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| {Dress by Grandma} |
I was an exchange student to Japan in 1993, the summer before my senior year of high school. It was an amazing experience. Since I never throw anything away, I had lots of mementos from my time there, of course.
While walking around EPCOT last year and strolling through the large store in "Japan" there, it came to me what theme I wanted to do for Abigale's 2nd birthday. I already had the decorations, the theme easily leads to yummy food, & some of the authentic favors could be obtained in the shop there in EPCOT. So rather than Elmo or the obvious "Abby Cadabby", I opted to go Japanese while I was still in control of her birthday themes. Hah! {Note: Minnie Mouse is the 3rd birthday theme, so I was right in claiming control while I still could. ;) }
Invitation created using My Digital Studio from Stampin' UP
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| {Compilation shot of some of the ideas} |
For the food, I made most of it with sauces I got from the Asian section. We served a veggie tray, featuring Edemame, Rice Krispy "Sushi", "Tokyo snack Mix" I picked up in EPCOT's Japan, Potstickers {one of my favorite foods when I lived there}, Yakisoba noodles {similar to Lo Mein}, and Yakitori {grilled chicken on a stick}. For dessert, I made 3 different cupcakes: Strawberry Limeade, Chocolate Cupcakes topped with Chocolate Ganache and Japanese cookies {from EPCOT}, and Coconut Cupcakes. Some of the food missed the photo shoot but you get the idea. ;)
I made the banner & other little signs using My Digital Studio and punched the shapes using my Big Shot all from Stampin Up {of course}.
I found the fonts "Last Ninja" & "GoJuOn" on one of the free font sites and downloaded them to use with all the signs.
For the decoration areas, I got a few books from the library and most of the rest were items from my time there as an exchange student. I was able to borrow a few Asian items from a friend that had hosted a Chinese exchange student, too.
I used take out boxes for the boys favor boxes. I bought them from our local Asian take out for a steal! The little Asian purses were actually scored 6+ months in advance from the Dollar Tree, if you can believe that! They were filled with candy from Japan/EPCOT and little toys with an Asian theme I ordered from Oriental Trading under their Chinese New Year Theme.
I made tags for each kid with their name in Japanese and a little Japanese character. Arigato means Thank you.
We asked friends to dress up in Asian style clothes if they happened to have them and our friends happen to have coats from their Chinese exchange student that worked perfect!
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| Time to blow out the candle, little lady! |
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| Mommy, Daddy, & little Abigale |
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| YUM! |
Hope you enjoyed looking at our pictures as we remembered the fun we had with family & friends celebrating Abigale's 2nd birthday. Our world {and her personality} changed one month later with the addition of her little brother, Johnathan, but that is an entry for another time.
Thanks for looking!
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| {Japanese for goodbye!} |
All crafty supplies used to make the various signs are available at my website, www.AmyDearie.StampinUp.net.
