Thursday, October 21, 2010

Party: Modern Farm Birthday for Scarlett


We celebrated Scarlett's second birthday with a "Modern Farm" party--a cleaner, updated take on the farm theme with a little of the apple harvest season mixed in. Scarlett, not uniquely, made all the barnyard animal noises before she started articulating words, and "Big Red Barn" is her favorite bedtime read, so if she could have named the theme for her second birthday party I think "farm" really would have been it.

  

I always think of the invitations as the beginning of the party. They set expectations. I love good old-fashioned paper and ink, as opposed to more modern forms, and I really enjoy making my own. So for Scarlett's I designed these Modern Farm invites:


 

The animal silhouettes became the motif I repeated to tie it all together. It was just too much fun thinking of things to do with them! Such as the tablecloth for the serving table...


...and the buttonhole napkin ties.



When menu planning I couldn't come up with the right sort of dinner for my farm themed child's party so I opted for brunch instead. Why not?! It lent itself more easily I thought. So we served scrambled eggs, muffins, bacon, sausage, apple juice, orange juice, milk, and as "birthday cake," cinnamon rolls.  

  

It was the kind of meal the adults and the kids could enjoy equally. That's the thing about the first two birthday parties, they really seem to end up being more for the adults (mom especially!), so it was fun to try and have something here for everyone.

 

That said, I think the kids table was the focus, and certainly the most fun for me in the making!


 
  
I used the same toweling fabric I used for the napkins to make the gingham table runners and dotted them with bushels of apples (some from the store and some from our trees) and white vases of sunflowers.


 

The table was set with child-sized bamboo plates, individual bottles of milk (repurposed Frappuccino bottles inspired by this tutorial) with Modern Farm labels (see below), and favor baskets at each place.


I used wood pint-sized baskets (what happened to these? they are so great!) and filled them with a plastic farm animal, an old-fashioned lollipop in green apple or cherry, and an apple tagged with a thank you card (see below for printables).
  

 

After eating brunch, the lollipops and farm animals provided the entertainment for Scarlett's cousins until the adults were finished and ready to open presents. It was such perfect weather we were in no rush.  It has been warmer than usual this Fall but the slanted light meant plenty of shade in which to relax.

 

I think Scarlett genuinely had a great time! She looked darling in her birthday dress (thanks for all the votes to go without the bow!)...



...she loved the apples..
   

...and of course tore into the presents with squeals and smiles!


They were stowed in a large wooden crate as our family arrived, which made it easy and fun to unpack and open. 


Audrey got something new to wear too: a Modern Farm t-shirt. She picked "goat-y" in brown because it looks like her favorite animal at a nearby farm we visit.    



And I wasn't totally exhausted when the party was over thanks to my husband who nearly single handedly prepared the food! He is much better than I at breakfast!  

A happy, happy birthday for Scarlett!
  



For a summary of free printables, tutorials, and resources click below to read more.





--Modern Farm Invites (with link to free printable download)
--Tutorial to make a banded tablecloth (and link to Modern Farm templates in my shop)
--Tutorial to make buttonhole napkin ties (and link to Modern Farm pattern in my shop)
--Free download for individual Modern Farm milk bottle labels here (print and cut out)
--Free download for Modern Farm thank you tags here (print on card stock, cut out, and hole punch)
--Bamboo plates
--Half peck "bushel" baskets
--Wooden pint baskets
--Plastic farm animals
--Gingham toweling fabric 
--Scarlett's dress



P.S.  This party would be so darling in black, white and red too using that version of the invite, red and white gingham fabric, and black animal silhouette appliques



52 comments:

Unknown said...

This is such a fantastic party. well done. I adore every detail. the table cloth, napkins, the apples.. amazing. I'll have to refer to this in the future.
Have a great weekend.

Kara said...

I am so amazed at your parties. And the matching outfits to boot! You are the queen of fabulousness.

Yolanda said...

I love this party, and seeing all of these sweet details coming together. Thank you for all of the printables and sources. I missed the source for the small milk bottles. are they Frappuchinos, maybe? Something else?

Rachel@oneprettything.com said...

Everything came out amazing, I just love this party! Thanks so much for this, I'll be linking.

