Vintage Suitcase Invitation {A Military Welcome Home Party}

I have to gush for a minute about my favorite designers Do and J of Piggy Bank Parties. Their talent for creating, illustrating, and styling is astounding. They always exceed my expectations. I never worry about the quality of their products because they are perfectionists. They spend more time and effort on each project than they really should to make each design, each party perfect, flawless, and completely original.

If you are throwing a party, you must check out their shop. With their printable collections, you can throw a major party on a minor budget!

I sent Do and J some ideas for a Welcome Home party for a dear friend returning home to his family after 3 tours of duty. I really wanted this to be special, yet simple and masculine. I was blown away by the finished product.

My friend chose the theme "The Road Home", as it symbolized the journey her family has been on for the last 18 months. We decided to use vintage suitcases and luggage tags for this party.

Vintage Suitcase Invitation

We added this quote as a luggage tag tied with twine to the invitation:

No matter which road you take 

they all lead home. 

Know that now 

and it will make all the difference...

 then. 

-Raphie Frank

I will share more pictures after the party!

Vintage Valentines Decorations {Piggy Bank Parties Collaboration}

It's time to let you in on a little secret...the Piggy Bank Crew has been diligently working behind the scenes on our first ever CREW COLLABORATION!  We brainstormed, divided up projects, and mailed our creations to Piggy Bank Headquarters where the whole party will be styled and photographed. This is going to be one vintage Valentine's Day shindig FULL of inspiration and DIY ideas-- all on a seriously small BUDGET! Stop by Piggy Bank Parties to see sneak peeks and tutorials all week long 

Today on the Piggy Bank Parties Blog you will  find 3 tutorials by me

on how to make vintage Valentine's Day decorations!

..................

Doily Balloons

..................

Lace and Burlap Coffee Cups

.................

Felt Heart Pencils

DIY Geronimo Balloon Inspired Party Decorations {Tipster Tuesday Feature}

Each Tuesday is Tipster Tuesday on Piggy Bank Parties! It's a chance for us to share money saving party tips, tutorials, and great deals/products you should know about. In case you missed this yesterday, here is my tutorial for Piggy Bank Parties showing you how to create Geronimo Balloon-Troopers inspired party decorations for a whole lot less!


I have a mild obsession with Geronimo Balloon-Troopers. Have you ever seen them?

Image via Geronimo

I love the way Geronimo Balloon-Troopers sparkle and hover over a beautiful party. Each balloon is lovingly handmade with ribbon, tassels, crepe paper, and shiny tinsel. Since these beauties run between $60-$200 per balloon, purchasing them is out of the question for me. I started brainstorming... how could I get this look for a lot less?  First I thought I would purchase 3' round balloons. I decided against this option. These balloons can be costly and still have to be blown up and transported. I was giddy when I found 24" paper lanterns sold online. Here's the look I was able to create for only $6. 

Materials:

24" Paper Lanterns ($3.75)

Gold Tinsel, long pieces if possible (Scored packages of tinsel at a Thrift Shop for $.50 each!)

Various Colors of Crepe Paper ($1.00 x 2 = $2.00)

Ribbon ($1.00)

Directions:  To create fringed crepe paper, repeatedly fold over a 3'-4' piece of crepe paper as many times as you can. Make half inch cuts on one side, then the other (do not cut too close to the middle). Unfold and admire how pretty crepe paper looks fringed. Gather all your tinsel, tassels, ribbon, or anything else you think would look nice draping down and attach to the bottom wire of the lantern with tape or just tie it in a knot. It actually looks better if it looks a little messy and tussled. 

Then tie a ribbon around the trailing tinsel about 4 inches down from the top to give it a finished look. 

Hang the lantern and drape tassel as desired (a chair works nicely) and just swoon at your creation for awhile. 

{Swoon}

I hope this post shows you that party and craft inspiration can come from anywhere... a picture on Pinterest, a walk in the woods, sunlight hitting a window. My suggestion is to find something you love and find a way to develop it. My heart goes pitter patter when I see these gorgeous Geronimo balloons. Rather than wanting to buy that exact balloon I used it as my inspiration to create something even better, long lasting, and way less expensive! 

Ring in the New Year & Top Party Chick Honors

Happy 2012 everyone!

Never have I been so excited for a fresh start, a new year of possibilities. 

Image via Pinterest

I returned home from a great New Years Eve with friends to discover that I had been named one of the top party chicks of 2011 over on The Purple Pug, seriously? Wow. 

And also named as one of the 10(ish) Most Inspiring Party Peeps of 2011 over at Piggy Bank Parties! I hope you do check out both lists, there are some pretty amazing ladies mentioned!

2012 is off to a great start! 

GLOW-ing Favors on Piggy Bank Parties {FREE DOWNLOAD}

What has two eyes and GLOWS in the DARK?
Our HALLOWEEN favors!!!

Stop by Piggy Bank Parties to see my full post, because they have graciously offered these GLOW-ing Halloween Favor Cards as a FREE printable {insert major happy dancing!}  Hope you enjoy them and have a happy and GLOWING Halloween!

Piggy Bank Parties 

Wow Guests With Special Labor Day Drinks

I'm sharing drink ideas on Piggy Bank Parties today, head over to learn how to make 

your own flavored waters and {not your average} lemonade!

Time to Party, Piggy Bank Style!

This has been a summer full of top secret projects,

September has finally come and I can start spilling a few beans. 

Piggy Bank Parties has officially re-launched their site. It is full of party saving ideas, free printables, tutorials, party inspiration, recipes, and so much more.  I am so excited to share that I will joining a fabulously talented group of ladies as a regular contributor! 

Do and J Driver (aka Team Driver)  are the creative duo behind Piggy Bank Parties. Here is a sampling of the unique and creative designs they have transformed into some seriously amazing celebrations!  Can you believe all were done ON A BUDGET? You must visit their site to find tips and tutorials to learn how they DID that!

All the party printables you see below are available in the Piggy Bank Market. 

Zebra Chic Party

Mad Hatter Party

I LOVE this one

Glow in the Dark Party!!!

I am looking for an excuse to throw a party based on this

Sugar Cookie Invitation

Look at the adorable customization options!!!

Doesn't this chart make your mouth water?

Look for my introduction and first guest post on Piggy Bank Parties tomorrow! I'm sharing some ideas to get you ready for your Labor Day weekend festivities!