Life is a Journey Farewell Party

Being a military spouse, I am used to living the military life now. This means moving and saying bye to friends every couple of years. Farewell Parties are bittersweet but I do love to throw a good party and show my friends who are moving how much I care. I threw my best friend Molly a We’re So Blue We Miss You Party last year and this year my friend Margo was set to move to Colorado so I decided to throw her a Life is a Journey themed farewell party at a local restaurant in May.

The guest of honor!

I like throwing lunch parties at restaurants because it saves me from having to cook all day and you know I love eating out! Margo chose a local barbecue joint, Bubbaques for her party. We ordered delicious BBQ for lunch and I served Colorado “Rocky Road” cupcakes for dessert. My talented {and oh so crafty} hubby cut out a Louisiana shaped wooden sign for everyone to sign and I put together goodie bags from Seventh Generation and their Healthy Baby promotion. I used different maps of the US to decorate with banners, homemade bookmarks, and vases along with a vintage suitcase to display a gift basket and a Bon Voyage banner.

Check out the pictures below.

I’ve included all the info for ordering or creating all the party decor.

Enjoy~

I just love how this Louisiana sign came out! My husband used an extra piece of plywood and printed a clipart picture of Louisiana on WORD {it ended up being three pieces of paper taped together} and traced it and cut it out with his saw. I had everyone use paint pens to sign it then I added a clear coat before I gave it to Margo as a goodbye gift.

These are also avail to order on Etsy.

I saved myself some time and instead of tracing letters by hand I ordered this printable map banner off Etsy. Find it here: Printable Map Garland

I used a vintage suitcase I found at an antique store and propped it up at the end of the table. I taped a colorful US map 12X12 scrapbook paper sheet on the inside then hung a Bon Voyage banner up {from Target} -a nod to the French heritage in Louisiana.

Inside I displayed my gifts and goodies for everyone to take.

Every party has to have fresh flowers!

I used a US Atlas and cut out maps of Louisiana and Colorado.

I then taped the maps around empty soup cans to make the vases and display jars!

I was so happy with how these bookmarks came out!

I can’t wait to make more as Christmas gifts!

I purchased pink tassels, a stamp, and plain cardboard bookmarks from Hobby Lobby.

I then cut out strips of maps from my US Atlas and taped them to one side of the bookmarks.

Then I stamped the other plain side of the bookmark and laminated them.

The final touch was to punch a hole in the top and tie on the tassel.

Not as many kids showed up as I had planned but

oh well more candy for the adults then!

Goodbye Sucks {but Blow Pops rock}!

I love tying in parties together. Farewell + Healthy Baby = one heck of a lot to celebrate!

I was sent goodie bags filled with samples and coupons from Seventh Generation for their Healthy Baby House Party. I gave these out to everyone who attended. Whether you have children or not Seventh Generation has some great products {I love their dish soap!}.