Ahoy, It's a Boy Baby Shower featuring The TomKat Studio and Pottery Barn Free Printables

My super crafty sister-in-law Kat just threw a Nautical inspired baby shower. She not only threw one gorgeous shower, but she did it on a majorly TEENY, TINY budget! I wanted to share her pictures and some of her money saving tips with you. 

PARTY $AVING TIP #1: Use FREE printables! 

Kat used the ultra classic and darling Anchors Away Baby Shower free printable collection created by Kim of The TomKat Studio exclusively for Pottery Barn Kids. Not only did the collection include an invitation, but also flags, circles, favor tags, and garlands. I have to say it again, it was FREE!!!!

Free download available on Pottery Barn Kids

PARTY $AVING TIP #2: DIY Custom Napkins

Kat made her own custom napkins with a $1.50 anchor stamp from Michaels and blue Dollar Store napkins. 

PARTY $AVING TIP #3: Pick a few items to splurge on, then DIY the rest. 

Kat made all the decorations herself, so she was able to splurge on the cake, the navy paper straws, and drink dispenser. 

Hope this inspired the frugal inner party planner in you!

If you are looking for more great nautical party ideas, head to my Nautical Pinterest Board. 

Cake Plate Inspiration & Wish List

Cake Plates are a slight obsession of mine. 

Every gift idea I throw out to my family usually involves some sort of cake plate.

Here are a few on my wish list...

6" Pink Milk Glass Pedestal Cake Stand available at The TomKat Studio

White 3 Tier Martha Stuart Cupcake Stand available at The TomKat Studio

{made of cardboard and under $11!!!}

White Scallop Cake Plate at Pier 1 Imports

Shannon Cake Plate by Delightfully Lovely

Rococo Noir Tall Pedestal available at Sweet Lulu

Square Glass Cake Plate available at Sweet Lulu

Can't find a cake plate to match your party decor? Go ahead and make one!

DIY Cake Plates

This is  my very favorite cake plate (bought at Home Goods), it was a special gift.
The interchangeable ribbon feature makes this the most versatile cake plate I own.

Do you have a favorite cake plate? Leave a link below... it might get added to my growing wish list, lol!

DIY Monogram Middy Bitty Bags

For my latest Whisker Graphics project, I printed monograms directly on chevron middy bitty bags. These personalized bags would be perfect to hold party favors, utensils, or desserts.

Directions:

I created the monogram (Font Engravers, size 72) using the envelope template in Microsoft Word. I then fed my middy bitty bag directly through the printer. 

Air Show 2012

We live in a small town, but it's a special little town, 

with ties to some very special people, athletes, and even a famous dessert.

We tend to have some very fun events happen here. 

Like an Air Show that grows larger every year. 

This year even the Blue Angels came.

Ear protection for the kiddos (the kids liked wearing these so much they wore them all day)

 Air Show Printables by Pluff Mud Studio 

Air plane crafting was a huge hit

Thanks to our friends who host the Air Show Party every year. Their backyard is famous for having the best view in town.  I think some non-invited guests figured this out as well, this is a picture of their front yard!

Entertaining for the 4th

I can't believe the 4th of July is around the corner,

I love the parades, BBQs, and fireworks. 

So fun and festive. 

Here are a few of my favorite entertaining ideas for the 4th.

Grab and Go PlatesTutorial on In My Own Style

Patriot Button Candy by The Sweet Adventures of Sugarbelle

Dramatic Flag Centerpieces by One Charming Party

For more ideas, head to my Red, White, and Blue Pinterest Board! 

Gigantic Bubble Recipe

We love bubbles in our house, especially really big ones! Today I am sharing our GIGANTIC bubble recipe as part of the Ready 4 Summer Blog Party hosted by Midwestern Girl DIY and Simply Klassic Home. To all the new visitors, thanks for stopping by! 

A Wall-E Inspired Birthday Party

Party Theme: A special Wall-E inspired 6th birthday. My challenge? First, to pull off a character party. Second, to pull off a character party with extremely hard to find toys and party supplies. Thank goodness for the internet. I managed to find enough Wall-E character plates, balloons, and party hats to satisfy the bugger and then turned to 505 Design + Paperie to work her magic on the party printables. The goal was to create a Wall-E inspired party without overdoing the character aspect of it. We centered the party around the newly sprouted green plant Wall-E finds. It is the first proof of sustainable life on Earth and the main theme of the movie. If you haven't seen it, it's a cute movie with a great theme... there's even a little romance.

Colors: Aqua/Lime - modern, minimal, and outer space-ish

Desserts: The Axiom serves Sep-Tua-Centennial Cupcakes in a Cup, so of course we did as well. 

We also had Rice Crispy Trash Cubes, Axiom Brownies, Dirt Pie Push Up Pops with fondant sprouts, Wall-E, Eve, and Earth Cookies 

Favors: Plant Samples (sunflowers) for the kids to take home and plant, Robot Arms, and Eve Lollipops

Activities: Robot Trash Pick Up Game and Photo Booth with Wall-E. 

A big THANK YOU to the fabulous vendors who made Wall-E and Eve come to life...

these women constantly inspire and amaze me with their talents and creativity. 

Styling & Photography: Crossing the Bugger-Dixon Line

Wall-E Party Printable Collection: 505 Design + Paperie

Cookies: Frog Prince Cake and Cookie Design

Fondant Sprouts and Fondant Cupcake Tags: Edible Details

Brownie Toppers: Make. Bake. Celebrate

Shimmery Gumballs and Sweet Pods: Polka Dot Market

Eve Lollipop Favors: Whimsical Boutique

and Samantha's Sweets for the Rice Crispy Trash Cube dessert idea : )

Fishing Themed Garland {For a 1st Birthday Celebration}

I was asked by JoAnne of Oh Goodie Designs to make some fishing themed party decorations for a very special 1st birthday that she is coordinating. I crafted a fishing themed wreath, felt fish garland, fabric fish garland, and paper lantern fishing bobbers. I thought it would be fun to show you how it all came together.

Felt Fish Garland

Fishing Wreath

Fabric Fish Garland

Paper Lantern Fishing Bobbers

I originally made these with white lanterns for the Boy Bash on a Budget Challenge, however my local Dollar store only carries red, blue, and star themed paper lanterns this time of year so I used red lanterns and spray painted them white. I think they look even better than my original ones!

Happy Birthday Miles!

....

If anyone is interested in purchasing a fishing decorations, contact me for pricing.