I promise! Just because I said that I want to start planning a family next year does not mean that every post on decor8 is going to turn ga-ga-goo-goo on you! But I can’t resist sharing these photos from a baby shower that Kathleen Kennelly Ullman from Twig & Thistle recently planned for her sister Allison because it’s just too cute. I especially love how the nesting dolls were customized to look like the family — the daddy nesting doll with the beard had me cracking up the moment I saw it!

Some design details that Kathleen has shared on her blog for you to walk away with…

1. She bought nesting dolls in the raw for $10 from Amazon and hand painted them to resemble her sister, husband and baby boy on the way and used them as a cake topper. 2. Each seat at the table had a crossword puzzle based on Allison and Ryan and words related to pregnancy and parenthood. The game helped guests to mingle and have fun. 3. To add a bit of whimsy to the table she found retro gray and white striped straws for the glassware. 4. For favors, she made fabric envelopes inspired by ones that Rebecca Thuss made shown here. Inside she put shortbread cookies and sealed them with a diaper pin. 5. She letterpressed the lovely invites herself!

Isn’t this the most adorable, yet simple, shower idea? I love it. Less is more!

(images: kathleen kennelly ullman)

25 Responses to “Nesting Dolls Baby Shower”

1 Lisa Gouget-Wigman commented:
June 8th, 2010 at 10:40 am

What a beautiful baby shower!! Love the tranquil color scheme and th classy look everything has, not the typical baby shower stuff!!! Gorgeous!!
2 lizzie commented:
June 8th, 2010 at 11:17 am

CUTE shower! Love the nesting dolls theme!
3 Becca commented:
June 8th, 2010 at 11:22 am

I would love to be half as creatively talented as Kathleen – and like I needed any encouragement with my broodiness? Thanks for sharing this.

How does one commission a letterpress, just out of interest?
Becca´s last blog ..Etsy Gorgeousness 14 May
4 Robyn commented:
June 8th, 2010 at 11:36 am

I Love the letterpress invitation! Baby showers aren’t such a big thing in the Uk, but they are starting to happen which is nice!
5 Christine commented:
June 8th, 2010 at 11:45 am

WOW, definitely one of the cutest shower’s I’ve ever seen. I LOVE the nesting doll idea.

And don’t worry, everyone needs a little ‘gaga-googoo’ in their life – especially when it’s this beautiful!!
: ) Christine
Christine´s last blog ..My favourite love… happy anniversary.
6 Bicocacolors commented:
June 8th, 2010 at 11:47 am

it’s just too cute!!!
Bicocacolors´s last blog ..retratos
7 kerri commented:
June 8th, 2010 at 12:40 pm

love the fabric envelopes- gosh, that seems like a lot of work. what a great party favor! :)
8 crafty fanny commented:
June 8th, 2010 at 12:51 pm

Everything about that shower is so sweet and perfect! I bet everyone enjoyed it so so much!
crafty fanny´s last blog ..bring Petunia home!
9 kay commented:
June 8th, 2010 at 1:50 pm

so many wonderful ideas! keeping this filed for the next time i have to host a baby shower.
kay´s last blog ..Curtain Issue Solved?
10 Erin commented:
June 8th, 2010 at 2:15 pm

I love this. I have recently developed a bit of a thing for nesting dolls! I just had a baby shower myself 2 weeks ago, but it was not a beautiful as this. I envy people who plan parties like this for their loved ones, or maybe I envy the loved ones for having parties like this planned for them!
11 the fabled needle (jen) commented:
June 8th, 2010 at 3:32 pm

i really love the colors and simplicity of it all.
the fabled needle (jen)´s last blog ..Where the Cardinals Sleep
12 Purple Area commented:
June 8th, 2010 at 3:55 pm

So cute and adoring!!
13 Alison May commented:
June 8th, 2010 at 4:00 pm

Oh how I wish baby showers were more common here in England- they offer such lovely opportunites for the quirkiest, prettiest, most joyful of decoration don’t they?
Alison May´s last blog ..Trash It or Treasure It!
14 hyzen commented:
June 8th, 2010 at 4:28 pm

Oh, love! What a perfectly pleasant scene, with such nice personal touches.
15 sideoats + scribbles (Lisa) commented:
June 8th, 2010 at 5:12 pm

Ha ha ha, that beard totally cracks me!!! What a great idea!

You just made my whole afternoon. :)
sideoats + scribbles (Lisa)´s last blog ..washi tape discovery!
16 Sally Traidman commented:
June 8th, 2010 at 5:19 pm

Stunning! A work of art!
17 Terri commented:
June 8th, 2010 at 5:40 pm

Wow… what a wonderful baby shower! It’s simple, classy and fabulous.
Terri´s last blog ..Abandoned Tea Party…
18 Penny Patten commented:
June 8th, 2010 at 7:29 pm

Love the banners, and the nesting dolls are so sweet on top of the cake. What a great idea.
Penny Patten´s last blog ..Lou Lou The Guitar Playing Scare Crow
19 Dan Shand commented:
June 8th, 2010 at 9:53 pm

What a great idea!
20 Erika commented:
June 8th, 2010 at 10:52 pm

Oh I LOVE this! You could just add more baby nesting dolls as the family grows. So sweet.
Erika´s last blog ..Mad for this Hatter’s Party
21 Vicky commented:
June 9th, 2010 at 1:21 am

I love showers, and this one is gorgeous! Thanks for sharing the lovely blue inspiration.
Vicky´s last blog ..Inspired weekend- picnic on the beach
22 debra commented:
June 9th, 2010 at 2:14 am

amazing! so much that went into it! wow!
23 Ann commented:
June 9th, 2010 at 7:38 am

Very cute! The nesting dolls idea is really very original!
24 maria binasco commented:
June 13th, 2010 at 8:38 am

This is really a great original idea! Awesome photos and attention to detail too.
25 mrs shortcake commented:
June 15th, 2010 at 12:08 pm

Wow! Such a beautiful shower! I really like the cool, peaceful blue tones she used!
mrs shortcake´s last blog ..a shower for Baby Shortcake

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