Sophie & Sienna's Vintage Circus Birthday Party

I'm so excited to share Sophie and Sienna's Vintage Circus Birthday Party!!

It was really fun creating this..full of DIY projects and special details.

I love my girls so much.. and I love making their day extra special.

When they walked into the space before their party, they squealedddddd and

ran arounddd cheering "partyyy dayyy party dayyy!"

I love it. I love them.

WARNING: PHOTO OVERLOAD. (this is edited down...)

Happy to share the details of their party..

Enjoy looking around and thanks for visiting. :)

It all started with the Invitation..

I created it in photoshop..and added some fun extra details to make it special!

(invite details in post linked above)

Planning A Dessert Table is so fun!

DETAILS:

I used dishes and white linens that I already owned.

I purchased burlap from Hobby Lobby's clearance bin for CHEAP

because it had a couple holes...Perfect as a table runner!

upside IKEA vases to hold my lollipop towers.

(foam cones from hobby lobby spray painted yellow with ribbon hot glued around bottom)

I chose treats that my girls love. I cooked NOTHING but the popcorn.

My friend Kate and I made a variety of Homemade Popcorn recipes. (recipes linked below)

We are both pregnant. and we enjoyed taste testing the variety..

and so did the husbands who stopped over after their fantasy football draft. ;)

I ordered 2 large balloons from Shop Sweet lulu.

The grocery store balloon girl didn't want to blow them up very big.. love them anyways!

I had the S letter for the past year (From JoAnns) and spray painted yellow the night before.

The Fabric Backdrop is my favorite part.

I bought the CHEAP fabric that is used for linings.. 2 or so bucks a yard..

and then used a coupon. Just tore 1-2 inch pieces and tied them to an old curtain rod I had.

Draped some leftover fabric over the top to cover the rod and mimic a circus tent

I created printables in Photoshop to label the different treats.

(not all. I feel silly labeling things that are kinda obvious..)

LOVED making the Lion Cupcakes with the Pipe Cleaner Rings of fire!

I did a lot of pricing out of the animals. Ended up getting a huge pack from Party City for $9.99

(hubby twisted the red and yellow pipe cleaners together one night. nice job babe.)

I made some strongman dumbells with vintage candy sticks from Party City and Large Marshmallows. The girls LOVED them. (they only wanted the marshmallows. haha)

And because I know my girls love marshmallows..

I put out a bowl of Circus Train Smoke.. aka mini marshmallows. :)

The popcorn jars I've collected over the years. all for a bargain.

(stores like tjmaxx or ollie's or big lots)

I put out mini popcorn containers from Oriental Trading..

letting guests load up on their favorites! I personally LOVED the white chocolate.

with cute sprinkles. :) (Check out this popcorn post for these and more recipes!)

Yellow cups were (from party city) for scooping the popcorn..but then I ended up grabbing shovels off the buckets (game area) and they worked better!

A veryyyy talented friend of mine, Colleen, baked up some GORGEOUS and

lovely Circus Sugar Cookies. She is amazing and recently started her own blog! Sugar Aunts.

Colleen shares the same love for motherhood, party planning and DIY projects!

You should check her and her sister's blog out..tell her I say hi. :)

I filled up a silverware caddy/container from target with candy. 

Everyone wants a Prize at the Circus!

DETAILS:

I have always wanted to draw a big design on a chalkboard..

By no means are the stripes lined up right..but I love it! haha.

We had grabbed up 2 of these huge ones from the "Trash" (One is in our playroom)

I found that amazing frame at Hobby Lobby half off.. had to grab it.

The basket (from my bathroom shelf) is filled with flowers from Trader Joes

(love their selection and price!)

The Canvas Photo is from Photo-Canvas.com and I LOVE how it turned out.

We did a review and giveaway with them a while back..

I printed out another matching photo and framed in one of our IKEA frames from the girls' room.. propped up with frame holders that were dusty in the basement.

I created Fun Containers for the prizes using Dollar Store animals and Plastic Containers.

I just hot glued the animals to the lids..and spray painted them yellow!

(Plan on using in their play room for small toys/craft supplies)

(The prizes were found at different places.. Oriental Trading, Dollar Store, Party City..)

I created in Photoshop some fun treat bag tag printables for the favors.

(Clown Noses from Oriental Trading..bouncy balls from Target)

(Filled Dollar store Snack size ziploc bags with different things and stapled the treat bags to them.)

I like filling some with toys for the bigger kids..

and then the Zoo Cookies for the little ones. (from Bottom Dollar-amazing cookies!! and so cute. ;)

A Circus needs a Tent..

and Fun Things to do!

DETAILS-

I have created a streamer canopy for a few events.. But I love how much easier and quicker this version comes together. I used 2 colors of Plastic Table Cloth Rolls bought at Party City.

You could DEFINITELY get away with just 1.. but I wanted the alternating colors.. and also used them for the tables. (I have a ton leftover..)

I created a Cardboard Ticket Booth out of free boxes from our Dollar Tree..

the girls loved handing out the tickets to their guests! (from party city)

Because of the recent Big Girl room Makeover from Ikea.. we had a ton of HUGE boxes..

