“Penny Carnival” baby shower

Description

A fun, carnival-themed shower for a baby-to-be named Penny.

Design Inspiration

The baby's chosen name (Penelope, or Penny for short) set me down the "Penny Carnival" path. The parents, Kevin and Mimi, are very laid-back, fun-loving people who just wanted to have a good time with their friends and families around.

Decorating Style

Improvisational, budget, fun. I always try to use what I have before buying something.

Project Details

Backdrop. I had been searching high and low for affordable, striped fabric or sheeting to use behind the food table (to cover some curtains that clashed with our theme), when I decided just to use white sheets I already owned, and make the "stripes" with red crepe paper. Total cost: $1 for a roll of red crepe paper.

Table Runner. I used a length of red fabric that I had purchased to make into a valance for my own baby-to-be's nursery (he's due the week after Penny!). For the Penny Candy table, I used one of my pashmina scarves as a table runner.

Fortune Teller. The guests of honor didn't really want any games, but we had one optional activity: allowing guests to guess the baby's date/time/weight/length, and keeping with the carnival theme, I made a goofy little "Fortune Teller" in a box. I wanted it to look a little like the machines I'd seen at carnivals and fairs. It's just so silly and made everyone smile.

Signs/Banners. I made all of these with scrapbook paper or cardstock, using the "Carousel" cartridge and a Cricut machine (my first experience with it--I got it for Christmas).

Favorite Items

Probably the fortune teller table, made from a shipping box and a wig form. It's just funny.

Advice

Scour what you have before spending hundreds of dollars on decor. My co-hosts and I inventoried everything we might have had that would match the theme and the only things we bought were tissue paper (for all the poms), candy, and the striped cupcake tiers.