Japanese Tea Party Inspiration

Kellie came across the sweetest little "Japanese Tea Party" in Parents Magazine last week. We both instantly fell in love with the idea, especially since Kellie's daughters are part Japanese! We may have to convince sweet Leela to have this theme for her birthday next year! The best part of this party is so much of it is DIY, which you know we love! There is so much you can do with this theme, all of the colors are so beautiful and who doesn't want an excuse to use cherry blossoms!

Perhaps one of the best DIYs of the Japanese tea party theme is this adorable kimono!
All you need is: a twin flat sheet, scissors, pink and brown acrylic paint, wine cork, 1" sponge brush, ribbon
To Make it:
1. Fold sheet in half lengthwise. Measure child from shoulder to toe; cut ends of sheet so it's that length. Trim one side so sheet's twice the width of her shoulders.
2. Lay the folded sheet flat on your work surface, and cut a slit up the center of the top layer to the fold.
3. Apply paint to the cork with the brush and make 5 dots in a flower shape on the bottom edge of the right panel of fabric. Repeat the flowers 20 to 25 times up the fold.
4. Lightly dip the tip of the brush into brown paint and dab in between the flowers to create branches. Let dry.
5. Place sheet over child's shoulders and wrap ribbon around her torso.
Pretty easy!
Even the cherry blossoms can be DIY, if you can not get real ones.
All you need is: tissue paper, scissors, hot-glue gun, branches
Make it:
1. Cut 2" squares of tissue.
2. Stack them and gather in the center
3. Hot-glue to a branch as shown
We love these little Japanese slippers!
All you need is:a sturdy brown grocery or lunch bags, pencil, scissors, sequins, glue, ribbon
Make it:
1. Have the kids trace the soles of their shoes onto the backside of a brown grocery bag and cut out.
2. Cut two 1"x6" strips of paper from the bag, and let kids decorate them with sequins, glue, and ribbon, leaving about 1½" on either end blank.
3. After the glue has dried, glue the blank ends of each strip to the bottom sole of each shoe. Let dry.
You can even wrap the gifts in a piece of fabric using furoshiki, the Japanese art of gift wrap!

We also found this gorgeous, gorgeous Japanese Tea Party on Kara's Party Ideas via Ian Macpherson photography! We are just in love with all of it...again the color palette, the beautiful outdoor setting, those sweet sushi cupcakes and cherry blossom cookies and the little projects the kids did....all just adorable!