19 April
Today, I’m so thrilled to share with you our most special event this year thus far. We showered one of our, Robin our Creative Director. Robin is a behind the scenes part of Sparkling Events & Designs but she is infused into every single one of our events. She is truly one of a kind and a true friend, so I was thrilled to work with her friends in planning her baby shower. Since her shower was happening during the cherry blossoms, it was designed as a Cherry Blossom Baby Shower. We had a last minute change of venue because Little Miss Maya was attempting to make an early entrance so we had to move her shower to the hospital because Robin was in the hospital the day of her planned shower. We decided that the show must go on because we knew that she needed a little TLC. We weren’t quite able to do all of the things that we had originially planned but here are a few photos from the shower.
Here is the invitation that I designed!
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18 April
We have received all of the submissions and they are just fabulous! I can’t believe how creative these ladies are and I’m so amazed that the submissions just get better and better every round of challenges. Today, I’d like in introduce this round of equally fabulous judges who have their work cut out for them! :) The submissions will be posted on Monday and there will be a week of voting for Fan Favorite!!! Let’s Meet the Judges!
Do Driver from {Piggy Bank Parties}
Do Driver is the Creative Director and Co-Owner of Piggy Bank Parties along with her husband, J. Do shares her passion and expertise for planning budget-friendly parties as the Head Writer of Oink!, the blog of Piggy Bank Parties.
Do’s love for designing invitations and party décor began with handcrafting cards for family and friends using whatever supplies were readily available–construction paper, glue, tape, scissors, crayons and markers.
After earning a B.A. in Music and Communications, she worked as a college music professor, theatrical coach and director, corporate and social event planner and hand calligrapher before starting Piggy Bank Parties’ parent company, Autumn Writings: Digital Calligraphy & Stationery for All Seasons, in 2000. The Piggy Bank Parties’ printable division launched in 2010 as a way to offer their custom designs at affordable prices. Piggy Bank Parties‘ work has been featured on Hostess with the Mostess, Pizzazzerie, Celebrations at Home, Kara’s Party Ideas, Catch My Party, Nickeloden’s ParentsConnect, Pottery Barn, Party and Event Guide and Children’s Party Network.
Piggy Bank Parties wouldn’t be possible without Do’s business partner and hubs, J. As a creative duo, it has been their dream to create a place where they could help people plan and execute easy, fun and memorable parties on a Piggy Bank budget. Their motto is…a little piggy bank + a little inspiration = a Piggy Bank Party!
Do also won the Most Innovative Decoration Idea in the 1st Designers Challenge!
Stefani from LaBelle Parties
Here is a little info about me. I am a wife, a mommy, a teacher and new on my list is party planner. I love adding personal touches to everything, in my dream world my home would be perfectly organized and spotless, and look like a cross between Pottery Barn and fabulous flea market make-overs, and I am totally addicted to drinking Go Girl and Starbucks Grande Non-Fat Chai Tea Lattes! {{lol}}
I am truly blessed with an amazing family. I have a wonderful, supportive husband (who helps out with his fabulous treat making), and four amazing boys, that I often refer to as the wild things. {{smile}} They are 13, 3 year old twins and 1. Needless to say, there is never a dull moment at our house and I wouldn’t have it any other way. They are also the reason why you will notice that most of my posts come in the middle of the night! That and all the caffeine.{{lol}}
Stefani’s work has been featured on Pizzazzerie and she was the winner of the Sparkling Events & Designs Valentine’s Day Designer’s Challenge.
Maureen and Adria from Anders Ruff Custom Design
Maureen was brought up in Novi, Michigan by 2 interior designer parents. She grew up surrounded by creativity and design and has always had a true passion for creating her own masterpieces. Drawing and sketching, painting and paper crafts, graphic design, sewing and smocking,… the list goes on.
Woven in between the mathematical equations and scientific principles came design inspiration and attention to detail. More than anything else, Maureen has always been completely fulfilled by simply designing and creating from her random daily inspirations. After she had her first son, Jeffrey, Maureen decided that the stressful and travel filled capital sales career was not going to work and she became a stay at home mom.
