Tag Archives: Glitter

Calaveras de Azucar (Sugar Skulls) Edible Folk Art & Egg-Free Vegan Candy Recipe for Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) or Halloween

October 17, 2015 Leigh

Calaveras de azucar (sugar skulls) are a folk art originating from southern Mexico for Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). The sugar (azucar in Español) is said to balance the bitterness of death (muerte), and the small calaveras (skulls) are traditionally offered on All Saint’s Day (November 1) to beloved departed children (angelitos / inocentes) as one would leave flowers graveside. Because this recipe is an egg-free edible version that doesn’t use meringue powder or royal icing, it makes the perfect allergy-friendly, vegan, and low-calorie candy for a themed Halloween celebration!

Ingredients:

2 cups granulated white sugar
4 teaspoons water
Wilton ready-to-use icing multi-pack of 4 primary colors (not gel)
Wilton 3D skulls candy mold

Instructions:

Wash and dry the plastic mold. Measure a perfect cup of glistening white sugar (azucar in Español).

Use a small silicone spatula to mix 4 teaspoons of water (agua) into a bowl filled with the white sugar. (The key to sugar skull success is patient and thorough mixing to yield slightly damp sugar the consistency of sand.) Use the spatula to scoop globs of damp sugar into the mold, and also to pat it down compactly into each cavity. Smooth the top of each to flatten the sugar to sit evenly with the mold. (This helps later when combining the pieces to make 3D skull shapes.)

Place a cookie sheet on top of the mold. Flip them over while holding them together. The mold will now sit inverted on the cookie sheet. Carefully lift the plastic mold off to leave the sugar shapes on the sheet. (If some of them stick, gently flex two opposite corners of the mold in different directions. The remaining sugar shapes should pop out without breaking if you hover right over the sheet.) Make a second set of sugar shapes the same way. Let these dry at least 5 hours. (I left mine overnight, and decorated them the next day.) Another option is to bake these 5 to 10 minutes in a 200ᵒ oven. (Make sure to observe them closely in case your oven’s temperature is off.)

“Glue” a set of front and back skull (calavera) pieces together using Wilton ready to use icing. (This is an easy allergy-friendly egg-free alternative to a royal icing of meringue that hardens for the same traditional look, but note that they do contain corn. I found a 4 pack of primary colors in-store at Michaels that are the same size of a gel icing… but don’t use a gel because it doesn’t harden in the same way so that it may be handled when dry.) Press each shape together firmly and set aside.

You may leave these as Halloween skull candies or decorate them as a Mexican folk art. Add traditional decorative icing (glaseado) details like smile lines, hearts, flowers, swirls, dots, and marks that look like apostrophes. (The small icing tubes have a small tip built in that’s perfect adding small details to the skulls.) Let these sit overnight to harden thoroughly.

Wilton’s helpful hotline declared that the icing never really goes bad and may be used years later if capped tightly after use… good to know, but I doubt the small tubes will last long! Once dry, the sugar skulls (calaveras de azucar) may be handled without damaging them.

They may even be eaten as candy, which is wonderful considering most sugar skulls are inedible. (And so are the most popular recipes for them.) Since sugar is only 15 calories per teaspoon… I’m guessing that these are only about 35 calories each!

Set these sugar skulls out in a traditional Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) offrenda, Halloween candy buffet, in the center of a October dinner table as edible decoration in lieu of after dinner mints!

Be sure to check out my article on Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Themed Halloween Dinner Party Décor and the 2 on DIY sugar skull crafts… costume mask, banner, vase, napkin rings, and wine glass charms!

Ahora, comer con gusto!

Faithfully Yours,

Leigh

Parties & Tablescapes

Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Themed Halloween Dinner Party Décor + DIY Décor & Recipe Links

October 17, 2015 Leigh 4 Comments

Celebrate Halloween with a Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) themed dinner party filled with decorative sugar skulls (calaveras de azucar in Español) that embrace the lighthearted American holiday while still honoring Mexican traditions. Sugar (azucar) is said to balance the bitterness of death (muerte), and calaveras are traditionally offered on All Saint’s Day (November 1) to departed loved ones as one would leave flowers graveside. As Halloween serves to poke fun at all things scary, Dia de los Muertos is intended as a way to accept death as inevitable… and also to honor dearly departed loved ones. Representational calacas (colloquial term for skeletons) symbolize the idea of life being inextricably linked with death, and have migrated north from Mexico into American Halloween celebrations as themed décor. By using one celebration as a theme for the other, the two concepts combine to poke a little fun at death as not being so scary!

The vivacious tablecloth was made from fabric printed with customary Dia de los Muertos imagery in vibrant illustrations over a black background. (Purchase the cloth, glass candles, & large decorative skulls from Le fidèLe Designs affiliate Joann Fabric & Crafts whose clickable ad appears in the sidebar.)

