Invitations: Curious George

I love kids birthday party invitations. There are so many options. Some parents like licensed characters, others none, and some choose to mix. Either way you go adding a few personalized elements to your character or color themed parties is the way to go.. Cupcake Toppers, Water Bottle Labels, and Banners create a big bang for not a lot of buck.

I've said it before and I'll keep saying it... I think invites are important! (not everyone agrees and that's ok) BUT they really set the tone for your party. I'm not saying you need personalized invites but getting this invite in the mail really got their guests excited about the Curious George Party. Heck, maybe your next invite will even get guests to RSVP... now that's just crazy talk!

Curious "Anderson" George 1st Birthday.. you never forget your first birthday right?.. Oh yeah.. well your mom won't forget! :)

Curious Anderson was the star of his First Birthday Party!

Back of the invite was printed on card stock and gave all the details. These were mailed in a really fun bright yellow envelope.

Cupcakes at the park make life a little easier for mom.. these matched perfectly. Don't forget double sided because there's no wall to back the stand against.

For first birthdays, high chair banners are super cute for photo ops..  Smash Cake Anyone?

They're smaller than our traditional banners and are also great for locations where you can't hang decor on the walls.

Happy 1st Birthday Curious Anderson!!

Poker Anyone? I'm All In!

 When I first met my husband I swear we were always playing some form of Poker... I have such great memories of those nights. Then we started a family and late nights were no longer filled with cards and friends, but family movie nights, and an early kiddo bedtime. Our house is too small too host so a few months ago I convinced a friend to invite us over.

As a surprise, I brought along a little "Abrams' Poker Night" decor. Ok, most poker nights there is no she-she foo-foo involved... just cocktails, paper plates, pizza, and chips (poker and potato).

This was a poker party a girl would throw or in my case, just a good excuse to get us together to play some cards and show off my party skills!

Ok, not every poker night deserves tulle but Red and Black can be Oh So Fabulous. Notice the trim is a black feather boa?, perfect for Bunko Night or Couples Poker. The tulle is just pinned to a black tablecloth from the underside. Easily removed and now a future TuTu. :)

A close up of the banner.. just used Foam Core Board covered in wrapping paper. An old deck of cards was hot glued to red ribbon and I printed out a fan of cards with the "Abrams' Poker Night" logo 

Had to used my favorite Cake Pop/Cupcake Stand. I used a beaded sash instead of ribbon for an accent. The little frame is one of my favorite dollar finds from Michael's. I've used them tons of times!

Strawberries.. trying to be healthy AND it matched my color theme.. added just a strip of paper underneath so as the berries disappeared, the serving plate was still cute.

Close up of the cupcakes.. "I'm All In" was the theme of the night I tried to attend Fondant Cards..the food markers I had didn't work so great so glad I only tried a few.

When partaking in cocktails, it's a MUST to also offer water (and some mini cupcakes for in between hands)

Poker Queen (it was around my birthday and I wanted a little extra pizzaz at the table.. Wine glass from the 99 cent store, a little Modge Podge, glitter, and glass etching cream.. Voila!

All other guests got "Abrams' Poker" glasses. Some weren't drinking so we served water or juice in these. Those that were enjoyed a cold beer and cocktail in style

"I'm All In" for poker again!!

Train Party

Last summer I was asked to help a friend with her little guy's 4th birthday. Like LOTS of little boys I know, he was infatuated with trains. I have to admit, after attending his party at Travel Town in Los Angeles... so was I! 

What a great place to take the kids. The party was held on a private train car. All guests got to go on a train ride around the property and of course the decor was super cute, cuz that's just what happens when Park Talk Printables gets involved. (hee hee) By coincidence, the car she was assigned to was red and blue inside, how did they know??

Kids and parents had a great time watching the model trains and climbing aboard a few non-working old trains. If you have a little (or old) one who loves trains, this is a great location for a party.

If you need help with your train party.. let me know!

Mother's Tea 2012

Every year our MOMS Club plans a Mother's Day Tea and Fundraiser. All our members and their mothers are invited to attend and raise money for local charities.

It's a great way to honor ourselves and our friends that encourage and inspire us.

2012 was my 2nd year planning the decor for the party.

The theme for 2012 was Moms Who Play Together, Grow Together.

It all started with the design of a sign. I then created about a million watering cans to use as raffle boxes for each item.

NAME TAGS

 Flower pin name tags were created by cutting out four scalloped circles, scrunching up the paper and separating the cardstock in half. It gave the "petals" a really soft texture. The ladies wrote their names on the tags but could then throw that part away after the party and keep the pin to decorate a purse, etc.

 BANNER
This Tea Party banner was actually created for the Alice in Wonderland Tea in 2011 Link but since I used the same paper pack it fit in perfectly.

 These are the watering cans set up for the event. Each was labeled with the item. 

Because they were a bit labor intensive, I also created a simpler butterfly box. 

We also had bid sheets for the silent auction to match.

 Our President created this photo display and used it at a National MOMS Club function earlier in the year.

Paper products can really dress up an event. 

THE FAVORS

One of our members came up with this idea so one afternoon we got together and created pull tab cans filled with peanut M&Ms. The moms thought they were great. Basically using a can opener that doesn't cut the ridge, we emptied out 35 or so fruit cocktail cans. Washed and dried the cans. Filled them, placed a piece of tissue paper, then hot glued the bottom of the can back on. Added labels that I created to match our decor and then tied two coordinating ribbons on top.

Park Talk Printables made donation to raffle (as if cutting 25 watering cans and butterfly boxes wasn't enough work, hee hee).. 

FAMILY GAME NIGHT

I went into my gift closet and found a few family games and jazzed up some snacks. Who doesn't love Popcorn, chocolate chip cookies and Candyland?