Posted on January 9, 2013 by Kara

Circus Train Big Top Carnival Birthday Party

I’m so excited to feature my CIRCUS TRAIN BIG TOP CARNIVAL BIRTHDAY PARTY with you today! This party is one of my favorite parties from my book!

The moment I found a lovely carousel outside of City Hall in St. George, Utah my mind just couldn’t stop dreaming of all the fun things this Circus Train Birthday Party could include. I set the stage with three circus train cars, which I made out of baby cribs. I transformed the regular white cribs into a real life circus train by adding painted wooden scroll pieces and paper bunting for decoration, and fanned flowers to serve as wheels! I then connected the train cars using red and blue crepe paper. Each train car provided the perfect space to display much of the party food, treats and decor.

The beautiful photos were taken by Valerie Hart Photography.

All of the party items/decor used in this party are available in the Kara’s Party Shop.
{Full product list can be found at the bottom of this post}

Circus Tent Sugar Cookies—All Things Exquisite
Cake & Cupcakes— Dippidee
Clown Cake Pops—Autumn Lynn’s Chocolate Sin’s Online Shop

As the children moved through the various party activities, they collected tickets. Once they had enough tickets they were able to pick a prize off the prize wall. I made the prize wall using a wooden free-standing chalkboard that I covered in fabric and topped with a “prizes” sign. To make the prizes I filled clear cello bags with plastic balls, games, noise makers and yoyo’s. The bags were then sealed with striped wrapping paper and blue crepe paper streamers and pasted to the wall.

The guests also played the infamous carnival game “Ring Toss” using rope rings and some old “Pop Shop” glass bottles that I found at an antique shop.

The middle circus train car held a large faux cake that I made out of hat boxes and tickets. Next to the cake were cute three-ring circus train boxes and ceramic circus letters. I placed fun cups shaped like circus tents at the front of the table, and next to them, put a darling cupcake tower made with a kit from my shop. The cupcake tower was accented with fun silver cording, yellow pom ribbon, blue crepe paper, and a cute mini bunting banner. It was finished with a clown nose at the top! The circus clown cupcakes couldn’t have been cuter sitting there amongst ceramic circus figurines. The circus tent-shaped sugar cookies were a hit, as were the “peanut” cups filled with orange candy circus peanuts. Peeking out from the back of the train car was a darling vintage “Tiddlywinks” clown game and a “Circus Parade” book.

A drink station was situated in an old galvanized bucket. I used two long wooden dowels to hang the “Drinks” banner I made using an ornate circus font for the lettering. Inside the bucket were old fashioned-style soda bottles. There were also water bottles labeled “Circus Water”.

Paper tickets are so versatile and cute that I couldn’t resist using them a lot throughout this party! The first train car featured vintage suitcases covered in white tickets. The focal point of the middle train car was the ticket “cake” I made. On the food train car, I used them as napkin rings to secure forks to red and yellow polka dot napkins. Plus, I wrapped tickets around the ketchup and mustard bottles. As guests arrived at the party, they were greeted with a happy ceramic clown on top of stacked ticket rolls. I made a fun wreath out of clown noses and tickets to place on the table next to the clown. Guests also walked past a bright ticket booth. I made the booth with a wooden puppet stand, painted and decorated to match the circus theme and colors. To add to the ambiance, I strung a red, white, and yellow felt “celebrate” banner between the ticket booth and the “Welcome to the Carnival” sign.

The third circus train car held the majority of the food. I love the miniature electric hot dog warmer that I used to heat the hot dogs! I also had a matching popcorn machine full of the buttery yummy stuff on the opposite side of the table. In the center of the train car was a white metal tub with rubber duckies inside. There were also several sizes of apothecary jars that I filled with suckers, miniature rainbow candies, and red gumballs. I ordered the darling clown cake pops from an online Etsy Shop and they couldn’t have been cuter in the stacked silver milk bottles! I made “lion tamer whips” out of chocolate licorice and placed them in a clear shallow glass bowl. I also filled cute carnival treat boxes with cupcakes for the guests, just in case they didn’t get enough sweets!

The focal point of the first circus train car was the darling Balancing Elephant Cake. The other fun circus items surrounding the cake included: toy animals that I “dressed up” with paint and ribbon; a miniature metal Ferris Wheel dispenser with bowls full of toys and treats; a sweet vintage Humpty Dumpty Lumps penny candy tin; a rotating wooden container filled with colored paper straws, candy mustaches, bright party blow outs, and candy peanuts; strongman dumbbells made with striped straws and round suckers; animal crackers and more!

