Backyard Camping - S'mores - Hot Dogs - Fun

Nothing says Summer like some good old fashioned backyard fun, right? For those of you who follow me on my Facebook Fanpage, Twitter or my iCANDY features right here, you have seen my constant updates on this topic. I'm like a little kid thinking of ways for my own 4 year old to have a fun Summer like I did as a kid.

A few weekends ago one of my childhood friends came to visit me with two of her kids and the family tent. Toss in a trip to Target's $1.00 section, an endless supply of Raspberry Beer Cocktails {for the grown up ladies}, some hot dogs, mosquito spray, and you have the perfect starter ingredients for a recipe of FUN on a hot, sweltering Southern Night. Then we added...

a couple dads to help pitch the tent
(not 100% sure either of them have ever seen a tent)

a handful of kids to make sure everything is A-OK!

Some backyard games

S'mores!
the star of our party

large tub of Wet Wipes

Sparklers

to help us get into the 4th of July mood a tad early

and of course what backyard party
would be complete without
Glow Bracelets?

They sure leave interesting photo effects

How about this most adorable, printable
collection for your own backyard party?
From Fresh Chick Design Studio

As you can see we had a super time and hopefully made some great Summertime memories for the kids. By keeping the Raspberry Beer Punch flowing for the grown ups, I was hoping we could have at least passed out in the tent in order to get a good night's sleep - no such luck! By 11:15pm, my son announced he wanted to be "cold" and also wanted to "tear the tent down". Acorn didn't fall far from the tree, eh? My friend and her kids were the true troopers after all, as they spent the entire night in the tent, slanted on a slight hill and all:)

I'd love to see pictures from your own backyard fun this summer, send them along to info@inkspotworkshop.com

i Candy Crabby Cancer Edition

It's officially crab season and I'm setting the record straight... Cancers are not CRABBY! In fact, I'm just about the cheeriest person I know, same goes for all the other Cancers I know and L♥VE!

This week's iCANDY is dedicated to all of us late June and July Birthdays, a sort of "tribute" to us Canceronians. My birthday is July 10th {although I stopped celebrating once I hit 40} my BFF's is July 16th, so funny how most of my favorite people are also fellow Cancers. Maybe everyone out there gravitates towards their own astrological sign? Now that would be an interesting study.

Enjoy and go out and hug a Cancer this weekend,
much easier than a crab:)

1. Pillow Cover - Styled Spaces, FL $22.00
2. License Plate Art - Recycled Art Company, FL $149.00
3. Rhinestone Brooch - Fantasyard, CA $19.99
4. Galvanized Tub - Brody and Ma, CA $28.00
5. Small Giclee Print - Jenn Ski Art, NH $29.00
6. Crab Bowls - Artz Folk, $60.00

Tow Mater Cupcakes

I almost cried when I saw this Tow Mater cupcake tutorial from Bakerella over at DisneyFamily.com Who doesn't ♥ Mater?

If only this had been up in January, when I was making plans for my 4 year old's Lightning McQueen Party. Aren't these the most clever little edibles you've eve seen? Figured I'd better get this post up soon, especially since my son is starting to phase out of Lightning + Mater and I'm afraid Transformers on are on my horizon. Little boy growing up, so sad:(

Wouldn't be complete without his chicklets

Spent Spring Break at Disney World The Holy Grail For CARS fans Can you feel the excitement as we wait in line to meet the REAL Lightning + Mater?

Proud moment! Decked out head to toe
Last year it was all about Thomas The Tank Engine
Where will next year take us?

Mater making his party debut

Happy Father's Day

We started with sleeping in...
then breakfast in bed {lucky dad}...
hand drawn pictures of Nathan and Daddy {looks more like 2 aliens}
and super special Father's Day cards

All with the help of my favorite Sous Chef
This 4 year old cracks a perfect egg
NO SHELLS!!

Happy Father's Day
hope everyone gets to spend it in a special way!

iCandy - 80th edition

Who's ready for the weekend? I sure am and this Atlanta heat wave is making me very, very thirsty! It sure feels like Summer already and nothing reminds me of Summer vacation, more than a good old fashioned lemonade stand. In fact, I credit my very own lemonade stand {as an 8 year old} where I got my official start in professional sales:)

I also vividly recall this is where I learned the meaning of the word "profit". My mother was always yelling out the front door...."Stacy, you're drinking up all your profits!!" Heck, I couldn't help it, Cleveland gets HOT in the SUMMER! Oh and did I mention we sold cups for ten cents each? Not really sure we ever made more than $1.00, but it sure was fun and there was definitely more sugar than lemons in our recipe.

