Some college friends are expecting a little girl! They live out of town, as many of us now do, and quickly settled on a couples shower as a great way to visit with all the folks they don’t see as often as they’d like. Several girlfriends and I got busy putting together a sweet baby shower. I don’t get to do these very often so “Yea!”
I’ll admit this was somehow the first couples baby shower I’d been to, much less hosted. I was on the hunt for something feminine but not so much so that the guys would feel squirmy. I came across this Modern Due Date Shower from Hostess with the Mostess and decided that using mod printed papers and due date-themed elements would be a nice middle ground. If my math is right, the mom- and dad-to-be will be celebrating their 10th wedding anniversary this summer, and since this is their first baby I thought “All in Due Time” was a theme that worked well. Hope you agree!
Here’s the shower invitation!
I found a great set of coordinating scrapbook papers from American Crafts’ Everyday collection. I liked them because of their use of pink and green and the concentric (is that the right word?) circles–both themes in the baby’s nursery bedding. Plus, there was a number element that worked well with the due date theme. I used a strawberry colored envelope lined with numbers.
When guests arrived, they were greeted with this paper loop wreath also made from patterned papers.
I used a template I found online for the paper baby shoes that hung in the middle and were placed around inside the house for the party. Who could resist a little pair of Mary Janes? Not me. I added a small pink button closure to each.
In the foyer was the perfect place to sort of introduce our theme with some due date numbers. I picked these up at Michael’s, painted them and then distressed them a bit. I then hot glued them to some inexpensive craft boxes, which were covered with more decorative paper.
I also found this small craft figure, which I made preggars with half an Easter egg cut the long way. I dressed her in cut paper to match the numbers.
And here’s the full affect for the entry way complete with those beautiful pink flowering branches. I love Spring!
This was my first time making party poms. Like many things in my life, I saw these and thought “I could totally do that.” These must not have been as bad as I thought because a co-hostess asked where I bought them. Yea! Props to my mom for being a good sport the night before and fluffing those with me! I found that to be the hardest part. Also like many things in my life, it’s just something you have to do a lot until you get good. With the help of my dear husband, I hung them with those nifty little adhesive hooks by 3M that just peel right off after use and tied a bow at the top to hide the hooks a bit.
There were five of us hosting from four different states, so we divided and conquered for the party. One got the cake–a yummy white two-tiered number with our coordinating circle motif and the sweetest fondant baby shoes on top. Adorable!
Another handled the flowers. They complimented the color scheme so well. I thought they were perfect!
Another the food, and so on…
We served chicken kabobs, roast beef on rolls, spinach and artichoke dip, fruit, bruschetta, and a yummy sundried pesto roasted red pepper cheese cake with crackers. Tasty!
Here are the candy pacifiers I fell in love with from HWTM. I used store-bought cookie icing as the “glue” to hold these together so they were edible. It seems I made lots of them, so we placed them around the house in candy dishes, and tied some to the wine glasses.
I am always amazed at how easy it is to find even the unlikeliest of things in the colors you need. I found this mod polka dot fabric as well as the more floral one shown above. Then, I came across napkins that echoed both the color scheme and the fabric. What are the odds?
In keeping with our “All in Due Time” theme, we sent guests home with these pocket calendar favors. I bought inexpensive vinyl-covered calendars and once again used our patterned papers by trimming them to size and slipping them into the vinyl to cover the original. They were tied with a bow and adorned with a tag reading “All in Due Time” and including the baby’s due date.
Their big day was also marked inside!
I borrowed these little suitcases of my daughter’s, which strangely enough, matched perfectly. Plus, I thought it was a subtle nod to both the idea of having a bag packed for the hospital and to hitting the road when the fun ended.
The message says, “Time flies when you are having fun! Thanks for being here.”
We had an evening of fun reconnecting with old college friends, and I think it was a really special night for Gayle and Michael. We are all so excited for them to join the club and see what all the fuss is about! Now we are left to count the days until their baby girl arrives!
