DIY personal touches to a Hot Air Balloon Party

My husband and I knew Hot Air Balloons would make the perfect theme to fit our Forest Preserve venue and create the same whimsical feel that we have experienced since our son, Georgie, joined our lives. 

The birthday boy wasn't the only one having fun at this soaring 1st birthday celebration. It was a themed party with DIY touches, designed to both entertain the children and allow the parents an opportunity to celebrate making it through Year 1.  Here are some of the touches that were most fun to create.

Throughout the picnic groove, I wanted to provide little hands with fun treats and activities.  Here, I hand stitched felted hot air balloons that dangled from picnic tables.  Balloons and baskets were cut out of felt sheets.  They were then stuffed with batting and embroidered with unique designs that matched the parties color theme.  

During the party, babies and toddlers enjoyed grabbing, hitting, and exploring the little balloons.  A sign reading "Please take home with you to remember the fun we had together!" was displayed with the balloons to encourage Georgie's friends to keep a little trinket as their own.

To turn paper lanterns into hot air balloons, I first had to get them the right color.  I let them soak in a tub of warm water and added drops of dye until the desired hue of pink and blue were achieve.  I had a couple extra little hands help me swirl around the dye to make sure the lanterns were colored evenly.  

After the lanterns were dry, I hung strawberry cartons that acted as baskets.  Finally, little yellow flags were draped over the top for festive decor. 

Making my son's birthday hat was simply indulging in my own creative desires.  The fact that he wore the hat long enough for me to capture a handful of pictures was an added bonus.  
The hat was constructed with felted sheets that matched the parties colors.  I hand stitched the felt together with a salmon colored embroidery floss.  I combined red, yellow, and orange strands of wool (left over from making the bouquet for my wedding) to felt a pom pom topper.  Ribbon with a chevron patterns was sewn in to help tie the hat onto Georige's bouncy head, and ta-da! the birthday hat was ready!

To have Rachel help design your next party, email her!

A Soaring First Birthday-- Hot Air Balloons for all!

The birthday boy wasn't the only one having fun at this soaring 1st birthday celebration.  It was a themed party designed to both entertain the children and allow the parents an opportunity to celebrate making it through Year 1.  Family and friends gathered in the park on a beautiful spring day to join in the merriment.

Along with a variety of canned craft beers (complying with the park's no glass laws)  guests sipped beverages out of plastic mason jars that doubled as party favors. 
Organic fruits and veggies, along with cheese platters were placed out for nibblers to enjoy. For dessert cookies, brownies, macaroons, and a scrumptious cake from Bennison's Bakery, in Evanston, IL were served.  

Little baskets were placed out at toddler height and filled with blueberries and pita wedges to meet the munching needs of little hands.  

Younger guests were also provided with other surprises.  Felted hot air balloons dangling from the picnic tables (that they could take home), a hot air balloon basket to climb in and smile for the camera, a picnic blanket equipped with books and balls, and a kiddy pool/ball pit assured children of all ages have fun.










Event Design and Coordination: Rachel Gansner Events
Venue: LaBagh Woods, Forest Preserve, Chicago, IL
Cake: Bennison's Bakery





To book Rachel Gansner Events to design your party email rachelgansner@gmail.com

Little Diva's Fabulous First Birthday

Hina and her family wanted to wow guests as they celebrated her daughter's first birthday in style.  She came to me with a clear theme of Fabulous Fashionista in Paris.  However, after selecting a venue large enough to fit all their guests, she was left with the challenge of transforming the hotel ballroom into the Parisian celebration she had been dreaming of.  With the help of Eiffel Tower center pieces, pink and white balloons and lanterns lining the ceilings, a fashion clad cake by Two Moms In A Kitchen, and a heavy dash of pink, this party was anything but bland. 

Children were entertained by a balloon artist and magician, while the adults enjoyed a delicious Indian dinner catered by Usmania. 

Venue: Double Tree, Skokie, IL
Catering: Usmania
Cake: Two Moms in A Kitchen
Event Design and Style: Rachel Gansner Events