The Cappers is five! We celebrated with a Mermaid (and Pirates) party yesterday.
I made the Martha tissue pom poms as promised. They were both easier (it’s a simple thing to do) and harder (it’s fiddly) than I thought. But the end result was very festive and presentable enough (don’t look too closely!)
These little ‘ice creams’ were a huge hit… marshmallows in the base, chocolate crackle top, dipped in white chocolate and sprinkles on the top… as yummy as it sounds!
Because the ice creams were hard-core sugar, I made wholemeal raspberry muffins instead of cupcakes and made them more festive with a mermaid cake topper (printed out a pic, cut out the circle, stuck them on a toothpick). Marshmallow and strawberry kebabs (Cappers enjoyed putting these together as I made the cake).
And, of course, the cake. My first time working with fondant icing and it was… sticky. 2am and I’m covered in fondant icing. I found it really, really hard to add colouring. The more you kneaded to try to spread the colour, the sticker things got. Even a quick zap in the fridge would only give me a few more kneads at a time. Any hints?
We went on a submarine adventure through the ocean – what can we see? What’s happening out there? Quick, run from the shark! Totally impromptu, but they absolutely loved it. Another thing – forget about toy prizes, medals for winners were the best thing ever.
I made mermaid costumes for the girls (fabrics, hot glue gun, lei, wand and sticky face jewels, hello). Little girls just love it when they all look the same… something in that…
Random photo showing off The Badoo and her pirate cousin Mr 3.
The boys’ pirate costumes came from the $2 shop and were… $2. The pirates enjoyed harassing the mermaids immensely.
It was a fabulous day and Cappers loved it. I was so proud of my little girl when she was prompted as to what her birthday wish was and she looked around at everyone and said “I love my friends”. Yes, that’s what it’s all about, my lovely. Happy happy birthday.
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My party inspiration and mermaid picture for decorations came from Living Locurto.
♥
If you’re keen, here are some other parties I’ve gone mental over:
Toni says
oh WOW! you put so much effort into her party and it all looks gorgeous! well done you. She’ll remember that forEVER.
I LOVE those tissue paper pompoms!!
Little Ted Canvas says
Everything looks amazing! What a brilliant party, I’m so glad the birthday girl had fun, what a sweet heart wish! Pirate’s, of course they would torment the mermaids, hilarious. Enjoy the rest of your weekend..x
Chicken Willow says
WOW!!! What a brilliant party! Looks like the kids had a ball. You did so well with all the decorations and the food and that cake is awesome!! xx
Mummahh says
wow those “icecreams” look Delish!
and the cake looks Fab, also the happy little faces!
well done!
happy Birthday to your little ones!
Ali
x
katepickle says
awesome party!!!
Your martha pom poms worked out awesome and I love the mermaid outfits!
MMBB says
Wow that all looks great! I might have to steal some of these ideas for Muffin’s 5th next year. Love the ice cream cones!! I want to try the pom poms too, everything! 🙂
Mrs Woog says
Totally bloody adorable. You are clever Maxi xox
x S.K.K x says
Oh you did such a fabulous job on the cake! It looked amazing! The colours were just gorgeous! This will definitely be a party she will remember forever!
Lucy says
You know what? Some blog posts are just made to make me grin. This is one of them. GORGEOUS!
Lucy says
PS I have NFI with regard to fondant icing – last time I attempted to work with it, I got so flustered that I sent lovely husband off with the kids to go riding on scooters, so I could stress in peace with my icing. (The day Charlie came home with a broken femur.) No fondant stressy shenanigans for me ever again……bad karma…I spent that first night in hospital crying whilst picking pink fondant out of my fingernails….ick.
ClaireyH says
I love the marshmallow and strawberry skewers too. The whole affair looks super swish and perfect.
Nomie says
This post makes me want to plead with My Green Eyed Girl to have another girly party… sadly at almost 10 those days are gone…
What a beautiful party, and what a beautiful thing your lovely girl said. xxx
PS as for the icing? No idea. Hubby is a designer & as such, that’s his job!
Sarah says
oh what fun…i adore the cake and the colours you used on the cake! the pom poms and garlands are all so pretty. I can see by the great pictures – that lots of fun was had by all!
Lizeylou says
Now that is a cake!! My girls are very envious of the party and the decorations. Little Miss M asked why she wasn’t at that “fun party” … and I had to explain that I don’t actually know you. Funny.
x0xJ says
Aww that right there is the icing on the cake isn’t it? You’re doing a fantastic job for a reply like that!
The pom pom’s are AMAZING, and yes i looked closely. Do you think they’re too girly for my boys? Maybe i will make some for my room! Lol.
