On Friday, the 21st, our sassy little girl turned one. I can’t believe how fast a year with her went. I had so much fun putting together a party to celebrate with some family and close friends.
I have to dote on my husband, who painted the tablecloth for me. Rather late one evening I was attempting to do something abstract myself, but I’ve come to realize that when you’re a borderline OCD perfectionist, attempting abstract is rather difficult. What took him 15 minutes would have taken me 3 hours.
My mom and I cut and assembled the roses for the backdrop. (Find the tutorial here) Before attaching them to the board, I spray painted the flowers with two different shades of pink to give them some dimension. If you or anyone you know could use this for a party or photo shoot, please let me know. Many hours went into those things and I would love to see it reused instead of tossing it in the trash!
After much time wasted looking for the perfect little dress, I ended up making a simple shift for her. I loosely followed this pattern, using this fabric that I had planned to upholster a bench with (I’m hoping there still might be enough left for that project down the line.)
I gathered all of the headpiece flowers and a friend who worked for years as a florist was sweet enough to put it together for me.
To complete Milly’s outfit I invested in some Freshly Picked moccasins, and they have not disappointed. They have become my go-to shoe for her. She can walk in them very easily, they seem comfortable and breathable, and have worn really well.
That little leg crease is too much!
Milly loves to swing. In searching for one online, I came across similar canvas swings for over $100. I found this tutorial, but I sewed it so the right side of the fabric was showing on both sides of the swing. This was an easy project and definitely worth the savings. Let me know if you’d like a bit more information on how I sewed this one.
Milly loved her cake and we had to pry it away from her!
My husband’s grandma makes these caramelized corn puffs that you can’t stop eating! She was in town and it was nice to spend an afternoon learning to make them with her.
I got the mirror at a thift store for almost nothing, spray painting it and using one of my favorite pens to highlight the faux bamboo. I was so excited to find this bar cart at an antique store for a killer price and even more excited when my sister said she would take it off my hands after the party. With small children and not much space left in our home, it’s just not ideal for us right now. (My husband was so disappointed to hear it wasn’t staying here. Ha!) And it’s nice to know it’s going to someone I can borrow it back from!
Such a memorable night and a blast to put together! You can see more details of the party here. For more birthday ideas click here
A big thank you to my friend, Emily, for taking the pictures during the party!
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emily says
This is the most beautiful party ever! I am now going to pin ever single image.
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thank you so much, Emily. Your pinning has brought quite a few people to my blog. I am so very grateful.
Heather says
I would love for you to do a tutorial on how to make a swing. I, too, have looked at the expensive ones (sold in Australia!) but didn't want to spend the money. Yours is just beautiful!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Heather, I will be posting a tutorial within this next week! Thanks for your kind words.
Paige says
My niece has a 4 month old and she can sew. I would love to be able to show her how to sew the baby swing. It's adorable!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Paige, I will be putting together a tutorial this weekend, so stay tuned for it. Thanks for stopping by my blog!
Charlotte @ Living Well on the Cheap says
How adorable are you?!? Our babies are almost exactly the same age–my son turned one on 6/29. I can't believe you just started blogging! Your photos and layout all look so professional. I'm adding you to my feedly ASAP.
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thank you, Charlotte! I appreciate your comment!
Kendra says
I would love to know your resources–candles,cups–just beautiful!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Kendra,
I am working on a details post right now and hope to have it up for you tonight or tomorrow!
sarah m. dorsey says
How cute is this!! 🙂 Adorable!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thank you, Sarah!
Erin Casement says
This is incredible!! What a wonderful party, love all the details. The bar/milk cart is to die for! Fantastic job.
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks, Erin! That means a lot coming from someone as fabulous as yourself. 🙂
Sally says
I love the flower background. I'm in Houston and my baby's first party is on the 20th of this month! So if I can't have yours please show me how to make one quickly! Lol! The whole setup is very pretty! I'm doing a carnival so that bike thing would work too if I can find one! Thanks for the ideas!!