This week's iCANDY makes my mouth water, yours too? It has all sorts of fun ways to make your own lemonade stand special. What better way to teach your kids the meaning of $1.00 this Summer? I'd ♥ to see your pictures so feel free to send them in to me at Stacy@inkspotworkshop.com

Martha Stewart has some great tricks up her sleeve for the perfect Lemonade Stand. How about some good old fashioned Lemonade Recipes from She Knows? Feeling industrious? This Old House shows you step-by-step plans to build your own stand {tools required}.

HAVE FUN!

1. Fabric Banner Sign - Trish AB Designs, CA $32.00
2. Ceramic Lemonade Decanter - Madison Belle, NY $119.00
3. Vintage Lemonade Tin - Birch and Bird, Canada $25.00
4. Beverage Napkins - Plates & Napkins, $4.95
5. Summer Scallop Apron - Oh Sew Delightful, AL $18.00
6. Actual Lemonade Stand - The Sawdust Mill, PA $65.00

Coming Soon - New Party Themes and Designs

I've been keeping a secret....
a really, really big secret...

I'm just ready to EXPLODE!
so I thought I'd show you a sneak peek
of what's around the corner
from InkSpot Workshop

6 NEW
COMPLETELY ADORABLE
Party Themes!
For boys and girls

Everything you need to make your party POP
customized Invitations, favor tags/stickers, cupcake toppers
and more

I'm working on the final details so stay tuned...
looking to show their faces this Summer

DIY - How to decorate a marshmallow

Marshmallows For A BBQ Tutorial

So here I was wondering what to do with all these leftover marshmallows {s'mores fest 2010} from my fun-filled, backyard camping expedition this weekend, more to come on that one... Then I stumbled upon Meghan of The Decorated Cookie and her amazingly cute "The Painted Marshmallow" series. Seriously, who'd a thunk it? I can't wait to get my own set of edible ink markers! Just what I need, more markers!!

Meghan inspires you to come up with some of the cutest little edible favors for any event. I'm eating a bag of marshmallows {instead of lunch} as I type this, how's that for getting in the mood? I honestly can say I have never seen anything so darn cute and easy as drawing on marshmallows. Be sure to check out her book called Cookie Sensations and her online shop Chic Cookies, where you can buy her cookie kits.

Even better, Meghan teaches you to draw!

This could be a new hobby for you and your kids

Spring Flower Marshmallows Tutorial

The possibilities are endless!
You can draw up just about anything on marshmallows
for any event

Perhaps I should make these for InkSpot Workshop
and include with my orders?
Mr. Mailman, please no squashing

Holiday Themed Marshmallows Tutorial

I can hardly wait for December

Stacked Flower Cookies Tutorial

Just when I thought Meghan couldn't get any cuter,
I found these

WHAT WOULD YOU DRAW?

iCandy - Backyard Camping Edition

Hello and Happy Thursday everyone! I'm bringing you this week's iCANDY a day early as I prepare for my good friend's visit this weekend. She's bringing 2 of her kids and combined we'll have 3 kiddos, all under the age of 6! Can you tell by the theme what we'll be up to?

I thought it would be fun to take advantage of Atlanta's {gorgeous} Spring weather and do some good old fashioned backyard camping. I can't remember the last time I slept in a tent, but I'm pretty sure I was in my teens, so I'm a bit ....overdue? My 4 year old is so excited about this, it's all he can talk about, especially since he discovered the art of catching fireflies this past weekend :) too cute.

I'm not sure who's more excited for this.... the kids or me? My friend is already asking me if I have blowup mattresses, I told her, nope, we're roughing it, this is not the Ritz!

Please enjoy this week's roundup of fun stuff to make your own backyard camping experience super fun. Also, don't forget, The National Wildlife Federation has declared Saturday June 26th as the Great American Backyard Campout! So go pitch a tent:)

1. Banana Boats - I've never heard of these before, but thanks to This Week For Dinner you too can learn how.
2. Bodum Fyrkat Portable Charcoal Grill - Perfect for Banana Boats, Hot Dogs and S'mores. $49.99
3. Power Plus Penguin - Kid's hand powered flashlight, eco friendly too! $7.63
4. Back Yard Explorer Tent - Easy setup $26.49
5. "My Bug Jar" Craft Kit - Perfect for catching fireflies, $9.99 for 12
6. Coleman for Kid's Lanatern - $9.99
7. S'Mores - Plus other perfect ideas to make your backyard camping experience {perfect} From the Queen herself, Martha Stewart.

