Marvelous Monday

Hello everyone, hope you had a great weekend!!! Well, the under the sea party was a huge success! !! The girls had a wonderful time. They had a slew of activities that kept them busy. They made jewelry, a balloon maker was onsite, they decorated boxes for their popcorn treats and played many other games. It was an awesome event. The balloon lady was awesome.

My part in the event was the sweet table, customizing the gift bags, jewelry making, and some of the other decorations.

                                    Treat bags

                                      Jelly fish

Table Cloth

Backdrop

It was Awesome!!! Thanks for stopping by!!!!

Feature Friday

Hey Everyone,

Let me start off my saying I'm beyond HONORED to be here on Jamar Party Planning sharing one of my labors of love with you all.  By no means do I consider myself a crafty momma... Sherry puts me to shame and I just LOVE admiring her work. But from time to time I will try to making a few things. The piece I'm sharing today was truly a labor as it was done to highlight all the milestones my 1 year old had accomplished during her first year of life. Reflecting back on her journey not only made me laugh and cry, but made me love and appreciate her so much more. She's absolutely amazing to me :).

Anyway, I choose to share this piece because it's one that I would consider to be universal. In the sense that anyone could recreate it capture any of life’s events yet it’s personal. Whether you’re looking for a way to display your family photos, celebrate a loved one, or simply need some wall art this tutorial could be of use to you.

So without further ado here’s what you need...

Supplies

• White wood board(I picked mine up from lowes for $12.)
• Chalk
• Photos
• Chalkboard paint 
• Wet towel
• Hot glue gun and sticks

   Step by Step Instructions

1. Wipe board down

2. Paint board with two coats of chalkboard paint

3. Let paint dry and settle for 48 hours

4. Spread chalk across the entire board

5. Wipe board completely clean

6.  Frame *See framing instructions below*

7.    Glue pictures unto framed board (as you would like).

8.    Take chalk and decorate your board with reflective words (as you wish).

Deatils on Framing...

Framing Supplies

• Pneumatic nailer/stapler,

• finish nails,

• Wood filler,

• Sand paper,

• Miter saw

• Woodgrain Milwork (door/window trim) 11/16in. x 2-14 x8in.

• Metal L shaped bracets for support

• White paint

Step by Step Instructions

1. Measure your board (mine was 36 x40).

2. Using the miter saw cut the wood corners at a 45 degree angle.*Please note: The cuts should be slightly longer than the board (just in case there are changes that need to be made)*.

3. Use nailer at the corners to nail the frame together.

4. Apply wood filler to fill-in nailer holes and let it dry.

5. Once dry sand with sand paper to make smooth.

6. Paint frame and let it dry.

7. Once paint dries put the board on the back of the frame and screw the L brackets in each corner for support.

Happy crafting 

Working Wednesday

Hello Everyone. We have made it to mid-week!!!! I am finishing up the final details for the under the sea party. The party is this weekend and I want to make sure all odds and ends are tied up today. By the end of the day I will be packed up and ready for the party!!!!!


Tomorrow is the day!!!  My guest blogger Sheena Brown from Life With An External Heartbeat will be posting on my blog. It is always great to have different perspectives from people who share some of the same interest. It is so awesome that we are going to get to peep through Sheena's looking glass!!!  I am super excited to have her  here!!! You should stop by her blog and take a look !!!!

Make sure you stop by tomorrow!!! You don't want to miss her post!!!

Tuesday Tutorial

Beaded Topiary

Supplies

• Styrofoam ball 
• Styrofoam
• Wooden dowel
• Ribbon
• Beads
• Glue gun
• Small pail

1. Glue beads onto Styrofoam ball. Leave room on Styrofoam ball to stick in wooden dowel!!!

2. Once you have glued  all the beads onto the Styrofoam balll. Wrap ribbon around wooden dowel  and stick dowel into ball. To make it sturdy put glue on top of wooden dowel before sticking into the ball. 

3. Cut extra Styrofoam to fit into the small pail. Then glue cut Styrofoam into pail.

4. Stick ribbon wrapped dowel  and beaded ball into the Styrofoam in the pail.

5. Embellish the pail.

You know have a beaded topiary!!!! Easy and cute. 

Thanks for stopping by!!! See you tomorrow! !!

Motivated Monday

Hello Everyone,, hope you enjoyed your weekend! !! My weekend was filled with the pitter patter of little girls running  around the house. Not that I had much interaction with them. They totally did their own thing. I don't know whether to be impressed or sad, they are 7, 8, and 9 and they already do their own thing (Mom is torn).  On Friday they planned a party for themselves (to cute). They decorated the basement, created a mish mash of snacks, and listened to the ipod. Unfortunately, I could not make it to their soiree. However, I don't think they miss me at all.

Moving on, I did not blog much last week. I am still working on the under the sea party, that is happening this weekend. I worked on some treat bags. The bags are Michaels paper sacks and I added mermaids that I cut on my silhouette machine. Soooo cute!!! The children are going to have such a great time!!!

Super excited, I will have another guest blogger on Thursday of this week! Sheena Brown from http://externalheartbeat.blogspot.com.  Her blog is awesome. She chronicles her journey with motherhood, family, love, and other life challenges and triumphs.  Stop by and check her out!!! Can't wait for her to join us!!!!

Come back tomorrow for Tutorial Tuesday!!!

Hello everyone, I hope you had a great weekend. My weekend was productive. As I shared in my previous post I am working on an under  the sea birthday party. That is what I worked on this weekend. I have completed some key pieces for my design. I am pretty satisfied with the outcome thus far.

