I just hosted another birthday party! This was a craft themed party for my daughter who turned 5 in August. I waited to have her party until the weather got cooler and during the school year so she could invite her new Kindergarten friends.

As of now, I’m really behind on editing photos, but have a few to show you. The party turned out cute considering I planned it very last minute! I especially liked the cake that I made. It’s not the most beautifully made cake, but the party printables and ric rac ribbon gave it a crafty homemade touch.

It would have been fun to have made some edible ric rac, but I’m not that talented! This is actual ribbon wrapped around the cake.

She requested pink, yellow and chocolate cake. I just put a little pink food coloring in the yellow cake and in the end, it turned out pretty tasty!

More party details coming soon!

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Also, be sure to check out Printables by Amy! Find easy and affordable digital files to download and print at home or at your local quick print shop. Each product is custom designed by Amy, a professional graphic designer. Amy makes do-it-yourself projects a breeze!

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Birthday parties are my favorite thing to plan! I normally don’t plan big lavish parties for myself, but hey… you don’t turn 40 everyday. I wanted to plan a wonderful evening with friends and let them know how much I love them all! I highly recommend planning your OWN 40th birthday because it sure takes your mind off of getting older! ha.

The best part about having a September birthday is the weather. I have always wanted a pretty outdoor dinner party, so I moved just about every chair, plus a few of my neighbor’s chairs, into my backyard for the big night!

I hope you enjoy photos from my birthday party. Today, I’ve got a great giveaway and will have more giveaways with details about the party later this week. So be sure to check back again soon!

Outdoor Party Table

I did everything myself. Yes, I moved 30 chairs, about 5 tables and made most of the decor. My friends are SO worth it!!

I found some pretty vases and candles half off at Michaels, then bought grocery store flowers and paper lanterns for my table. I love bright colors so pink, orange and purple were a no brainer for this girly girl!

My centerpiece was branches from a tree, spray painted black with silly photos of myself. I wrapped the glass vase with ribbon to hide the bottom which had rice in it to hold the branches. I also designed little wine glass labels for each friend.

Gifts to Celebrate Friendships

My party was all about celebrating my friendships. It’s not very often that I see many of these women, so I wanted it to be a special night.

Each guest was surprised with a beautiful hand-stamped heart Vintage Pearl necklace on her plate. I love The Vintage Pearl! Check out their lovely jewelry here. Erin, the owner of The Vintage Pearl, was so sweet and also included a beautiful “Living Locurto” necklace for me as well! Thanks Erin!!

Gussy Sews made the most awesome party favors ever!!! Aren’t these bags adorable, fun and bright?

Gussy made these especially to match my party colors. I love seeing them all together. She make the most beautiful products. (Scroll down for a gift from Gussy!)

Dessert Table

It’s not a birthday party with dessert! My friend Christy from C-Star Cakes made me the MOST amazing cake ever!!

How fabulous is this cake?? It was chocolate of course. Thanks Christy for doing such a wonderful job!

I just bought simple mini cupcakes and added pretty flags to them.

Party Decorations

The party decorations are my FAVORITE part of planning parties!! I saw this picture tree on Pinterest from a wedding and thought it would be perfect for a milestone birthday party. I attached little sayings and photos of my friends. Some from long ago and some new.

I even made a chalkboard sign for the menu. I’ll show you how I did this later. It’s super easy!

My girlfriend made the best Sangria! Of course I had to have cute signs to go on the table:-)

It’s not a 40th birthday without a little silliness! Guest could help themselves to some gum and atomic fire ball candy!

(I’ll make these designs available for you soon!)

Outdoor Movie

For the after dinner entertainment, I created an outdoor movie theater in another part of my yard. Yep… more chairs to move! I sure got my workout that day! ha!

I set up my photography backdrop stand and projector. We watched Bridesmaids and had some fun laughs!

I snapped this photo during dinner so I could remember what a special night it was to be with such wonderful friends!

