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Oct 18 2016

painting pachyderms {songbird’s birthday party}

Posted by hayley
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This past weekend we celebrated Songbird’s 8th birthday!

Birthday Painting Party | greyhouseharbor.com

She decided on a party themed around her favorite animal: elephants. So we planned a painting party where I would lead her friends in creating a pachyderm piece of art to take home. My studio was set up with mini tabletop easels and 12″ x 12″ canvases, on which I had pre-drawn the basic design.

Birthday Painting Party | greyhouseharbor.com

In lieu of “goody bags,” her guests got to take home their paintings, easels, painter’s palette and brush set.

Birthday Painting Party | greyhouseharbor.com

To protect everyone’s party attire, I sewed each girl an art smock — made from those big TJ Maxx reusable shopping bags: waterproof and adorable. Win!

Birthday Painting Party | greyhouseharbor.com

We kept the rest of the decor fairly simple. A few Martha Stewart accordion lanterns that were gathering dust in the back of my closet made their way out into the sunshine — strung up among the kitchen pendants. The balloon elephant was courtesy of a carnival entertainer from the elementary school fair the night before. And did you know that Coldstone will pop whatever trinket you want atop a custom ice cream cake? Mint chocolate chip ice cream and chocolate cake with chocolate ganache frosting, YUM.

Birthday Painting Party | greyhouseharbor.com

Once everyone was suited up in their aprons, we got to painting. I showed them each step on my own canvas as they followed along. We used acrylic craft paint and talked about proper brush size/shape for different strokes. The colored brushes really helped with this… “For the teal background, we’re going to use our purple brush.”

Birthday Painting Party | greyhouseharbor.com

Birthday Painting Party | greyhouseharbor.com

Birthday Painting Party | greyhouseharbor.com

Birthday Painting Party | greyhouseharbor.com

Half way through the artists took a break for gifts and cake.

Birthday Painting Party | greyhouseharbor.com

In all the years that Handsome has traveled for work, this was the first of our kids’ birthdays he wasn’t able to attend. But he made sure to join in via Skype for awhile.

Birthday Painting Party | greyhouseharbor.com

Birthday Painting Party | greyhouseharbor.com

Some girls finished sections quickly and others really took their time. It was cute to watch them walk around complimenting and encouraging each others’ progress.

Birthday Painting Party | greyhouseharbor.com

Birthday Painting Party | greyhouseharbor.com

The party lasted about 2.5 hrs, which was long enough to get most of the paintings dry with the help of a hair dryer. In the end, everyone’s project turned out fantastic. They were excited to show them off to their parents and siblings.

Birthday Painting Party | greyhouseharbor.com

Birthday Painting Party | greyhouseharbor.com

Handsome and I are so proud of the young lady that Songbird is growing into. Lover of all the animals, singer of made up songs, reader of real chapter books, fluent in emoji, puppy snuggler, friend hugger, expert swimmer and adventure seeker. Lawfully old enough to ride without a car seat and half way to a drivers license. We love her to pieces. Happy 8th Birthday, sweet girl!

Birthday Painting Party | greyhouseharbor.com

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Tags: birthday, birthday party, our life, painting, songbird
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3 comments
Jan 7 2016

lego superhero birthday party

Posted by hayley
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(A comprehensive party supply source list can be found at the end of this post.)

Our kids get big invite-all-the-friends birthday parties every other year. 2016 is a PARTY year and we did it up big for Bug turning four!

Bug has a crush on all things Avengers right now. He especially enjoys the Lego versions of all the superheros, so naturally we put together a party to follow suit. Below is the invite I designed and sent out to his friends (the real version of all these things had Bug’s given name, of course).

Lego Superhero DIY Birthday Party | greyhouseharbor.com

We moved the studio table into the living room to create a coloring station.

Lego Superhero DIY Birthday Party | greyhouseharbor.com

I designed the large scale party decor to be printed at Office Max as black and white “engineering prints.” It’s only $3 for a 24″ x 36″ print! I added the color with crayons and mounted them on foam core with spray adhesive.

