{Queen Bee} Christmas Family Fun time

I look forward to many things during Christmas time, of course I love the decorations and baking, but most of all I love having my family together and enjoying each others company. Our family traditions are so simple but are so very special. Every year we get to laugh, eat, and play games together before Santa comes and really appreciate how blessed we are to have a loving family.

So this year, I am giving my readers a few Christmas party games so that you may also take part in family fun time and enjoy your families to fullest this Christmas and always.

To download the following games click here; Name That Christmas Carol, Christmas Songs Trivia Game, Christmas Carols Challenge.

Merry Christmas from my family to yours!

{Sugar Bee} Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree

When I first started making my Christmas goodies I had no idea that Christmas trees would be a common theme....but it turns out, this year I am big on Christmas trees, you can say I am "rockin' the Christmas trees"! It is probably because my 2 year old is a big fan of them and he oohs and ahhhs every time he sees one all lit up. I especially love when he looks at one, points, and says "bee" (that means tree). It is just the cutest thing and I love his enthusiasm for all things Christmas.

What do you and your kids love about Christmas?

{Sugar Bee} Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

The decorations are up, the presents are wrapped, and this years cookies are baked and ready to go! This year I decided to create a simple and modern take on the Christmas tree...and though it isn't traditional, I think they came out fun and always delicious (my son definitely enjoyed his). Now it is time to relax and sit around the Christmas tree and enjoy some Christmas tree cookies...but who I am kidding, there is no relaxing until the 25th, however at least I have some goodies to get me through!

{Sugar Bee} Sunflower Cupcakes

Thanksgiving is here and today is the day of the year that we should give thanks and be thankful for all that we have. I must say that I am so grateful for my family and friends, but most importantly I am truly thankful for my wonderful husband and two beautiful children. They put a smile on my face everyday and they are the reason why I do what I do....I love to create for them!

This year for Thanksgiving dessert I decided to try making sunflower cupcakes. Not only are sunflowers such a cute flower, but they are so indicative of autumn. But what is even better, they are also pretty simple to make so it is great for mom's on the go!

All you need to create these is any leaf tip, a Wilton #352 tip, couplers, piping bags, food coloring, and buttercream frosting. First, using your green tinted buttercream frosing, pipe your leaves on the cupcake, I piped 3 on each cupcake (you don't have to create perfection here, make them all different like you would see in nature, plus a lot of the leaf will be covered with petals). Next using the Wilton #352 tip and yellow tinted buttercream, pipe a layer of petals. Then pipe another layer of petals on top (try and stagger the petals). Next, fill the center of the cupcake with a brown colored or chocolate frosting. Finally place chocolate candies or sprinkles in the center (I used chocolate Sixlets).

There you have it, simple and cute sunflower cupcakes that will have your children and guests so thankful for you!  

Happy Thanksgiving!

{Sugar Bee} Thanksgiving Cookie Platter

Is it just me or does the time between Halloween and Thanksgiving fly by?!?! I could have sworn we were JUST celebrating Halloween. It seems as soon as I was recuperating from all the crazy fun of October, Thanksgiving sneaked up on me. 

So here we are just days away from Thanksgiving and I of course had some baking to do. I figured a platter of sunflowers, acorns, and pumpkins would be nice and very indicative of the fall season. I know my son is very excited to get his little hands on these!

I am sure just like many of you, there is still so much left to do for Turkey day! Perhaps some cupcakes are on the list? What do you like to make for Thanksgiving?

Happy Baking!

{Sugar Bee} It's a Monster Mash!

This year my son started going to school and every morning when I take him he has a big smile and runs to his classroom. He just LOVES seeing his teacher and interacting with all of his friends! As a crafty mom I enjoy making little things for the holidays that Jake will enjoy...and now his friends and teachers can enjoy too. Therefore, I thought that all the kids would love to eat Halloween cookies today! So I created a Monster Mash of Jack O' Lanterns, ghosts, and my favorite cookie to make, Frankenstein. I think the kids are going to love them!

Have a Happy Halloween!!!!!

{Party Bee} More Halloween Printables

This year for Halloween my husband and I thought it would be fun to send out cards to our family and friends wishing them a "Happy Halloween" from our little monsters! I am now offering this printable card along with treat labels and nugget wrappers to my readers for only $5. What a perfect opportunity to show off fun pajamas like the skeleton ones my kids are wearing or Halloween costumes all while wishing your loved ones Happy Halloween!

