It’s a Book Party!

 Welcome!

Have you ever thought about starting a book club? A gathering of soon-to-be friends discussing a book all have read?

Fall is a perfect time to start!

The kids are back in school; weather is getting a little cooler, and outside activities are starting to dwindle.

To get started, choose a book. It can be something from the New York Times top 10 list, it can be a classic, or it can be genre motivated.

Your local librarian is a great resource.

Once you have a book chosen, and where you want to meet (again, many libraries have meeting rooms free with a reservation) it’s time to send out invitations. Putting up notices at your library or local bookstore can work, if you don’t mind unknown people coming. Be safe. Be careful. But this is also how friendships can develop.

Let’s make some creative invitations!

The idea of using a library card for an invite is so clever! Here is just one example I found of many on Pinterest.

Etsy

This next one you can order from the company.

Canva Templates

There are many different styles of pre-printed invites, or ones you can order from stationery companies.

Paperless Post

You’ve got your flyers or invitations prepared, what’s next? You might want to put a small notice in your local city newspaper. Of course there is also all the social media sites.

If you know who is coming it can take you less than 1 hour to make a batch of bookmarks, and personalize them. There are so many bookmark ideas out there I need another blog to cover them! But here are some ideas:

(Seen above) Magazine name bookmarks: card stock or old Manila folders, book pages and magazine letters cut out. Add string for a tassel.

Don’t know who is coming? Have the base bookmark pre-made. Then cut out an assortment of largish letters from magazines, and have sorted by letter. Provide glue sticks or double stick tape. The attendees can then make their own bookmarks quickly and easily.

Playing card bookmarks: punch a hole at the top. Finish with a grommet if desired. Add tassel (you can make these out of embroidery floss if you want).

Book spine bookmarks: from old beat up hardback books, cut off the spines. You can Mod Podge them if the inside is a bit musty. Punch hole, use a grommet if desired, add ribbon tassel.

Dictionary page Bookmarks: cut old dictionary pages into bookmark shape. Back with cardstock or old Manila folders. Braid a few strands of embroidery floss for the tassel. Write with permanent black ink names of attendees. 
(I haven’t given credit to anyone as these ideas are all over Pinterest.)

Again, don’t know who is coming? Recruit a friend with nice handwriting. She can add the name as people come in.

Found on Etsy
Want to do a little decorating to make the first meeting a bit special? The following ideas are quick, easy, and won’t be messy to put up or take down.

Banners and Garlands

Book pages lend themselves to pennant style banners so easily. The one above has cut out letters on the pages. The one below is cut from a children’s book with illustrations randomly scattered throughout.

Pinwheel Garland

Remember the paper fans we used to fold in school to cool us off? That’s what these are, x2. Glue the edges together to make a circle ‘fan’ with a thin ribbon sandwiched in between.

Circle Garland
A circle paper punch (here they used a scallop circle one), book pages and string are all you need for this garland. You can glue the circles onto the string, or you can even sew them together.

Hearts Garland

This one is more time consuming, but certainly looks great. Cut strips of book pages as follows: for each heart you will need 1”x9”, 1”x7”, 1”x5” and 1”x3”. Look at the photo and fold the smallest strip in half, and bend the top. Add the next largest, then the next largest, etc. Staple the ends together to form the heart. My directions don’t have the strip in the center to use for the hanging ribbon. I just tied ribbon around each heart at an angle.  Make your strips longer for bigger hearts.

Tabletop Decor

These are just fun little extras to make that first meeting special. You can set these on a coffee table, entry table or kitchen/dining room table. The idea is quick, easy, and thematic.

The Antiqued Journey 

Simply take a handful of hardback

books and tie ribbon or lace around them. Tuck in a sprig of baby’s breath or small silk flowers. Charming!

Even better, if your book’s author has written more than one book, use her other books for this display.

Kelli Kania (Gamache)

Here is a similar idea, with a teacup setting placed on top of the stack of books. I like it that the tied books are only two, then stacked on top of each other at an angle. You can use a fresh flower in the teacup, silk florals or even something like Jordan almonds.

I love this next idea, even though it is more time consuming and you really have to have a large table to show it off. But how cool is this?

Book Page Table runner

No credit, as there were many variations on Pinterest.

Have a stack of book pages. The runners I have seen have all used the same size pages. Start laying them out with edges slightly overlapping. Refer to photo. Stand back and look at what you’ve done. Like it? Then start gluing. Just a few dabs will do. I don’t like glue sticks as I think they come apart too readily, but some folks do like them. I use a DAB of Aleene’s Tacky Glue in the gold bottle, or Art Institute Glitter Adhesive Glue. Continue laying pages down and gluing until the length you want is reached. 

