Friday, October 21, 2011

Beautiful French Bonbonerie

One of our most popular products in the SDD shop are these simple yet beautiful Mini French Apothecary Jars. They are mainly used for favours or bonbonerie at weddings and christenings but also at birthday parties.

I thought some delicious Authentic French Macarons would look perfect inside and I was right. They are gorgeous.

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All images Sharnel Dollar

Collections

A few years back (three to be precise) my dear friend Keren gave me a simple white ceramic jug as a housewarming gift. I use it all the time as a vase. I love the simplicity of it.

Well that jug has started me on my way to another collection - white jugs. Here are three of them filled with flowers that I purchased for myself this morning at the flower market. I couldn't help myself. Flowers do it for me. They float my boat, blows my hair back .... you get the picture.

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What do you collect? I'd love to know. I also have a white milk hobnail glass collection and a smaller jade milk glass and pink too. The pink is my favourite but much harder to find.

Image Sharnel Dollar


Monday, October 17, 2011

{Recipe} Guava Punch

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The Guava Punch I served at the Adore 1st Birthday was a hit with the "it's a school night" party goers.

Here is the recipe - it's super simple but super delicious.

1lt lemonade

500ml ginger ale

500ml guava nectar

fresh mint leaves

Cheers!

Sunday, October 16, 2011

More images from Adore Magazine's 1st Birthday

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Vendor credits:

Photography by Life in Bloom Photography, Florals by Green and Bloom Weddings, Styling and design by Sharnel Dollar Designs, Paper Flowers by Ah-Tissue, Macarons by Authentic French Macarons.

Clara Glass Apothecary Lolly Jars available here. Wooden lolly scoops available here. Glass Apothecary Beverage Dispenser available here. Square footed bowls (with flowers) available here.



Thursday, October 6, 2011

Sweet Table Contest 2011 now open

Do you love designing dessert tables and party planning? If you are not a professional party designer or planner then you are eligible to enter the Sweet Table Contest 2011.

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Head on over to the Sweet Table Contest website to learn how to enter. Entries are now open and will close in January.

Thank you for Laure and the entire team for asking me to be President for this years contest.


Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Adore Magazine New York Edition

It is with much pleasure I announce the latest edition of Adore Magazine is now live.

So many gorgeous images and inspiration to be devoured. I had the honour of designing the dessert table for their 1st Birthday celebration which was hosted by Magnolia Interiors. Robyn, Josie, Jess and Courtney thank you for being such gracious hosts.

Thank you to Roberta at Green and Bloom Wedding Flowers for creating such beautiful floral arrangements. Also thank you to Daneve at Ah-Tissue for making the stunning paper flowers. I must also thank my dear friend Keren Brown from The Brown Trading Co. for assisting with the set up on the night.

Loni, congratulations on your first year in business! You produce a beautiful publication and it's evident how much time and love you put into each and every issue.

If you have been following my latest tutorial you can see below the finished result.

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Jess and Josie from Magnolia Interiors tasting a few sweet treats. Beautiful imagery by Maureen Haynes from Life in Bloom Photography.

White Footed Square Bowls (holding flowers) available here.

Glass Apothecary Beverage Dispenser available here.

Clara Glass Lolly Jars available here.


Saturday, October 1, 2011

{Tutorial} How to build a riser for your dessert table

When designing a dessert table one of the most important things to consider is height. One of the ways to achieve varying heights is by using risers. Risers come in many forms including cake stands, crates, mini suitcases, gift boxes etc. One of my favourite risers to make and use on my dessert tables is a polystyrene block covered in either cardstock, wrapping paper or fabric.

Today I'm going to show you how I cover mine using custom designed cardstock. You are use any type of card however, including many beautiful scrapbooking papers.

What you will need:

Polystyrene blocks cut to size (these are commonly known at cake dummies). I purchase mine from Kool Foam (custom cut) or any cake supply store or Spotlight will have them too.

Cardstock

Cutting Mat

Craft knife

Metal ruler

Spray adhesive

Pencil

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Turn your cardstock so the print is facing down and trace the shape of your foam block. Trace the top and all four sides.

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Using your craft knife and ruler cut along the lines. Do this for all five pieces.

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This is what you will end up with. You will now need to spray the blank side of your cardstock with spray adhesive. Do this in a well ventilated area. I use repositional spray adhesive which is easy to remove and position again.

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Match all sides and press firmly onto the foam block. Using your craft knife make trim any overhanging pieces.

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This is the finished product.

I used the same technique here for the Oprah hosted Baby Shower. Style Me Gorgeous designed a lovely soft quilted pattern for this event.

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The same principle was used here in this carnival inspired table. This time I used colourful entry tickets to cover the round cake dummy.

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Images by Naomi V Photography

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And finally here I used a lovely gold linen fabric trimmed with ribbon.

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Image by Naomi V Photography