DIY Gold Typography Pumpkins for Thanksgiving

My neighbors already have their lights up. One of my best friends put up three, yes three, Christmas trees inside her house before Halloween. By now, she's probably put up her other four trees. I know it's tempting to bust out the winter-y holiday decorations, but I'm savoring the fall festivities. These DIY Gold Foil Typography Pumpkins are gonna wow my Turkey Day guests. Swing by Momtastic to check out how I decked out our Thanksgiving mantle.

Decor Ideas: Geronimo Balloons

Some of you loved the Confetti System decor idea I shared with you, while others were utterly perplexed by the entire concept. I'm interested to see how you guys feel about Geronimo Balloons for dessert table decor. This gigantic balloons easily add a festive flair to any dessert display. Anchor them to the back of the table or hover them overhead.

So, what do you think? Do you love or loathe the giant ballon/confetti decor idea?

Decor Ideas: Confetti System

We've talked a lot about garlands, mini pinatas, and fringe but Confetti System has elevated show-stopping decor to an art form. Can't you just imagine some of these displays hovering about a variety of simple desserts?

And, if you go through all this trouble to create fabulous pinatas, you better have some equally amazing blindfolds right?

These glitzy pinatas and garlands turn kids classics into grown-up decor, don't you think?

Dessert Table: Gelato Bridal Shower

I'm back with today's second post, and there's so much to like about this gelato-themed inspiration shoot that I saw on Ruffled Blog. The color palette has a soft, summery feel that's perfect for the cold Italian treat. Custom gelato cups and cone wraps make traditional waffle cones and scoops of gelato party-worthy.

The custom gelato cups and cone wraps from this shoot are the most accent of the whole design, even though the paper fan decor is lovely, too.

Be sure to check out today's first post, which was the KARE 11 tv segment I shot yesterday to share tips for wedding dessert tables. 

images by Edyta Szyszlo Photography

Dessert Table: It's Raining, It's Pouring

Yesterday, I shared Part I and Part II of my Ribboned Romance dessert table with you. The pom cake toppers I used there, along with the handmade poms that  Lisa of Simply Fabulous Event Design created sent me on a search for other ways to incorporate tissue paper into dessert tables. I came across this baby shower dessert table on Somewhere Splendid and immediately loved the tissue paper clouds and simple desserts.

Don't worry about spending time cutting those little clouds and raindrops. Fiskars makes the craft punches you need to create perfect clouds and raindrops in seconds.

Aren't those cloud cupcake toppers adorable?

10 Days of Craftsmas!: Day 5 - Rock Candy Cones

In today's first post, I showed you the dessert table I recently designed for my little donut's birthday. Now, I'm back with the fifth delicious DIY project of the 10 Days of Craftsmas series.

I created these Rock Candy Cones with help from my creative partner Maddy Hague of Somewhere Splendid. These icy, candy-coated decor elements would be perfect on a tabletop or a mantel. By working with a gradient of blue sugar crystals, I added another dimension to the luminous, rocky surface. Want to make them for yourself? Get the instructions for these cones!

10 Days of Craftsmas!: Day 4 - Merry Mistletoe

I've got two posts today, and the fourth day of the 10 Days of Craftsmas is the first. Maddy of Somewhere Splendid and I crafted this Merry Mistletoe as another decor element that works perfectly with a dessert table. Simply hang the mistletoe in front of the dessert table, and watch all of the hugs and kisses that ensue as family and friends approach to check out all of the sweets. Want to make this mistletoe for yourself? Keep reading.

Dessert Table: Vintage Ribbon Garland

Green Wedding Shoes featured this vintage-themed dessert table. The bride created a ribbon garland with framed pictures to create a personalized backdrop for the table.

Working with Sweet and Saucy, the couple selected a variety of cupcakes, fruit tarts, and other sweets to accompany their simple cake.

In today's 10 Days of Craftsmas post, I'll share another DIY project that would also make a lovely dessert table backdrop. So be sure to come back later today to see that project.

images: Jeff Wallace

Candy Wreath Roundup II

Last year, I shared these great candy wreaths for an easy decor idea. This year, Parents magazine featured even more candy-licious wreaths. Using a Styrofoam wreath and hot glue, you can make one of these lovelies in just a few minutes. So, here's the second candy wreath roundup!

If this rainbow-y wreath isn't your style, select gumdrops in one shade. Green would be traditional, white a tad more modern, and purple completely unexpected.

One big bag of wint-o-green Lifesavers easily transforms the wreath. Want to go a step further? Wrap the wreath in a solid color ribbon before applying the candy to eliminate the Styrofoam peekaboo act seen here.

This traditionally-hued peppermint wreath veers from boring to mod by incorporating the signature stripe patterned candy.

We haven't put up a wreath, yet. Perhaps I'll come up with a candy-coated design to share. So, which wreath is your favorite? One from this year's roundup, or one of last year's creations?

Cupcake Liner Tree

A few months ago, I received the special 15th anniversary issue of Martha Stewart Weddings and this gorgeous cake greeted me. I'm still amazed by cake guru Syvlia Weinstock's delicate handiwork.

No matter how hard I try, I'll never be skilled enough to recreate something even close to this. I've come to terms with that reality, because Twig & Thistle and Paper Crave have the perfect solution to create the same look. Cupcake liners! That's right. Kathleen used dark brown liners to create this easy holiday decor tree.

Kristen of Paper Crave designed a more Chistmas-y tree and provided an easy tutorial so you can make your own.

Even though these trees aren't edible, they still have the same delicate wow factor that Sylvia's cake possessed. In fact, this might be even more stunning, because you can group several of them on a side table or buffet as a focal point. Wanna kick it up a notch? Mix up the liner colors you use to create trees to match your holiday theme. Matte pink and white wrappers mixed with metallic gold ones would be a perfect accent to a home with a pink tree and gold ornaments.

Ready for another simple cupcake liner craft? Check out this cupcake liner banner.

All Hung With Care

Why just hang a wreath on the door when you can display them as part of a winter-y dessert buffet? A chandelier or square wreath display is an unexpected twist on a classic. These are affordable, yet unique ideas that would draw guests to your dessert station for a closer look.

If you don't have the time/money to invest in some creative wreathing this year, shop the after season sales and grab a few faux wreaths to use next year. Crate and Barrel, Pottery Barn, Target, and Hallmark will have some gorgeous ones for up to 75% off. This type of after-season shopping is a tradition of mine. The decor we used this year was purchased last year, so opening the box of ornaments was a nice surprise. I'd completely forgotten what the ornaments and garland we chose last year.

Rectangular wreath buffet (BHG.com), Wreath chandelier (Martha Stewart), Hanging wreath (BHG.com)

Featured: Mary Had A Little Party

I love the cute, customized banners that Kristen from Mary Had A Little Party creates. A good banner creates the perfect backdrop for any dessert buffet by bringing interesting patterns and colors into what may be an otherwise monochromatic display. Banners also bring height to the overall design, which is much more appealing than a one-level display.

The 12 Days of Christmas banner is a new addition to Kristen's expanding collection, but I also love the sweetness of her custom photo banners.

Check out the Etsy shop to buy Kristen's designs online.