all in the details

This weekend I am catering my first large-ish brunch for a friend/client of mine.  I have a whole slew of food and sweets I am making this week in preparation for her big delivery.  One thing I am excited about doing are the treat bags for the children's take-away party gift.  All the kids get a little bag of homemade caramel corn as a thank you.

I couldn't stop at just bagging the caramel corn.  For me parties are all about the little details.  The pretty appetizer plates, labeled drinks or personalized napkins.  I love adding small do-it-yourself details to my parties.

For the caramel corn bag I made little thank you tags with stamped green bees to go with my friend's Hungry Caterpillar/bug theme for her son's first birthday.  Once again baker's twine really tied it all together (pun intended)!  I am obsessed with the versatility of baker's twine.

DIY: Baby’s Breath bird nests

Baby’s Breath is the perfect Spring flower to use for Easter decorations.  I love how simple and sweet the little white flowers are.  Used in large amounts it can make a big impact.

These little birds nests are by far my favorite idea I've had this week.  They look so sweet holding tiny blue eggs on our mantel.

You will need

Deep cereal bowl

Baby’s Breath

Wax or parchment paper

Hot glue gun

Place a small square of wax or parchment paper in the bottom of a bowl. Place snipped baby’s breath blooms in a bowl with the blooms on the outer edge forming a more shallow space in the middle.  

Place a heavy jar or object in the middle to help shape the nest.  

Using a hot glue gun, coat the middle of the nest with glue and place another small square on top of the glue and weight it down again. 

When ready to use the nest, remove it from the bowl and peal off the paper. The baby’s breath may flatten out a bit but can be reshaped in the bowl again overnight.  I like the way they spread over time.  

Fill with pretty dyed Easter eggs and place them on your mantel or use as a table centerpiece.