Summer Candy Apples (with freebie printable)

Oh boy, Summer is upon us!  Kids are preparing for the end of the school year and families are planning the activities for the warm months ahead.

 

Whether you are hitting the beach or heading to the lakes here is one activity the whole family can join in on . . . Oh Boy Summer Candy Apples named in honor of  Diahann Darwood's new book Oh Boy Summer.

What I love about making Summer Candy Apples is that they are fun, delicious and easily portable.  With a little assembling ahead of time the kids can jump into this activity and get creative by decorating their own apples  . . . there is no wrong way to do it!   So let's get to making these sweet Summer treats.

 

 

You will need to buy one bag each of Candy Melts by Wilton in the color of your choice at your local Michaels Craft Store or A.C. Moore.   While you are there, pick up some popsicle sticks and you are ready to go.  At home wash and dry your apples and insert the popsicle stick in place of the stem.  Make sure your bowl is wide and deep enough to easily dip your apple. 

 

 

Then melt your Candy Melts in your microwave safe bowl on the defrost setting of your microwave for about 1 minute.  Mix in a little Crisco shortening to help thin the consistency and continue to microwave for 30 second intervals until the candy coating is nice and smooth.  

 

 

 Now on to the fun part . . . get dipping!  Let the kids choose which color they'd like to try first and dunk their apples.  Let the first color set for about 5 minutes then dip your apple into the second color about halfway up.  While your candy coating is setting print out these free and adorable Summer decorative circles courtesy of Shindig Parties To Go. 

 

 

I hope you will try these yummy Oh Boy Summer Candy Apples and have fun getting creative with your families this Summer!

 

 

 

Minnie Mouse Cake Pops (and free printables)

Minnie Mouse Cake Pop Centerpiece

 

 

These were super cute and fun to make.  You will find the link below to download your own set for free!

 

 

This makes a great centerpiece using an 18" round Styrofoam piece painted black.  It held 16 individually wrapped cake pops and a Minnie Mouse cutout on a popsicle stick.

 I wrapped the sides of the Styrofoam with pink ruffled ribbon.

The highlight of these cake pops are Minnie Mouse's ears.  I used candy melts pushed gently into the sides then dipped. 

Large candy heart sprinkles made her bow.

 And confetti sprinkles dotted her "outfit".

This awesome printable set was a freebie courtesy of Printabelle

 

Brave themed Birthday Party

Welcome to this year's Brave themed birthday party for my two April babies.  With the help of my husband and two very best friends . . . . this year's party was Destined for Adventure!

I made this Merida doll cake for my princess.  Even though I ran out of frosting I think it turned out pretty!

 My best friend baked all of the cake, cupcakes (chocolate and vanilla) and mixed up the most delicious homemade frosting.  Check out her facebook page Happy Sweets.

 Also on the table were Scottish Sweet Buns (frosted donut holes), Bear Paw Oreos and Spell Cakes (Pepperidge Farm Fruit and Butter cookies).

In the movie, Princess Merida receives a Spell Cake from the witch to "change her fate".  And it does . . . when her mother and brothers eat the magical Spell Cake it turns them into bears.

And for my little Birthday Bear . . .  Chocolate Bear Cub cake pops!

 

When guests arrived I had them "follow the wisps" that led to the party.



At the party's center was the witch's Crafty Carver Cottage (tent) with posters and inspirations from the movie . . . like "Never conjure where you carve."

 

 

Inside the tent I hung wooden wind chimes to add a musical element to the wood carving tent.

The kids then headed over to the spinner board to find out which clan they would belong to.  They loved this part!

 

 Each clan member received a tartan sash and matching button with their colors and symbols.  It was theirs to keep!

 For the Highland Game of Archery I made special bows spray painted gray and strung with beads and feathers.

The birthday girl got her very own Princess Merida inspired dress, lovingly handmade by her Godmother who can make anything.  What a lucky Goddaughter!

She also had her own gorgeous bow and arrow set!

 

On to the Highland Games . . . the kids were so excited for this part.  They lined up behind their clans' flag and took turns practicing their archery skills.

 

They had so much fun competing!

 

 In the movie Princess Merida's little brothers Hamish, Harris and Hubert turn into bear cubs and they were found getting into mischief all around the party.  (-;

This was a home made piñata I created out of a pizza box.  I just trimmed it into a circle and binded it with hot-glue.   Then I filled it with candy and balloons and hot-glued streamers and a bear paw to the front. 

 

  

After the cake and dessert table goodies were devoured the kids got to take home a treat bag in their clan colors and symbols.

 Each bag contained a bow and arrow set.

 

Even my sweet Penny Lane got in on the action . . . she knew how to follow the wisps out to the party! 

 

 

 

It was a fun filled party for all!  My two best friends flew in to celebrate with their Godchildren and were such a huge help.  I can't thank them enough for all of their support!  xoxo   

Happy Birthday my darling April babies!  I love you more than all the stars in the night sky!

Ladybug Cake Pops

It's finally starting to feel like Spring in these parts. 

The grass is growing again and turning a silky bright green.

 The daffodils and forsythia are blooming a sunny yellow.

 And the ladybugs have returned!  So I made a few happy lady's of my own to share.

 I hope Spring is blossoming near you.  Enjoy her visit because it is all too short!

 

And to help celebrate here is a free Spring printable courtesy of  Tatertots and Jello. 

Here is who I am linking up with this week.  Come party with us!