Today I’m introducing you to one of my advertisers and talented vendors in the Customised Invitations & Printables category of the directory – “Upon A Time Designs” who design magical printables for beautiful events. It is run by Emily who was inspired when she had her first child to create beautiful things to bring a bit of colour to a child’s world and celebrations!
Love this enchanted looking backdrop!:
Their designs can bring your party theme to life – from invitations to the backdrop to favour bags. They offer a range of themes which is constantly growing and also offer boutique custom design for those who want their ideas turned into something extra special.
Their range includes popular themes including lego, ballerina, jungle, star wars, once upon a time and circus as well as some gorgeous unique themes such as “breakfast at Tiffany’s” and “lemonade theme”.
Their printable ranges include a huge range of coordinating items; buntings, buffet labels, thank you tags, backdrops and more – which is fantastic when you want to make sure all your decor ties in together!
Almost all their printable items also come with personalisation, so you can add a name or phrase to create an event that is truly unique.
Photo booths have become really popular lately and one of the best selling products of Upon a Time Designs is their printable photo booth props
They come in an array of themes, from Barnyard to Princess to Easter, and are so affordable at under $5 a set. They arrive as an instant download file that you can then print as many times as you like for some memorable photo fun.
They also offer invitations not only for children’s parties but also for grown-up parties, bridal and baby showers weddings and other special events.
My favourite feature of “Upon a Time Designs?”. They give 10% of all their sales to charity – love that! Visit the website to find out more or visit the ETSY store to shop!
I hope you’re enjoying the “Colour your party” series where I bring you some colourful inspiration!
Gold has become so popular recently that gorgeous silver has been slightly neglected however silver is perfect if you want a bit of shimmer and glitz but still want to keep the party colours light and perhaps not as ‘formal’ as gold.
It partners well with so many colours although I am loving seeing it with teal and aqua right now.
Here are some silver finds for you – all the links are at the end of this post:
Find all the items here:
Silver glitter spoons
Silver lantern
Silver children’s tiffany chair for hire
Nickel cake stand
Silver chevron table runner
Silver drink dispenser
Large foil silver balloons
DIY Tassel garland kit
Silver glitter tape
I’m starting a new series on the blog where some of the professional event stylists and vendors on the Children’s party directory share their top party planning & styling tips as well as business advice for managing a business along with a family and other commitments.
Launching this series is the very talented Nat from Events by Nat in Sydney who I had the pleasure of meeting at Confetti Fair. She has styled some of the most amazing parties including my personal favorite – the enchanted Fairy party below.
Here are Nat’s styling secrets and planning tips:
#1
Plan well in advance – this will give you time to obtain items online and from overseas without stressing whether they will arrive on time or not.
#2
Be as creative as possible – There is no need to spend an arm or leg on party decor.
Try crafting some of your own decor. For example look at online tutorials on how to make a paper rosette or flower. Use these tips and tutorials to craft your own. This will add that personal or unique touch to your next party.
Pinwheel christening – Events by Nat
#3
Be Inspired – I often get most of my inspiration from objects rather than the internet or other parties. I never have a set plan on where I want the styling to go. I often work with items I come into contact with.
The best example is look around your home and see what items you think you can use. Remember the item does not have to be party related. Sometimes you can use a book as a riser. Another example is the pasta jars you buy from Coles or Woolworths can be used as vases.
Madagascar dessert table – Events by Nat
Business Advice:
I start full-time work next week. Not only do I have my styling business to juggle, I now also have the added stress of full-time office work and juggling my family.
My best tip would be make sure you are surrounded by supportive people and do not hesitate to use the support. Also, make sure you are extremely organised with lists of items you need to buy and a Diary/Planner handy.
I know everything I do would not be possible without all of the above.
Ocean Swirl Nautical party – Events by Nat
Thank you so much Nat for sharing your thoughts and wisdom for with us!
Make sure you join the Events by Nat facebook page to see more of Nat’s amazing work!
If you go down to the woods today…..this classic rhyme is the perfect inspiration for a child’s birthday party. So cute for a 1st birthday theme or for a toddler who loves all their teddies! It’s also a perfect theme for a baby shower.
I’ve based the choices in this blog post mainly around browns/naturals, yellows, reds and greens and incorporating some gingham to give it a picnic feel.
Visit the Life’s Little Celebrations party directory to find more vendors to help in the planning of this party including cake makers, party shops, hire businesses and more including handmade decor businesses to create decorations based specifically on the theme/colour scheme!
