With Joy: party planning

It is true I have been planning Avery's first birthday party since her arrival.
Why? She is special.
And as her mother I wanted to create an experience that will allow her to know, when she looks back at pictures, how special she is to me. All the late hours were time that I was ENJOYING the art of creating and also time that I was reflecting on what a blessing our butterfly has been to us.
Plus I can't deny crafting helps me feel better when I watch Desperate Housewives, Brothers and Sister, The Bachelor, Glee, Parenthood and a few more along the way. (wink, wink)
The Invitation

Invitation and paper good by Fresh Chick Designs. Rebecca is my girl!

The Dessert Table

For the backdrop I use a 4x4 piece of plywood that I cover.

Custom burlap table cloth by Sweet Tea and Linen

Chocolate covered Oreos by Erin from naturally i

Cupcakes made by my pal Eva

I made my first little cake.

Not perfection but I am proud I made it.

Butterfly cake bunting I made.

I made the signs with my Silhouette.

The paper flowers were a labor of love.

The dessert plates were strawberry baskets lined with doilies.

The Craft Station

Mobiles I made. I really liked the tulle poms.

Crayons resided in my silver infant cups.

Entrance

Rather than gifts we had guests bring books that will be donated to the Phoenix Children's Hospital.

Ribbon Window

Banner made with the Silhouette.

The Extras

I rescued this frame from a trash dump.

Spray paint is a miracle worker. It made a great welcome sign.

Custom "sippy cups" for each child.

The cups were found at the Dollar Tree.

White butterfly balloons

The Birthday Girl

Priceless!

thank you to Jordan Morales for her photography!
Linking with: Tatertots and Jello, Craftomaniac, The Creative Girl, Skip to my Lou, Tip Me Tuesday, Today's Creative Blog, Type A, Designer Garden

Cake bunting is such an adorable touch to your cakes. There are so many variations on the concept it is hard to pick just one. Here are directions for the one I made for the Teddy Bear Picnic.

Supplies:
2 Wooden skewers
Ribbon (3/16" width)
Cardstock in color of choice
Coordinating ribbon
Glue Gun
Scissors
Needle
Fishing line
Double sided tape
Scallop punch or die cut machine.

Step One:
Punch or cut your scallops. You will need two sizes. I used a 1 and a 1 1/4 on my Cricut. You will need 3 cut scallops for each 3-D scallop you are making for the bunting.

Step Two:
Take 3 scallops of the same size and fold in half. Using double sided tape (my best friend) and stick your scallops halves together. One side will be left unstuck.

Step Three:
Thread your needle with fishing line and begin "sewing" your scallops together. You will poke the needle through the top center of each scallop. KEY: Once the needle is through DOUBLE knot the top of each scallop so that it stays in place. *You can also use thread I just like the floating in air look that fishing line or invisible thread achieves.

Step Four:
Double knot the end of your fishing line, with the scallops on it, to the top of a skewer. Place a dot of hot glue on the knot to hold it in place. While the glue is still hot place the end of your ribbon there and begin wrapping the skewer. I left some of the natural part of the skewer showing to bring out those tones we were using throughout the party. But, I think it would be nice with a fully wrapped skewer too.