PRETTIE...BALLOONS 101

Round balloons come in a range of sizes 16, 17, 24, 30 and 36" in diameter and are the simplest of design statements (and my absolute favorite!)

When planning to use Balloons at your event...

• Will you be using the balloons Indoors and/or Outdoors or both?
• Latex or Milar or both?
• Are you considering a monochromatic or festive color scheme? How will the balloons tie in with your other design elements - party theme?
• Consider the number and age group of your guests as well as the amount of parental supervision you will have available.
• Are you going to fill your balloons yourself onsite? Will you rent or buy Helium?
• Pick up Helium filled balloons on the day of the party not the day or evening before.
• Consider the size of your car when ordering the number of balloons or will you need to arrange delivery?
• Call ahead to order or to deliver pre-purchased balloons - be clear on pick up time so you are not waiting around to watch balloons being filled or that they were filled too early and your balloons are starting to lose their float!

Amy Atlas

Some Balloon decor ideas

• Tie 3 - 5 balloons in a bouquet at staggered lengths to highlight your party location
• Tie colourful ribbons to the end of your balloons and let float to the ceiling
• Weigh down individual or balloon bouquets with a soda can or canned food item (place inside a glass vase and fill around and to the top with co-ordinating party supplies confetti, candy, nuts, paper shred)
• Use individual balloons as table number markers - thread punched number tag through long ribbons (make sure balloons are not placed too low & obstruct dinner conversation!)
• Group 3 - 5 balloons spaced evenly apart and at equal heights as a table centerpiece or as a backdrop on a gift table and/or dessert buffet
• Us as Photographic props individually or in a bouquet.
• Tie together a large group of 9 - 13 in single or multicolors bouquet and give as a gift!

Things that you need to consider when using balloons Outside as design elements....

• Latex balloons will biodegrade with sun, wind and heat and less likely to display well for longer than 4-6 hours
• Fill balloons with helium that is approx. the same temperature as where they are being displayed
• High temperatures will cause helium to be released faster - reducing float time (adding Hi-Float to your balloons makes it harder for the Helium to escape)
• Extreme heat will most likely cause balloon popping
• Extreme cold will cause shrinking
• Larger balloons have longer float time
• Balloons dont last outdoors overnite because of dew and temperature changes
• Use lots of white balloons outside as they fade less
• Darker balloons will absorb heat up and pop faster than lighter colored balloons (accent with darker colors to incorporate your event's theme)
• Consider overinflating your balloons (with air first if you are filling with Helium so as not to waste the Helium) a little and releasing the air till balloon is underinflated so that the latex will have room to expand a little when absorbing heat (can also be done a few days before your event!

** Please contact me if you are interested in purchasing any of the above round balloons in 17" size in any combination of colors in multiples of 3/6/9 or 12 or even larger quantities **

PRETTIE...BUNTING

I love garlands - they conjure up wonderful feelings of celebration and occasion! This gorgeous and nostalgic cake bunting by Dawn of Kiki La Ru is so simplistic - yet it makes even the most basic of cakes a bold and beautiful centerpiece. Her choices of color combinations and fabric design are enough inspiration to create all your other event decor around them! I am really looking forward to seeing what she will have available soon for the upcoming holiday "season"..

PRETTIE...SUPPLIES

Nutcups are the perfect party accessory! The come in a variety of sizes, shapes and forms and have a multitude of uses! Use them as placecard or napkin holders on your tabletop, fill them with ice-cream, candies or dipping sauces, use them as baking cups or to hold party favors. You can always personalize and decorate them to match your occasion and theme too!

White Vintage Nut Baskets from Wee Treasures Blue Polka Dot Nut Cups from Hey Yo Yo, Plastic Nut Baskets from SimplyChictiques and Pink Pastel Paper Nut cups from Carmelos. Do you have any other great ideas?

This sweet spring nut cup basket is from The Adventures of Blue Girl who also has a great tutorial to go along with it!

PRETTIE...PACKAGING

I am always on the lookout for and inspired by nostalgic packaging - kraft supplies and design sources are always on my to find list as well. The Packagery is a truly lovely store filled with simplistic elements that will make your packaging and paper projects stand out! I just like to look at the Cherry Manilla gift kit that I purchased and already assembled and have sitting out on my workstation!

These are a few of my other favorites that you can find in her store. The pink heart envelope seal stickers are definitely one of my next purchases!

PRETTIE.. BALLOONS

vintage balloons
I love balloons particularly latex balloons - they are timeless, simplistic, pretty, bold and inexpensive. The shades available and color combinations are endless... They are instant mood elevators and have multiple uses as design elements in all manner of events/celebrations as well as fashion and interior design styling. They are great for use in craft projects and for just everyday too!

PRETTIE VINTAGE ..PACKAGING

Summer is definately in full swing - our schedules sometimes seem hectic but there is still plenty of time for laziness and a little organization on my part. I recently scooped up an intact collection of Ruffles and Bows Birthday Cards - I raided my stash of kraft gift bags, tissue paper, my Hug Snug Binding and put these together for two girlfriends whose birthdays are coming up very soon. Giftwrap showcases the gift being given but I like original packaging and/or design to show a little more thoughtfullness and care...I love that these bags are one of a kind, simplistic and very prettie! The super fine vintage shred you can find here

Please feel free to download the images below and use for your own prettie packaging! What are some prettie packaging ideas that you have?!?

PRETTIE...INSPIRED #1

I absolutely love to create unique pretty things and to celebrate important events, milestones, holidays and seasonal changes. The most fun for me is incorporating both of these loves in the planning and presentation of all celebration and/or design elements, decor and packaging. All of which is usually motivated by my addiction to the simplistic vintage style and nostalgia of the 1940's - 1960's! I am diving into blogging with the primary goal of sharing and hopefully not re-hashing information as well as learning new skills from the rest of the blogging world who share the same interests..

I put together this board for my own inspiration several months ago after drooling over some really lovely Inspiration Boards by The Birthday Girl and Style Me Pretty when I was feeling a little overwhelmed with being the only female in an all male household during the final days of winter during the Football playoffs. I thought pretty - pastel - pink - parties - packaging. One thing has lead to another and PrettieParties is the result!

I will do my best to provide the links to the above images - Peony Centerpieces from Frolic, Glitter Crown Holly Abstom, Cupcake Wrappers are from The Cupcake Wrapper Co. The Gift box by A Field Journal. Other images were obtained from links posted by The Hostess by the Mostess, Martha Stewart and Country Living Magazine