Monday, July 16, 2012

A Citrus Birthday Party: Decorations

Posting has been a bit sparse lately because it's been party central this month!  We have four birthdays this month, with LB's big first year bash at the end of July.  Needless to say, I've been a bit preoccupied with planning and preparing for all the celebrationss because a party isn't a party without a few decorations, right? 
At the beginning of the month we had family and friends over for Brad and ER's birthdays.  Hers isn't until the middle of the month but we wanted it to be far enough away from LB's so she felt like she had her own thing.  She doesn't mind sharing with Daddy because she thinks it's neat she was almost born on his birthday six years ago.

I dug into my supply stash to use a collection of papers by KI Memories that I love and have been hording for years!  There never seemed to be the right project to use them for and so they languished on my shelf.  I even hesitated to use them this time, but as my stash reaches mammoth proportions I've had to reevaluate things.  What is the point of having pretty papers if you never use them?  Lately my philosophy has changed to not being afraid to cut into a pieces, even if you only need a strip or two.  Better to use and love then to sit collecting dust!
I happen to have two of each design so cutting them up wasn't as painful as I expected.  There's still lots to horde, I mean use!  To make:

Cut paper into 6X6 pieces
Create a banner pennant template out of a 6X6 pieces of scrap paper, junk mail is great for this!
Trace and cut out as many pennants as you need.
Cut out an equal number of circles
Ink all edges of pennants and circles.
Cut out letters using Cricut and Alphalicious cartridge.  Other options include stamping, stickers, etc.
Cut photos into circles for each end of the HAPPY layer.
Glue letters to circles and circles to pennants.  Also glue photos to circles.
Punch two holes at the top of each pennant.
Use ribbon to string together pennants.
Hang and admire!

On each end of the HAPPY layer I added an extra pennant with a picture of each of our birthday guests of honor.  I'll be sharing a way to resuse this banner and turn it into a mini book real soon!
We had three tables and we stacked an assortment of clementines, lemons, limes onto footed plates or a bowl, and tucked in dasies for centerpieces.
Most of the tables had yellow tablecloths but one had this pretty table runner on it.  It's so simple to make out of just two pieces of fabric.
The rest of the party decorations were made primarily with paper scraps from the banner.  Starting with the food labels.  I'll share more of the menu on Wednesday, with links to all our delicious dishes.
I used scraps from where I cut out the notches on each banner pennant to make drink flags.  This cute glass from Target a couple of years ago was filled up more for the party.  I forgot to take a picture of the beverage table so these are what was left.
As guests left, each one found a party favor waiting for them next to the door.  I used more scraps and a scallop circle punch to make name tags.  There were magnetic lemonade list pads for the ladies, Brad's favorite candy tied up with a bow for the men, and decorative boxes I found in Target's dollar section for the girls.  They each got to visit the candy bar and fill it up with gummy oranges and fruit slice candies.

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I'm sharing this post at: Carolyn's Homework, Sugar Bee Crafts, It's Overflowing, Tip Junkie, and Southern Lovely.

7 comments:

  1. I'll bet they loved filling up their boxes with that candy. What a cute party, and I love the banner.

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  2. The banner is adorable. It is great that you can use it over and over - just string on different pictures to fit the birthday child! The party looks like fun. Great favors, too.

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  3. What a cute theme! You did a great job on everything.

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  4. It is all soooo pretty! Thank you for sharing. Visiting from Southern Lovely. Would love it if you would share this at my Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2012/07/make-it-pretty-monday-week-6.html Wishing you a grand week. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

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  5. I love all of those colors!! Fun party decor!

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  6. Very cute banner! I love the favors that you gave out at the end! It looks like fun was had by all:)

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  7. Beautiful banner! I love that you included pics of your daughter; I've never thought of that before! Thanks for sharing! We would love to invite you to join us on Saturday Show & Tell on Cheerios and Lattes! I know my readers will love all your kid friendly ideas! Have a great weekend!
    Mackenzie :)
    http://www.cheeriosandlattes.com/saturday-show-tell-20/

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