Sammy The Strongman

This post is dedicated to my very talented sister because it takes a village to throw a circus party.

If you think I have talent, you should see my sister. I may be able to create just about anything out of felt but when it comes to pen to paper talents, those all went to my sister.

I had mentioned, in passing, how I wanted to do fun photo cut out props for Grace's party.  Within minutes, my sister sent me this drawing.

And Sammy the Strongman was born. She projected him onto a board, drew him out, painted and weather proofed him.

The 'village' required to throw this circus party even extended to my brother in law.  He performed the face removal.  Apparently, they are more successful at crafting together than my husband and I are.

She'd send me updated pictures of her progress and with each one, I grew more in awe of her talent and impressed with her creation.

But, even with a sneak peek, I was still AMAZED at what an incredible job she did.  No detail was spared including the handlebar mustache.

And, if Sammy the Strongman weren't enough. She also made Madame G, a fortune teller...but you'll have to check out my Circus Party recap to get a peek at her.

So what do you think?

The Big Top - Part 2

I've kept you in suspense long enough. If you are curious how The Big Top Domed Circus Tent Challenge of 2012 went, wait no longer...

Yes, a custom tailored domed circus tent topper was created. My marriage and sewing skills were pushed to their limits :).

It's certainly no teepee, is it?

In the end, however ridiculous the logic my husband used, it does appear that if I can  make a pillow, I can make a fitted domed circus tent topper. 

My only worry.  I fear, in the near future, my husband will turn to me and say, 'If you can make a domed and fitted circus tent topper, you can  make 'insert the most ridiculous request here'".

* If you missed The Big Top Part 1, and need a good laugh, you can find it here.

Party Punch Box

What is a punch box you might be asking yourself.  Don't worry, I had no idea until I saw it being pinned and featured everywhere I turned.

 
The woman that made this latest trend go viral, Elena from 'a Casarella, has pinatas all over the world crying, 'don't forget about me'.

A punch box holds all sorts of prizes inside and the only way to get them out, punch through the holes.  How much fun is that?

  

Can you guess what I used to make my own version of this punch box? 

TURANO boxes from Aldi.  They were sturdy, easy to cut and FREE!  

'A Casarella has an amazing tutorial on how to make one.  There is no use to reinvent the wheel, so go and check her post out for all the details.  And, make one for your next party!

This punch box fun was 100% inspired by:



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Carousel Cupcakes

What better cupcake to serve at a circus party than a carousel cupcake.

There are so many baking blogs I follow that will be incredibly disappointed to learn my cupcakes were made from a box.

There, I've said it.

I've never claimed to be a baker.  Believe me, I am sure my guests were happy I didn't attempt to make these from scratch :)

Here is how you can make these 'semi-homemade' carousel cupcakes.

Supplies needed:
Animal Crackers {perhaps you don't need the industrial sized tub of animal crackers}
Cupcakes {feel free to show me up and make your cupcakes from scratch}
Icing
Cocktail umbrellas

To decorate:
Ice the cupcakes.  Arrange 3 animal crackers upright around the perimeter of the cupcake. Add a cocktail umbrella to the middle.

Isn't everything better with a cocktail umbrella? 

Be warned:  If you make the mistake of inviting some rambunctious neighbor boys over, to enjoy a carousel cupcake, make sure they don't use the cocktail umbrellas as weapons :)

*You may also enjoy, Mental Party Pictures from a Circus Party.

Wordless Wednesday

I'll remain wordless today and let Grace do the talking...

Mental Pictures From a Circus Party

The circus party has come and gone. As I look at the pictures from our party, I am reminded of blogs you read, were you see posts filled with perfect pictures, clean homes, well behaved, perfectly posed children and you are left thinking 1. wow, she has it all together or 2. what aren't they telling me, what's behind those too good to be true pictures.

Looking at the pictures of my party, I am shocked at the story they tell. The story of the well executed party. The cute decorations. The people smiling and having a good time.

The mental pictures I have of the party tell another story. My mental pictures answer the 'what's behind those too good to be true pictures'.  They can be summed up like this:

{12} balloon animals untwisted and used as weapons to attack our guests.  I did NOT see that coming.  See {9}.

{11} presents being openned, all at once, cards thrown to the side, papers up in the air.  All while {4} and {9} were taking place.  Mom, nearing a meltdown minutes after this picture was taken, is left to determine who gave what later.

Photo taken before present opening chaos broke out.

{10} minutes to extract a splinter out of a little girl's foot.  I wonder how that could have happened...

{9} the 4 and 5 year old brothers {that adds up to 9}, who had the presence of 10 kids.  Neighbors {whom we don't know other than the courtesy wave across the fence}, who that morning we extended the 'hey, why don't you stop over later' invite, who were jumping off the arm of my sofa as if it were a rocket launch, while their father said completely oblivious in our yard, trusting I was a competent babysitter and party hostess.

Yep...this sofa.

{8} pizzas ordered, none of which I had a chance to sit down and eat mainly because of {9}.

{7}, seventh, hottest day of the year.  I sweated through my $5 Goodwill dress I had scored in Febuary. 

{6} holes punched through the punch box before the party started.  Luckily my talented sister fixed all of them and no one was the wiser.

{5} hours before the party started, we found out the cotton candy machine we rented didn't work.  Yes we did have a cotton candy machine *which might explain {9} a bit better.

{4} kids having hurl yourself on the floor screaming tantrums as they were getting dragged out of the party {I happily would have left with any of those parents and let their kids stay in my place}.

I have mental pictures of the real deal, this is similar to how they looked {Grace age 2}.

{3} pairs of shoes left unclaimed at the end of the night.  That means, 3 kids left our party shoeless.

{2} people that asked what Up Right Step meant.  It's supposed to read:  Step Right Up.  I listened to the advice of my husband and arranged the words going up the stairs.  His logic was, you want them to step.right.up. 

{1} mom about to have a nervous breakdown, who will make a full recovery and  focus on the {1} birthday girl that smiled and laughed the entire day.

Actual pictures to come :) 

One Crafty Contest - Wood Round

Just when I thought I was out, they reeled me back in. No, I am not in the mafia. I'm referring to One Artsy Mama's One crafty Contest.




 In a strange twist of craft contest craziness, I am back in the competition. My gnomes did not disappoint.

Sadly, the very talented Melanie at Arzy Creations had to step down from the competition.  My gnomes, received the next highest amount of votes, so I was asked to step back in to the competition.

So, a BIG thank you for your votes!

I've now moved on to round 4 to compete with 4 other very talented bloggers in the wood competition.  Voting is now open.  Once again, projects are anonymous so vote from the heart and share your voting love with the projects that inspire you.

Go vote!