Audie Gras 2012

My daughter was born during the Mardi Gras season and since we live on the parade route her party always has a Mardi Gras theme. We have a Kiddie Krewe Parade and this year's theme was pirates and princesses.

Her invitations were glittered and wrapped in metallic paper, ribbon and sealed with with a faux wax seal. You just put the faux wax seal in any standard glue gun and stamp away. I purchased my stamp and faux wax from Letterseals.com There are tons of colors and they make a very easy embellishment for any royal themed party. A little tip, you must use a metal stamp and keep it in a small bowl of ice when you're working and blot before stamping.

My turned my dining room table into a pirate ship to by painting a roll of craft paper like a ship with cannons and water. I created a mast with a clay flowerpot I turned upside down and embellished with "gold rivets" and rope. I also painted a backdrop to hang behind the table with a castle, pirate ship, a mermaid and octopus.

The food table consisted of a two layer, strawberry cake complete with an edible treasure chest by Aly B's Bakery, tri-color cupcakes, marshmellow wands and chocolate mini donuts.

My mother custom made the Pirate Queen and her "deck hand" purple, green and gold costumes. It was next to impossible to get a picture of them posed together and both wearing their hats. Oh well, I guess there is always next year?

Party favors were pirate dress up sets in burlap bags and tiaras, jewelry and purses for the princesses. An adorable wreath and birthday shield from the Knock Knock Factory adorned the favor table and welcomed guests. The birthday shield is incredible and my favorite! It now hangs in my office. It will come out every year and serve as the official logo of our Kiddie Krewe parade.

Luckily the weather held out in time for the Kiddie Krewe parade. It rolled down the street and the kids through beads to onlookers waiting for the Krewe of Gemini parade later that evening. Every year the "floats" get more amazing! We gave out prizes for best Pirate float and best Princess float. Some special guests even showed up to join the fun!

Party Styling, Invitations and Printables: Magnolia Creative Co.
Photos courtesy of Her Royal Heinous and Mandi Bruning
Pirate Birthday Cake: Aly B's Bakery
Favor bags and party favors: Dollar Tree, Gifts International and Halo Heaven
Pirate Wreath and Kiddie Krewe Birthday Shield: Knock Knock Factory
Fleur De Lis cupcake toppers and striped straws:The Bakers Confection

• Desserts

  Strawberry cake

• Party Favors

  Pirate dress up kits in burlap flags and princess tiaras, purses and jewelry

• What People Ate

  Strawberry cake, chocolate donuts, cupcakes and marshmallow wants

• What People Drank

  Ocean water (aka Blue Hawaiian Punch), soft drinks and water