So I used one of them to create a photo cut out. one of my favorite things from the entire party!

I pencil drew a design..then filled in with acrylic paint from JoAnns.

I think the adults liked this almost as much as the kids. Excuse my lion..he is a little pudgy. ;)

We had face painting..and Tattoos.. they were a HIT.

We also had bucket & cup toss games and a bounce house that a friend let me borrow!

I would like to thank the bounce house for the 3.5 hour nap my girls took after the party.

Let them eat Cake! and cry!

DETAILS-

Sienna was not a fan of everyone looking and singing to her on this occasion..

She got so shy she cried! And of course the husband is saying "take photos this will be funny later!".......... haha. She ended up calming down once she blew the candles out.

Cake makes everything better. and presents. :)

They were blessed with so many gifts from their sweet friends!

The flowers on the eating tables were put in diy rope vases..

Hot glued rope from Hobby Lobby to Dollar store cups. Circus tent rope..get it?..get it?

The tall candles are from Shop Sweet LuLu and I LOVEEEE them.

Sweet little Cakes from our Giant Eagle Bakery... Delish. $7.. awesome.

Back to Basics! Pizza and drinks.

DETAILS-

I usually offer a bigger spread when it comes to the food..

But I wanted to go simple and easy. and everyone loves pizza!

I know a lot of people do hot dogs for a circus party..but I am one of those crazy moms who cuts up hot dogs into tiny tiny tiny pieces before my kids can eat it...so..not so fun.

I found those two stackable drink containers at target for $2.35 or something crazy like that!

Filled them with fruit punch and lemonade.

We also had a big bowl full of ice and soda/water bottles.

Cups from Party City. Plates from Target. Straws from Shop Sweet LuLu.

Striped Tray I already owned..from Target.

We took some photos the other day in the back yard to use for thank you cards..

Going to make something up in photoshop with space for them to color. :)

The girls wore their target ballet outfits..(gifted from the Easter Bunny)

and for the photos they put on their tulle tutus that I made (tutorial here)

Thanks for checking out My Girls' Vintage Circus Birthday Party!

It was really fun putting it together..and even more fun seeing the smiles on my girls' faces.

Sienna asked the next day if we could have another party day.

I told her 365 days and Yes. we will party it up. ;)

The actual party we have will be having next is when we welcome

this little baby #3 to the family in november!!

Birthday Party-Thank You Card Photos

The day after the girls' birthday party..

They gladly put back on their tutu's and carried their

bunches of balloons outside to the backyard for some photos!

I wanted to snap some to remember my sweet little 2 and 4 yr olds..

but also to use on a thank you card we'll be sending out.

Love how they turned out! Not sure which I'll use..

Couldn't help but share these.. I love these cuties.

CAMERA: Canon Rebel T1i. 18-55mm Lense

Manual Mode. Edited in Photoshop.

I plan on creating something in Photoshop to print out..

have the girls color one side.. and mail to all the party guests.

I did this for all the gifts/well wishes when we had sienna..

but I losttttt them in the move!

This time... they will actually make it to the mailbox. ;)

Grandma B's present to them was the glider for their swing set..

I figured that I could snap a ton of photos of them while they rode it..

they will sit on that for as long as you let them!

I don't even have to push them anymore...

I can just sit near them and be pregnant. perfect! ;)

If you are thinking about getting a dslr camera...

GET ONE! I love my canon rebel T1i.

I love the shots that I am able to catch with it..even on manual mode!

I love this age.. they can really play together.

I'm so glad we ended up having the 2 of them so close together..

and this baby will join right in on the play time in a year or so. ;)

Haha...o Sienna... that little face.

trouble.

Dollar Store DIY's - Some Party Details

I've realized that I love a challenge..

I feel like whenever I'm planning a party and I go to the dollar store, I'm on one of those design competition shows where they have to create something out

of only the items at a particular store..

my store of choice...the dollar tree.

o yes.

DIY cheapness is there just waiting for you!

This is a 2 and 4 yr old birthday party..not a wedding..

so little cheapo party touches like this work perfect.

CIRCUS TENT ROPE VASE

SUPPLIES:

1 Three pack of White Plastic Cups....Dollar Store

Rope.... (Dollar store has some regular and colored ones..

but I had already grabbed this at Hobby Lobby.)

Leftover Frog Tape

DIRECTIONS:

Hot glue rope to bottom of cup.. keep hot glueing spots and pressing rope to it..once you get a good base going you can wrap more and hot glue less. it's up to you. just make it feel sturdy..and keep pushing the rope down so that it stays close together.

I love the idea of using this rope throughout the party to signify the rope that holds up the circus tent... I also have touches of burlap. the color scheme all together is sooo cute. :)

Going to fill these little diy vases with some cute flowers like hydrangeas or sunflowers..

I have some similar looking rectangular woven baskets that I use in our bathroom shelving

that I'm also going to use to hold flowers. will just put 2 glasses

in their to hold the flowers..they'll be hidden anyways!

