Happy Halloween: A Pumpkin Patch Party

Today I bring you a Halloween treat... I always love working with Michele of Cakewalk Baking and this Party at the Pumpkin Patch for her son Graham's birthday was no exception.  She wanted traditional orange + black colors with a bit of nostalgia, so I designed the poster style invitations, CD favors and 'wicked good' lunch boxes accordingly.

The party was held at a local pumpkin patch called G&M Farms.  After a homemade boxed lunch, kids were entertained with a straw bale maze, pony rides and of course, pumpkin picking.  Michele baked up delicious sweet treats including ghost cupcakes, bat + pumpkin sugar cookies and pumpkin donuts (along with cotton candy and swirly lollipops). At the end of the day, guests received muslin favor bags that held a knit Halloween finger puppet, a ghost cookie and a custom Halloween CD to take home.

Happy Halloween!

photos © sherry heck

styling, decor + baked goods: Cakewalk Baking

graphic design + styling assistance: Cake. {designs available for purchase}

finger puppets: WeeKnit

event photography: Sherry Heck

Black + White Painted Pumpkins

Instead of carving pumpkins this year I decided to skip the mess and roll with something a bit more crafty. I painted two pumpkins and I really can't decide which I'm happier with. The feather pumpkin was inspired by this Martha carving. I spray painted a pumpkin white and drew a feather freehand (first in pencil and then filled in with black glitter paint. The glittered feather probably would have looked prettier on a natural white pumpkin, but you work with what you've got. The other pumpkin was done with chalkboard paint, so there are unlimited ways to design and enjoy it. I tried a traditional jack o lantern, a cat and finally landed on another nod to the feather theme. Which pumpkin do you prefer?

I hope you've enjoyed this week of feathered projects... check in tomorrow for a few more feathers 'Simply Styled.'

photos + styling © cake. 2011

'Feathered' Pumpkin Pancakes

Did you catch the feather garlands I shared yesterday?  Well, one of them is being re-purposed today... as a pancake topper!  Of course, you could easily use this feathered bunting as a cake topper too, but I say it's time to give breakfast a little makeover this Halloween.  What do you think of that?  See below for the simple & delicious pumpkin pancake recipe...

 

 photos + styling © cake. 2011

Pumpkin Pancakes
adapted from Martha Stewart

Ingredients
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1 cup milk
6 tablespoons pumpkin puree
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 egg

Directions 
Stir together the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, salt, nutmeg and cloves in a medium bowl. Whisk together the milk, pumpkin, butter and egg in a separate bowl. Fold this mixture into the dry ingredients. Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Pour 1/4 cup batter for each pancake and cook approximately 3 minutes per side.

Feathers, Owls + Cocktails by the Fire

Cozy up around the fireplace and enjoy a glass of Pinot Noir... here are a few simple ideas to add ambiance to a fall dinner or cocktail party at home.

These soft and delicate feather garlands were easily created using a needle and thread to string quail and pheasant feathers in varying patterns (not to worry... no birds were harmed in the making of these garlands).

The owls were purchased at a discount store in an unattractive silver color.  A few coats of flat white spray paint immediately modernized them and gave them the appearence of porcelain.  It was such a simple fix that I've been resisting a strong urge to spray paint all of my household objects.

A mantle is always a natural home to display seasonal objects like these, but add a few bottles of wine and some cocktails to the mix and you have yourself a cozy party by the fire! 

 

photos + styling © cake. 2011

DiY Feather Placecards

This week kicks off with a special guest contributor.  I've been dreaming up some projects involving feathers for fall and I just knew she would have a brilliant idea up her sleeve. Please join me in welcoming... Jenny from Hank + Hunt! And stay tuned for more fun feathered projects throughout the week...
 

Hi! I’m Jenny from Hank + Hunt and I am here with a fall feather placecard.   Since the holidays bring lots of large dinner parties, place cards are a fun way to dress us your table. These simple kraft paper cards are adorned with a single feather.   Simple and pretty. 

You will need:

feathers

cardstock

Glue Dots

1/8” hole punch

scissors

If you prefer to print your names, use this template, and place your text centered over the last 1/3 of the second and fourth rows of boxes.  Print. 

Once you have printed your sheets, or if you prefer to hand write the names, it is time to cut out your cards. Cut 1/2” of the top and bottom of your sheet of cardstock. Follow the guides or cut the sheet in half both horizontally and vertically. You will have four cards. 

Fold cards in half. 

Punch a hole in the upper left corner of the front of the card.

Insert feather end in the hole from the front.

Adhere the end of feather on the back of the card with a Glue Dot. 

photos © hank and hunt

Enjoy!

Thank you so much for having me Becca! xo, Jenny

Simply Styled.

via Ruffled.

A Rustic Italian Luncheon

I designed this classic Italian lunch as a pre-wedding celebration for a co-worker. The party was held at the office so we kept it on a budget with some simple details. A checkered oilcloth was laid over the conference table and linen curtains backed the garlands of pasta and rustic fabric bunting. I also potted fresh basil plants in tomato sauce cans for guests to take home as favors, which added a nice pop of green appropriate for the traditional Italian setting. Food was provided potluck style, and in great abundance... highlights included spaghetti & meatballs, garlic bread, bruschetta, 3 layer dip, olive oils and cheese straws, with Pelligrino to drink. To top it off, dessert included biscotti, chocolates, a raspberry tart and a tiramisu cake. Needless to say we had a fairly unproductive afternoon while nursing our food comas, but it worked out beautifully and our guest of honor was both surprised and thrilled.

photos + styling © cake. 2011