FREEBIE: Gumball Party PRINTABLES!

I hope you have a BUBBLY time with the FREE Do-it-yourself Printables that I designed just for FREEBIE FRIDAY! To match the ice cream shop theme that has been going on during ANNIVERSARY WEEK at the Creative Orchard, the FREEBIE that is now available to download includes a VINTAGE GUMBALL MACHINE theme. The gumball illustration is almost identical to my own gumball machine seen at the Cherry Sundae Social. The only difference is that I made this one a CLASSIC CHERRY RED, which I believe is a more "traditional" color for retro gumball machines. The printables included are a 5" by 7" fill-in invitation, 4" by 3" card, 3" thanks tag and 2" party circle.

These BUBBALICIOUS gumball printables could easily be used for any party that has a gumball, candy, ice cream, sweet shoppe or vintage toy theme. For inspiration, check out my Gumball Pinterest board! If you do happen to use these PRINTABLES for an event you host, please email me a photo on how you decided to use them. Feel FREE to also visit my "FREEBIE" page for more FREE printables!

Reminder that these are for personal use ONLY! Do NOT resell. If you choose to share online, PLEASE give credit and LINK back to www.theCreativeOrchard.com. Thanks!

CLICK HERE to download the 

FREE VINTAGE GUMBALL MACHINE diy printables!!!

EAT: Cherry Sundae Cola Float

Let's enjoy a refreshing Cherry Sundae Cola Float for THIRSTY THURSDAY!!! This cool treat is inspired by an old fashioned float you might have drank in an ice cream parlor. Make memories with the whole family and get together to try this delicious recipe.

Cherry Sundae Cola Float Recipe

Prep Time:  5 min.        Serving Size:  1

Ingredients:

2 cups chilled cola (bottle or can)

2 tablespoons cherry flavored grenadine

2 - 3 scoops french vanilla ice cream

3 tablespoons Smucker's® Magic Shell® chocolate flavored topping

2 tablespoons canned cool whip

1 maraschino cherry

Directions:

Stir together cola and grenadine. Fill a separate tall chilled glass with scoops of ice cream. Quickly coat ice cream with chocolate topping according to directions. Pour cherry cola mixture over ice cream. Let the fizz slowly rise to the top, then add cool whip. Top with a CHERRY! Serve immediately with straws.

Calculate nutritional facts by individual product choices.

CREATE: Tea Cart Makeover

For my baby girl's nursery I had a strong desire to makeover an old tea cart. I thought it would have multiple functions throughout her childhood. While she is a baby it will be used as a changing table and baby storage in her nursery. Later when she gets older and her imagination expands into pretend play she could easily adapt it for a tea party, ice cream cart, lemonade stand, mobile book store, florist vendor, farmer's market or plush pet shop? To me the possibilities are endless and it can easily have many different functions for play time.

Above are BEFORE & AFTER photos. The project was more challenging than I thought. It took me a while to figure out a solution on how to make the top of the awning an arched or barrel shape. The tea cart was very time consuming due to the drying process. I struggled a bit with the humidity and proper ventilation. But thanks to our local Ice Cream Truck, my lil' handy man, Allen and I got to enjoy ice cream during our break time. Here are step by step instructions on how I made over my old tea cart found on craigslist. I am not an expert, so feel free to alter my steps for your own project.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Step 1: Quick maintenance was needed so I repaired cracked pieces with wood glue and tightened any loose screws
Step 2: Sand all surfaces to prep for painting or staining
Step 3: Thoroughly clean with a damp cloth to remove any debris and let dry
Step 4: Prime entire tea cart with a paint primer or begin staining, then let dry
Step 5: Paint over primer with desired paint color, multiple coats may be needed, then let dry
Step 6: Paint a clear coat glossy finish to protect surface, then let dry for a long period of time


(Optional) STEPS ONLY if adding a barrel shaped AWNING:

Step 7: Cut down ONE dowel rod into FOUR 2 inch long dowel rods to use as wood pegs
Step 8: Drill a hole into the center bottom of FOUR staircase spindels
Step 9: Using a hammer, gently tap in a 2 inch wood peg into EACH of the FOUR drilled holes
Step 10: Build a support frame around the top of the spindels in order to connect all FOUR together
(I used FOUR scrap pieces of lightweight wood but FOUR long dowels rods might also work)
Step 11: Using a hand saw, safely cut BOTH pieces of ONE circular wood embroidery hoop in symmetrically in half to make FOUR separate arches
Step 12: Carefully stretch the FOUR wood arches over the top of the support frame. Spread them out equally, which means that on the farthest left side there should be ONE arch, then a space, then ONE arch, then a space, then ONE arch, then on the farthest right side should be ONE last arch. (see example photos) 
Step 13: Using EIGHT short screws, drill EACH arch to the support frame
Step 14: Paint or stain AWNING frame, let dry completely
Step 15: Drill ONE short hole into all FOUR corners of the tea cart tabletop
Step 16: Place the NEW AWNING frame on the tea cart tabletop and insert the wood pegs into the drilled holes 

(I chose NOT to permanently affix the AWNING frame to the tabletop, but you could use wood glue as a permanent option)
Step 17: Drape desired AWNING fabric over arches. For a custom fit, use straight pins to form shape, then cut fabric, sew hems and sew any seams closed

Safety Warning: ADULTS - PLEASE be very CAREFUL when using power tools and 

follow all safety precautions described on your tool manuals. Not responsible for accidents.