Olga says
Absolutely gorgeous! Would you mind to share a tutorial on how to make these pretty roses? I bet many people would appreciate it. Thank you very much!
erin says
I'll third that request! 🙂 Your roses are spectacular. If you lived locally, I'd offer to take them off your hands, but instead I'd be very grateful for a tutorial! Your blog is lovely! I found it through Emily Clark!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Olga and Erin, I will definitely put this on my list of things to blog about! I could also give you a template, which cuts down the time a bit. Are you all looking to make the really big ones, or a specific size? Thank you all for stopping by!
Anonymous says
Me too! I love those flowers! They would be so cute in my girls room. Love to know about all the sizes you did, the big and small ones. BTW love that train in your sons room. I have a 5 year old boy and we want to do something like that for him.
Linda 🙂
SweetLadySutton says
Fantastic job!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks so much!
Anonymous says
Lovely party and such sweet touches all around. Any chance we could get the recipe for the corn puff treat you and your grandmother prepared? They sound so yummy. Thanks, Lorna
themakerista@gmail.com says
Lorna, I will add that to my list (pending grandma's approval of course. 🙂 ) It is rather easy and delicious! Thank you for your kind words.
Julie Blanner says
What a beautiful party for a beautiful little girl!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks, Julie! It was so much fun to throw a girly party. 🙂
Neary Sar @snipinteriors says
So cute! I am waiting on the swing tutorial as well! 🙂
themakerista@gmail.com says
Neary,
Thank you so much! You can find the swing tutorial here: http://www.themakerista.com/2013/07/baby-swing-tutorial-giveaway.html
Sorry you had missed it! Let me know, if you decide to make one, how it goes! Thanks for reading!
Carolyn, Ultrapom Event Rental says
I love all of this! Particularly the flower backdrop and the flower-adorned giraffe.
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks, Carolyn! What a fun business you have! I will definitely have to bookmark it…I am often buying things for parties and immediately after thinking,"now what am I going to do with this?" 🙂
Thanks for commenting!
Gina Soddy says
Gwen,
What a PRECIOUS party!!! I would also LOVE the rose tutorial! Please include ALL sizes! If you aren't ready to post the full tutorial, just emailing the templates would be wonderful!
Thank you for sharing!!!
Gina
ginasoddy@hotmail.com
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks so much, Gina! It's on my list of tutorials to do, so check back! Thanks so much for reading!
Anonymous says
Where did you get the gold rimmed glass plates from??? Also did you just use a plain white tablecloth and black paint to do the tablecloth?
themakerista@gmail.com says
I borrowed the plates from my mother-in-law, but you can find them here and here.
I purchased the tablecloth at Target and painted it with some black acrylic craft paint.
Hope this helps and thanks for reading!
Shanny Leigh says
Hi Gwen!
Love your blog! Im very glad I came across it through Pinterest!
Had to ask about the flower backdrop…did you make it to that number on your list? I looked and couldn't find it, but figured I'd ask to be sure because they are TO DIE!!!!
Thanks for being so creative and for inspiring me!
Shannon
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks so much, Shanny! I haven't blogged about the flowers yet. To be honest, I think a video would be the easiest way to explain them, but I haven't really figured out how to do video on my camera. 🙂 It's still on my list though and as soon as I feel more comfortable with it, I will get to it. Hope you'll subscribe and that way you won't miss it! Thanks again for your kind words and I hope you have a lovely week!
Gwen
Namrata Bhatia says
Stumbled on your blog via Pinterest! Very elegant and classy party!
I was wondering if by some miracle you still have the floral backdrop; I want it for my twin girls bday party. I love DIY and crafts but don't find time with 2 active babies and work. Fingers crossed!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Hi Namrata,
I'm sorry but I actually sold these ones last year. I hope maybe you can find the time and best of luck!