Goodbye 2010.......and 2011...Bring It!!!

2010 has been a great year and one of my proudest accomplishments has been starting this blog. Blogging is definitely a new love. In 2011, I want to keep bringing you more of the best inspiration from around the web but also share more of my "creationz" and ideas with you too. As parties go, I am so excited about all the upcoming parties I will be working on and can't wait to share!

As family goes, 2010 we were blessed to have each other and to have our health. We have had some really great and memorable moments together and 2011 is going to bring so many milestones for us! I am beyond excited about everything on our plates this year. It is definitely going to be a year to remember!!! 

Thank you so much for visiting my blog. 

To you and yours I wish you a very safe, healthy,

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

See you in 2011!

XO, Monica

Grocery Store Centerpieces

Real Simple

Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart

I wanted to share this with you for Thanksgiving and got too busy to post it, but really, this is a great idea for any occasion.

Thankful

On Thanksgiving we stop our busy lives for a second, share time with people that we

love, and remember what we are thankful for.

I am thankful for my family first and foremost.

I don't think that anything would mean anything without any of you

and I'm so glad that we all got to be together today.

I am thankful for my small group of very close friends {to me, you are family too}.

I am thankful for today, for the smells coming out of the kitchen,

 for the food we stuffed ourselves with, for the smiles and laughs we had,

 and for the leftovers!! LOL

Truly, every day there is something to be thankful for

and every day I do try to remember that.

Lately, I am very grateful for this blog. This has been so fun for me so far

and I can only imagine how much better it will get. So thank you for taking the time to read this and for all the other times you stop by...

I really am THANKFUL.

xo, Monica



Tiny Tempting Turkeys!

Okay, these just made me smile!!! =)

What a cute idea! Check out the instructions here, they also have some adorable peanut butter cup turkeys!

Let Your Casseroles Arrive in Style!

So you are going to Thanksgiving at someone else's house and you are bringing your "famous whatever". {lol, that's what I like to make!} Well, make an entrance! Check out these pretty casserole carriers!

Isn't this nice!!! I want one! If you do too you can find it here at Tiffiny Designs. You can find other designs and matching oven mitts and potholders too! Please check her out!

Here's another beauty from Steel Magnolia Creations. She's got lots of great stuff at her shop as well, including bibs and aprons! Head on over, what are you waiting for!

Thanksgiving Sweet Treats!

Wouldn't you love to be in this pumpkin patch?! These amazing cupcakes are from Duncan Hines. While you're there check out all of their other cute baking ideas!

Okay, THIS just about made me fall of my chair! {these type of things excite me} This would probably literally take you seconds to do but is soooooooo adorable! lollipop sticks, marshmallows, food writers (find 'em at the craft store, baking store, etc.)....Thanks to my sister for sharing this find with me from Readers Digest! You could make these for so many different occasions! These would be beautiful on a Thanksgiving dessert table sticking out of a jar filled with fall colored M&Ms!!! Love it!

Thanksgiving Placecards

Today I'm here to share some placecard ideas for you. {Remember if you don't wanna do placecards you could always use them to "label" your dinner buffet or dessert table, etc.}

Both of these beautiful pics are from Better Homes & Gardens.

The top pic would be a great way to do your napkins rolled up with all the utensils inside for your guests and instead of a name you could just write "thankful" or "give thanks" on the tag. {be creative!}

The bottom picture could be used as inspiration for your holiday decor or for a centerpiece. Use a glass bowl or a cake stand, throw in some nuts or small pine cones, a pretty piece of fabric in place of the napkin, then your pumpkin and leaves and there you go!!

Isn't this little guy cute? Find him here at Parents Magazine.

 I would love to put him on the kiddie table even just as decoration!

Look at the turkey placecards/coloring books on the plates!

Me and my kiddies made these yesterday just for fun. They are sooo cute! We just did ours in white so the kids could color the outside too. You can find the instructions and template on Martha Stewart and it has the templates and info for the tablecloth as well. Make sure to check it out!



Thanksgiving Kiddie Table

Sorry, I have been away from Blogland. =( Sick kids and sick Mama and other miscellaneous craziness has kept me away BUT...today I am back to share an AMAZING kids table I found on the Fiskars site. You must, must, must check out all the details.  I am drooling over all the pics!



Isn't this adorable??!!! One of the amazing Fiskars designers, Lisa Storms, wrote up this playful project. {So, talented!} Head on over and find out how to make everything here plus look at all the other great projects they have!

Thanksgiving Inspiration

Halloween is over {sigh}, and as I'm recovering from my sugar hangover, it's time to get started on Thanksgiving! Many of you already have your fall decorations up but may still need inspiration for your Thanksgiving table. I'm hoping that these pictures give you some ideas...

These gorgeous pics are from Brides. I love the pear placecards and the way the plates, chargers, and beautiful glasses add to the decoration. Simple favors would be a great touch to give out as your guests leave and these almonds in really easy packaging would be great!

