the sassafras blog hop is still open below!
i'm sitting here all alone, j's at a social event, the girls are OUT, and i'm recovering from the party today. looking through the photos, i've decided that they bring me so much joy...i want to blog them TONIGHT instead of waiting until next week. :)
hope you all don't mind!
harper decided she wanted a "flowers" theme and i came up with the idea of doing a "may flowers" party.
i had fun working on this party for a few weeks. most of the supplies are things i already had.
i thought i'd share what all i did. if you have any questions, please ask in the comments below. i LOVE to share ideas!
lanterns from oriental trading embellished wiht doilies,slice cut flowers,and jbs buttons.
party hats from the party store. decorated with slice cut flowers and 5s and jbs buttons
garland made from fishing line, silk gerbera daisies and daffodils and crepe paper (for the leaves)
i decorated the chandelier over the table with pom poms left over from harper's party last year, fringed crepe paper, paper chains (made with patterned paper in my stash), 5s cut with the slice, and various garlands i had around the house.
an overview of the table. that's her invitation to the left.
begonias from the grocery,photos,invitation
cookies and cupcakes from back in the day bakery. i made the cupcake toppers using SC notions, girls paperie embellishments, and toothpicks.
sprite in the bottle, with a flower embellished paper straw to drink out of. straws from shop sweet lulu
i put the cupcakes in a three tier basket in flower cupcake wrappers. i added some faux grass to the basket as well (yes, i really stuck with the flower theme..HA!)
marshmallows dipped in candy and flower sprinkles, another overview of the table
i filled watering cans (from the dollar spot at target) with bouquets and embellished the cans with doilies, slice cut flowers and 5s, and jbs buttons.
flower pinata...sadie was SCARY with that stick!
cute little ones dressed in florals
gifts from mama and daddy
window decorations made using dollar store flower doilies and slice cut flowers
favor boxes. these are from michaels. i topped them with doilies, gerbera daisies, twine, and tags cut with my slice. i stamped "❤ h" with studio calico stamps.
in the boxes:
flower socks from target dollar spot
flower shaped pot of lip gloss from michael's dollar spot
tiny flower pot with planted marigold or daisy seeds inside- target dollar spot
flower ponytail holder
2 flower hairclips
the pinata goodie bags. these are from shop sweet lulu. i topped them with doilies (also from shop sweet lulu) and 5s cut with my slice (do you sense that i got lots of use out of my slice???)
how CUTE are these flower pots i found at michaels? they matched our theme and colors PERFECTLY!
living room...a pretty sweet dance party took place here. HA!
entry area...martha stewart pom poms, photo banner, favors,etc.
i think this banner is one of my favorite things from the party. i found it at the party store, in the fiesta section. it's made of plastic. i added fabric flowers (thanks ginny!) and photos of h to it to make it a bit more special.
the mantel...lots of h's and layouts of my sweet girl. i kept the ice cream cone wrapper banner there too.
i had the idea to set up a "party photo booth" outside. i bought a few yards of floral fabric and hung it on the porch.
i set up a basket of accessories for the girls (HUGE sunglasses, beads, mustaches, leis, and a bunch of flower petal headbands and hats) and let them dress up and pose together.
h took a photo with each guest...so fun! we are going to print the photos and send them with our thank you cards.
the birthday girl and her gifts and the look on her face that made ALL the work SO worthwhile.
shirt by amy tangerine
it was hard work. it was. but also REALLY REALLY fun. and best of all? after the party was over tonight, harper crawled in my lap, put her little hands on both sides of my face and said
"thank you for making my birthday so special, mama".
and i melted. i would do this every day of my life for her.
i love my girl.
xoxo
s
Stephanie, you are AMAZING!!! Seriously! Have you considered putting together children's parties for hire? (maybe after the littles are a bit older or even in school)? Everything looks fabulous!! Total EYE CANDY!!! Love, love, love it! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Melissa | 05/07/2011 at 08:13 PM
you throw a wonderful party - so creative. You should be a party planner in your spare time lol
Posted by: Suz Gray | 05/07/2011 at 08:13 PM
Oh and two quick questions ...... Where do you purchase your doilies and what was in the favor boxes? Thanks!