Exotically painted salad plates sit atop solid purple dishes to evoking the brightly embroidered dresses of Mexico. (Purchase the salad plates from Le fidèLe Designs affiliate Cost Plus World Market whose clickable ad appears in the sidebar.) Lustrously glittered napkin rings of sugar skulls hold death black napkins in their icy grip. (Learn how to craft the napkin rings here: DIY Calaveras de Azucar (Sugar Skulls) Napkin Rings, Wine Glass Charms, & Vase Craft Tutorial.)

Crafted sugar skull wine glass charms embellish virgin sangria (fruity wine beverage known by the Spanish name for blood) filled vessels. (Learn how to easily make the charms here: DIY Calaveras de Azucar (Sugar Skulls) Napkin Rings, Wine Glass Charms, & Vase Craft Tutorial.)

The tablescape is illuminated with Catholic religious candles (as a nod to All Saint’s Day) not decorated with santos (saints) but with Dia de los Muertos imagery. Small homemade luminarias (lanterns) filled with tea-light candles are tied with the same multi-colored yarn of the banners, charms, and vase. (Learn how to inexpensively make these here: Easy DIY Upcycled Can Tea-light Luminarias + Free Printable Template & Tissue Paper Flowers Crafts.)

A clear square vase, decorated with crystals depicting Day of the Dead imagery, is filled with black glass marbles holding a tightly packed arrangement of cempasuchil (wild marigolds) which are typically left for the departed as ofrendas (offerings at altars or graves). (Learn how to quickly make the vase here: DIY Calaveras de Azucar (Sugar Skulls) Napkin Rings, Wine Glass Charms, & Vase Craft Tutorial.)

Small edible sugar skulls serve as both customary folk art décor and sweet after dinner treat. (Get the easy recipe here: Calaveras de Azucar (Sugar Skulls) Edible Folk Art & Egg-Free Candy Recipe.)

A polychromatic Mexican serape (wool shawl) covers lifts which elevate central elements of the centerpiece unseen. Ornamental calavera (skull) novios (brides and grooms) ceremoniously occupy the centerpiece. (Calacas, skeletons, dressed in wedding attire are a common theme describing the circle of life.)

Awaiting a guest of honor, is a handcrafted Mexican parade mask portraying la calavera catrina (which is an iconic image of a wealthy Euro-Mexican lady from the 1800’s). When worn, ½ of the face is covered with a skull representation it symbolizes the idea of life being inextricably linked with death. Banners of traditional papel picado (pierced paper) and painted sugar skulls of novios adorn the background of the festive tablescape. (Learn how to easily craft the mask and banner here: DIY La Calavera Catrina Costume Mask & Calaveras de Azucar (Sugar Skulls) Banner for a Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Themed Halloween.)

Feliz Dia de los Muertos!

Faithfully Yours,

Leigh

Arts & Crafts

DIY La Calavera Catrina Costume Mask & Calaveras de Azucar (Sugar Skulls) Banner for a Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Themed Halloween

October 17, 2015 Leigh

This tutorial will help you to inexpensively craft your own one-of-a-kind la calavera catrina costume mask in the Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) style, and then easily DIY a Calaveras de Azucar (Sugar Skulls) banner to decorate your Halloween party. Sugar (azucar in Español) is said to balance the bitterness of death (muerte), and calaveras (skulls) are traditionally offered on All Saint’s Day (November 1) to departed loved ones as one would leave flowers graveside. These calacas (colloquial term for skeletons) have migrated north from Mexico into American Halloween celebrations as themed décor. In this same way, traditional parade skull masks have become party costumes. As Halloween serves to poke fun at all things scary, Dia de los Muertos is intended as a way to accept death as inevitable… and also to honor dearly departed loved ones. The Mexican ½ face parade masks symbolize this idea of life being inextricably linked with death. So when you don this half skull mask for Halloween, be sure to make up the lower half of your face as a beautiful representation of life… and poke a little fun at death as not being so scary!

To craft the calaveras de azucar (sugar skulls) banner, begin with either a package of glittered skulls or cut your own shapes from glittered paper. Another option is upgrade a readymade skull banner. (All of these items are available at Le fidèLe Designs craft supply affiliates Michaels and/or Joann whose clickable ads may be found in the sidebar.)

Attack black floral mesh squares to half of the skulls. Glue one end to the top of the front and the rest to the underside so that it looks like a lacy veil.

Next, glue paper rosettes to cover the front edge of the veils.

To decorate these with the traditional sugar skull designs of flowers, hearts, swirls, and apostrophe type marks, I utilized Tulip brand Crystals (= glittery like sugar) T-shirt paint. It works really well on many materials besides cotton. The small tips allow the paint to come out just like icing does on real sugar skulls. If you prefer the control of a paintbrush, just squeeze some out onto a paper plate to use as a palette. Let these dry overnight to cure.

Next cut lengths of colorful yarn or ribbon to string the banner on. If your skulls don’t have the right holes to string them through, just use a hole punch… or even poke some with an ice pick!