Book Page Doilies

This idea is similar to the table runner, only you lay the pages to form a circle, like a doily. These can be as big or small as you want. This is great for little side tables in a home, or used as doilies for food platters.

Paper Punched table runner

Brit Morin
Love the table runner idea, but not the boho look? Lay out your pages with a slight overlap at the center. Using a border punch to punch a decorative border on both sides. You can run a thin line of glue to attach them at the center, or strips of double sided tape.

This works best for a shorter table runner.

Lively, posted on Pinterest

Love this one made with vintage children’s book pages.

Every gathering needs a little food, don’t you think? It can be simple or fancy, whatever you feel like. Just remember the first meeting may set a precedent for future meetings so simple might be best for the initial get together.

I love these ‘green eggs with ham’!

If you have any glucose-free or specialty diet foods, these scrabble letter signs are so clever.

Cupcakes are super easy, and easy to dress up too. Here you just punch out shapes, sandwich a toothpick between 2 shapes and glue together.

Short on time? These book page toothpicks look just as charming in store-bought cupcakes. Have a recognizable theme? Use punches that compliment it. For instance a Harry Potter theme could have owl-shaped punched toppers, or Little Women could have hat shaped pokes. Yes, they do make punches in those shapes! Or use plastic swords (used for cocktails) for an Aladdin theme!

Book Page Cones are quick and easy for popcorn, circus peanuts, candied pecans, etc. These have been made with pages from a children’s book, as the book read is a children’s book.

Next is a book cake used for a baby shower. Replace the crib with a book shelf, a mini book or something themed from the book club choice and you have a super cake idea!

Your Book Party/Book Club should be fun and interesting and stimulating. I am giving suggestions to ‘dress up’ the event, but the bottom line is people gathering together for an intelligent discussion about a mutually read book.

Don’t want to have a focus on food, but would like to send everyone home with a little ‘bookish’ reminder of the evening?

Next I have a few ideas to share with you that I have found just for that!

The little Smartie bag toppers are a bit juvenile, but are sure to bring a smile to all attendees! And so will these -

Bag toppers are so easy to print yourself, or stamp or even hand write; then staple to a Baggie of goodies.

Book Bub 

Lifesaver mini bags with quotes

This next idea I would tweak just a little.

Purchase little bags that fit one Lifesaver mint (I have bought the bags at both Amazon and at Michael’s stores). Use book pages for a bag topper, only make them large enough for a quote. (See photo). The only thing I would change are the quotes. With a lifesaver I want quotes that have to do with treasure, islands, boats, water, etc. and reading! I like Dave Barry’s quote-

“Reading is a vacation for the mind “

I also like-

“There is more treasure in books than all the pirate’s loot on Treasure Island”.

Lastly I found these cute mini ‘book’ chocolates. Wrap individual chocolates with book pages. Just a strip around is enough. Print out covers of a variety of books. Glue on top.

Since you have already scanned book covers, why not make a few cupcake toppers? These are done with Little Golden Book covers.

To make your Book Club time interesting, here are some good start-up questions to ask:

Here is a fun way to break the ice:

Are you thinking about going to a Book Club yet? It’s a great way to get to know your neighbors, or people at church, too.

Still not sure? Check this chart out!

I hope this blog has made you think about starting or joining a book club.

Do drop me a note and let me know what book y’all are reading!

‘Til next time,

inkspired

Note: you may wonder why I do not give credit below each photo I use. It is 1 of 2 reasons.

1. The idea is on Pinterest in so many similar ways it is impossible to tell who had the original idea.

2. There are no credits or anything attached to the photo.

As always, if you see a photo and you know whose it is, please let me know so I can give credit where it is due.

😊

Some websites I checked out for this blog, in no particular order:

mealplanningmommies.com

Plumdeluxe.com

Catchmyparty.com

Pinterest

Teaandinksociety.com

Houseofmahalo.com

DiynCrafts.com

Inspiringsavings.com

Etsy

Acultivatednest.com

Thetablereadmagazine.co.uk

A Batch of Cupcakes

 Welcome!

Let’s have some fun with cupcakes!

From simple to more effort, cupcakes are versatile and perfect for any skill level.

With the variety of box cake mix flavors you don’t even need specialty flavorings or ingredients to make a special batch of cupcakes to fit any occasion.

Here’s a clever tip to make your cupcakes taste extra special:

Ediblecraftgossip.com

Here’s a great visual on how much batter to put in each cupcake liner:

Don’t be afraid to add 1 teaspoon of your favorite extract flavor to the batter, either. If you have a Watkins rep available they have the best variety of quality extracts.

Watkins flavor extracts

For frosting, there’s nothing wrong with a can of prepared frosting. But, there are some things you can do to that canned frosting to make it special. Here is a great tip to make it go further:

I found this tip in several places, so I really don’t know who to give credit to.