She loved staying home with her boys (Jeffrey, 6, and Pierson, 3), but had always needed a creative outlet to keep balance. Maureen started a business in 2006, Posh Papier, where she designed handmade invitations and also took on large scale art projects seen in House Beautiful and Lonny Magazine.
She loved working for herself, but always missed having a partner to bounce ideas off of, to be inspired by, and to collaborate with on late night projects. Maureen’s dream was to meet someone with the same goals, interests and vision. When she met Adria at a random preschool open house, it just clicked and she knew it was meant to be!
Anders Ruff has been a dream for Maureen and every day she wakes up with as smile knowing that she will never “work” a day in her life since this is her true passion.
Adria was born & raised in Lancaster, Ohio. She attended Auburn University, with a Bachelor’s of Science and studied Fashion Merchandising, Design & Product Management (specializing in Design). She met her husband in her hometown during Christmas break in college. She has been married for 11 years and has two daughters, Brynne (8) & Grayce (5).
Adria’s first job out of college was as a Costume Technician for a Ballet Company in Columbus, Ohio (Ballet Met). Following that position, she jumped over to the corporate world in Fashion. She worked for Limited Too for 6 1/2 years (now known as Justice).
Before she had her second daughter, Grayce, she quit the corporate life. While staying at home with her daughters, Adria created a small photography business in her hometown. A few years later she incorporated graphic design with her photography as well as custom invitations. (all self-taught) Once she realized what could be done with graphic design, she phased out photography and devoted her spare time to graphic work. She had finally found her true passion!!!
In December, 2009, Adria’s husband’s job was uprooted, which brought them to Fort Mill, SC. The first two months she lived here, all she did was paint and decorate her house…. until one day she bumped into (and officially met) Maureen. They hit it off immediately, and spontaneously decided to start working together in printable graphic design and called themselves “Anders Ruff”.
Their design work started selling immediately, and in a blink of an eye Anders Ruff Custom Design had been created.
Maureen and Adria are humbled daily by the support & encouragement they have gotten from friends, family, clients and new on-line business acquaintances!
17 April
We are here with our final challenger, Nicolle from Libby Lane Press. As you may know Nicolle is a regular contributing writer here on The Sparkle Spot. She owns and operates Libby Lane Press, a stationery boutique focused on stylish invitations, one detail at a time! We totally love her style and designs. I know she’s got something super special planned for this challenge. Let’s Meet Libby Lane Press.
1. What is your favorite color?
apple green- I think it matches with just about everything.
2. What is the best bargain you ever got?
Pottery Barn shelves for my kids’ rooms for $40
3. Are you a beach or pool person?
Well, I love the beach but I am not a huge fan of sand in my bag, clothes, etc. So lets say Beach from Poolside.
4. Do you still ride roller coasters?
Honestly, I can’t remember the last time I did but I used to love them in my pre-children days.
5. What is your favorite vacation spot?
Somewhere warm with a breeze and minimal humidity- island drinks are nice too.
6. What is your most embarrassing moment?
I flew to Germany after college to backpack with my friends and as I was walking through the airport I felt a draft and realized that my sundress (who wears this to travel???) was tucked under my enormous framed backpack. Thankfully I don’t speak German so I was unaware of the comments but chuckling is a universal language.
7. What is your favorite sound?
My daughter teaching my son how to play “pretend”. Everything from Starbucks drive through to adopting Barbie voices. So cute for so many reasons.
8. What would you describe as your design style?
I would say whimsy with a touch of modern and a splash of vintage here and there.
9. Who is your biggest inspiration?
I am utterly inspired by women that dream big and make that dream a reality.
10. If you could have a theme song, what would it be?
Hmmm, I cannot put my finger on one song but I am certain it would be a teeny bop song that I would dance around and sing like I was on American Idol all while my husband was walking away shaking his head.
11. If you could pick any reality TV star that relates to you, who would it be?
I would say Bethenny Frankel. I love her sense of humor, drive for success and attention to detail.
12. What’s a motto you live by?
Do what you love and success will follow.
Here are photos from Nicolle favorite event Honeybee Gender Reveal, her my first ever styled event and it was featured on HWTM along with a bunch of other FAB blogs!