Hang them in the background of a themed party or over a candy buffet.

To make your own catrina mask, purchase a plain plastic one to embellish. (This Mardi Gras type can be found at Michaels for about $2, and Joann has some as well.)

Use the same T-shirt paint leftover from the sugar skull banner to cover the mask with. (I just used my finger to smear it around.) Let this layer dry well.

Begin using other colors to add designs to the mask. Dots are the easiest to make with these paints, but make an upside down heart for a nose decoration. (I made a girlier version than can be typically found at the Halloween stores by using softer colors than red and black and by making the eye sockets flowers instead of black rings.) Let this layer dry well too.

Cut a length of lace at about 10 inches across and at a length that will cover most of the hair of the recipient.

Glue the 10 inch edge to the top of the mask, pressing the fabric into the glue. Make small gathers to take up the width. This veil will expand over the head to better cover the hair.

Now pull off faux rose heads from their stems. Glue these on top of the lace, and hold them down until they don’t feel like they will slip off.

Further definition may be added to the edges of the paint lines with a fine tip sharpie permanent marker. (I think a little black helps to tie in the veil’s color.)

Try wearing this with a traditionally embroidered Mexican dress and a black lace shawl.

It may also be used as décor for a themed Halloween celebration.

Viva la celebration!

Faithfully Yours,

Leigh

Arts & Crafts

DIY Calaveras de Azucar (Sugar Skulls) Napkin Rings, Wine Glass Charms, & Vase Craft Tutorial for Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Themed Halloween Dinner Party Décor

October 17, 2015 Leigh

This tutorial will help you to inexpensively craft your own jeweled vase in the Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) style to fill with traditional wild marigolds (cempasuchil), and then easily DIY calaveras de azucar (sugar skulls) napkin rings and wine glass charms to decorate your Halloween dinner party table with. Sugar (azucar in Español) is said to balance the bitterness of death (muerte), and calaveras (skulls) are traditionally offered on All Saint’s Day (November 1) to departed loved ones as one would leave flowers graveside. As Halloween serves to poke fun at all things scary, Dia de los Muertos is intended as a way to accept death as inevitable… and also to honor dearly departed loved ones. Representational calacas (colloquial term for skeletons) symbolize the idea of life being inextricably linked with death, and have migrated north from Mexico into American Halloween celebrations as themed décor. By using one celebration as a theme for the other, the two concepts combine to poke a little fun at death as not being so scary!

To craft the calaveras de azucar (sugar skulls) napkin rings, begin with either a package of glittered skulls or cut your own shapes from glittered paper. Another option is upgrade a readymade skull banner. (All of these items are available at Le fidèLe Designs craft supply affiliates Michaels and/or Joann whose clickable ads may be found in the sidebar.)

Cut 6 inch lengths of grosgrain ribbon to serve as the ring. (I found this skull printed roll on clearance, and didn’t find out until much later that it’s a “Monster High” motif. Oh well, it worked!)

Hot glue each end of a ribbon length onto the center underside of a skull.

Ring a ding ding, look who made a napkin ring!

To create wine glass charms, begin with Jolee’s Boutique dimensional scrapbooking stickers. Pull the plastic fronts away from the flat backings.

Use the same T-shirt paint in white to add a layer of sugary glitter to them. These will dry clear. (To make this easier, I made a finger loop of masking tape to hold them while I dotted on the paint, and then just slipped them off onto the table to dry overnight.)

Tie these onto jumbo jump rings with a strand of colorful yarn or ribbon. (I used the same yarn on all my Dia de los Muertos crafts for continuity.)

Since the skulls come in colored sets of 2, why not color-code the drinks by kissing couples!?

Quickly create a calavera vase by upcycling an old vase with crystal stickers or by gluing crystals on. You can use a complete picture, lay on crystals individually, or both. (If you need to use a pattern, just tape a coloring page to the inside of the vase and adhere crystals to the outside of it over the lines.)

Tie on a length of ribbon to coordinate with the other crafts, and fill the vase with black marbles.

Fill it with traditional wild marigolds to use as a centerpiece surrounded by more calaveras.

Happy Day of the Dead!

Faithfully Yours,

Leigh

Parties & Tablescapes

St. Patrick’s Day Party Tablescape Décor Ideas (with Rainbows, Shamrocks, Money Tree, & Printable Card & Invite)

March 5, 2015 Leigh 2 Comments

Discover what is really at the end of the rainbow with these St. Patrick’s Day party décor ideas. A centerpiece filled with pots of gold will prove that money does grow on shamrock laden trees! This colorful tablescape is quick and easy to achieve with inexpensive materials and my Quick & Easy Metal Napkin Rings Tutorial, Money Tree + Rainbow & Shamrock Crafts for St. Patrick’s Day Party Décor article to guide you, and use my free printable card to invite your friends to join you for a wee bit o’ whimsy this holiday.