These fun treat labels would be great for sending goodies to your child's class or even taking to work and giving them to friends. Kids and adults will love eating "bat teeth" for Halloween!

And for those who love chocolate, create these little packages of Hershey Nuggets covered in coordinating wrappers. They are so easy, all you need are Hershey Nuggets, Pretzel Bags by Wilton, and my printable nugget wrappers. Just cut out the printables, wrap them around the nuggets, adhere them to a strip of cardstock, and place them in a pretzel bag. As you can see here, I tied them with ribbon and used one of my circle tags from my Halloween Printable Collection.

These labels and card coordinate with The Sugar Bee Bungalow's Halloween Printable Collection.

{Sugar Bee} Eerie Pumpkin Patch Cupcakes

Looking to make quick and easy Halloween cupcakes? Try these eerie pumpkin patch cupcakes that I made for my son's school's fall festival. They are just so easy but look so cute, both kids and adults will think they are spooky fun!

All you have to do is bake your cupcakes using your favorite recipe or box mix. Next using your grass piping tip (Wilton tip 233), cover the entire cupcake with "grass". Then add a couple of Brach's Mellowcreme Pumpkins (I like to place one pumpkin upright and the other on its side). After your pumpkins have been placed, using a small round piping tip (Wilton tip 2) add the vines to the pumpkins. Lastly, garnish your cupcake with a plastic spider ring that you can find at just about any store during October (I found mine at Michaels). Not only will the cupcakes be a tasty treat, but there is also a fun toy to enjoy!

Have a wicked fun time baking and cupcake decorating!

{Busy Bee} Martha Stewart's Bewitching Treat Ideas

Martha Stewart never seems to let me down with all of her Halloween party and treat ideas, and this year is no exception. On her website you can find the most bewitching tricks and treats that will surely leave your friends and family feeling wicked and wanting more! I can't wait to try these recipes!

{Sugar Bee} Treats Too Cute To Spook!

This year for Halloween, I wanted to create some treats that are little more spooky... so I made chocolate covered Oreos in the shapes of coffins and brains. But instead of going for a traditional pink brain, I used a fun green color to make it more appetizing.... not sure if my strategy actually worked because it still too closely resembles a brain, but I guess that's the point, right? Trick or Treat!

Although the subject matter is on the spookier side of Halloween, I still think they are too cute and kids will gladly gobble these brains up!

{Sugar Bee} Batty Over Chocolate Covered Oreos

My son is totally batty over Halloween and loves everything about the holiday, especially the fun decorations all over our house. He loves to look at the pumpkins, ghosts, black cats, and of course the bats! So I thought it was only appropriate to create chocolate covered Oreos with bats on them. Not only do I love the way the bats look, but the colors are very indicative of Halloween. Even more, these would go over very well for those kids who are obsessed with Batman. These surely won't last long in my house!

{Sugar Bee} M&M Candy Corn

The countdown to Halloween has begun! I am sure it is no surprise that my family LOVES Halloween. It could be due to the weather cooling down, the fun colors and decorations of the season, or all of the yummy treats...or perhaps it is a combination of everything. Regardless of the reason, my family goes all out for Halloween and this year is no exception, especially with the addition of our little girl. We want her to have a fantastic 1st Halloween (though she won't remember anything, she will have pictures to see in the future)!

So during one of my trips to the store, I came across a bag of M&M's that were created in the colors of candy corn. What a great idea! Of course the first thing that popped in my head was to make a large candy corn using the orange, yellow and white M&M's, inspired by the Easter jelly bean carrots. Such a simple project with a fun and festive result....kids would love to assist with this craft and it can also be educational, especially for children learning their colors or how to count.

All you need to create these are clear disposable pastry bags (I found mine at Williams Sonoma), M&M's, ribbon, twist ties, and tape. Fill the bags first with the white M&M's, then the orange, and lastly the yellow and use a twist tie to close. Because the M&M's are too large to fill the very point of the bag, you will need to tape the empty "point" to the back of the pastry bag. Finally, tie the top with ribbon and viola....looks like a large candy corn! 

How Bootiful!

