Starting the Party!

I don't like the word "procrastinator". It's such an ugly term, isn't it?

I prefer to describe myself as one who works great under pressure. ;O)

Which comes in handy when my daughter's birthday party is in less than two weeks and up until today I didn't even know what the invitations were going to look like! I knew we wanted a book themed party. Paige loves books (and you know how she feels about the library!) so she thought a book party would be great! 

I went to our local thrift store and picked up all these vintage books for 15 cents(!!) each. Most of them have been heavily "loved" in one way or another, so I didn't feel too guilty about repurposing them as party decor. I love the pages turned into these paper flowers!


I used the paperback book covers to make the invitations. I cut out a 4"x6" section and glued it to my cards, then glued these printable library invitations inside, with a bookmark ribbon to finish them off. Then I used a page from each book to line the envelopes. 

 Then I hit up the $ store for some cheap-o sunglasses to use as reading glasses props for a photo guest book. I thought that would be fun. I would have loved to get clear frames, but the lenses don't pop out very easily. :o/

I love Paige in glasses. Is it wrong to wish that my daughter had eyesight problems so she could wear cute glasses? (Yes, bad mom, that is wrong.)

So, let me tell you that I thought a book/library theme was such a unique idea-no one would ever think of that, right?? TONS of people have. Whatever. Like Solomon says, nothing new under the sun. :O) I try so hard to be unique with my ideas because I would never want to steal other people's ideas. But it's so difficult! So many of us think the same. I guess that's a nice thought, actually. It makes me feel like we're all somewhat of a big, happy family.

Have a great Monday!

Love,
Disney

Comments

  1. If the party is as adorable as the invitations and your little one in those glasses, it is going to be amazing! Enjoy!

    Take care,

    Trish

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  2. Those invitations are AWESOME. I love them.

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  3. You're hilarious! I feel the same about the term "procrastinator". Way too negative! Anyway, this looks like the beginnings of an awesome party! Can't wait to see the rest!

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  4. That is such a fun theme! We have a third birthday coming up, and have been brainstorming ideas, but I think I just found the winning idea! Thanks!

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  5. SO CUTE! I love vintage book illustrations and the invitations are adorable.

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  6. I totally hear you about trying to be totally original. Amen. But I think we all have something new to offer, even if the general idea has been around for a long time. Like, for instance, when I read your freezer paper painting tutorial a few weeks ago I sat all smug in my chair and thought, "Really? Disney's never even tried this before?" but I kept on reading the tutorial anyway (because the shirts were so dang cute) and then you told me something I didn't know about it! So, just goes to show. Even when we feel like we're coming late to the party and re-using the same old ideas over and over again, sharing what we learn and know can still be helpful to others. So thanks for all you share!

    Oh, and those glasses rock. I never would have thought to just pop the lenses out of sunglasses. Just goes to show... :)

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  7. I love the paper flowers you made...very cute.

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  8. LOVE the glasses. You are so clever!

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  9. Sometimes I get frustrated when I think I have a completely new idea and then I see it somewhere else. But then I remember the whole point is to BE MYSELF, and if that means someone, somewhere else had the same idea, it does not make mine any less uniquely me. :)

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  10. yeah yeah! u are so clever woman. so brillant idea: 'cheap glasses '
    :)

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  11. OMG such cute ideas, I want a reason to host a book themed party! LOve love love love love!!!

    Natalie
    www.projectdowhatyoulove.wordpress.com

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  12. It looks like you are are creative and your daughter is very lucky to have such a creative and thrifty mother! Not to mention the fact that your husband probably likes your thrifty creativity. - Mikayla

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  13. I love this idea for invitations! I'm totally tempted to switch my daughter's birthday theme from Lalaloopsy to a book one. Except the party is this Saturday... :)

    I can't wait to see what other cute ideas you have for the party!

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  14. This is the best idea EVER! I LOVE the invitations. Are you going to have guests bring books as gifts? Have them read their favourite books to eachother? The possibilities are endless! I can't wait to hear how it turns out!

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  15. Yes, i did suggest that they bring a copy of their favorite kids book if they want to bring a present. I can't wait to see which ones they bring!

