Spring Fling/ Sign In Board & Ceiling Decor

Spring Fling in purple, fushia, yellow and lime.

Here's a Sign In Board we did that is one of the few that we

have done without a photo. I loved it!

We also did some ceiling decorations over the dance floor.

We took purple tulling with cracked ice rope lighting inside it.

We swagged that first all around 3 sides. Then we took one #40 sized

ribbon on the top of it and 2 under it.

In each swag that was pulled up to the ceiling there was a cluster of

3 big gerbera daisies, some leaves, some gossamer, some 6" tulling and ribbon streamers on both sides. We pre-made those clusters and just needed to lift and place them all around the perimeter.

So pretty and so much work climbing the ladder..up and down a million times.

Well...maybe not a million....it just feels like a million.

Name in lights for big stage

Here's the actual party setting for the big centerpieces from the last post.

Stacey and I also made really BIG 4 foot letters that were loaded with lights. Actually over 1,000 lights between both the names. We poked holes and inserted lights for hours! But what a cool effect it made on this really big stage that was over 40 feet wide.

I made Stacey and our superdupper helper Ryan stand next to the letters so you could get a sense of how big they were.

The venue, The Royal Oak Music Theater, was very dark and we even had to set up in semi-darkness. The beautiful silvery linens and those big lighted names on the stage made the party glow and sparkle.

I think this is one of my most favorite parties and we loved working with the party planner Andrea Solomon.

Funky Musical Keyboard BIG Centerpiece

These centerpieces were over 4ft. tall.

Big and Swirly.

These funky keyboard spirals had purple

cracked ice foil on the keys.

The poses of the twin girls were very fun and

in the style of real ROCK STARS with

microphones, special clothing and party makeup added.

The 3D musical centerpieces looked interesting and

different from all angles.

These Bat Mitzvah centerpieces were for a party

in Michigan. Unfortunately, they would not be easy to

ship or to assemble if they were mailed. You'd have to fly us out

to assemble them on the spot because not only were they

very large, they took some finessing to get them just right.

But I think they'll be remembered.

My FAVORITE THINGS: PART 2: ZIPPER POCKETS

It's about time to give up my polar fleece jacket with all the wonderful zipper pockets.

I stopped carrying a purse almost 12 years ago when my sweet grandboy Jacob was born. It was just too difficult to worry about a purse with all the baby paraphernalia. It had to go and I haven't missed it a bit.

I now go for anything with zippered pockets. The more the better. There have been moments when I've had too many pockets and was overwhelmed with all the choices but now I can't cope with life without wearing something that I can zip zip zip!

They have to zip. I discovered that after my cell phone sat outside on the ground by my van all night because it slipped out of my unzipped pocket as I slid out of the door. That never happens when things are all zipped up!

Look at these great new capri pants with the perfect...and I do mean PERFECT.....iphone pocket. They definitely do fall into the category of My Favorite Things.

"Night Club" theme signs and foamcore kleig light

Whether you need SIGNS or CENTERPIECES or maybe a GIFT CARD BOX...we can make something fun and creative with a Night Club theme.

This gift card box had a battery operated light wire.

I think a Night Club theme is a fun and easy going theme.

You aren't locked into the "expected elements" like you are with sports or fashion or movies. You can branch out to something like zebra prints & fringed lampshades or make it disco or just do flowers and a custom logo.

Pretty much any colors will work but bright and bold neon colors are dazzling.

This D.J. sign had 2 very faux kleig lights at the top of the sign.....very fake, flat and one dimensional here but don't they look realistic. These lights look good too with actual little lights poked in the light area. They also look cute in a little skirted dance stage centerpiece for a dance or Broadway theme. They sit on the edges and face upward.

I also see a trend towards more "Open Seating for Kids" signs instead of placecards for kids. Great on the budget. And, of course, the important "Welcome" sign to greet the guests.

Here's a simple sign and matching simple free standing centerpiece.

UPDATE TO THIS POST:


Now in 2010 we have these very cool battery operated foamcore kleig lights. They would be GREAT for a night club theme. You could use them as table centerpieces. They light up and look cool on the table without any electrical cords needed. The light can be steady on or rotating colors. The light is not harsh so it would not be distracting at a dinner table. But they also would work well on a specialty table like the a Candy/Sweet Table or Welcome/Placecard display.  Think Creatively!

Here's a picture that shows the little bulbs that are in the light that give it such an amazing effect.

Send me an email if you'd like more info:  marlyss@mac.com 

We'd love to help with your ideas.

Sweet 16 V.I.P. Sign In Board

Here's a lovely SIGN IN BOARD that

was so much fun to create.

Orlando Bloom and Johnny Depp

walked the red carpet with

Samantha in her special dress for

the evening.

All our younger kids around here cracked us

up when they asked why "Larry" from

"Howie Do It" was on the board with her.

We had to explain that was Johnny Depp.

Ah....he does resemble him though.

Samantha's name was in 3 separate

cut out layers and black sparkly glitter.

It was so pretty and very dimensional.

If you'd like to view more Sweet Sixteen ideas,
you can see another blog post I did.
Here's the link to that post.

