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Plan the perfect party – six tips to show you how

What advice would you give to someone planning a party?

Rainbow Star and Circle ConfettiPlanning a party should be fun but somehow it often turns into a nightmare. Recently a friend asked for help planning her wedding and it got me thinking.  As someone who used to work in the event industry I know how easy it is to get bogged down in tiny details like the colour of the napkins and forget the big picture – it’s meant to be fun.

So today I’d like to share some tips about how to plan a party and still have the energy to enjoy it!

When it comes to organising a party – play to your strengths

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No matter how much we might wish it otherwise, no-one is an expert at everything. Pick the stuff you’re good at and get some help with the rest.

If you’re not a baker, buy a plain iced cake and decorate it yourself.

Haven’t a clue how to cater for 50? Me neither, pop down to your local deli and get them to make some large platters for you instead.

Not sure where to start with decorations?  Read on for some great tips!

 

1.Pick a theme: (and stick with it!)

Choosing a theme will help you to keep focused during your planning and preparation and make sure you end up with decorations, gifts and food that look like they belong together.  We’ve all got a bit of magpie in us and it can be all too easy to add a bit of this gorgeous thing and a bit of that because it’s lovely until you end up with a confused mess and none of the lovely things you’ve chosen end up sparkling like you’d hoped they would.

If you fall in love with an idea or decoration which doesn’t fit in with your theme don’t worry, bookmark it for your NEXT party.  You can even make it the reason to have another party ( if you really need an excuse).

Choosing a colour as your theme is a great way to give your party a cohesive look. Stick to one colour or choose something like a rainbow or pastel theme.  You’ll still have lots of flexibility in how you interpret the theme and if you choose a colour that’s on trend at the time of your event you’re even more likely to find appropriate items easily.

 

Rainbow Party Table with garlands, balloons and gifts2.Create a focus point:

 

Whether it’s a beautiful buffet table, a photo booth back drop or an activity zone, a focal point helps set the tone for the party and creates a wow factor.

 

 

 

3.Decorations with a difference:

In my former life as an event florist I created decorations out of pretty much everything; glowsticks, toy cars, sweets, fruit the list goes on and on.

Rainbow Elephant Garland running from Red to Violet

A few key pieces such as this garland can easily be added to with less conventional items.

Glass jar filled with wooden blocks layered in rainbow spectrum

Even wooden bricks can become a decoration!

 

Keep an open mind and you’ll be amazed at how much you already have that can be transformed into a decoration.

Take a look at my Rainbow pinterest board to see how a simple pack of balloons can transform a room in next to no time.

 

 

 4.Let your guests do the work:

One of the best parties my boys have been to involved them making their own party bag and it’s entire contents! The children had a great time, loved their gifts and the very clever mum who organised the party had saved herself a lot of time and hassle.  Whether it’s adding toppings to ice cream, mixing their own cocktails or colouring in the table cloth, guests will enjoy the opportunity to get involved.

 

Paper triangles layered along a table in rainbow spectrum5.Transform your table:

 

Any table can be easily transformed with a table cloth and some coloured paper. If you’ve got a long or square table create a line of decoration down the middle of the table.

As long as you’ve got some coloured paper to hand and a pair of scissors you can quickly and easily create this rainbow effect by cutting random triangle shapes and layering the paper onto the table.

 

Got a hole punch?  Create circular confetti and create a graduated stripe running down the centre of the table.  (love the idea but haven’t the time – you can buy my rainbow coloured eco friendly confetti here)

Rainbow Confetti  used as a table runner

If I was using this idea for a circular table I’d place a jar of smarties in the centre of the table and surround it with a circle of the paper triangles/ confetti.

 6.Gorgeous Gift Wrap:

Particularly important at children’s parties, it’s always nice to give your guests a gift to take home.  Kraft sandwich bags or boxes can easily be transformed with a simple ribbon.  I’ve carried my rainbow theme through to the party gifts by using different ribbons for each box but if you’ve got more time take a look at my rainbow pinterest board for more wrapping ideas.

