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!