Monday, May 21, 2012

Vintage Tea Napkin Holders DIY

My inspiration for this project came from two places. The 1st,  a vintage tea party I am working on. I am just loving all the pretty pinks and lace and wanted to continue that theme with the napkins. The 2nd (and real inspiration) came while kicking around the net one night. I found these gorgeous paper cones (below) made by Cristen of Events by Tiffany & Cristen and Kate Landers of Kate Landers Events. This was too pretty not to try! (See Cristen's blog for more on this beautiful Vintage Silhouette Party!) I love love love the silhouette. These ladies sure know how to throw a gorgeous party!
So here is what you need to make my version of them:
 Pink and tan card stock, glue, doilies, napkins, cutlery, scalloping scissors or scalloped cut out.
I found a pretty vintage tea pot image online and made place card hang tags first. Printed on tan card stock and used a stamp to cut into tags. Tied them on with twine.
Found most of the mix and match (kid sized) tea cups, saucers, and plates at flea markets. Such wonderful finds! I just adore them!
Fold doily and glue bottom together. Print out your image on card stock and cut in a circle or oval. On pink paper cut with scalloping craft scissors. Glue together, glue on your cone, then let dry.
And that's it! Stuff with napkins and cutlery and your done. 
So pretty and super easy!

Monday, May 14, 2012

The Enchanted Spa Party

What a beautiful day it was! The room my client chose for her daughter's party was just perfect. A blank canvas with big windows, allowing the sun light in. My lilac tree was in full bloom, so I cut a bunch that morning and brought with me. The room SMELLED like a spa. I was so happy.
I make a custom welcome sign for each party and custom water bottle labels on request.
  Hand made personalized birthday banner/bunting.
 Tulle pom poms are my favorite way to dress up a room.
Spa towel wraps hung in the entry way. Each girl was given one to change into as she arrived.
I worked on them for a month so it was so exciting for me to see them all hanging there...ready to be worn! The girls loved them...especially when they realized they were a take home gift also!
The craft table was next. Each girl could decorate her own flip flops with ribbon, gems, & fabric strips.
  I love how creative they were!
                                                                        Next up was the pedicure station.
   Followed by mani's!
    Sweet girls waiting for their nails to dry.
                                                                              The main event... FACIALS!!!
 Beautiful birthday girl, Emma, ready for her facial. Each girl got a goodie bag that included a hair wrap and mini mani/pedi kits to take with them to each station and then take home.
                                                              Face masks and cucumbers produced a lot of smiles!
                                                                                         So much fun!
Girls and moms dined on flip flop and spa mask sandwiches, along with fruit, veggies, & a few of my signature sweets.
My signature flavored popcorn and adorable spa cookies from A Cookie Jar. 
                                                                                 The sweets table.
  My home made marshmallows and buffet cards.
Marshmallow pops
Purple lemonade with sweet retro straws by The Sugar Diva.
A beautiful and fun day with a great group of girls!

Big thanks to Jen of JE Portraits for the incredible photos! Stunning!

Credits:
Party Design: Pretti Mini Parties
Photography: JE Portraits
Spa Cookies: A Cookie Jar
Paper Straws: The Sugar Diva
Spa Party Clip Art: Zenware Designs




Tuesday, May 1, 2012

The Magical Mermaid Party

I had so much fun creating this mermaid party for my daughter's 5th birthday! Her only requests were that there be sea shells and chocolate cupcakes. Easy enough! But, of course, this party planning momma couldn't stop there! We started in the winter months and painted sea shells together.  Such a fun thing to do on cold, dreary days. Made us day dream about Spring and her upcoming birthday. By the time it got here, we had enough sea shells to decorate the whole house! (And then some!) Found some adorable clip art on Etsy by Peach Pop to make signs and labels and there began our mermaid adventure!
The magic started as soon as guests got out of their car. We had a sea shell garden, a bubble machine, and fabric "waves" hanging to create an under-the-sea effect. It sure wasn't lost on these little ones!
Inside, the table was set for magic. There were balloons and jellyfish and plenty of sparkle.
This is one occasion were I really wish my dining room wasn't red! I seriously considered painting it white for the party but the husband vetoed the idea!
Another view.
Hand made tulle pom pom "jellyfish"
 Loved these plates and found napkins that just happened to match. Hand painted the flower napkin rings, glittered, then hot glued a sea shells on each one.
Sand filled centerpieces held sparkly shells, glitter, and a mermaid sign.
Hand made mermaid crown awaited the birthday girl
Sea shell craft.  Pre-painted wooden & real shells in party colors. Girls glitter glued them and decorated with gems.

Made a #5 for the craft room out of a hanger and bits of fabric left from other projects.
Love how the girls were so into the sea shell craft. 
Hand made birthday bunting and fabric backdrop.
Guest nibbled on starfish PB&J and goldfish turkey sandwiches, goldfish crackers, fruit and veggies...
...along with Octo-hummus dip
...and aqua popcorn!
Chocolate mermaid cupcakes were made by me, but the fab cake toppers are by IncrEDIBLE Toppers.  Too cute!

Wavy marshmallow pops
Pink lemonade served in mini milk bottles and paper "bubble" straws by The Sugar Diva.
Deep Sea cookies by A Cookie Jar on Etsy. As yummy as they are cute!

Ruby and her sweet friends got a surprise visit from Ariel!

There was face painting and smiles among friends.
There were giggles and games.

Ariel led the kids on a treasure hunt...

...that eventually led them back to the front porch where their "sea" pails were waiting...filled with bubbles & goodies.
And, of course, there was cake and singing!

A very happy day for my sweet pea! Happy 5th Birthday, Ruby!
A HUGE thank you to my friend and very talented photographer, Sarah Zimmerman for capturing the day so beautifully!

Credits:
Party Design: Pretti Mini Parties
Photography: Sarah Zimmerman Photography
Clip Art: Peach Pop
(pink mermaid image on signs, pails, & water bottle labels):
Cake Toppers: IncrEDIBLE Toppers
Specialty Cookies: A Cookie Jar
Paper Straws: The Sugar Diva