Crafts and Cocktails

I recently discovered one of my new favorite places.  Its called Upstairs Circus and its too bad its in Denver, about 45 minutes away from where I live.  Here's the gist of the place, you pick a day on their calendar, you go to their website to see what the theme of the day is (e.g. "Home Sweet Home" or "Designer Inspired,") you choose from one of about five different choices of craft projects, (depending on the theme, you may paint a canvas, make jewelry, sew a pillow cover, do some wood burning, etc.) Sign up for what you want; include details in your reservation whether you will be coming with a friend, or a group or whatever.

When you arrive, they give you ALL of the supplies to make your project, direct you towards the in house equipment, hand you a detailed sheet of instructions and make sure that you know that they are available to you if you have any questions or need any help.  You go find a seat at one of their crafting tables and then, here's the best part, well one of the best parts, you head to their full bar to order a cocktail to sip while you craft!  They have some delicious mixed drink recipes, as well as an espresso machine.  If you book a package from them, it will include your craft, drink tickets and their truffle oil popcorn, served out of a retro popcorn machine. I made a bracelet and (even though it took me a total of 4 hours to make it, versus the 1-2 it is supposed to take,) I love it!

So then I started dreaming about how cool it would be to open a store like that of my own.  I imagined the many options of some of the DIY projects that I could offer........Well, it probably won't happen anytime soon, so for now, I just made a Pinterest board of ideas.  Here are some of my favorites that I can share with you:

Happy DIYing until we meet at my future store, maybe I'll call it Crafts and Cocktails.  

Yellow and Gray Shower

{Pre Made Party Kit}

Actual Photos for Yellow and Gray Party Kit

Fine Print: Little Bird Celebrations does not claim to hand make all of the pictured items, our service is here merely to research and pull party supplies, party decorations and party ideas that look pretty together and package them as a theme design. 

Visit our Shop on Etsy to Purchase this Pre-Made Party Kit

More fine print: The pricing above is for us to acquire the listed items on your behalf and deliver them neatly to your door.  Please click on our "services" tab at the top of our page to learn about what other party planning, set up, decorating and coordination and custom design work that we can offer you.

Chevron, Palm and Sisal Bridal Shower

My east coast cousin asked me to help her plan her brother's fiance's bridal shower.  The luncheon was to take place at a historic boutique inn near Palm Beach Florida.  After the hostess sent me a few snapshots of the restaurant with it's windows overlooking a sandy garden, beachy awnings and terra cotta tiled floors, the wheels began turning in my head. I turned to Pinterest to research as much as I could about the lovely Chevron trend.  I soon learned that the bride-to-be was not a "girly girl," but wanted more of a sophisticated, laid back theme.  I chose some muted grays, a palm tree graphic, some sisal (or twine rather,) added a few sea shells and of course my favorite chevron pattern.

I printed the invitations on white cardstock, cut rounded corners and then added a kraft paper backing.  To hold the twine adornment on top, I used some antique silver colored thumbtacks.  The requested registry information was typed on the opposite arrangement .  A recurring palm tree emblem was printed on round kraft envelope seals.

The placecards were printed with a chevron background and placed over a swatch of burlap fabric, held together with the same tacks.

I purchased the grey and white chevron fabric to make some simple table runners.  (Email me if you would like the name of the fabric supplier, they were very prompt and had great pricing.) I found the small perfume bottles and tea light candle holders, wrapped in sisal and with shell adornments, on sale at my local craft store and bought out their entire supply.  I made some paper flags that read "Love" and the bride and groom's names.  

My vision includes these grouped on top of the table runners with some twine wrapped mason jars and either a votive candle or a floating candle, something like the ones pictured below.  (The hostess could also decide to sprinkle a little "beach sand" around the the bottom of the centerpieces to add to the beachy feel.)

Photo from BrideBop.com

I ordered some custom fabric napkin rings made from burlap, twine and seashells.  Champagne glasses will contain flags that mimic the centerpiece's paper flags and I made food pics using the grey chevron pattern and palm tree image as well.  Table number cards are displayed in white frames that I purchased from Ikea for $1 each and tied with some twine.

For favors, I arranged for some custom bars of soap to be made.  These are Apple Crisp scented and have natural oats in them to add to the texture.  I made Thank You tags in a few varying shapes and sizes in case the hostess wishes to add a little something of her own to a favor bag or box.

I hope to be able to share real party photos with you soon!  Feel free to contact me with your requests and party budget and I can put together a proposal for a pre-made party kit custom just for your event!

Here is what I included in this Chevron, Palm and Sisal Bridal Shower Kit:

24 Custom Printed Shower Invitations with Envelopes

24 Envelope Seals

24 Blank Thank You Cards with Envelopes

24 Guest Favors- Natural Soap Bars Wrapped

48 Favor Tags

4 Table Runners

4 Table Numbers in Frames

24 Place Cards

48 Food Picks

24 Champagne Flags

24 Custom Napkin Rings

24 Custom Menus

Centerpieces- 16 Sandy Beach Votive Holders and 8 Twine Wrapped Perfume Bottles with Flags.

Extra burlap, extra twine