A Very Crafty Bridal Shower

How incredibly crafty is this shower?!  Designed and crafted by Breanna of Brenotes blog, it has so many projects and interesting details that I know you could do also.

The cupcake/mini cake stands are genius, and I can't wait to make my own!  Just gather together some candle sticks, spray paint them, and hot glue or apoxy small saucers to the top.

Bouquets of paper flowers, and some cleverly layered menu and activity cards (made with fabrics, doilies, papers, and ribbon trim) set the perfect 'crafty-chic' table.  Fabric-flower hair bands act as a party favor and napkin ring, all in one.

Breanna got this party started with some amazing fabric invitations inpired by this tutorial.  She made a fabric base with decorative trim to hold the paper inserts which contained the information.  Then inserted them into a fabric envelope with button closure.  She even printed the address on fabric labels!

This is one shower I would not want to miss!

Napkin Wrap Up

Looking for interesting ways to present napkins at your place settings?  Here are 6 fun and unique ideas to try, from rustic to whimsical:

1 - Slide the folded napkin into a decorated or printed cake bag for an unexpected presentation.

2 - Wrap a wide leaf around the napkin and cut 2 slits into it to insert utensils or chopsticks.

3 - Use birch bark wraps as napkin rings for a rustic setting.

4 - You're familiar with pretty paper wraps, but take it a step further by using strips of corrugated paper to wrap around, and tie with ribbon or a thinner piece of decorative paper.

5 - I love the idea of creating a menu band.  You can print out your menu on vellum, then attach 2 pieces together with double stick tape, or even sew them.

6 - For a fun look at a teen/tween party use beaded bracelets, or string your own and add a name tag.

I hope you'll try one of these ideas the next time you set the table for entertaining!

Source: Wohnidee

Enchanted Fairy Party

Get ready for one of the most incredible, and yes, enchanting parties for a little girl.  This Enchanted Fairy Party was designed by Amanda Parker who is working on developing her children's party business.  Well if this is any indication of the parties she'll be providing, I know she will be successful!

The amazing thing about this party is that Amanda created everything herself.  She made the tree centerpiece(inspired by Giggledust Parties) from a large piece of drift wood, and added a doll house window, and small door she crafted her self.  The top of the tree house is fashioned from the lid of her son's old sand box.  She covered it with green burlap, moss, ferns, and leaves.  And those stairs...those sweet adorable stairs for the fairies to climb up to the door, were simply wooden disks staggered and fastened together.

The place card holders were another creative project pieced together from wooden boxes and cocoa planter liners spray painted red, with white felt circles glued on.  This created the perfect toad stool for her DIY fairies to sit on.  Tuffet blog has a tutorial for making these little gems.

Amanda says she was running out of money by the time she got to the food table.  I say the natural wood pieces and display are perfection!  She drilled holes in found logs, to hold "Fairy Fruit Wands" and "Magical Marshmallow Pops."  The cake is simple and sweet, and all the decorative accents are once again, enchanting.

The creativity didn't stop at the table settings.  Lots of Fairy activities were set up around the wooded area: a fairy house craft table, pin the wand on the fairy(she painted herself), flower ring toss(yep, she made that), finding coins the tooth fairy had dropped in the land of flowers(she embelished flowers from Hobby Lobby), fairy dress up, a pixie dust station, and finally, the mushroom grotto.  Amanda made those amazing mushrooms her self!!  She explains, "The mushrooms were different sizes, so they were made from different items. The larger ones are tomato cages, cut down, then covered in thin cardboard, batting and finally a sewn cover. The tops were cocoa planter liners that I painted and glued felt circles on. The smaller ones were mainly plastic pots or megaphones from the Dollar Tree with plastic cups glued on top (to get them to the correct height) and then covered again with batting and fabric"

You will have to visit her website to see even more photos.  She is truly talented and inspiring!

Paper Crafts

I recently came across this fab feature in Utterly Engaged online magazine.  There are some fun and easy paper crafts from Sweet Paul, that you can easily add to any food or favors display.

Flower rosettes made from cupcake liners and pretty paper are used to add interest to bunting, favor boxes, and table decor.  I also love how the paper cone is made to fold over to create a little pouch.  You can add these small touches to any celebration!

A Zebra Stripe By Any Other Color...

You may know my love for an animal print - especially zebra stripes (as seen here).  What was once over-the-top "Cougar" style, or 70's "Bachelor Pad," is now chic and even classic.  So when I saw how Tara Wilson of Tara Wilson Events incorporated GREEN zebra stripes, I was over the moon! 

I love the unexpected color scheme and all the zebra details, from stickers, to cookies, to favor tags.  What color would you like to see incorporated into zebra stripes?

DIY Framed Monogram

Here's a quick and easy DIY project perfect for your next shower or birthday celebration.  The idea is from Molly of Lilly Cakes blog, and I'm so in love with it, I incorporated it into a Sweet 16 birthday I styled.

Here are the easy steps I followed to create the frame above(my own adaptation of her original instructions):

1. Use the infamous Ikea frame above, or any other one will do.  Remove the glass and cardboard backing, and spray paint the frame the color of your choosing.
2. Using the glass insert as a template, cut out the shape from a large piece of foam core (I used one that is already blue), using a box cutter.  Insert the foam core into the frame as you would the glass & cardboard backing.
3. Choose your monogram letter from any craft store.  Spray paint it your color of choice, and attach with hot glue to the foam core board.