You can now find icing ‘tips’ in craft stores such as Michael’s and Hobby Lobby. No need to be scared of them! A super easy way to use one is cut a small corner off the edge of a plastic bag, such as Baggies. Place the tip inside the bag so the tip just extends out of the snipped hole. Fill 1/2 full with frosting. Twist shut, and gently squeeze. The frosting should come out of the decorative tip!

Popolate 

This is also a great way to have several colors of frosting available at once. Use a different bag for each color with its’ own specialty tip.

This chart shows some of the popular tips and what they look like when used:

Courtesy Wilton Co.

This is a simple cupcake pull-apart cake. It uses just a few tips to create this cute cupcake flower centerpiece.

Angela Lavallie Tinsley, Pinterest

Here are a couple recipes to make your own frosting from scratch. Just remember if you are going to pipe the frosting on with a tip you want your icing to be stiff enough to hold its’ shape. Add a little powdered sugar at a time for the correct consistency. Stir well!

Pinterest

Pinterest

Don’t want to mess with tips? There are plenty of fun ways to decorate your cupcakes without them!

I saw this idea several times, so not sure who to give credit to. Pinterest.

Start with a plain frosted cupcake. Push colored M&Ms into the frosting to form a flower. Simple!

For these butterfly cupcakes you just need basic frosting, frosted pretzel twists and some M&Ms type candy. You can use licorice stick twists for the antennas.

ThriftyJinny.com

Here is someone else’s interpretation:

I love this next idea -

Use a basic frosting recipe and frost your cupcakes. Then purchase paint palettes at the discount store. Be creative with ‘add-ins’ and let the fun begin as guests decorate their own cupcakes.

Pinterest 

Pull-apart cakes are so easy to make. Draw out your pattern first if that works best for you. It will look something like this:

You can find scads of patterns already on Pinterest or the internet also.

After assembly it will look something like this:

Found on Pinterest

Found on Pinterest

Easy! Cute! Yummy!

A dog-themed party just needs Oreo type cookies, a little shredded coconut and chocolate covered raisins -

Use ice cream cones and mini marshmallows to make these gnomes for a Princess party, or fantasy, or woodland…

Anyone ready to throw 

“It’s a Zoo Here!” party?

PersnicketyPlates

Pinterest 

…and a pull-apart cupcake creation:

Pinterest
Use mini marshmallows for the tusks, and pre-bought candy eyes. Licorice twists become eyebrows and an Oreo cookie finishes his trunk.

Sugarland Treats

Perhaps you would like to make your cupcakes from scratch. Experiment until you find a good, basic recipe. Then you can start tweaking it with special ingredients and flavorings.

Here are a few recipes:

(Let me know if this is too difficult to read and I can re-type it. I have a large screen I-Pad so things show up very well for me, but I know many peeps use their phone screen.)

…and some add-ins:

A plate of cupcakes like these are sure to cheer anyone you give them to-

Remember the plastic bag trick where you snip a small corner off? You can do the same for ‘drizzle’ frosting. Make sure your corner is cut very small. Fill Baggie with a small amount of frosting and ‘drizzle’ away. This is an easy way to dress up your frosted cupcakes in no time at all.

Taste of Home

Here are some great tips to help your cupcakes turn out perfect. I gathered these from Pinterest and various websites.

- use room temperature butter. Cut into pieces and let sit 1 hour, or microwave in 5 second intervals.

- measure flour by spooning into a measuring cup, then level with a knife. Do not pack flour.

- check expiration dates on your baking soda and baking powder. To test for freshness, take a pinch and add to a bit of vinegar. Fresh will bubble.

- let cupcakes cool in pans for 5 minutes, then remove to a rack. If left in the pans they may dry out.

My Splendid Living; Pinterest

Using simple ingredients like jelly beans, M&Ms, red hots, string licorice, candy corn, mini marshmallows, dried fruit, etc. you can decorate your cupcakes in all sorts of fun ways. 

I love these barn animals!

Want to make a flock of sheep? Here are a couple of easy options:

You can pipe on your eyes, but you can also purchase pre-made candy eyes anywhere cake/baking supplies are sold. My local Michael’s carries them.

Here are a few more yummy frosting recipes -

Found on Pinterest

Let’s finish up with some super fun

Classy Shoe Cupcakes!

I found a few slightly different versions on Pinterest. None had credits.

You will need Madeline-type cookies (Pepperidge Farm makes a couple), mini marshmallows and red hot hearts, pre-made edible flowers and the long spiral cookies for heels. And frosting and a cupcake in a liner of course!

I’m thinking I might have to invite a few girlfriends over for a girl’s party night just as an excuse to make those Shoe cupcakes!

I hope you try a few of these ideas and recipes. As always, I would love to see your creations.

‘Til next time,

inkspired 

Kaleidoscope by inkspired