So instead of campy circus, I'm going for a more whimsical, light & fluffy circus theme-- maybe with a touch of retro and definitely MINUS the scary clowns (Smarty Pants insists that clowns are !SCARY! and I do have to agree with him there).
I also want to stay as economical and GREEN as possible. If anything, I'm going to try and use supplies that I already have on hand and hopefully create things that can be reused for future parties.
My Inspirations....
THE INVITATION-- I decided a while ago--you know, just minutes after Happy was born (I'm KIDDING!), that I'm going to do a Circus ticket for the invitation. While browsing Design Mom's blog I ran across a cute invite idea. Brilliant! Caroline from Armelle Jewelry did a FANTASTIC job. Check out the rest of her Circus party here. I do need to add a few more details (map, event details, etc) so I'll probably do something along these lines but turn it into a folding card.
DECOR-- I'm not going to rent a tent since the site we've reserved has a covered pavilion. Instead, I'm going to try and circus-it-up with yards & yards of flag garland using pretty scrapbook paper. I already have a large book of scrapbook paper that I've had for 3+ years that is begging to be used up. Last night I glued 60 12X12 sheets of paper together using Mod Podge and cut 300 double-sided triangles. I just need to sew it onto some rickrack (or even better, enlist the help of Grandma Tee... must call her tomorrow!).
For centerpieces I'm thinking about doing some sort of clear acrylic vase filled with colorful candy with LARGE handmade pinwheels & lollipops propped in them for a fun effect. Or maybe I'll skip the candy and just find some other sort of fun, colorful vessel... Still mulling that one over. Anyhow, I've already made a couple of test pinwheels using my scrapbook paper and I think they came out pretty darn cute... plus, they're super easy to assemble!
The photo is courtesy of the Better Homes & Garden's site, but I have to say that their pinwheel tutorial is rather lacking. I'll post an easier way to make pinwheels later.
I guess this photo is what put the flag garland and lollipop image in my head... from Parent's magazine. See more here.
This idea is cute too (also from Parents), but I don't think I want to be explaining to the kids that they can't eat the popcorn because it's covered in spray adhesive...
Oh my, it's getting late and I'm rather sleep deprived. I'll be back later with more Circus Party inspirations!