create an art gallery

As I mentioned in my last post, our newest collection is an art birthday party. This collection was so fun to create. And when we thought about activities for the kids there were so many great ideas, but my favorite was sharing their art in a gallery.

A little side note, before I became a mom I used to think “I’ll never cover my fridge with my kid’s pictures!” Well, okay, I still don’t, but that’s only because I gave them both their own 36×52″ framed cork-board in their playroom (which happens to be on the main floor just off of the kitchen)! Long story short, they love showing it off and I truly love seeing it.

Included in the printables for this collection we designed four whimsy frames for the kids to create on: red/blue, orange/yellow, purple/chartreuse and black/white. We also created ”award badges” that you can give to each guest. They say things like most creative, best in show, most artistic, best design, most colorful and best color palette. A great way for every child to feel special. The printable is the rectangle tag in the center and then we created the crepe ribbon backer. (You can see how to create a similar idea with our graduation collection.) 

For the art project, we created 3-D cupcake art. We didn’t buy a thing, we just gathered odds and ends from around my craft room like tissue paper (cut into squares), pom poms, ribbon, crepe paper, felt and cupcake wrappers, just to name a few. I loved how they all turned out!

And last but not least, here’s a look at the Art Gallery entry sign that is also part of the printable collection. We printed it at Costco for $5.99 and embellished it with yellow crepe paper. Can you tell I’m loving crepe paper lately?! It’s inexpensive, comes in a variety of colors and so simple to manipulate. LOVE. By the way, Happy Belated Birthday to little Emma, my assistant’s daughter, and the muse for many of these ideas.

You can see more details from our new Art birthday party collection in the shoppe now, AND stop back in for more details including the dessert table. And as always, I hope you’re inspired!

Photography by the fabulous Angie Arthur Photography!

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rock on! photo op

These pics of my youngest were completely by accident. He was just being himself in our living room. But after I looked over the pictures I thought what a fun photo op idea for our rock star birthday party collection (custom invitations, thank yous, printables and table decor).

We had the plastic guitar he’s holding, but I found inflatable ones for $2.99 at orientaltrading.com. At that price they are the perfect favor, along with the tatoos and microphones, to send the kiddos home with too. And what about those studded bracelets?! I laughed out loud when I saw those; just too fun.

As always, I hope you’re inspired!

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make it a game night

We’ve had “movie night” in our home now for over a year and it’s a huge hit. The boys get so excited and really look forward to it each week planning snacks and selecting just the right film (usually from the library during our weekly visit). Well starting this year we’re now also having “game night.” We kicked it off last night with a game of Jr. Monopoly. The boys always want to play our “big boy” games and then get frustrated because they just aren’t suited for their age. Well I’m here to tell you that Jr. Monopoly is just perfect for their age group (six and four). The rules and the game time are both much shorter, plus they get to practice basic counting and math skills all while giggling like crazy. And not that I’m against the occasional game of Wii, I mean it is fun, but an old fashioned board game gets your family engaging one another face to face. We had a blast! 

That is my youngest on the left just after he had to pay his dad $4 for landing on his carnival ticket booth. Despite his face, which looks like mine sometimes after being in the office all day, he had a wonderful time! I just hope he still speaks to me in his teen years for publishing it. {wink} 

And what is a family game night without some oh so yummy snacks. First of all, these are not my snacks from last night, but they’re going to be next week! For the friend chicken biscuit sandwiches I’ll likely bake the biscuits from a can… or maybe I’ll just go to KFC for the whole thing! At any rate don’t they look so yummy! I found them on Mango & Tomato (image via  GastronomyBlog) in a post where she got to bounce around DC for a staycation enjoying so much yummy food!

Then there is the DIY microwave popcorn from Maize in Montana (found via Dollar Store Crafts). How super smart is this AND you can involve the kiddos. Just a bag of popcorn kernels and brown paper bags. Get the details from Maize and pop a few this weekend!

As always, I hope you’re inspired!

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customer: moo, Layla’s 2!

I went to my facebook page yesterday to find a lovely comment from a very talented mom and customer, Shanna Kreza of Shanna Kreza photography. She recently hosted a barnyard bash for her beautiful little girl using some of our On the Farm collection printables (beverage wrappers, tags and napkin rings).

Here are a few shots of the beautiful birthday girl!

And what a lovely barnyard spread. Those cupcake toppers from Cupcakesion are just too cute!

Last but never least, are the activities. Layla’s little guests enjoyed face painting and cookie decorating (one of my personal favorites!).

Hop on over to Shanna’s photography blog to see even more images of the big day and if you’re in the Orange County area to check out her amazing talents. {Thanks so much for letting us share Shanna!}

If you’ve invited guests with our invitations or styled your party with table decor or printable items from The Celebration Shoppe, we would love to see! Send a link or pictures to customercare@celebrationshoppe.com. (By submitting information and/or images you are giving us the right to publish your events details with the appropriate credits.)

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kid craft: hot plate artwork

I just want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and share with you my first gift of the holiday season {proud mom moment}. My kindergartner surprised me on Tuesday with a hand-painted tile. He explained it to be a hot plate, but I’ll never put anything hot near it (and my hubby better not either!). It’s just too lovely. Plus, the back has an outline of his little hand and his signature!

He explained to me the process and the tools you’ll need:

  • smooth white glossy tile from the home improvement store
  • Sharpie markers
  • spray sealent (Update per his teacher: Krylon Crystal Clear Acrylic Coating)
  • marbles for the feet
  • wood glue (Update per his teacher: she attached the marbles with regular wood glue)

How tos as explained by my six-year-old. {wink}

  1. Draw your favorite picture with Sharpies {I of course am in love with his snowman and snowflakes}
  2. Spray the picture (with sealant) and let it dry
  3. Attach marbles for the feet
  4. Write your name on the back (and outline their little hand so you can always remember how small they are)

And now you have a precious keepsake! I have to write his teacher a sweet note because this is one of those things I’ll have in my “happy box” and proudly diplay every year for the rest of my life, much to his chagrin in his teen years I’m sure. {giggle}

Merry Christmas to you and yours! Talk with you all next week and as always, I hope you’re inspired!

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