3 Year-Old Ballerina Princess Party

My three-year-old specifically requested a pink ballerina princess party. It was a very simple sweet party with family and a few close friends.

These were the invites wrapped in pink tulle and ribbon. I found the poem written by Anna Johnson and loved it! I also included the party information on the bottom of the picture.

Their "cups" were simply baby food jars with doillies.

I used a mixture of tissue pom-poms and paper lanterns around our light fixture.

The ruffle cake was so much simpler than I thought it would be. I used frosting from a can! This is the video I watched to learn how to make it.

I cut fabric into 4" strips and ran it through my ruffler to make garland. I didn't finish any of the edges and really liked the raw look.

How I Plan My Parties

I've been asked where I begin to plan my kids' parties and where to get ideas. Granted you can get a plethora of ideas, but to keep it within a reasonable budget is where it can get tough. I always try to not only make it special, but very inexpensive. Everything may not be professional and perfect, but the kids know that I do it out of love for them and they always love it.

SHE ministries was kind enough to ask me to do a little video blog as part of their summer series and talk about the steps I take to plan a party.

I am by no means a professional event planner, but a simple mom who enjoys celebrating her kids with fun and inexpensive birthday parties. I warn you, I'm awkward on video (okay, so maybe in person too), but I hope this helps.

(P.S. I talk a lot and they had to break it into two separate videos ;)

Vintage Inspired Party

My 15 year old daughter is very much into all things vintage as well as reading, blogging, writing, etc. I tried to incorporate all her likes into planning her birthday party.

I made the invites with publisher and after cutting them with those fancy edge scissors, I glued them onto card stock and tied them with twine. Using various fonts and scroll designs gave it an anthro look.

 After I have a party, I always realize I didn't get enough pictures of everything! Hate that! Well, here is what I do have....

The party was in the evening out on the back deck.
(I have yet to learn how to properly take pictures at night :/ )

Loved the glow of the mercury glass.

We had an old typewriter that the guests used to type notes to the birthday girl. I think my favorite note was, "Where is the backspace on this thing... this typewriter needs a spell check". ;)

Again, I wish I had gotten a better pic of this, but I had flowers hanging in jars across the deck as well as clear lights strung across.

On the menu: Fettuccine Alfredo, Chicken, Garlic Bread, and Salad

Cones made from scrap booking paper filled with popcorn and placed in an old Coca-Cola crate.

Photo Booth Fun

The ombre cake. I made four 8" cakes with white cake mix and added red gel icing coloring in various amounts to get the different shades of pink.

Asian Themed Party

This party was for my daughter's 13th birthday. She asked for a white, fuchsia, and tangerine colored party, but that was about all as far as her preferences. I suggested an Asian theme and we went with it from there.

For the invitations, I made a simple postcard sized invite with the 411 in Chinese with the interpretation in English in parentheses (using google translation). I made simple sleeves out of brocade to dress them up.

Sushi Candy

Here's the cost breakdown:

10 paper fans......$3

10 sets of chopsticks....free (they gave them to me at a local Chinese take out!)

10 take out boxes....free!

centerpieces....$3

bamboo place mats...$5

paper lanterns....$8

paper parasols....$12

food....$30

Another budget party and everyone was happy! :)

1st Birthday Outfit

I had the privilege of making a 1st Birthday outfit for my niece's birthday!

a pettiskirt with matching top

I cut fabric of two different colors to make an elephant to coordinate with the skirt

I simply appliqued it to the front of a solid white tank and added some extra ruffle fluff around the neck line

yards and yards of ruffles!

extra ruffles twisted up for a barrette

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Cooking Party

Prior to the party, I made chef hats for all the kids. I had enough fabric left over and made a matching table runner.

I got simple aprons at Hobby Lobby. I had planned to put ruffles on them to match the chef hats, but life happend and I never got to it. (I don't think any of the little girls noticed ;)

 I got little personal size pizza pans at National Restaurant Supply. Each of the girls made their own dough.

I had all the sauce, cheese, and toppings in bowls on the table for each child to make their own.

Wii dancing while the pizzas are in the oven!

I made 6" cakes for each guest to decorate their own.

Masterpieces!

The fun these girls had was priceless!