A Shabby Chic Birthday Party
September 12, 2012 by alysha
We recently celebrated a BIG birthday in our family. Our baby girl just turned THREE! (I’m still in shock.) Where does time go?!
We weren’t going to do a big party this year. We had a lot going on, including selling our home. BUT our little girl has been VERY much into parties lately.
For instance, it was still weeks before her birthday, and it was all she could talk about. She would sing the ‘happy birthday’ song to herself and talked about all the friends she wanted to invite to her party. She started walking around the house with her birthday hat on. She even made her 7 month old brother wear a b-day hat so they could have “pretend” parties together to practice for the real thing. So sweet.
Needless to say, we weren’t getting out of this one. (I say that like it’s a bad thing, although I love parties just as much as she does.) 
So the planning began. It was just 2 weeks before the big day and we still had no theme. Every time I would ask her what kind of party she wanted, her reply was always, “a FUN party, mom!” Ha. So I took the question to our facebook page, and received oodles of great theme ideas.
I ended up just planning the food and desserts around what her very favorite things were at the time, and hoping it would all tie together somewhat in the end.
We started with making the invitations. Which of course she insisted on hand-delivering herself to every single friend. 
I used this cute template I found here, and just changed out some of the colors.
I admit I spent most of my efforts on the backdrop for the table. My husband and I spent a lot of late nights trying to re-create the ‘picture’ I had in my head. (Thanks babe!) I’m really happy with how it turned out.
The big day arrived and honestly, I wasn’t even close to being done. The backdrop still needed the final touches, the cake needed frosted, the cookies needed baked, the sandwiches needed made, the cupcake wrappers weren’t put together, ect. {Sigh} I know all you professional party planners out there are shaking your heads right now.
Luckily I had some sweet friends who came to my rescue that morning and helped me whip everything together. I barely had time to get some pictures taken before the food was devoured by some VERY anxious 3-year olds.
I mentioned this party theme was centered around some of Chanley’s very favorite things.
*We apologize to all of her little friends’ parents who’s children came home on severe sugar high.
The birthday girl insisted that grapes be apart of the menu. To her, it’s basically it’s own food group.
We just put them on dowels to create a grape shish kabob. So easy and cute.
We made our own ice cream sandwiches using my all-time favorite cookie recipe.
For the turkey and cheese sandwiches, (another birthday girl request), we simply used a flower shaped cookie cutter on the bread.
I used this recipe to make these oreo truffle pops. Aren’t they so pretty?!
Simply tying some burlap fabric around mason jars gave it a little shabby chic touch.
We made these cupcake wrappers simply by cutting a doily in a semi-circle and wrapping it around the cupcake. SO easy.
Cute doily bags for the party favors.
I {heart} banners.
Here’s a little tip for those of you planning a party for 3 year olds: They love bubbles. Just make sure you have plenty. You wouldn’t believe how fast they go through that stuff.
They can be entertained for hours.
That’s pure joy right there.
Cake time!
Well, after it was over I was one tired momma. If I learned one thing, it would be don’t make EVERYTHING yourself. And if you do, save yourself some stress and don’t put it off until the morning of the party. Oh wait, that’s common sense?
As stressful as that morning was, the birthday girl sure had a good time, and that’s all that matters. She’s already talking about her next birthday party. (Oh boy.)
Happy Birthday to the very sweetest little girl in the world. Xoxo.
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Ahhh!!! This party is gorgeous! Every last detail makes me wish I was THERE. She is one lucky 3 year old.
–How did you do your backdrop? Gorgeous, gorgeous. -Such an adorable family you have too. 
PS. Where did you get her dress in the invite cards?!
They are Matilda Jane. That site is trouble I tell ya!
Holy GORGEOUSNESS overload!!!
What a beautiful party and family!!!!
where do you get those mason jar lids with the patterned holes in them?? LOVE.
Hi Allie,
I actually got them from Groopdealz, but I believe party supply places like Kara’s Party Ideas and TomKat Studio carry them as well.
Hope this helps!
OMG!!!!!!!!! That is the most adorable party ever! Will you come decorate for mine and make me feel & look like a princess too???? How could that party not be a hit?!?!?!? It looks FABULOUSLY AWSOME!!!!! Way to go!!!!!
Thanks for you birthday post. My daughter turned three last month and this momma has put it off because of 110+ temps. I am finally planning it for the end of this month. Like your daughter, I can’t come up with a theme. She just likes too many random things. So I scheduled a bounce house and we will just have some fun. The bubbles is a GREAT idea. I know I have pinned a large refill bubble station. I will make sure I have that at the party too. Now since it will be outside, I pray for cool temps and no rain. LOVE your pinwheel backdrop!!!
What a beautiful celebration! Love, love, LOVE the backdrop. Please post a tutorial on the paper rosettes when you catch your breath.
