It's the Life

Happy Birthday To You

Happy Birthday to my Ryan!

Mushroom Forest Birthday Party

 

Last year I threw myself a birthday party and had a really great time. I decided I would do the same again this year. I think of it as a chance to get together with the women in my life, have fun, eat food, but also show them that I am grateful they are in my life.

My original idea was to have a Woodland themed party, so I made the invitations with that theme in mind. I couldn't believe it when I found the stamp with this quote: "How old would you be if you didn't know how old you are?" How perfect is that for a grown woman throwing her own birthday party?

The invites turned out beyond adorable. I had a hard time giving them away!

Add some bakers twine and a button to just about anything and it will be cute. 

The plan for the party was to have lunch, make a craft, and eat some cake! This year the party theme was Mushroom Forest. I decorated with moss, mushrooms and birds.

 

For part of the decor, I made some mushroom picks out of fondant, candy melts and sprinkles. They were used on cupcakes and at the base of my large moss mushrooms. I love how they turned out! Click here to learn how to make them yourself!

 

Once my guests arrive, the first thing we did was EAT! We had a forest lunch. Mushroom soup, Spinach Salad and Bread. 

To make the mushroom soup, I followed this recipe. It was absolutely fantastic. I added a little bit of cayenne to my bowl. I like to add a little heat. (I forgot to get a photo of the finished soup! I also didn't get a photo of the whole food table...so bugged with myself! I did get a few close-ups at least.)

 

Along with the bread, we also had a Spinach Salad.

I've been making this salad for years. It's a keeper. Simple ingredients, easy to make, looks beautiful, tastes great. Click here for the recipe. You're welcome.

After lunch we did a craft. I think there should always be some kind of activity at a party. It helps people mingle, and a craft is a way for me to give a gift to my guests. I got all the supplies to make a simple, but cute wreath. 

I wanted it to go along with the look of the party, so I got some birds and nests.

Instead of wooden eggs, I thought using felted balls would be different and cute.

 

I also bought some flower stems that I used on the food table for decor, and then everyone pulled one out to use on their wreaths.

 

To make them we used crafting wire and a hot glue gun.

They all turned out beautiful.

Once the wreaths were finished, it was time for cake! For both the cake and the cupcakes, I made edible moss. I wanted it to look like the sheet of moss I used on the table. My six year old thought it was the most amazing thing ever made. Probably because he got to squish the bag and eat the leftovers. Make your own edible moss! Click here!

 

For the mushroom cupcake toppers, I used melting chocolate wafers, a dome mold and white sugar paper. Click here to see how I made them! 

 

And then there was The Birthday Cake! Oh, how I loved my Birthday Cake! It was chocolate-y, dripping with marshmallow-cream cheese-y frosting. It was mossy, forest-y, and it was topped with a blue bird candle on a nest!!

 

I wish it wasn't made out of food, so I could keep it on display forever! But the really best part about this cake, was how unbelievably easy it was to make. Click here, and I'll prove it!

 

I also made the polka-dot table runner. It was a MUCH bigger project than I expected it to be. I thought I'd whip it out in an hour. Not so. I'm glad I did it though, it really made a big difference on the table. Eventually, you will be able to click here, and I'll show you how to make one...but not yet. It wasn't hard, it just took longer than I planned. Won't it be so cute at Christmas time as well? 

Thanks to all my birthday guests! I hope you had as much fun as I did!

It's My Birthday, and I'll Throw My Own Party if I want too!

Happy Birthday Party to ME!

Stay tuned for more:

Photos, Recipes & How-To's all to come!