Construction Birthday Party Decorations

Ah, the big day has come and gone! It could not have been smoother or more fun! The kids had a great time playing which allowed the parents to enjoy a little conversation. It was a success!

Now here are the details!

I ordered just about everything from Oriental Trading Company! They are the best! This banner came from them. I originally got it for a row of pictures, one from each month of his second year, but it was so big I could cut it up and use it in numerous places. I did cut each triangle apart because the space between them was too wide. I just used a glue gun to stick them back together. It really was not a big deal. I believe it came with a 100 feet, which was way too much but allowed for some added decorations around the house inside and out.

This banner is the reason I bought it in the first place. I put a picture of Jacob from each month- 13 through 24. I did this last year and really loved seeing how much he changed so I wanted to include it again this year. He has changed so much in the last 4 months it is unbelievable! I made a sign like a construction sign that said, "Jake's Second Year." I will link to this on my printables post. I used the website picnik.com to write each month on the picture. This is a dummied down photoshop and I love it. It is free or you can upgrade for about $25 bucks a year!

Here are a few other places I included the banner. The last picture is the party favor table I placed the tool belts in a tool box for display. I made a printable for the banner that said, "Thank you for helping us celebrate." The truck is just an added decoration.

Another party favor were these hats. I bought them through Oriental Trading and just added the sticker (Printable page) with each child's name and a few foam stickers, again through Oriental Trading. The kids could grab the hats during the party but I saved the tool belts for when they left. These children were young and I knew that pieces would be lost or mixed up as the party progressed if I handed it out at the beginning of the party. Plus it helped the little ones say goodbye without tears.

Horrible picture, but here is a wreath I made. I will use this as a prop in a photo shoot for his birthday pictures as well. 

 

Here are foam stickers of road signs I bought at Oriental Trading Company. I received a HUGE bag of them and just used them as decorations all over. I took one and stuck it to a string then put the matching sign on the opposite side and hung the string from the chandelier. 

This is the food table. I did not serve a meal just finger foods. In the corner you can see a bucket with a sign reading, "Dirt Pudding." Here is a link to the recipe. Appropriate for the theme! :)

I printed two different coloring pages for the children. (printables) One was a picture of a dump truck and the other was a construction area. I placed them on this window seat with two buckets of crayons and some truck books. I did not know if anyone would read or color but it was an option. We did have a couple 

color-ers and book readers. It was a nice way to defuse a sticky situation. 

And the most important decoration... The DIG, DIG Table! 

I had a train table that I placed in the center of the room with pea rocks in it. I then made some road signs to decorate it with and filled in the trucks, bowls, cups and shovels. By husband thought I was nuts and told me he would have no part of the clean-up if I went through with this! But after the party he was willing to admit it was a HIT! It would obviously be better suited for outside but here in Tennessee it is just too hot to have an outdoor party in August! At least for a 8 month pregnant lady, like myself!!

The last part of decorations is the cake! I was planning on making a cake but being 8 months pregnant and having a tiny kitchen in a HOT August I decided to buy one. This one could not have been a better choice. I picked it up at Publix. 

The decorations always seem to help set the mood of a party. Although we rent and I DO NOT love the house or paint colors/wall paper, I try to make the most of it for the party. 

Tea Wreath

More Christmas gift making over here! When I saw this Tea Wreath at Kojo Design. I was excited about this project because I knew exactly who it would be good for! Kojo's tutorial was supper easy to follow and it make the project a quick gift to knock out! 

I did change a few little details, just because I did not read the tutorial carefully the first time! I just Mod Podge to glue down the paper down instead of a glue gun. I used thick paper and had to use the glue gun for the base of the wreath to get the paper to stay down. 

I covered the base of the wreath and back of the wreath with the same paper. On the clothes line pins I used 3 coordinating papers. I used a large wide ribbon to hang the tea wreath. When I give the wreath at Christmas I am going to pair it with a over the door hook.

After seeing the finished product I totally want one too! Thanks Kojo, I copied that!

Birdie Party: The Big Day

I spent the last 3 months planning the party and now the big day was upon us! I was excited to see it all come together. (Although extremely nervous to make the cupcakes.) I knew everything else would come together just fine. I had about 25 people coming to the party (more than I initially intended), but with proper planning I felt it would be ok. I needed to decorate, make the cupcakes and tidy up. 
The most important planning piece for me was NAP TIME. I wanted to make sure Jake enjoyed his party and I knew to do that he NEEDED his naps! He still is taking 2 naps a day and sleeping about 4 hours a day. He needs his sleep to function so he IS a good sleeper. My sister and her fiance stayed with us but I asked everyone else to not come before noon to ensure a smooth morning. (The party started at 3pm :) )

Jake playing with his first birthday present from Mommy and Daddy, a sand and water table.

The decorating started at nap time. I had an idea of where I wanted everything so the decorating was more about placing things where I thought they would work. 

