I found these oversize stiff thick felt balloon shapes for under $3 each at Walmart, since it's felt I knew it would embroider well... so I grabbed two of them


Then I added "Happy" and "Birthday" to them in a thick oversize font.

I floated them in the the hoop, attached with spray adhesive and watched them pretty closely.

Then for the streamers I used Aleene's Tacky Glue and oversize ric-rac.

Of course since I'm all about the multipurpose. I printed Andrew's name in a similar font on colored paper and then cut it out in a banner shape.

It makes for a great effect.

 
Andrew had a great birthday and loved his new Mario Shirt!