I can’t believe I’m posting about this, time flies so quickly, but I threw my baby girl’s 1st birthday party last Saturday!! It was so fun, and although she won’t remember the party, I had a great time planning and crafting to put it all together. The theme was based on a party package (a PDF printable that they e-mail to you and you use how you want!) that I bought from happypapers on etsy. It’s the “Cupcake Birthday Set” and I picked it because I loved the colors; pink, green, orange and blue! The set included an invitation, 2 patterns, center box, gift bag, gift tags, a party hat and goodie cone — all for $5 and e-mailed right to you! Although it included invitations, you had to write on theirs, I used their patterns to create one on the computer, which I just printed and mailed!

Another theme from the invites was cupcakes, so I jumped at the chance to make our own cupcake toppers, as well as a big cupcake (or mini-cake) for the birthday girl!

I made 3 different types of cupcake toppers — “H” toppers, “Harper” toppers, and “1″ toppers! And we had chocolate cupcakes with chocolate frosting, and yellow cupcakes with white frosting. We made Harper’s with yellow and white, to avoid the chocolate stains!

I filled the Happy Papers center cone with pink and green Jelly Bellies!

I also used the patterns to create a lot of other decorations, including a month-by-month photo decorations to hang from the dining room chandelier, and a “Happy 1st Birthday Harper!” banner!

And how cute does the birthday girl look in her tutu?? These are from Fairy Wonderful! I bought 2 and stacked them. They also have an etsy shop.

The outdoor decorations are my new favorite things — they are the Martha Stewart Pom-Pom kit and you can buy them at a Michael’s craft store or find them online! And yes, they are now hanging in Harper’s room!

Isn’t the location gorgeous? It’s my in-law’s guest ranch — Mahogany Ridge Guest Ranch. And yes, you can come vacation here.

On the menu was “Paella” — the quick version from last month’s Cookie magazine. Unfortunately I can’t find the recipe on their website, but it was sure yummy! We also served Tater Tot Casserole, lots of hors d’oeuvres (guacamole, cheese ball, shrimp/cream cheese/salsa, deviled eggs, cantaloupe, baked brie — all thanks to Glenn’s sisters, and both of our moms!), along with Hansen’s sodas and pineapple orange punch! There was a lot of food!!

So much food, that Glenn’s sister’s dog (it was her birthday, too!) partook in the cupcakes!

Daddy helped Harper blow out her candle…

And mommy helped her open her presents!

It was so fun, and Harper got a lot of great gifts! Thank you to everyone who helped make it happen and who was able to share her special day!

Be on the lookout for a tutorial on how I made some of her birthday crafts!

I want to send a shout-out to the ultimate kid’s party stylist, Kim at her super inspirational blog The TomKat Studio! Her ideas and crafts are sooo adorable and were a big inspiration for me for Harper’s party — and she is so sweet to boot!!  Thanks, Kim!!