Posted by: Melissa | 05/07/2011 at 08:16 PM
ooh! off to add that info, thanks for the reminder!
the doilies have been gathered over the years. oriental trading, dollar store, grocery store, etc
Posted by: Stephanie Howell | 05/07/2011 at 08:17 PM
This could be the sweetest party ever! Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Danna | 05/07/2011 at 08:17 PM
wow you have 4 kids and still managed to do this!! you are amazing!!!! love it!! she is one lucky girl!!
Posted by: Mandyb | 05/07/2011 at 08:17 PM
Love, love it all!!! Way to go! What a special day for a super special little girl! I am so going to steal the photo booth idea. That is awesome!
Posted by: Sarah H | 05/07/2011 at 08:18 PM
what a special party! you did a GREAT job! I love throwing parties - so fun.
Posted by: virginia | 05/07/2011 at 08:23 PM
you're amazing, mama! and Harper is one lucky girl!
Posted by: sasha farina | 05/07/2011 at 08:23 PM
Super cute party decorations!! You are so crafty!!
Posted by: Kami | 05/07/2011 at 08:24 PM
adorable party! the look on her face in the cupcake photos is priceless. she sure does radiate happiness, doesn't she?
awesome job steph!
Posted by: sarah | 05/07/2011 at 08:25 PM
Wow, this is too much! I'm 29 and I'm jealous! Way to go Steph :)
Posted by: Charlsey | 05/07/2011 at 08:26 PM
I've been looking forward to this post. I knew it would be beautiful and it was. :)
Posted by: Tammy Kay | 05/07/2011 at 08:29 PM
Gorgeous photos Steph! What an awesome party for an awesome little girl;)
Posted by: Michele H. | 05/07/2011 at 08:38 PM
AMAZING! You are a wonderful Momma - I've got boys so none of this fun girlie stuff for me until the little princess is born (or at least I pray for a little princess someday) - but I guess I could do some cute stuff for a bug birthday party too :-)
Posted by: Kimberly Bailey Hawkins | 05/07/2011 at 08:49 PM
so darn cute!! :)
Posted by: Jennifer | 05/07/2011 at 08:58 PM
oh.for.cute. <3
Posted by: Jill E. | 05/07/2011 at 09:10 PM
Oh this was all so cute Stephanie! I've got so many ideas now for my girls 3rd birthday! I will be in the middle of November, in Winter, but I think a flowers theme would be so cute even that time of year! I can start collecting things now while all the Spring things are still out.
Thanks for the inspiration (as always!)
Posted by: Mary Ann | 05/07/2011 at 09:11 PM
That is the most awesome looking party ever! Plus Happy Mother's Day!
Posted by: Angela Thompson | 05/07/2011 at 09:13 PM
Great party ideas. Harper is so lucky she has such a creative,loving momma!
Posted by: Valerie | 05/07/2011 at 09:18 PM
I have to say...I am in awe. Simply in AWE. Everything you did...ok, it's alot of work, but really the decorations seem easy to make. Just need some time. But what I'm most in awe of, is the ideas you came up with. I got my Slice to cut out letters. I am so left-brained that I looked at the other cards and could not think of what I'd use that stuff for. I just wanted alphas and numbers.
Now....Now I'm starting to envision my baby H's first birthday party that I'm going to throw in July. Can I steal Harper's Flowers theme? I couldn't think of a good "theme" for a first birthday. I didn't want it to be super lame. But honestly, I've been out of a job for 3.5 months. I may have one next week (it's looking good) But it'll take weeks to recover. I need inexpensive decoration ideas.
So if you don't mind...I'll borrow the theme. And now I REALLY have to get my mom over here this week to help me figure out how to get my Slice to WORK. I feel silly that it's defeated me for the past 2 years, and I'm a computer programmer!
Posted by: Noelle | 05/07/2011 at 09:37 PM
take it!!! and show me what you do! :)
Posted by: Stephanie Howell | 05/07/2011 at 09:39 PM
Happy Birthday Harper! What a fun theme! The backdrop for the photo booth is so cute! Looks like the girls had so much fun. Thanks for sharing the party with us!
Posted by: DeeDee | 05/07/2011 at 09:47 PM
Wow, this looks like such an amazing party! I'm glad Harper had such a great party, and has such a great mom!
Posted by: Heather V | 05/07/2011 at 10:33 PM
This party looks amazing - love all the details. You could be a professional party planner, and I'm so impressed that you did all this while having TWO newborns at home - bless you for making Harper's day so special! (and the rest of us are so inspired by your ideas)
Posted by: KathyChen | 05/07/2011 at 10:35 PM
being a third grade teacher, and not getting many 'thanks,' I teared up when I read that she grabbed your face and told you just that. good job mama... what a wonderful way to end a beautiful day.
