1st B-day: Pretty Paper Factory

What is the number one ingredient for a FANTASTIC birthday party?

Why, it's BEAUTIFUL decorations... DuH!

Which is why I contacted Pretty Paper Factory on Etsy.com. We had already agreed that Caden's party theme would be monsters, and when I ran across The Pretty Paper Factory's handmade Monster decorations, I was in awe! So, you can imagine my excitement when Jennifer (from The Pretty Paper Factory) agreed to work together on Cadens party decor!

Jennifer asked what I was looking for in his decorations. I responded that I was doing a monster themed 1st birthday party with bright blue and bright green as the main colors. I had also ordered his invitations awhile ago, so I did not need those included in the package. I was planning on having around 12-15 children at the party.

We received:
~ 15 party hats
~ a door sign
~ a centerpiece flag
~ a birthday banner
~ a dozen cupcake picks

Jennifer was absolutely wonderful to work with as she made the decorations. She kept me updated and even posted a blog entry on the Pretty Paper Factory blog with a sneak peek! When I received the box full of GORGEOUS monster decor, I was 100% pleased (and EXCITED!). She had packaged everything with extreme care, so that nothing got ruined in transit, and even wrapped each grouped item seperately so that I didn't have to untangle anything!


We used every item at the party, and received so many compliments on the wonderful and beautiful decorations. Everything looked perfect together and flowed well with my other party items. (plates, balloons, tableclothes) I will definitely be using The Pretty Paper Factory again in the future!


I would also take the opportunity to share with you all a bit of the behind the scenes information at The Pretty Paper Factory (sent from Jennifer herself!):
"In my former life I was an elementary school teacher. All of that changed with I became pregnant with my first son. When Jack turned one and my year of mat leave had expired, I knew that I couldn't bring myself to return to work. I extened my leave and before the following year was up my second son was born! Enter Sammy! Another year of mat leave came and went and I was no further inclined to head back to work. Did I LOVE teaching YES! But I wanted to be the one to raise my boys! I am now on a fourth year of leave and although I am scheduled to return to work September 2010, it is doubtful if I will! I just love spending the days with my 2 boys, watching them grow, and sharing all of those special little moments with them! Now to the pertinent part! I may be a former teacher, and a current mommy, but I have always been a holiday enthusiast! This can be a problem when you combine it with my perfectionism! You can be assurred that prior to any major (and sometimes not so major) holiday I will torture myself with many sleepless nights ensuring that everything is 'just right'! I also love crafting, and anything and everything handmade! Soooo...since I have always been quite crafty, and since I love to go crazy (in a good way I think) over parties, I thought - why not combine these talents into a business that I can run from home while looking after my two sweet boys!? This is the idea behind the Pretty Paper Factory. I specialize in making unique, high quality, handmade party decorations. My decorations are all completely customizable, from colour combinations, to personalization with names and ages. What you want is what you get! I am thrilled to be up and running and can't wait to hear from all of you!"

More Examples of Jennifer's work!:



Not only was I THRILLED with Caden's party decorations, I'm extremely excited to announce that Jennifer has agreed to do a giveaway! One VERY LUCKY reader will receive a party package valued at $120.00!!!

To Win:

~ You must fulfill the mandatory entry before additional entries!

~ You must leave each entry in a separate comment!

~ You must leave an email address that I can reach you at.

Mandatory Entry

What would you use the Party Package for?
Do you have a theme in mind?

Additional Entries

1 Entry- Become a Follower of The First time Around and The Pretty Paper Factory! (let me know here)
1 Entry- Become a facebook fan of The First Time Around! (let me know here)
1 Entry- Become an email subscriber of TFTA! (let me know here)
1 Entry- Grab my button and let me know where to find it!
1 Entry per current giveaway of mine that you enter :)
1 Entry- Follow 1sttimearound on Twitter and tweet the following:

Win a Birthday Party Package
from The Pretty Paper Factory

@1sttimearound http://twurl.nl/jwgui3
ends 3/16/10

This giveaway will end on March 16th, 2010 at 11:59 pm. At that time I will choose a winner using random.org and let them know via email. Winner will have 48 hours to respond before I choose a new winner using random.org.