Anneliese said...

Yolanda, yes these are Frappuchino bottles sans labels... Thanks for your comment!

Sandi said...

adorable!
My favorite are the tablecloth and napkin ties! off to check out the tutorial...
Thanks for the printables!

Unknown said...

so fantastic! I love all the coordination! The tablecloth is just darling! Great touches!

hugs! Kim @ Frost Me!/Party Frosting
party inspiration

Caryl said...

This is absolutely adorable!! Love everything about it. Your daughter's dress was the perfect final touch to what looks like a beautiful day!
Caryl @ ROAR events group

the decorated cookie said...

Thanks for sending along to CraftGossip! I love every detail. So perfect. I just posted a feature tonight (ediblecrafts.craftgossip.com)

What I Did Today said...

Aaaaaaaah!!!!! You have no idea how much I am freaking out right now! In a good way, of course. I am doing a farm theme party for my oldest next month and I really love the simplicity of the way you did your party. And the dress. I die. Imitation is the best highest form of flattery, right? Or something like that. Soooooo excited! I'm definitely not going to make a dress, but I've already got one in mind that I can put applications on. Yay! Thanks for the inspiration!!!

Sue said...

Darling all the way around! I love the birthday girl's little red shoes!

@jenhalloran said...

I'm running out of superlatives for commentary on your blog. I guess that leaves me ... speechless! A really, really lovely party. Priceless photo of you and Scarlett, too. Thanks for including the link to the bamboo plates -- such a great idea *and* well-priced.

Margot Madison Creative said...

What a wonderful discovery I had in finding your blog today. I love it and love how you combined the modern with the farm. You did it with great style and charm.

Looking forward to more posts!

Victoria said...

That dress.... So sweet! I swear you do "amazing outfit to go with the party" better than anyone:) Everything is really beautiful- happy 2 to your little girl!

Recaptured Charm said...

Completely adorable. A picture perfect birthday party for Scarlett. Beautiful attention to detail.

Toyin O. said...

Looks like a fun party!

http://youcanfacetodaybecausehelives.blogspot.com/

Anji* said...

I love this party! It's so fresh and fun :)
Love the little milk bottles and all the apples, and the favors were super cute!

Tasha Horsley said...

i don't know how i missed this! it's the cutest party!! you should be the author of a party book....seriously. you are so talented! i wish i could be at these super cute parties you put together. SO CUTE!

Lorajean said...

I love this party!! You are so creative!

Anonymous said...

I saw this on Ohdeedoh, Hip hip hooray, and Sara's party perfect and I love it! Great job!

S Club Mama said...

this is adorable! I love it

Sarah said...

What an adorable party. I think that this would actually make a really sweet 1st birthday party for my son. Thanks for sharing all the great ideas!

Anonymous said...

You should be on Ophra!

Anonymous said...

What a simple but lovely party! I am planning a farm party for my 2 year old too and seeing yours made so neat and creative is amazing!
Loved the tablecloth and the sticker ideas. Scarlett looks adorable!

-Vaishali.
SFO, CA

mer said...

so darling. great execution.

Unknown said...

Thank you SO much for posting all your resources, etc.- I'm planning my son's 2nd bday for August & am going to steal- ahem, borrow- some of your fantastic ideas! Thank you so much! :)

Kerryanne Cummins said...

I cant not even begin to express my gratitude for all your amazing ideas...my son's farm birthday party would not have been as amazing if it was not for you and your crafty gift! Thank you so very much for sharing! Please come check out my post about our party inspired by yours! @
http://earthfriendlymama.blogspot.com/2011/06/farm-birthday-party.html

Robin said...

very cute!

T. Lillian said...

This is so simple and lovely! Love the ideas you shared.

Unknown said...

Simple and lovely! I love all the little touches! :) Stopping by for your SITS day!

Handy Man, Crafty Woman said...

what a great idea! so pretty and fun. Came over from the SITS site.

Life As Wife said...

Excited to sort through your blog and get more party ideas!

Jenn Erickson said...

Such a lovely party in every special detail!