 I also did not post pics of my Spring Vignette on Friday as promised. I did not find or make a piece that wow'ed me. However it is a cohesive collection of pieces I like!

Well there it is. I will probably add and subtract some items throughout the spring.

See tomorrow for tutorial Tuesday!!!!

Guest Blogger

Hi! I'm Tabby from Shipwrecked On Fabulous Island! Fabulous Island is a place designed to revel in all things pretty, crafty, family and fabulous. When I'm not working my 9-5, singing in the music ministry at church, planning and/or coordinating events for my clients, I sit still long enough for my daughter (blog named Munchface) to create portraits of me, I cuddle up with my husband when he's not playing video games (or trying to hide my honey-do list), I search sales racks, I obsess over Bath&Body Works soaps, I sing out loud, I fuss at people who walk on carpet I just vacuumed (don't judge), I enjoy laughing until I pee a little, I catch myself watching Disney when my kid's gone to bed... I'm a nurse, a chef, a super hero, a car DJ, a chauffeur, a maid, a dentist, a masseuse, a goddess. A mom. With the formalities out of the way...

Shh!
 

 I've got a secret rhyme that will help unlock the doors to successful party planning for kids... Ready?

Break.

Make.

Shake.

Cake.

Take.

Yep. It's as easy as that.  I've hosted a LOT of events and this recipe works! Just add food, décor and you've got a great party - TRUST me.

I'll focus on the kids in this conversation but one can easily apply these tips to any event.

 Break the ice.

I always like to have a non-structured activity to entertain folks until the majority of confirmed guests arrive.  This gives our on-time and early guests a chance to meet and play nicely before the party starts.  It also allows me the opportunity to mingle with other parents and nibble on goodies... Some great ice breaker activities include a moon bounce, a playground, an area with bubbles or balloons... It doesn't take much to keep kid's busy... Just consider what your little one enjoys in their free time.



Moonbouncin' at Munch's candy land birthday

Moonbouncin' at Munch's candy land birthday

Playground cutie at Munch's candy land birthday

 

Fairy Frolic at Munch's 3rd Tinkerbelle party.

Another option is to offer a station with any of the following: tattoos, manis/pedis, make-up, face painting... all things to help get the little ones party ready and to occupy their time until the activities start.

Daddy painting nails at the Sweet Spa

I put my friends to work at stations like this... WHAT?! They ask to help!

Make something.

 

 

Craft time.  Give parents a break to eat while the kids make a craft that coordinates with your theme.  This time also serves as a great warm-up activity... Hosting a princess party? Consider decorating paper tiaras.  A pirate party? What about stickers on an eye patch or sword?  Cupcake or cookie party? Maybe decorate paper "chef" hats or paper aprons? 




Pinkalicious Princess Tiaras

I love the effects stickers and crayons have on kids; it's like they're programmed to sit down and be quiet when these supplies hit the table.  Party crafts do not have to be over-the-top; children do not care about cost so hit up your dollar store and think out of the box (I've hosted a client's Sponge Bob party and made a Sponge Kids craft from $3 supplies at the Dollar Store - 1 pack of sponges, 1 pack of googly eyes, and 1 pack of paper for "clothes").

Dollar Tree Wooden crafts converted to bow holders

Shake something.

This year's annual dance-off at Munch's 7th birthday party
 

Time for action! Let the little balls of energy get up and MOVE something... I recommend at least one move-and-shake activity. Simply take a classic game and re-mix it to fit your party's theme... Games like Simon Says, Duck Duck Goose, Hide and Seek, and many others can all be tailored to fit any theme (i.e. - Minnie Says, Frog Frog PRINCE, etc.) just get creative! Other physical activities that are always a hit? EASY - dance and/or talent contests! 

Munch gettin' down at her bday

Sometimes just a group dance is a great way to use up that extra energy, a talent showcase, a fashion show, etc. Break out the video cameras, it's going to be a treat!

Cake.
 

The topsy turvy cake from my friend's bridal shower

 

One of the sweets table I designed for a dear friend's wedding

 

The yummy tradition that ties your theme together and brings smiles to everyone in attendance (seriously, who doesn't get happy with sugar around?). Step outside of the norm and try a cupcake tier for a quick and less-messy serving or a dessert table for a variety.
 

Munch's Minnie Mouse birthday cake

 

Munch's sunshine & lemonade birthday sweets table

Take something.
 

Sunshine & Lemonade favor buckets

 

Munch's Baby Doll Bakery birthday favors were custom aprons for each guest

 

FAVORS.  Use this as an opportunity to be creative!  I think of favors as little pieces of the party for guests to remember it by.  Nothing worse than wasting my money on things people will just throw away. So accept the challenge and come up with creative gifts for your friends...  I try to keep my party favors to things you can USE or  EAT. 

Favors for the Mrs-to-Be shower

. . .
 

I consider Munchface's birthday party a chance to put the things I love to do into an event for one of the most important people in my life.  Her parties are always a success and not JUST because I use my 'Break. Make. Shake. Cake. Take.' method to ensure the kids have a great time... but because every candle on her cake reminds me of my little blessing and symbolizes another year of awesomeness! 

OMG!

I better get out of here before I get too emotional on ya'll... you don't know me like that... yet.

Try my method and let me know how your next part-ay goes!

...

Thanks, Sherry, for entrusting your fabulous readers with me! I appreciate the opportunity and I can't wait for you to return the favor!

If you're interested in learning more about me, feel free to swing by the island (here) and say hello!