Flowers for Noelle's Graduation Party

I almost always buy my flowers at Trader Joe's.

Noelle and I both like a mixed wildflower look in our tin can vases.

Noelle was an Environmental Studies major - so for her party we made vases out of tin cans.

The hot pink Gerber Daisy's look fantastic in the tin can vases.

We simply covered a variety of tin cans with green scrapbook paper, ribbon scraps and little paper flowers. Recycle, Repurpose and Reuse.

We are so proud of our girl!

We feel blessed that we could host a graduation party for our daughter. We so are sad that Katie Cooper didn't get to graduate . Rest in Peace Katie - we think of you everyday. The Steele family will always miss your beautiful smile and bubbly personality.

Little Graduation Hats

A few days ago I made some Graduation Caps for Noelle's Graduation Party. Her party has a floral theme. So we used flower stickers. But you could simply use small round stickers in school colors or a sports sticker.

For this project you will need:

Black construction/scrapbook paper

Sticker 

black embroidery thread

scissors

tape

Rolo'e, mini Reese's Peanut Butter Cups

These were so simple to make. Simply cut the black paper into one inch square pieces. Also cut the black thread into two inch long pieces.

Flod the thread inhale and using a small piece of tape adhere it to the middle of the black square. Place the sticker onto of the thread and where the hat to the candy with another piece of tape. So cute and easy!

Colorful Graduation Announcements

Yesterday, I received my daughter's graduation announcements! We decided against the cream colored announcements that you buy through the college and decided to get  some colorful announcements from Tiny Prints.

I am going to use the floral color theme throughout her graduation party. I hope I remember to take pictures!

Our beautiful daughter is graduating on June 14. Now, June 14 is also Flag Day (God Bless America) and my Dad's birthday (I love you Dad)!

My Dad graduated from both prep school (St. Augustine) and college (University of San Diego) on his birthday. And now his first grandchild is graduating from college on his birthday. It is truly a special day - we have come fill circle. After the graduation ceremony we are invited to a special reception because she is receiving three awards.

We are so very proud!

Graduation Oreo's

I made some chocolate covered Graduation Oreos for Christian's class party today.  I bought the Graduation decorations, red and yellow chocolate at Michael's.

So I dipped some Oreos in yellow chocolate and added the Graduation Cap.

I dipped the remaining Oreos in red chocolate and added the Diplomas.

Then I put the Oreos on a big platter to bring to the party tomorrow.

After all of the parties and festivities for both of my graduates - high school and fifth grade - I will need a vacation. And by vacation - I mean a relaxing vacation.

Graduation Caps

I made graduation caps for Christian's class.  I wish I could take credit for this super fun idea. But I got the idea from the Bakerella website.

You will need:

miniature Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
Ghirardelli Chocolate Squares
miniature m&m's
Airhead Extremes
chocolate to melt
lollipop sticks
parchment paper
toothpicks
styrofoam blocks

Put the miniature Reese's Peanut Butter Cups in the freezer for about five minutes. In doing so the wrappers can be removed much easier.

Now completely unwrap the peanut butter cups and lay them out on a large piece of parchment paper. Then melt some chocolate and put a little chocolate on the lollipop stick and gently twist the lollipop stick into the peanut butter cup.

Now unwrap all of the chocolate squares and place them on a separate piece of parchment paper.

Using a toothpick to apply the melted chocolate adhere a mini m&m to the middle of the chocolate square.

I used all different colors of m&m's - but you could just use your school or party theme colors.

We decided to be colorful for elementary school.

While the chocolate m&m's are drying - get out your Airhead Extremes and cut them into thin 2" strips.

Using the melted chocolate again take a toothpick - and adhere the thin Airhead strip with the melted chocolate right next to the m&m.

The final step is to add some melted chocolate to the top of the peanut butter cup and lightly press the chocolate square on top. Then set the lollipop stick into a styrofoam square to dry.

While the graduation caps are drying - put everything away and clean up. Then get out your cellophane bags, ribbon and a basket to gently place the treats. Make sure that everything is completely dry before you start packaging them.

This is a fun treat to bring to a graduation party.

Here is a photo of the basket that I brought to Christian's class today. I think the kids really liked them.

Graduation - In White

Our daughter Noelle is graduating from high school next week. Out of 780 students only 73 students will graduate wearing white robes - that means that they have over a 4.0 grade point average. My daughter is graduating in white and we are so very proud. She will also have a Valedictorian  medal and a golden tassel. The golden tassel is for a GPA of 3.5 or higher.

So we are having a "white" themed graduation  party. Yesterday I ordered white cupcakes from Cinderella Cakes with white chocolate curls and silver glitter.

Today I spent most of the day making white themed treats for the party.

I dipped marshmallows into white chocolate and sprinkled them with edible pearls from Williams Sonoma.

I was also making chocolate covered Oero's and Mother's Gaucho cookies.

I put the marshmallow pops in a white bucket. I also made  white m&m bags and yogurt covered raisin bags.

Okay - I packaged the Oreo's and Gauchos in cellophane. I tied everything with white ribbon. I found the white buckets in the dollar section at Target.

I also made little graduation caps out of white Reese's Peanut Butter cups and white chocolate squares.

Close up of the Oreo's. I put them in the cutest white liners.

Close up of Mother's Gauchos. The peanut butter cookie and white chocolate sounds like a weird combination. BUT is is so GOOD!

Fortunately we are having her party at a lovely Italian restaurant near our home on Saturday evening.  I am so tired right now - I am having a party tomorrow afternoon  for Christian (more on that later) and a dinner for my Dad in the evening. I have a tennis match in the morning. And I still need to pick up a few things at the store for both parties.

This white graduation would also work for a Baptism, First Communion or Confirmation.

I still have to order some white flowers. Yikes!