Rustic Winter Engagement Party

Posted on December 30, 2013 by February Sky Designs

Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life -Confucius (smart guy)

I feel this is never more true for me than when I’m working on decorations for a loved one. One of my best friends since we were 13 recently got engaged to her beau and her mom wanted to throw her an engagement party right after Christmas while friends and family were in town for the holidays. This made a very busy month for me between Christmas shopping and working on decorations, but I loved every minute of it.

I wanted a winter theme that would tie in the Christmas decorations that would still be around the house for the party. I went with a winter woodland theme with birch trees and pops of red and turquoise.

These beautiful invitations were ordered from Oh Happiness Cards on Etsy. Everyone loved the back detail!

I purchased these awesome birch tree straws for the mimosas at the party, simply displayed in mason jars with ribbon.

Speaking of mason jars, I also used them as accents around the house filled with cranberries and floating candles.

Along with mimosas, we also served coffee and tea, so I made custom hot cup sleeve covers with a birch tree stamp and the couple’s initials.

I love the way covering cups and bottles with printed paper makes them that much more special. I created little custom labels for the champagne bottles that made them really stand out.

I decorated the drink table with a painted burlap banner.

And I added a little festivity to the doorway with simple paper cones strung between the dining room and living room

Something I don’t usually tackle for parties (except those I host) is desserts. For this party I actually made two desserts- a cake and sugar cookies.

First the cake: chocolate with vanilla icing, decorated with cranberries and rosemary

With a custom burlap cake topper!

The cookies are of Vermont, with a little sprinkle heart on Burlington where Rachel and Hugh met and fell in love.

(These gave me a very hard time. I wished I could teleport Clara to help me!)

Thankfully, the cake went easy on me.

Love the birch round I found at Michaels to use as a cake stand!

Lastly, I painted a sign for the couple that sums up the feeling going into the new year and celebrating their lives together.

Love you guys!

Friendsgiving 2013

Posted on December 9, 2013 by February Sky Designs

Every year my friends and I make a point to get together around the holidays to celebrate our friendship in the midst of family gatherings and the general busyness that occurs this time of year.

I offered to host Friendsgiving this year, choosing blue, orange and gold for the decorations. I made a few simple things that created a festive atmosphere for the grown-ups to sip white sangria and the littles to run around/lay about bringing joy to our growing friend-family.

I used paint to add color to the setup, including the vase filler, gold accents on the orange votives, and giving a few little pumpkins a colorful makeover.

I made the banners with brown card stock and paint, and found some pretty orange flowers to brighten up the table.

Finally, I sent my friends home with simmer jar favors filled with oranges, cinnamon and cloves so they can continue the festivity in their own homes.

I’m so thankful for the good people in my life. Enjoy celebrating with yours.

Rustic Baby Shower for a Little Lady

Posted on September 23, 2013 by February Sky Designs

Becky Collage

I recently made decorations for a party that I could not attend, as I did with Erin’s Graduation. This time, it was for a baby shower being held at the home of the grandparents-to-be. The parents, Becky and Zack, would both be attending, so although they are having a little girl I knew I didn’t want to make the decorations overly feminine. I chose a rustic floral theme for the couple, who I know love nature and the outdoors.

Because all the decorations needed to be portable and easily set up, I went with a lot of light-weight items that would make a big impact.

(Note- Pictures courtesy of my friend CC)

Congratulations banner made from burlap and painted letters.

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