Wave Your Sparklers America - You're Invited!

              

Each year we host a fun filled 4th of July party for our family and friends.  I really enjoy bringing a different level of excitement and creativity to an occasion, and hence over the years have been applying my event-styling whenever possible.


It's always a treat to have everyone over on the day we wish America a big Happy Birthday!  Over the years the kiddo count has gone from just a few to enough of 'em to staff a small department store.  Stars and Stripes forever!  This year I've created a fun invite to mail out to the crew which also includes a different kind of sparkler fun for the kiddos (and one that doesn't need to get to 1000 degrees to enjoy so it's a bit safer too:)  

I was inspired to do this as a result of viewing another blog - Oh Happy Day.  She made tassels out of crepe paper (which are adorable & not to mention the whole blog is pretty darn cool).  I decided to tweak it a little by scrunching, twisting, and gluing the tassels around a lollipop stick. Voila! Safe "sparkler" fun!

Supplies

1. Cardstock 
2. Crepe paper
3. Lollipop stick
4. Scissors
5. Glue gun
6. Printer

Instructions

1. Click here to give you great instructions on creating the tassel.
2. After you have the middle part twisted, scrunch the ends a bit to create a messy tassel. 
3. Adults only - using your glue gun, put glue near the top of the lollipop stick - then quickly before the glue dries, take twisted middle part of the tassel and wrap it around the glue.
4. If you are adding the invite, use more glue on the edge of the paper and attach to stick (see below). 
5. Make another line of glue and then roll the paper over the lollipop stick (just a little).

If you are mailing the invites you will have to loosely and gently roll it around the stick to fit in your envelope (unless you use a full size envelope/package).

Remember to personalize your message on the card to make it your own. Have fun making them - your kiddos will be running from sea to shining sea with these flying in the air!  They are quite simple to make so I know you can do it!

Make it simple, make it fun, and make it with the kids!

      XOXO, Nicole

Best Father's Day gift...time together with the kids.

It's Father's Day! While we could settle for giving dear old Dad a tie or even the big piece of chicken, there's an even better gift we can give him - quality time spent with his children!  As Ferris Bueller said: "Life move's pretty fast.  If you don't stop and look around, you could miss it."  So, what could be better than not only slowing down, but doing it with those oh so precious kiddos! 

Everyone always says "kids grow up so fast!"  So this year, my little girl is going to give her Daddy the gift of spending time together making some fun finger paint drawings.  Maybe your kids can do the same - it's fun and easy! 

Supplies:

• Finger painting paper
• Finger painting paint
• Scissors
• Construction paper
• Markers

Instructions:

1. Find a large surface to work on with either some newspaper or tablecloth just in case things get messy.
2. Use the finger paint colors to create whatever drawings you desire.
3. After the painting dries, you can make a frame by using construction paper as shown below for the card. 

Card to go with gift. Framed finger painting paper with message.

Now let's be honest, I am taking my husband out of his element for he doesn't share the passion for art that I do.  However, I know that once he sees the smile on his daughter’s face, that inner artistic creativity will emerge. J

With the same idea in mind the kids and I created another gift. This one is for Grandpa! He is a great cook and the kids are always watching him at work in the kitchen.  So we put together a homemade card which looks like a pot of soup and combined it with some noodles and a new soup ladle. It’s very simply put together with the purchase of a box of noodles and soup ladle. We use colored paper for the card and wrote a cute message. “Let’s stir up some soup together Grandpa - Happy Father’s Day!”

Keep in mind… first come up with the idea of what either Dad or the kids would enjoy doing together, then make a creative card to send your message. A nice touch might be a purchase of an item that goes along with your theme, but certainly not needed.  Maybe something related to fishing, biking, sports, or even just a book to name a few other ideas.  Whatever you come up with it is sure to be well received from any special Father’s Day recipient in your family.

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I could not let this post go without a sweet flying kite my son created, all on his own! It could be done as an invite for Daddy or Grandpa to fly the real thing with your kids. 

Supplies:

• Construction paper
• Yarn
• Crepe paper
• Markers
• Scissors
• Tape (oops, not shown)

Instructions

1.   Draw diamond kite shape and cut out. 

2.   Draw one large rectangle, two narrow rectangles and tape as shown.

3.   Use markers or crayons to decorate and write message.

4.   Tape yarn to the bottom of the kite and top of kite’s yarn spool.

5.   Tie the crepe paper around the yarn to create the bows.

Happy Father’s Day to everyone out there and for developing the minds of your growing children.

Make it simple, make it fun, and make it with the kids!

      XOXO, Nicole