I don't get around much to the SITS features these days, but when I saw the description of your blog in my daily email from SITS, I knew that something wonderful was in store and that I had to come by! I'm so glad I did. I love your style, your creativity and generous spirit! What a quality and worthwhile blog you have!

Best, Jenn/Rook No. 17

Michael said...

Happy SITS day!!! Thank you for sharing your creativity!

Stacy@thealmostwholepackage said...

Love it all!! I am your newest follower!

Anonymous said...

Look at all those details! That's so wonderful that your children have such a creative mom!

AnonyMOMous said...

Your attention to detail and creativity is amazing. Thank you for sharing your daughter's adorable party with us!

Yuliya said...

Just saw this on SITS, what an inspiration!It looks like you've already been featured on OhDeeDoh, have you submitted it to Hostess with the Mostess? (another great party site)

Unknown said...

Stopping by from SITS to congratulate you on your feature day. I'm a little late, because I have been on vacation, but better late than never. Can I just say that I want a Modern Farm birthday party for myself? You are so incredibly creative, and this idea is so sweet and classic. It looks like a great party! PS: Scarlett is absolutely adorable, but I am guessing you already knew that. Can't wait to see more of your creative ideas!

Robin said...

Such a beautiful setting. It looks very welcoming.

And she is adorable in that wonderful dress!

Victoria Mische said...

I have to admit that overall I'm really impressed with this particular site especially on your table settings! It is easy to observe that youre enthusiastic about making this stuff and that's what I want in every blogger!

Anyway, when you are planning to make preparation for birthday, wedding or debut and looking for some table supplies you must choose http://www.yourchaircovers.com/ to make a deal for getting the discount. They have everything you would possibly need for the function such as chair covers, cheap tablecloths, sashes and many more.

ayishky said...

hi this is sharri. I'm doing farm too for my baby's 1st birthday. and i wanted to get those glass bottled milk...where can i get them? i'm from san diego, ca.

thanks! it's a lovely party!!!and love the birthday girl's dress too!

Anneliese said...

@ayishky: those are repurposed Frappucino bottles. But I have seen "milk bottles" sold online--can't remember where but i think you could probably Google it and find some party packaging store selling them. Have fun with your party!

Jenny @ Simcoe Street said...

Just stumbled across your blog and love this! What a fun, sweet party! Love every detail :)

Jenny
www.simcoestreet.blogspot.com

Lisa G. said...

I love your girl's outfits. How did you make the goat t-shirt?

Anneliese said...

@Lisa G.: I appliqued the got onto the t-shirt using Heat N Bond. Thanks.

Creations By Cindy said...

I adore everything about your party here! It has made me smile today! Hugs and blessings, Cindy

katie said...

Anneliese,
I have enjoyed reading your blog for awhile now. I love your sewing projects--I have two little girls (and baby #3 on the way) and I love your beautiful designs. I also love your adorable party ideas. I loved your farm party when I first read about it--especially the idea of doing a brunch, genius! Luckily, my husbands family has a farm. So when my younger daughter became obsessed with cows and all things farm I knew the party would be a perfect fit. Long story short I am barrowing several of your great ideas including the milk bottles and the favor baskets. SO for my question--Did you spray the tops of your bottles or put a sticker on them to cover the "starbucks" logo? I didn't realize until I was in check out today that mine had a brown rim around the edge--I got mocha. Wondering if you used vanilla--and how you covered the logo. Also, where did you get the old fashion lollipops--I like the wooden stick. Thanks for your time and your ideas!!
Katie

MAT said...

Thank you for this post! My son just had a birthday party on the farm and I used so many of your ideas. My kids table had the square baskets and round baskets with apples (from Wassermans too!) and I used gingham table runners on my food tables. I also used your "moo cow" drink tags on my bottles. So many complements.
Found you on Pinterest!

Anonymous said...

Hi Annalise love your barn themed party, can I ask where you got the wooden buckets (pails) from? thanks Kim

Anneliese said...

@Anonymous (Kim): Thanks for your comment. I have listed all the resources in a list at the end--some really good ones! I purchased the bushel baskets here http://www.wasserstrom.com/restaurant-supplies-equipment/Product_281406

mariéesenbeauté said...

.....this is adorable . I love it

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