I arranged Mason jar glasses on a small beverage table. Behind the glasses was a fun lollipop display. I made the display using an old Coca-Cola crate, some Styrofoam, and various fun and colorful lollipops and jawbreaker pops. I strung a delicate bunting flag banner {made with tickets and silver pipe cleaner} between two glittery batons nestled in the back of the crate. There were also two glass apothecary jars on the table, filled with yummy cookies.

All of the party guests had a chance to have their picture taken at a festive carnival-themed photo booth! I made the booth using pvc pipe, hot glue, and colorful polka dot fabric. I strung a homemade, fabric “happy birthday” banner across the back of the booth. To the side of the booth was a gumball machine and balloons tied to a yellow ducky balloon weight. I found a vintage suitcase online and filled it with photo booth props like silly glasses, hats, noses, bow ties, gloves, a xylophone, and even a rubber chicken! I think that it looked just like a traveling circus clown’s suitcase would have.

Party items/decor used in this party available in the Kara’s Party Shop-
Invitation
Water Bottle Labels
Tags
Cupcake Toppers
Directional Carnival Sign
“Celebrate” Fabric Banner
Striped Fanned Flowers (wheels)
Tickets
Circus Tent Cupcake Stand
Circus Tent–Shaped Cups
Silver Milk Bottles
Polka-Dot Napkins
Apothecary Jars
Lollipops
Ketchup/Mustard Containers
Rubber Duckies
Popcorn Bags
Circus Drink Labels
Hot Dog Containers
Tissue Bunting Flags
Clown Noses
Jumbo Bow Ties
Clown Gloves
Clown Hats
Candy Sticks
Party Blow Outs
Paper Straws
Carnival Gable Boxes
Cake Stands
Marshmallow Peanuts
Plastic Clown Cupcake Toppers
Embellished Paper Clown Toppers
Candles
Crepe Paper
Candy Mustaches
Gumballs, Balloons
Big Top Cupcake/Treat Boxes
Striped Cupcake Liners
Circus Tent Sugar Cookies—All Things Exquisite
Cake & Cupcakes— Dippidee
Clown Cake Pops—Autumn Lynn’s Chocolate Sin’s Online Shop

Posted on January 7, 2013 by Kara

Mario Bros Themed Birthday Party

I’m really excited to feature the MARIO THEMED BIRTHDAY PARTY I recently styled! I am constantly receiving emails and comments asking for Mario party ideas since it’s such a popular theme right now…so I wanted to create a fun party chuck full of super mario bros party ideas just for you! I wanted to use fun colors and prints, making the party more modern and bright. I chose lime green, red and yellow as the main colors and added lots of chevron patterns to the mix!

All of the party supplies used in this party are available in the Kara’s Party Ideas shop, making it simple to plan your next Super Mario Bros. themed party because you can find everything all in one place.

Question mark candy tins & mushroom candy tins available in the shop, here...

Using a wii remote mold, we made candy wii remotes and placed them in striped fry containers from my shop. I painted a TV blue and set it on a red tv tray, to go along with the Mario theme!

I hung gold coins from green lanterns {available in the shop here} with fishing line!

We also placed candy mustaches, toadstool rings and green paper shred inside the striped fry boxes {all available in my shop}…

I love these number lollipops from the KPI shop! I placed the lollipops and polka dot napkins inside yellow chevron mini paper bags {all from my shop}…

I placed candy “fireballs” inside some clear favor boxes from my shop. The green krinkle shred is also from the shop…

Rock candy sticks and striped fry boxes available in my shop…

The “7-up” drinks were stacked to resemble a birthday cake. The green chevron milk bottles, paper straws & clear plastic paint pails are all available in my shop…

White candy melts and frosting made the perfect “mario bros.” toadstool cupcakes!

Candy mustaches, toadstool rings, krinkle shred & fry boxes available in Kara’s Party Ideas Shop…

Mario Bros Centerpiece available in Kara’s Party Ideas Shop…

Paint tins from my shop were filled with various colored candy. I dipped paintbrushes in matching paint to add to the effect…

Question mark candy tins & toadstool candy tins available in Kara’s Party Ideas Shop…

Mustache lollipops, yellow polka dot cupcake/nut cups & red polkadot ribbon available in Kara’s Party Ideas Shop…

Mustache suckers were easily made with a mustache lollipop mold {available in my online shop, here} and chocolate…

Plastic Toadstool containers available in Kara’s Party Ideas Shop…

Clear Plastic Paint Pails available in Kara’s Party Ideas Shop…

Toadstool candy tins available in Kara’s Party Ideas Shop….