{Party Bee} Introducing the Tweet Collection

The Sugar Bee Bungalow would like to introduce the Tweet Collection! This tweet design created in an aqua and red color palette, featuring cute little birdies and mushrooms, will surely make a fun and whimsical birthday celebration for any child!

The entire collection is $30.00 and comes with the following:

- Invitation (2 designs available) (envelope not included)
- 6 circle tags designs. these are great for cupcake toppers, cookie tags, decorations. The uses are endless!
- Cake toppers in two designs
- 2 treat bag label designs
- 2 water bottle label designs
- 2 straw flag designs
- 2 candy bar wrapper designs (designed to fit standard size Hershey bars)
- "Tweet name of child is 1" banner
- "Happy 1st Birthday" banner
- Menu tent cards
- Mini decorative pennant banner
- Large circle designs with birdies and mushrooms
- Coordinating patterned paper

Just send me the name of the birthday boy/girl, age, party information (i.e. date, time, place, contact, etc.)

Receive the files electronically and print out as many as you need! Then cut and assemble!

{Sugar Bee} Cute Cupcake Cookies...Just Because

Have you ever just woke up one day and thought....I want to make some cookies. Well I had that exact thought the other day, so I decided that I would use one of my cookie cutters that I have had for such a long time but have never used....my cupcake cookie cutter! I completely adore cupcakes, not only are they just so tasty but they are an absolutely adorable treat. After a couple days of cookie making, I ended up with these little cuties....phew, I am tired. Good thing I had some cookies to give me a sugar boost!

The best part of making a bunch of cookies is getting to surprise some of my favorite people with a little treat, just because!

{Sugar Bee} Think Pink!

I know it isn't October just yet and Breast Cancer Awareness month hasn't begun, but I thought I would get about a month head start so that I can support those remarkable and strong women who I know that have fought or are currently fighting breast cancer. These are for you ladies...you are truly amazing! 

{Sugar Bee} Here Comes the Bride....and Groom!

After creating cute little wedding cake chocolate covered Oreos for my cousin's wedding celebration, I thought, wouldn't it be fun to have little brides and grooms to accompany "the cakes"? So I of course ran to the kitchen and started transforming standard white chocolate covered Oreos into a bride's dress and a groom's tuxedo. The brides turned out exactly how I had pictured, and though the groom's tuxedos had a few areas of discoloration, they also looked quite adorable.

Now, let's "get these to the church on time"!

{Sugar Bee} I Can Hear the Bells....

Wedding bells, that is! Over the weekend I created Wedding Cake Chocolate Covered Oreos for my cousin's upcoming wedding celebration. The family are big fans of chocolate covered Oreos and I thought what a perfect time to create little wedding cake shaped goodies. The best part is that the guests will have a nice surprise when they bite into not just one Oreo, but two! The bottom layer of the "cake" has a standard size Oreo and the top layer is created using a mini Oreo. I hope everyone brings their sweet tooth!

But perhaps these "cakes" are best shared with a loved one....

{Party Bee} Anchors Away Collection now in Pink!

The Sugar Bee Bungalow is excited to present the Anchors Away Collection in PINK! Now little girls have their own nautical collection with which to celebrate their birthday! The collection comes with all of the components of the original Anchors Away Collection, but is created in a pink and navy blue palette for a touch of pretty and preppy. So move over boys, the birthday girls are ready to set sail!

{Party Bee} Client Feature: Harry's Splish Splash Bash

 

My nephew, Harry, just turned ONE and to celebrate his special day, his mom and dad put together an amazing party! My sister-in-law, Kelly, did an incredible job styling the party with The Sugar Bee Bungalow's Splish Splash Bash Collection! She had so many cute, coordinating treats and the decorations were so bright and festive, I especially love the thoughtful details put into everything she created.

 

The birthday boy's smash cake was made special by two of his cousins...how sweet is that!!!

 

A friend of Kelly made the adorable cupcakes by icing them to look like beach balls. Not only did they look cute, they were also delicious!

 

 What is a pool party without Swedish Fish, Lemonheads, and Goldfish and Animal Crackers for the kids!?!?

 

I made coordinating sugar cookies in the shapes of beach balls and number ones. 

 

I love the way the blueberry gumballs look! 

 

I made a special hat for the birthday boy that looked really cute on him!

