Events

Hadley's First Birthday - Oh Happy Day!

First birthdays are possibly one of my favorite things to work on. Partly because, as a mom of two, I know that it's a culmination of all the hard work, sleepless nights and sacrificing (your time, your body, everything!) that goes into that first year. And partly because first birthdays are so fun--I personally love to go overboard for first (and sometimes, second) birthdays, and I love it when parents are all-in on that first party. 

When my oldest daughter turned one, my good friend Emily hopped on a plane and came to the party. She stayed up late with me the night before while I handmade a TON of decorations and supported me throughout the party day. When a friend can share those important family milestones with you, it's hard to forget.

So when that same friend's daughter turned one, you'd better believe I was there with all my calligraphy supplies, ready to work! Months before, Emily went through her vision for the party and I created a completely custom invitation and watercolor envelopes to match. It set the tone for the creativity that would go into the party--Emily went all out! 

Before I went to the party, I created custom cake toppers for the cake as well as Hadley's smash cake, each with gold glitter. The milestone chalkboard was done with a mix of chalk and chalk marker, and includes all of Hadley's details to capture her first year. I love these because they help the party guests to know all about the birthday girl! 

We nearly pulled an all-nighter the night before getting everything together, but that's when all the good conversations, laughing/tears and memories happen. I love this little girl, her mom and her whole extended family and was so grateful to be a part of this party! Happy birthday, Hadley!

photo credit: Madison Shelley

Todd + Peter - Double Lumberjack Birthday Bash

My girls over at Harper Grey Events always come to me with the best projects! Their clients, the wives of two friends named Todd + Peter, wanted to do a joint birthday party. Megan + Hillary, party panner extraordinaires, decided to throw a lumberjack bash, complete with buffalo plaid, bearded menus, faux fire and other woodsy details. 

Chalkboards were a given! I created custom signature cocktail signage for each birthday boy--a Mountain Man Manhattan and a Pear Campside Cooler. Not to mention details with the party's slogan--choppin' wood and lookin' good!

Happy birthday, Todd + Peter!

photo credit: Megan Small Photography

Penelope's First Birthday - A Classic Storybook Theme

A first birthday party is a big milestone, not only for the birthday boy or girl, but it's a time for the parents to celebrate--they survived!--that first year. Little Penelope turned one, and we were excited to work with Harper Grey Events on this gorgeous Storybook-themed party. The event designers, Hillary and Megan, had the vision for these wooden box "books" to be central to their event design and asked me to paint them using the bright event colors--magenta, blush pink and blue, using the invite as inspiration.

The guest-of-honor was also featured in monthly milestone photos, which I provided script calligraphy with the month number, so guests could see how much she grew throughout her first year.  I also provided lettering on chalkboard surfaces for the menu and food/drinks as well as the favor table and favor tags. Each guest walked away with a Little Golden Book classic story. Happy 1st birthday, Penelope!

photo credit: Megan Small Photography