Sucker!

Remember how I said I ordered these lollipops for the kids' party? 

And remember this picture of one amazing candy buffet?

Well, I wanted a way to stand up my lollipops too.  But how?? 

In the same box as the lollipops, came my order of banana and sour apple Laffy Taffy ropes (I know, I know, you wish you were all invited.)  : )  I took one look at the empty box and the idea hit me... I could poke holes in the box and stand the lollipops upright!  I could even cover the box with some yellow & green wrapping paper I picked up on sale at Target. 

Here's what I did (because I'm sure a sucker stand is just the tutorial you need!!)...

1. Laid out the lollipops to estimate placement.  Yes, there's one missing.  Any guesses on who took it??  : )

2. I drew a (not-so-straight) line through the estimated center of the rows (I wanted a middle row too.)

3. Used a push pin to poke a hole where the center of each sucker would go.  I didn't use a ruler or measure anything exact.  It's just a sucker stand, after all.  Not like they'll be there for long!

4. Poked the push pin around to create a bigger hole, and then poked one sucker through to check the fit. 

After thinking I was soooooo clever, I took one look at my final creation and slapped my hand on my forehead.  How would I ever get them to stand up straight???  My OCD kicked in on high, as I kept standing them up (and cursed as they fell right down again.)  I needed something underneath to keep them from falling over. 

 

Enter... florist styrofoam.

I raced off to Michael's and came across a piece that was a perfect fit inside the Laffy Taffy box.  Well, length and width-wise anyway.  But it was a little too tall, and once I wrapped the box, the styrofoam would show.  Although it IS a yellow & green party (and the styrofoam was green), I didn't want it to show. 

Here's where I should've listened to my husband.  Yes, that's right, honey.  He suggested I just wrap the styrofoam too.  Totally could have worked.  But no.  I decided to take a kitchen knife and hack away at the styrofoam for an hour, sawing off all that would show on the bottom.  It was completely mindless and somewhat satisfying in the end, though, when I took my final picture...

(and yes, changing up the location and lighting always helps for a great "after" shot!)

After I wrapped the box, I poked the push pin through the back, through the paper.  The paper tore a little, but not enough to notice.  I made this yellow one (with it's stupid crinkly corners - argh!), and also one with the yellow/green dots paper.  So excited for the candy buffet, which I clearly admit is more for ME and the other adults than anything.  In fact, I doubt my friends will let their kids take more than a piece!  The white/yellow/green apple gumballs have arrived, and the green gummy frogs.  Don't forget the key lime pie salt water taffy, lemon drops, green m&m's (woohoo!!), spearmint balls, and the sour apple/pineapple/piña coloda candy sticks.  Oh, and the lemon & lime jelly fruit slices. 

Yes, clearly this is more for ME than anything!!  And yes, I'll be going for a lonnnnnnng jog that morning.  And afternoon. And probably nighttime too.  : )  Thank goodness my diabetes is gone (knocking on wood!!!)