Let's Party: on a budget!

Celebrating birthdays is an important thing in our home. It doesn’t necessarily means large expense…but definitely means big effort is put into making everyone feel hugely special. I decided to use that principle when creating this page about our daughters 11th birthday. 

I set about designing a page full of interest without fancy cutting machines, or I just used regular scrapbooking supplies from the super fun SUMMER SUN collection from Fancy Pants Designs to do it. Take a look at how I did it.

Celebrate 11yrs by Kim Watson

Using plain colored paper as the background gave my page a strong grounding, especially with the variety of different patterns used to make my birthday-themed, hand-made page accents.

Let’s start with the balloons:

1. Select x4 different papers.
2. Hand cut them into balloon shapes, they don’t have to be works of art  Anything similar will work just fine, as they are layered into a grouping.
3. Cut a little white crescent shape for the hi-lights.
4. Tie a length of twine onto the bottom of each balloon.
5. Layer into a group using pop dots & tie the strings together at the  bottom.
6. Add a little paper bow to cover the know & hide the adhesive.

Now the little party hats:

1. Cut x2 striped triangle shapes.
2. Using a scalloped edge punch, make some little decorative strips as trim for the bottom of the hats.
3. Use a few shapes from the ephemera pack to decorate.
4. Adhere to the page using pop dots for dimension.

And lastly the little birthday cake:

1. Taking a few patterned paper scraps, cut x3 layers for the cake.
2. Add some white scallops to emulate frosting.
3. Attach to the tag & add stickers numerals.
4. Using pop dots, adhere to the page, push dressmaking pins into the foam dots underneath, acting as candles.

Now that your accents are all made, assemble your page. A few scattered sequins add festive sparkle…and don’t forget some journaling & stitching to finish. I am so pleased with the result & even more pleased that even when creating a page on a budget, it doesn’t have to end up looking plain. I hope you have found this post inspiring!

Fancy pants Designs collections used: Summer Sun, Office Suite