The whole party, the food idea’s EVERYTHING is fantastic. You’ve really put a lot of hard work into it and it shows!! I absolutely adore the theme!
Fondant is sticky stuff with warmth. I’ve always kepts some flour handy as if i were working with dough and used it sparingly but as needed. It isn’t until more towards the end where you need to try and avoid using it, but whilst trying to work the colour through it’s fine 🙂
Kelly says
Oh my goodness, what a impressive looking party. The decorates are so bright and colourful, I want a piece of that cake it looks delicious!
_vTg_ says
Looks wonderful! The medals as prizes are a great idea.
As far as fondant, I use (used, given that it’s not as though I use it every day!) icing mixture (=icing sugar with cornstarch- the non-lumpy icing sugar). Just sprinkle it as you would flour.
Enjoy the post-party relax 🙂
Simone - honeyandfizz says
It all looks wonderful, what a terrific theme! Love the colours of the pom poms and those “ice creams” are so clever!xx
Kelly says
Looks like a great party! I’d seen those mermaid print outs and thought about it … but you really did it up right.
Seraphim says
What an absolutely gorgeous looking party! Look at the smiles on the faces of your guests. All your hard work was worth it!
Gifts of Serendipity says
Three cheers for Mummy!
What a wonderful party, your attention to detail is impressive. I particularly loved the little pink, green and purple leaves on the string and Martha would be proud of your pom-poms.
I’m sure she had a terrific time and many happy little mermaids and pirates went home dreaming of their treasure-filled day.
x Felicity
Gill@OurParklife says
you look like you did an AMAZING job…the kids seem to be having a fabulous time
i need to go to a party with the white choc dipped marshmallows…mmmm
gill xo
Jogirl says
wow this is gorgeous..you did a wonderful job x
Andrea says
How fantastic it all looks! Now if you could just come over to France and sort my daughters birthday party out that would be great! 🙂
Tamara says
WOW!! You did a fantastic job! Well done!!!
Amanda says
It all looked wonderful! Loved the mermaid costumes and the cake looks amazing!! x
Selina says
the cake is divine, well worth the 2am job and kids look like they are having a fab day!
BabyMac says
A triumph! Well done and congrats…looks like a FAB day.
Emma says
Fabulous party and the cake is seriously good! I have heard that you need to rub copha into your hands, between fingers, basically everywhere to make fondant.
JANE says
Absolutely brilliant, Bron. What a tremendous effort! Oh, and I’ve bookmarked Martha’s tutorial – thanks! J x
Jade says
Looks like a pretty awesome time was had by all! Love the pom-poms and the strawberry & marshmallow kebabs!
Mira Narnie says
WOW – happy birthday CAPPERS!! what a wonderful mermaid party! I L O V E your pompoms (and now have creative pompom envy) as mine didn’t turn out!!! also love seeing photos of your kids – they are adorable! Looks like a great party and that cake is divine xx
Heather says
Wow!! What a beautiful party. What a lucky little girl to have such a clever and wonderful mum. Devine picture of number 3 hey. xxx
Abby says
This is all just so gorgeous. Love the cake – you did such a great job! And the strawberry marshmallow kebabs – I love them, will have to remember that one 🙂
sean the prawn says
Senbloodysational party!! I love those mermaid pictures very much & pom pom heaven.
super lucky kids to have you as their Mum… Making their childhood so special & memorable.
Jodie at Mummy Mayhem says
What a fantastic job you did, hon! Just brilliant! I thought the cake was amazing, and to be honest, before I read your text, presumed it was bought from a cake decorator!
Fabulous! xxx
Becky says
Wow, wow, wow!! You have done an amazing job! I want you to come and organise a mermaid party for me 🙂
Posie Patchwork says
Happy birthday in your house!! Quick tip on those tissue pom poms – for a soft fluffy edge look, try zig zaggy scissors, they work a treat. Lots of fun, love Posie
myshoeboxlife.com says
Sorry I’m so late to the party (well, comments!). Just beautiful. You sent me off into my own little wonderland for a while there. x
Mind Over Fatter says
Thanks for stopping by on my blog. I just caught your’s and what a delight. Great pictures and a great party!!!
Sandra says
OMG you are gifted! I loved the cake, the marshmallow kebabs with the strawberry on top, the ice cream cones dipped in icing…terrific ideas I will be sure to “borrow” at my next party!
Foxglove Spires says
What a beautiful birthday celebration! It looks so wonderful all the work you did, it must have been a fantastic day.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to your little precious girl.