AWESOME! I can soooo appreciate this as my daughter turns 3 on Sunday and we (also) agreed to not have a (big) party. HAHAHAHA! All my daughter asked for was a “PINK” Party, so I’ve had 2 weeks to pink everything up!! I LOVE your ideas and LOVE that I’m not the only mom that thinks the way you do!! Great job Momma!! Now onto my 10 month old’s 1 year party (and you onto your 7 month old’s 1 year party). Exhausted just thinking about it
What a beautiful party!! I love the party hats and the birthday gurl’s adorable outfit!!! I have 2 little ones and I can totally relate to the craziness of planning that special day. Looks like everything came together in the end and was spectacular <3
It’s lovely, but i guess I just don’t get going to all of that for a 3-year-old who likely would have been just as happy with something far simpler and, as you say, plenty of bubbles. Or maybe everything – the decor, that backdrop, those lacy cupcake wrappers – were for the guests’ parents/other adult guests? It sounds like you killed yourself slaving over it and, while the results are gorgeous, I guess I just don’t get the thought process behind it. Too much stress for me.
Soooooo stinking’ cute!!!!! Makes me want a girl!!!! Love the doilies on the cupcakes, the mason jar drinks, the backdrop is gorgeous, invites are darling… I could go on!!!!
OMG she is darling! I love it all but what really speaks to me is the ice cream sandwich with homemade cookies. I can’t think of anything better!
A true labor of love! Simply beautiful! Looks like everyone had a great time too!
So adorable. Love the pinwheel backdrop is the Bomb! Love the hats and the food table really is cute. Love how the food was displayed. Great job!
Love all the details! Great ways to dress up those food choices =) Love the backdrop. Cute cute cute!
Lovely. Simply lovely.
This looks like a true work of art and so much fun for a little 3 year old girl & her friends! Everything looks so festive and yummy! What a wonderful (& creative) Mom you are! Thanks for sharing the photos, tips, and how-to’s! Great job all around!
How exactly did you make the cupcake wrappers from a doily? Would love a tutorial!
So cute! You are a spectacular party planner. Wanna plan one for my little girl?
oh my wowness!! i am currently planning my 3 year old little girl’s party too. well, “planning” might be a bit optimistic! lol we are doing a purple theme (cuz i couldn’t get her to decide on something either!) and i see a few of your fabulous ideas that i could use for the party! everything looked AMAZING! congrats on a fabulous party!!
Everything looks gorgeous! It also looks like your little girl had a lot of fun. I wish I had your party-planning skills.
Brianna from Flippin’ Delicious
Beautiful party! I would love a party like this. Great for all ages!
You really are creative, loved all your wonderful ideas and your daughter is so fortunate to have two parents who work together to make her dreams come true.
LOVE. This is so adorable. I have two boys (not complaining! Being the only female in the house can be fun..I’m very protected. Haha) so I just adore looking at little girly things since I don’t get to partake in any of it myself. Your family is cute as a button and you did a really great job with this party. Fun!
Wow, this really is amazing. I have a 2 and 3 year old and can’t imagine doing all of this for their parties. Way to go Mom! What special memories!
What an incredibly sweet party! You are one talented and wonderful mama.
Such great pictures, too! Very very nice. 
Adorable! Especially Love the paper flowers!
This is adorable! Your daughter is so cute, and her birthday party turned out fabulous!! I love all the treats, especially the grapes on a stick
loved your backdrop. great color scheme!
LOVE it! You are so creative! We recently threw a surprise Birthday Party for my sister and I am doing a tutorial series on all my projects- would love for you to check it out!
http://welivedhappilyeverafter.blogspot.com/2012/08/if-you-saw-my-first-post-in-this-series.html
I’ve used your recipe for oreo truffles before and they’re SO delish, but how did you get them pink?? I’d love to make them for my sister’s bridal shower!
Stunning party, very well done. Hard to pick my favorite details but the backdrop for sure!I recognize the paterns, I bought that same book a few weeks ago for my 3yr olds party. They are so beautiful. I also really love the party hats and the favor bags, those are great!
What book has info for the backdrops?
Everything looks AMAZING!!! But the backdrop… that’s the show stopper. GREAT job!
what a beautiful party!!! ♥ the backdrop!
How did you make that adorable backdrop? I would love to learn how to make it!
Where did you get the cute flower mason jar tops?
Wow . . . that’s beautiful! Where did you find the lids for the mason jars? Those are ad.or.a.ble!!!
How did you make the backdrop poster? It’s beautiful and exactly what I’m looking for!
I hope you Modge Podged (sp?) the back drop and hung it in her room. Adorable!
I love everything you gals do. I am wondering where you got the cute jar lids for the mason jars??
thx
Kamber
LOVE LOVE LOVE it all!
Great job on all the last minute stuff! I am SO like that too. I design everything perfectly in my head, and then last minute go into crazy mode to execute it all! lol
Becky