OUTDOOR BOY BABY SPRINKLE

Last month, one of my very good friends hosted a baby sprinkle for another friend of ours, with a girls dessert night.
Despite bad weather predictions, it turned out to be a clear night in their backyard, and as darkness fell, the tea lights were lit, and it became such a beautiful atmosphere. A small handful of women, celebrating a new little life we were yet to meet. Gorgeous. Even thinking back on it, brings a smile to my face.
Liz did a fantastic job of creating this welcoming table. Knowing the guest of honour was having a boy, everything was in navy & grey with pops of yellow. I designed an invitation according to the style Liz was going with, and then designed matching place cards and a bunting.
I think you'll agree it looked beautiful! What a great setting for a night of great conversation, honouring our friend and celebrating this little life!
 

Have you thought of hosting a smaller intimate gather like this? What would you celebrate?

Styling by :: Liz Lenton
Photography :: Elise Horn
Stationery by :: Polkadot Prints find invitations here

COUCH MAKEOVER

My mum has this hobby of collecting antique and second hand furniture with the view to revive it. One of these pieces she had sitting around was a wicker outdoor setting that has definitely been 'pre-loved'. A double and two single seated set. It was kind of in bad shape - sun damaged wicker and the fabric was a little dodgy to say the least!

I had this grand idea to do it up for Salem's baby shower. Time kind of ran away from me though and it wasn't till the Thursday before the shower that it really got started! Call me crazy, but a vision is a vision, and I wasn't going to drop it without giving it a good go! Eden (another of my sisters) painted the frames white and my job was the sewing/re-upholstery part. 

I ran out of fabric and time in the end, so I only just the double seat was done in time. But I did whip up a couple of pair cushions to match. I think it's going to look great when it's all completed. 

Now that I've told you I'm going to finish it, there is no way off the hook now...you'll have to keep me accountable!!

PERFECT PAIR BABY SHOWER

So Saturday was the big day for my sisters baby shower! It was pretty, a lot of fun and came together so beautifully. Salem got to hang out with her friends and celebrate the impending arrival of these little twins!

We based the whole theme on a 'Perfect Pair'. You can see the invite & mood board which were the inspiration behind the whole theme. We'd worked out a menu a while before, and had all the female family members contribute something which definitely took the pressure off in the kitchen department!

One big box of pears, some baby's breath and some props I or us girls already had, made it quite easy to decorate (I love it when a style fits with personal taste!). I think the biggest outlay was the re-covering of the couch...but more on that later.

Here's how it all looked on the day...rustic, pretty and yummy!


The macarons were served in a lace bowl made from a doilie. And chocolate mousse in little jars with wooden spoons attached. So cute!
The drinks and take home treats were displayed on a white sideboard table. I used party dots cut with a flourish punch and 'sealed' with baking paper and jute string.

The take home treats were muslin bags filled with Nutella truffles (seriously good!); with a thank you hang tag, jute string and sprig of baby's breath.
And another sister made a green ombre cake inspired by this one. It was with great anticipation that Mercy cut into it to see that yes, all the layers were in fact in the right order :)

Some cute little 'perfect pair' onesies as a gift.

And a photo of me and my sisters - including my 29wk pregnant tummy! (Unfortunately my sister-in-law had gone home when we took this and I didn't realise till later I didn't get a photo of Salem & my mum. Sniff.) I truly love a big family!

It was such a fun afternoon! I was going to share about the couch makeover, but I will release you from the longest post in history, and share tomorrow.

Until then, you can enjoy 50% off this new collection in my store till the end of the month!

A big thanks also to these great suppliers:
Macarons // Bubble & Sweet
Wooden Cutlery // Polkadot Prints
Stamp // Sweet Style
Flourish Punch // Tom Kat Studio
Perfect Pair Stationery // Polkadot Prints

VISUAL KINDA GAL

It's all stations go this week at my place. Along with normal orders and design work, I have to get a printed order out by tomorrow - 120 invitations for a charity event I'm working on, and it's also full steam ahead on the preparations for my sisters baby shower this coming weekend. I feel my diary is definitely mapped out for the week! Putting together and crafting of all the bits and pieces to help make it a fun day is my favourite.
It's mock up afternoon this afternoon with one of my sisters too. I like to get a visual on how things are coming together and give time to fill in any gaps that are needed. Fun times! Are you a 'wing it' kind of person, or do you plan and visualise everything?

{Image: Some of my 'perfect pair' supplies just waiting for the weekend!}

PERFECT PAIR SHOWER INVITES

I designed these invitations for my sisters baby shower I shared with you earlier this week. They are keeping the gender of the babies a secret, so a sage green was a perfect neutral colour choice and we went with a 'Perfect Pair' theme. She wanted something a bit chic and not really 'babyish' for her shower, so I drew a lot of inspiration from weddings on this event.
I didn't want it too tacky and cartoonish with the pairs, but create a more soft and sophisticated look with the rustic little nest and detail. 
The invite was given in a lined envelope with an address label wrap (a new printable item?!). I think they turned out so pretty. I can't wait to design some matching elements for it!

Lots of preparations and fun crafty props to make for this one. Yay! I've been propping all day it feels like for this celebration - this morning and tonight, I'm getting really excited! I can't wait to meet these little guys...or girls!

MOOD BOARD :: PERFECT PAIR BABY SHOWER

It's all babies in our family at the moment. I've got a few months to go still till our baby is due, and one of my sisters is also pregnant...with twins! Fun right? She's due a few weeks before me.
We're putting together a baby shower for her in a couple of weeks which I'm really looking forward to and getting excited about. Here's the mood board I've been putting together on Pinterest.
The invites went out over the weekend too. I'll show you those soon!


