Lions & Tigers & Babies, Oh My!

When I was a little girl my dad woke me up before dawn one day for one of my most memorable childhood experiences. I had no idea what he was up to, but I could tell he was excited to share something special. After a short drive, we were surrounded by the hustle and bustle of a real life circus train unloading before my eyes.

We huddled on steel bleachers in the fog of this cool morning, and watched as elephants lumbered down ramps, where they gathered in a large dirt parking lot. They made their way across the street, trunks holding tails, where they helped to raise the large circus tent I’d find myself inside two nights later, beaming with excitement while munching on popcorn.

For my cousin’s baby shower, her first boy, I wanted to recreate those childlike feelings of anticipation that rise within me whenever I think about my first circus.

A nudge from a friend and her offer to co-host the shower was just the spark needed to start the fire of preparation. Enjoy the look around the event!

What feelings do you like to conjure for your gatherings?

Photos: upper) assorted cupcakes & gold giraffe; lower: 1) wax paper cups with cupcake liners, flavored popcorn; 2) homespun fabric pennants on jute twine, washi tape flags on sticks; 3) mini succulents wrapped by paper tickets, washi tape “thank you” flags on toothpicks, chevron paper gift bags to-go; 4) momma & party straws for mimosas and juice; 5) guests paint blocks for baby instead of games.

Washi Whale

Need a quickie gift idea? A craft for one of the under 4-foot-and-under set?
Grab any frame with a smooth edge (beveled doesn’t work so well) and your washi tapes and get to work. No messy glue and a sleeker look than decoupage ever gave.

I was initially inspired by a pin showing an entire table covered with stripes of Washi tape in multiple colors. It gave sort of a butcher block look but in fun colors instead of shades of wood. I instantly knew this would be fun on a frame as well!

I tried covering the frame in a few different ways—in one place, just the corners, all over… but eventually landed on two accents being the most fun. However, for a kid’s room or a shower gift it might be fun to go all the way around. I also think if I’d have stuck with tapes all in one family of color, dropping the turquoise from the mix, it would have looked less circus-y when I went all the way around. Plus, change your mind like I did, and it peels right back off!
PS) Cute whale art by blackcottagehandmade.com