Trend Watch – Party! Party! Party!

I love a good party.  Good friends, lots of laughing,  smiling and of course good food.  And for a while, that was all I needed to make it a really good event.  Then I started to see these awesome displays that folks were creating in their homes and spaces to celebrate. That’s when the decorations started to become a huge part of the party for me too.

There are so many awesome DIYs you can follow to create cool looks for your next gathering.   Even though I married my lovely husband at a gorgeous winery on a gorgeous Fall day, we didn’t decorate at all.  I think we may have grabbed a few orange mums from the Farmer’s Market and that is it.  I really wish I had had the insight from the following ladies to create beautiful paper decorations to be a part of our day.

Check out a few of these and I hope to inspire you to try something new on your next go round.

This first picture is a full on onslaught of ballerina awesomeness from Kristen for her daughter’s themed party.  She incorporated a simple banner,  framed decorations, cup cake flags and even the table has a cool faux tutu!  If this were my party I would be totally in love with all the pink.

Party setting created by Kristen Duke photo courtesy of Capturing Joy

This next piece of wall art doesn’t necessarily have to be for a party but it could be.  You could spell out someone’s name or congratulations or just a simple hello and use it for your own wall.  I love that the papers could be awesome scraps you don’t want to part with.

Wall hanging by Fiona photo courtesy of Craft Hunter

 I love the idea of including Dads and other dudes in our celebrations.  This banner uses a neck  tie as its shape.  Love it.  What other shape possibilities could you come up with for the special people in your life?

 Banner by Jeanna Bohanon photo courtesy of Stampin’ Up blog

Another cool possibility is this homage to Legos with this bright banner.  The primary colors make a perfect tribute and the look can be replicated with a circle punch or die.

Banner by Laurel photo courtesy of Laurel Lane

Did you buy a bunch of those lovely looking paper straws use a few and get stuck with so many more you don’t know what to do with them (like I did?) I just loved Sara’s use for paper straws as a banner.  How creative.  They create such a fun look when you cut and string them at different lengths.

Banner by Sara photo courtesy of Tell Love and Chocolate

Doilies make another neat way to decorate a wall.  Hand dyed doilies look awesome hung on strings.  Imagine these hanging from a ceiling as a photo booth wall or table centerpiece focus.  The custom colors are so lovely.

Garland by Giovannella photo courtesy of One Bunting Away

I don’t know if you have seen this tutorial but these look so professional and the color options are endless as well.  This would look awesome across your table.  Click the link below for the tutorial from Sarah.

Banner by Sarah Preston photo courtesy of Live with Love

Don’t forget the treats!  No party is ever really done until everyone gets treats.  And it is another opportunity to bring in paper crafts to continue your party theme.  These bags were done with vintage fabric but could easily be done with decorative paper.  I just love the doilies and baker’s twine.

 Treat bags by Tasha Noel photo courtesy of A little sweetness

You can get out your score board to create these colorful fans or go old school and make them yourself.  Kimber has a tutorial you can check out if you click her blog below.

Paper Fans by Kimber photo courtesy of The Pinning Mama

I don’t quite believe I am too old for a crown.  And if I make it myself, I can have it be big enough to fit my head!  I plan to use Sandy’s tea party piece as an inspiration.  How fun are these?

Crowns by Sandy Ang photo courtesy of Sandy’s Space

Banners and paper party decorations are getting really hot with many manufacturers making kits and easy pieces for you to put together.  So when you have your party it can look as fun as the good time you had with the ones you love.  Get creative and put your own paper touch on special decorations.

Here are few products I found for inspiration.

David Tutera pennant banner by Darice

Bon bon die cut by Couture Creations at Scrapbook.com

Spellbinders Celebrations die at Scrapbook.com

American Crafts scallop chalkboard banner at Scrapbook.com

Banner Kit from Teresa Collins at Simon Says Stamp

Crate Paper Banner Kit at Simon Says Stamp

So go ahead… make something pretty.