Glowing at Eleven

Birthday, Girl, Invitations, Neon, Sleepover

So neon seems to be all the rage these days. I’m not saying I’m not “hip” and “into it” but sometimes it is a bit much. Being the center of attention has never been my sort-of-thing so I wouldn’t be caught wearing some of these bright, crazy colors. But eleven year old girls, well they love it!

The invites were modeled after the box card style that many scrappers have been using to make unique greeting cards. Why not an invitation? I love making interactive invites that people love to open and close or shake and move. This one was a big hit with all of the guests!

Here’s my take on a Glow themed party…

Glow sticks in balloons hanging from the ceiling, black lights, streamers and paper chains, glow stick bracelets, necklaces, and wands from the local dollar store, and neon painting on white t-shirts for the girls to keep. We also used glow sticks that we broke open and dumped the liquid into water – our spur-of-the-moment centerpiece that turned out so cool! The glowing liquid made blobs in the water that glowed for most of the evening.

*** This was last year’s theme – some how I missed posting. ***

Party Like an ALL STAR!

Birthday, Birthday Party, Girl, Invitations

Yup, my little one is a pre-teen! And she collects shoes (just like her Mama) so why not celebrate with her favorite – CONVERSE!

The event was kicked into “go mode” with a custom Converse style shoe invitation – complete with shoe box. I wanted the shoe to be interactive so I designed the tongue to lift up, like a real shoe would when it’s unlaced, and printed the party information on the underside. It was interesting hearing from the girls, and even my own daughter, that lacing the shoe back up wasn’t something they knew how to do. So I provided a life lesson with the invitation as well – hmmm – who knew!

We delivered the invitations to each of the recipients as we feared the shoe box would have been damaged being sent via USPS. Not to mention it was fun getting the girls reactions to them (and helping them to lace it back up 🙂

Each box had a customized barcode tag with the girls names and unique numbers about the birthday girl. The little “priceless” tag was even perforated like a real label. LOVE paying attention details!

For the party, I decorated a simple table as the girls would be eating and crafting together there. The cake was the centerpiece and not one of my proudest baking moments but the girls loved it. (Note to self – always make your own frosting from scratch – don’t try to doctor a store bought – unless you know what you are doing!)

Each guest received a custom made shoe box that had a mini converse shoe on a key chain and a mini white converse shoe key chain that they would decorate later. Their were compartments for each to take home a cupcake, gum, shoe sucker and other treats. The designs and colors were all repeated from the invitation only on a larger scale. Custom water bottle wraps, custom straw flags, and custom napkin wraps added to the simple table scape.

Each guest also received an initial chipboard letter that they then decorated. It was so great to see the girls use their creativity and create little works of art.

The guests signed the canvas pieces creating an art piece and keepsake for the birthday girl to hang in her room.

Happy, Happy Birthday, Sweetheart!

She said “Yes!”

Bridal Shower, Girl, Love Birds, Misc, Sweet 16, Wedding

Love is in the air – well it has been during the four weeks of planning this special event…

My dear friend, Karen, shared the news that her daughter, Rachael, said “yes” to the marriage proposal from long time love, Gregg. Naturally, Valentine’s Day was the perfect “love” weekend to throw an Engagement Party to congratulate and celebrate the soon to be Mr. & Mrs.

Even though it was Valentine’s Eve, the traditional Valentine theme just wouldn’t do. We kept it to white with a touch of red – no pink here. Sophisticated, delicate, and lovely. We were inspired from a dessert table found online (see link below) and the simple elements that were used. The paper products featured on that site are no longer available so I did my best to replicate them. The garland was our base and we built from there. The venue for the party was a multi-level club-house and the stair railings were the perfect place to dress up with yards and yards of custom cut hearts sewn together into an elegant and delicate garland. Please note the “hap-hazard” way it was hung was done on purpose… elegant yet whimsical – fancy but not stuffy.

Karen had the brilliant idea of a kissing booth but to be used more like a photo booth so that guests could have photo memories and fun with their Valentine. Her giving heart wanted to be sure guests were still able to enjoy their Valentine being that the event took time from their weekend. The crape paper backdrop was created to cover an 8′ door wall. The event was at night and the wall of glass behind the booth turns into reflective mirror and wouldn’t make for good photography. The booth was a big hit!

The backdrop for the dessert table was needed to cover an interior window. The venue was full of window and mirrors so creative and inexpensive backdrops were needed. The envelope wall was the perfect fit. “Sweet Hearts” was our tag line and we felt fit the envelopes well.

Karen made all of the cookies – working for hours to get them just right. The edible stamps on the love letter cookies were so cute and each cookie carefully tied with twine. Karen’s brother made the amazing cupcakes and cake and I did the chocolate covered strawberries. Licorice was tied in knots, Oreo’s covered in white chocolate, and red velvet cheesecake brownie “love bites” finished the table. (Karen did the Oreos and brownies too – she hasn’t slept for weeks!)

Thank you to everyone who helped with the set-up, food, desserts, and clean-up. So many helped to make this event a huge success.

