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.
Fathers Day is coming up on September 1st this year and I thought it would be helpful to do a round up of some fantastic printables for Fathers Day.
What I love about these printables is that they are not necessarily just for styling a detailed celebration or dessert table!
There are coffee cup and beer bottle wrappers, gift tags, fathers day cards, breakfast menu cards, door knob signs and more!
You can get the kids involved in cutting, pasting, wrapping etc (if you’re lucky!) and make a small gift or meal into something extra special.
There are lots of different colour schemes & looks to choose from as well.
Enjoy browsing and finding something perfect for Fathers Day!:
Printables:
Love the chalkboard look of this range:
I think a lot of dads will be appreciating the door knob sign in this set!:
Spectacular Fathers day printables – Pretty and Print
Modern chevron look:
Fathers Day beer and wine wrappers – Sugar n Spice Party Printables
Father’s Day Toppers – Sugar n Spice Party Printables
Some clever ideas in this range such as the coupons and the toblerone wrapper!:
Fathers day printables – Style Me Gorgeous
Stylish range in neutrals including a breakfast menu card for a special Fathers day brekkie:
Fathers day printables – Amity Invites
Dad will love the coupons in this range such a coupon to have the control of the remote for one night:
Fathers day printables – Upon a time desigs
Love the stylish look & colours of this set and the memorable “About my dad” sheet to be filled in:
Fathers day printables – Be Design Solutions
Lovely fresh blue colour scheme in this range:
Fathers day printables – Invites by Susana
This clever range is based around a BBQ theme:
Fathers day printables ‘burger bar’ – Fairydust Stylish Stationery
If your hubby likes camping then this range could be perfect for him:
Fathers day printables – Barbe a Papa
Some more options specifically for Father’s Day cards:
Fathers Day card and other matching printables – The Little Soiree
Fathers day card printable – Invites by Susana
A few different photo card options available from Paper Blossom Creations:
Photo printable fathers day cards – Paper Blossom creations
Such creative collections! Hope you found something to make gift giving for Fathers day a bit easier this year
Children’s party themes are never black and white. As children evolve – ideas for their party theme evolve as well to reflect their personality and interests.
Some of you have older children who themselves are constantly changing their mind about what they want for their birthday party theme.
My eldest Rebekah is only 2.5yrs so although she doesn’t really have an opinion on a theme, I try and match her theme with her interests and personality.
For her 2nd birthday it was an “I’m a little teapot” theme as she loved nursery rhymes and playing with her teaset.
I was thinking of a storybook theme or a care bears theme for her 3rd birthday as she was showing interest in both of those. However recently she has become obsessed with being a ballerina and wearing a tutu every.single.day.
So plans have changed to a ballerina party. This is such a popular theme for little girls and I had wanted to do something a little different, but my tutu wearing daughter would love nothing more than this party theme – so a ballerina party it is (which has grown on me now and I’m enjoying planning it!).
However I was trying to think of a slightly different take on it and was going to make it a “tulle and tassels” theme.
However my daughter really has no idea what tassels are (is she really my child?) but is loving bows! Something to do with a bow song by the new Wiggles. So now I’m thinking of a Ballerina and bows party.
Anyways you get the drift. Either way it will be a ballerina party.
In the end I’m trying to follow her lead when it comes to a party theme and what I think she would be excited to see at her party.
I need to decide on a colour scheme and this image of a coral, peach and blush dessert table is inspiring me at the moment:
We’ve just finished celebrating Naomi’s 1st birthday and I really was not going to start planning her 2nd birthday for a while now. However this Dreaming Collection from Kikki.K has really inspired me
I am loving rainbows, clouds and balloons right now. They remind me of sunny and carefree days in childhood. Who knows what this theme would be called but I am just loving the idea of planning a party based around whimsical images like these.
I am loving the colour combination as well of mint, orange and fuschia:
Is it weird to get a party theme inspiration from stationery?
Well I also felt inspired for this theme when I saw this cute “Milky” t-shirt with rainbows and clouds being sold at Little Red Chick in Sydney:
Milky Summer 2013 collection – Little Red Chick Party Boutique
Too sweet!
I also saw this invitation the other day which caught my eye from Penny Lane Studio and also got me thinking that something with clouds and balloons would be really cute:
Balloon day party invitation – Penny Lane Studio
I will wait and see as Naomi gets a bit older if there is any particular theme based around her interests or personality. In the end she is the ultimate inspiration for her own birthday party theme.
However at 2 yrs old the theme could really be anything and I figure what little child doesn’t like clouds, balloons and rainbows?
It reminds me of this gorgeous “WISH” party by Frog Prince Paperie (click the image below to see more). Whimsical and magical!
“Wish” themed birthday party by Frog Prince Paperie featured on The Hostess with the Mostess
So that is where I’m at with Naomi’s 2nd birthday which by the way is 11 months away so I am way ahead of myself here!
Sometimes I find if I start planning things in detail too early I get ‘over’ the theme before the birthday party even arrives. But these are just some of the images which are inspiring me at the moment.
How have your children’s party themes evolved over the year?
How many times do your children change their mind before their birthday? Do you have a cut-off date before the party that the theme can not be changed?