Giddyup! - Little Boy's Pony Party

I'm more than thrilled to show you the final design I came up with for InkSpot Workshop's 2nd Birthday Giveaway winner (original post here). I also chronicled the beginning steps of this design process here and here, it's just so much fun to watch the birth of a design.

Meg's son Marcus is turning 2 in July, so what better color scheme than red, white and blue? Not to mention this birthday boy has his own pony named Greta. A big inspiration came from another custom barnyard themed design I had made here. Grab a cup-of-jo and I'll walk you through these adorable custom design details, like any proud mama would :)

PS. Since Meg (Rodeo & Company Photography) is a photographer,
stay tuned for some amazing pictures of Marcus's big day!
also visit her {GORGEOUS} blog here

Let's get this party started!
It starts with a great invite and Meg wanted to incorporate red + white polka dots (fav tablecloth), cowboy boots (Marcus ♥'s) and of course Greta, the pony in all her glory, including the white star on her forehead.

place cards for the sundae bar

My personal favorite are these hanging favor tags,
can't wait to see what kind of goody they get tied to!
{Old Time Sarsaparilla Soda found here}

all purpose stickers, don't you just ♥ the scalloped edges?

thank you note cards, as every polite birthday boy should have

The whole shebang!

This GIDDY UP set will be available in the shop soon.
A matching Old MacDonald Barnyard Party set will also be available,
with your choice of piggy, cow or black sheep
{sans cowboy boots of course}
perhaps they need rain boots?

If you are in need of these items sooner
please click here to contact me

View my full offering of personalized invitations for any occasion

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARCUS!

I {love} Swanky Tables!

Thank You!

Look what I woke up to this morning. It's always such a "feel good" moment when you get a little shout out for doing something you truly are passionate about. My favorite hostess and event planner Annette, from Swanky Tables is someone I have admired for going on 2 years now, which makes this little feature extra special for me. Click here to read her full post on InkSpot Workshop's Custom Party Packs.

Annette's blog is a super source for all sorts of entertaining ideas...everything from table decor to recipes. She's inspired me to throw many a little dinner gathering over the years, my friends say Thank You to Swanky Tables too:)

Swanky Tables Website click HERE
Swanky Tables Blog click HERE
Swanky Tables Event Photos HERE
Swanky Tables on Twitter HERE

iCandy - 78th edition

Happy Friday! Today's little lineup doesn't have any particular theme, just some lovely goodies I found on Etsy that I think are simply pretty!

I hope you enjoy InkSpot Workshop's weekly iCANDY
and find a few new artists to ♥

1. Recycled Wood Sign - WD Design + Photography, Minnesota $34.00
2. Tiny Treasures Fine Art Photo - Hey Zee, Arizona $35.00
3. Candy Bouncer Yarn Wreath - Knock Knocking, Texas $70.00
4. Eyelet Lace and Rose Quartz Flower Ring - Kathi Roussel, NY $165.00
5. Le Poire Collection - Dear Jes, Colorado $22.00
6. Custom Embroidered Frame Purse - Ok Tak, New York $72.00

Summer Freebie

click each image to enlarge

Hope you all had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend and got to spend lots of time with your family! We're now officially into Summer vacation and this time of year has me thinking about spending evenings with friends and family, out on the deck, with a nice frosty cocktail and lots and lots of little votive lanterns.... so I got inspired and designed these just for you! By the way, this is an exclusive, these little cuties are not for sale......yet.

We ♥ Summer
freebie

What better way to keep in touch and ditch email,
than with these fun little lantern note cards?
Complete with InkSpot Workshop's signature flower icon

Here's how to get your own set...

Just head over to InkSpot Workshop's Facebook Page
here and click "like"

If you're on Twitter, follow us click here

Sign up for our newsletter click here

TELL ALL YOUR FRIENDS!

contact me by clicking here when you're finished,
be sure to include your email address
and I'll send you an email containing a printable file,
print as many as you'd like.

Just print and cut, add a standard A2 envelope and you're all set

Thanks and I hope you ENJOY your SUMMER