BIG NEWS! I’m going to be an Aunt again! My sister is expecting her second child next month, a boy this time, so of course another baby shower was in order…a SURPRISE baby shower that is. My sister is the QUEEN of party planning so we had to make sure this surprise baby shower was one to remember. My friend Yung and I were enjoying tea at Reynolds Tavern, located in historic downtown Annapolis, earlier this year when we spotted a private party- a baby shower to be exact- going on in the next room. “Oooo”, Yung said. “Why not throw a Tea Party for Phuong’s baby shower?” “I’m in!” I responded. And that was the start of our party planning. We wanted to build on the tea party theme so what was more fitting than an Alice in Wonderland Tea Party Baby Shower?! We decided on blue and white for the party colors. It was the perfect color combo since 1.) My sister was having a boy 2.) Alice wore blue and white in the classic novel and 3.) my kitchen colors are blue and white! (which made decorating much easier). Over the next few months we would start planning and go shopping for decorations to create our own little Wonderland.
As some of you might know, I have a background in graphic design and I absolutely love designing for print. Earlier this year, I got my hands on an old but still working 10×15 Chandler & Price letterpress. After a couple months of cleaning, restoring, and purchasing press parts, I was itching to start printing. The surprise baby shower was a great excuse to literally get my hands dirty with my new 1500lb toy. I’ve still got a lot to learn in the letterpress trade but here are a few shots of the invitations. Thank-you Yung for helping me with printing and cutting!
The invitation was designed to look like a playing card. Since playing cards are double-sided, I decided to go with 220lb Crane Lettra paper in order to get a good imprint on both sides.
Close-up of the back of the card.
Smaller playing cards designed for the center pieces. I found some great images from the original Alice in Wonderland book to act as artwork for the cards.
I found these wonderful tea cup shaped pots at Michaels Arts & Crafts store! The white flowers were purchased from AC Moore and the blue hydrangeas came straight from my garden.
It was a ladies only tea party (with the exception of my husband who was our official treats taste tester). Here’s a photo of the guests as they anxiously awaited Phuong’s arrival.
SURPRISE! Thank-you Tina for your help getting Phuong over to my house!
I purchased three different “Alice” themed outfits for my sister to change into when she arrived. She decided to go with the cute blue dress pictured below. 
What’s Wonderland without a long tea table and mother nature inspired pieces? We wanted to bring the outdoors indoors so I borrowed a little something from work… YES- that is ASTRO-TURF under the table!
My Aunt Mai made these delicious carrot cake cupcakes! Aunt Lan and Aunt Lisa also made some yummy desserts but I was too busy eating them to photograph them!
The treat table! Our friend Yung has a sweet tooth! I swear the girl has stashes of candy hidden everywhere- in her purse, in the glove box of her car, and even in her coat pockets! It was only fitting to put her in charge of the blue & white candy shopping.
We stayed up until 1AM making chocolate covered pretzels (sticks and traditional mini pretzels) and cake pops (inspired by Bakerella).
Each guest received a stack of specially wrapped Wonderland Tea to take home with them.
Yung found these cute bug inspired headbands at Target during Eastertime. They worked perfectly with our theme!
Bettercreme cake from Giant 
A HUGE thank-you to all our friends and family who attended the party and helped make it a success! Now to get some sleep! Have to rest up in preparation for Baby Nephew!
