The baby shower was such fun! It was more of a dinner party with presents. I'd thought we'd eat outdoors, but the evenings are getting cooler, so I had to quickly scoop all the mess out of the way in the studio and pull some tables together so we could eat indoors.
My studio is ideal for parties, even though its always a bit of a hodge podge. I just grab things from around the room that are destined for sale, or stuff I made, or supplies waiting to be made into something else and create a tablescape with whatever is handy.
(the cute little girl with the umbrella is going into the Boutique today, there are 6 total, never used before until I opened the vintage package for the baby shower. Yea, I know they were probably worth more in an unopened package, but thats not how I roll. I believe everything should be used and enjoyed!!)
We couldn't use the dining room in the house for the party, because I had the table in there all set up with cakes and decorations for the shower. (Pink and white fairy baby decor pictures of the dining room to come later)
It was a couples and kids party, not a typical baby shower. No games, just a glass of wine and a buffet dinner with lots of laughter and chatter.
The weather really was nice, and all the older kids ran around and played outside. They sat in the garden to eat, but the adults were happier indoors, some of the dads ate up in my husband's office so they could play pool. I didn't try to get the table set for everyone, I knew people would roam and sit where they were comfortable. I put a few chairs around the 3 tables in the studio and figured I could pull up more chairs as needed.
My parties are casual, not perfect. The food is usually a buffet in the kitchen where everyone serves themselves then finds a seat wherever they'd like.
Since this new grandbaby's momma loves all things gypsy and fairy, I went with very bright colors for the dinner table. I also made up a mobile for the baby with her family as colorful fairies on it.
We are having what feels like a long, lovely extended September around here. My flower beds are looking better than ever, so I was albe to pick some blooms to bring in, then I scattered millinery flowers around the centerpieces too.
(there are now LOTS of red carnations and roses for sale in my Etsy and my Boutique, ready for Christmas crafting or decorating)
To make the Fairy Family members for the mobile, first I cut a branch down and spray painted it green and added some glitter to the wet paint.
Then, I went through all my files to find pictures of everyone and printed two of each, one regular, one mirror image.
With the mirror image done, both were cut out and glued back to back, so that when they hang, they can spin around and look good from both sides.
(Her crown is a bit of lace trim, colored with markers)
Some of the pictures got a little extra editing, like tinting Dimitri green like an elf.
I loved this picture of Sugarwings, but her dress was pink, so I edited it to fit in better with the other images too.
These two guys were such fun poses! Perfect for this project!
Now, how this mobile will hang over the bassinette is another issue altogether. I think it needs to be in a vase on a table near the bassinette, not attached. Or hung from the ceiling. But, I'm leaving that up to her parents on how to display it. Won't they look pretty together?
One more bit of marketing before I go- also new in the Boutique is this "Whispers in the Dark" crown made from vintage copper screening, old trims, millinery, and vintage jewels. The image is from our Romantic Gothic Ghost class, which you still have time to join. We've had new students joining reguarly. There are some pretty quick projects, plus most can be slightly altered to be used year round, not just at Halloween. The emphasis is more on Romantic and Gothic than ghostly.
We've provided lots of images, backgrounds, and extras to print out and use in other projects too.
Plus, we have two giveaways going now for the class. Anyone signed up by October 31st is entered to win one of two packages of vintage goodies to use as embellishments in your work.
And as my October Giveaway for my blog, one completed project will be gifted to the person whose name I draw from all of October's comments.
Gee, I need to just stop talking, don't I? Sometimes my posts can just go on forever.
Everything looked just magical! Thanks for all the photos so we could get a glimpse of the fun! oxoxox, Diane
Karla what a lovely magical evening. The mobile is so sweet, funky and unusual. I am loving the festive parties you throw. Don’t worry girl I love your long post..it’s like a long rambling letter from a friend…take care and may all the glorios fairies wear their magic over you….
I could read and look forever…so don’t stop on my account!
Girl, if I ran around and gathered in my office all I would come up with would be a handful of dust…and not the fairy kind either! What a magical world you live in.
Debbie
P.S. Wouldn’t a vintage umbrella turned upside down with the mobile attached be kinda gypsyfied over the petite wagon?
Karla
Looks like such a fun evening. I would love to be at one of your dinner parties.
