Sylas’s DIY ‘Sock Monkey’ 1st Birthday Party

Description

For Sylas's First Birthday, I created a DIY Sock Monkey Themed Party.

Design Inspiration

I came across a cupcake on Pinterest with a monkey face made out of vanilla wafers. The cupcake was so cute and we call Sylas "monkey." My inspiration was planted and the rest is history.

Decorating Style

The theme for this party was Sock Monkey and the colors I decided to incorporate into the theme were red, black, and brown, with grey and white accents.

Project Details

Large Sock Monkeys- One I received as a gift at my baby shower, and one is from Kohl's as part of the "Kohl's Cares" partnership.

Small "Baby" Sock Monkeys- One is "Ty" from a Hallmark store, the other is from Target.

Invitation- DIY project. I handmade each one and sent it off in a brown paper bag sealed with DIY stickers that said "Sylas is ONE".

Welcome Flag Banner- DIY project. My tutorial here: http://www.thebirthofamother.net/2012/08/5-days-to-diy-birthday-party-day-3.html

Balloon Wreath- DIY project. My tutorial here: http://www.thebirthofamother.net/2012/08/5-days-to-diy-birthday-party-day-3.html

Personalized Onsie- DIY project. My tutorial here: http://www.thebirthofamother.net/2012/08/5-days-to-diy-birthday-party-day-5.html

Party Hat- DIY project. My tutorial here: http://www.thebirthofamother.net/2012/08/5-days-to-diy-birthday-party-day-5.html

Candy Bar- DIY project. Most jars purchased from IKEA. My tutorial here: http://www.thebirthofamother.net/2012/08/5-days-to-diy-birthday-party-day-4.html

Happy Birthday Pennant Banner- DIY project. My tutorial here: http://www.thebirthofamother.net/2012/08/5-days-to-diy-birthday-party-day-1.html

"Sylas is One" Birthday Banners- DIY Project. My tutorial here: http://www.thebirthofamother.net/2012/08/5-days-to-diy-birthday-party-day-1.html

3 Tier Cupcake Display- DIY Project. My tutorial here: http://www.thebirthofamother.net/2012/08/5-days-to-diy-birthday-party-day-4.html

Monkey Cupcakes- Homemade. Inspiration from here: http://www.yanowhatimean.com/archives/003115.php

Cupcake Toppers- DIY Project. My tutorial here: http://www.thebirthofamother.net/2012/08/5-days-to-diy-birthday-party-day-2.html

Table Tent Labels- DIY Project. My tutorial here: http://www.thebirthofamother.net/2012/08/5-days-to-diy-birthday-party-day-2.html

First's Display- DIY Project. My tutorial here: http://www.thebirthofamother.net/2012/08/5-days-to-diy-birthday-party-day-2.html

Guest Book Scrapbook Page- DIY Project. My tutorial here: http://www.thebirthofamother.net/2012/08/5-days-to-diy-birthday-party-day-1.html

Sweater Display- The sweater was handmade by Sylas's great-grandma. I simply displayed the sweater next to a picture of him wearing it back when he was 4 months old at his dedication. Check out the scrapbook I made here: http://www.thebirthofamother.net/2012/07/sylass-babybook-scrapbook-reveal.html

Favorite Items

My favorite (or maybe just most "proud" item) is the onsie I made for Sylas. As much as I would love to learn to sew, I haven't. I designed a "1" patch from a sock and sewed it to a red onsie. He got lots of compliments on his cute attire and some people even thought I bought it that way!

Advice

For a kids birthday party, pick a theme!! Once I had a theme and theme colors, the ideas just started flowing. It was all downhill after the first project. The first thing I made was the invitation and then the Happy Birthday Pennant Banner.

I would also say that as much as Pinterest can be helpful, don't let it overwhelm you. Use it for inspiration and then use your own imagination to make your ideas come to life!