Shirley's party advice part 3 - in which Shirley may make a guest appearance

[stealthsquiggle]

We appear to have filled another thread

Oh they're gorgeous. I haven't started investigating "cute" dragon cakes/cupcakes yet (party is not until October, after all...)

I was going to say that we need a new victim customer, but I guess once DrsW is back from nightmare holiday then it will be all systems go for naming/blessing planning and the various cakes she is committed to.

I am tempted to do union jack cupcakes for village party - I bought a magazine to read on the plane last week and it has templates for a complete set of cupcake toppers which make up a union jack from 24 cupcakes... Currently the DC are making crowns for the same event and I am mostly refraining from interfering helping too much.

Bonjourno i'm back. Good lord what a holiday. I'm ashmed to say i had my judgey pants on. The GF and her child were filthy. Childs clothes made me sad, and i know thats wrong and very un mnetty but flame me if you will. Child in same two outfits for a week and absolutely crusted up. GF wasnt bothered, shes very into festivals etc so fair enough thats her thing but this gorgeous little 2yr old was just pure grime. Anyway, who am i to judge.

Everyone except my lot got a sickness bug so we had a lucky escape there. Glad to be home as my mum just kept taking dd1 off all the time and i could feel the tears pricking. I'd told dh i wanted to use the opportunity to do stuff with her as its harder now dd2 is around. But i literally got left holding dd2 whilst they all went on rides, treetop walks etc etc.

Anyway, onwards and upwards. I've got nothing to do really for this service of thanksgiving. Dresses are bought, invites/order of service is done. Need to re-do bunting and make the fruit cake. I want to do flowers for each table but not sure what to do yet as it'll be a diy job. Ive done enamel buckets before but they may be a bit big.

DD 3 months old will be wearing this union flag sleepsuit and DS will be wearing a black T with "keep calm it's the diamond jubilee" on it. I have bought these with the thought of using on a cake for our street party, but tempted to keep as keepsakes instead cos they are cute. (Am not even a royalist disclaimer)

cute sleepsuit

do you think I can persuade DD to change to pirates as a theme? (A: not a chance. Might as well try and divert an avalanche )

maybe I could sew wings onto these? (and WTAF is Easter-y about them??)

The dinosaurs are way cuter than the pirate bears. Them with wings would be perfect.

Ooh, pirate bears! (but yes, the Easter dragons are way cuter).

Blathers, have you tried the gingerdead cutters yet?

OK, I am persuaded. Dinosaurs with wings Dragons it is, although I still want to know how they are Easter dinosaurs dragons. I am ordering stuff now (ish) because DH is going to the States soon, so I can get them shipped to his hotel and he can bring them home.

Blathers - I think I need feedback quickly on Gingerdead man (so I can delete him off my list if he's no good ), and the letter press thingys which I am ashamed to say, having bought them for myself with an Amazon voucher I was given by work, I haven't played with yet.

I haven't tried them yet. Will try to knock up some gingerbread mix later and make them with the DCs after school just for you lot

Ooh look! a :)

I asked DS which was his favourite part of his Jubilee packed lunch today and he said "the sweets" so I guess the jelly diamonds I put in with the popcorn when the edible glitter didn't work were more of an inspired move than I thought!

Jelly diamonds = Diamond Jubilee. Thank goodness for my cupboard full of assorted cake decorations

That is very inspired blathers. My dd came out of playschool on thursday all forlorn saying they having a party tomorrow and i'm not going. Had to hot foot it back in and book her a slot.

So today i dress her as a princess complete with tiara at her own request but then she starts 'whats this jubilee? Everyone on telly says jubilee!? ' she's most put out! And we have a weekend of festivities. On monday she has union jack ribbons for her hair 'i dont like these flags'.

i cant win!

My DC are obsessed. They spent the afternoon making union jack bunting, (their idea, not mine) and DS's crown for village competition is fab [proud parent] - I even mostly managed not to interfere. DD's is good too, but not quite in the same league.

Right, wish us luck with the weather - we're off up North on holiday!

Have packed coats, gloves and hats and suncream. Hoping the suncream makes it out of the bag.

How did it go, Blathers? We drowned one day, froze one evening, and I made lots of cakes (will post links tomorrow) and first ever cake pops. I feel ill now and need to come up with easy but impressive cake for MIL next weekend.

Hi, I need some advice on making princess and knight came pops, I have even making normal round ones with various sprinkles etc but am going to attempt to make princess and knights heads.
Going to use strawberry chocolate so it's skin coloured. Thought could use yellow icing piped on for princess hair and make little crowns - what would be the best icing to use for these??
Knights I was going to do faces with a silver helmet I with a visor. I can make these fairly easily but how do I make helmet silver - spray with silver spray score/after putting in cake pop or can you get ready are silver icing???

Also making pink castle cake - was think baking towers in baked bean tins what Rods should I use to keep upright?have read straws but not sure will be strong enough??? Would kebab skewers be ok or too thin? V

Thanks

Do they have to be actual princesses - I really like these?

I would use moulding paste (sugarpaste with added sugarcel) or gumpaste (aka flower paste) to make the crowns, personally.

As for the knights helmets - you can't get silver icing that I have seen, but you can get paint, which might be easier than selective spraying?

Towers - how about chopsticks as a central support? If you are not planning on transporting it, I suspect straws would be fine, but if it needs to go in a car I would be tempted to go with something stronger.

Hi everyone, back from holidays and about to embark on the pirate party with gusto! Took delivery of some skull and crossbow silicon moulds today to melt chocolate into - I'm planning to get some cellophane bags and make a topper to staple them together.

I'm just having a think about the costume for DS. He does have a pirate costume which is a bit rubbish, so I thought he could wear some cut off jeans with a strip t-shirt (which we already have). I've been looking for a waistcoat or pirate type jacket to buy on it's own but no luck so far. Any ideas? I thought even if I got a plain black waistcoat I could iron on a pirate patch. Any other suggestions for home made pirate costumes welcome!

How's your sewing? Waistcoats are really easy to make (honest ) - I always line them because making 2 and sewing them together (then turning it inside out) is a lot quicker and easier than finishing the seams.

Sewing you say? [puzzled]. Sadly lacking in those skills. I wonderweb my curtain hems!

However, I'm quite handy on the computer and am v pleased with the invitations I've just designed!

How big is DS? I have a selection of waistcoats around...

Thanks Stealth - that's really kind of you. He's going to be four - but he's quite titchy so usually in about an age 3.

If you did have a spare waistcoat about that size I'd be more than happy to paypal some money for it.

Don't worry about money - always glad to re-home things. I will have a rummage and let you know.

Thanks Stealth, that really is good of you. DH has found my notebook so I can get on with the party planning now!

Hi guys

I was about to start a thread but came across this one and thought I might get more traffic, and also thorght you might be up for a challenge.

DD is soon to turn 16 and has asked for a small party with family and friends. We have decided to do it as a vintage tea party, but it obviously needs to be "cool" for 16 year olds. My conservatory has began to take on the appearance of a vintage tea room, hence the idea for the theme. I've given DD a budget of £50 to buy decorations/props for the party. We have googled images for inspiration but I'm struggling on ways to Make it age appropriate and not fuddy duddy.

Up to now I've said I'll Make her a cocktail which she is going to serve in mini milk bottles with paper straws. That's it smile

Voldermort... Does it have to be vintage as we had lengthy discussions about mad hatters tea party on here before the 'madness' may make it more appealing to teens?