Rainbow Ribbon Gift Wrapped Boxes

Want further inspiration? Take a look at my rainbow party themed Pinterest Board

Fallen in love with my rainbow elephant garland? You can buy it here

Need to get your hands on some rainbow confetti? Find it here

 

 

 

 

The story of a papercut – from inspiration to creation

Picture of sweetpea papercut

Once upon a time there was a wedding and my sister and her new husband chose “Hanging on the wire” by Paul Weller as the song to play when they had their first dance together.  From that day whenever I hear the beautiful, rich voice of Paul Weller memories of that day come flooding back. I will always associate the sound of his voice with love, and it was another of his songs and the simple lyric “Sweetpea, my sweetpea” that inspired this papercut.

Last summer I grew sweetpeas in my front garden and they bloomed continuously for months.  There were so many flowers and such a heady scent that people often stopped as they walked past and I was able to give bunch after bunch away to friends and neighbours. Some of those sweetpeas even went into a neighbours wedding bouquet!

This year as the flowers begin to bloom again I was reminded of the Paul Weller song and the lovely memories of my sister’s wedding.  It led me onto thinking about anniversaries and how the first anniversary gift is traditionally paper. After returning from a walk I found myself sitting down at my desk and starting to draw…

Image: Rosie and the Boys

Image: Rosie and the Boys

So let me tell you the story of how the drawings above became a papercut.

After sketching various sweetpea forms – a stem, a leaf, a bud and open flowers I scanned the finished drawings into the computer.  I then played around with the various elements to create a design in Adobe Illustrator.  By creating a digital image I can easily change or add elements. Once I was happy I reversed the image and printed out a design template. The image is reversed so when the cut is finished and you turn the paper over all the little scratches and any lines where the knife overruns slightly are hidden from view.

I wanted to reflect that the inspiration for this cut came from a song sung in a deep, male voice, so I chose a high quality, slate coloured Murano paper to give a soft, textured look to the finished cut.

The cut starts by stapling the design template to the paper to ensure it won’t slip.

Image: Rosie and the Boys

Image: Rosie and the Boys

Closeup of rotating Xacto KnifeIt’s also important to have the right tools – in this case an A3 cutting mat and an Xacto knife with a rotating blade.  The blades for this knife are comparatively expensive and it can be tempting to keep using a blade even if it starts to blunt. As a result the cut suffers so I change blades as soon as they start to snag the paper otherwise it always ends in tears and frustration.

 

I always start with the small details; ignore these areas at the start and it’s too late to add them in later when the paper is weaker.

Clsoeup pictures of small details cut out

As I keep cutting, it becomes instinctive deciding which piece to cut next.  I find that I get to know the piece of paper and how it will react to being cut. At this stage in the cut, the process becomes almost like a meditation. I find that as I focus on the twists and turns of the knife my mind is strangely free to wander and I find myself either reflecting on the memories that inspired the piece or thinking about who might be going to receive it.

Detail pictures of papercut

Image: Rosie and the Boys

There will always be fragile and difficult areas in a design. I find it best to work on these gradually from early on in the paper cut so that the paper isn’t too weak to withstand the force of the cut causing fragile areas to tear.

Detail of cutting out fragile text

 

 

Here the text is gradually cut away but left in a protective “bubble” until later.

This means that I can apply the necessary pressure with the knife blade to get a crisp, clean cut without worrying that I will rip a fragile strand of paper.

 

 

It’s important to protect the design as it progresses.  Resting a piece of paper over where I have already cut stops me from unintentionally catching  the papercut with myknife, hand or arm causing it to tear or crease.

Closeup detail of papercutting process

Image: Rosie and the Boys

 

Closeup of trace cuts

When working with a textured paper like this Murano paper I find it is sometimes better to make an initial trace cut which I then go over again once the design has been completely traced with the knife.  After I have removed the stapled design I can then cut fiddly turns with confidence rather than making mistakes.

 

 

When the goal is in sight it is easy for me to get impatient and rush.  I have to remind myself that good things come to those who wait!

Nearly finished papercut

 

Once I’ve finished the cut I always get some satisfaction from looking at the pile of paper at my side. It is evidence of the hard work and time I have put into the papercut.

Finished papercut on cutting mat with discarded paper

And then the hours of drawing and cutting come to an end.  It’s time to enjoy the result.

Papercut of sweetpeas

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Rosie and the Boys is a creative family team with a love of colour and soft spot for parties. Our products are handcrafted with attention to detail, quality materials and a smile on our face! Inspired by Nature and designed with the latest trends in mind, we provide a range of party decorations and greetings cards with a contemporary twist.

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