Foam Board Tools of the Trade

Here's some of tools we use over and over in making our foamcore party decorations.

X-Acto Blades

Breakaway Knives

Use sharp and fresh blades. Get good ones and change the blade often. A blade that appears

sharp and will cut your hand will often chew the edges of foamcore....can't figure that out but it's true.

Foam Board

Foamcore and Foamboard is the same thing. 3/16" works great for most applications and is sturdy and rigid and stays flat unless you get it wet. Then it bows. If that happens just add a bit of water to the reverse side and weight it down and it will flatten right out.

T-Square

A straight edge ruler is a must for cutting straight lines. Even after all this time I still don't try to cut a straight line without one. I also use a cork backed ruler that doesn't slide on the foamcore.

circle maker

Make the circle first with a pencil and then lightly cut around on the pencil line. Don't try to cut all the way thru on the first pass. On the second pass you just stay in the track you've made and focus on cutting the rest of the way thru.

Super 77 Spray Adhesive

This brand is the best. We've tried the others but we like this one by far the most. It's compatible with the foamcore. It doesn't warp it. You can glue photos or lightly mist a board with it and sprinkle glitter over it.

Hot Glue Gun

Don't get one of those mini ones. A regular sized one isn't expensive. Get the 10" glue sticks for it as well and it saves some time. Clear glue sticks have the least amount of actual glue in them. They bond just by melting. Milky white ones are good for most applications and the heavy duty tan ones will glue everything...including your gym shoes if you need to!

10" glue sticks

heavy duty glue sticks

One Shot Lettering enamel

lime green

hot pink

One Shot lettering enamel is the best paint there is. It truly covers in one shot and the colors are beautiful. They just came out with a new color called Sublime Green and it's the most gorgeous lime green ever. We also love the magenta that is like a hot pink color. The dark magenta is a great fushia pink. Try this paint and you'll love it. It's worth the extra price it is for the time it saves and it's slow drying qualities that allow you to drop glitter on it and have it stick very well.

Glitter

And last, but certainly not least....glitter. It should be at the top! We love it and use it every day. Nothing beats the sparkle. It's hard to work with those tiny 4 oz. jars. You need to drop a handful on your wet paint and do it over newspaper and then pour what doesn't stick right back into the jar. If you drop it onto spray paint you have to be really fast. It doesn't always stick too well...especially on those lovely Design Master spray colors which dry almost instantly. Some of the other sprays give you a longer working time but the One Shot lettering enamels can give you enough time to even answer the phone!

I hope these resources are helpful in getting the best results from your projects.

Past, Present & Future Candle Lightings

I think this is a lovely and fast way to do the candlelighting ceremony with just 3 candles and it covers everyone and doesn't hurt anyones feelings by being left out.

Here's some helpful inspiration from some centerpieces I've done and also some wording that I found that might be helpful to make it all come together.

FIRST CANDLE: The first candle represents the past. The people I have loved and lost in my lifetime and the relatives I was not lucky enough to have met. Mom, will you please come up and light this first candle in honor of those who are no longer with us. (Song: chorus of I Miss You by Miley Cyrus or Circle of Life)

SECOND CANDLE: The second candle represents the present. It is for the adults in my life....my parents, my grandparents, my aunts & uncles and special grownup friends. You help guide me, listen to me and just have fun. Dad, will you please come up and light candle number 2. (Song: chorus of I Learned From You by Billy Ray/Miley Cyrus or Raise Your Glass by Pink or It's a Beautiful Life)

THIRD CANDLE: This last candle represents the future. It is for all the special friends in my life and for our hopes and dreams for the future. Sister/Brother will you please come up and light this last candle for all my cousins and friends. You're the best. (Song: Chorus of We're the Kids of the Future or Whitney Houston's Greatest Love of All)

ENDING: Thank you all for coming to celebrate this special day with me. Now, let's blow out these candles and get this party started.

We can do one of our freestanding cutout

and glittered names. Simple and easy.

Or, we can add other elements with 

the cutout name....like these guitars.

Or, we can add themed items.

Each one is unique and different just as

people are. 

Email us and we can design one

that is created just for you.

marlyss@mac.com

Jungle Safari/Rainforest dangers

When I deliver a sign I snap a picture when it's all hung in place.

When I ship a sign...like this one was....I don't get that luxury.

This was a big sign. (4ft. x 8ft.) All the pieces were not glued on so that it could fold for compact and safe and most importantly... economical shipping costs.

"Rockin' Rainforest" was painted on and also the same for the "and". "Morgan" and "Shelby" were each one unit and needed to be glued on when it arrived. The advantage here is that the names can be used after the party for a bedroom wall design. The same for the animals.

But here's my big issue. I have to stand on my counter to take the picture. (In this picture I didn't crop out the rugs and chairs because it gives you scale and also shows that it was on the floor.) I have to hold the camera near the ceiling AND lean WAY FORWARD so it doesn't distort too much. There's been moments when I have thought .... please don't let me fall on the sign! I haven't yet. I'm careful how far I lean forward but it still makes me queasy.

