps orange/red decor.  Think further…how about apples, burlap bags, and warm cider….these were all an integral part of this wedding, aside from the beautiful bride and down-to-earth husband.

 (a)    Mini chalkboards – Perfect idea for the programs for an outdoor ceremony and detailed signs.

(b)   Apple centerpieces – Each table was named after a type of apple.  Who knew there were that many apples?  Simple. Rustic.  Unique. PeRFeCT.

(c)    Escort Cards – Apples with leaves adorning them.

(d)   Recipe Request Card– Leave your recipe for a successful marriage.

(e)   Invitations – Enveloped in a burlap bag and adorned with an apple and burlap embellishment.  The RSVPs were postcards featuring rustic photographs, one for the “here for the ride” (picture of a horse) and one for the “missed the boat” (picture of the local ferry.)

AND, as if it couldn’t get any better…the favors

(f)      A jar containing the family recipe ingredients for delicious apple cookies.  But what about the apples; they couldn’t fit them in the jar?  Upon departure, guests were given a paper bag to fill with apples that were decorating the entire reception area.  And they were delicious….

Love the idea of throwing in some apple-flavored sweets at a candy buffet, and perhaps, adding some delicious caramel apples.

.ONLy tHe beginnInG

So I tend to describe myself as tech-savy or, at the very least, technically-aware.  Yet, this blogging stuff threw me for a l o o o o o o p!   Of course, I had to SiNk MY tEEtH into it because I am curious and I don't want to feel as if this technically-inclined world is leaving without me. Maybe I will be hooked...who knows??!!

I have always wished I had a career in event coordinating, organizing wonderful presentations,  or possibly even owning my own up-scale boutique filled with a ton of gift ideas.  Thus, CW Distinctive Designs was born!  OrIGInaliTy is all around me!!  I am so lucky to have great friends that always have the CUTEST gift-giving ideas and family members that love uniquely themed parties, so it is inevitable that MY creative juices are always flo.o.o.o.o.o.wing.  For all of you scrapbookers, avid sewers, Martha Stewart followers, creative bakers, etc ...you understand me!  My blogging intentions are to share my DIY ideas, as well as some others' that have crossed my path (with permission of course), to some fellow artistic minds. Maybe I can InSpIrE without divulging my most innovative secrets:)  Oh, if your not too busy, visit my soon-to-be newly published website  http://www.cwdistinctivedesigns.com/