Lego Superhero DIY Birthday Party | greyhouseharbor.com

Lego Superhero DIY Birthday Party | greyhouseharbor.com

Lego Superhero DIY Birthday Party | greyhouseharbor.com

As we waited for all his friends to arrive, the kids colored pre-printed superheros or designed their own Lego characters.

Lego Superhero DIY Birthday Party | greyhouseharbor.com

Lego Superhero DIY Birthday Party | greyhouseharbor.com

Lego Superhero DIY Birthday Party | greyhouseharbor.com

Awhile back we were gifted two big bins of Lego Duplos as hand-me-downs. They came in handy as a little activity center during the first part of the party too!

Lego Superhero DIY Birthday Party | greyhouseharbor.com

The food table was decked out with a Lego wall, oversized superhero signage, and themed snacks.

Lego Superhero DIY Birthday Party | greyhouseharbor.com

Lego Superhero DIY Birthday Party | greyhouseharbor.com

Lego Superhero DIY Birthday Party | greyhouseharbor.com

Lego Superhero DIY Birthday Party | greyhouseharbor.com

Lego Superhero DIY Birthday Party | greyhouseharbor.com

A vast majority of the party was DIYed, but I draw the line at a homemade cake (to thine own talents be true)! Instead, I ordered a plain white cake with the blue and red dollops along the bottom. These Lego Avenger characters were found on Amazon and were easily popped on top, each holding a color coordinated candle.

Lego Superhero DIY Birthday Party | greyhouseharbor.com

Lego Superhero DIY Birthday Party | greyhouseharbor.com

No superhero party is complete without costumes. It’s a good thing Handsome is home right now to help, because for a solid 2 days I zoned out the world and sewed 11 different capes for Bug’s friends. Initially they were displayed on the wall using small Command hooks.

Lego Superhero DIY Birthday Party | greyhouseharbor.com

Lego Superhero DIY Birthday Party | greyhouseharbor.com

Once all his friends had arrived, we held a “Caping Ceremony.” Each child was called to the front and learned which superhero alter ego they would take on for the remainder of the birthday celebration. In lieu of typical party favors or candy, all the guests got to keep their handmade capes.

Lego Superhero DIY Birthday Party | greyhouseharbor.com

Lego Superhero DIY Birthday Party | greyhouseharbor.com

Lego Superhero DIY Birthday Party | greyhouseharbor.com

After everyone was fitted with their superhero identity, they stepped into the studio where I had a green screen taped to the wall. I took photos of each kid in 2-3 different poses…

Lego Superhero DIY Birthday Party | greyhouseharbor.com

… and then used my Photoshop skillz to transform them into actual superheros! (more info here)

Lego Superhero DIY Birthday Party | greyhouseharbor.com

Lego Superhero DIY Birthday Party | greyhouseharbor.com

Because I had to do the editing work post-party, a print of each child’s finished picture was included with the “Thank You” notes for Bug’s gifts.

A January birthday means unpredictable weather, so I try to plan indoor party games. We prepped small boxes with paint and made a “hammer” out of a kleenex box, a paper towel roll, and duck tape. Then the kids took turns throwing “Thor’s Hammer” at the blocks from behind a tape line on the carpet in an attempt to knock them all down.

Lego Superhero DIY Birthday Party | greyhouseharbor.com

Lego Superhero DIY Birthday Party | greyhouseharbor.com

Bug’s friends also tested their superhuman strength with a couple rounds of good ole’ fashioned Tug-o-War! I honestly wasn’t sure if playing this inside would lead to casualties, but the teams were evenly matched (each team won once) and no one got hurt (all the praise hands!).

Lego Superhero DIY Birthday Party | greyhouseharbor.com

Lego Superhero DIY Birthday Party | greyhouseharbor.com

Gifts and cake rounded out what proved to be a pretty SUPER celebration!