It's so much easier to take a picture of a sign hanging in a party facility....no leaning forward there. But then I have to climb a ladder to hang it...so again my life is in peril. (lol) Who knew I had such a dangerous job???

White Wedding Guitar Centerpiece

Oooh...la...la.....these were so pretty. All white for wedding centerpieces.

Pearly white guitar...iridescent shred in the pole.....white gloss and clear iridescent poufs at the base...and a pretty bow.....so pretty.

I think these guitar centerpieces could work for a wedding or a Sweet 16 party or just an all white party.

We have lots of different all white or off-white guitars to pick from and make a nice variety at a wedding or shower or Sweet 16....maybe even a rehearsal dinner?

I heard from our last bride that the guests took them off the tables and were dancing with them. I'll bet that made for some fun photos. She did say they managed to keep a few and they are hanging on her wall with her wedding invitation.

MY FAVORITE THINGS: PART 1: My Keurig and K-Cap

2012 UPDATE to the older 2009 post:

I've found the K-Caps shown below crack and break too easily and too soon and they
don't replace the broken ones for you. So I've found a better option.

Try these: (click the picture for a link to Amazon or check out Cafe Cup.) They work great and are super easy to clean and re-use.

I really like my morning coffee. It has to be strong and tasty. Usually that means Starbucks French Roast or Serona or Komodo Dragon. It's usually a Decaf or a bit of both. (I'm going for the flavor. I'm already awake so I don't need the coffee to wake me up.) Those are my favorites. I'm so spoiled by making it exactly how I like it that I don't ever order coffee out...unless, of course, it's at Starbucks.

Stacey hooked us all on the Keurig coffeemaker. Each of our houses have one. The kids make hot chocolate with it or tea.

The hot water dispenser is great for adding hot water to Costco's hashbrown cartons that need to have water added and let sit for 10 minutes to turn into some outstanding hashbrowns.

I grind my own beans and refill the little Keurig cups with my own Starbucks coffee and put a handy little plastic K-Cap on it. (If you have a Keurig you might want to check out these K-Caps.)

I also have a favorite Panera coffee thermos with the perfectly designed drinking spout.

I'm very fussy about my morning coffee. It's a simple pleasure but such a pleasure it is.

Puzzle Boards for Candle Lighting Ceremonies

We enjoy making puzzle boards for Bar & Bat Mitzvah candle lighting ceremonies. They have 2 large 20" x 30" photos on them and they sit nicely on a standard easel.

The bottom photo that is revealed is usually the older photo...but not always. There's no rule about that.

The top photo is cut into as many pieces as needed. We've done 7. Mostly we do 13 or 14. Again, there is no rule.

We use a small ribbon tab (see the upper right corner) to help in removing the first piece. The rest of the pieces just follow. They don't fall off because there is a tiny bit of color matched velcro on each piece to hold it in place until it's time to be removed.

The pieces can be handed off to a sibling or a dj helper or set on a small table. We've also added a back pocket on the reverse side if requested for the pieces.

We like making them. Especially when we are given such excellent photos like this one of Nathan. Isn't he such a doll!

Cut-out foamcore names for parties

One thing Stacey and I make a bunch of is cut out names. We often make them 24" or 30" wide. That size works well for 30" x 40" foam board that folks buy themselves and use for their own Sign In Boards. (We cut our foamcore Sign In Boards 32" x 42". ) Or, they are often for candlelightings with a 36" base or welcome/placecard signs or candy shoppe signs. Some are for big D.J. signs.

We use a combination of paint, glitter, cracked ice mylar and foamcore, of course! I'm still-and-always on the prowl for the best font for the job. We made the jungle pattern letters ourselves for Morgan and they were over 2ft. The leafy ones in the Shelby font were some digital alphabets we found.

I just recently discovered the difference between purchasing an "alphabet" and purchasing a "font". In case you don't know the difference either, the alphabets are just individual letters or numbers that you need to use as a pictures and you need to import them in one letter at a time. You can't type in a line of words like I'm doing here.

Here's an UPDATE to this post I did in 2009. These are some recent cut out names we've done in 2011.  Check out our website  and look on the CUT-OUT NAMES page and you'll see all sorts of names and font styles.

We love making these names and adding embellishments if requested. Our goal is to do every name in the world....and we have a long way to go.....so give us a call or drop us an email.

Artsy Guitars

We've got some NEW ARTSY GUITARS in our repertoire of guitar styles. We offer photo realistic ones, plain white ones and these more artsy ones.

They can have the party theme name on them. They can have photos of the party person or famous rock musicians. They can be in the party colors and be made into centerpieces or added to Welcome signs or Placecard Displays or Sign In Boards.

It's all about being personalized and unique and one-of-a kind.

I've got some great models to help show the size and scale. They really know how to get with the program without any prompting. They are ROCK STARS at heart!

Half in and Half out of winter

It's a funny month...March.

Still kind of winter and dibs and dabs of hints of fresh spring.

The thawing lake ice is always a happy sign of what's to come.

Half ice...winter....half moving water....spring and summer.

I always thought I should take a picture of it....now I did.