Valentines Day Party with DIY Polka Dot Plates

Hi!

I tried it. I drew on my plates with permanent marker. This is the oldest trick in the book (well, the newest oldest trick) :) But it really adds something special to your table and it's so simple its embarrassing. Plus I got these plates from the Dollar Tree for only a $1 each!

I mean, how easy and cool is that???

Draw a pattern. Bake in oven at 425 for 20 min. 
Turn off oven and leave the plates in the oven until they cool.
Safe to wash and use! (Some say its safe in the dish washer but I'm taking it easy for now)

Tutorial for the cookie pouches here! Fill them up with your favorite cookie and give out to your favorite people :)

 I put in one of my favorites: Oreshki (Russian nut shaped cookies.)

Did I mention I love Gold? and pink? and sparkly things?? :) 

Happy DIYing! Thanks for reading.

DIY Cookie Pouch Valentine for your Valentines

Hi!

Valentines Day is just around the corner and it's this time of the year I find it easiest to DIY. It must be because I love anything that is glittery and pink! Adding glitter to something is one of the easiest ways to spruce it up!

Today I want to show you how to make a simple "cookie pouch" to fill with homemade goodness and gift to your bestie (or to all your besties!) on this wonderful day of love! It's actually a great favor idea too (I love how it looks at a table setting!)

You need:

Cut out a template first to use for cutting out your pouch (so you don't have pencil marks) 
My paper is 12 X 12 scrapbook size paper usually sold in all craft stores.
Put two holes in each corner. One at tip and second an inch or so beneath it.

please excuse my wrinkles!!! Using the newborn card? ;)

Put in your filling of choice. I used our Russian Oreshki Cookies! Overlap two flaps so that the holes line up and pull the twine through. Tie. 

Starting with one remaining flap at a time, thread the two strings through the two holes.(#1) 
Do the same thing with the other flap (#2)
Tie once and attach corny Valentine inspired label (Optional) :)

Tie a bow. 
Give out to your loved ones to remind them that you love them :)

I'd be happy to answer questions if something didn't make sense..

Check back to see how I used it in a Valentines Day inspired party! Thanks for reading- XOXO

If you are in the local central Virgina area, we will be making these pouches with cookies available for purchase for your Valentine's! Email me with questions or orders!

Our First Oreshki Cookie Sale, at the Perennial Favorites Barn Sale!

Hello again! 

Like I said in my last post, we were thrilled with the results of our first ever cookie sale stand last Saturday! THANKS AGAIN to all that came out and bought cookies and were interested in our Russian nut shaped cookies! I promised pictures of our cookie stand and I honestly can't wait to share them. :) 

 The word "oreshki" means NUTS in Russian. This cookies was properly named, I would say! :)

DIY Fabric Streamer- Tutorial coming soon!

 Our seasonal Pumpkin Spice flavor did so well! It was a big hit.

DIY paper baggies for the cookies!

The "original" flavor, Dulce de Leche (Caramel)

 

Me and my beautiful sister! 

with my little helpers :)

We went with subtle hues and simple decor and we wanted to spend as little money as possible. Most of the things we already had. Somehow, it all just come together! I think we can all agree that the accent piece of the whole stand was the fabric streamer behind us?! The biggest surprise is how the color theme came into being: we found all the fabric scraps from the thrift store!! Yes, ALL (but the striped blue fabric) were left over scraps! (I will post a tutorial soon. It is super easy!! I think I will use it in my little girls room!)

The AMAZING chalkboard was made by my sister Tamara (the one pictured with me!) and her husband. The jars we bought at Walmart for a great price and all the rest were things we had accumulated from party planning, etc. My other sister, Zhanna held the cookie sale in another location (in Grottoes, for the Fall Festival) and did equally as well with the sale! Unfortunately, I don't have pictures of that stand!

If you couldn't see clearly from the pictures, the flavors we were selling were:
Dulce Caramel (Original Russian cookie filling)
Nutella
Peanut Butter & Jelly
Jam with a Nut Shell 
and our seasonal: Pumpkin Spice shell with Pumpkin Spice cream filling!

Which flavor do you think you would love most? Which do you most want to try??

Super Excited! Our BIG NEWS!!

HI!

So, I know I told you weeks ago (or months?!?! where did the time go?) about some big news that I couldn't wait to share with you.. News that was "in the works". Well, it never made more sense to tell you as it does now! My sisters and I decided to start baking and selling Oreshki Cookies! (Russian Nut Shaped Cookies) Although most of the Russian community ate this cookie all their lives, we wanted to expand our traditions (of yummy desserts) to everyone else! We also added our own spin to the cookies that we can't wait for you to try!

Why was this a secret?? It really wasn't. We just wanted the business name and logo to be perfect before getting it out there.  Since then, we have put aside the company name decisions, etc and are more focused on letting this amazing cookie be known! This "special occasion" cookie shouldn't be a rare occasion in your life. It should be eaten in celebration of life itself and for all the hard work that (I KNOW) you do! :)

My most exciting news is the events we have coming up! Saturday, September 21, 2013 we will be selling our cookies at two events! (What are the odds of that happening??) The Perennial Favorites Barn Sale in Bridgewater and the Grottoes Harvest Festival that happens to be scheduled on the same day! (Click on the name to see their page.)  Both events start at 9 am and we would love to see you! If you are local, you MUST come check them out! We are very excited and feel HONORED to be part of both of these events and I know they will be literally oooozing with talent and creativity! If you are in the area, you don't want to miss out on the incredible homemade and unique things that will be for sale there! Chance of a lifetime! (well, chance of the year, but basically the same thing!)

We did this photo shoot last year and we had so much fun! The kids really enjoyed it. The hardest part was getting enough shots before they ate all the cookies!

I wanted to add a special thanks to Amelia! She is one of the brains behind the Perennial Barn Sale and she is one incredibly talented lady!! If you have never seen her blog: http://amy-showalter.blogspot.com/ (or don't follow her on Instagram), you must. Her talent and eye for party/event planning is undeniable! I am so glad we have met :) You are an inspiration, Amelia! 

I will definitely be posting pictures of our events on Saturday! Until then, have a blessed week!