Posted by: bree | 05/07/2011 at 10:35 PM
Stephanie, you are the best mama ever!
Posted by: stacy | 05/07/2011 at 10:50 PM
Super cute Steph! And your girls are just adorable!
Posted by: CyndiC | 05/07/2011 at 10:57 PM
aww what a sweet little girly!!!
Such a lovely party
xo
P.s. Happy Momma's day!
Posted by: C. Rayevich | 05/07/2011 at 11:00 PM
Oh, Stephanie. It looks like you gave your darling girl a beautiful birthday that she will always remember. Those little thank yous make it all worthwhile. My daughter was confirmed this week and as I was kissing her goodnight, she thanked me for teaching her about our religion and making it an important part of her life. The thank yous don't come everyday but when they do...WOW! P.S. I love the picture of Harper with the balloons.
Posted by: Linda E | 05/07/2011 at 11:08 PM
Beautiful party!
Posted by: Lissa | 05/07/2011 at 11:12 PM
Your little girl has a special mama! Everything is wonderful, colorful, and very special. I loved all of your ideas.
Posted by: Judy Bohne | 05/07/2011 at 11:23 PM
What a happening party! Great use of the product here!
Posted by: Tamika | 05/07/2011 at 11:24 PM
totally LOVE the photos of H with the (pink) guitar and in all her glory with her cupcake - amazing and perfectly captures the moment! AND what a simply perfect, awesome idea for the photo booth - props and all - for sure need to do this for upcoming kidlet bday - thanks so much for the inspiration - in your wonderful life, your kiddies and your beautiful projects :> you're awesome!
Posted by: Tara Orr | 05/07/2011 at 11:44 PM
wow, can you be my mama???? LOL...what a FUN and beautiful party....looks like she had a blast....and all those decorations....wowsers!!!!I love all the little touches here and there...made it all the more special. Thank you for sharing all your ideas and pics....I love your photo/booth idea too..gonna try that for sure!
Posted by: Elizabeth | 05/07/2011 at 11:47 PM
The decorations are amazing. Love the photo booth idea.
Posted by: Tltorrez | 05/08/2011 at 12:44 AM
Beautiful job!!!! :)
Posted by: Jennifer Sanborn | 05/08/2011 at 02:34 AM
OMG - this is still brill. You are such a great Mom. Glad that you all had a brill day and you have got some amazing photos.
Posted by: Jackie | 05/08/2011 at 02:59 AM
You put together an AMAZING party. Absolutely beautiful. If only you lived near me...I'd love to hire you to decorate for my daughter's upcoming grad party! :)
Posted by: Amy K | 05/08/2011 at 03:57 AM
Stephanie - that's incredible
Posted by: Naomi | 05/08/2011 at 06:06 AM
What a beautiful flower party! Happy Birthday Harper! And a Happy Mother's day to you Stephanie!
Posted by: Kathy Martin | 05/08/2011 at 06:49 AM
What a beautiful party!!! I love the photo banner!! You are an amazing mom. Happy Mother's Day to you!!
Posted by: Lara | 05/08/2011 at 06:53 AM
That party looks just wonderful and what a cute fun collection of pictures. Looks like you scored a perfect one!
Posted by: Janet and Lisa | 05/08/2011 at 07:01 AM
Well done, lots of thought was put into this celebration. Your pictures are wonderful too, I know you are glad to have your camera back. Your layout of h at her graduation flooded my mind of my girls graduation days from preschool not so many years away but sometimes in seems like a lifetime. She is a beaming, so proud of her accomplishments and her future ahead. Happy Mothers Day.
Posted by: MK Hennigan | 05/08/2011 at 07:04 AM
Wow.
I want a party like this for ME.
Would it that I were so creative and original. Sigh.
Love especially the loot bag idea and such great things inside! I always struggle with what to put in loot bags.
Posted by: Diana C. aka the Lonely Scrapbooker | 05/08/2011 at 07:40 AM
Wow, looks like Harper had a fabulous party! Love how she appreciates what you do for her - that's a well-raised kiddo :) It's great that you used your slice and personalized all the decorations - makes such good use of them! Happy Mother's Day!