{SALE // Store wide sale in my shop! Use the code "KARA20" to get 20% off all printables, invites, treat boxes and stationery for the rest of this week - till Friday 7th Oct - Happy event planning!}
Images :: Sage Dessert table | Floral & Hessian centrepiece

BABUSHKA BABES

Okay, I think I've saved the best till last of these new collections. Actually not my best, but Linda's best. Linda from Bubble & Sweet (who coincindently lives down the road from me...who knew!), made all the cookies & macarons I used in the Cherry Love, Cocktails at Tiffany's & this Babushka shoot.

She is seriously one clever cookie herself. When Linda dropped these goodies off I would like pop the lid and show them off to anyone and everyone who dropped by! (I had one friend whip out her phone and started snapping away saying how her teenage daughters would just love them...).

They are amazing don't you think? She put so much detail into them. And those square ones...ahhh gorgeous!

And check out this awesome idea she did for her daughters vintage paper doll party recently - I love an original creative idea...genius!

I want to give a huge thanks to Linda for her creativity she put into these for me and really made my products shine. Please head over to Linda's blog and make sure you follow. She graciously shares all her recipes and baking know-how. Also she has a new book coming out you might want to pre-order for you and the kids - fun!

This Babushka design is available in my store.

{Images are by the very talented Naomi from Naomi V Photography...I will share a full post about her sometime soon too!}

MOROCCAN BABY SHOWER

Last year I designed some paper goods for Chris of Celebrations at Home. They were for a baby shower in honour of a couple who met in the Middle East and were pregnant with twins - they called them their "little monkeys" - hence the Middle Eastern Monkey theme. I really like how unique & personal this made the event.

I designed Moroccan inspired Buffet labels, chocolate bar wrappers and menu cards.

My favourite party would have to be these Menu cards at each place setting. Great idea!

You can find more of Chris's creative details and photos from this event in her posts here and here.

CUSTOMER PARTY :: Cookies & Milk Baby Shower..& Giveaway!

As you know, I love hearing back from customers when they have used my designs at their parties. This week, I am sharing a cute 'Milk & Cookies' themed baby shower from the 'Savvy' mum's, of The Savvy Mom's Guide. Amy asked me design a custom milk carton favour box to fill with cookies for guests to take home. I think they turned out really cute! And tied in with their colour theme really well. (If I do say so myself!)

You can find all their photos from the baby shower here.
In the fun aftermath of the shower, Amy & Bri are giving away one of my milk carton printables in a Polkadot Prints design of your choice. Head over to their blog to get the details on how to enter!

Once you've done that, come on back and take a look at some fun things from this week with my Weekend Whiparound ::

:: Mini Banana Splits
:: If I was to celebrate Halloween, I would want it to look like this
:: Mini Cake Bunting
:: It's a nice day for a...Purple and White wedding desert table

CELEBRATE FRIDAY :: D.I.Y Fabric Pocket Favours

Know how to cut? Can you sew in a straight line? (or can your mum?!) If yes, then todays party favours will be a piece of cake! Very much a DIY project Twig & Thistle designed for this simple & stylish Baby Shower.  

Check out the shower details here

The finished product ready for the guests

The little shortbread treats tucked inside the pockets...yum!

And these are all the supplies you will need! 

Find the full DIY details here. And have a great weekend all!

Oh, and don't forget to head down to Portside on Sunday morning for the Boutique Markets...hope to see you there!

Feature Print :: 'Ryley' Owl Theme

Guess whooooo’s here? It’s Ryley! A cute owl announces the arrival of your new baby! It's a unisex retro design which could be used for a naming day, christening or birth announcement celebration. This birth announcement is personalised with your details in a postcard size (A6 or 4” x 6”). 

Ryley print is available in my shop!

Inspiration sources: HWTM, Sweetopia, The Party Dress, 

Feature Print – ‘Safari’ Baby Shower & Party

My self-declared 'Baby Shower week' is now over, but here is some inspiration I didn't get a chance to post last week, and since I'm still in the Baby Shower mode with all your lovely feedback, here is a different theme to get your juices going!


The Safari theme is a personal favourite of mine, see my post here for the reason why.
What started as my little guys first birthday party invite, has now turned into a complete set of stationery. I designed a Baby Shower invite just recently to fit in with the theme and introduced a little Zebra amongst the jungle animals! From Baby Shower Invite, Birth Announcement, and Party Invite. Pretty much the first year is covered! :)


Meet the safari party...

And some theming inspiration for children's party or baby shower!

Image source - Invites Polkadot Prints, Pinata, Cupcake Wrapper, Lanterns, Jungle Cake, Tableware

Ice Cream Sundae Baby Shower - Part 2

(The decorate your own biscuit favours were a fun project as people arrived - they are little onesie jumpsuits for those who think it may be a little more like a bell shape!)

So today I thought I'd share a bit more of the finer details of the Ice Cream Sundae Baby Shower. 

Overall, I wanted to keep the design of this table fresh, friendly, and create kind of a summer outdoors old school vibe. Using different mediums like wood, china, tin and greenery helped to keep it friendly and fun!

It all started with the invitation  

Baby Letters - Party shop

My wheat grass didn't end up growing, but Mondo grass saved the day! - planted in Ikea pots 

Wooden Scoops - Wheel & Barrow  

Sundae Cups - Cups from party shop and personalised labels

Glass Vases & White pots - Ikea

Onesie Cookie Cutter - Little Betsy Baker & topped with personalised bag toppers

Cookie Dough Cupcake Cups - Little Betsy Baker

Hope you enjoyed this little journey into the Ice Cream buffet baby shower! :)

Check out more details of this event here