LBP Party: Andrew's Christening - Paper Goods

A couple of days ago, we posted the invitations to Andrew's Christening, which were inspired by his mother's request to incorporate navy blue into the design.  We just loved the crispness of the color palette and wanted to make sure that all of the paper goods for the party reflected the same simplicity in design.  Sometimes less really is more (but not always!). 

Double-layer, die-cut "Andrew" invitations available at  theLITTLEBLACKshop

To start, we created a custom banner strung on gorgeous double-face satin ribbon to spell out "God Bless Andrew".  The banner features circles in Night (a gorgeous, deep navy blue) and the same script that was used on Andrew's invitations to create a cohesive look.  We also incorporated the same die-cut cross on the spacer to add a simple, elegant embellishment. 

Custom banner is the perfect accent to any party and is an ideal spot for taking pictures with the guest of honor!

A custom party banner a great way to create a focal point at your party and we love using this as a backdrop for taking pictures with the guest of honor!  And the best part?  Separating your message on two different banners allows you to repurpose the name as nursery decor or to use again for future parties! 



By putting Andrew's name on a separate banner, we've created the option to move the banner into his nursery after the party or use for future occasions. 

  Of course, no party is complete without some sweets and favors for your guests, so why not combine the two?  The candy bar is undoubtedly one of our favorite dessert options and is guaranteed to please party-goers.  Another bonus:  these are party leftovers you won't mind having!  To create your own candy bar, all you need are some apothecary jars, glass containers, bowls (whatever you have lying around the house!), some signage and treat bags or boxes for your guests to fill up with their favorite goodies.   

For Andrew's Christening, his parents chose a variety of their favorite treats including some to die for Italian chocolates.  We created tented cards that were set in front of each candy jar so guests could choose their favorites and made "thank you" labels that dressed up simple cellophane bags.

Tented signs for the candy bar tell guests what treats they have to choose from. 

Signage can be used for appetizers, entrees, desserts and beverages.  Also perfect as placecards for dinner parties or weddings. 

Congratulations once again to Andrew and his family!  We're so honored to be a part of your special day. 

LBP gets some new stripes

March was a busy month for LBP.  We can't believe it's finally over OR how it's ending...  not so sure about it being "in like a lion, out like a lamb" with the snow predicted in tomorrow's forecast! 

On top of the LBP friends & family birthday festivities, we've been hard at work creating and setting up our Etsy shop, theLITTLEBLACKshop.  What's with the name, you ask?  Well, imitation is certainly the sincerest form of flattery.  As you may recall us mentioning in our first blog entry, the definition of "chic", we've received a lot of compliments on our moniker over the years.  And apparently someone liked it so much that they decided to use it for THEIR Etsy shop, making it unavailable to us.  So don't be fooled, we have NO association with "littleblackpress" on Etsy; for all other intents and purposes, you can be sure that Little Black Press is ours.  Nevertheless, we're thrilled to finally have our shop up and running so we can share the chic! 



In honor of our new venture, we decided it was time for some new stripes, so redesigned our logo.  And of course, we had to change the blog to match!  We're smitten with the chevron pattern and hope you are too. 

The other thing we're really in love with are our new line of cupcake toppers and party goods.  Being as obsessed with fashion as we are, how could we resist the opportunity to accessorize our cupcakes too?!  (And of course, getting to eat the photo props isn't bad either!).  Our fellow Etsians have been showing us a lot of love and have featured several of the toppers from our Spring line:

Mini Pinwheels - set of 12 in the Gone with the Wind feature:
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d91bf4a53de8eef623ec097/gone-with-the-wind#4d91fd68f7918eef7903929b

Easter Egg cupcake wrappers - set of 12 in The Easter Bunny feature:
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d8a1021c8036d91f0b9e6d9/the-easter-bunny



Elephants - set of 12 in the EleFUN feature:
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d7bb2dc726c8eefe69e30d3/elefun

 

Bunny Ears - set of 12 (Pastels) in the hipHOPpity feature: 
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d8d7a1893706d91b53bef12/hiphoppity
 

Bunny Ears - set of 12 (Brights) in the Fun Easter Finds feature:
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d8e00f82d446d91449fb537/fun-easter-finds#4d8e06d852e96d91d51ab3e6

Bunny Rabit - set of 12 (Brights) in the Rainbow Easter feature:
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d8c06f8f6f86d91e432582a/rainbow-easter

Baby Bird (Girl) - set of 12 in the Cupcake feature:
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d8131e5d2426d91ef5f0ae3/cupcake

We've got lots of designs in the works that we're very excited about, so keep popping in the shop to see what's new.  Have a specific design in mind, but can't find a match?  Let us know what you need and we'll create some custom cupcake couture for you.  

LBP Party: Winter "One"derland Paper Goods

Once the winter "one"derland theme had been established, the next step was to incorporate snowflakes AND pink into the party.  Since there aren't a lot of pink snowflakes to be had out there, LBP knew that even more custom party goods were in order. 

The party invitation and playful wording set the tone for the party (and we love that the birthday girl's picture outfit matched too!). 

Front of invitation: 
"Oh what fun!  Our little snowflake is turning one!"

