Lullaby Baby Shower: Feature on Hostess with the Mostess

I can't think of a better way to end 2011 than with my first feature on Hostess with the Mostess. What an incredible year it's been! I feel so grateful for all of the wonderful press and overwhelming support.

Looking ahead, 2012 will kick off with the launch of a new blog design (which I'm so excited to reveal), as well as, pictures from my parents' 45th anniversary party. I'll also share my tutorial for paper globes on Bird's Party, details from Camden's 5th birthday party, and host the 4th Party Tutorial Contest to celebrate my 40th birthday (yikes!) in January. Lots of new posts lined up, so be sure to visit us again soon. Wishing you a joyous New Year!

Lunar New Year Photo Shoot on Bird's Party Magazine

Looking for stylish inspirations for your holiday entertaining? Bird's Party Magazine, Holiday 2011 issue, has got you covered. It's filled with over 130 pages of recipes, DIY tutorials, party inspirations, holiday gift ideas, and so much more.

When Bird asked me if I was interested in doing a photo shoot to showcase her Lunar New Year printable collection, I jumped at the chance. There's definitely a lack of Lunar New Year printables available out there, so I was delighted that she created a collection complete with invitations, thank you cards, cupcake toppers, buffet cards, favor boxes, and patterned paper.

I wanted to create a modern Asian vibe and displayed the desserts on my dark bamboo entertainment center, which made the vibrant colors from the collection really pop! I couldn't have done it without help from Rebecca of Rebecca Wakins Photography, who did an amazing job capturing all of the angles. Brittany of Edible Details sculpted the most incredible 3D dragon figure and other fondant toppers for the moon cakes; and Xiaolu of 6 Bittersweets whipped up some fragrant orange passionfruit curd poppyseed mini tarts and tangerine mousse. You can catch the complete spread on pages 46 through 53 of the magazine.

Party Tutorial Contest #3: Winners Announced

Voting for the Party Tutorial Contest ended Sunday night and boy, was it close! Only one vote separated the first prize winner from the runner ups, and there was a tie for second place. I'm excited to announce that the  Hello Kitty french macarons tutorial by Marina of Yummy Mummy is the winner of the FLIPAWOO $50 gift certificate. Lyzz of Brown Accents is taking home the $25 gift certificate to Nikki, In Stitches for her DIY hot air balloon mobile. And Queenbee Cakery is awarding Crissy from Crissy's Craft with a cupcake kit for her TP roll party favor tutorial. Just for voting and leaving a comment, Deanna of 5-9 Events was randomly selected to receive 3 months of sidebar ad space on PJE. Congratulations, ladies!

So that wraps up Party Tutorial Contest #3. Much thanks to our judges, Bird of Bird's Party, Lindi over at Love the Day, and Ana from Love Party Printables, as well as our oh so fabulous sponsors.

Party Tutorial Contest #3: Voting Begins

Thanks to everyone who participated in our latest Party Tutorial Contest. From what the judges tell me, it was quite difficult picking a favorite from among the 25 entries.

<a href="http://www.purejoyeventsblog.com/2011/09/party-tutorial-contest-3-voting-begins.html"><img alt="Pure Joy Events Party Tutorial Contest" src="http://purejoyevents.webs.com/images/pje-party-tutorial-contest-button.png" border="0"/></a>

Here are the top 3 tutorials as chosen by Bird of Bird's Party, Lindi over at Love the Day, and Ana from Love Party Printables.

Hot Air Balloon by Brown Accents
~ Because it's a very simple yet effective way to decorate any party, and I LOVE the dreamy look!
~ I don't know if it's because I'm totally in love with the hot air balloon trend, but I LOVE those cute mobiles.

Hello Kitty French Macarons by Yummy Mummy

~ Macarons are notoriously difficult to make, but to make them in shape of HK?!! Now that's impressive! I can sense the new bakerella of macarons emerging!
~ The Hello Kitty French Macaroons are so adorable and girly and I have to admit I love them myself and would definitely want to try them.

TP Roll Party Favors by Crissy's Craft
~ LOVED this easy and simple to follow tutorial!

Now it's your turn to vote! Help decide who gets to take home the $50 gift certificate from FLIPAWOO, the $25 gift certificate to Nikki, In Stitches, and a cupcake decorating kit from Queenbee Cakery.

Party Tutorial Contest #3

PJE reached over 1,000 Facebook fans this weekend, so as promised, I'm celebrating with another Party Tutorial Contest. Here's your chance to showcase your DIY party project, plus win some fabulous prizes from FLIPAWOO, Nikki, In Stitches, and Queen Bee Cakery.

