{ranai}

Ahhhhh this baby shower! I loved everything about it, well, except maybe for the extreme wind we had that day.

Jessica is having a baby boy! It’s still hard for me to wrap my brain around that completely, but I am insanely excited about his arrival. This shower was a little harder for me to plan since I didn’t have my partner in crime to run everything by, but I think it turned out pretty awesome.

The theme was tribal woodland so we could incorporate little critters with bright colors and arrows. I really stepped out of my normal crafting boxes and tried some new things using my Silhouette Cameo. This machine has revolutionized my crafting! We held the event in her parent’s beautiful back yard which felt like it was made for our theme.

The Couple

How precious are they? I love my best friends and know I will love baby G just as much! With my dad’s help I made this sign using old fence boards and stenciled the saying.

Guest Book

As guests entered we had a fun table with a thumb print tree, diaper raffle, and a way to help the new mommy- addressing her thank you card envelopes.

Gifts

Jessica and Andrew were showered with so much love…and lots of gifts! I set up the gift area with a DIY teepee, old stump, handmade signs, little mushrooms, and a bunch of myrtle. How perfect is that scripture? The first time I read it I knew it HAD to be featured prominently at the shower.

Tables

Centerpieces are always my favorite part of a party and this time was no exception! I used log slices as a base and added an animal, flowers, and a sign to each. There were different signs which read: be brave, stand tall, find adventure, and dream big. The flowers I chose were solidago, baby’s breath, carnations, sunflowers, and daisy poms in yellow, white and orange. On the sides of the centerpiece I spray painted food cans, added some ribbon and used myrtle inside with cut outs of the cute little animals. A burlap table runner finished off the look. As the wind went crazy we ended up using fishing line to tie all of the centerpieces together. Fishing line is one of the best items to keep in your event tool kit. It has saved our hinies so many times!

Desserts

Mmmmm sweet treats! Apple streusel, chocolate chip cookies, candy, and cupcakes were the perfect way to end the meal. For decor I had my dad cut out the large wooden arrows and painted them with coordinating colors. I had a super awesome barnwood frame backdrop planned, but the wind did not cooperate. Luckily they have a fence where I was able to attach my arrows. I picked up the little fox baggies at Target and made the cupcake toppers.

Drinks

Her family had tacos catered so of course we had Jamaica and Horchata along with coke and water. I decorated the onesies using heat transfer vinyl. Jessica and Andrew aren’t telling anyone the name of baby G until he’s born, so as a tease I added his first initial- T.

Favors

I wanted something unique for the favors, and while scouring Pinterest I found candles with a the saying, “Burn this tea light on the night that the stork begins its flight. With a flicker of the flame, please say a prayer in baby’s name.” I found amazing hanging candle holders and hung them from manzanita branches. I wanted colored sand but didn’t want to pay the hefty price tag, so I dyed epsom salt with food coloring. It worked really well!

Photos

 

I created a really cute little photo area under the enormous willow tree in the yard. Jessica’s mom and sister made critter headbands for everyone to wear. I made the mushrooms using dollar store bowls and cups, some vinyl circles, and PVC pipe. I had the animals printed at a local print shop and then attached them to foam core and cut them out with a hot knife. Everyone loved having their picture taken, and Jessica will include the photos with the thank you card.

Games & Prizes

The games were a hit with all of the guests thanks to Jessica’s sisters! I think by far the favorite was decorating wooden blocks for each letter of the alphabet. It kept people busy for a while, and they loved showing everyone what they created. Other games included the price is right, who knows mommy best, taste the baby food, and the purse game. In each prize bag I decorated a coffee mug and added a $5 gift card for Target. Super simple and something everyone wants!

I just can’t wait to meet this little guy! He is so loved already by so many people!