Then I found an adorable button mold via Bake It Pretty and created these little desserts {$4 to make the candy buttons} {how-to here}

I made candy kabobs for the favors using the buttons and scrap fabric {$4 for the skewers and pretzel bags + candy}

More scrap quilt fabric cut with pinking shears for tabletops {free} and a collection of jars for candlelight {I cleaned out my fridge and got 9 jars – embarrassing! The others were from family that I asked to save their jars, and my sister found some very cool ones at a garage sale for cheap}.

Scrap fabric to decorate $1 large water bottles

Hanging hooks on the railing let the guests’ gifts become part of the decorating {$3 for 9 “S” hooks}.

It was a hit!

Here’s how I made them

1. Grabbed a Sharpe and drew the “Cute as a Button” and the little buttons.

2. Scanned the drawing and finished the invitation in Photoshop, printed and rounded corners

3. Cut scrap fabric using rotary cutter

4. Sewed random buttons on fabric using my sewing machine {if you haven’t done this, you’ll be surprised at how easy it is! I’ll never hand-sew a button again!}

5. Sewed two pieces of fabric together with contrasting thread to make pocket and trimmed edges with pinking shears

She created these invitations for my baby shower, and her attention to detail is inspiring! Thanks Nicki!

The party was this weekend, and we had a fun time. We have a great room at my complex that I rent out often. It’s free to use, and always roomy for plenty of guests.

We did an ice cream parlor theme with a light lunch. My rules for party planning are: borrow when you can, and if you have to buy something, make sure it’s something you can reuse. I don’t like spending money on decorations if they are just going to be tossed, so I try to be extra careful about the things I buy. I’ll either use them as decorations in my home, or know I’ll use them again for parties in the future.

Here’s a super-quick video of the room before the guests arrived:

April’s Shower from Brooke Hall on Vimeo.

And here are the pictures of the details:

{any tips for taking pictures in a yellow room? Change the white balance?}

{you may recognize this ‘tablecloth’ from the panel behind my desk. It was a great start for a color theme and didn’t cost a thing.

I made a couple of signs in illustrator using the same fonts from her invitations. The rice paper lanterns were $1 each at my local party store. I’m thinking about hanging them above the crib, so I know I’ll be using them again.

I made little tags for all the toppings… certainly not necessary, but I wanted to make sure you could tell the difference between the Reeses pieces and the M&Ms. But, they’re cute, easy to make, and add a little personality. My mom had purchased the little card holders for my sister’s wedding, and we’ve used them multiple times since.

The scoops were a splurge at Wal-Mart in their cooking aisle. $3 for three scoops. Spoons would have worked, but I know I’ll be using these again.

I used styrafoam cups from Smart & Final, scrapbook paper and a $1 stamp from Michaels for the ice cream cups. Luckily April and I share the same last initial, so I know I’ll be using the stamp again, too.

Borrowed cake stands and brownie bites were the perfect centerpiece for the two tables. Even the tablecloths were borrowed. You could easily buy flowers or make a centerpiece, but using the food or drinks you’ll be serving makes no extra cost. I made the little ruffles with pink fabric and elastic. I’ll be adding them to a table runner for Valentine’s Day.

Another sign for the gift table, and the white posts were made for my wedding by my sister’s boyfriend seven years ago. My family and friends have reused those beautiful posts a million times over, and they always add so much.

Water bottles with scrapbook paper and strawberry crush for drinks. The straws were $4 at Party City, and they are REUSABLE! Seriously – dishwasher safe. Love this. Paper plates were also from party city, and napkins from Ikea. The metal baskets and little white basket were from my home.

Here’s me and my pregnant friends. Each about a month apart.

The food was enjoyed, and the shower was great. In case you missed the invitations for this little ice cream party, here they are again:

Thank you Jess for the ohbaby shower!

Many of you have left comments that have been encouraging, thoughtful, and outright funny. I have loved every one of them, and am delighted as I get these little gems in my email throughout the day.

Here is what I received at the ohbaby shower:

From Jess, an adorable letterpress print {from See Saw Designs} that matches the nursery perfectly. I love this!

Whitney, maker of all things paper-crafts and colored bakers twine, sent me this note of “practical advice” {it’s perfect!}:

The eloquent and beautiful Julieta sent over this cute note… probably the first time I realized that I’ll be having a BOY! {a real teach-him-how-to-pee-standing-up BOY!} Oh, and if you haven’t read how her blog got its name, read here, and you’ll love her as much as I do!

And Natalie, whose talent never ceases to amaze me, made a print with her advice. And she should know… she has three girls, two of which are TWINS!

Good morning, ohbrooke readers! My name is Jess of MakeunderMyLife, and I’m a blog friend of Brooke. I’m so excited for her and her new baby! Since we live all over the world, coordinating a blogging baby shower in California might be unrealistic (read: impossible). So I had the idea to have a little party for her here on ohbrooke. This way all of us blogging “besties” and readers alike can share in her new adventure.

To participate in Brooke’s baby shower, send your wishes, advice, or tokens of affection for Brooke and her baby. Wishes can take the form of a jpg or comment sent to brooke@ohbrooke.com with the subject title “OhBaby! Shower”. Or, if you’d like to send a snail mail letter or gift, please download and print the address label below and send her your wish (so she doesn’t accidentally peek). Over the next few weeks, Brooke will collect the emails and thoughts that arrive. And on Saturday October 17, she will open all of our wishes at once – and post about them with links to our sites.

Again, congratulations, Brooke! I am excited for you and your husband. And I know your baby is going to have the coolest nursery on the block.

{To download the mailing label, click the thumbnail below and print!}