<a href="http://www.purejoyeventsblog.com/2011/09/party-tutorial-contest-3.html"><img alt="Pure Joy Events Party Tutorial Contest" src="http://purejoyevents.webs.com/images/pje-party-tutorial-contest-button.png" border="0"/></a>

The 1st place winner will receive a $50 gift certificate to FLIPAWOO, good towards any printable listing in her shop or custom printable designs.

Nikki, In Stitches is awarding the 2nd place winner with a $25 gift certificate to her shop, which specializes in fabric rosette headbands and hair clips.

And Queen Bee Cakery is hooking up the 3rd place winner with a cupcake decorating kit that includes:
* 1 dozen handmade pinwheel cupcake wrappers
* 1 dozen handmade flower cupcake wrappers
* 4 extra large piping tips
* 1 heavy duty 16" piping bag
* 1 cupcake dummy for practicing
* A variety of sprinkles and sugars for decorating!

Our lovely sponsors from the last contest, Lindi over at Love the Day, Bird from Bird's Party and Ana of Love Party Printables, will be on hand to select the top three tutorials. Remember, they'll be looking for original and creative party tutorials that are easy to follow. Then, you'll vote to determine who takes first, second and third!

To enter your DIY party project(s), you must:
1. Be a blog follower or Facebook fan of Pure Joy Events.
2. Mention the contest on your blog, Facebook page, or Twitter.

Party Tutorial Contest #2: Third Place

What a way to celebrate my one year blogging anniversary! I had so much fun hosting this contest and checking out everyone's party tutorials. Much thanks to our fabulous sponsors, Bird of Bird's Party, Ana over at Love Party Printables, and Lindi from Love the Day, who by the way, will be the judges for the next contest (date to be determined).

Speaking of prizes, the $50 gift certificate to Love the Day goes to Nicole from Tradewind Tiaras for her Fabric Party Hats tutorial.

The judges had these wonderful things to say about her tutorial:

~ Delightful photos that show the finished product beautifully. Lovely choice of colors for the tutorial making it easier to see and follow photo-to-photo.  Good "short cut" of using the pre-pleated ribbon. Certainly a multi-step project, from the creation of the hat to the trim to the tulle pom on top, showing how artistic and skilled she is (even pleating her own ribbon!). Nice to provide a template link in the tutorial to help readers. Also fun to see the finished product on a child.

~ How often is there a party with party hats and they end up destroyed but these are beautiful and the fabric would make them sturdy enough to withstand the liveliest of parties.

For me, a beautifully styled party is even more attractive when there are DIY elements. This was definitely the case with Nicole's Butterfly Party. Not only does she share all of the details and sources from the party, Nicole also shows you how to make the fabric party hats, ruffled pinata and homemade candy buttons, step-by-step.

Congratulations again, to all of the winners -- Julie from So This is Julie, Heather of Did Someone Say Party, and Nicole of Tradewind Tiaras. And thanks to everyone who joined the party and linked up!

Party Tutorial Contest #2

A year ago, I had an aha moment. I realized that I had spent most of my thirties focusing on the kids and being a mom. I think Dawn of Not Just A Mommy sums it up perfectly when she says, "it can't be just about the kids". That same week, I signed up for a photography class, hit the gym for the first time in ten years, and started this blog.

My official one year blogging anniversary isn't until June 13th, but I couldn't resist the urge to start the celebration a little early. What a better way to get the party started than with another Party Tutorial Contest.

<a href="http://www.purejoyeventsblog.com/2011/06/party-tutorial-contest-2.html"><img alt="Pure Joy Events button" src="http://purejoyevents.webs.com/images/pje-party-tutorial-contest-button.png" border="0" width="125px"/></a>

Lacey, Paula, and Candace were the sponsors from the first contest, but I wanted to keep the name of the fourth judge under wraps until now...

Kate - Kate Landers Events

It's such an honor to have Kate as our special guest judge. She was the very first person to feature my parties on her blog, and has continued to be a true inspiration to me and so many others.

Lacey - Le Box Boutique

Lacey admits that she has an obsession with kraft boxes/bags, washi tape, and baker's twine. Her shop, Le Box Boutique, provides eco-friendly gift packaging, gift consulting, graphic design, and photography services.

Paula - Frog Prince Paperie

Paula is a brilliant invitations designer and party stylist, and a pro when it comes to DIY projects. As one of my first blog followers, I'm thrilled that she's on board to help me celebrate this milestone.

Candace - Candy and Cake

Serving the Saskatoon area, Candy and Cake offers cakes and confections baked from scratch. Candace's blog is dedicated to creative cakes and party planning. As she puts it, "what is a party without a cake anyway?"

Again, the judges will be looking for party tutorials that are creative and easy to follow.

Since the contest will be opened to everyone this time, our sponspors are offering digital prizes totaling over $200.