Follow Nicolle: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest / Shop
17 April
Today we are back with our latest challenger, Michelle from Sweet Mady {paper + gifts}. I had the pleasure of meeting Michelle last year when she planned a local “Dreamers Into Doers” event for the Northern Virginia party chics and vendor. I completely love her designer personalized shirts, lunch boxes, aprons, matching party ware and just about anything else you can imagine.
1. What is your favorite color?
Pink
2. Are you a beach or pool person?
As long as I have 50 sunblock and an umbrella I’ll sit on a beach all day! There is nothing ran about me.
3. Do you still ride roller coasters?
Absolutely!
4. What is your favorite vacation spot?
Disney. I can’t help it, I love it there! 2nd would be an empty beach, still under that umbrella!
5. What is your most embarrassing moment?
Oh goodness, way too many too count!
6. What is your favorite sound?
My kids hysterically giggling and the ocean
7. What would you describe as your design style?
Im not sure my style would fall under a specific type. My true love is designing for kids, so I try to make all of my designs playful and colorful.
8. Who is your biggest inspiration?
For designs, my kids. Most of my designs come from what they and their friends love
9. If you could have a theme song, what would it be?
Dancing Queen. I love to dance with my kids and my girlfriends.
10. If you could pick any reality TV star that relates to you, who would it be?
Totally not comparing myself here but I adore Tori Spelling. I love that she goes for her dreams while putting her kids first each step of the way. My favorite thing about her show is watching her balance family and business.
11. What’s a motto you live by?
It’s simple and I say it a thousand times a day to my kids. Be Kind.
Follow Sweet Mady {paper + gift} here: Website / Facebook / Blog / Twitter / Shoppe
16 April
Happy Monday! Today, we are meeting a new challenger, Green Beansie Ink! I had the lovely pleasure of meeting Wendy at a Martha Stewart’s Dreamers Into Doer 2012 event back in March. She is so sweet and super talented. Not only does she operated Green Beansie Ink she also had a wedding invitation company called Lillian Kate Wedding Designs that also has some beautiful stationery for weddings. I’m so happy to have Wendy on board with this challenge…I’m sure her submission is going to be just awesome!
1. What is your favorite color?
blue or red, depends on the day
2. What is the best bargain you ever got?
a Grandfather clock for $300 – now I need to get it running, maybe that’s why it was a bargain!
3. Are you a beach or pool person?
beach for sure!!
4. Do you still ride roller coasters?
it’s not my first choice but I will go if someone needs a buddy!
5. What is your favorite vacation spot?
I love most any place on the ocean. LaJolla, CA is my favorite!
6. What is your most embarrassing moment?
I really can’t think of one right now!
7. What is your favorite sound?
besides my family laughing and the ocean…the hustle and bustle of the airport because it usually means I’m headed somewhere fun!
8. What would you describe as your design style?
one of my friends summed it up well: crisp, classic and nautical themes
9. Who is your biggest inspiration?
a genuine, down to earth, fit, faithful, confident, level headed work-at-home-mom who balances her business with motherhood, learns from mistakes but laughs at herself, has a clean, organized house, who is also a faithful and loving friend, wife and family member. I’m not sure if she exists but I’m inspired by her every day!
10. If you could have a theme song, what would it be?
U2 – Beautiful Day
11. If you could pick any reality TV star that relates to you, who would it be?
I can’t think of any that I relate to, but I can say that I’m the exact opposite of Rachel on Big Brother!
12. What’s a motto you live by?
Live and learn
Here are some photos from Wendy’s favorite event, her daughter’s firetruck birthday party!
Follow Green Beansie Ink: Website & ETSY / Facebook
15 April
We are getting closer and closer to our reveal of the Designer’s Challenge “Favorite Show” and we are here with another challenger, Ashaunte from Kiddie Soiree! Kiddie Soiree is an special events company specializing in creative and unique parties for children. I’m so happy to have them participate in this challenge and I can’t wait to see what they come up with. Let’s Meet Kiddie Soiree!
1. What is your favorite color?
Yellow is my favorite color! It is the color of sunshine and brightens everyone’s day
2. What is the best bargain you ever got?
Oh I get those all the time. I’m a coupon diva in training. I love extreme couponing
3. Are you a beach or pool person?
Beach hands down. There’s noting like hanging out in the sand, feeling the wind in your hair and watching the kids make sand castles. Perfect setting for perfect memories.
