You took a thousand photos of your baby's first year; why not use them? Andrea did as well as many homemade touches. She shares: I spent many hours scouring all my favorite online sites for inspiration for Amelia's first birthday. I knew I wanted it to be girly, fun, and unique without having a specific theme.

I wanted her party to have a "homemade backyard barbecue/picnic" feel. The fabric I used to create the pennant flags became my inspiration. I am a scrapbook paper junkie so of course I had to tie in lots of paper decorations. I made fun pinwheels to use to line the driveway and as centerpieces and a circle garland to hang along the block wall.

I baked my very first two layer cake to display a handmade cake topper. One of my favorite decorations was the door and window that I adorned with photos of all of "Amelia's Firsts". I used vintage sheets in a variety of patterns as tablecloths and also as "picnic blankets" on the grass. The kids had a blast playing in the pool of balls, making bookmarks and photo frames, and blowing giant bubbles. It was a wonderful way to celebrate Amelia's first year!

Thanks Andrea! Readers visit Andrea on her new blog, Paper & Bobbins.

(Images: Andrea S.)