My First Shower (Baby Shower, That Is...)

This past weekend, I hosted my very first baby shower (yay!). It was for a dear, dear friend from Tranquil Space, who is sadly going to be leaving her role at the studio once she has her baby (a fact about which I'm still in complete denial). Anyways, she's totally amazing and I'm super-excited for her and her upcoming journey into mommy-hood, and it was great to have a day to celebrate her and her fabulousness. I keep telling everyone that it makes me feel so old to have a good friend who is having a baby (!!), but I guess we are old, and I should just realize that this is reality now, huh? 

Anyways, today I wanted to share the crafts that we did at the shower. Sara (the shower-ee?) loves to craft, and told me that she didn't want the shower to consist of baby games and everyone watching her open all of her presents, but instead, wanted everyone to have time creating and catching up with one another. I loved that idea! So, here's what we came up with. I tell you so that you can get ideas for your next party or shower, and because personally, I thought it was a total blast and think she was right--I got to spend much more time visiting with her and all of the guests, and I got to have fun crafting while doing it--much better than "ooh-ing" and "ahh-ing" the entire time and never getting to catch-up with one another. So here's what we did!

Craft #1: Paper Baby Quilt Wall-Hanging 

Although I can't take credit for this idea, I really like it. Basically, we worked on "quilting squares" for a paper quilt-like wall-hanging for the baby's room. Inspired by a photo of Sara's baby quilt fabric (see below), I brought lots of matching paper, paint, ribbon, etc., and cut the paper into 4" x 4" squares for people to use. I made some sample paper "quilt squares," too, and each person at the shower decorated a square. I'm now going to put all of the squares together in a quilt-like pattern, and am going to frame it for Sara to hang in the baby's room. Fun, right? People really got into it, so I think it worked out :)

Directions, picture of fabric for inspiration, and sample quilt squares :)

All of the supplies set out before everyone arrived. I love fresh art supplies!

Finished products! Aren't they great?

Craft #2: Valentine's Day Cookie Decorating

I don't think this one needs much explanation, but since it's so close to Valentine's Day we thought it would be fun to do a Valentine's Day craft, too :) So, cookie-decorating was the winner, and it was very sweet ;) I also provided little cellophane Valentine's Day bags and ties so that people could take their cookies home and give them to their Valentines, although we ran into a problem when the icing hadn't dried by the end of the party (whoops!)...but, we found a way to make things work and I think everyone left fairly happy and with cookies in hand...

Before they were decorated...

And after!

My CrossFit cookie for Ben. Someone said, "oh, that's so cute! Is that a keyhole for a lock?" I was like, "oh, no, it's a Kettlebell." Haha! Now that's love :)

Fun, right? So what I learned this weekend is this--crafting parties are the way to go. They're much more fun, they're less awkward, and they come with built-in party favors :) 

Also, if you throw a party, you must use streamers. Streamers are also the way to go and make everything MUCH more festive. I'm a big fan.

To close, here are a few more sweet images from the party:

Thanks to all who attended and shared your craftiness with us! 

And a BIG thanks to Sara for being with child (hehe!). 

Namaste,
Mary Catherine