This celebration, I really wanted to indulge in a pure state of whimsicality. I envisioned leprechauns dining in Seussville… and this vibrant tablescape is what resulted. This may of course be toned down for your own home, taking just an idea or two if you like… but as for me and mine, it’s whimsy all the way.

I began with a crisp green field of tablecloth topped with chargers of golden coins. This was layered with green plates and rainbow colored madras plaid napkins ringed in green glittered metal.

(See how to quickly make your own napkin rings easily here.)

Utensils were adorned with metallic green washi tape, just as I had previously done for Mardi Gras. (See more on this here.) Basket gilded glassware contributed to the theme as well. (See these in a Thanksgiving tablescape here.)

The table was strewn with green pom-poms plus mylar and glitter shamrocks as confetti. (The glitter varieties were actually individual stickers that can be used to adorn something later, because their backings remained intact.)

At the table’s center was a money tree with shamrock leaf ornaments, coin-studded branches, with gold and green lights.

Rainbow archways and pots of gold were held in its arms, and its trunk was festooned with more polychromatic splendor. (Find instructions for all of this year’s St. Pat’s crafts here.)

The base of the tree was encircled with a multi-hued feathered boa and apropos greeting. Around that were glowing votive holders and more pots of gold, some complete with their very own rainbows.

A chair for the guest of honor was draped with a rainbow sash, green sequin tiara, glitter shamrock wand, and metallic beads in various shade of green. This was a device with which to further invite whimsy, because who could maintain a serious façade when someone so adorned is seated across from you? For your celebration, this spot might be reserved for the smallest family member. I confess that I have a lot of fun dressing my grandmother in such crazy holiday attire for her parties at the senior center, and it garners her much attention.

Glittered holiday signs strewn with rainbow streamers fill the window in the background. Believe it or not, I actually held myself back from adding many more rainbows… using the rest of my 81 foot roll of crepe paper would have mummified the window blocking out all sunlight!

My free 4 x 6 printable card may be sent as an invite when details like time and place are added to the inside, but it is also serves as a lovely remembrance for any one that’s cared for. The Irish blessing on the card reads, “For each petal on the shamrock. This brings a wish your way, Good health, good luck, and happiness, For today and every day.”

Simply right click on the small image, and select print. Then print it using the color and photo settings on cardstock. Here, I’ve printed them on both plain white stock and a parchment variety so that you may see how paper choice can alter the look of your card. You can also print it in black on green paper. (I’m offering it, along with my other printables free for your personal use. I just ask that my work not be used for commercial purposes.) You can even embellish it for a personal touch with glitter glue, stickers, ribbon, etc. The shamrock stickers I used on the card here are the same kind seen in the tablescape as confetti. A dab of quick dry tacky glue adhered a bow with the same ribbon used on the pots of gold.

I will leave you with this lovely St. Patrick’s Day toast, “May the sound of happy music, And the lilt of Irish laughter, fill your heart with gladness, that stays forever after.”

Faithfully Yours,

Leigh

Arts & Crafts

Quick & Easy Metal Napkin Rings, Money Tree, + Rainbow & Shamrock Crafts for St. Patrick’s Day Party Décor

March 5, 2015 Leigh 3 Comments

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with rainbow filled party décor. Make pots of gold for a centerpiece to prove that money does grow on shamrock laden trees! These colorful crafts are quick and easy to achieve with inexpensive materials like metal ribbon for napkin rings and crepe paper for rainbow arches and votive holders. Find my free printable card & invite at the article for St. Patrick’s Day Party Tablescape Décor Ideas, along with how to complete the rest of the celebration.

Top o’ this morning’s question is how to fill a party with rainbows without breaking the bank. The answer is with crepe paper streamers in a rainbow print… 2 dollars will purchase 81 feet of decorating power! The trick is to use it in the same way you would utilize ribbon.

It only took a few inches of crepe streamer to adorn each of the slim handles of glittered baskets, taking them from Christmas to St. Pat’s in a flash. They only needed a few dots of glue to adhere each underside edge to the other, and it only takes a tug to remove the paper and reuse the baskets for the next theme. “Gold” coins atop gold gift bag stuffing complete the pots at the ends of the rainbow.

Some of you may have seen my last Mardi Gras Party article where I wrapped gold glitter votive holders with an amazing tri-color tinsel ribbon. I used those very same glittered holders and wrapped them with crepe rainbows for St. Pat’s. A tiny piece of transparent tape makes them reusable for another celebration, because nothing is attached that will pull the glitter off. A final touch is to add a piece of shamrock confetti using tape that’s been doubled over.

I purchased the confetti at half-off for 50 cents, and had more than enough to spread around, so I decided to decorate little Halloween cauldrons as pots of gold. I took a hole-punch to the shamrocks, and then I attached them with strips of two-toned green Christmas clearance ribbon. All they needed to complete them was a bit of green gift bag stuffing and some more gold coins… yes, those are the same ones that functioned as doubloon décor at Mardi Gras.