This setup from Pottery Barn is great but even if you just took one or two elements from it, your party would be a hit.  I love the cylinder vases with the pillar candles and pictures. This would be a great way to remember loved ones that are no longer with us or family that maybe just couldn't make it for the holidays.

Here's another cute placecard idea with pears from Sunset magazine.  Placecards can be a little formal sometimes and during the holidays family may be spread out all over the house and not necessarily all at one table. I think placecards would be really cute at a kids' table though and not to mention I'm sure the kids would get a huge kick out of it! You could use this idea with different materials...use a metallic pen on a fall leaf, or on a strip of paper that can then be placed on a pinecone. Instead of a placecard you could also use it in different ways... label the dishes at your dinner buffet, or for a centerpiece make a bunch and label with different things you're thankful for and place on a huge platter, or cakestand, or right on your table.

Well, I hope I've given you some inspiration for your table and hope that you get decorating and planning your Thanksgiving soon. It will be here before we know it!

GIVEAWAY WINNER!!!

Drumroll please..........the winner to our Custom Party Package Giveaway is...........

BIANCA!

Congratulations!! Please e-mail me at monica@thecreationzstudio.com to discuss your prize!

Halloween Drinks!

Moms and Dads, when the tricks and treating, and candy highs (and lows) *wink*wink* are over. And your little ghosts and goblins are all snuggled in their beds...kick off your shoes and have your own treat!

Doesn't this Pina Ghoulada look tempting? Find it on Martha Stewart along with these other great ones!

How about some Swamp Sips? These would be sooooo cute at a Halloween Party on a table full of green moss!

Berry Scary Martini anyone? Or maybe a Screwed up Screwdriver?? {lol}

Find the recipes here.

AND, just incase the kids are still up on their sugar rush and you want to make them something special too, try these kid friendly drinks.

Blood-Red Hot Chocolate! Super easy! Just add red food coloring!!

And some Boo Shakes!

CHEERS!

Play With Your Makeup for Halloween!

Mama's don't forget yourselves on Halloween! It's always fun to play with your makeup, so here's your perfect chance!

My sister shared this pic with me a few weeks back from Miss Chievous.  Check it out!  She also has a

 you tube video you can watch and lots of other tutorials.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this picture!!

These lashes are from Shu Uemura and unfortunately I don't think are available any longer but just get some inspiration! You can find false feather lashes right now even at Wal-Mart!

It's Halloween so anything goes. Now all the fun runway makeup you see in your magazines, you can try! Let Halloween be your excuse! {wink*wink}

Have fun...go play with your makeup!



Yummy Comfort Food!!

I got a request for some recipes and I came across these that look like heaven! The weather is getting cold and it's time for us to plump up for winter. That's what I told my Husband anyway! {...as I was buying brown sugar and corn syrup and yams  and....well, you get the idea!}

 I'm gonna make some soup to warm me up today but tomorrow I just might be making this one!

I found this tempting Corn Chowder with Chilies on Pioneer Woman. If you haven't checked out her site, you have to! She has great recipes and even a section with viewer submitted recipes. There's a homeschooling section, a photography tip section, lots of fun stuff! While I was there I could not stop my hand from clicking on this yummy pic too and grabbing this recipe.

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE SWEET ROLLS!!

Can you imagine?? I want to!! {lol}

Homemade dough, sugar, chocolate, butter.....ahhhhhhhh. Get the recipe here. And get cooking!!

The Party Take on This:

These recipes would be great for a dinner party or any party.  Have a rustic party with lots of appetizers.  Tiny cups filled with this corn chowder, wedges of quesadillas on a big platter, garlic bread hot out of the oven, more mini cups or bowls with some homemade chili beans...can't you picture it? And for your dessert table....cake stands fulls of these rolls, and classic cinnamon rolls, and donuts, and mini pies...... with mugs of your favorite coffee and hot chocolate! YUM!

Sounds like a hit to me!

Custom Party Package Giveaway!!!

*****THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED*****

I'm sorry for the wait, BUT they say good things come to those who wait! So........

here's the GIVEAWAY I promised!!!

A CUSTOM PARTY PACKAGE

Including:

20 Custom Invitations

2 Dozen Cupcake Toppers

2 Dozen Custom Tags

1 Custom Banner

{don't have a birthday party coming up? That's okay....use it for a dinner party, holiday party, etc.}

To Enter:

Leave a comment at the end of this post letting me know what you would use it for. {1 entry}

"Like" this giveaway and mention it on Facebook and come leave another comment letting me know you did! {1 entry}

Become a "fan" on Facebook and let me know you did! {1 entry}

The Giveaway will be be open until Sunday, Oct. 31st at 10:00pm PST

and a random winner will be announced on Monday, Nov. 1st!

GOOD LUCK!

p.s. I've had some questions about how to enter. If you had all three entries it would be three seperate comments that would be something like this...
1.) I would use this for my daughter's birthday!
2.) I liked this and mentioned it on facebook!
3.) I'm a fan on facebook!

Haunted Playhouse!