Posted by: pegg | 05/08/2011 at 08:50 AM
I want to go to a party like this! The decorations looked absolutely fabulous! So creative, so full of color, so FUN! What a lucky little girl Harper is! I love the photo booth idea and all of your great decorating finds! Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Kristen | 05/08/2011 at 08:58 AM
This is the cutest party ever!!!!
Posted by: ivyPINK | 05/08/2011 at 09:01 AM
The birthday party looked like it was perfect!!!!!! I love everything you did with your Slice :)
Posted by: Jpichot | 05/08/2011 at 09:18 AM
You did an amazing job! As soon as the twins start kindergarten, you really need to go into party planning!! I mean it! Get a nice little store to show off all your beautiful work and start planning parties. You will be so successful that your husband could retire early!! What a talented woman you are. I would love to take some creativity lessons from you - I lack that gene! And you are totally making me want to buy a Slice!! Happy Mother;s Day!!
Posted by: Stacey | 05/08/2011 at 09:24 AM
WOW!!! What a beautiful party for a beautiful young lady!!!Happy Mother's Day to you!
Posted by: Kat Layton | 05/08/2011 at 09:28 AM
Precious. You've inspired me! My son, Joey, is turning EIGHTEEN on May 27th. Oh, my! I want to make it special...he's a sweet young man. I'd like to have a special fun day for him...any ideas?? I've always baked & decorated his cakes. I'm thinking maybe a Mexican fiesta....with lots of nachos;)
Oh, and I take it you really, really like your Slice?!! :)
blessings,
tonyad
Posted by: Tonya Dieterlen | 05/08/2011 at 09:33 AM
Oh Steph, I wish I had a quarter of your creativity for parties!!! This is just so so cute! YOu sure can tell you had so much fun with it!!! What sweet photos! I am glad you had fun with your Slice. I love mine!!!
Posted by: Michelle | 05/08/2011 at 09:43 AM
Wow. Her party looked AMAZING! Great job Steph!
Posted by: Tiffany | 05/08/2011 at 09:47 AM
Beautiful! I love doing all of those little things and fine touches for my boys, yes it is time consuming, but even they appreciate and doing for them is all that matters. Great Job Steph!
Posted by: Karen B | 05/08/2011 at 10:36 AM
What a wonderful party you gave to your daughter!! You are so creative!!
Posted by: Michelle | 05/08/2011 at 10:58 AM
Wow, this is seriously amazing. And to do all of this while balancing a family of five. Kudos to you for not letting that stop you from making it a wonderfully memorable birthday for H! You realize you just raised the bar for S, C, and L, right? :-) Thanks for sharing all your great ideas.
Posted by: EvelynB | 05/08/2011 at 11:20 AM
you did a great job, and i can tell that you've had a lot of fun putting this together.What about the twins, their first birthday parties? Seperate ones with different themes (like my girls) or one big party? don't worry: there's still time!
Posted by: kate | 05/08/2011 at 11:42 AM
You are an amazing,loving mama! But one question - how will you ever top this next year? Happy birthday, Harper!
Posted by: Ginny C | 05/08/2011 at 11:44 AM
Oh goodness I dont try to top it. We just have fun. Sadie didnt even have a party this year!
Sent from my iPhone
Posted by: Stephanie Howell | 05/08/2011 at 11:51 AM
ummmmmmmmm will you please throw my next birthday partay!?!?!?
Posted by: Acompton | 05/08/2011 at 01:04 PM
You are an amazing mom!
Posted by: Phears Piano Studio | 05/08/2011 at 02:07 PM
Amazing! Just love the garland of flowers with the fishing twine! That should stay up! Wish I'd been a guest of Harpers to get the cute party box and to have fun photos taken! Imagine the delight all her guests will get when they receive their thank you cards with photos from the booth. Love it!
Posted by: valerie | 05/08/2011 at 03:09 PM
Well no wonder those pictures make you happy! What a fabulous party! The smiles say it all!
Posted by: Kris | 05/08/2011 at 03:31 PM
Um Wow! Steph, you are a super mum!
Posted by: Alexa | 05/08/2011 at 03:36 PM
Wow, so much has gone into this FLower birthday party! What a wonderful mommy Harper has! I could only manage banners for my 1-yr old.
Posted by: Account Deleted | 05/08/2011 at 03:49 PM
Oh my goodness, that party was GORGEOUS! You rock as a party planner...definitely a future job for you! :)
Posted by: Jonnelle | 05/08/2011 at 06:42 PM
In love with this! What an adorable party!