Some of these little pots dotted the table, and some sat perched in the shamrock leaved money tree.

Also gracing the glowing tree were rainbow arches made with the same crepe paper used earlier. I just cut a corresponding length of floral wire and taped it to the center of the underside. This provided a posable structure with which to bend the rainbow to my decorating will… which happened to be filling in some empty space between the branches.

The tree is the same gilded metal one I used for Mardi Gras, but was filled this time with different branches, lights, and shamrock ornaments. I used holographic branches that were 34 cents each, from last year’s St. Pat’s clearance sale. I filled in with a mylar leaf studded vine that I cut into sections. I found it along with the gold and green lights after Christmas for 90% off.

The holographic shamrock ornaments were dollar bin finds, but the glittered wooden varieties were made from a party store sign for a few dollars.

All I needed to do was cut them apart and add ribbon loops as hangers. For a future holiday, I can add rainbows or coins for a completely new look.

This metal tree has been painted different colors and adorned with a complete range of décor to suit every holiday.

For this one, I just wrapped the trunk in more rainbows and laid a green feather boa at its base. This too was found post St. Pat’s for less than 2 dollars.

If you plan your theme a year ahead, it’s easy to gather all the material you need for the cost a burger out. Then you can spend your cash on quality ingredients for a fabulous dinner menu!

The last, and most fabulous, craft is how to make your own metal napkin rings. These aren’t just for St. Pat’s but will work beautifully for any occasion. This is because you can find its base of decorative metal ribbon in a wide variety of styles and colors. For this party, I wanted to use the green glittered variety to encircle my rainbow colored napkins. Because I found the material on clearance, I made all 6 of them for only 50 cents.

First I needed to cut 6 inch metal strips. If you have any trouble cutting though yours, just cut a line into the metal with clippers, and then bend each side of it back and forth until it breaks free. This is much easier on the wrists than brute force. Then bend each strip into as much of a rounded circle as you can get it, and overlap the 2 edges a wee bit. Then glue those edges with E6000 in a well ventilated space.

Just let them cure a couple of days before sliding your pretty little napkins through them!

May all your crafting days be filled with the luck of the Irish!

Faithfully Yours,

Leigh

Parties & Tablescapes

Mardi Gras Masquerade Themed “Fat Tuesday” Dinner Party Tablescape Décor Ideas

February 14, 2015 Leigh 3 Comments

This Mardi Gras Masquerade themed tablescape for a “Fat Tuesday” dinner party was instigated by the desire to go all out like the big Krewe celebrations in Louisiana… but on a tiny budget! Not finding what I wanted in a suitable price range, I opted to remix what I already owned and make the rest. It turned out to be even more cost effective than if I had gone with paper and plastic… which was not only more elegant, but better for the environment too. Use some of these ideas as inspiration for your own festive fête, and read my other article… DIY Fast & Easy Mardi Gras Glittered Napkin Rings Craft Tutorial (+ Ribbon Votives, Centerpiece, Free Place-card & Invitation Printables)… for craft instruction and free printables.

I organized my theme according to the traditional Mardi Gras colors of gold, purple, and green (representing power, justice, and faith respectively). Then I pulled out everything I had in glittery versions of those colors. I used a leftover fabric remnant as a festive table topper, and layered that with gold placemats and my grandmother’s gold-rimmed china (also seen here in my Christmas / New Year’s Eve tablescapes).

Atop that, I placed vintage green plates that matched my grandmothers crystal stemware. If there was ever a time to pull out fabulous drinking vessels… it would be for Fat Tuesday!

Echoing my printable Mardi Gras masquerade place-cards (which may also be used as invitation cards, get my free printable here) were sequin fleur-de-lis masks which were positioned on each setting, for reveler donning should the desire arise. I found an inexpensive set of 12 of these at Oriental Trading Company online. (Find a free shipping coupon from them at the link in the sidebar.) I added the 6 extra masks to the centerpiece as ornaments.

I wrapped green metallic washi tape across the decorative elements in my flatware to jazz them up for the occasion. Washi wrapping is an easy way to embellish your everyday utensils for a special occasion, and it is so much cheaper than buying a new set. (You can see the same technique used on the flatware in my Herb Themed Luncheon by viewing the picture in the Upcoming Projects Gallery in the sidebar.)

I didn’t have any napkin rings that would tie into my theme besides the gold varieties I had recently used this winter, so I made my own in a matter of minutes from glitter ribbon and washi tape. This is so much easier than it sounds! (Find my crafting instructions here.)

Squares of shiny fabric, purchased with a 40% off coupon, were used for napkins. A fleur-de-lis shape was achieved by first folding the gold square in half and pulling it through the ring forming a loop. I then folded the purple square in half and formed two loops which I subsequently pulled through the ring over the gold. Lastly, the uneven bottom edges were tucked under.