You are such a creative little fairy, Karla. The family tree mobile is so cute. You spent a lot of time and thought to make this shower sooooo special. Love it all. You never ramble what you have to say is all good!
Hugs, Sandy
Karla,
I lOVE it when you go on but I laugh my head off when you say things are “simple.” This is fantastic! You are sooooo clever and sooooo artistic! And you had the shower, too. Hmmm…
I think you are incredible! Where do you get your energy?
Hugs,
Suz
Ahhhh~~~Fairy love~~so pretty Karla :))
Kay Ellen
That’s what I love about blogging and bloggeresses (new word!) I’ve just been transported into fairyland – to this magical place filled with beauty, colour and harmony!!
The expectant parents must have been over the moon!
The fairy tree is amazing…..
I love that the whole family comes too and they will all have beautiful memories to cherish.
The children will forever talk about Aunt Karla’s parties in fairyland – not mythical but real!
I don’t know anyone who makes magic happen quite like you do!
Everything is so beautiful, Karla…the tabel, the house, the fairy tree… you do such lovely, simple, yet elegant work. GORGEOUS ! 🙂
You know, it is the loveliest table decoration I have seen in a long time, how absolutely magical, whimsical, gorgeous.
I love all your decorating Karla and the Fairy tree is a great idea, your family is blessed and lucky to have you! Thanks for stopping by my blog and for your comment! Marilou
Hello Karla…absolutely enchanting….thank you as usual for sharing….Lorraine
Love your tablescapes…beautiful and fun! And the mobile/tree…what a great idea! Looks like a fun shower.
I love your chatty posts!!!
Those little family fairy dolls are so cute! I bet everyone enjoyed finding their “fairy” self.
-Danielle
What a fun party you must have had! You have such creative and fun ideas. The kids probably loved finding themselves “fairied” in the tree.
I want to be a fairy that lives in your garden! What a beautiful and magical party you did up. LOVE IT!
Hugs,
Judy
I love the casual, stylish parties, better to be relaxed and
let the party flow~ I hope the parents were thrilled with all of your creations~ Personal touches are the best, heartfelt and soulful~ xXx
The fairy family mobile is one of the cutest things I’ve ever seen!
Love the fairy mobile. The baby crib is so adorable!
Irma 🙂
Karla, it is such a joy to read & see your posts ~ what you do and how you do it. You may have even heard a small gasp when I saw the mobile you made. How cute is that? I love it! Your perspective on life and making everyone’s day brighter are what makes you a very special person. God bless you and have a great weekend! ~~ Eileen ~~
BEAUTIFUL Karla!!!
Wow girl…where do you find the time to do this?
If you are hiring fairies to help you…I want their 1-800 number because they are going a fantastic job!
I hope to make something for Christmas with your class. I won’t have the time to play for Halloween but I’m looking forward to playing with your class SOON and add a little bit of Santa to it ~ Romantic Style!!!!!!
:)))
Hi Karla,
Thank you for the shower pics and everything looks
lovely and magical. The mobile is adorable!!! Please
bottle up some of your energy and send it my way..ok? 🙂
Have a fun and wonderful weekend.
Hugs,
Janis
Magical is right! The fairy family tree is incredible…what a clever, wonderful idea! Your creativity never fails to amaze me.
Dear Karla……as usual everything you touch just turns to pretty, pretty !!
I will now be on the lookout for a baby basket to paint and use to hold my doll collection in my spare bedroom. You keep giving me ideas of things to do!!
Have a great weekend.
Laraine
I love how much you accomplish in a day/week. I’d say it inspires me to accomplish stuff, but I am still as lazy as before I discovered your blog, LOL. I love reading and looking tho! The mobile is wonderful and will be a fun thing for the baby and her family to look at!
~Marilee
Wonderful……..
Unbeleivable. They will love seeing these.
I think your parties are more fun for being on the casual side. Then no one spends time fretting over which fork to use or other kings-table manner. Instead all get to enjoy your welcoming, creative home.
I love your chatty posts! My favorite photo was those cute boys in the perfect poses for the mobile! Your parties sound perfect — casual, relaxed.
The baby shower you organized is fantastic, Karla. Love the decorations you made – you’re amazing!!!