Well folks, we had the BEST day yesterday celebrating Brady's 5th birthday! His birthday isn't actually until August 24, but we always celebrate the weekend before his birthday. I love making matchy-matchy "stuff" to make his day special, and since I head back to teaching this week, we find the weekend before his day gives me plenty of time to play! Traditionally for my blog, I talk about the project and some background about the special client I made the project for. Obviously I think my client is a cool little dude with a huge heart and an over-abundance of animal knowledge! :) I love this little guy.
What I thought I would do for this blog entry was share some party tips, tricks, and money-saving ideas in case you feel like gettin' a little crafty for your next event. Of course if you can't find the time, I would love to help with your party too!
HERE WE GO!!
What I thought I would do for this blog entry was share some party tips, tricks, and money-saving ideas in case you feel like gettin' a little crafty for your next event. Of course if you can't find the time, I would love to help with your party too!
HERE WE GO!!
The CAKE!! I totally cheated on this one. I make cakes weekly for the cake-pops, so I wanted a bakery cake without paying $100. I ordered a cake from Costco ($17.99) with plain chocolate frosting. I found these cool "rocks" that are just chocolate from Caputos in S. ELgin (bulk section) to decorate the top. Finally, I bought white fondant and used food coloring to get the colors I wanted for the animals. Buying each color of fondant is easier, but more expensive. I used my son's collection of play animals and tried to copy the best I could. If you are saying "that is too hard"... this was my 1st attempt and it's not great, but a 5 year old thought it was cool. It works just like play-dough, so roll it, form it, and start again if it stinks! :) I maybe spent $35-$40? Not too bad for a cake that feeds 48!! The best part was that it took far less time than I anticipated. :)
 GETTING YOUR $ OUT OF COOKIE CUTTERS: Obviously I like to make sugar cookies, and it is kind of a tradition for B's birthday that they are made to match the theme. Instead of using the $2-$5 cookie cutter for a few cookies, I use those bad-boys for anything and everything! I am a big fan of the mini-cutters. If you don't have the time to make and decorate each shaped cookie with details, make a round, square, etc... cookie and cut the themed shape out of fondant to stick on top of the frosting (see below). You look like you did a lot of work, but it is EASY! What kid doesn't like squiggly, jiggly, jello? Knox-blox jello jigglers cut using the same little cookie cutters. EASY CHEESY! Speaking of cheese... instead of cheese squares with crackers, use your mini-cutters! Even if you buy 2 or 3 mini-cutters you will get your money out of them, and your kids will think they are awesome for play-dough if you won't use them for another occasion later.
 REPURPOSING: These tags were begging for me to make them! I found wedding invitations 90% off at Meijer. A box that was originally $19.99 was clearanced for $1.90. These were awesome! I printed a simple "swamp water" on the invite so the paper was a standard size and then cut them down. I made 25 tags, plus I still have 25 extra envelopes to use for my thank you's or another invite I make later. I always try to look at clearance for deals that are too good to pass up, but only if I can think of a good way to use it in the future. I love the challenge of being creative!  Spend a little more now, make something special, and save in the future. This was a gift to Brady last year from his Auntie Melissa, and it is SO adorable! I can't take credit, but I will make more for sure. These glass blocks are found at Hobby Lobby ($10-$15 I think). Use your 40% off coupon on this cute idea! The bottom has a cut-out so lights, tinsel, etc... could be put inside if desired. She found a basic "Happy Birthday" sticker in a neutral color and last year she delivered it with Dinosaur stickers on it to match his theme. The polka dot ribbon is adorable, and that too can be changed from year to year. I just took off the dinos and added some swampy creatures for this year. It is a special balloon holder (instead of buying the weights year after year and losing them). He will have this special block year after year that can change with the theme, and looks very clean. LOVE!  Stamps can really look nice, and kids can help be part of making their goodie bags for their friends. Sometimes decent stamps are on sale or clearanced out because they aren't super popular anymore now that die-cutting machines are huge. We just stamped leaves on the bag (to match a tablecloth my hubby bought) and a simple green "5" on the bag. I had a dragonfly from years ago, so to make it look a little more neutral I just used copper ink to stamp the toppers for the chocolate dipped pretzels. Stamps are also fun for the kids to use in a craft or project, and also to accent the outside of an invitation envelope.
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Use what you've got and get creative in what you name the food! We went to costco and caputos found a few things in bulk, then made names for a few items to stay with the theme.
Grapes, gummies. pretzels, veggie straws, fruit by the foot, etc... Simple things kids like.
Grapes, gummies. pretzels, veggie straws, fruit by the foot, etc... Simple things kids like.
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Ok gang, thanks for letting me share our special celebration and tips/trick I used. I would love nothing more than to hear your best party ideas, money-saving ideas, and ways you have been creative!! Please post your comments, feedback, and share your pictures. I love pinterest, and I would love to post your pix on my site too!
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