A Hot Air Balloon First Birthday

When my sister-in-law told me she wanted my nephew’s first birthday theme to be “Growing UP, UP, UP”, I was super excited. The possibilities with hot air balloons seemed endless. To start the process, I gave her a selection of color palettes and asked her to pick her favorite. I find that this is the best place to start. When you begin an event, you most always have an idea of a few colors you would like to use, but finding coordinated hues can be difficult. That is where searching color palettes online comes in handy and you can base the entire event off of an inspired palette.

For invitations, I like to incorporate a 3D aspect using foamy double-sided tape. In this case, I found mismatched prints that went with the theme and cut out number ones. Pair with red envelopes and they are ready to send! The other item that I was in charge of was the Happy Birthday banner. Using the same font from the invitations, I printed and cut out letter stencils on cardstock.  Those stencils were used on a thick, red scrapbook paper.
For the bunting, I cut letter-sized, brown, kraft colored paper in half and created another stencil to cut out the triangular shape from the bottom.  Punch two holes on the top and string! To add more color and make it a little more dynamic, I picked out 3 coordinating prints and 3 solid papers in the same colors.  Having the color palette on my phone made it easy to make sure I was picking out the correct shades at the store.
Spray adhesive really worked best on this project as the craft glue was creating wrinkles in the paper. The party was at a beautiful park in the neighborhood. To separate each word on the banner, I used the extra invitations and as a finishing touch, added some red, burlap ribbons.
My sister-in-law created this adorable banner of all of the monthly photos using scrapbook paper and string to attach and decorate the baskets. In a stroke of luck, Oriental Trading Co. had these paper lantern, hot air balloons in the exact colors we needed. They really added to the space and were super easy to assemble and take down.
It was a beautiful day only made better by celebrating the very first birthday of the sweetest little nephew.

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Julie’s Baby Shower

I had the honor of helping to throw a baby shower for my sister-in-law, Julie, with a wonderful group of ladies.

There wasn’t one theme to the party, but many recurring touches: florals, hearts and chalkboards in pinks, greys and golds.  My toddler generously donated the use of her easel for the welcome at the door.

You will soon learn that I have a thing for scrapbook paper.  I find the possibilities of its use endless.  These heart lanterns were made from 4 sheets of scrapbook paper and a couple sheets of tissue.

The longer I throw events, the more I understand the value of creating sustainable decor.  With the help of my mother-in-law, Vicki, we made fabric flags using various prints and patterns that Julie can hang in the nursery.  The paper heart cut-outs surrounding the invitation were the scraps from the heart lanterns.

From the fabric scraps, Vicki made these adorable stuffed elephants.

Using a random assortment of vases and a handful of flower bunches from the market, arrangements were scattered all around the house.  If you find arranging flowers a daunting task, use small and simple combinations with only a couple different types of flowers.

More scrapbook paper!  Attached to sticks, you can plop them into centerpieces, in food displays and even use them to cover the tables.  These three platters are some of my favorites as the height gives the buffet spread a little more dimension.

If there was one thing that was absolutely necessary, at this shower in particular, it was dessert!  Cari and Heather did a fantastic job with fruit skewers, dipped rice krispie treats and Oreo pops!

Heather put together the “Headband Bar” and it was a great way to let everyone put their touch on a little gift for the new baby.

This centerpiece is made with dollar store fake flowers and Honest Co. rolled diapers in their strawberry print.  Each of the planning ladies were asked to bring a onesie to make another element of decor that is adorable and functional. Go Dodgers!

Vicki created a diaper cake and this little diaper bassinet!

Incorporating the fonts and images from the original invitation, Cari took regular candles and made them into custom, elegant favors.

If you couldn’t tell by now, Julie and Lance will be welcoming a sweet baby girl in July and we are SO excited!

Thank you for all your help, Vicki, Cari, Mary, Erika, Heather and Marcy!  I don’t think the day could have been more perfect for Julie, someone we love very much.

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