Consider yourself warned. This will be a photo heavy post.
The baby shower was a smashing success. (Unless you count the various meltdowns by random children before, during and after the party...we try to overlook those in my family, especially since Aunt Mandy has meltdowns of her own to deal with.)
We had the shower at my mom's house...which I guess is now just my stepfather's house, but it seems odd to even say that. When we planned to have it there I didn't realize how difficult it would be to be there without my mother. I had a very hard time even getting out of the car when I went over Friday to decorate and prepare things. I just sat in the driveway sobbing for the longest time. But once I got into decorating mode, I was fine. And I realized yesterday during the shower that my mother is still there really...just in a different way.
Because my sister wants to use a cowboy theme in Hank's nursery, I decided to go with a western theme for the shower. I found some great party supplies at Oriental Trading Company, Hobby Lobby and Michael's. I did some major crafting, too, and it felt great to get back in the creative swing of things. If you look at nothing else in this photo marathon, make sure you see the diaper cake. Seriously, you have to see the diaper cake.
So here's a photo tour of the whole soiree. First off, I found this little sign at Hobby Lobby on sale for half price and added a bow to it for a front door greeting. My sister can now remove the bow and use the sign in Hank's room.
I made these little buttons for my sister, Koo Koo and Smudge to wear during the shower. Smudge has already informed me she is wearing hers to school tomorrow to show Mrs. Pilkington.
Koo Koo, Smudge and Marianne before the shower:
Speaking of Smudge, I got this dress for her on etsy and thought it was the perfect thing for the party. Of course, she hated it and couldn't wait to change into jeans. The dress wasn't "tight enough." I'm not even making that up. This is the same child who asked my sister one morning if her butt looked good in the jeans she was wearing. Trouble.
I made this little decoration for the fireplace at the last minute Saturday morning. It all came about because I didn't have a box for wrapping these cute etsy finds, and I thought the living room needed a little party action.
The dining room table was home of the diaper cake and most of the yummy refreshments.
Ummm...did you see that diaper cake? In case you missed it, here's a closer look:
I also made this little Virginia-esque sign for Hank's room, but decided to use it as a decoration at the shower as well.
I used jelly jars for punch glasses and tied little ribbons and twine around each one. Here's the kitchen table. Ignore the wanky paper lanterns that almost made me rip my hair out of my head. I started with six of them and only these three survived.
For party favors I used tiny little galvanized buckets filled with candy and tied with twine in clear treat bags. I posted a photo of those on my 365 blog a few days ago.
Little Addie Rose was the main entertainment of the day. She is truly the best baby we've ever had in our family - very easy-going, loving and happy.
So basically a great time was had by all, and my sister got tons of stuff. Hank will be well dressed, that's for sure.
Banana summed it up best. Hopped up on petit fours and punch, she shouted as I walked through the kitchen, "Aunt Mandy, this the best party ever!" I guess I can't ask for more than that.
what are those cheese squares doing??
Posted by: o-no | May 17, 2009 at 09:23 PM
great photos, great event, great decorations!
Posted by: PJ | May 17, 2009 at 10:10 PM
you did an amazing job on everything!
Posted by: Amy | May 17, 2009 at 10:24 PM
That's an awesome shower! The decorations are so cute. :)
Posted by: Linh C. | May 17, 2009 at 10:36 PM
Awesome!
Posted by: lucy | May 17, 2009 at 11:17 PM
You are amazing.
Hey, I'm having a baby.
Wanna throw another awesome shower? ;)
JUST kIDDING!
Seriously, though, you should go into business doing that. Dang, that is some CUTE stuff! I love all your craftiness you put into it, simply beautiful!
Posted by: virginia | May 18, 2009 at 08:59 AM
Looks like it was a fantastic shower, filled with craft-y cuteness and happy faces. Great job. Gotta say, the cheese cactus threw me for a minute though.
Posted by: Dani | May 18, 2009 at 09:26 AM
oh everything is so stinking cute!! i love the cake and the buttons and the banner - geez - it was all great!! i'm sure your sis loved it!!
Posted by: lisa tanner | May 18, 2009 at 11:03 AM
VERY nice on the diaper cake. Everything is picture perfect!
Posted by: Rachel @ Grasping for Objectivity in my Subjective Life | May 18, 2009 at 04:42 PM
LOVE it Mandy!
It all looks adorable. And I, for one, am STILL happy your sis is having another baby :)
xoxoxoxo
miss you!
k
see you ...
Posted by: katie m. | May 18, 2009 at 08:14 PM
Hi! I came to visit you through AL Bloggers. This looks incrediable! I agree with Lucy that you need to do this for a living. What great ideas.
Posted by: MamaHen | May 22, 2009 at 06:14 PM
whoa...what a spread. I mean, you are too creative! I loved it all...You managed to throw a baby shower that wasn't cheesy. I personally love the cheese square cactus...and the diaper cake was awesome.
Well done!! :)
Posted by: Kindredly | May 26, 2009 at 07:07 PM
another thing... that little dress your niece has on is adorable and the buttons????....are amazing!
Posted by: Kindredly | May 26, 2009 at 07:10 PM