Kessler's 2nd Birthday Party

I designed and styled this Sea Turtle party for our son's second birthday. He loves ocean animals, so we thought this would be a fun party. The party was full of family, toys, a sea turtle coloring sheet, and of course, lots of candy and sweet treats. Guests left with goodie bags filled with tiffany blue malted milk balls, green apple gumballs, blue jelly beans, apple jelly rings, blue and green M & Ms, raspberry gumdrops, and turtle Oreo pops.

My initial inspiration for the design came from Amy Atlas's "Mad for Zig Zag" table in "Sweet Designs". Chevron has been all over for the last few years, but I still can't seem to tire of it. I loved the simple, but statement making cardstock chevron backdrop, the rick rack placed here and there, the tiered box cupcake stand (which I already had) and the hanging food labels.

The centerpiece of my table was the three tiered box display wrapped in aqua and green chevron wrapping paper and adorned with white chocolate raspberry cupcakes (recipe from Just a Pinch ). Glass canisters were layered with tiffany blue malted milk balls and green apple gumballs - "Turtle Eggs". The cupcakes on the flanking cake stands were an easy family favorite, pineapple cupcakes with cream cheese frosting (recipe below). The table was loaded with mini waters, a gummy candy chevron display (a last minute "make it work" idea when our custom BBB Cookies didn't arrive in time) and turtle Oreo pops (easy baked and Thirty Handmade Days).

Kessler enjoyed digging into one cupcake decorated with a candy sea turtle (gummy ring body, topped with a raspberry gumdrop shell, jellybean legs and a raspberry gumdrop head with mini chocolate chip eyes), a second cupcake ringed with jelly beans and topped with a "2"candle, and a turtle Oreo pop.

Square plates from Party Source and trusty Command Strips were an easy and inexpensive way to create an interesting backdrop and cover a wall color that doesn't coordinate with your party theme.

I made all of the goodies. All party decor was designed by me and will is available in my etsy shop at www.etsy.com/shop/PARTePRINTS.

Rachel Wade
Creative Director & Founder
PARTePRINTS
www.etsy.com/shop/PARTePRINTS

Source List
Styling & Printable Designs: Rachel Wade - PARTePRINTS - www.etsy.com/shop/PARTePRINTS
Photos: Rachel Wade - PARTePRINTS - www.etsy.com/shop/PARTePRINTS
Turtle Pops: Rachel Wade - PARTePRINTS - www.etsy.com/shop/PARTePRINTS
Chevron Wrap: Party Explosions - http://store.partyexplosions.com/
Milk & Gumballs: www.ohnuts.com
Jelly Beans: My Snack Attack - www.ebay.com/usr/mysnackattack
Gummy Rings: Homemade My Way - www.ebay.com/usr/homemademyway
Gumdrops: The Nutty Fruit House - www.ebay.com/usr/thenuttyfruithouse
Straws,
Cupcake Liners &
Goodie Bags: Sweets Treats Boutique - www.etsy.com/shop/SweetsTreatsBoutique
White Choc Rasp
Cupcake Recipe: http://www.justapinch.com/recipes/dessert/cake/white-chocolate-cupcakes-with-raspberry-filling.html
Turtle Pop Sources: http://easybaked.net/2012/02/17/easy-oreo-pops/
http://www.thirtyhandmadedays.com/2011/12/sea_party/
Custom Cookies: Better Bit of Butter - www.betterbitofbutter.com

• Desserts

  The centerpiece of my table was the three tiered box display wrapped in aqua and green chevron wrapping paper and adorned with white chocolate raspberry cupcakes (recipe from Just a Pinch ). Glass canisters were layered with tiffany blue malted milk balls and green apple gumballs - "Turtle Eggs". The cupcakes on the flanking cake stands were an easy family favorite, pineapple cupcakes with cream cheese frosting (recipe below). The table was loaded with mini waters, a gummy candy chevron display (a last minute "make it work" idea when our custom BBB Cookies didn't arrive in time) and turtle Oreo pops (easy baked and Thirty Handmade Days). Kessler enjoyed digging into one cupcake decorated with a candy sea turtle (gummy ring body, topped with a raspberry gumdrop shell, jellybean legs and a raspberry gumdrop head with mini chocolate chip eyes), a second cupcake ringed with jelly beans and topped with a "2"candle, and a turtle Oreo pop.

• Party Favors

  Guests left with goodie bags filled treats from the table. The cookies were going to be the centerpiece of the table, in front of the tiered boxes. They would have served as favors as well. Due to a FedEx error, they didn't arrive until a couple of days after the party so I had to improvise. The cookies (pictured) were amazing pieces of edible art from Better Bit of Butter.

• Activities / Games

  The party's activity was a Sea Turtle coloring page.

• Best Moment

  It was super fun to watch Kessler play with his new train table and see the excitement and animation on his face!

• What People Ate

  People munched a little on hummus and pita chips, spinach and artichoke dip, snack mix and chips...but saved most of the room for DESSERT and TREATS!

• Sea Turtle Party Printables

  All party decor was designed by me and will available in my etsy shop at www.etsy.com/shop/PARTePRINTS.

• Easy Pineapple Cupcakes

  RECIPE 1 Yellow cake mix 20 oz can crushed pineapple with juice 3 egg whites 16 oz of cream cheese, softened 1 stick unsalted butter 1/2 to 1 tsp vanilla extract 2 cups powdered sugar For Cake: 1. Combine cake mix, pineapple and juice, and egg whites in a large mixing bowl. 2. Mix on medium speed until well combined. 3. Pour into lined cupcake tins about 2/3 full (I use an ice cream scoop). 4. Bake in accordance with cake mix directions or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. 5. Set aside to cool. Once cooled, ice with cream cheese frosting or freeze to enjoy later. For Icing: 1. Mix cream cheese and butter on medium until thouroughly combined and fluffy. 2. Add vanilla extract and continue to mix. 3. Add powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time until smooth and creamy with no lumps.

• Rachel Wade ~ PARTePRINTS

  Graphic Designer

  My name is Rachel. I love creating a party that is really special for the host and enjoyed by all who attend. I truly hope that I can help make your special occasion memorable! If you don't see what you're looking for in my shop, Convo me. I'd love to design a package just for you.

  ***Use Discount Code: SPC15 to save an additional 15% off any in shop order through February, 23 2014.***http://www.etsy.com/shop/PARTePRINTS
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