DIY Superhero Party on a Budget

So the twins are turning 5 this month and this year's event is going to be "Super!"  Since I didn't want to go with the typical superhero characters (i.e. Batman, Spiderman, Captain America, etc.) I decided to use primary colors and found a cute digital scrapbook kit called All American Superheros by Plum Dumpling  Designs.

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Here is the invitation I made in Photoshop using mostly the All American Hero kit.

Party Plan:

I have created a unique Superhero identity for each child including a hero name, super power, weakness, mode of transportation and emblem.  

When the kids arrive, they will each receive their own unique Superhero identity package which will include a customized felt mask, t-shirt with iron on emblem and matching cape. 

 A few cape design ideas I have for the kids.  I don't sew so I'm going to pick up some t-shirts and cut out the front and sleeves and then shape into a cape.  Then I'll use fusion web or hot glue gun to adhere felt emblem shapes.

They will change into their Superhero uniforms in the Big Red Phone Booth.  You can buy an authentic one from PartyPlanners.com  

This cardboard phone booth is $49 at partyplanners.com.  I'm going to make my own.

Next, kids will take photos.  One photo op area will be a cityscape made from cardboard boxes that I painted with primer paint and added post-it note windows.

Another area will let them lay above a city scape which will look like they are flying over it.  I think we'll turn on our large fan so their cape can move.  LOL.

Then they will be instructed to Save The City by coloring in a black/white cityscape.  I got the idea from Anders-Ruff Printable Parties.  You can order the design from her etsy shop and have it printed.  I'm on a diy budget so I plan on drawing my own cityscape on white poster boards with a black sharpie.

 While some kids are Saving The City, others will be getting in some Superhero Training in a 15 X 15 X 15 Bouncey House from Eastlake Bouncers.

Finally, kids will enter the Secret Superhero Hideout Liar.  I've primed large cardboard boxes that once held wood flooring.  They are now hanging on the wall and I've sketched out a large computer so far.  I'll be painting it this week and adding some 3d effects (christmas lights, foam squares, colorful sponges, slinky, rubik's cube, etc.)  The kids will eat their Wonder Dogs in this area along with other muchies that will Boost Energy, Build Muscles and Recharge Super Powers!!

Of course we will have a red phone for emergency calls to catch villians.

Other Props will include an incredibles red phone and Kryptonite under glass.  Got a kit that turns rocks into crystals that my kids will help me with this weekend.  A little glow in the dark paint and some black lighting and I'll have some Kryptonite!

I'll also have Super Hero Supplies.  I'm going to make my own graphics.  You can buy some fun supplies from The Super Hero Supply Store in NY.  Go figure...

Beatles and Batman Forever

As I'm waiting for my wall art to come back from the printers, I had to share this amazing creative work with you.  I cannot take the credit though.  Nope, this incredible art work was done with a Sharpie pen on a friends guitar.  What's even more incredible is the artist is a 14 year old girl.  The guitarist is a big fan of the Beatles and Batman.  Check out all the detail.  All I have to say is Wow!!!!

Bedroom Wall Art Project Continues

After going to Michael's and buying some fab 12 X 12 scrapbook papers, I decided I wanted to create my own look for my bedroom.  Instead of gluing on scrapbook papers, I'm creating my own papers, word art and effects in Photoshop. Here is a sneak peak at my idea board.  When I finalize my art, I will send them to Reedy Photo Process for professional printing. The next post will show it on my wall...

Scrappy Photo

My wall art project for my bedroom is in progress.  In the meantime, here is a little scrappy snack for ya.

I wanted to frame my daughter's ballet photo so I picked up a cute frame from Target.  Instead of a typical mat, I decided to use a piece of scrapbook paper as my background so I cut a 12 X 12 sheet down to 8 X 10 to fit the frame. 

Next, I cut a few more pieces of scrapbook paper in dark green and light green for emphasis and used sticky dots to stick it all together.  I was too lazy too cut out the mat so this was the next best thing.

Then I added some chipboard letters for a little more 3D UMPH!  This little beauty will be one of many pics on my stairwell photo gallery wall!

So Smug About My Rug

I wasn't in the market for a rug, but when I came across this beauty at Home Goods in June, I was drawn to it instantly.  Hmmm, I wonder if the Autumn colors had anything to do with it?

The real clincher was that it was on CLEARANCE!!  Yep, I got all 9'6" X 7'6" of this Francesca Collection rug for...wait for it....

$145 

SCORE!!!!!.  And it goes perfectly with my wall color and tile floor.  I was hoarding it in my downstairs closet thinking I'd break it out in Fall, but I pulled it out for our recent house appraisal.  Worked like a charm too. 

Of course all my curtains need to be replaced.  I've got my eye on some panels at IKEA for the sliding glass door and these lovelies for the bay window area.  Soon....very soon...

Wall Art Blocks Project

Inspired by a tutorial you can pick up at Becoming Martha by Jeni Ream, I am  going to finally grace the bare wall above my bed with some easy art blocks.  Already went to Lowe's and had them cut some wood into 12 X 12 squares. 

Here is my pitiful wall above my bed just screaming for some creative design...

Here is the yummy example of Art Blocks that has me drooling....

Love the color pallete in this sample, but I'm thinking along the lines of luscious peridot green, rich chocolate browns and lots of warm vanilla creams.  Oh and let's not forget a POP of orange somewhere!  Did I mention I'm big on Autumn colors?

Anyway, that's one idea that would work quite nicely and take the least amount of time, but for years now I've had my heart set on creating digital scrap art for that space that will include the message from I Corinthians 13:4-7.  You know  the one...

Love is patient,
love is kind,
it does not envy
it does not boast
it is not proud...

So....I'm going to surprise you.  Will I glue on papers I find or create my own designs?  Check back next week to see my AFTER pic!

We are all created so we all create...

I can't take credit for this fab word art quote.  Part of being creative is being resourceful!  That's why I'm glad I found Bethany.  She really has a knack for word design and offers them up as free downloads at Elegant Word Art 2.  I like using word art in my digital scrapbook pages and also love to see it on walls.  What about you?

You may also like this Word Art Tutorial:

Tangled up in Zen

 My sister told me about Zentangle so I checked it out and it is pretty darn cool.   Creative doodling.  Luv it!

 So many possibilities . . . So few words necessary....learn how to do it at Zentangle's blog.

Square Debonair

For 9 years, this little nook in my house was bare.  Poor little nook.  Luckily, I stumbled on these Malma square mirror frames at Ikea.  I luv, luv, luv Ikea and couldn't pass these up at only $2.99 a pop.  Speaking of pop, I think they add just the right punch of color, don't you?  Thankfully, these were available in black and brick orange (my new color scheme, yay!) so there wasn't much to do, but hang them up.  Instead of using the little rings and string that came with the mirrors, I used Command Damage Free Hanging Tape that you can find just about anywhere these days. 

Handprint Canvas Art

This was an easy and inexpensive project that involved the whole fam.  If you like pastels and don't want to DIY, then you can buy a kit at Red Envelope.  Pastels are not in my color pallet so I picked up some acrylic paints and canvas from Walmart.  I painted each canvas and let it dry and then an hour later, we put our hand prints on the canvas.  Frames are from Michael's.  It's a nice keepsake preserving the tiny hands of my twins and I get lots of nice compliments too.