CREATE & INSPIRE: Link Party

Welcome to TUTORIAL TUESDAY!!! Soon... I will be sharing my own tutorial for a girly Ice Cream Project that I have been working on. Join in the fun this week by linking up to my first Tutorial Link Party! Tutorials can be related to crafting, sewing, entertaining, cooking, wood working, organizing, gardening or decorating. I can't wait to see everyones newest do-it-yourself projects and get the SCOOP on how you achieved them. Let's get this Tutorial Link Party started!

Link Party "Guidelines":
• Please link directly to only your own blog post tutorials & not someone else's
• Please do not provide generic links to your blog's home page
• Please do not to link to giveaways or other non related subject matter
• Please visit at least one blog linked up to this party & leave a comment

PLEASE add the Creative Orchard's LINK PARTY button 

or hyperlink text to your blog and link back to this post. 

THANK YOU BERRY MUCH!    - Renee

CELEBRATE: Cherry Sundae Social

At last I finally had an excuse to have a Cherry Sundae Social and was able to invite my neighbors over for a fun playdate. The little girl, Allie, looked adorable in a multi colored fabric ruffled dress with a handmade "sundae" apron available at the Route 66 St. Louis Etsy Shop! She was so excited, she mentioned that it was one of the prettiest outfits she had ever worn. My son, Allen wore a red polka dot bow tie and chocolate brown suspenders that I sewed for him. To my surprise, he liked his outfit so much that he got upset when he had to change out of his clothes when it was nap time. The kiddos seemed to enjoy themselves and for some reason eating sprinkles was one of their favorite things to do. The gumball machine was also a big hit! It's been many days later and Allen is still obsessed with tossing around the red polka dot balloons. He really wanted his new friends to stay longer because he thought they lived far away and wouldn't get a chance to see them again for a long time, but I informed him that all he had to do was look out his bedroom window to see their house across the street. He then said, "oh that's ok, I can see them whenever I want".  Let's just hope he meant with mommy and not try to visit them all by himself.

DIY Projects:
Once I got used to my new sewing machine, I got more outgoing and also made my first dress, fabric bunting and an awning. After those sewing projects, I have definitely learned from my mistakes but I still think a sewing demonstration or class might be helpful. The crafty hanging ice cream cones were made using a similar technique as this tutorial by Icing Designs. For me this craft was a blast from the past because my mother originally taught me how to make these when I was a kid and then we handmade the styrofoam ice cream cones again & a cupcake version about 5 years ago as tree ornaments to go along with my Sweet Shoppe theme for a Breast Cancer fundraiser event and we sold out fast! The main DIY project that I decided to tackle was a tea cart makeover. The original plan was to use it in my baby Haley's room, but since she is a baby and can't really use it yet... I borrowed it for our Cherry Sundae Social because it reminded me of an ice cream cart a street vendor might have used back in the 50's. Later this week I will share detailed photos and instructions about my tea cart makeover. The hardest part was probably sewing the fabric awning because it has a very precise arch shape. Overall I am very happy with how my project turned out and I think Haley will enjoy it when she gets a little older.

Event Details:
For desserts we had Cherry Sundaes and Cherry Sundae Cola Floats. Click HERE for recipe! The ingredients provided were neapolitan ice cream, cherries, sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, cool whip, chocolate syrup, grenadine and Coca-Cola soda pop. All accessories had a retro style such as an old fashioned gumball machine, straw dispenser, ice cream shoppe glassware, napkin dispenser, chalkboard, chrome clock and candy canisters.

Baby Haley missed out on all the excitement because she got sleepy right before our guests arrived, but she was very smiley afterwards!

Product Sources:
Sundae Child Apron, Sundae Adult Apron - Route 66 St. Louis Etsy Shop
Straw Dispenser - HomeGoods
Napkin Dispenser, Retro Glassware, Gumball Machine, Clock - Goodwill
Party Supplies - Walmart & Party City
Coca-Cola Bottles, Craft Supplies - Walmart
Color Cones, Ice Cream, Toppings - Kroger
Tea Cart, Metal Stool - Craigslist
Bunting Fabric - JoAnn Fabrics
Paper Straws - Gordmans
Chalkboard Plaque - Target

DIY Sources:
Ice Cream Cone Tutorial - Icing Designs

GIVEAWAY is now closed!!!  