4. Do you still ride roller coasters?
Absolutely! Front row every time.
5. What is your favorite vacation spot?
Any island that serves Mai Tai : D
6. What is your most embarrassing moment?
I don’t get embarrassed, everything happens for a reason PLUS I was born a natural clutz so by now I’m use to my hiccups.
7. What is your favorite sound?
If I had to choose I’d have to say rain. It’s very soothing and makes the world seem as if it’s at rest.
8. What would you describe as your design style?
Modern because I love the sleek clean lines, but contemporary because I love bold bright colors
9. Who is your biggest inspiration?
My dad! (Tear drop I know) but this man has taught me that I can do anything I want to do if I put my mind to it, never give up and except me for me and others will too. That helps me when doing parties because I trust my judgments. I’m confident in my designs and I know my client will love it too.
10. If you could have a theme song, what would it be?
That’s a tough question… I’m all about being the best you can be and inspiring others so I’d have to choose between Katy Perry “Fireworks” and Fun “We are young”
11. If you could pick any reality TV star that relates to you, who would it be?
I love reality shows but there is no one I relate to, however I do watch Naruto (don’t judge) and if you consider a cartoon reality than I’d have to say I relate to him. LMBO
12. What’s a motto you live by?
“Failure is not an option”
Here pictures from Ashaunte’s favorite event. Her daughter’s 7th birthday party “Arabian Nights: Genie in a Bottle”. It was full of color and no detail was left behind. 
Follow Kiddie Soiree: Website / Facebook / Twitter
11 April
Happy Hump Day! Today we are back with another challenger for the “Favorite TV show” Designer’s Challenger! Meet Jacky from The Social Event Company. Their portfolio includes gorgeous weddings, dazzling events and venues that make your heart swoon.
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9 April
Hi! I’m Jennifer from Double the Fun Parties and I’m so excited to be writing my first post as a contributor to The Sparkle Spot! I’m a mom to twin, seven-year-old girls and we love to throw a party!
Just in the nick of time for Easter, I’m going to share some ideas with you about how to keep the kiddos entertained at your Easter party. Of course, you’ll have an egg hunt, but we can even jazz that up a little.
1 – Award your guests the “big kid” job of stuffing eggs.
I discovered quite by accident last year that my girls loved stuffing the plastic Easter eggs. I’d always done this in secret – you know, to help out the Easter Bunny {wink}. But the girls were delighted to be in charge of the eggs and stuffing them raised their anticipation of the hunt.
For our party this year, I arranged candy in tin pails. I dressed up each pail with ribbon remnants. The girls filled the eggs and then played one of our other games while I hid them.
2 – Let the kids shop at the bunny store.
To slightly decrease the massive sugar high, I created a pail of bunny store coupons. (Full credit for the bunny store idea goes to Family Fun!)
Each coupon could be turned in for one item at the bunny store. Right now, WalMart and Target are packed with $1 Easter items. Many come two or more items to a package – so open those puppies up and stretch your dollar!
3 – Break out the spoons.
I grew up on Capitol Hill and so always heard of the White House lawn Easter egg roll, but I’d never tried it before. This was a ton of fun and brought out the competitive spirit in our girls!
Before your party, hard boil and dye eggs. (The plastic eggs don’t have enough heft for this game.)
I found wooden spoons, two for $1 at Dollar Tree. (Love that store!) They were just the right look for our shabby chic party. I decorated each with some torn fabric.
To make our egg roll course, I took three spools of 2-inch ribbon and tacked it into the ground with floral pins. (The pins can pop out if someone trips on the ribbon, so make sure your guests keep their shoes on and watch the course.) Give your guests a countdown and see who can push their egg across the finish line first!
4 – Hop like a bunny.
Give each guest bunny ears and make them a cotton tail. (Please see my blog for a tutorial.) Head back to the egg roll course and see who can hop across the finish line first!
I hope these ideas can help you make the most of your Easter party! Thanks for having me, Ebony!
Vendor Credits
Flowers: Kroger