Mantle 

Sofa Table

Playroom

The Wreath with the J was suppose to go on the door but it kept falling down so we repositioned it in front of where Jake would be opening his gifts.

Dinning Room

Our wonderful neighbors have a family tradition they shared with us. They may pictures with the age of the birthday child and decorate the house with them. Here is an example, one that was placed on the front door.

The party turned out to be great! Everyone had a lot of fun especially Jake! He was not at all shy or uncomfortable with all the attention and did not have any meltdowns! (Success!) 

I tried to pace the party so that we got to everything and did not run over. We started the party with small talk and introductions. While we were doing that I had burgers cooking on the grill. We then ate a little. The party was 3-5pm but I wanted food because I knew that Jake would need to eat during the party. I wanted him to eat before the cupcake and he would be too tired to eat after. Following dinner we opened presents. I had Jake open only the gifts of the guests. I knew a one year old would not have the patience to open all the gifts and family would be around later to watch him open presents. Next we moved on to singing Happy Birthday and the cupcake. That concluded the party, from then we just talked and hung out watching the kids play. That way everyone felt comfortable (and ready) to leave right at 5pm. Family and a couple out of town friends stayed a couple hours later to catch-up. Jake went to bed about 5:45 because he was overstimulated and exhausted. Great afternoon!

One year already! What a great party to celebrate and even better year!

Birthday Party Labels

I completely stumbled upon this idea! I was actually thinking of buying labels to use but hesitated because I could not find exactly what I wanted and did not want to spend money on something I did not love. 

I was reading through my Google Reader and saw these posts from I am Momma Hear Me Roar. She gave tons of photography tips but also included a tutorial on picnik.com. I had used picnik before but did NOT know the extent of the capabilities. Cheri did a great tutorial and I started playing like crazy!! It is so much easier than photoshop and it can do most of the same things!!

 

I used these labels for the party favors and for decorations. They added that personal touch that really makes an impact at a party! I received so many comments on all the little details and I think it was these that had a big impact!

Thanks I am Momma Hear Me Roar, I copied that!

Tree of Life: The First Year

While searching for party ideas I came across the cutest project and one I knew I had to replicate! Kara from Kara's Party Ideas made a tree with pictures of each family members' first.

 

I decided to create the tree and to use the pictures of Jake from each month of his first year. I cut the pictures out with a 2 inch circle punch and placed them on cut out leaves. I also added some blue birds to follow along with the theme.

Everyone loved seeing how he has changed!

Kara, I copied that!

A Year of Firsts

In preparing for the first birthday I knew I wanted to make a Birthday Board. 

A Birthday Board is a fun creation I saw on How Does She. I love their tutorials and I knew it would not be a problem putting it together! I figured I would include 12 holes so that I could include a picture from each month of Jake's first year rather than the balloons as pictured above.  

While picking up crafting supplies for the party, I found an alternative to the 2x4. I found wood block picture holders. They had 2 wires to hold the pictures and I thought, oh what an easy way out! :) I picked up 7 blocks and a scrapbook birthday package with paper and stickers. For the rest of the project I followed How Does She's tutorial. 

I ended up changing my plans with the picture blocks and using them to display some of the major milestones in Jake's first year, hence A Year of Firsts. I displayed them in different places throughout the house. 

                           

How Does She, I copied that!

Every Bed Needs a Headboard!

At least I think so, but not my husband! He thought it was fine to have the bed in our guest room void of any decorations. I, however, disagreed! So I ventured out to Lowes and bought a piece of plywood. I hate going to that part of the store but I stood up straight, held my head high and walked over. I grabbed the first piece of plywood I saw and ran the other way. I left the store as quick as I could. I did not want anyone to ask me what, little old me, was going to do with a huge piece of plywood. (Partly because I wasn’t sure!) Sure I had seen Trading Spaces but I am more the type that sees something and runs with it. I make the plans after I screw it up first! Next stop fabric store… Did not know what I was looking for or what size to get so I walked around looking for inspiration. This is the part that kills me, remember I copy, finding things for myself isn’t so easy. I did find a remnant that I loved and thought it would be big enough!?! Add some batting and I was on my way. Once I got home and started playing around I realized that I needed to shave off the top a bit. I did not like the square look. (Tip: Always plan after the project has started). I had to wait over a week to finally find a friend with a ‘jigsaw’ (new word). Then my brilliant mind decided to go for it! I found a piece of paper and drew a curved line, that was good enough, right? WRONG! It took a few cuts to get it right but I did it. Next cover it. That was the easy part for me! I had staple gun, batting and the perfect fabric. Easy! Until I realized that my fabric wasn’t the right size. I had plenty but I had to patch it together. That is where the problem solver comes in!  I just patched it together at the bottom of the board no one would see it! Beautiful! Easy-ish! Now your turn!