Picture-Perfect Birthday Invitations

Here are some images of the paper invitations I made for my dad's 60th birthday.  After seeing these photo-booth inspired invitations from Martha Stewart, I just had to use the precious photo strip of my dad (trying to figure out how to work the photo booth) from our wedding.

I stuck with the black, white, grey and red theme and used silver photo corners and brads to complete the invites!

Check out the rest of the party details here!

Picture-Perfect Birthday Party

My dad turned the BIG 6-0 in early January, so we threw him a surprise birthday party!  I believe the final headcount came to 75 . . . impressive that my dad has so many friends after ALL of these years!  ;-)

This article in Martha Stewart magazine from January 2011 provided inspiration for the photo-themed party.  In place of Martha's yellow, I used red as my accent color to the black, white and grey color scheme to tie in NIU Huskies colors (my dad is an alumnus and a huge  NIU sports fan).    

I asked guests to send old photos of my dad for a slideshow, and arranged black and white copies of some of these photos to create a "60" sign.

I found these amazing beer mugs at Dollar Tree and used photo corners to affix a photo to each glass.  Leftover pictures from the party invitations and silver-wrapped mints served as confetti.  Easy and affordable table centerpieces!

Noise makers were ready for the SURPRISE! in coordinating cardboard six-pack carriers.

Guests were asked to leave a message for the birthday boy.  Love the look of silver Sharpie on black paper!

Mini cupcakes from Swirlz - YUM!

Lots of beer was consumed at the party, so the koozie favors were used from the get-go!  Shout-out to CustomInk -- I was impressed with their superior customer service!

Happy Birthday, Dad!!!  XO

Black & White Stationary for a Colorful Girl

When my friend Liz "commissioned" me to make her a stationary set in the ever-classic black and white combo, I used this project as an excuse to purchase the Flourish rubber stamp that I had been eyeing at PS.

I stamped the Flourish in a repeating pattern on white card stock, which I cut to fit black card stock with a scalloped edge.  I used Stickles glitter glue to add a few subtle dots of sparkle to the stamped pattern (difficult to see in these photos).  Stickles triggers fond childhood memories of the Christmas sweatshirts my aunt and I decorated with puff paint - yikes!  I will definitely have to find another use for this stuff!  Halloween costume, perhaps?!  I digress . . .

The Flourish stamp reappears on the envelope flap.

I was thrilled to find a use for this odd-shaped magnetic case that PS gave away at one of their workshops.  The robin's egg blue gives the stationary a pop of color and a polished presentation. 

A big black bow seals the deal!

Happy birthday, Liz!  If you read my blog before our celebratory dinner on Friday, you will have to act surprised about your gift! ;-)