1st Place

Bird is giving the lucky winner a $50 gift certificate to her shop, plus 3 months of sidebar ad space -- a total value of $80. Have your 125px x 125px button seen by 50,000 unique visitors each month!

2nd Place

Get this -- the runner-up will receive a custom designed party pack from Love Party Printables worth $80. The pack includes party circles, invitations, tented cards, banner, napkin rings, straw flags, labels, favor tags and water bottle labels.

3rd Place

Shop for custom party printables with a $50 gift certificate from Lindi of Love the Day. Sweet!

To enter your DIY party project(s), you must:
1. Be a blog follower or Facebook fan of Pure Joy Events.
2. Mention the contest on your blog, Facebook page, or Twitter.

Party Tutorial Contest Winners

I was so impressed with all of the entries from our first Party Tutorial Contest. I'm sure it wasn't easy for the guest judges to pick their top three tutorials. The winning tutorial goes to...

Rainbow Slush entered by Wendy over at Ramblings from the Sunshine State. In her own words, "it's really easy and inexpensive, and the kids loved it". We love it too! Enjoy your Rainbow Party Packaging Kit (how fitting) from Le Box Boutique, which includes Japanese washi tape, baker's twine, kraft boxes, glassine bags, and other goodies.

Jaime from That's My Letter takes 2nd place with her DIY Treat Tower tutorial. Inspired by a cupcake stand by Martha, she designed and built a 4-tier round tower, complete with holes to hold cake pops! Jaime wins a $25 gift certificate to Frog Prince Paperie.

The winner of a dozen fondant covered cookies or custom chocolate covered Oreos from Candy and Cake is Paula of JC's Loft. She shows you how to make Faux Lamps out of dollar store candlesticks, floral foam and scrapbook paper for just $4 each.

Honorable mentions go to Twin Dragonfly Designs' Mad Hatter Party Toad Stool tutorial, and the Goldfish Soap tutorial by Cupcakes and Lemonade. Heather and Laura will receive 3 months of free ad space on Pure Joy Events.

Congratulations to these incredibly crafty and creative ladies! Thanks everyone for sharing your party tutorials. If you haven't had a chance to check out all of the entries, go here. Of course, a special shout out to the fabulous judges, Bird of Bird's Party, Jillian from Catch My Party, Becca over at Birthday Girl, and Paula of Frog Prince Paperie.

Party Tutorial Contest

Yippee! Pure Joy Events recently reached 200 blog followers and is approaching 200 fans on Facebook! To celebrate and show my appreciation to all of you, I'm holding the first ever Party Tutorial Contest on PJE. Just link up a tutorial for a DIY project that you made for a party (like no-sew bunting, fabric cupcake toppers, or custom cake stands) for your chance to win one of these fabulous prizes.

The 1st place winner will receive a Rainbow Party Packaging Kit valued at $30, which includes Japanese washi tape, baker's twine, kraft boxes, glassine bags, and other goodies from Le Box Boutique. Paula of Frog Prince Paperie is generously offering the 2nd place winner a $25 gift certificate to her shop. And for 3rd place, a dozen fondant covered cookies or custom chocolate covered Oreos from Candy and Cake.

I'm ecstatic to announce that the guest judges will be Bird of Bird's Party, Jillian from Catch My Party, and Becca over at Birthday Girl. They'll be looking for creative projects with easy-to-follow tutorials.

The contest rules are simple:
1. You must be a Pure Joy Events blog follower or Facebook fan to enter.
2. The tutorial must be a DIY project that you made for a party.
3. Mention the contest on your blog, Facebook, or Twitter.

That's it! The contest is opened to U.S. and Canadian residents only, and ends March 31st at 11:59pm ET. Please spread the word and grab our contest button.

<a href="http://www.purejoyeventsblog.com/2011/03/party-tutorial-contest.html"><img alt="Pure Joy Events Party Tutorial Contest" src="http://purejoyevents.webs.com/images/pure-joy-events-button.png" border="0"/></a>

Pure Joy Events Giveaway on Bird's Party

We're sponsoring our very first giveaway over at Bird's Party. The lucky winner gets a SIGNED copy of Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Crafts!

Exciting Announcements

Happy Valentine's Day! We have some really exciting things in store for the next couple of weeks! First off, we're sponsoring two inspirational party blogs, Birthday Girl and Bird's Party. Be sure to visit and show them some love.

Then stop back here on Wednesday for a phenomenal giveaway from Did Someone Say Party?. You won't want to miss it. Their handmade party packs are the answer for busy households looking for both convenience and style.

In early March, I'll be officially launching my new Etsy store with another incredible giveaway. Now you'll be able to shop for some of the handcrafted projects that you've seen here on my blog, like the paper goods from the Transformers party, and the oh-so-popular pink owl costume. Please stay tuned.