Thanks so much to all of you who came and made it so much fun!! I missed those of you who couldn’t be here. You might recognize Laurie from Tip Junkie on the left and my girlfriend D’Ann was great and took photos for me. Yay!

Party photos by Amy Locurto and D’Ann Wright.

Now, I have a party favor for you! A $100 Giveaway!

Because I couldn’t invite ALL OF YOU to my party, you can still get a party favor.

Gussy Sews is giving one lucky reader a $100 gift card to her shop! You can choose whatever you like. YAY!

Click here to enter the giveaway.

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Be sure to join Amy on Facebook for more fun!
Also, be sure to check out Printables by Amy! Find easy and affordable digital files to download and print at home or at your local quick print shop. Each product is custom designed by Amy, a professional graphic designer. Amy makes do-it-yourself projects a breeze!

Enjoy this round up with 12 of my favorite patriotic treats to help make your July 4th celebration extra sweet!

• An amazing American Flag cake by Amanda from I Am Baker.

• Sparkly Marshmallow Pops by me.

• Patriotic Candy Apples by Cheryl at TidyMom.

• Bomb pop cupcakes by Kristan at Confessions of a Cookbook Queen.

• Pop Rocks rimmed cocktails by Pizzazzerie.

• Star studded mini pies by Our Best Bites.

• Pinwheel Pancakes by Jenni Price Pancake Art

• Tie Dye Cupcakes by Bridget from Bake at 350.

• Patriotic Ice Cream Sandwich Pops by me.

• Stars and Stripes Toast by Emily Henson. Photo by Matt Armendariz.

• Patriotic Pie from Woman’s Day. Photo by Alan Richardson.

• Strawberry Treats via AllRecipes.com. Photo by Melissa’s Meals.

What is your favorite dessert for the 4th of July?

Be sure to join Amy on Facebook for more fun!
Also, be sure to check out Printables by Amy! Find easy and affordable digital files to download and print at home or at your local quick print shop. Each product is custom designed by Amy, a professional graphic designer. Amy makes do-it-yourself projects a breeze!

We spent a lot of time drawing with markers this weekend. But what we should have been doing was doodling on desserts! Here are some fun ideas for using edible markers.

Rosie from Sweetapolia made an amazing rainbow cake and let her daughter decorate it with doodles. I am amazed by the artwork of her 4 year old! An artist in the making for sure:-)

I had fun drawing faces on these Lego cake and marshmallow pops and Marshmallow Chicks.

Bridget from Bake at 350 made cookies and her son drew sweet thank you notes for his teachers.

What have you doodled with your edible markers?

Be sure to join Amy on Facebook for more fun!
Also, be sure to check out Printables by Amy! Find easy and affordable digital files to download and print at home or at your local quick print shop. Each product is custom designed by Amy, a professional graphic designer. Amy makes do-it-yourself projects a breeze!

My friend Tidymom sent over a link to the cutest owl party! I couldn’t wait to share it with you.

Anj from Snowy Bliss created the most adorable Night Owl Birthday Party!

Her ideas would be perfect with my Pink Owl Party Printables!

I love the cute bed and window she created from cardboard. The table decor is so adorable. I have got to find those napkins!

I went crazy when I saw these felt owls she made for the party decor and gifts. Oh my goodness! I want them all:-)

I found these super fun Owl Cupcakes on Family Fun that would be great for a DIY cake.

Be sure to visit Snowy Bliss for more Night Owl Party photos and to get all of the details.

You can find my customizable Pink Owl Birthday & Campy Owl Party Printables in my shop.

You might also like:

• Owl Smores
• Owl Birthday Party
• Free Printable Owl Lover Calendar

Be sure to join Amy on Facebook for more fun!
Also, be sure to check out Printables by Amy! Find easy and affordable digital files to download and print at home or at your local quick print shop. Each product is custom designed by Amy, a professional graphic designer. Amy makes do-it-yourself projects a breeze!