Invitations & Printables
Teddy Bears Picnic delux invitation – I Will Invitations
Teddy Bears Picnic printables – I Will Invitations
Teddy bears picnic printables – La Designs (ETSY)
Teddy Bears Picnic invitation – The Little Humbugs – vintage inspired childrens art
Teddy Bears Picnic party set – Bumpkin
Teddy bears picnic invitation – Anista Designs (ETSY)
Teddy Bear Picnic printables – Anders Ruff
A gorgeous backdrop really sets the scene for the dessert table. These two backdrops would be perfect for this theme:
Teddy bear and garden picnic backdrop – Ham & Pea Design & Paperie
Decorations
Lanterns with taupe stripe – Occasion by Design
These tissue balls now come in an ultra mini size! Very cute either to hang up or to place on a table or on the floor:
MINI (12.5cm) tissue balls – My Garden Party
Yellow gingham pom pom – Ah-Tissue
Teddy Bears picnic bunting – Betty and Barclay (ETSY)
Tableware
Cotton table runner – Occasion by Design
Grass mat – Sweet Celebrations
Red gingham plastic tablecloth – The Party Parlour
Apple green plates – Sweet Celebrations
Eco serving ware dinner plate – Occasion by Design
Sambellina champagne striped plates – Party & Co
Teddy bear plates – The Party Cupboard
Me to you teddy bear plates – The Party Cupboard
Wooden Cutlery – Occasion by Design
The perfect drink dispenser for a picnic theme:
Blairgowrie Drinks Dispenser with Removable Wicker Basket – Sweet Style
Brown paper straws – Saffy & May
Wooden candy scoops – Little Red Chick Party Boutique
Sweet Treats
A few items to help theme your treats:
Such cute teddy lollipops!:
Teddy bear lollipops – Lindsay & Edmunds
Or create your own using these chocolate moulds:
Teddy bear chocolate moulds – Confectionately Yours
Wilton stackable teddy cookie cutter – The Spotted Apron
Teddy bear cookie cutter – Chalet
A perfect cutter to make some teddy bear sandwiches:
Teddy bear sandwich cutter -Zakka Box
Red gingham baking cups – Sweet Celebrations
Robert Gordon teddy bear cupcake toppers – Party & Co
The perfect stand for your teddy bear picnic cupcakes or other desserts:
3 tiered wooden stand – Leo & Bella
How sweet is this cake topper? Love it!
Personalised teddy cake topper – Cherry Red Toppers (ETSY)
I normally don’t include images of actual desserts in my blog post but couldn’t resist showing you these teddy bear macarons from Moreish Macarons!:
Teddy bear macarons – Moreish Macarons (NSW)
Special themed items & props
Some great items to use as risers on the dessert table to keep with the rustic/outdoor look:
Wooden box risers – Saffy & May
Tree stump risers – Leo & Bella
Brown cardboard suitcase/risers – Vintage Baby
Set of wooden pedestals – Pottery Barn
Cute teddy bread board which could be used as a tray:
Teddy bear bread board – Brown Paper Packages
These mini picket fences are fantastic to wrap around your risers as they are bendable. Great for a picnic theme:
Mini picket fences – Saffy & May
Perfect wooden stakes to use for your buffet labels:
Peg stake clips – The Party Parlour
Love this menu sign in a gingham/blackboard print:
Matching chalkboard and gingham menu – Bespoke Party Products
These picnic baskets perfectly suit this theme, with different sizes to use for various items:
Large and mini woven picnic baskets – Occasion by Design
Cute party hats for the kids:
Teddy bear party hat printable – Put a crown on it (ETSY)
Such a sweet teddy bear tin set you could use as a gift for the birthday child as well as use it as a prop as part of the party to set up a real teddy bear’s picnic area!
