"MAD" Hatter Halloween Tea Party

I don't know what inspired me to do this, but the idea came to me to create a "MAD" Hatter Halloween Tea Party.  The Alice in Wonderland theme has been all around the blogosphere for beautiful birthdays, showers, and weddings.  I thought it would be fun to pay homage to the theme for Halloween, and play up the "Mad" concept.  Fortunately at the same time I had my brainstorm I "met" Gwynn of Gwynn Wasson Designs, and she was happily on board to help out!  She created all the printables for the design (except the clock toppers on the cupcakes) and will be offering them to you for Free Here!  She totally got where I was going with this and designed some fabulous printables.

I hope it's not too late for you to be inspired by this party....once again I pulled this together in a week.  You can too!

I incorporated all the usual suspects, with a twist.  Check out the Mad Hatter and the Queen of Hearts below - they've seen better days!  The Cheshire Cat is on his 9th life, the Dormouse is now a Rat, the White Rabbit didn't quite make it on time (see bottom)...

Deets of the design & those 'extra touches':

• Silver serving pieces I already own are set for tea...best part is I didn't have to polish it.
• Add googly eyes to playing cards and name cards for added creepiness.
• Tiny mushroom candies were placed in 'dirt' parfaits with the Caterpiller added on top; also a few butterflies lingering in the woods have found their way here.
• Get the party started with a vodka & cranberry shooter served in a test tube.
• A little adhesive 'bling' added to clock toppers & silver skull rings (used as glass charms) always add flair.
• Black flowers are part of the centerpiece pedestal.
• Favor boxes filled with candy bones and a chocolate truffle.  Add decorative paper to the inside of the box for an unexpected finishing touch.
• Icons from the story are used throughout: watches & clocks, key napkin rings, playing cards (hearts of course); combined with spooky Halloween decor: spiders, webs, skulls.
• My obsession with lace continues as I created a ribbon, lace, & trim table runner, and draped more lace and trim around the party.

See LOTS more photos in our Facebook Album!

Happy Halloween!

Autumn Engagement Party

Can someone pinch me - my Apple themed Autumn Engagement Party inspiration shoot was featured on the Wedding Chicks blog last week!  I'm honored to be featured on such an inspiring site, and very grateful to Linkowitz Photogaphy and Little Bean Boutique, for their contributions to the shoot through photography and printables. 

The design was inspired by crisp red apples and the idea of tying in the concept of "picking" apples, and "picking" a mate.  Most of the decorative details are hand made and provide a balance of masculine and feminine.  The printables were a key part of conveying the concept - a framed sign read, "he Picked her, she Picked him;" a small card on the table reads, "you're the Apple of my eye;" favor jars of apple butter had a label which said, "we Picked this just for you," and baskets of apples for the guests to "take your Pick" and carry home.   Each place setting also had a caramel dipped apple...yum!

A key focal point was the burlap backdrop with a manzanita branch attached, and faux apples hanging from the "apple tree."  Mini apple pies with the cutest fabric & lace flag picks, and of course apple cider were on the menu.

Swags of lace, and banners made of twine, felt leaves, and paper circles were draped around the area to tie in to the lace details & leaf glass cover on the dining table.

I hope you're inspired by my design.  Not only would this be a unique engagement party, but also a small intimate wedding, adult birthday, shower, or a casual dinner party.

Also, thanks to Vicky of The City Cradle for inviting me to participate in the Fall Celebration Challenge.