CIRCUS GAME

SUPPLIES:

1 Three pack of White Plastic Cups....Dollar Store

Leftover Frog Tape

DIRECTIONS:

Tape off the design you want. Use a box cuter to trip top of cup.

Spray paint. Peel off tape gently and done!

Going to put on cute little school desk I already have that I spray painted pink

and have a basket of yellow bean bags from my husband's bago game.

Sienna is going to LOVE this... today I caught her taking a toy...

saying "3..4..go" and throwing it across the room..

only to go pick it up, go back..and repeat.

this game is right up heir aisle.

Lots of fun details coming together for the girls' party this weekend!

And that oh so exciting post that starts

with IK and ends with EA is coming before the weekend as well..

stay tuned!

POPCORN Recipes & Gift Giving Ideas

I have been hunting down yummy homemade

popcorn recipes for the girls' Vintage Circus Party!

I have 5 or so large glass jars with lids (I put my flour..sugar..etc.. in them)

I'm going to fill them up with a variety of popcorn to choose from..

and use mini yellow popcorn boxes I bought from Oriental Trading.com

Here's a round-up of some yummy Popcorn Recipes for DIY gift giving!

1. Classic Homemade Popcorn via Simply Recipes

2. Pretty Pink Popcorn via erin cooks

3. White Chocolate Popcorn via scissors and spatulas

4. S'mores Popcorn via Nest of Posies

5. Snickers Popcorn via Six Sisters' Stuff

6. Herbed Garlic Parmesan Popcorn via Our Best Bites

7. Chocolate & Peanut Butter Popcorn via Brown Eyed Baker

8. Chocolate Caramel Popcorn via Not Your Mommas Cookie

Not throwing a circus party?? That's ok!

There are plenty of occasions to gift popcorn..

I worked up a few designs for inspiration!

I'm adding a new listing to my printables shop...POPCORN gift tags!

Choose your occasion..your colors..

add a personalized tag (love, _____) if you want..

and you have your own printable for your gift giving!

Vintage Circus Party Invitation -DIY Touches

I had so much fun creating the invite for the girls' Vintage Circus Birthday Party!

The party invitation is the first detail of the party your guests will see...

So I always love announcing the theme in a fun way!

For the girls' party last year I did a pop up invite like a storybook

since it was a storybook princess party..

that invite had a little map to the once upon a time land. :)

I think I like how this invite came together the best..

The girls LOVED the tickets.. and Sophie played "people" with

all the cut out stickers of her and sienna while I addressed the envelopes.

Circus Invitation Supplies:

--Ticket Roll.....Party City - $3.99

(500 count..using at party itself)

--Star Confetti.....Michael's $1.59

-- Invitation....I designed in Photoshop and

printed on full label sheets then attached to yellow

cardstock so there was color on the other side.

(already had card stock and full label sheets)

--Sticker Seals..I designed in Photoshop and then printed onto full label sheets.

--Envelopes...Staples Brand.

I addressed the envelopes with a hot pink sharpie..

and sealed with the sticker.

I had to work in the tutu shots I took of them. ;)

I seriously am in love with the star confetti from Michael's.

I only used a few pinches in each envelope..

so I plan on using the rest at the party. somehow!

DIY Cardboard Ticket Booth

I recently put together a little Cardboard Ticket Booth

for my girls' Vintage Circus Party!

We had to try it out in the backyard today..

Tickets to ride the swings and slide! ;)

This project was so fun and pretty easy..

If you follow my blog..you know I love creating things

for my girls out of free cardboard boxes.

Examples of my cardboard love:

DIY Cardboard Mail Box

DIY Cardboard Castle

DIY Sweetopia Village (where it all started... ;)

My Dollar Tree is Awesome..and they load me up with boxes..

They usually let me go in the back with them, and they even give me a dolly. haha.

They don't have the huge refrigerator boxes you can find at home improvement stores, but the little ones, stacked up, work well for me! and are a bit more manageable. I can fit a bunch of these in my mini van... I've tried. :)

To make your own you can follow the basic cardboard building tutorial I put up for the castle..

And then these photos below can give you an idea of where to go from there!

DIY CARDBOARD

TICKET BOOTH TUTORIAL:

--Build your cardboard structure using Boxes, Box Cutter,

Zip Ties & Screw Driver(to poke holes)

--Prime it with something..I used leftover white trim paint

(or you can skip painting and start playing!)

--Paint with colors of choice..draw ticket sign...etc..

I chose to use their party colors of pink and yellow..

I bought Acrylic Paint from JoAnns that was on sale for a buck. 

--You can make your own tickets.. or buy some cute ones from the store.

I've seen these everywhere! (Staples, Party City, Target..etc..)

I purchased my Tickets at Party City.

Tickets are bought....

time to ride the rides!! ;)

Sienna LOVES the swing. and sophie below was swinging trying to get daddy.

Very amusing. I think she got him a couple times in the face. haha.

Can't wait to share the ticket booth at their Vintage Circus Birthday Party next month..

Sophie is beyond excited.

She told me she is going to be the "ticket girl"...perfect! ;)