DIY: Cookie Bag Party Favors

At the baby shower, we gave out tiny cellophane bags filled with lemon shortbread cookies as party favors.  Each one was labeled with "we 'heart' brooke" (our honored mommy-to-be)... and the backside read "thank you for coming!"

This DIY project was fun and very easy!  I think that it could easily translate to birthday parties (or better yet, engagement parties!).  So, here's how I made the cookie bags...

It all started with this heart-shaped paper puncher from Martha Stewart:

Then, I bought a book of colorful scrapbook paper at Michaels for $19.99...

you could also use plain construction paper, or even strips of colorful fabric.

and, about 30 cellophane bags.

On the computer, I created a label that was the same width as the cellophane bags.  I used Adobe Illustrator to create the graphic, but you could easily use Microsoft Word or even PowerPoint (which is a very versatile program, by the way). 

The backside of the label would look like this:

Since I wanted each label to fold over the bag, the backside design needed to be flipped. (If you don't have Adobe Illustrator and you would like a message on the backside, I recommend using PowerPoint.  You can flip images/text in all directions under the "Format" tab).  When it was all said and done, the file looked like this...

From there:  print, cut paper to size, and fold in half.

Punch each label with the heart-shaped puncher. 

Insert a colorful strip of scrapbook paper, and you have an adorable and festive label!

We had originally planned on filling the bags with candy, but then I spotted these cookies at Trader Joes:

Heart-shaped cookies to match my heart-shaped paper label!

Plus, the cookies were delicious so we knew that guests would love them.

(my friend, Kari, helping me stuff cellophane bags with cookies)

(me, cookie wrapping the day before the shower)

Once the labels are stapled into place, you're finished!

(if you're a perfectionist like me, and you want the staples to be hidden...  simply staple the scrapbook paper to the cellophane bag to seal it shut.  Then with double-sided tape, layer the pretty label on top.  Voila!  No staples showing)

...

Bb is for Baby Shower!

Brooke & Dean, our honored mommy and daddy-to-be, standing in front of their gorgeous mid-century modern home in Southern California.

I truly feel like a blessed person because God has given me some of the greatest friends a girl could ask for.  My friend Brooke is one the dearest people on the face of the earth.  She's family, really.  You know that caliber of friend?  That's Brooke.  We met in college, eleven years ago, and have been besties ever since.  When she called me last November to tell me she was pregnant, the conversation went a little like this... Me: "Hi!" (after seeing her name on the caller ID),  Brooke: "Hi!", Me: "What is it? What's going on? Something's up. Tell me."  She laughed and then told me she was pregnant.  To that I started crying like a crazy person.  When I stopped crying and screaming, I said "How long have you known??" and Brooke said "Two hours." 

She knew it was a boy right from the beginning and sure enough, at the end of January, she found out that it was indeed a boy.  Due in the 1st week of August.  Even though I'm thousands of miles away, I knew a very special baby shower was in order.  I called up my girlfriend Karen in Santa Monica (also a life long friend, college roomie and part three to this fabulous friendship) and the ball started rolling.  From that point, there were many emails discussing cupcake flavors, table layouts, and logistics.  We even had conference calls with Brooke (an attorney) and Karen (a sales executive) sneaking away from their offices for "important business."  When the eventful weekend finally rolled around, I jumped on a plane and before we knew it, it was Sunday.  Baby Shower Day! 

Amanda Bevington arrived a couple of hours before the guests got there and photographed the scene.  I've said it before but Amanda makes everything look prettier-- she's a marvelously talented person.  Not only is she beautiful and kind (and funny!) but she's really a true professional in every sense.  I'm so grateful that she was available to document the party!  

So without further adieu, here are the photos of the "Bb is for Baby" Baby Shower!

invitations, designed by moi.  :)

(the backdrop for this image? Brooke & Dean have the original 1950s white terrazzo floors and they're immaculate.  One of the many charming features in their gem of a house)

each table centerpiece had a yellow banner floating above it, quoting lines from the song Baby Of Mine.

(the menu)

Brooke's nieces signing the "advice" cards!

Brooke getting "quizzed" by my co-host, Karen.

husband Dean (walking through the doorway) made a cameo at the end of the party to surprise Brooke.

Brooke's mother gave her a basket of baby clothes...  but as she reached for them,

it turned out to be a thirty foot clothesline FULL of adorable outfits.

(Dean, lending a hand)

my beautiful friend.

swirly straws from HeyYoyo

(and Summer Sangria recipe from Eddie Ross--

I can't tell you how many people asked for the recipe!  It's delish!)

me, posing at the front door. 

(with my drink in hand)

Brooke, we love you so much and can't wait to meet that precious baby boy.

VENDOR CREDITS:

photography: Amanda Bevington Modern Photography

cake: Cinderella Cakes

party rentals: Atlas Party Rentals

catering: completely homemade by my friend, Karen.  :)

party theme, decor, invitations and all paper goods:  Kelly G. Robson Design

***all images are property of High Street Market and Amanda Bevington Modern Photography***

So.  I have LOADS of DIY projects to share with you guys...  including the line of custom onesies, the "we *heart* brooke" cookie bags, and the handmade linen door banner.  I will share each project little by little over the next couple of weeks (so people don't get too baby-showered-out). 

Also, the recipe for the Blackforest Cupcakes was divine.  I'll share that too. 

If you've made it this far, thanks for reading!

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