Dessert Table: Twilight Eclipse Party

A few months ago my sister let me borrow her Twilight movies since I had never seen them and am now officially a Twihard..or should I say Twilighter!? December 4 was the dvd release of the third installment in the Twilight series, Eclipse, and we both agreed to create a dessert table to celebrate! My sister even treated us twihards to a beautiful Italian meal to start off the evening. It was so much fun to collaberate with her in creating this table and I hope we can do it again. Hmmm...maybe when Breaking Dawn hits theatres next November..*shriek!* I can't wait!!!

Sleepover Cake

This recent cake was for a sleepover birthday. The birthday girl requested rainbow chip cake and cotton candy buttercream.

Hope she had a fun-filled birthday!

Kids Christmas Tree Themes

Every year at Christmas my kids get their own little tree to adorn with whatever they choose for the holidays. From handmade items to store bought ornaments every year is a different theme. I thought these kids tree ideas were cute...

Paper tree



My favorite...A candy tree



Felt animal tree



Cotton ball tree



For more adorable kids tree ideas visit here!

Homemade Marshmallows

(Makes about 24 - 2 1/2 inch marshmallows)

Ingredients

1 cup cold water, divided

3 - 1/4 ounce envelopes unflavored gelatin

2 cups granulated white sugar

1 cup light corn syrup

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Directions

4-5 cups confectioners (powdered or icing) sugar, sifted

Lightly butter, or spray with a non stick vegetable spray, the bottom of a 13x9x2-inch (33x23x5-cm) baking pan. Line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper. Then sift about 3 tablespoons of confectioners' (powdered or icing) sugar onto the bottom of the pan (this will help release the set marshmallow from the paper).
Place 1/2 cup cold water into the bowl of your electric mixer that is fitted with a whisk attachment. Sprinkle the gelatin over the water and let stand until gelatin softens, about 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a heavy two quart saucepan, place the sugar, corn syrup, salt, and remaining 1/2 cup (120 ml) cold water. Stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves and the mixture comes to a boil. Cover the saucepan with a lid and let boil for about three minutes to allow any sugar crystals to dissolve from the sides of the saucepan. Remove the lid and attach a candy thermometer to the side of the pan. Increase heat to high and boil, without stirring, until the syrup reaches 240 degrees F (115 degrees C), about 10 minutes. Remove from heat.

With mixer running at low speed, slowly pour the hot syrup into the gelatin mixture in a thin stream down the side of the bowl. Gradually increase the speed to high and beat until mixture has tripled in volume and is very thick and stiff, about 10 minutes (looks like thick marshmallow cream). Add vanilla extract and beat to combine, about 30 seconds longer.

Scrape marshmallow mixture into the prepared pan and spread with a damp offset spatula or rubber spatula. The mixture is very sticky so just smooth it out as best as you can. Dust the top of the marshmallow with another 3 tablespoons of confectioners' sugar and let stand, uncovered, at room temperature until set, about 12 hours.

Remove the marshmallow from the pan by first running a small sharp knife around the edge of the marshmallow to loosen it from the pan. Invert the pan onto a large cutting board that has been dusted with confectioners' sugar. You might have to use your fingers to help loosen the marshmallow from the pan. Peel off the parchment paper (the marshmallow will be sticky) and dust the top of the marshmallow with confectioners' sugar.
Cut the marshmallow into squares using clean kitchen scissors, a pizza roller or a sharp knife. Dip the cut sides of the marshmallows in additional confectioners' sugar. Shake off excess sugar and store the marshmallows in an airtight container, at room temperature, for up to two weeks.

{recipe from joy of baking}

DIY: Winter Woodland Trees

I stumbled upon a tutorial for cotton ball trees from A Fanciful Twist and loved the snowy effect so much that I included them in my winter woodland dessert table. We actually turned it into a craft project that I completed with the kids. I recommend using white glue and tape rather than the hot glue if including children.
I think we may make some more once the Christmas holidays arrive.

Winter Wonderland: Dessert Table

It is now officially the Christmas season and what better way to welcome the season than with a dessert table? :)
This weekend we welcomed a few guests with a winter wonderland dessert table. The winter woodland theme is one of my favorites and have carried it through to my decor this year.
I included my first batch of homemade marshmallows and I am in love! It is super easy and so much better than store bought! I will share the recipe with you later on this week.















Sources:

Cake, Sweets and Creative Custom Oreos: Candy & Cake
Deer: Dollarama
Snow: Walmart
Cake Topper: Michael's
Candy: Pine & Fancy Sweet Memories

Welcome To Pixie Hollow: Part Two

You can't have a party without games and activities and for this pixie party there wasn't any time to spare. First off, The fairies were outfitted with traditional fairy wings just like tinkerbell would approve of and adorned with flower clippies that I put together before the party. The new fairies then went outside for a scavenger hunt as Tink is always on the hunt for lost items. Next up was a game of fairy tag and the guests utilized their 'rosetta' wands in this game by lightly tapping the fairy they 'tagged'. Other activies included musical toadstools and a fairy house craft.



I found this tutorial and thought it would be perfect for the fairy tag game and was simple to put together.
The tutus were so easy to put together and took about 20 minutes each. I plan months ahead which is so much easier on the budget and myself.
I found a tutorial on YouTube which has a gazillion tutorials on no sew tutus because I cannot sew! I ordered the tulle from Cudge which has an awesome selection of colors and sizes and very reasonably priced. I had so much fun making those tutus that I made one for my daughter's halloween costume and plan to make a few for christmas as well...I think I may be addicted..:)








I loved these Martha favor boxes but they were nowhere to be found so I handmade them and loved the result. They were used as favor boxes for the pixie dust bottles.




All of the planning and work was so worth it when you hear your child tell you how much fun they had at their party. Her words almost brought me to tears...albeit happy ones!



Happy Birthday Janelle, We Love You!

Other Sources:

Pixie Dust Favor Bottles: Charms Galore
Flowers for Clippies(on wings): Halo Heaven

Thank you to Marcie of Marcie Bilan Photography for the beautiful photography!