Thursday, January 13, 2011

Need an Idea for those Baby Shower Gifts?

I thought I would take a break from table decorating and share some of my ideas with diapers.
Yes I know, I said the word,  DIAPERS!
Gosh, it has been soooo long since I have seen these tiny, little things that I have almost forgotten how little my son was 21 years ago.  Sshhhhh.....please don't tell him that I mention him and diapers in the same sentence.
I wish I had a shower coming up so I could do a tutorial on these gifts.
Don't you just get tired of giving the bag of diapers, wrapping them up and here you go Mom to be?
I will try to explain what I used and how I did these charming gifts.
The first one is the motorcycle. I do believe I used the newborn diapers on these because you will need at least 100 diapers, 2 receiving blankets,2 bibs, 1 bottle, 1 pair of socks and 1 adorable teddy bear. I think a bigger one than I bought would have worked better. I took my round 12'' cake pan and 8'' cake pan and used them as molds. You take those cute little diapers and lay them on the side and rim the outside of the inside of the pan. You just continue til fill the cake pan until you can't get anymore diapers in. Take a big rubber band and and place around the diapers. Un mold the diapers and wrap it with a ribbon of your choice to hide the band. (oops! I forgot that you will need ribbon)
Do the same for 2 back wheels. Stand up you wheels and take 1 of your folded receiving blanket and push it through the wheels until the ends of blankets meet. I used a baby pin but you can use a safety pin to connect. Take 1 bib and the bottle and lay it on top of the big wheel. Now take the other blanket and push it through the wheel. Bring it up and take a rubber band and wrap it up close to the bottle. The excess will be you handle bars to place you booties on. Take the other bib and lay it on the back wheels. It represents the seat. Place your adorable teddy bear and viola! You have made a motorcycle!








Can you just see this as a centerpiece?  Oh my gosh, I would have just loved to have done the table.
The purse...Just a couple of wash clothes rolled up and a bib wrapped around it. Tie ribbon on each end.

OK, now, this one is my favorite!
Dumbo!
I used bigger diapers so mama to be would have something in baby room to adore and then have some diapers for the next size.
What you will need:  1 baby blanket, 2 binkies, and diapers. Oh yeah, lots of rubber band!
Roll up your diapers and rubber band them. I used a 10'' cake pan for my mold. Once you fill the cake pan with diapers (leaving 2 out for the legs), I used a huge rubber band and band them together. Take ribbon of your choice and wrap the diapers.Wrap the back of the diapers with the blanket. Gather up the ends and rubber band each end to form the ears. Take the remaining of the blanket and push it through the middle of the diapers to form nose. Divide the nose into 3 sections with the bands and turn up the end.  Place the binkies  in for eyes and there you go! I think I just taped the legs on the ribbon or possibly safety pinned them.


Not a very good picture of the elephants back to see how the blanket goes on.

I am sure we all know about the diaper cakes. They also make great centerpieces and a great game to play. When I did my shower, I had the cake sitting out. When the guests came in, they did the usual things that women do when we see baby items....ohhhhed and aweeeeed.
I left it uncovered but never told them that it was going to be a game.  When it came time to play the game, I covered it up and then asked them to write down what they saw on the cake.  We had a lot of fun at that shower. 



Here is my version of a diaper cake!




The next time you are in a jam and just don't know what to give as a gift, I hope you remember this tutorial and make your own amazing gift!  The mom to be will just be wowed!
If you have any questions on any of the gifts, please ask  and I will try to help you out!
I hope you enjoyed this off the normal beaten blog for a little cuteness!





Thanks!  Andrea
ps....please leave a comment. I love to read your thoughts!

It's Chocolate Time!

Wow!  The New Year has arrived and have been busy putting away the Christmas cheer and getting ready to settle down for winter, if it ever comes here!  I know, for those who have had snow are probably tired of it.
I would like just a measurable amount to make the outside crisp, white and sparkle! It has been cold and windy, but no snow!

     Before I show you the chocolate, my thoughts and prayers are for those in Tucson. A sad day today for the family of Christina. The thought of saying good bye to one of your own, just breaks my heart.
I pray for the on going progress for Congresswomen Gabrielle Gifford.

Now, moving on to some rich,dark goodness!  I do a little catering on the side and would like to share with you some of my tables that I have done. To me, I need to "draw" them to me with the smell, then the eye catching table and then the taste of good chocolate.









The smaller fountain had Ranch Dressing!

Chocolate Covered Strawberries, Chocolate Pieces, Chocolate Covered Pretzels and Grapes.  My attempt on Edible Arrangements.








My first attempt in painting a mask





This event was at a Adoption Center for Animals.  I couldn't run the fountain because it was to windy.  We had chocolate flying everywhere!  They still were able to "play" in the fountain.




This event was held at our local mall for a Bridal Event. My first time with catering food.  We had a crab dip served in mini martini glasses.  Yup!  I always feed the mall plus people for the event since it is open to the public.


My Halloween food table.  My very 1st gingerbread house. Fake eyes and worms in water crystals (size of a grain of salt. When submersed in water, the crystals swell 3 times their size and feels like jelly)


Chocolate Fountain and the smaller one has homemade Caramel Sauce.  Didn't quite flow right. I do believe it was to thin.




1 of 3 awards that I have won!  I was soooooo happy!

This was my 2nd time doing the Wedding Event in our mall.





On each display, the boxes were on a lighted turntable.

And in each box of course, was BLING!!  Here in this pic Spicey Chicken Satay and Mini Dogs wrapped in Puff Pastry.  I do believe I served this at the event except the dogs were places with Coconut Shrimp.

In the very front, I had bubbles for the children to take with a blow bubbles in the mall.  It helped distract them from the chocolate!


My Spicey Chicken Satay with a Peanut Sauce and topped with Black Sesame Seeds and Dill

Bon Apetit!

Please make sure you stop by Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Thursday Tablescape and visit The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sundays.






Please tell me what you think. I read and enjoy all of the comments!