Real Party/Fiesta Friday - Vintage ABC Graduation Shoot + Giveaway

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***

Grab a cup of java, this post is full of yummy, and hang in to the end, there's a giveaway!!

Can you believe it's graduation season? Ivona of the fabulous Sugarsticks Parties contacted me a few months ago about working together on creating and styling a new printable set.  My boys' birthdays were already set, but my oldest is graduating from 5th grade (!!!) and I'm having a small graduation party for him and his friends.

We knocked a few ideas around, and decided a vintage look of  old school primers and flashcards was the way to go.  She got right to work and today, I unveil her latest collection...Vintage ABC!

This collection is perfect for Preschool, 5th grade and high school graduation parties. Transform it into college graduation by focusing on one color scheme and changing your menu for a more adult feel. Of course, it works for End Of School and Back To School parties, teacher appreciation, a baby shower for your teacher friend...well, you see where I'm going...

Get the party started right with the invite; a vellum or glassine envelope filled with confetti is a festive touch. Not too much if you are mailing them, those stickly postal workers may charge you more if it's too puffy.

Guests sign in on an autograph sheet that can later be added to a photo or scrapbook album.  They can also write well-wishes and bucket list ideas on these cute '5 Things You Should Do Before 20' cards.

With so many graduation parties to attend, who has time to bake? I wanted to make this styled shoot a showcase to the power of store-bought goodies.  Although for our party next month my fellow hostess is a phenomenal baker and is making some amazing treats, many of us don't have the time or the skill.  Everything on the table came from the store, but that doesn't mean they can't be special!

The grocery aisle is full of amazing treats...I love Trader Joe's because they have so many different types.  A little baker's twine goes a long way! You could do this with wafer sticks, biscotti, milanos, even a stack of cookies that have a hole through them. And speaking of cookies with a hole...

...carry the theme through your drinks.  This collection comes with drink flags, but I've been crushing on this idea for awhile.  I swear, there used to be butter cookies that looked like these, but Murray Sugar-free Shortbread Cookies did the trick.  Can I say that I never get tired of using my milk bottle glasses...

D is for diplomas, courtesy of  Little Debbie Strawberry Shortcake Rolls.  Our school colors are teal and gray so I used teal ribbon here and there, but of course, you can use your own colors.

My first try at wrapping kraft letters in yarn. They were supposed to stand up in my original design, but I tweaked a few things, hence the one unfinished bottom...yikes! Can I tell you, everyone makes wrapping letters look easy, but that applies to continuous ones like o's and 1's.  These were a hot pain in my ass, pardon my French.  I guess I picked the worse letter and number.

C is for cupcakes...an easy way to jazz them up, whether homemade or store bought,  is with candy mortarboard toppers.  I followed Bakerella's tutorial but used Ghirardelli squares instead, they work just as well and can be found everywhere.

T is for thank you...don't leave your favors out of the action. I found this totally amazing 3D graduation mold from my local cake decorating store store, but you can find it here on Amazon. Yes, it's all candy! Yes, it is three pieces you assemble together. Yes, you need to get one. I love using acetate boxes, they make everything look so much cooler!

Another great thank-you idea, pass out copies of your grad's favorite book with a cute bookplate added.

I hope you like her latest collection; to celebrate, Ivona is offering one of my readers the chance to win the Vintage ABC collection or ANY other theme of your choosing from her shop. (The Fancy Camping one is my favorite!) She'll do all the work for you, because it will come as a Big Party In A Box,  everything will be personalized; large bunting/banner, mini bunting, cupcake toppers, favor tags, folded labels,  paper straws with flags, flat favor bags, 2'' circle stickers, and party hats.

I know, right? Plus, I'm adding in a $25 Amazon.com gift card so you can get your hands on the mortarboard candy mold (if they ever get it back in stock), paper lanterns, or anything else you need for your party.  This giveaway is worth $108!!

Enter below on Rafflecopter! Make sure and read the fine details...
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Photography and styling - yours truly
Printables  - Sugarsticks Parties
Kraft letters, mini wooden easels - Joann's
Dunkers, shortbread alphabet cookies, macarons - Trader Joe's
alphabet paper lining the trays and cake stands - Michael's
4" clear acetate box - Garnish