I hope LOVE has found you this February and will continue to do so all year through.

red velvet cheesecake brownies

Oreo’s covered in white chocolate

yummy cupcakes

centerpieces – simple frames with tissue flowers.

custom garland

custom signs

photo props

red pillows for the furniture – no detail left undone.

custom photo booth

what a sweetie

Lovely Ladies

my Valentine

Karen – She did it again!

http://justcallmemarthaa.blogspot.com/2011/02/happy-valentines-day.html

Fab-U-lous!

Birthday, Girl, Invitations, Nail Polish, Purse, Spa

Little girls love to play dress up and pretend to be all “grown up”. How much fun to have a spa themed party for a little girl’s birthday and they can do just that!

These were made for a special little sweetie who is turning six. The invitation is a nail polish bottle that when you remove the top, reveals the party information inside. It even has a little “brush” to mimic a real nail polish bottle. I normally use a standard envelope for this invitation but since they were being hand delivered – well I had to make a little purse for each to go inside of. And we added each little girl’s name on a tag that hung from the purse. A-DOR-A-BLE!!!

Frozen – in June…

Baby Shower, Birthday, Bridal Shower, Frozen, Girl, Invitations, Movie

I have a client who has fabulous parties for her kids and comes up with great themes. These invitations and party favors were for her daughter’s very special 5th birthday – a Frozen themed party! Such a great idea for a summer party – to cool things down. Although, when we began the designing and prep for this event, there was still snow on the ground outside of my studio. Boy, how things have changed quickly over the past few months… The invitation was a interactive snow globe – shake the beads inside for snow fun! Flip the invite over and the party information is found on the back. The 3D castle with paper dolls was used as an activity for the young girls to assemble and play with during the party. And of course, everyone needs a snow wand. I made an extra one that I keep on my desk so when my kids get out of hand – a little wave of the wand to “freeze” them.

LOVE IT! (The photos of the table centerpiece and wands were from a party my daughter went to at a friends – I was in the middle of working on this event and gave the hostess the centerpiece and wands for the girls. Even tweens love Frozen)

Once Upon A Time…

Baby, Birthday, Bridal Shower, Girl, Invitations, Princess, Sweet 16, Wedding

I was thrilled when a past client contacted me to create this unique, girly invitation for her daughter’s first birthday. A few inspirational images, some poetry, hours of adjusting color hues, and voila – an invitation fit for a princess. Well I think so anyway…

Once Upon A Time castle invitation

a four paged book with gems, pearls, custom paper, and ribbon details

the front page was raised to appear as the castle entrance

the pages are made from multiple layers of card stock, each page with custom pattern

when the book is closed, it looks like a complete castle

note the gems on each page and custom monogram

page 2

page 3

page 4

invitation back

custom designed and printed paper for the envelope and personally addressed to each recipient

custom printed inside and out with the return address on the flap

Such an important event deserves a party as special as the birthday girl herself. I think her mother did just that and the party turned out amazing! Here are pics from the special day. (Aislynne, thanks for sharing with me.)

She’s a Perfect 10!

Birthday, Girl, Gumball, Gymnastics, Invitations, Misc

Ten years ago, my sweet Dani came into this world… a decade of joy is what she has brought to my life. I believe God sent me an angel in the form of a beautiful little girl. Her easy-going personality helps me remember that everything doesn’t have to be planned and the best adventures sometimes aren’t, she teaches me patience with her mild temperament and calmness, she inspires me to dance as she twirls through our home, daily, and she fills my heart with more love than I thought it possible to hold. I look back over these past ten years and am reminded of the milestones; first smile, first laugh, first tooth, first birthday, first steps and the joy all that brought. These next ten years will be filled with many such milestones; first car, first job, and first love. My wish for Danielle is that each of these “firsts” bring her joy and I will be here for her every step of the way!

Happy Birthday, Danielle! I love you more than words, Mom

Gum Ball Machine

Birthday, Boy, Candy, Circus, Girl, Invitations, Thank You

Sweet! This colorful gumball machine invitation is so sweet, extra large in size and so, very fun! Open the door to reveal the party information. It is constructed of heavy-weight cardstock in primary colors and vellum “glass” holds colorful gum balls. Entire invitation measures 6” wide x 9 ¾” tall.

open the door for the party info

Puppy Love

Baby, Baby Shower, Birthday, Boy, Girl, Invitations, Puppy

“ARF-ARF!” Invite your guest to your next event with this puppy holding his bone. He measures approximately 7 ¼” x 7 ¾”. He is made with textured cardstock that has been sanded, crumpled, inked and detailed. His nose is raised for a 3D effect. Lift his head to reveal the invitation information. What a great start to your puppy themed party! (I can add a bow to the puppy’s head to make this work for a female event 😉

details

Love this pup!

Lift his head to reveal the party info

I also have a smaller, printed version that’s just as adorable… love this custom printed envelope too.

Take Flight!

Airplane, Baby, Baby Shower, Birthday, Boy, Girl, Invitations

Up! Up! And AWAY!!! This airplane invitation comes complete with twirling propeller and banner. The banner tucks into a pocket inside the plane. Guests pull out the banner to reveal the party information. This is a fun, unique, and interactive invitation. The plane measures approximately 8 1/2″ long x 5 1/2″ tall. The banner itself is 7″ long x 2 wide. Please note that paper and text color can be changed to fit your specific needs. This is a great party theme for boys or girls.

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