It feels like only a few months since I was announcing her arrival but here we are 365 days later (nearly, technically it is only 362 days #fifolife) celebrating Leni’s first birthday.
The theme was ice cream, without a reason why and I had so much fun putting our little backyard shin-dig together.
Thank goodness for Pinterest, where all my ideas are born.
The Decorations
It was so easy finding ice cream “stuff” to decorate with.
The tassel garlands I made myself which I pinned the instructions to my Ice Cream Party board on Pinterest. I made 4 in total and had them on the gates and doorway into the party as well as over the table.
The We heart Ice Cream garland was from Lark. It came in a pack with the honeycomb ice creams you can see.
I found the novelty ice cream and the ice cream parlour wall hanging at the Reject Shop, thank you very much! The heart and letter ‘L’ are from Typo.
Gloomy skies were thanks to Mother Nature but thankfully we didn’t get rained on.
The Ice Cream Sundae Station
I didn’t even have to make my own signs at this party! I used these free printables from the Hostess With The Mostess. Winning! Plus I got to use my new Epson EcoTank printer, more on that later.
The Ice Cream spoons are from Lark too. Not sponsored at all they just have a lot of cool stuff that I give them all my money for.
The Cakes
The pièce de résistance of the day was the cake. This was something I was not able to tackle on my own and lucky for me, I have a friend who knows how to bring out the big guns for backyard parties (so good she has started her own business, Mum Did It Parties #shamelessplug). We spent the day putting these babies together.
What you see here is all butter cake (5 layers in the main and 2 layers for the mini). Butter icing in between. Royal icing on the outside so it sets nicely for the chocolate ganache top. The Ice Cream is chocolate muffin covered in chocolate ganache.
Hot tip: don’t leave the cake lower enough for little fingers to touch it. The big cake was fondled before making it outside for a round of “Happy Birthday” but who could blame the little chickens for wanting to touch it!
Leni’s highchair garland was made from another free printable you can find on my Pinterest board that I just glued the ONE letters onto.
I get my craft on only a couple of times a year otherwise I burn out on craft patience and ability.
Happy Birthday my darling LenLen. Our days are so beautiful and bright with you in them. Now I am off to eat some of your leftover cake!
You can find all the ideas that I was “inspired by” on my Ice Cream Party Pinterest board.
Do you love Pinterest? Have you had any Pinterest wins? Fails?
Wow amazing job! Love the ice cream theme – can’t believe she’s 1!!!! xx
Neither can I! xx
The cake game is strong here! Looks amazing, what a sweet theme! Hope miss Leni enjoyed it 🙂
I have started something in my brain. I have mixing up a Greens packet mix for the weekend and already I am wondering how I can change things up with it. I’m sure this motivation for cake making won’t last long. 😉
Pinterest is the absolute best for party inspiration! Your cake looks amazing! Lucky Leni to have such a clever and creative mum!
Thanks Ingrid. My crafty side doesn’t show its head very often.
Oh it all looks so gorgeous – if this party is anything to go by, one is going to be fun!
It was fun to put together. x
Wow looks amazing!! I love ice cream I would throw myself an ice cream themed party. Happy birthday Leni!!
Ha! Why not? You are never too old for an ice cream party!
Wonderful photos and what a great idea. You should throw kid’s parties professionally. She is way too adorable! I bet she had a great time too. She has eyes like a doll 🙂
She is my baby doll. I did maybe trim her hair myself this morning so now very much like a doll that a small child as got to with the scissors. Eeek!
Can you cater for MY next birthday party? Please please please? This looks amazing! #TeamIBOT
Hahaha! Sure! That’s what my friend got all the time so now she puts together backyard parties. How fun would that be!
What a fab idea for a theme… who doesn’t love ice cream?! Adore that pic of Leni hoeing into her cake, what a cutie!
I took so many photos of her getting into that cake smash.
I can’t believe gorgeous little Leni is one already!! You nailed the party Karin – it looks adorable. I was hoping to make James an icecream cake for his birthday yesterday but it’s soooo freaking hot in WA right now (only the longest heatwave in 80 years the news just said) #attractive Haha! I bet the cake tastes as good as it looks xx
Yeah, it sounds like an ice cream cake would survive 2 minutes over there at the moment! x
Looks delicious and fun!!
Twas both.
OMG I love that cake. I love the ice ream station idea. I would be ALL OVER that party. Happy birthday little one!
You should convert it all to meat!
Whoa! The cakes look AMAZING!! Wow. Really great. I bet they tasted good too. I love this ice cream theme and looks like your little darling did too 🙂
I got to the end of the cake last night and to be honest, I am a little sad about it.
Happy Birthday!
I love this party! Can I have an icecream party for my birthday?
For sure!
That cake is awesome, yay for talented friends! Looks like a lovely day was had & such a sweet simple idea, might steal it for a future party or just an excuse to get some friends together.., ice cream bar- yes please 🙂 happy 1st birthday to your little princess hope she had a great day
If I can make it, anyone can!
All kinds of awesome and a wonderful theme. One I’d not seen before. Congratulations on getting through the first year and happy birthday to your darling. xx
Thanks Nic x
This is so adorable! I love the idea of an ice cream theme and the making station. Wish I had an invite 😛 Yum!! Enjoy that cake xx
Ha! Next time x
I scream, you scream indeed! That cake is just something else. Happy birthday, little Leni. What a sweet day xx
Thanks Shannon x
Happy birthday Leni! What an adorable party, good job Mum!
Thanks! Now I am planing Ari’s 4th. 😀 I kinda love it.
These look amazing – I remember well the effort I made for my boys 1st Birthday’s – now they are 12 & 13 years things have gone downhill – I make them plan their own. LOL. Enjoy this precious time. xx
I did more crafty things for my son’s first birthday. This one was all about the cake. I do love party planning though. x