Posted by: Keshet Shenkar Starr | 05/08/2011 at 07:47 PM
Wow! Everything looks stunning! What a lucky little girl! Happy 5th to her!
Posted by: www.google.com/accounts/o8/id?id=AItOawkK_9gr05880gKOtKXAcYR3O7_VeXekbig | 05/08/2011 at 08:59 PM
Just beautiful, what more can I say ;)
Posted by: Jenny J | 05/08/2011 at 09:06 PM
umm, amazing!
next time you have a photo booth party, i am flying in! xo
Posted by: amy tangerine | 05/08/2011 at 10:09 PM
ps- LOVE how happy she looks!!
Posted by: amy tangerine | 05/08/2011 at 10:11 PM
Holy cow you are just freaking AWESOME! What an amazing party, every little girls dream! I just love that ecstatic look on her face! :)
Posted by: Carin | 05/09/2011 at 04:33 AM
oh my gosh Steph! Incredible! and how sweet she is for thanking you!
Posted by: betsy | 05/09/2011 at 07:31 AM
You did an amazing job! My youngest girl is turning 6 at the end of August and she's already requested a Fancy Nancy/Tea Party/Fairy themed party. LOL I love the details-the cupcake flower wrappers on fake grass; the many banners you incorporated; the use of doilies to tie it all together-AMAZING I tell ya! And Miss H looks like she had a blast!
Posted by: Abby | 05/09/2011 at 08:31 AM
Wow, everything looks amazing. She will have fond memories of that days! And I second/third/whatever everyone that said that you should go into party organizing!
Posted by: Laney | 05/09/2011 at 09:10 AM
thanks for sharing these photos-everything looked like it turned out great, and you have given me some wonderful ideas! Love that photo booth idea, and the decorations are so cute!!!
Posted by: rkokes | 05/09/2011 at 12:03 PM
Simply beautiful, sweet, gorgeous, lovely, darling & perfect! I love it Stephanie! You are so talented! Your creations and your blog make me smile!
anj.
Posted by: anj | 05/09/2011 at 12:34 PM
You are such a talented mother!!!
Posted by: chiao | 05/09/2011 at 12:52 PM
I am so glad that Harper enjoyed her May Flowers party!!! My sweet Harper had her Mermaid themed splash party last Saturday, and it was a big hit!!! I will have to post pictures on my blog by Saturday for all to see!!!
Thanks for sharing :) and Happy Belated Mother's Day!!
-Gabi from Savannah, TX
Posted by: Gabrielle Watson | 05/09/2011 at 02:50 PM
Amazing party decor!! Nothing could compare with what you would find at the store. Lucky Harper!
Posted by: Berta | 05/09/2011 at 03:10 PM
This weekend was my daughter's first birthday party... I don't have photos to post, but I "borrowed" your ice cream holder banner idea. It was my first banner - added a little something fun! Thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by: Leah | 05/09/2011 at 08:23 PM
Loving the banner so much! Great photos as well.
Posted by: katsky | 05/10/2011 at 04:17 AM
wow! you are the party girl extraordinaire!!!
i couldn't even imagine pulling off something like this! ha! my creativity certainly does not extend into parties.
i love that H was appreciative and let you know!
what a special moment :)
are you for hire? ;)
Posted by: Jen | 05/10/2011 at 08:02 AM
What a fun party! Love the decorations - I wasn't sure what you would do with your table full of colourful supplies! ;-) Love your photos of the photo booth and Harper with her pink guitar. I see some guitar concerts in your family's future. Harper's smile must have made YOUR day!
Posted by: diana | 05/10/2011 at 09:42 AM
Sometimes your posts make me teary because I see so much love in them....bless you for sharing your love for your family with us. :-)
Posted by: Elena | 05/10/2011 at 02:38 PM
WOW!!!!! DOuble WOW!!!!! Girl you are so creative and can now add party-planner to your resume!!!!! Such a lucky girl to have such a loving mommy!!!!!
Posted by: Joan | 05/11/2011 at 01:17 AM
What can I say? I'm speechless. Everything are beautiful and heavenly. I love flowers. You did a very awesome decors. By the way, you have beautiful kids. More crafts to come please... LOL
Posted by: Zulueta .... | 05/13/2011 at 08:33 AM
What a wonderful party!!! Everything so beautiful!!!
Posted by: Camile | 04/24/2012 at 12:04 PM