Lego Superhero DIY Birthday Party | greyhouseharbor.com

Lego Superhero DIY Birthday Party | greyhouseharbor.com

Lego Superhero DIY Birthday Party | greyhouseharbor.com

Lego Superhero DIY Birthday Party | greyhouseharbor.com

Lego Superhero DIY Birthday Party | greyhouseharbor.com

Bug and Handsome Lego-ed the night away together until Bug slipped into the best sugar-lego-superhero-too-much-fun coma that a brand new 4-year-old could ask for. Party success!

Lego Superhero DIY Birthday Party | greyhouseharbor.com

*****
party supply sources:
spray adhesive, yellow dot fabric, silky cape fabrics, striped candles, cake, beverage server – Walmart
green screen, Avenger Lego figures (cake toppers) – Amazon
invitation – created it myself in Photoshop
oversized “engineering” prints – designed myself and printed at OfficeMax
sheets of foamcore – dollar store
lego coloring pages – free printable here
lego duplos – hand-me-downs, find similar ones here
lego statement wall – paper plates from Party City (tutorial here)
cake stand – plate atop a candleholder from Ikea
Thor, Ironman, Captain snack markers – designed myself
hulk power punch – green apple KoolAid
popcorn cones – made with scrapbook paper, hot glue and this tutorial
mason jars – Michaels craft store
captain snacks – strawberries, regular and mini marshmellows, blueberries
napkin & utensil holder – built it out of Lego duplos
clear jello cups – mini clear plastic pedestal cups from Party City
m&m glass cups – thrift store
Thor hammers – cheese blocks cut down, pretzel sticks
super hero capes – hand sewn by myself – silk fabrics bought at Walmart
blue & white rope – Home Depot
Thor hammer game – 16″ shipping boxes from Walmart, sample sized paints from Home Depot; hammer made from kleenex box, paper towel roll, hot glue, silver and black Duck tape.

Tags: birthday, birthday ideas, birthday party, bug, diy, lego, our life, superhero
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4 comments
Oct 28 2014

how to make a punch pinata

Posted by hayley
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As I mentioned yesterday, the punch piñata was a big hit during Songbird’s birthday party. Here’s a quick photo tutorial on how to make one for your next party!

how to make a punch pinata | greyhouseharbor.com

1. Cut the back off an empty box. Trace a circle template in even rows (see step 7 for crucial tip).

how to make a punch pinata | greyhouseharbor.com

2. Use nice sharp X-acto to cut circles out.

how to make a punch pinata | greyhouseharbor.com

3. Paint the box front.

how to make a punch pinata | greyhouseharbor.com

4. Cut tissue paper squares slightly larger than the holes.

how to make a punch pinata | greyhouseharbor.com

5. Glue over holes.

how to make a punch pinata | greyhouseharbor.com

6. Center prizes gently atop the holes.

how to make a punch pinata | greyhouseharbor.com

7. Hot glue plastic cups to the back of each hole to contain the prizes. (You want the cup rim to touch cardboard, so be sure the template you use to draw the circles in step 1 are slightly smaller than the cup opening!)

how to make a punch pinata | greyhouseharbor.com

8. Decorate the front if ya want. We used washi tape.

how to make a punch pinata | greyhouseharbor.com

9. We attached our punch pinata to the wall with Command Strips and it stayed up for *most* of the hits. You could also lean it against the wall or have adults hold it up.

how to make a punch pinata | greyhouseharbor.com

Sure beats swinging sticks and candy dash injuries. Most traditional pinatas cost $20+ without the fillings, but I made this version for a mere $6. Try a punch pinata for your next party… it’s kid-tested, mother-approved!

how to make a punch pinata | greyhouseharbor.comhow to make a punch pinata | greyhouseharbor.comhow to make a punch pinata | greyhouseharbor.com

Tags: birthday ideas, birthday party, diy punch pinata, kids party ideas, party decor, punch pinata
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31 comments
Oct 27 2014

rainbow pegacorn birthday party

Posted by hayley
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What? You’ve never heard of a pegacorn?! That’s ok, neither had I until Songbird informed me that it’s a pegasus + a unicorn (a horse with wings and a horn). She specifically asked for a rainbow pegacorn themed party for her birthday this year and I was happy to oblige.