 

Kelly put together an awesome bucket full of party favors for the kids to take home. The kids absolutely loved them!

 

A container filled with Otter Pops were placed on the dessert table along with coordinating paper bags for the guests to fill up and take home to enjoy.

 

A decorative pennant banner adorned the shelf above the dessert table which looked so festive and fun! I especially loved how Kelly put together a banner that featured the birthday boy's pictures from birth to a year...amazing how kids grow and change so much in one year! 

 

Large coordinating circles designed with beach balls and the words "Pool Party" decorated the doors that led to the pool....a perfect location and they really look great!

  

The birthday boy looked so happy to get his smash cake! 

 

 

He LOVED his cake! Watching him dig in was a big party highlight....super cute! 

 

He even shared with his mom, dad, and cousins!

 

A beautiful family photo! 

Happy 1st Birthday, Harry!

Thank you so much, Kelly, for sharing these lovely photos!

Photographs taken by Round Lens Photography.

{Party Bee} Introducing the Jake Street Collection

The Jake Street Party Collection is now for sale at The Sugar Bee Bungalow! This party collection is perfect for all toddlers who are in love with Sesame Street. With a bright and fun color palette and very recognizable characters, what child can resist having a celebration with the monsters from "the Street".

This entire collection is $40.00 and comes with the following:

- Invitation (envelope not included) (photo invitation is optional)
- 5 circle design tags. These are great for cupcake toppers, cookie tags, decorations. With a little creativity, their uses are endless!
- "Happy 2nd Birthday name of child" pennant banners in two patterns
- Treat bag labels
- Water bottle labels
- Straw flags
- Menu tent cards
- Mini candy bar wrappers (designed to fit Ghirardelli squares)
- Large "Jake" Street sign (name customized for birthday boy/girl)
- Medium "Jake" Street signs (name customized for birthday boy/girl)
- Large circle designs featuring "monsters"
- Coordinating patterned paper

And as a bonus to the Jake Street Party Printable Collection....you get 2 party games for the kids to enjoy for FREE!

Just email me the name of the birthday boy/girl, age, and the party details (i.e. date, time, place, contact, etc.).

Receive the files electronically and print out as many as you need! Then cut and assemble!

{Party Bee} Jake Street!

This year my husband and I had a lot of fun throwing Jake's 2nd birthday party! We thought that with Jake being so interested in Sesame Street, we had to go all out with this theme and bring "Jake Street" to our house. We primarily used a color palette of blue and green, simply because I just happen to love that color combination. But we wanted to add dashes of reds, yellows, and oranges by including the show's characters and yummy treats since Sesame Street is so colorful and we wanted the brightness, whimsy and fun to really show through.

If you saw Jake's party pics from last year, you will notice that he wasn't so fond of cake time. So this year I figured that if his favorite characters were on top of the cake, he may enjoy his cake time a little more. We ordered his cake from Mind Over Batter and they did not disappoint my little man...he loved the characters and recognized them instantly! He actually thought they were toys! Though you will see that cake time still isn't his favorite part of his party.

Jake's Godmother made his cupcakes and the kids devoured them! There were a lot of blue faces at his party!

Of course I had to include sugar cookies to coordinate with the theme, so I made Elmo and Cookie Monster cookies as well as the number "2" for the birthday boy!

 Treat bags and water bottles were placed on the table so that when guests get home with their goodies they can eat everything then wash it all down!

No party would be complete without lollipops, chocolate covered Oreos, and cake pops (made by Mind Over Batter)!

 I created these simple yet so fun party bags for the kids party favors and treats. I think they really add to the tables overall theme!

 Not only does Elmo love his Goldfish and Crayons...so does Jake!

 

Jars filled with candies and cookies...Jake especially loved the "Slimey Worms"!

 My husband worked so hard on these plywood character cut-outs and the Jake Street sign. I think he did a fantastic job! Jake's face lit up every time he saw them!

 These cut-outs were not only great decoration but were a lot of fun to take pictures next to!

 Here we are in Hooper's Store!

 Jake had so much fun playing the Sesame Street cake walk game!

 Jake and daddy getting ready for cake time....you will see that he didn't enjoy cake time again, but not because he didn't like the cake, but because mommy and daddy wouldn't let him touch his lit candle!

My little 2 year old...oh how time flies! Happy Birthday, my little mister!