a baby shower for arrow no.6

i recently had the great privilege of co-hosting a baby shower for my sweet friend ruth.  what a surreal experience to move from long-distance-never-met-in-person-blog-buddies to doing-life-as-dear-sisters in just 8 months!  and then i get to help throw her a fabulous party?  neither of us could have guessed it.  especially when this baby boy no.6 was an incredible surprise for their family. 

there was a surplus of willing friends to shower love on ruth.  nine of us took on the task.  early on in the planning, we decided upon an arrow theme.  another boy blessing is being added to the simons quiver!  the color scheme of navy, mustard, mint with lots of yummy neutrals and pops of tomato red followed.  ruth's love of all plants succulent also inspired us.

we originally had an evening garden party in mind.  it wasn't until two days before that a change in locale was determined.  my new backyard would have been magical - if not for the crazy new mexican winds and major dip in temperature.  it was 20 degrees warmer the weekend before and the weekend after!   this could have been a major set-back, but who has time for that?  we brought our luminarias indoors and found new ways to set-up the pretties.  i have to say the last minute changes did make for extra work, but it was all worth it.

the paper wheels and flowers would have adorned the fence and made a sweet backdrop for the food tables, but they also looked mighty fine over the fireplace and on the chalkboard.  i used this tutorial for the wheels and this tutorial for the flowers. i raided my bottomless scrapbook paper stash to bring in the patterns and colors.  the luminarias were made with white kraft bags and flameless candles.  i layered fabric strips and lace over an unused curtain panel on the table.  the chalkboard art was decided upon hours before guests arrived and ended up being the star of the show.  aside from ruth, of course.

how about that cake?  one of my co-hosts did a fantastic job with it.  this photo gave us the arrow idea.

the last minute changes in set-up made me neglectful of picture taking.  but here is the mama getting a hug.  she was much in demand that night.

the succulents favors were a huge hit.  i convinced a local nursery to give me a wholesale price on them.  when making the large brown paper flowers, you cut off the bottom of the bags and do not use them.  i repurposed the bottoms along with a little yarn to wrap the plants.

my favorite bit may have been the arrow making station, inspiration from here.  paints, washi tape, feathers, and felt were provided for the guests.  the arrows will help decorate the nursery and bunkroom.

guests also had a chance to write a prayer for baby.  this personal touch makes a beautiful keepsake.

salsa, smores, sangria. . . need i say more?

okay, i will. . .

we set up a gourmet chips and salsa bar and served sangria, margaritas, and fancy flavored water alongside.  for the sweet tooth, there was a gourmet s'mores bar - the indoor fireplace worked as substitute for the backyard firepit.  there was also fruit and cake, with a gourmet coffee bar to complete the tasty treats.

yes, there was a gourmet bar theme going on.

the arrow mobile, tutorial found here, will look neat in the boys' bunkroom.  six arrows for six boys.  i wonder if we will ever have to add to it???

the night ended up being just as dreamy indoors.  i am so so thankful we could love on ruth through this celebration.  

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth.

Psalm 127:4

an end of the night photo with mama and 6 of the 9 party hosts