Around the Clock Baby Shower

I few months ago, I hosted an "Around the Clock" baby shower for a close friend, but I never got around to posting the photos or details, so here goes...

Here are more details about the party...

* INSPIRATION: The inspiration for this theme came from the mommy-to-be. Since this was her second child, she already had all the essential baby gear from the first child, but we wanted a way to celebrate the arrival of her new little one too, so we had a small, informal luncheon in honor of the new baby, with a creative twist. We asked each guest to bring a gift based on a certain time of day, then at the shower, we had each guest tell the mommy-to-be why their gift would be useful at that time of day. We ended up with all sorts of gifts—some useful, some funny—everything from clothes, blankets and bath time essentials for baby to massages and bottles of wine for mommy to enjoy after baby is asleep. 

* DECOR: We wanted a girly, yet modern, color scheme, so we selected hot pink, yellow and charcoal grey as the primary colors for the party decor and stripes in those colors as the primary motif. We decorated with lots of clocks, sand timers and the numbers 1 through 12.  We made clock medallions using clock faces we found online and cardstock, which was fan-folded around the clock faces. The printables had the words “Around the Clock Shower” going around the actual clock face in the design, in keeping with the theme. We also made a diaper cake matching the clock theme. The party signs also kept with the theme, with wording such as “Gift Time”, “Cake Time”, “Lunch Time”. We also made a bunting with the words “Baby Time”, with each letter in an alarm clocked shaped segment of the bunting.

* FOOD/DRINKS/DESSERTS/CANDY: We served a luncheon of light appetizer, pasta and salad. For drinks, we served a non-alcoholic hot pink colored punch, but we had a bottle of Grey Goose Gin on the side and encouraged guests to add a splash for a “fun time”. J

* PARTY FAVORS: The party favors were both cute and practical. We placed some inexpensive digital kitchen timers in little metal tins, which we decorated to look like little clocks.

* PARTY ACTIVITIES: The activities at the shower were also in keeping with the clock theme. In addition to opening the gifts and having each guest tell the mommy-to-be how her gift would be useful at a certain time of day, we also had each guest fill out a page in a keepsake book giving the mommy-to-be advice based on the time of day/calendar of the month assigned to her. 

Baby's Room and Alphabet Wall

So this isn't technically a post about a party, but I wanted to share our new baby's room!! :-) We're expecting baby to be here in a few days and can't wait!

I created an alphabet wall over the crib, using a mix of crafted, store-bought and vintage letters.

If you are wondering why this alphabet has two As, its because baby's name does!

...and here's the name: AASHI

I just love the alphabet wall!!

Here's a closer look at some of the crafted letters...T for Texas Longhorns, of course! :-)

I let big brother choose a letter and decorate it...he chose Q and decorated it with his fingerprints and rhinestones...he's planning on telling baby about it when she's older...

Another touch that I love are these dragon flies that we hung, not over the crib, but over the changing table. I don't think babies really need any over stimulation from a mobile when trying to get them to sleep, but hopefully gazing at them will help keep her still during diaper changes!

I also love this fluffy, silky pillow I found to accent our modern rocker.

I think the crafted letters (either the whole alphabet, just the name, or even the initials) would also make a great baby shower or birthday gift!

Rubber Ducky Inspired First Birthday Party

My dear friend and colleague organized this quack-eriffic party for her daughter, Madison's, first birthday. I was so thrilled and humbled to be able to share my ideas with her and inspire her to do this for her daughter. I know the memories of this fabulous party will last forever and her daughter will love it when she grows up and is able to understand how much her mommy ROCKS...and that she is the ONE!!

 

This fantastic dessert spread included a mix of candy, bakery-bought goodies and homemade treats. You might recognize the foam glitter letters from our Pop Diva Party. The backdrop was made from 2 inch circles, which were threaded onto fishing string.

 

Madison's mommy designed the graphics herself and had the large sign printed to coordinate with the smaller paper elements.

 

The cake was made by a local bakery, San Antonio Cake Art.

 

The cupcakes were store-bought, then topped with cute little rubber duckies.

Madison's mommy used a duck-shaped candy mold and yellow Wilton candy melts to make a cute little pond full of edible ducks. 

 

DIY rice krispie balls, topped with some chocolate and sugar sprinkles

made for another yummy treat.

 

She also made these duck-shaped rice krispie treats. To make, simply spread your rice krispie mixture into a cookie sheet, then cut with a duck-shaped cookie cutter and dip in yellow candy melts.

 

To add height to the dessert table, she topped some old candle sticks, painted yellow, with large rubber duckies.

 There was also plenty of candy in co-ordinating colors!

 

Madison had her very own "smash cake" too.

Scroll to the bottom to see photos of Madison enjoying her cake!

 

Since there were so many sweet treats, Madison's mommy put out empty mason jars for the guests to fill with candy and take home as party favors.

Her very talented aunt painted this giant sign on butcher paper!

These centerpieces were made using Styrofoam balls and feather boas, similar to the Truffula Trees from our Lorax-themed party.

 



I love the use of the ping pong ball "bubbles" in these centerpieces.

How clever!

 



 

There was plenty to eat and drink, including devilish duck punch for the grown-ups!

 

 

Similar to the "Fishing for Humming Fish" game from our Lorax-themed party, one of the party games involved fishing for rubber duckies out of a large inflatable paddling pool. 

This game was definitely a favorite with a lot of the children!

 

 

There was also a photo booth to entertain the older guests...

...and giant bubble wands to entertain the younger guests! 

Madison had a blast with her smash cake!

The adorable high chair was found (in poor condition) at a vintage store, then painted and decorated in coordinating colors.

 

 

What a great job!! Madison is so lucky to have such a wonderful mommy!

 

Credits: Photography by Kathy Tam Photography.