Rainbow Pegacorn (Pegasus + Unicorn) Birthday PartyRainbow Pegacorn (Pegasus + Unicorn) Birthday Party

I couldn’t believe my luck when I found this gorgeous rainbow pegacorn play figure to use as the cake topper! (Click the link to find it on Amazon… the fairy is attached with magnets and is removable!)

Rainbow Pegacorn (Pegasus + Unicorn) Birthday Party

Rainbow Pegacorn (Pegasus + Unicorn) Birthday Party

Personalized party favor tins were filled with play jewelry, unicorn figurines, mini rainbow lollipops, and unicorn stickers.

Rainbow Pegacorn (Pegasus + Unicorn) Birthday PartyRainbow Pegacorn (Pegasus + Unicorn) Birthday Party

I fashioned the “6” from poster board (like this pinata) and then covered it with folded squares of tissue paper.

Rainbow Pegacorn (Pegasus + Unicorn) Birthday Party

To get all the girls in character, each was fitted with a sparkly unicorn horn upon her arrival. I used this tutorial and pattern to make them, but modified it by attaching the horns to headbands. The headband holder was made from an oatmeal container, dowels, a wood plaque and gold spraypaint.

Rainbow Pegacorn (Pegasus + Unicorn) Birthday PartyRainbow Pegacorn (Pegasus + Unicorn) Birthday PartyRainbow Pegacorn (Pegasus + Unicorn) Birthday Party

While waiting for everyone to arrive, Songbird and her guests colored unicorns under the rainbow chandelier.

Rainbow Pegacorn (Pegasus + Unicorn) Birthday PartyRainbow Pegacorn (Pegasus + Unicorn) Birthday PartyRainbow Pegacorn (Pegasus + Unicorn) Birthday Party

The main party activity was painting their own t-shirt. The shirts were taped around cardboard to keep the paint from soaking through to the back. Freezer paper stencils of pegacorns were ironed on (can you see them?) and the girls used brushes to apply fabric paint. After the paint dried, we pulled off the stencils to reveal their designs! (pegacorn silhouette clipart HERE)

Rainbow Pegacorn (Pegasus + Unicorn) Birthday PartyRainbow Pegacorn (Pegasus + Unicorn) Birthday PartyRainbow Pegacorn (Pegasus + Unicorn) Birthday PartyRainbow Pegacorn (Pegasus + Unicorn) Birthday Party

Pinatas are a birthday party favorite, but I’m not a huge fan of enthusiastic kids swinging big sticks inside my house. And with a mid-October birthday, we’re never guaranteed the opportunity to take the crazy outside. After researching alternatives, I made a “punch pinata” to replace the classic hanging version. Each girl got 4 turns to punch their hand through a tissue-papered hole and pull out a prize. Songbird said it was better than a “real” pinata, so win-win!

Rainbow Pegacorn (Pegasus + Unicorn) Birthday PartyRainbow Pegacorn (Pegasus + Unicorn) Birthday PartyRainbow Pegacorn (Pegasus + Unicorn) Birthday Party

After opening gifts, Songbird is the proud owner of several new horse/unicorn/pegacorn toys and outfits. I think all would agree that the party was a rainbow, glitter, pegacorn success!

Rainbow Pegacorn (Pegasus + Unicorn) Birthday PartyRainbow Pegacorn (Pegasus + Unicorn) Birthday Party

Tags: birthday party, rainbow pegacorn party, rainbow unicorn birthday, songbird
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15 comments


I'm Hayley. Wife and mother by day, DIY enthusiast by night. Fueled by sweet tea and jelly beans, I own power tools and know how to use them. Consider yourself warned.

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