I made the centerpiece with trim from my Glitter-ween Party Décor (see it here) and a few new sprigs wrapped around a metal tree base. (Incidentally, I had previously painted this gold from its earlier pewter and bronze incarnations. (See how to use paint to change the color of metal and to age a piece in my upcoming lion fu-dog décor for Chinese New Year.)

The base of the tree was swathed in the same purple fabric remnant from Glitter-ween’s spooky tree, and then draped with yards of Mardi Gras trim. (See how to hike up a chandelier to accommodate a tall centerpiece here.)

Though it’s hard to tell from the pictures, the tree centerpiece actually didn’t obstruct any person to person viewing. This is why I only draped the bottom with some Mardi Gras necklaces and wrapped the trunk with ribbon.

I hung embroidered Christmas crown ornaments, snapped up at 10 cent clearance, along with glittered musical instruments, green mirror balls, and a mask garland. (See more on the centerpiece here.) I try to plan all my holiday themes in advance of the after Christmas sales to snag a year’s worth of décor deals at 90% off. I keep my theme collections in labeled bins that I add to as I accumulate finds so that I’m ready to craft and decorate when each holiday arrives.

Surrounding the tree are 4 standing glittered metal masks that I scored at a post-holiday clearance sale for less than 2 dollars each… no kidding folks. I couldn’t have made them for less. To do as I did, scope out this year’s merchandise then pounce as soon as it gets marked down. The purple mercury glass crown votive holders were also found this way for less than a dollar for all 3. I wrapped the other gold votive holders with the same ribbon as the tree trunk to customize them for the holiday. (See how easy it is to do that here.)

The side table has another clearance mask sign hanging near it on the wall. I placed a variety of my other mercury glass candlestick holders with swirling gold tapers to further accent the tablescape. A theme appropriate pot was filled with faux doubloons to add a dash of New Orleans to Texas. (These will reappear as pot-of-gold coins on St. Patrick’s Day.) All of this was set upon an extra placemat.

So you see, it’s really not difficult or expensive to celebrate Krewe-style with your own crew… just don’t forget to serve up that king cake!

Laissez les bon temps roules!

Faithfully Yours,

Leigh

Arts & Crafts

DIY Fast & Easy Mardi Gras Glittered Napkin Rings Craft Tutorial (+ Ribbon Votives, Centerpiece, Free Place-card & Invitation Printables)

February 14, 2015 Leigh

Create your own elegant Mardi Gras themed glittered napkin rings for mere pennies with this fast and easy craft. The tutorial includes how to embellish votives to match your theme, free masquerade place-card and invitation printables, plus more details on the centerpiece from the Mardi Gras Masquerade Themed “Fat Tuesday” Dinner Party Tablescape Décor Ideas. These DIY projects are an easy and inexpensive way to bring the look of an authentic Krewe’s fête to your own crew!

The secret element to an inexpensive napkin ring form is the core of a wrapping paper roll. You can’t do better than free! Mark and cut sections that are smaller than the ribbon you choose to cover it with.

Then cut lengths of ribbon long enough to wrap around those cores.

Use hot glue to adhere a strip of ribbon around each core. Here I’ve chosen gold glitter ribbon to coordinate with my Mardi Gras theme. (You can see the same technique used on the rings in my Herb Themed Luncheon by viewing the picture in the Upcoming Projects Gallery in the sidebar.)

Next, I cut and attached layers of green and purple glitter washi tape in different widths atop the gold base. Layers of ribbon would have also worked well, but I already owned the perfect sized tape.

Read how to make your own fleur-de-lis shapes with napkins at the article on Mardi Gras Masquerade Themed “Fat Tuesday” Dinner Party Tablescape Décor Ideas.

I made all six napkin rings for way less than a dollar, in a matter of minutes, and they coordinated perfectly with my theme’s décor… Awesome!

Now for those ribbon votives… simply start with any type of votive holder or small jar. You can leave them plain or apply glitter paint to them. I went with gold glittered glass. Cut lengths of coordinating ribbon long enough to wrap around them and overlap. You can attach one end to the other with a dot of glue or double stick tape. Because my ribbon was wired, I merely twisted one side over the other like a twist-tie. (See more twisty ribbon action here on my DIY Rusted Rooster Chicken Wire Votive Holder Craft.)

In this way, I can unwrap the ribbons and reuse both them and the votives for a future holiday in a different way. I think they turned out great, and they literally took me minutes to complete… Yea!

Create a dramatic centerpiece without a lot of drama by merely starting with a basic tree form from another holiday. (For example, use a black one from Halloween or a white one from Easter.) I used a metal votive holding tree that I had previously painted gold from its earlier pewter and bronze incarnations. (See how to use paint to change the color of metal and to age a piece in my upcoming lion fu-dog décor for Chinese New Year.)

I wrapped it with trim from my Glitter-ween Party Décor (see it here) then added a few new sprigs.

I painted simple purple ball ornaments with a glitter mist (not the blast variety) to impart both gloss and glitter shine to the previously satin sheen.