Polka dot candy favor cones available in Kara’s Party Ideas Shop…

The mini wooden candy scoops are also available in the KPI shop…

Red polka dot gable boxes available in Kara’s Party Ideas Shop…

Clear paint pails, small Wooden Candy Scoops & chevron stripe paper bags available in Kara’s Party Ideas Shop…

Green paper krinkle shred available in Kara’s Party Ideas Shop…

Mustache candies, toadstool rings & striped fry boxes available in Kara’s Party Ideas Shop…

Mario themed napkins & plates available in Kara’s Party Ideas Shop…

Milk bottles and white gloves available in Kara’s Party Ideas Shop…

Mario themed gable boxes available in Kara’s Party Ideas Shop…

Super Mario Bros notebooks & star candy tins available in Kara’s Party Ideas Shop…

Items used in this party from Kara’s Party Ideas Shop:
Mario Themed Party Supplies
Yoshi Pinanta
Mario Themed Plates
Mario Themed Napkins
Mario Centerpiece
Mario Question Mark Candy Tin
Striped Fry Boxes
Hanging Chinese Lanterns
Gold Coins
Candy Mustaches
Mustache Lollipop Mold
Number Lollipops
Mini Yellow Chevron Print Paper Bags
Yellow Polkadot Bunting Banner
Clear Favor Boxes
Rock Candy Sticks
Milk Bottles
Striped Paper Straws
Clear Plastic Paint Pails
Toadstool Rings
Ribbon
Polka Dot Favor Cones
Krinkle Shred
Wooden Candy Scoops
Polka Dot Gable Boxes
Polka Dot Candy/Nut Cups
Bakers Twine

Posted on September 21, 2012 by Kara

Hello Kitty Birthday Party- Kara’s Party Ideas Shop!

In honor of the GRAND OPENING of the shop, I’m excited to showcase my HELLO KITTY BIRTHDAY PARTY! Like I said, I’m posting exclusive Kara’s Party Ideas parties every day while the grand opening giveaway runs! Have you entered the $1000 GRAND PARTY PACKAGE GIVEAWAY yet? {This giveaway is HUGE. Everything you need to throw a fabulous party- a CANON CAMERA, $200 KPI shop credit, a $50 NORDSTROM gift card & a $50 VISA gift card! Be sure and ENTER HERE!}

Are you planning a Hello Kitty party? I hope you can find some ideas and inspiration here! I must say, I think this Hello Kitty party turned out so cute…it was so much fun to style. I was so excited to find an excuse to use my vintage girly dresser and hutch for the party display!

I love all of the Hello Kitty Party Supplies in my shop, so planning was really quite simple since everything was found in one place! All the party items used in this party are available in Kara’s Party Ideas Shop:
Pink Lanterns
Hello Kitty Garland / Banner
Hello Kitty Invitations & Thank You Cards
Hello Kitty Candy Compacts
Hello Kitty Pez Dispensers
Hello Kitty Party Bags
Hello Kitty Cupcake Picks
Hello Kitty Party Hats
Hello Kitty Marshmallow Treat Pops / Suckers
Hello Kitty Plates
Hello Kitty Cups
Hello Kitty Candle
Clear Favor Boxes
Apothecary Jars
Aqua Striped Washi Tape
Pink Swirl Washi Tape
Pink Polkadot Cupcake/Nut Cups
Gumball Tubes
Pink Pearlized Gumballs
White Pearlized Gumballs
Dark Pink Gumballs
Pink Swirl Old Fashioned Lollipops
Mini Pink Lollipop Cupcake Toppers
Dark Pink Striped Paper Straws
Ribbon
Glass Milk Bottles
Striped Wooden Utensils
Pink Striped Fry Boxes
Pink Striped Square Plates
Black Cherry Candy String {used for “Kitty Whiskers”}
Pink Mini Gable Boxes
Rock Candy
Pink Scallop Treat Boxes
Pink Sugar Sprinkles
Cupcakes- Dippidee
Photography- Kara’s Party Ideas

I filled gumball candy tubes with pink pearlized gumballs from my shop, then dressed them up with aqua striped washi tape {also from my shop}! So easy!…

I love how detailed the Hello Kitty Party Hats from my shop are!

