My daughter Ally decided she’d like to have a kitten themed party to celebrate her 8th birthday. Honestly, I wasn’t a huge fan of her idea. I rattled off at least ten other themes, but since it was her birthday, we went with kittens.
Not really knowing where to start, I searched eBay for a little inspiration. I found an adorable scrap of vintage kitten fabric, and some old kitten art. I added them to my cart (gotta love Buy it Now) and showed Ally. She loved it. We had a start. She asked if we could have turquoise (her new favorite color) and pink for her colors. Done. I picked up some inexpensive frames at Michaels and spray painted them pink, turquoise, and red, to frame the kitten art. I also may have sacrificed (aka spray painted) a few of my vintage cake plates to coordinate the dessert table.
Our farm has a cool detached garage with the most amazing loft above. I knew when we bought the 1937 property, the old loft would be put to good use. It was the perfect place to host her kitten party. Unfortunately that meant hauling most of my party furniture and props out, but it was worth it. With just bare barn wood walls and floor, it was a blank canvas, and in my opinion, the best place to start. I strung globe lights and fabric buntings across the entire ceiling. I made more yarn balls than I’d ever seen in my life and tucked them into every nook and cranny of the loft. I found a couple inexpensive rugs online and rolled them out across the wood floor. They weren’t a perfect match, but they warmed up the room and pulled the space together.
For the dessert table, I hung my re-vamped kitten art on a backdrop made of barn wood. Color coordinated cake plates held yarn ball cake pops, kitty shaped sugar cookies, mini pies, colorful cakes, and personalized sugar cookies that matched Ally’s invitation. I scored a vintage porcelain kitten on etsy.com that ironically was dated JANUARY, and made a perfect cake topper. The party was shaping up to be a pretty cute theme.
The morning of the party arrived and I could literally see my breath while setting out the desserts. I panicked. We couldn’t have guests over to freeze. My husband called every store he could think of to find a commercial space heater but of course everyone was sold out. So, what does he come home with? A gigantic propane heater that had flames coming out. Seriously. For a children’s party. And he placed it dead center in the middle of the loft. I bit my tongue and thanked him for finding me heat, and said a quick prayer that no one’s coat would catch on fire.
Ally was thrilled to invite her little friends from school over. The girls giggled as they decorated kitty cat sugar cookies, played with kittens, and crafted super kitty capes from Kiwi Crate. My friend Joanne from OH GOODIE DESIGNS made the most adorable personalized party hats, horns, and kitty confetti for the girls. And Jesus heard my prayer because no one caught on fire.
Photos by Molly Vaden Photography
Mason jar drinking glasses w/lids, fairy lights in mason jars by Lights for All Occasions
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This is the cutest kitty party I have ever seen! I wish I could re-create it for my daughter- she is kitty-crazy and would love every little bit of the party! I just love it all, and the vintage kitten cookies are my favorite! And, I love the topper that you found- how perfect! Adorable in every way~
This is gorgeous – amazing as always. What a lucky girl to have such a talented mom, stylist and baker. I will have to show my kitty loving daughter this – she’ll melt at the cuteness!
You know I have decorated for 50 some yrs. and had an antique cottage business for 20 yrs. and I have never seen such beautiful ideas and decorating. Jenny you truly have something special. Good job girlfriend.
Just darling Jenny. I think if we were there we might have come home with all those kittens!! Gorgeous as always sweet lady!
JUST beautiful! I love all the vintage touches.
I am so inspired by your beautiful parties! You are an amazing talent. Your cookies and cakes are truly wonderful. Thank you for all of the inspiration. XO
Love this party, SO cute! Great job!