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Monday, June 25, 2012

Art Birthday Party

I first got the idea for an Art Birthday Party in 2003; I clipped an article about an art birthday party from a magazine.  I knew that if I was fortunate enough to be a Mommy someday, that an art birthday party would be a must.  2012 ended up being the perfect year for one.  We could not travel home to visit family for both childrens birthdays, so we had a joint birthday party.  Arts and Crafts is a common event in our household; so the party was of interest to both kiddos.  I started by gathering inspiration pictures from yahoo images and Pinterest.  Here are a few of the inspiration photos I used in addition to my 2003 magazine article.  I had about 50 inspiration pictures in all to daydream with.  Some of the ideas were not cost efficient and some I just flat out decided I didn't want to mess with.  I am thrilled with the success of the party, but I must admit I didn't follow through with everything as I ended up being in my first trimester with our third child (I was a bit tired!).


The entire family pitched in the day of the party making it lots of fun for the kiddos.  I decided that I loved the Pablo Picaso quote, "Every Child is an Artist."  I also selected a painters palette as a main icon.  We purchased a canvas from Hobby Lobby when it was half off.  My six and seven year old painted the paint splotches all over the canvas and I added the quote. 

For most family members a facebook invitation or phone call was all the invitation they recieved.  For all children however they recieved a paper invite.  The invitation contains a canvas card that I found at a craft store.  The child was prompted to paint or color whatever they wanted on their card and send it back to us as their RSVP.  I took each childs' artwork and framed it using Dollar Store frames.  Their art work was on display when they arrived and they were given it to take home at the end of the party. 

I really loved the idea of using paint cans.  Most of the inspriation photos had them with treats and candy on the tables.  I found small clear paint cans from oriental trading company and decided to use them as the treat bags for the kids.  We filled them with fun art supplies and a few fun goodies.  Most of the contents were purchased at Dollar Tree and then divided up between the paint cans.  Although we had items that were too tall, the paint cans did have lids and we sent them home with the kids.

My mother in law was going through in this picture putting finishing touches which included retaping some table cloths!  We used Dollar Tree table cloths in multiple colors for the tables and the walls.  We had streamers in rainbow colors along the ceiling (thanks to my husband). The kids table is seen in this picture.  Every child had an apron, a paint palette place setting, and a miniature easel and canvas with their name on it.  

As guests (and kids) arrived the adults mingled while the kiddos were directed to their table.  They found their seats by finding their name.  Each child had a foam Door Hanger to decorate.  There were little containers of foam stickers all over the table for easy decorating (all foam supplies also purchased at Dollar Tree)  You can see the tables for the adults.  Each table had a colorful container in the middle with random art supplies.  Every guest has a piece of cardstock at their chair in the shape of a paint palette.  It was a bit time consuming to cut them all out, but the effect was adorable in the room.  Plus we have some fun art work from our adult guests as memories!

As soon as everyone arrived we had our goodies first.  We kept this pretty simple; cookies, rice krispy treats, and colorful cupcakes.  On another table were juice boxes, bottled water, and cups of trail mix.  I didn't get a picture, but we did clear plastic cups with a bit of trail mix in them and a toothpick cupcake topper sticking out the top (this is seen in one of the top inspiration pictures).


MORE TO COME TOMORROW!!!!


~thehopefulorganizer