Pink Accordion Lanterns from my shop were hung above the hutch with fishing line…

Making the dark pink striped paper straws look “hello kitty-ish” was easy! Simply tie a bow onto each straw using pink ribbon! The glass milk bottles and washi tape are also from my shop…

The Hello Kitty Cupcake Picks from my shop are among my favorite. They matched the pink polkadot nut cups {also from my shop} so well…

How darling are the Hello Kitty Party Invitations?! They come in a set with thank you cards as well!

The Hello Kitty Candle from my shop looked so darling next to a classic vanilla cupcake from Dippidee’s.

I wanted to dress up the Pink Mini Gable Boxes from my shop, so I simply attached a Hello Kitty Cupcake Pick with Aqua Striped Washi Tape to each box! I love how they turned out!…

The Hello Kitty Plates, Striped Pink Square Plates & Striped Pink Paper Straws are also all available in my shop…

I stuck Hello Kitty Pez Dispensers from my shop into a Pink Scallop Top Favor Box {also from my shop} filled with pink sixlets…

Strawberries were dipped in White Chocolate Candy Melts and rolled in Pink Sugar Sprinkles from my shop…

Hello Kitty Garland / Banner available in Kara’s Party Ideas Shop…

Find the Pink Striped Paper Straws & the Striped Wooden Utensils in the KPI Shop…

Pink Striped Square Plates…

Pink Lanterns, Hello Kitty Party Bags…

Hello Kitty Cupcake Toppers…

These old fashioned pink lollipops from my shop are also among my favorites. I stuck them in a small glass container, also from my shop…

Don’t you love these Pink Striped Fry Boxes? They are a new addition to the shop. I filled them with Black Cherry Candy Strings from my shop and Marshmallow Hello Kitty Treats, also from my shop. The sign next to the boxes read, “Kitty Whiskers”!…

The miniature pink lollipops from my shop were perfect cupcake toppers. The cupcakes were dressed up with pink striped ribbon…

As favors, I filled clear plastic boxes with pink gumballs and added hello kitty candy compacts from my shop to the fronts of the boxes. Washi Tape was easily stretched around the middle of each box for an extra special touch….

Another darling shot of the Hello Kitty Cupcake Set & Pink Polka Dot Candy / Cupcake Cups…

Isn’t little Macy THE cutest?!…

Pink Striped Napkins also available in Kara’s Party Ideas Shop…

I had a lot of fun with Washi Tape! It’s so inexpensive, and has so many uses! I wrapped it around glass milk bottles from my shop to add some color…

Another view of the cute Hello Kitty Marshmallow Treats / Suckers…

The Hello Kitty Favor Bags from my shop are also so dainty and detailed!..

The white pearlized gumballs from my shop looked so cute in the pink polka dot nut cups {also from my shop}…

Pink Gable Boxes, Cupcake Picks, Washi Tape…

I placed Rock Candy Sticks inside an Apothecary Jar. Both Items are from my shop…

Garland / Banner…

Another view of the fun Gumball Tubes adorned with Washi Tape {both from my shop}…

Glass Milk Bottles, Washi Tape, Dark Pink Striped Paper Straws…

The Hello Kitty Party Garland / Banner from my shop looked charming hanging on the front of the dresser/hutch!…

I attached the banner to the dresser using Pink Swirl Washi Tape from my shop! Perfect way to hang things…and it actually looks cute!

Blowing out the Hello Kitty Candle!…

Hello “Kitty Punch”…

And here are the darling Hello Kitty Thank You Cards I was talking about. They’re available in my shop as a set with the Hello Kitty Invitations!…

Posted on September 19, 2012 by Kara

Birthday Parade Party- Kara’s Party Ideas Shop

In honor of the GRAND OPENING of the shop, I’m going to be posting an exclusive Kara’s Party Ideas party {using products from the shop} every day this week!! Have you entered the $1000 GRAND PARTY PACKAGE GIVEAWAY yet? {This giveaway is HUGE. Everything you need to throw a fabulous party- a CANON CAMERA, $200 KPI shop credit, a $50 NORDSTROM gift card & a $50 VISA gift card! Be sure and ENTER HERE!}

So excited to finally share all the parties I’ve been planning lately!

I styled this BIRTHDAY PARADE PARTY as an introduction to Kara’s Party Ideas Shop! This party collection has got to be one of my most favorites to date. The second I saw these adorable party supplies I knew I just had to have them available for purchase. Are you in love with the artwork as much as I am?! This party just screams vintage, girly & dainty! Oh, I just love this party line so much. It could be used for so many occasions…a first birthday party, a girly tea party, a storybook party, a vintage toy party, etc!

