Can you believe that 4th of July is already coming up this weekend?!

If you’re on the lookout for some creative ideas for an Independence Day party – or for a nautically themed summer bash – check out this fun Crab Shack Birthday Party by Kim of TomKat Studio!

Festive party details included a life preserver “welcome sign”, a fabulous red, white & blue dessert buffet accented with Kim’s signature party printables and “crawling” with adorable fondant crabs, chocolate-covered Oreos, beach balls, and more…

Read on for LOTS more pics and all the festive details, as told by Kim.

“I recently styled my son’s Crab Shack Party to celebrate his 5th birthday! The inspiration came from a Pottery Barn Kids crab towel that he received as a gift a couple of years ago.

I loved the red, white & blue color scheme and it was so easy to find great things since his birthday falls between Memorial Day and 4th of July. The talented Vicki of Vicki Lynn Photography captured all of the details of the party!

I started by designing the little crab illustration and invitation:

Tommy wore an adorable custom crab shirt from Smitten & Company.

Since I designed a fabulous dessert table for Kate’s recent Fairy Garden party, it was only fair to design one for Tommy! I planned a full spread of yummy treats and paper goods for the party. As always, I was inspired by the queen of dessert tables – Amy Atlas!

Whenever I start brainstorming a party, I go on a hunt around my house (and my mom’s) to find anything that could work for decorating. The red metal “T” and navy backdrop (which is actually a new duvet cover) are from Tommy’s bedroom!

I ordered the sweetest little fondant crabs from Decadent Delights for my cupcakes:

The night before the party, while my mom and I were baking, we decided that Tommy needed his own little cake. We used two large ramekins to get the right size and shape for the cake I was envisioning. The little crabs, cherry sours, and cake topper I whipped up made it cute!

I enlisted the help of Kim at Sweeties for the fabulous chocolate covered oreos and oreo pops. She also sent the amazing white chocolate letters, spelling out TOMMY and they worked perfectly under the cake stand!

I asked Allyson of Girly Gatherings to make custom printed cookies using my party circle designs:

My mom & I made our first attempt at Bakerella’s cake pops and cake balls… after a little practice, they turned out fabulous! (The sprinkles are really forgiving for hiding imperfections!)

Melissa from Decadent Delights also made the crab shaped cookies, which I used on the table as well as in cello bags tied with a tag for party favors.

I made a welcome sign using a life preserver mirror from my mom’s house:

The beach hut sign has been hanging around in my garage for awhile, and always comes out for the surf/beach/pool parties!

I enlisted the help of family and friends to bring some of the food, including my favorite layered salad, queso, tortellini salad and fruit pizza. We also served hamburgers and hot dogs, strawberries & cream, and lots of yummy treats!

Nautical details were placed throughout the house. My mom and I decorated a room in her house for the kids in a nautical theme, so I grabbed the white boxes, sailboat frames, life preserver & lighthouse to use for decorating.

I continued the red, white & blue theme outside:

Lots of fun was had by all, with swimming, water balloon fights, delicious food & desserts!”

*****

P.S. Want to recreate this look? You can purchase all of the 4th of July Party printables at Kim’s Etsy shop!