Jennifer Schaerer
The weather is warming up, the sun is shining, and kids are counting the days until summer freedom is finally here.
This means graduation parties, family picnics, BBQs, reunions, and maybe even a wedding or two, which almost demand some creative paper crafting, dontcha think? So don’t get stuck in a rut and just make cards – get creative with your stash and spice up your next summer gathering with some paper crafted fun.
I hope by now you’ve heard about our book called Party Ensembles, and if you’ve had the chance to look at some of the projects within its pages then you know we covered everything from birthday and baby showers to Mother’s Day and Christmas with just about everything in between. And that “in between” includes summer and patriotic themes that are perfect for summer parties.
Here’s one of my favorites:
Wouldn't you love to be at this refreshing summer picnic?
Lucy Abrams perfectly captured the essence of an afternoon on the patio, refreshing drink in hand and girlfriends all around, didn’t she? I love how a little festive paper crafting can make a simple gathering into a special occasion.
And as simple gatherings go, we had one with our friends at BPD Studios a few weeks ago. Brian and his wife Shoko along with stylist Claudia Daniels hosted a fun lunchtime getaway for us at their studio.
Nothing like grillin' and chillin' on an early summer afternoon!
Shoko cooked, Brian grilled, Claudia served and styled (I’m not even kidding – the platters were arranged picture-perfectly!) and we ate, ate, and ate some more.
And in case you missed that cute-as-a-button munchkin attached to Shoko, that’s their son Bou (if you’re wondering about the name, it’s pronounced like Bo or Beau but spelled the way it would sound in Japanese). He is the cutest little guy you’ll ever meet, and he was happily passed around from lap to lap that day.
If you’re planning your own summer party (or any party, for that matter!), check out some of the sneak peeks we showed during Party Ensembles Week. And don’t forget the ones Cath showed in the Moxie Fab World HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE!
Win a copy of Party Ensembles!
In case you don’t yet have your own copy of this fantastic book, I’ll set one aside for one of you lucky readers. Let me know about your summer party plans in the comments (no later than this Friday, May 25 at 5pm MDT) and I’ll pick a random winner.
Hooray for simple gatherings and paper-crafted festivity!
My mom is turning 80 on June 29th. That is reason enough to celebrate. That she has been cancer free for the past seven years after having part of her lung removed due to lung cancer just means that we need to be very, very grateful and celebrate BIG!! So, I am trying my very best to throw her the best summertime party ever!! There will be 5 generations and many, many friends in attendance. Wish me luck!!
Our summer party plans consists of entertaining in our new kitchen (once the remodel is finished in 2 weeks) and FINALLY having enough room for our whole family to be over at the same time! can.not.WAIT!
thanks you!
Jenn Post
Camping with my camping buddies is the closest I have to summer party plans!
Summer is long in coming here in Montana! Would love to put tons of these ideas to use!
Every year my family has a 4th of July and Labor Day party up north at my dads cottage. I would love some ideas from this book to make these parties an even bigger hit!!!
My oldest is graduating from high school in June so we will be celebrating his big day.
Wow, this looks like it’s full of tons of inspiration! It would be great for summer!!
We’ll be celebrating my parents’ 50th wedding anniversary in June with a backyard luau themed party, complete with authentic Hawaiian cuisine (courtesy of a local caterer). I’d love to make some decorations, rather than buy them!
THis book looks like a lot of fun.
I have a unique party in the works for the beginning of August. Our 3rd chicken (Vicki the chickie) will be joining our family when she turns 4 months old. I hope some of the watermelon and others goodies from the garden will be ripe so we can have a farmyard/barnyard themed party. Your book would help get me going with the invitations and decorations.
My summer party will be in two weeks when my sister comes for a visit and it will be her birthday. I plan on having a BBQ outside by the pond. Need this book for some great ideas.
Help is in the air. love the decorations display. I can see this using this book to help my decisions for my upcoming sisters b/d
Our summer party plan is for our annual 4th of July party. My families will be flying in from Seattle, WA and Los Angeles, CA to our house in Northern California to celebrate with lots of fireworks, food, fun, and family! Can’t wait!