No peaches this year but we’ve got apples and pears, so it will be jam-tastic again.

Anyway, I have a Pinterest board dedicated to all the ways you can dress up the jars and give as gifts or use as wedding favors or favors for any party.  I wonder if normal people even like getting jam as a gift. I just like making the labels and putting ribbons on them.

Here are a couple of really cute ones via Pinterest.

Jax and his helicopter cupcake toppers

So, I had big plans for this party.  Long story short, although I can’t say it was a flop (because Jax was happy and that’s all that really matters), I didn’t get anywhere near where I needed to be regarding my dessert table and my business.  I’m going to make the best of it.

Here’s the truth.  I don’t like throwing parties.  I’m just starting to realize this.  I LOVE designing.  I think about it when I go to bed, I dream about it, and I have the best ideas swirling around in my head.  Turns out I’m not a big fan of the execution.  What I really want to do is find people who love entertaining, love having over-the-top parties, and help them make their vision come true.  I’m GOOD at that.

Anyway, the helicopter cupcake toppers are in the shop.  I love this whole collection.  Among 50 other things, there was a mis-communication with the photographer, so I had to take my own pictures. That’s going to involve some creativity on my end before I get the rest of the collection in the shop.

A pear from the tree in the backyard. It's about 2 inches without the stem.

And then there’s this little apple tree.  Last year these just stayed small and sour and green, so I’m assuming the same this year.  I can make some pie filling or jam though.  Just trying to figure out what these are so I can make a plan.  Then I can make jam and jelly jar printable labels and put them in the shop.  It was so fun last year.  Here’s a pic of the apple tree:

Apple on the tree in the backyard. It's about 2 inches diameter.

If anyone knows what these are, I would love to hear.  More pictures on Flickr, here.

Here are the labels from the peach jam last year.

Patrick Peach Labels

“Pinterest is a Virtual Pinboard.

Pinterest lets you organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. People use pinboards to plan their weddings, decorate their homes, and organize their favorite recipes. Best of all, you can browse pinboards created by other people. Browsing pinboards is a fun way to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests. To get started, request an invite.”

Let me know if you need an invite and I’ll see what I can do. ANYWAY – this Monday I’m obsessing about super-bad*** craft/sewing rooms.  I NEED one someday. Check it:

I’m looking for ideas to embellish a grocery store cake and this is what I found.  It isn’t going to work for my next party (flowers don’t really go with helicopters) but what a good idea.  Details here.

Does anyone have any brilliant plans for a helicopter party? Has anyone ever decorated/embellished a grocery store cake?