6.14.2010
6.07.2010
[two parties...]
A few weeks ago I received a call from my friend Jordan asking for assistance and creative inspiration for a baby shower she would be throwing for her sister-in-law Brooke. Knowing both Jordan and Brooke to be ladies of great taste, and even better company, I was more than delighted to take part.
And then I heard that Jordan had a little more planned up her sleeve. Not only was she aiming to throw a baby shower but had a mind to hold her daughter's 3rd birthday party earlier on that same day. Now here was a challenge to sink my teeth into! Needless to say, I was definitely on board.
![shower2](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vXyVB-SnMJHpw3EEbkzVbgspQ0R7KRHlf4MnVNhkFAnHLX-qSWHZMKUCczhBNAvdFdGu93dC6YqD2sKS-H5Yyo44xSJ7KUlW9hw-b7waVC24fX2HAWBb-yLaOKhG2QjJSgAw=s0-d)
The inspiration for Brooke's shower was easy. We decided to base it on the adorable invite that graphic designer Brooke herself had created. I fell in love with her color choices at once and who doesn't love an elephant motif?
In fact we took this theme and ran with it - branded it, if you will, as Jordan and Brooke's husbands (who are also graphic designing brothers) comically put it. Jordan and I divided up the work load and proceeded from there. I made a slew of white iced sugar cookies and packaged them as celebratory favors.
![shower4](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_tNXYHpu-McCOvkA4u_Z5YRbabV3u6Z7QkWcWHgJCkIoztznx5YHUDHtBCOsxf8Lk6-gNt4zWwqKf4qwoKJlhkcH8KX_cHBpQOcVJVw2NvPA_JianzBGRH9Oi7EY7fjas0Qzg=s0-d)
And then went on sprucing up and personalizing water bottles, stacking a diaper cake, and dotting fabric back drops.
![shower5](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_sJHrjCR-9O_B_QmcyIiCWPFrt2c-1ssS0YZhUJjlPkYvjjtd9VzK7RtVqjQczuXcDcK5TdK22QKzZJP-Ch62DZGM1ZlBJdM_LWDtVJZWMBWNO6Gg6c0NMw1ed9UAY5Xsa0OA=s0-d)
Add some blue tissue paper poms, delectably dipped strawberries, a corner store's worth of blue candies, scrumptious sandwiches, a sinful strawberry spinach salad and some pretty darn good store bought cupcakes and a party spread we had.
The guests arrived and we enjoyed our time celebrating Brooke and her little bundle on the way.
Now for the birthday party for a certain little 3 year old princess. Jordan made the most incredible princess cakes out of my Williams Sonoma pumpkin cake mold. I don't think these Disney princesses ever looked so good, do you?
![princessparty2](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_t7Z2QKSrmqTij6bE43rQyQlVpYlUTADHjYRzmxYUrwFh3iWkAN7eJVLLg5KLmxP-vnG9A_x7Zpqy8Wpwjhl4rEE7jRBChqcv6wq9UznVTCoYyxzc5uSCPinyEsielewVPUXw=s0-d)
We doubled up on the iced sugar cookies and went with the same circle punch sticker solution for the packaging, reducing the work load a bit.
![princessparty3](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_tjfmv1byzrAW_eF4IgyZojvAzHFyb198d1ZL6ZGPNj7ys6fpXwrJ6xGuI9KmZ1EZQm6BrDLlSAV-Z3O6Tf29dwR3yCJgDX0Bp-9w5oRqWv0diDq0I57Uvy1PwPuvu6muZm=s0-d)
We used the same water bottle label solution and doubled up on the party poms (only adding a few more colorful ones for the birthday bash).
Happy faces and delighted darlings tell the tale of a smashing party.
Whew! Well from my perspective we pulled it all off rather well. And if you are thinking of doing something similar, here are a few pointers:
-most definitely pull someone else in to help you
-double up on as many goodies and design solutions as possible, still making sure each party has it's own signature look
-plan as much as you can ahead of time, divide and conquer
-simplify wherever you can
-when the clock is ticking, ditch whatever isn't working
-and when it's all said and done, let it all go and enjoy your guests along with the fruits of your labors
Happy party planning!
Posted by
mer
at
12:01 AM
10
comments
Labels: craft, DIY, food, graphic design, holiday, kids, parties
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)