Lolies' Abode: October 2010

It's fall, it's finally cooling down, and it's the Little Bird's birthday. He's pretty much the only family member with a birthday not in December or January, and if you couldn't tell, he is the baby through and through.

He's silly, he's spunky, he's sweet, and he knows it.

While it's really easy to go completely over the top with a kids birthday, I've been down that road before and find it's daunting for child and parent. This weekend we had a very casual little birthday party for Little Bird Ranon, even more casual as one of the other kids was sick scaring off most of the guest list. We were also double booked this weekend with a fishing trip the same weekend. Everything had to be simple.

I also don't like to spend a lot of time and money on decorations that will only be used once. Many of the things I made can be used again, or kept up for the entire fall holiday line up.

I started out with some very simple votive candle holders. I was hoping to use some Japanese masking tape, but the time to ship was too late for the party. These were made from the many baby food jars that I have stored in the garage. I knew they would come in handy someday. Other supplies - festive ribbon, scissors and craft glue. Oh also a hotdog from Costco because they are so delicious and so cheap. First measure the ribbon around the jar with enough to overlap and glue into place. Cut multiple pieces to cover the entire jar. Glue the ribbon tight around the jar.

Add votive candles to the inside and repeat using different ribbons. I've been setting these all around the house to add a little fall to little corners here and there. I used them on the table during our brunch party for Ranon. It was such a quick and fun decoration.

The next little decor touch was a little pennant flag row for his cake. I rarely buy the kids cakes and was looking for something else other than sprinkles or Happy Birthday in frosting. These are adorable and can be used for almost any occasion. I could even keep it and use it later for a little cupcake display for Halloween. I found some very inexpensive fall scrap book paper at Target.

I used some hemp twine that's been living in my junk drawer forever. It's a little tangled, but I eventually find the end and away we go. I also used some grilling skewers, a stick of glue and I made a little triangle pattern out of recycled card stock. I traced the triangle face up then flipped it point down so it looked like a diamond. I cut out each diamond and folded them in half. I measured the hemp twine a little longer than the length I wanted the skewers in the cake so there was some swag. I glued the flags around the twine until it was full.

The little girl noticed the leftover cutouts made tie shapes. Just because I was feeling nerdy, everyone got a tie to wear to the party.

I used the leftover fall paper to make little hanging signs. I just used my x-acto knife to cut out letters and some recycled cardboard to glue everything on. This will not stay up all season, but at least it's recyclable. I also had grand ambitions to make a table runner this fall with these fabrics. It turns out I like to sleep more, so I whipped out the iron and folded away. I simply layered the fabrics on the table, no sewing. I realize this method is probably not for everyone, but I like the effect and I also like the fact that these fabrics can then be used again for something else.

Pancakes, bacon, potatoes, good morning oj mix, and some zucchini cake. All the fixings for a wonderful fall brunch birthday. Happy birthday my Little Bird. You are now 2! You will always be the baby!