Bear tin tea set- Green Envy on Down That Little Lane
Hire
Some great items to use for this theme that you could hire to set the scene:
Mini picket fence and topiary tree for hire – Tiny Tots Toy Hire (Sydney)
Wooden risers – Tiny Tots Toy Hire (Sydney)
Can imagine this table being used for a great rustic Teddy Bears picnic setting:
Vintage coffee table for hire – My Sweet Event (Melbourne)
A few ideas for kids table/chair hire:
Teddy Bear picnic table, chair and decor to hire – Sweet Celebrations (SYDNEY)
Wooden kids chairs for hire- My Garden Party (Sydney)
Wicker children’s chair for hire – Little Chair (Melbourne)
White tiffany child’s chair with red cushion for hire- Little Wish Parties (Sydney)
Crates such as these are perfect to use as props and to place items/plates etc on top of – and if you hire items such as these there is no worry about finding more storage space after the party!:
Wooden crates for hire – Party Prop Hire (QLD)
Favours
Some really sweet party favours for this theme:
Teddy bear cookie cutter favors – Swig Shoppe
Teddy bear soap – Crimson Hill
Teddy Bear badge favours – Badges 4 Kids
Crystal teddy favours – Favors Plus
This cookie mix favour with a rustic look would be a unique favour for this theme:
Cookie mix in a bottle – Sweet Health
Gorgeous teddy bear bags to fill with party favours:
Teddy muslin bags – Jacquelyn Vaccaro (ETSY)
Wood berry boxes – Blank Goods
Party bags and boxes to tie in with a gingham feel:
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Pink gingham treat boxes – The Little Big Company
Yellow gingham treat boxes – Party & co
Gingham fabric party bags – The Petite Party Shop
Gingham ribbon in various colours – The Party Parlour
Brown stitch ribbon – Occasion by Design
Green apple twine – Sweet Celebrations
Such cute peg gift tags for a teddy’s bear picnic!:
Teddy bear peg gift tags – Brown Paper Packages
Real Parties
Find more inspiration for a Teddy Bears Picnic party here:
Amazing Teddy Bears picnic party with rustic & gingham elements by Studio Cake
Gorgeous girly teddy bears picnic on the Anders Ruff blog
Sweet Teddy bears picnic party with a lot of handmade elements from Mondocherry
Lovely Teddy Bears Picnic featuring pink gingham by Calamity Cakes on the Little Big Company blog
Teddy Bear baby shower on the Oh It’s Perfect blog with some great teddy bear inspiration
Delightful Teddy Bear’s Picnic by Ms Deliciouza on the Kara’s Party Ideas blog
Today we meet the talented and creative Nicole from Penny Lane Studio . I was fortunate enough to meet her at Confetti Fair (Sydney) and she is one of the most friendliest people you could hope to meet and work with!
Her handmade ‘menu’ includes cake buntings, printables, printed muslin bags, cake ruffles and more which I’ve included in this post for you to drool over!
I’ve asked her to share with us about her business, balancing it all, party tips and more.
How did Penny Lane Studio come about?
Penny Lane Studio was an extension of my first business Red Elephant Creative. The name was the brain child of a very long time school friend and I rugged up indoors with a cup of tea on a windy winters day. It perfectly reflects a coming of age of my style which is inspired by vintage and classic design.
What are some of the products and services Penny Lane Studio provides?
Penny Lane Studio is a complete creative studio for events. Stemming from my past life working in a boutique events agency, I have brought my experience and creativity to my own little studio which offers unique handcrafted stationery, décor and styling packages for celebrations.
We do almost everything. Stationery and Printables, Handcrafted details including Paper Garland, Favour Bags, Cake Bunting, Backdrop kits and Party Supplies. Phew!
For the things we don’t make, we also offer referrals to other industry creative’s.
What have been your most popular products for children’s celebrations?
Printable ranges are huge, they offer a complete package in DIY Stationery and Décor. Cake Buntings are also very popular right now.
Where do you gain inspiration from for your designs?
Conversations with other creatives, My children, Local art, Beautiful styling, Nature and my gorgeous, gorgeous clients who I create bespoke packages for.
Being a mum with your own business how do you balance your various responsibilities?
Not without challenge. I try to manage my business when the children are asleep or at pre-school. However there are some moments when I have a phone on my shoulder, a little one on my lap whilst balancing a laptop on the chair. I have recently hired a part time assistant, which should help things along a little and I have a very very understanding husband.
Gold glitter and Sparkle Cake bunting by Penny Lane Studio
Cake, styling and photography – Gillian Brown. Crumbs of Comfort Cake Design
What does a typical day involve for you?
Woken with the thump of tiny feet, giggles and cuddles. Quick check the phone for orders and emails. Brekky and dress routine with Oscar and Lily and take them off to pre-school on my ‘work days’. Coffee and emails, to do lists and artwork, before stretching my hands in the studio for some handcrafted work.
Once a week I indulge in some time with a gorgeous creative person for some inspiring conversation.
Post office run, pick up the children, dinner and bath routine, before some quiet quality time before they go to bed. Once they are alseep, I am usually back at the computer or finishing orders in front of the TV.
What have been your favourite celebrations to date?
I have many. Probably the ones where I work together with clients on the creative from the beginning, allowing me to develop new products based on different techniques. A great example would be the vintage lace wedding with Melissa from The Sweet Society and the Vintage Caravan party with Gillian from Crumbs of Comfort. Also look out for a gorgeous event with pretty pink flamingos which will hopefully be released soon.
What are your party planning tips when it comes to decorating and styling a celebration?
*Brainstorm your theme with a big sheet of paper and follow up with lots of lists.
*Commit yourself to doing so over a couple of weeks or preferably months in short bursts.
*The best creativity is an evolution of time and it is so much more enjoyable when not left to last minute.
*Don’t be afraid to be different and most importantly enjoy sharing the process with your children and other creatives
Spoons by Penny Lane Studio. Styling and Jellies by Princess Jade’s Candy Buffet’s
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Thank you Nicole for giving us an insight into your business, your life and your creative products!
For more unique handmade decor please join the Penny Lane Studio facebook page.