I set up the party on a cream vintage hutch that I thought matched the party perfectly. The ric-rac banner hung behind the table and cute desserts and candy laid on top.

I couldn’t wait to style this party using all the cute matching birthday parade party supplies. Hope you enjoy!

All items used in this party are available in Kara’s Party Ideas Shop:
Birthday Parade Collection
Blue Polka Dot Ribbon
Red Candy Sticks
Ric Rac
Salt Water Taffy
Clear Pillow Boxes
Red Dash Ribbon
Handmade Twist Lollipops

All the children playing on cute toys & hobby horses are just precious, don’t you think?

Instead of straws, I put yummy candy sticks inside each birthday parade paper cup as an extra treat for the little guests to eat as they sipped their punch…

There is a donkey cart/centerpiece in the collection that is to die for. I love how you can display anything you want inside!…

Oh, and the birthday parade invitations {that come in a set with thank you cards as well}… These darling invites definitely set the mood for the party… I want to mail one to myself just to open it and see how cute they are!

I absolutely love the color me in / dot to dot page included on the last fold of the invite! I could just eat it up…

I love the little girl playing the instrument and boy holding the happy birthday banner on the birthday parade paper plates…

The cupcake wraps and adorable toppers dress up any cupcake in minutes. The images are so cute I could frame them!

And how precious are the birthday parade treat / party bags?!…

Blue raspberry taffy was put inside my clear pillow boxes {adorned with red dash ribbon, also from my shop}..

The cake kit comes with toppers and a dainty cake wrapper {that’s adjustable}. Oh my goodness- love….

We made my window favor bags for this party, too. Easy tutorial found here

The birthday parade plates come in an assortment of two different precious designs…

And here are the charming birthday parade napkins!…

The birthday parade banner is probably one of my favorite pieces in the collection. The red ric rac couldn’t be cuter!

The darling birthday parade trays {come in package of 4 for only $7.50} say “delicious treats”…and that they are, delicious!

See what I mean?!…The donkey & wagon centerpiece is to die for!

And you can’t forget the yummy & adorable handmade twist lollipops {available in my shop for only $2.00}..

And here is the exquisite birthday parade thank you card…

Posted on August 29, 2012 by Kara

Happy Birthday Patterned Party!

Today I am excited to showcase one of my latest parties, a HAPPY BIRTHDAY PATTERNED PARTY! All of the products used in this party can be found in my shop!

Could all the patterns, colors & prints be any cuter? I love this whole birthday collection so much!

I set this party up on a cute shabby chic buffet. Hung behind the table was the fun patterned ornate party banner. I arranged all the party goods and treats on top of the buffet. The adorable rock candy cake was inspired by this cake from Cocoa and Fig. Kim Stoegbauer from The Tomkat Studio, also used a similar cake here.

This patterned party collection would be perfect for any age, young or old. You could even use certain elements for baby showers & bridal showers! I love how simple it was to put together, because of all the party supplies I had my whole party set up in no time!

Vendors & Credits:
Party Styling- Kara’s Party Ideas
Rock Candy Cake- Jennifer Hanna
Photography- Kara Allen
All Party Supplies & Decor- Kara’s Party Ideas Shop

Patterned Party Set/Collection
Happy Birthday Banner
Cupcake Kit
Patterned Party Cups
Napkins
Birthday Plates
Party Hats
Patterned Cake/Cupcake Stand
Invitation Set
Thank You Card Set
Chevron & Striped Paper Bags
Flourish Ornate Paper Punch
Apothecary Jars
Pink Jute/Twine
Blue Polka Dot Ribbon
Black & White Swirl Lollipops
Paper Straws
Milk Bottles
Blue Striped Wooden Utensils
Rock Candy

I attached one of the cute birthday party tags that are included in the invitation set to the top of the apothecary jar.

Using my Flourish Ornate Paper Punch, I punched out a design at the bottom of a small paper/favor bag. I then inserted a clear cello bag full of candy….viola! Fold over the top of the bag and punch holes for ribbon or twine to finish it off!

Kara's Party Ideas

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Tag Archives: Kara’s Parties

Circus Train Big Top Carnival Birthday Party

Mario Bros Themed Birthday Party

Hello Kitty Birthday Party- Kara’s Party Ideas Shop!

Birthday Parade Party- Kara’s Party Ideas Shop

Happy Birthday Patterned Party!