A Garden Tea Party

We celebrated my daughter's 3rd birthday last week and the theme was "A Garden Tea Party".  Her last "big birthday bash" was when she turned one so I thought it might be the right time for another little celebration, something small, sweet and focused on her.  We don't do big birthday parties every year (which I've blogged about before, here and here) and even when we do have a party, it's usually a small affair with just a handful of kids.  This year, for my daughter, I wanted it to be just her little friends, not siblings of friends, not older kids and not her brother's friends.  Just a small few that she sees on a regular basis.  There were 5 gorgeous little ones in total - and it was the perfect amount.

 

They drank "tea" together, from real tea cups, they played together and they crafted together, making themselves a very flash garden tea party hat out of a paper plate and a paper bowl.  Such clever little beans.  And at the end of the party their little party favour was their very own, super-girly, super-cute, super-special tea cup.  It was the perfect morning and a really lovely setting for a little girl's party.  Here's a little look at her special day ...

 

 

 

 

Sneaking in a bit of drinking practice

 

Even big brother wanted in on the action

 

Our very own Alice in Wonderland

 

Let the hat-making begin!

 

 

 

 

 

Not quite how it should be worn

 

The perfectly floral and girly teacup party favour

 



Adorable teapot and teacup cupcakes.  Sooooo cute.



 

 

 

The End.

What special party theme's have you done for your kids? And have you enjoyed the day as much as them?  I certainly did and would say it was my favourite theme yet ... but who knows what future birthdays will hold!  Any suggestions?

DIY : Painted Keys

 

When I was pregnant with my son and on maternity leave, and with new-found time on my hands, I spent way too much time on E-bay purchasing all sorts of random things (like a second-hand Abercrombie & Fitch sweater, complete with second hand strands of hair, when I could've bought one direct for less, and without said hair!).  One of the other random things I purchased and kept packed away in a drawer, was a set of antique and antique-style keys.  I loved them but was never quite sure what to do with them.  I thought I may frame them or use them as decorative pieces but none of that happened and they just sat - and sat.  Until of course, Pinterest, got involved!  I came across a lot of painted keys - mainly house keys painted for identification - but there was also the odd painted key as a fashion accessory.  Aha!  What a fun idea.  And I had just the keys.  They were about to get a little makeover!

 

 

 

 

It's a really easy project.  All you need is:

 

Keys

Nail Polish

Ribbon or Chain etc

 

And paint away!  All three keys took about 4 or 5 coats of nail polish so you do use a fair bit.  I didn't use expensive nail polish so I didn't mind using a large amount.  The yellow key, which I made for my daughter, was actually painted with "Fiddly Bits" spray paint because it was the first one I attempted and I had the paint in the shed already - plus I loved the brightness of it.  The other two were just plain old nail polish.  Once the paint has dried, add your choice of ribbon (and beads, or any other decorative element, if you want) and that's it. For my daughter's one, I added a piece of fabric and made a little bow and then sewed on a heart-shaped button.  I wanted hers to be a bit more on the whimsical side. I did try and get a photo of her wearing it but she was more interested in pulling funny faces and jumping around, so purely for the cuteness factor, here she is:

 

 

So if, like me, you've got some random keys sitting in a drawer somewhere not being admired or used, whip out your nail polish and give them a new life as a necklace and add a bit of individuality to your accessories.  Give it a whirl - it's fun!

Floral Friday - "A New Bloom"

 

Before I get into today's post ... HAPPY NEW YEAR, everyone, and welcome to my very first post for 2014. I hope you all had a rockingly fabulous year and that this year brings more of the same.  Today's post is very apt, actually, being that's it's about "new" blooms and "new" beginnings - what a perfect start to the NEW year! 

About a month ago I was asked by the very lovely Trishie from Under Lock & Key if I would be interested in participating in a new monthly photographic series called "Floral Fridays" where I would photograph something floral with a specific theme set by Trishie. I wasn't sure at first if it was the right fit for my blog but then about two seconds after I had that thought I realised I had photographed and talked about flowers on my FB page at least four times that month alone. I was in. Afterall, who doesn't love a great flower and how many of us actually take the time to stop and "smell the roses"? It was a fabulous idea - yes, I was up for Trishie's wonderfully floral challenge.

 

I would head out each month on a mission to find the requested flower, to photograph it, to talk about it and to report back here with my findings. It sounds fun, don't you think? And the best thing? It will force me to get outside, in the fresh summer air, almost-3-year-old daughter in tow and discover new and pretty things that look and smell fabulous. Why wouldn't I want to do this?

 

So, my first project was "A New Bloom", signifying the start of a New Year, new beginnings and fresh starts. I found the perfect specimen, right in my back yard. Please welcome ...

 

The New Zealand Christmas Tree

 

The butterfly was the perfect model!

  

 

 

What is the name of this flower?
Its name is Crimson Glory and it's from the New Zealand Christmas Tree

What is its Botanical name?
Metrosideros

Where did I find it?
In my Australian backyard

What was I doing when I found it?
Looking for something with a "new bloom"!

Does it remind me of anything?
It will always remind me of this house, the one we have just sold.  The one we built over 10 years ago and the one where both our kids were born.  The first house we ever owned/built together.

How does it make me feel?
Joyful when the flowers are blossoming.   Joyful and proud when it is hedged to perfection!

Does it have a scent?
No - although my daughter's answer was "bootiful" (see the pic below that melts my heart).

Where does it grow?
In the South Pacific. They are especially important in New Zealand where several varieties yield rata - the hard, dark red timber prized by Maoris for sculpture.

Heart be still! Those pudgy, gloriously soft little hands kill me every time! :)

So, there you have it.  My first Floral Friday challenge completed. It was alot of fun and I'm looking forward to whatever challenge Trishie has instore for us next month!  I might even be forced to buy a Peony or two ... purely in the name of study, you understand!

And please do take a moment to check out the links below to see what the other lovely bloggers in this series had to say about their "new bloom".

  

Floral Fridays is a monthly photography project with different themes each month. This series is about fun and taking time out to smell the flowers. To play along, please email Trishie for next month's theme.