Birthdays: Cakes and Decorations

  • A Dove In A Nest Of Apples Centerpiece (For Sukkot…)

    The dove in a nest of apples centerpiece on our table in the Sukkah was something I whipped up on a whim, and in just a few minutes, since I fortunately had all the pieces on hand. And it turns out that doves are actually a symbol of Sukkot, as are apples, so it's not…

  • Recycled Plastic Bottle Lanterns…Glossy And Gorgeous!

    Recycled plastic bottle lanterns are so simple to make and the results are gorgeous. I posted this idea a few days ago, here, but I have an important revision to make, listening? The lanterns are so much more beautiful when one decoupages the tissue paper to the inside of the bottle, which is easy to…

  • Recycled Soda Bottle Flowers For The Sukkah!

    Sukkot starts Wednesday night and I am busy making recycled soda bottle flowers! This year my recycled plastic bottle flowers are blooming in a bunch of bright colors thanks to tissue paper, and I'm planning on hanging them strung vertically in three long strands over the center of our table….of course there's an outer ring…

  • Sukkah Lanterns From Recycled Soda Bottles….In Progress

    Recycled soda bottles can make great lanterns, either to hold battery operated tea lights, or to hang as is, as Sukkah decorations. While I haven't actually figured out how I'm going to use mine, I am planning to make as many as time allows and then possibly hang them around a large ring, or in…

  • Sukkah Decor: Revamped Paper Ball Lanterns

    Let the Sukkah crafting begin, first with revamping a bunch of sun-faded paper ball lanterns by decoupaging stripes of colorful tissue paper. I used the colors that I had on hand, for the next few balls I'll very likely go more in the orange/magenta/aqua direction.  Tissue paper is perfect for the job as it's so…

  • Succah Decor Chandelier Project To Do In July!

    Isn't this simple beaded chandelier a gorgeous decoration for the succah? Succah, decorations, now? Why yes, dear readers, it's never too early to get started, and before you know it the holiday crush will be on, and you do want to make the crafty succah of your dreams this year, right? So you can thank…

  • Stuffed Paper Hearts On A Stick, For Fun Summer Centerpieces

    I was recently asked to make some simple centerpieces which included hearts, so I came up with these stuffed paper hearts on a stick, which are simple to make and lots of fun. Plus you can send guests home with them as party favors, or add messages if you wish. My hearts looked a little…

  • Super Quick Summer Decor With Paper Lanterns

    Some colorful paper lantern balls are now bobbing in the wind in our entrance courtyard, and this quick little ode to summer took all of ten minutes to implement. Of course I had the lanterns on hand, and they were even assembled, so really all I had to do was grab some yarn and scissors…

  • Teaching Kids About Design With Homemade Birthday Cards

    Homemade birthday cards are a family tradition that I grew up with, and am happily continuing with my kids. I have to say, the cards my kids were making were sweet, and included lots of wonderful sentiments, but the visuals were generally lacking. So, now that they're just a bit older, I decided to use…

  • Mason Jar Bouquet With A Lidded Mason Jar!

    Sure, everyone knows about using mason jars as vases for casual bouquets, but how about lidded mason jars, which have a fun rustic character all their own? And here's the big idea: one could certainly place a table number or a sweet message within the lid which hangs off to the side! Let me know…

  • Simple Gift Package Using Paper Plates

    Keep this idea under your hat to pull out when needed: you can make a fun gift package with just two dinner sized paper plates and just a few supplies! I would say that this paper plate gift package is most suited to gifts of food of some kind, but not necessarily! I actually made…

  • Purim Party Decor- Japanese Koi Flags and Chinese Lanterns!

    Looking for some fun ideas for Purim decorations? How about Japanese koi kites and Chinese paper anterns? The koi kites are perfect for Purim which falls in the Jewish month of Adar, which is the astrological sign of the fish! And the Chinese lanterns are just downright fun and festive!  I also added some cupcake…