Move Over Martha Stewart

My sister Wendy's artistic friends, Charlotte and Erin, along with my ever-so-creative mother, planned a shower worthy of a spread in Martha Stewart Magazine for her.  The theme, "Feathering the Nest," and colors, pink and green, were selected based on her nursery.  From the invitations and decorations to the food and game, everything was perfect.  Charlotte had saved baby food jars for several weeks to use as place card holders.  She and Erin painted the inside of the jars pink and green, filled them with flowers, and attached name tags to them.

Centerpieces featured painted applesauce jars that were filled with tree branches and brightly-colored birds.

My mother made her own version of a diaper cake that was topped with a stuffed animal.

As guests arrived they were served a glass of pink lemonade and asked to write a new mom tip for Wendy.  (My sister Meri, who is not a mom yet, quickly stepped into my dad's office to Google new mom tips.  Hers was the only one that quoted a study.)

The lunch menu was fitting for a hot July day.  It included chilled strawberry soup, chicken pasta salad, and sweet rolls from Taylor's Bakery.

For dessert, Charlotte and Erin had decorated cupcakes to look like bird's nests.  They took vanilla cupcakes, piped on brown icing, sprinkled on some coconut, and topped them with pink candy-coated almonds.  They were almost too pretty to eat.  When I was young, I used to wonder why my mom's Christmas list always included serving dishes.  How many of these dishes could one person possibly need?  Five sizes of salad bowls, eight sets of salad servers, six sets of china.  Now I know why - so she can host a shower for 30 people.

After lunch, a memory game was played with a tray full of baby items and prizes were awarded.

Then, the new mom tips were read and gifts were opened.  Though the fashionable baby clothes and tiny shoes received plenty of "oohs and aahs" from the crowd, it was the homemade gifts and baby products that make life easier that interested me.  Here's a list of the gifts that intrigued me the most.

1) A homemade quilt in the nursery colors from the hostess with the mostest - Erin
2) A homemade alphabet and number book by my daughter

3)  Crafty Mama: Makes 49 Fast, Fabulous, Foolproof (Baby & Toddler) Projects
4) Beaded flower drawer knobs from Pottery Barn

5) Swaddle Plus instant swaddlers (much easier than using a receiving blanket)

6) Safety 1st 4 Piece Oral Care Set - this kit grows with the baby from infant to toddler years
7) Munchkin A&H Disposable Changing Pad - 10 Pack



8) Sloganed onesies from Urban Smalls

9) Simple Wishes Hands-Free Breastpump Bra, Pink, XS/S/M *This nursing bra was highly recommended by a guest who had used it to pump, hands-free, while commuting to and from work

10) In My Flower - an adorable interactive baby book

My daughters enjoyed helping out at the shower and can't wait to make their own painted jar decorations, like the ones used in the centerpieces.