Carnival 1st Birthday Party

My baby just turned a year old in September. I can hardly believe it. I feel like I just had him. And since I'm still carrying around the baby weight, I sorta wish that were true.

We had the greatest vintage circus/carnival birthday for him and I've been anxious to share it with you. And since this is part of the Thankful series on my blog I'd just like to take a moment to say thank you to my husband for never, ever complaining about all my grand ideas and always playing along. You make it so much more fun to be me!

You saw our Big Top tent how-to, here, but believe me when I tell you there were far more spray painted, glued and decorated shenanigans going on.

I'm a big believer in using what I've already go to get just what I want and most of the time it's totally do-able. And if not, a trip to the dollar store is usually all it takes.

Dollar Store Glass candle sticks, ice cream dishes & faux silver platters.
A little glue + some spray paint = awesome serving trays

Costumes were necessary to complete the theme and let's face it, I'll use any excuse to wear a costume. I made the birthday boy's outfit and just put some stuff we had on hand together for Daddy - Edgar the Great (magician) and myself - a vintage clown. But big brother got a store bought one because I couldn't figure out how to do Strong Man DIY style. BUT I did make Strong Man a barbell with some styrofoam balls, a dowel and some spray paint. Can I just say, styrofoam balls are expensive!

And my final project, aside from the food, was a special seat for the birthday boy. I had my heart set on a wooden highchair, legs cut off with just the seat perched atop two round, galvanized containers in graduated sizes painted to look like old elephant stands. I mean, that's not asking too much, is it?

Now you have some idea what being me is like and how wonderful the people are who put up with me. In the end, I wound up with a special chair for the birthday boy - a donation from a friend who's two boys are all grown up - in other words, FREE! Add a little spray paint and while it wasn't what I'd envisioned, it was perfect.

And so.....it was time to party!

Mmmmm Cake! Popcorn cupcake recipe found, here.

I used liquid eyeliner on the baby's face. It stays put but it's gentle.
Find the cheapest Strong Man costume on the web, here.

The highchair turned out perfectly even though it wasn't what I envisioned. I spray painted the whole thing white then used my Silhouette to cut a mask for the tray, then spray painted that red. Aren't baby feet the cutest??

The baby's outfit was just a simple onesie that I added ric rac to for faux suspenders, a bow tie made from the same sheets I used for the photobooth (below). The 1 was created from felt I hand-cut then used fusible web to add a hand-cut 1 from the sheet material on top. After that I ironed the whole thing on to the onesie with the fusible web.

Plenty of clown noses, party horns & jumbo glasses were on hand as well as tons of popcorn. After all, you can't have a circus without popcorn!

I've gotta say, one of my all time favorite things about this party was the photo booth. Made from simple things like bulletin board paper and striped sheets from Walmart, it was a huge hit. I set up a prop station of clown noses, jumbo glasses and chenille mustaches and everyone had a great time getting into character. I can honestly say I didn't hear one person complain about having his or her picture taken. Even me. And that's sayin something!

Linking up.....