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  16. You're not a bad mom! She's adorable in glasses. Sometimes I wish I had bad eyesight so I could wear glasses! :)

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  17. These are AWESOME!!!!! Oh my...I want to come! Great idea Disney!

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  18. We just did a book theme wedding for my sister. I LOVE the interpretation for a young child. I am really going to push for that for my daughter's next party. . .I love those invites SO SO SO much.
    For the wedding we made these amazing paper 'lantern' things. They are easy, but time consuming. Basically you take a paper back book and fold EACH page then bend the whole thing out like a paper lantern. I am sure you can find them on pinterest or the like. We made many different styles and then hung them around. They would be cute at your party! Then again, I am sure you will think of something amazing as usual.

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  19. This is adorable! I have some free printables that I downloaded, once, for a book-themed shower. I will email them to you! By the way...love your new profile picture!

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  20. That is absolutely adorable! I love it all! And the black glasses are totally genius! They do look adorable on her :0)

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  21. Love Following your blog! Makes me happy to see it pop up in my email during work. :) Never would have thought of this idea...but I am so glad there are wonderful ideas out there to "borrow". :) My heart sank a little with the mary poppins book...my FAV! Don't think I could have torn them apart. :) Have a blessed day Disney! :)

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  22. I love those invitations, so cute! Not a bad mom, I saw a little boy wearing glasses just the other day and thought the same thing about my own son lol.

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  23. She is adorable in glasses (or without)!
    Thanks for commenting on my blog a little while ago I am so flattered!

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  24. So inlove with this. I love, love, love childrens books. I wonder if I can talk my 6 year old daughter into having this theme for her birthday this year.

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  25. This is SO cute!!! And, yes, some people wear glasses just for the frames!!

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  26. Dollar store sunglasses into fun kid photo props... just pop the lens out. ... Disney that is GENIUS! I'm totally getting some next time I'm there. My daughter always wants to wear glasses like I do.

    Thanks!

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  27. I truly admire your skills, you are just brilliant.
    And unique is definitely one word I would describe you and your projects with!

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  28. that's really cute! i cant wait to see pictures. i love LOVE how creative you are and how thrifty (cheap) you make things come together!!! lol

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  29. sunglasses with the frames removed: adorable.

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  30. You have amazing ideas! I've recently come across your blog and I've really been enjoying seeing what you're going to come up with. This is a really unique theme and you were so clever with your invitations! I made the starfish shirt for my daughter and she was very excited to have it. :) Thanks for the fun ideas!

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  31. Love you blog! Your ideas are unique to me! I love it :)

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  32. I saw a fantastic pin on Pinterest yesterday that I thought you'd love for her party. They made placemats by laminating two book pages side by side! So cute.

    I'd probably use them to decorate the wall behind the photo booth, like a faux-wallpaper.

    I just wish I had thought of these ideas last year when my 2yo had his "Dr Seuss" party!

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  33. Books for .15, I want your thrift store! :) Have a delightful party.

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  34. You are so cute!
    I always love your ideas.
    And the thing is, that even if a thousand people have the same idea, everyone always puts their own personal touches to it. So we're one big family, but still unique. :)

    Paige is SOOOOOOO cute in that photo.
    Can't wait to see the rest of your party details!

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  35. Great idea and I LOVE the invitations!

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  36. This is such an adorable idea! Paige is going to have such great memories of growing up!

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  37. I love the invites, especially the envelope liners. It totally makes me want to have a party like this. Paige is so lucky! Thanks for sharing : )

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  38. What a cute idea! A library themed party is a completely unique idea to me :) it's going to be great!

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  39. here's a little trick for the glasses:
    just heat the frames a little with a hairdryer (careful, don't melt them) so that the plastic widens a little. the lenses will pop out easily. that's how we opticians do it (in fact not with a hairdryer but with a special heater ;)).
    greeting
    sandra

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  40. I love the cards and lined envelopes. Now I need to throw a party that justifies invitations and decorations.

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  41. I love the ideas you have here. ^-^
    I'm throwing my friend a story book themed baby shower... and you're right, there's a TON of stuff people have done with this theme! =D
    It's nice becuase we can look at all the book loving goodness and then do our own thing with it. ^-^

    XOXO
    Annalee

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  42. These are lovely! You're such a crafty mum - pun unintended :P
    And your little girl is such a sweetie! :)

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