You can hang this above your dessert table, in the entry way, or any other prominent spot in the party space.  It is a great way to personalize the decor for the guest of honor!

See More DIY Ideas Using the Ikea Frame Here and Here

Strawberry Fields Forever

I recently did a guest post for Becca at Birthday Girl blog, while she is enjoying her sweet new baby girl.  I put together some inspiration for a "Strawberry" themed summer party.  Head over to the post for complete details.

Mad About "Mad Men"

Are you eagerly awaiting the season debut of Mad Men?  Would you like some inspiration for a fun "Mad Men" themed viewing party or a Retro Birthday party?  I've been holding on to this post submitted by Lekiah of Events-ualities, for months waiting for the return of the season, to share it.

Lekiah participated in a local chef's showcase/fund raising event in which each table is designed by someone different, following a single theme.  The theme this year was "New York State of Mind" and she chose the show Mad Men which takes place there.  The table setting pays homage to the lifestyle of the early 60's and some great retro pieces from the time.

What a great centerpiece the old lamp makes.  And the use of the rotary phone and old typewriter just puts a smile on my face.  She also included Sterling Cooper letterhead, business cards, and menu cards each with a different character on it. 

To see and read more, visit Events-ualities blog.

Beautiful Ladies Luncheon

When the talented Katie Henry of Katie Grace Designs submitted this party she threw for her mother's birthday, I knew I had to share it ASAP! I was immediately taken by the calming neutral color scheme... then blown away by the details.

Katie created the perfect blend of 'natural' and 'elegant' using beautiful fabric and flowers mixed with burlap, greenery, and grapevine.  The neutral colors dotted with pops of coral feel calming and relaxed.  I love the centerpiece of candle sticks topped with carnation pomanders, and a single manzanita tree with flowers wired on to the branches.  Katie designed all the tags, place cards, and menus, and found the totes (favors) at Hobby Lobby.

One of the most unique elements in this party is the grapevine 'banner' with moss accents, and hand crafted fabric flowers attached.  This was set against a burlap backdrop with words that describe the guest of honor, also tied on.

The dessert table is another great focal point with the moss covered monogram and the cutest cupcakes/toppers I've ever seen.  Burlap wrappers with grapevine 'ribbon' is genius!  The only thing better is topping them with the mossy tags.

Head over to Katies blog to read all the details about this special day, including some sweet and sentimental activities to honor her mom.  What a lucky lady!

Sources:

Boxwood balls at each place setting: Save On Crafts

Grapevine ball: Save On Crafts

Grapevine 'banner': Hobby Lobby stores

Fabric: Calico Corners

Photographer: Ashley Carson Photography

Ariel In Wonderland

I'm constantly amazed by the creativity exhibited by you fabulous party people! This Ariel in Wonderland party is just about the most creative, whimsical, and transforming birthday party I've seen. I think Lewis Carroll would have been proud.

The amazing talent behind this birthday party is Kelli Britt.  She loves to develop parties and paper goods, but hasn't taken the "next step" towards doing it professionally.  Uh, Kelli, I think you got it girl...Just Do It! ; ) 

Kelli's husband made the most amazing arbor above the table, from old branches found on their property.  He also built the planter boxes for the centerpieces which hold wheat grass, feathers, playing cards, and flowers.   Kelli hung a multitude of lanterns, butterflies, and flowers from the arbor, and situated her daughter's doll house in the center of the table to hold cupcakes, cookies, and an "Alice" doll.  She also made "Mad Hatter" hats to hold the name cards - I love the checker board pattern used here and on the table cloths.  The whimsical graphic designs she created for all the signage is another testament to her talent.

More of this fantastical design is found on a side dessert table.  Story icons like "eat me", and "drink me" tags, as well as keys and favorite quotes from the book can be seen throughout the decor.  Bright patterned fabrics and ribbon are the perfect anchor for it all.

  Thanks so much for sharing this incredible party with us, Kelli!  No doubt it will inspire others.

Party Design, Styling, & Paper Goods: Kelli Britt

Photographer: Cynthia Jill Photography

Teapot Cookies:  Sweet Afternoons

Cupcakes:  Sugar Kneads

Hanging lanterns, butterflies, & flowers:  Hobby Lobby

Blog Love

I want to say a big, heart felt "Thank You" to those sites who have featured Celebrations At Home, in the last month or so.  I've had a wonderful response to the French themed party, as well as some great posts about my Custom Inspiration Boards.  If you're not familiar, take a little looksy at all these inspiring blogs (hope I didn't leave anyone out):

Divine Party Concepts, Pepper Design Blog, Kami Buchanan Custom Designs,

Celebrations, Icing Designs, Kinser Event Company,

Birthday Girl, Under the Table and Dreaming, Save the Date for Cupcakes,

The Creative Party Place, Bird Crafts, Scissors Paper Rock,

Stem Parties, Catch My Party (party of the day)

Sweet Shoppe Party For Twins

Wow!  Shelley of How Does She? created a gorgeous 1st birthday party for her twin daughter!  With the help of some talented vendors, and a little diy, she pulled off one of the dreamiest parties I've seen, starting with the incredible backdrop.  The ruffled party streamers are a project that may take a bit of time but the result is so worth it.

There were candies, and ice cream, and cookies, oh my!  And lots of beautiful tags, labels, and other imprintables from Chickabug.  The birthday banner is from AtoZebra Celebrations, and the sweet cookies from Sweetopia.

You can visit Shelley's post on How Does She? here, to see lots more photos.  Such an amazing party!