Like many mothers Noelle found time wherever and whenever she could to plan her daughter's party as well as put her personal touch on it: For my daughter's first birthday i wanted to make as much of it myself as possible. It meant some late nights sewing and cutting, but the end result was just what I imagined!

Her handmade "happy birthday sign" was created with scrap fabric and corrugated cardboard letters. The paper poms poms were another easy way to make an inexpensive decoration. The goodie bags contained a little unfinished wooden birdhouse with some paint and a brush.

We really enjoy using our backyard for parties as much as possible, especially since we have a wood burning pizza oven! It was really fun to be able to make pizza for all of our guests and to let them watch the process, even including Grandpa tossing the dough. Dessert was vanilla and red velvet cupcakes in the most adorable petal cupcake papers. All in all the day was perfect - the DIY decorations and food came out great, and the little birthday girl had a blast!

Thanks Noelle!