Okay, you saw the adorable owl I shared from Alpha Mom the other day and today I had to share this Mini Haunted House I found there a while back too! My kids would lose it if I made them this! And who am I kidding, I'd be squeezing myself in there too!! =)

Head over to the post here to see how to make one!

Have fun building!

Fabulous Feathered Costumes!

"Hoo" could be more adorable?

Isn't this homemade owl costume fun? Check out the instructions on Alpha Mom.

OMG!  Peacock costumes caught my eye online a few weeks ago and tonight I found this one!  Find it here at Angel Babes Tutu's.

This cute little chicken is from Martha Stewart.  Find the supply list and instructions to make it here.

Can't leave out the boys! With just a little more than felt and feathers you can make this quick and creative costume from Martha Stewart too.

Best of luck as you're narrowing down those costume ideas...only 2 weeks left!

Halloween Treats That Don't Have To Be Sweet!!

I have to make these! Aren't they cute?!  I found them here at Fab Frugal Food.  So easy but so adorable!  My kids like hard boiled eggs and I think I would almost just skip the whole deviled egg process and cut a plain hard boiled egg open and stick the "spider" on top like that!!  Love it!

How about these "green meanies" ?!  Another quick snack for the kids or a good snack to take into work for your Halloween parties!  Just apples, peanut butter and slivered almonds!  Check them out here.

Photo: Wendell Webber

Last but not least your little one will LOVE these spiderweb pizzas from Woman's Day! 

Use string cheese for your web!

All of these are quick and easy ideas, but thoughtful and sure to put a smile on someone's face! 

Hope you try 'em!!

Creepy Candy Apples!!

OH...MY...GOODNESS! 

I discovered this today and had to share...

Are these not AMAZING!  I LOVE them.  I discovered Matt Bites today, a really wonderful site about food, drinks, travel, etc. and obviously with BEAUTIFUL photography!  Matt's partner Adam made these. 

 Here are some of the other posts I fell in love with.

I thought this picture looked beautiful! I am dying for that big pitcher in the background! Be sure and check out the full post here.

These pictures were from a shoot he did at Jordan Winery in Sonoma.  I loved them because my Husband took me to Sonoma for my 30th Birthday and we drove down a street lined with trees just like this one on our way to an adorable little Italian restaurant for a relaxing, romantic dinner just the two of us {thanks Mom n Sis for watching the kids!!! lol}.  Be sure and check out this post too!  His site is sooo full of goodies! 

Go get inspired!

p.s.

On a side note, sorry I have not been posting!  I am not feeling well, and without a camera right now {gasp!!}. But I will have some posts coming up soon with some goodies I have been making!  Please stay tuned!

Birthday Cakes!

Check out these cakes from my good friend Jovanna.  Her latest passion is cakes and she's focusing all her craftiness on it at the moment, taking classes, etc. 

Maybe someday she'll have a shop! {and give me free sweets}  =)  Thanks for sharing Jovanna!!

xoxo, Monica

Halloween Decorations!

I got a request for some decorations =)...so here you go!!

This is an idea from Martha Stewart using a black garbage bag!  It is super easy and cheap and looks really great especially on a windy day!  I am going to do this around my whole porch...here is a pic of it in the making

{I should've taken a pic from the from the front view of my house but it was early and cold when I took this picture and I didn't wanna walk all the way outside! lol} I promise a better pic when it's all done!}

Here is another easy idea that looks really cool from Country Living.

Another idea that is great for night time when trick or treaters come to visit are some Halloween lanterns below.  These use materials that you probably already have at home, get the instructions on Readers Digest.

More ideas to come soon!! Hope these get you all started with your decorating!



Halloween Printables!

I found some cute printables online and thought I'd share.  This adorable little treat box is from Family Fun .  {great for your party favors or dessert buffet!} They also have a printable witch that you can piece together and hang on your door and lots of other cool costume ideas, party ideas, halloween recipes...you name it!  There are some other printable kids' crafts on DLTK's Crafts for Kids, including a Halloween Bingo that would be a great activity for a Halloween Party or to get ready for your child's teacher if they are having a party at school! {both sites are great all year long!}

 Another great printable I LOVE is this garland from Paper Crave below! You have to visit their site!

Don't forget to send out a cute invite for your Halloween Party too!  Here's one from Martha Stewart.

Have fun!

Whitney Smith Pottery...A little birdie told me!

I had to share these cake stands and pottery I found on Etsy.  BEAUTIFUL! The little birds are adorable!  Cake stands are so great...to display your cakes of course, but also really good for decorating, dessert tables, food buffets, etc.  You could add a pillar candle on top, display cupcakes or candy, or hold appetizers.  These were my favorites but Whitney has other styles and other colors as well.  Be sure and check out her shop!

Halloween Treats!

I LOVE HALLOWEEN!!!

I can't wait to start decorating for Halloween and have seen lots of great ideas.  The two pics above are from Country Living {one of my favorite magazines}.  And the others below are from Martha Stewart {the Queen!} lol =)

Love 'em!! I hope to make these little skull pops!!!