Back of invitation: 
"Snowflakes, cake and wonderland treats.  Please join us as we celebrate someone sweet."



Coordinating tags were created for the snowflake cookie favors and were tied around cellophane bags with striped baker's twine in pink & white to match. 

Favor tags $20 per set of 25. 

Polka dot napkins in the party's oh so pink palette were accented by custom beverage cups, which featured the number "1" in the center, surrounded by "oh what fun!  caroline is one!".  A coordinating design was also used for the milk bottle labels so guests could choose from "whole", "2%" or "chocolate" milk at the milk & cookie bar. 

Otherwise plain cupcakes got dressed up for the party with custom double-sided cupcake toppers.  Designs featured cut-out snowflakes in blossom and fuchsia and reversible circle toppers featuring a snowman on one side, the number "1" on the other and finished with a bow. 

Circle labels for beverage cups $8 per dozen.  Custom double-sided cupcake toppers $12 per dozen, can be customized with any message, motif and color combination.  Favor tags $20 per set of 25. 

Greeting guests at the door were clusters of pink balloons, a framed photo of the birthday girl decorated with dainty bows, and a welcome sign using wording from the invitation to remind them what was in store:  "snowflakes, cake and wonderland treats.  today we celebrate someone sweet".  Dr. Seuss' Happy Birthday to You! doubled as a guest book (propped up with a cookbook stand) with a sign inviting guests to leave a message:

To highlight the wonderland treats, LBP designed a mobile with pink and silver glitter snowflake ornaments, felt snowmen and cut-out snowflakes.  The mobile was the perfect centerpiece to hang over the dessert table and large vinyl snowflakes cascaded down the wall on either side.  Pennant flag banners that spelt out "Happy 1st Birthday Caroline" served as a focal point in the room and was a perfect backdrop for taking pictures with the guest of honor. 

Mobiles start at $30 and can be customized to match party theme/color scheme. 

Garland availabe in pennant shape or circles and can be customized with any message or color combination.  Garlands start at $20 and pricing depends on length of message.  

The birthday girl posing with her parents. 

Our favorite detail from the party is the "my first year" photo garland, which featured a picture of the birthday girl from each of the past 12 months labeled with captions of "1 month", etc. printed on snowflakes to coordinate with the rest of the paper goods.  Photos hung vertically on either side of the entrance to the party on fuchsia satin ribbon (the perfect pop of pink!).  Guests loved seeing the picture progression of the past year!

Snowflake mobile, pennant flag banners, photo garland, welcome sign and frame and guest book sign:  Little Black Press.  Birthday crown:  Mud Pie.  Guest book:  Dr. Seuss. 

Finishing touches included a sprinkling of snowflakes:

 

Happy 1st Birthday to Caroline!  We hope this little snowflake loved her Winter "One"derland party as much as we did!

LBP Party: Caroline's Winter "One"derland

A sprinkling of snowflakes, pops of pink, a first birthday in January and Caroline's girly winter "one"derland theme was born.  In keeping with this little sweetie's signature color, LBP chose an oh so pink palette of blossom and soft whites with accents of fuchsia.  Polka dots were infused throughout the party stationery to add a touch of whimsy and resemble falling snow.  And of course, there were plenty of snowflakes to carry out the winter "one"derland theme! 



Pennant flag banners, party cups, snowflake mobile, snowflake sugar cookies, chocolate covered marshmallow sticks, snowflake cupcake toppers:  Little Black Press.  Large vinyl hanging snowflake:  The Land of Nod.  Balloons:  Party Needs.  Cupcakes and smash cake:  Party Favors, Brookline.



Since no two snowflakes are alike, LBP came up with a "blizzard" of frosty ideas for decorations and treats:


Decorations:

• custom birthday pennant flag banners with snowflake accents
• snowflakes in various sizes hanging from ceiling to create a "snowfall" effect
• custom snow mobile to hang as centerpiece over dessert table
• clusters of pink balloons
• glitter and shimmer paper to create the effect of glistening snow
• snowmen, snowflake and "one" cupcake toppers
• custom stickers for hot beverage cups

Wonderland Treats:

• "dirty snow" pops:  chocolate covered marshmallows on sticks, dipped in colored sprinkles
• ice cream sundae bar
• milk & cookie bar:  chocolate chip "dunkers",  ice caps (vanilla meringues), macaroons, chocolate covered s'more bites, snow themed fondant cookie toppers on sugar cookies, variety of milk including chocolate milk
• hot chocolate bar:  flavored hot chocolates, homemade marshmallows for melting, candy cane stirrers, whipped cream and frrrrozen hot chocolate from Serendipity 3
• candy:  snow caps (non pareils), snow covered pretzels (yogurt pretzels), pink and white m&ms (valentine's day mix)
• tea & coffee to warm up with!
• snow flake cupcakes and smash cake
• pink and white candy cane stripe gift wrap for the birthday girl's gifts

Party Favors:

• custom snowflake sugar cookies with "thank you snow much" imprint and pink royal icing embellishment
• snowmen plush for younger guests

More of this little snowflake's party to follow!