Inspired by this cake from Sweet Paul Magazine, Ava’s cake was simple but still had a big impact.  I am not a baker, cake decorator, etc.  Trust me…you can do this.

Materials…

1. 9 inch iced double layer cake…you can buy it or make your own. Note: If you make your own, Bakerella’s Easy Buttercream Frosting recipe is amazing!
2. 4 straws…preferably paper straws
3. Needle, thread & scissors
4. 16 flag mini 1.5 inch bunting from Modern Frills
5. 2 dozen 1 inch colored fondant circles are optional.  I purchased mine from Kids Cakes.  Note: I almost made my own fondant circles.  After a trip to cake store and a little searching on the internet, I realized I could buy them already done for cheaper than I could make them….perfect!

Instructions…

• Lay your bunting flat on your work service.
• Place one straw by the first bunting flag.  After threading the needle, sew the flag to the side of the stray by the top (see photo of finished cake) with a couple simple stitches.  Tie it off to ensure it doens’t come undone. 
• Take another straw and stitch it to the top of the 5th bunting flag.  Repeat this same step with the 9th and 13th mini flag. 
• Attach the last mini flag to the first straw creating a circle.
• Find the center of your cake and from there, place your straws on the “4 corners” of your cake. 
• Place your colored fondant circles on your cake as desired.

You are done!  Look how happy she is…

Here is a simpler version done with a chocolate cake….

Happy Cake Making!!!

Perfect little fire truck shirt for your little man….

This little tee is available in 3-6 months, 6-12 months, 12-18 months & 18-24 months.   Now available in my shop.

Need the perfect matching invitation?  Check out the inspiration for this sweet little tee at TomKat Studio…

[photo via TomKat Studio]

While digging around in Amy Atlas’ blog, I discovered this…

[image from Clara French Ceramique via Amy Atlas ]

OH….MY….GOODNESS!!!

One of my sweet customers, Stefanie of Richterology, sent me the photos from her Hello Kitty party she threw for her girls.  Only one word can describe this party…. AMAZING !

The birthday girls wearing their sweet tanks…

From the invitation to the cupcake toppers (from TomKat Studio…of course), everything was perfect. 

 my absolute favorite photo…

Thank you, Stefanie, for sharing your fabulous party!!!

Hair clips made by Precious Portraits Jewelry.
Digital file made by DecorArtist.
Party Circles designed by The TomKat Studio.
Birthday Banner made by Love the Day Custom Printable Parties.
Party favor labels, kiss stickers and labels designed by Posh Pixels Design Studio.
Hello Kitty Cookies made by TRBrown

One of my friends, Emily of  Tiny Belles Boutique, created an absolutely precious Garden Party Ice Cream Social for her sweet little girl, Ashlynn. 

She started with an absolutely precious invitation from Pen n’ Paper Flowers….

[image via Tiny Belles Boutique, Ashlynn is wearing the Rosette Trio from my shop]

Add the perfect tags from The TomKat Studio….

[images via Tiny Belles Boutique]

Emily created Ice Cream Poms.  How crafty is that….

[images via Tiny Belles Boutique]

Happy Birthday Ashlynn…Looks like your momma did an amazing job!!!

one of each of these….pretty please!!!

[image via The Twinery]

Packaging can really make a gift and that is where twine from The Twinery comes in very handy.  I believe in making things simple.  Instead of having lots of different colors of wrapping paper, gift bags and tissue paper, I have one color….butcher paper brown.   Boring….not at all.  Tie a little twine to any gift to add a pop of color….PERFECTION. 

[Image via The Twinery]

The Twinery offers the 100% cotton twine is eight delicious colors that are good enough to eat…Maraschino, Mandarin, Lemondrop, Peapod, Lilac, Cappucino, Carribean and Pink Sorbet.   To top if off, their twine is eco-friendly and made in the USA. 

After seeing these pictures, I am guessing you need it too!  The Twinery is offering 25% off  your entire order.  This special lasts for one week expiring on July 26th.  Hurry over to The Twinery to stock up on these fabulous gift wrapping goodies!  Just enter the code MODERNFRILLS when checking out!

The icing on the cake … having Ava’s Vintage Circus party featured on so many fabulous sites.  A huge THANKS to everyone who featured the party and to all of the sweet compliments left by my readers!!!

[Save the Date for Cupcakes]

[Peach Blossom Parties]

[P is for Party]

[Maddycakes Muse]

[Eat Drink Pretty]

[Celebrations at Home]

[Celebrate Today ... the superchick way]

[Catch My Party]

Thank You … Thank You … Thank You … Thank You … Thank You … Thank You

Over the past few months, I have been trying to find a lampshade to use in my master bedroom…that didn’t cost a fortune.  I found a fabulous lampshade at Anthropologie (on clearance…YAY!!!) for my side of the bed.  

My poor husband has had nothing…just a plain lamp.  One evening while watching one of my FAVORITE shows,  Sarah’s House, I saw Sarah do a ribbon wrapping on a lampshade.  It looked so easy and I loved the way the lampshade turned out.  So, I thought I would give it a try….

Supplies:

• Ribbon: I used 25-30 yards of 2 1/4 inch grosgrain ribbon.  The amount of ribbon you need will vary greatly based on the size of the lampshade and how much you overlap the ribbon when making the lampshade.
• Drum shaped lampshade
• Hot glue

I found this lampshade for $12.99 at Tuesday Morning.

I started by hot gluing the end of my ribbon to the inside of my drum shade.  I started wrapping…and wrapping…and wrapping…

and wrapping…and wrapping…and wrapping…and wrapping.  I would glue periodically…approximately every 5 times I wrapped around the shade I would put a spot of hot glue on the inside of the shade to hold the ribbon in place.  There is a lot of wrapping, but this entire project only took me about 30 minutes.  

It is really easy…SUPER EASY and you can pick whatever color ribbon you want.  I purchased my ribbon in bulk from The Ribbon Retreat…$20 for 50 yards.  I barely used half of the 50 yards but it was still a lot less expensive than any of my local stores…and the color choices are fabulous!

Happy Lampshade Making!!!

I am cleaning house…literally.  We have begun construction on our addition which does include a craft room/laundry room.  I am super excited as I don’t have a craft room currently and only have a laundry cubicle!  It will be one big room and I get to do whatever I want with it!!!  I am thinking this is in my future….

[photo via Velvet & Linen]

Okay…so maybe I am dreaming a little but it is still a room that is mine all mine!!!

So now I have to get rid of stuff.  Stuff meaning samples that have been stashed away.  Here are a few of the items available…

Hurry…Hurry.  Hop on over to Modern Frills.  Once you have bought everything you want, please share this sample sale with your friends!

Love red and aqua together…

Happy Tuesday!!!