I set these onto the rings that would normally hold the votive holders. (You’ll likely see these in a future article.)

I hung embroidered Christmas crown ornaments, snapped up at 10 cent clearance, along with glittered musical instruments, green mirror balls, and a mask garland. I even hung the same sequin fleur-de-lis masks used at each table setting as ornaments. I try to plan all my holiday themes I advance of the after Christmas sales to snag a year’s worth of décor deals at 90% off. I keep my theme collections in labeled bins that I add to as I accumulate finds so that I’m ready to craft and decorate when each holiday arrives.

The base of the tree was then swathed in the same purple fabric remnant from Glitter-ween’s spooky tree and draped with yards of Mardi Gras trim. (See how to hike up a chandelier to accommodate a tall centerpiece here.)

Surrounding that are 4 standing glittered metal masks that I scored at a post-holiday clearance sale for less than 2 dollars each… no kidding folks. I couldn’t have made them for less. To do as I did, scope out this year’s merchandise then pounce as soon as it gets marked down. The purple mercury glass crown votive holders were also found this way for less than a dollar for all 3… Score!

Last but definitely not least, are my free printable Mardi Gras masquerade place-cards which may also be used as invitation cards!

Simple right click on this small picture and select print. Print these in best color photo on thick cardstock.

Then simply cut on the solid black lines to separate the images for invitations. For place-cards, use the pictures a guide for how to cut out the top and crown while still making a tent folding card that will stand upright.

Poke a point into the paper just above the crown with a pointy pen, or compass point, etc. Use that as a starting point for your scissors to cut a V shape above the picture. Then cut one side close to the top and crown next to the image. Don’t cut all the way to the ends. Stop where the curve meets the flat top. Those flat parts are what join the front and back together. Then fold it in half. Cut through both pieces around the image. Again, a picture speaks a thousand words… use it as a visual guide.

Simply write names on the bottom with a gold sharpie marker or paint pen… Voila!

See more of my Mardi Gras Masquerade Themed “Fat Tuesday” Dinner Party Tablescape Décor Ideas here for more holiday inspiration!

Let the good times roll!

Faithfully Yours,

Leigh

Parties & Tablescapes

Chalkboard & Glitter Hearts Themed Valentine’s Day Party Buffet Décor Ideas (+ DIY & Printable Links)

January 31, 2015 Leigh 1 Comment

Running with the idea that opposites attract, I decided to make a Valentine’s Day Party theme that incorporated both matte black chalkboard and glittery red hearts. The elements actually coordinated beautifully for a party theme that would suit a variety of age groups, or even just serve as a surprise for that special someone. The whole shebang was actually quite inexpensive to pull off, though happily I believe that doesn’t appear to be the case. You can either follow the links to make the fast and easy crafts yourself, or go shopping with the theme in mind.

After deciding on my theme, I actually found this adorable chalkboard Valentine fabric that also had glitter hearts. (You can find some for yourself at Hancock Fabrics or Fabric.com using coupons from the affiliate links in the sidebar.) I hung this up with clear thumbtacks.

I then strung my glitter hearts Valentine’s banner atop of this. I also attached another doily banner to the credenza itself with tiny tack nails. (The printable and instructions for both banners may be found by clicking here.)

I love incorporating ornament filled trees into holidays besides Christmas. Valentine’s Day is especially easy to do this with because it falls so quickly after on the calendar so that one may really take advantage of all those deep after-Christmas clearance sales. Some of the baubles on this tree were marked 90% off which left the cost at mere cents. The topper is a glittered sprig of holiday pine.

Some of you may recognize the black wooden tree from the Halloween Party. It looks really different when trimmed according to another theme. The conversation heart ornaments were made from white foam shapes (whose craft tutorial may be found here).

On the opposite side of the buffet, I made an arrangement that can be disassembled one heart wand at a time, to be given away as favors to departing guests. This is especially sweet when given as scepters to little Valentines princess party goers. (See the tutorial at the link here.)

I set all of these into a vase shaped like a thread spool twinned with glittery red flat yarn. It symbolizes the ties the bind… and is filled with hearts. Glass marbles contain the arranged wands yet allow for easy removal. These are topped with another variety of glittery yarn to conceal the marbles.

Other décor elements are the chalkboard sign crafts set onto easels (find tutorial here) alongside a store-bought slate that I was gifted with early. (Thanks Mom!)

A variety of gift bags and boxes overflowing with candy were nestled into the ensemble. The heart bags and mail boxes were machine cut from construction paper.

I included both oversized gems and tiny crystal hearts to fill in the empty spaces. I borrowed a bouquet of crepe paper roses that I had actually made for my mother years ago, and set these into a marble filled vase. I wrapped it with some leftover rope trim that coordinated with the theme, and set it atop an upturned boxy metal vessel. It’s really easy to create lifts and levels when one starts to think out-of-the-box and repurpose items for that other than which they were intended for.