Have a beautiful week. xxx
Erin says
You did an amazing job! No one would know that you struggled with the cake… it looks fantastic!
What a fun party. I love all the little details, and it looks like the kids were in their glory.
midge says
happy birthday miss mermaid. you are the party goddess it looks brilliant
flowerpress says
Great cake!
Frog, Goose and Bear says
It all looks gorgeous! I’m very impressed with the cake! And jealous that you managed to make the pompoms….for the life of me I could not make mine round! The smiles on the faces just make it – well done!
beck says
Woww!!! What an amazing party! Love the cake, the costumes, the happy faces…all too gorgeous! Well done, you did an amazing job xo
Naomi (thula thula) says
yummo! what a party…I’m such a sweet tooth and would have been all over that food!
Melody says
What a lot of tasty looking treats. Looks like everyone was having fun.
PinkPatentMaryJanes says
Best.
Looking.
Party.
EVER!
DancingInTheRain says
Love it. It all looks fantastic!
muchlove says
oh how wonderful!! everything looks so colourful and terrific!
Seedling says
Oh my goodness — what an incredible job you’ve done! I am so impressed. Jen x
Buttons by Lou Lou says
Well you certainly need to link this one up everywhere because it all looks fantastic and there are smiles happening everywhere. You have obviously been hiding your creativity or non-crafiness that I think you usually claim and it is all coming out now. Brilliant. Lots of great ideas and fun happening at your house. Lou.
Linda says
wow this all looks fabulous a wonderful cake and I LOVE the mermaid banner I love mermaids, the online mixed media course I am doing is about mermies!!!
Belinda says
What a fab party.
Your one talented lady.
Maxabella says
Wow! Way to make gal feel good. I am so grateful for your comments. Thank you so much. It is so encouraging for someone who ‘doesn’t get crafting much’ to hear such praise. x
Wynona @ ivy designs says
gorgeous!!! what a great set up. love the cake…and the ice creams cones. happy birthday to your beautiful girl x
Sara Rose says
OMGOSH FAB. You have inspired me to really get going on Eva’s “Coraline” themed Halloween party and her “rainbow” themed bday dinner! I think I’ll post progress too! THANK YOU!
Claire Chadwick @ Scissors Paper Rock says
Flog away….you did a great job 🙂
I love the pom pom’s you made & that cake is AWESOME!! The kid’s faces tell it all…they had a blast!
xo
Lauren says
oh wow…what a fun party! I found your blog through much love monday! lovely to come and say hi!
Cherie says
Flog it girl! A great post that deserves to be seen by All. Hope you have an equally great week 😉
Kymmie says
What a gorgeous girl, fabulous party planner (you) and lots of smiles from those pirates and mermaids. Success? YES!
Selina says
Well, I’d be flogging that horse too! Everything looks so fabulous and you clearly put in such a big effort, share it round as much as you can! Well done, and Happy Birthday to your little girl!
Michelle says
You did a fabulous job – I would be sprouting it everywhere too.
Miss Milla's says
What a great party you threw. i’m sure it will be a source of many memories in years to come. Great Job!!
Ninotchka says
You are very brave to try your hand at fondant icing – I have no tips for you, as I have so far avoided it. However the tissue pompoms look more achievable.
You look to have some very happy mermaids and pirates in those lovely photos, I hope you get some downtime to recover!
The Clip Cafe says
All very nice and your lil ones comment made me melt!!
Bree says
when you’re kneeding the icing use a little icing sugar (as you would flour with dough)
keeps the stickyness down and doesn’t adversely affect the taste of the icing.
Catherine says
You clever lady:) The mermaid party looks so sweet. I love the pom poms and all your pretty decorations. It looks like the birthday girl had a great time, Happy Birthday to your little girl. xo
kylie says
Looks like you did a great job and the kids seemed to be having a blast. Love the costumes too!
Stacia says
Wish I lived closer and could have visited Mermaidia! What an awesome party!! (Are the kids these days saying that anymore??)
PS: Loved the whole-wheat muffins! =>
Mama Pea Pod says
Lovely! I especially like the fish and seaweed decorations – what a clever idea!
Simoney says
LOVE IT!
I think I already commented after I spotted this on Emma’s party linky 🙂
FABBO!!
Leimay says
Awesome! I am doing a combined 4, 6 and 12 birthday next year (mainly for family as we have a large extended family) but to keep it all together Mr 3 will be having a pirate theme, Miss 5 will be having a mermaid theme and Mr 11 will be having a sponge bob theme so the over all theme will be ‘sea’
Some great ideas here for me to look at and add to the planner! Thank you greatly