Susan Surrells Jankovsky is the WINNER 
of the Cherry Sundae Social Supplies Package!

Giveaway Includes: (GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED!)
(1) Do-it-yourself Printable Invitation - Sundae Theme (by the Creative Orchard Etsy Shop)
(1) Sundae Fabric Child Size Apron (provided by Route 66 St. Louis Etsy Shop)
(2) Sundae/Multi Patterned Fabric Swag Bunting
(1) Cherry Rosette Hair Clip/Pin
(1) Red/White Polka Dot Child Size Bow Tie
(1) Pink Retro Style Plastic Glasses
(6) Red/White Polka Dot Latex Balloons
(2) Red Paper Streamers
(1) Set of Red Paper Cups
(1) Set of Red Paper Napkins
(1) Set of Red Paper Plates
(1) Set of Red Plastic Cutlery
(1) Red Plastic Rectangular Table Cover
(1) Set of Red/White Paper Straws
(1) Set of Multi Assortment Tissue Paper
(1) Set of Red Gumballs
(1) Set of Red/White Candy Sticks

a Rafflecopter giveaway


This GIVEAWAY is hosted by the Creative Orchard to CELEBRATE my blog's 1st Year Anniversary! GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED! Thanks to all who entered.

INSPIRE: Cherry Sundae Social

To start off the Creative Orchard's anniversary week, I have decided to share some photos I have been collecting for the last few months on Pinterest. After picking my favorites, I then organized them onto a Cherry Sundae Social Inspiration Collection designed using Photoshop. As some of my closest friends, family members and sponsors already know, I have desperately wanted to CELEBRATE the Creative Orchard's 1st year anniversary since April and I am just now getting around to it. It makes me feel like I am giving a whole new meaning to being "fashionably late" to my own party!!! Way too many ideas in my handy dandy sketchbook and never enough time or energy to get them all done, but I will keep trying to catch up!


Every day this week I plan to create a post that demonstrates what the Creative Orchard blog is all about such as... inspirations, giveaways, sources, event photos, craft projects, creative ideas, recipes, freebies, printables and end the celebration with a SURPRISE!

Get the SCOOP on what's scheduled this week:
  •  Sundae Inspiration Board SUNDAY
  •  Giveaway MONDAY plus Cherry Sundae Social
  •  Tutorial TUESDAY Link Party
  •  Do-it-yourself WEDNESDAY
  •  Thirsty THURSDAY
  •  Freebie FRIDAY
  •  Surprise SATURDAY

Cherry Sundae Social Inspiration Collection:
On the inspiration board below you will notice examples of what inspired my own Cherry Sundae Social. It all began when I saw Michael Miller's adorable "Ice Cream Sundaes" fabric on Etsy. I was madly in love with the fabric's colors, retro style and of course all the cherries! The dessert choices were obvious and easy - neapolitan ice cream with an assortment of toppings and soda pop. The setting was based around the idea of a vintage ice cream cart vendor that you might see visiting a town's local shopping square. For my craft project I remembered a tutorial on how to make giant ice cream cones made by Icing Designs. For all the props and supplies I just tried to keep in mind items that had a retro feel to them that might have been used during the 50's. Pop back over to the blog again tomorrow to see photos of the actual Cherry Sundae Social plus a PARTY PACKAGE GIVEAWAY!!!

Photo Sources: (1) Sundae Toppings via Chef Mom; (2) Fabric Swatches via Fabric.com;  (3) Michael Miller Sundae Fabric via Nauvoo Quilt Co; (4) Ghirardelli Sundae; (5) Bow Tie & Suspenders via Baby Accessories Etsy Shop; (6) Ice Cream Cart via Art Symphony; (7) Soda Sparklers via United with Love; (8) Retro Milkshake Bar via The Sweetest Occasion; (9) DIY Ruffled Ice Cream Cones via Icing Designs; (10) Sundae Gift Bag via Gooses Bags and Gifts. 

THANK YOU BERRY MUCH to all the Creative Orchard's fans, blog followers, customers and peers for the support, patience and kind comments that you have given me this past year. Blogging is a lot harder and more time consuming than I could have ever imagined but your positivity plays a huge role in making it all worth while. This blog serves as a much needed creative outlet for myself and each individual post feels like a rewarding accomplishment that I can finally check off my long list of to-do's.

SPECIAL THANKS to my hubby for supporting all my creative chaos, mom for helping with photo shoots plus babysitting and Lydia of The Party Wagon for encouragement, featuring my work & a new long distance friendship!