The treat tower is actually comprised of two metal trays that I found on after Christmas clearance years ago. I simply stacked these by using an empty drink mix container wrapped with glittery fabric.

It was surprisingly stable, but you can add further assurance by hot gluing these for a temporary bond. A stronger adhesive would make the bond permanent. I stocked the tower with icing laden cookies, cupcakes, and candy cocktails.

The other platter was another clearance gem from over a decade ago. It’s a lovely red metallic reverse painted glass. You can mimic this with a lovely red charger in either acrylic or glass. More of the same sweet treats topped the dish plus some delectable chocolate covered cherries set into their own treat cups. Try this with truffles or even upside down cake pops.

I made my own treat pops with Peeps red speckled white “love birds” with chocolate bases. To make your own, simply poke a pilot hole with a skewer or tooth pick then jab in a paper straw. I chose adorable heart covered ones, and then set these into gumball packed vintage crystal vessels. Any solid candy would serve as well.

A non-alcoholic berry soda set into an ice bucket serves as equal-opportunity refreshment. The same red metallic plates that appear in the chalkboard sign crafts were placed front and center. Last but not least to complete the sweet buffet was the addition of candlelight. (Use LEDs if you fear sleeves catching fire or if you have young guests attending.) Red mercury glass votives were, you guessed it, purchased for mere cents post-Christmas. They really added to the ambiance of the whole setting.

♥ As you prepare for your own Valentine’s celebration… just remember to, “Keep calm & party on!”

Faithfully yours,

Leigh

Arts & Crafts

Fast & Easy Glitter Heart Wand Centerpiece, Foam Ornaments, & Faux Chalkboard Valentine’s Day Décor Craft Tutorials (+ Printable)

January 31, 2015 Leigh

This mélange of fast and easy crafts were made to decorate a Valentine’s Day Party, but you can adapt them for any purpose you like. The faux chalkboard craft is an inexpensive way to decorate for the holiday, but also makes a quick Valentine for a love one. The chalkboard idea can also be extended to other favors quite easily. The glitter heart wands effortlessly gather into a dramatic centerpiece, and can be taken home as favors by each Valentine princess at the party. (Make these with foam hearts or my free printable from the Valentine’s Day banner craft.) Also, make Valentine ornaments with the kiddos in your life using foam Conversation hearts in a matter of minutes.

Let’s begin with the simplest project first, making Valentine ornaments out of foam conversation hearts from the craft store. (I used the white ones only, so as to coordinate with my theme colors, and reserved the other pastels for the candy-land themed party which will appear in an upcoming article.)

You can either glue the hearts back to back, sandwiching twine or thin ribbon between them, or simply tape twine loops to the heart backs. The latter is the quickest way to make them, and the easiest for a little one to help with.

The next project is a faux chalkboard sign, that also makes an inexpensive Valentine, using the unexpected material of a paper party plate. The square metallic disposable plates are lovely yet extremely budget friendly. Why not pick some up for the party and reserve one or two to fill in as décor.

Merely use dots of glue to layer square doilies onto the plates. Simply trim down the doilies to fit the smaller plate sizes.

Then cut a square of matte black cardstock to size, and glue atop the doily.

Use a white paint marker to write whichever sentiment, poem, or quote you wish.

Use a hole-punch to add 2 openings with which to slip a strand of coordinating ribbon through. Simply tie the two ends in a bow, which also serves to further decorate the sign.

Similarly, cut squares of black cardstock to adorn gift bags and boxes, using the same white paint marker to write your sentiment in “chalk”. If the writing doesn’t seem clear enough, simply go over the letters until they do. The uneven edges make them look even more like chalk, but won’t come off on your clothing while delivering them to your recipient.

Moreover, in this way you can ride the chalkboard trend without spending as much on readymade tags, stickers, or chalkboard paint. (The bags I made were machine cut from construction paper then adorned.)

The last project is a centerpiece of glittery hearts meant to be taken home as party favors at the end of an event. You can even print, cut, and glue these onto tiny wooden dowels using my free printable at the end of the article.

I sandwiched a thin dowel between 2 glittered foam hearts with the aid of hot glue. The thinnest dowels are really easy to just snap in half where you want to section them. Trim with a bow of glitzy ribbon if you like. I used readymade glittered bows from an after Christmas clearance sale.

The open hearts were made from inexpensive styrofoam and red glitter blast spray. For the largest ones, I simply jabbed in a cut section of wire hanger as a handle, but a thin dowel would be better if gifting them. I added glittery bows to some of these as well. All of them will sit securely arranged in a vase filled with marbles. This way they can be easily pulled out one by one at the end of the celebration as favors. I just pilled on an unraveled skein of glittery red yarn atop the marbles to hide them.

♥ Happy Sweetheart’s Day!

Faithfully yours,

Leigh

P.S. Here is the Glitter-Doily Heart Printable. Simply right click on the image and select Print. Print them in the best color photo setting.

Living Faithfully ~ Embracing Creativity