Blast from the Past

I've been working on my Pinterest boards, doing a lot of "research" on birthday parties, and it made me start to think about the birthday parties I've done for my girls in the past.  So, I pulled out the external hard drive this morning (because I couldn't sleep thinking about my looming Bunco party hosting duties AND my youngest daughter's birthday party and all the stuff I have to do for it).  And, I decided to take a look back at what I thought I remembered as some fabulous birthday parties I put together.  But, as I'm looking at the pictures, this thought comes to mind: "Is that it?  Is that ALL I did for the Raggedy Ann birthday and the Blues Clues birthday and the vintage Barbie birthday?  Oh, Angela you could have done so much more!"  Disappointment set in, but then I realized how my style and expectations have changed so much over the years (and also why I get so stressed out).  And, I remembered one of my pins I posted on my "LOL" board (which I guess I should rename to "Sayings" or "Funnies/Words to Live By", but I digress...).  The pin said "Do more of what makes you happy."  And art and decorating make me VERY happy.  And, let's face it, when the kids all finally get out of the house and  into school you have more time to take things to the next level.

Here's a few snapshots of my daughter, Abigail's, sixth birthday--Fifties Bowling party.  There isn't a whole lot of decor, but there is one project in the last pic that I'm proud of and will be revisiting that process this weekend.  Check it out:

Here is my daughter's cake.  I think this was around the time I was watching "Ace of Cakes" and had some grandiose desire for a 3D pink 1950s car cake.  Well, cha-ching!  So, I settled for this sheet cake with a fondant car.  Cute, right?  Unfortunately, it was probably the worst tasting cake I've ever bought!  And it wasn't cheap either.  Have you ever had that happen?  Let's just say I was more than a little annoyed.  No, I don't remember the bakery, and I wouldn't dis them on my blog even if I did remember...just some bakery in Houston.

Here is something I was MUCH happier with.  The super cool 1950s car favor boxes!  I honestly don't remember where I got them, but check out these awesome sights that I found:

http://www.retroplanet.com/PROD/25050

http://www.retrocandyonline.com/clcarcagi.html

For the boys:  the super cool racing car with the flames.  Doesn't this remind you of the Scorpions car from "Grease"?  Can someone say "Thunder Road"!  LOVE "Grease"!  Do you sing the songs while watching it?  I do.  My husband leaves the room.  :-P

For the girls:  totally cute pink cars!  "The Pink Ladies pledge is to act cool, to look cool, and to beeeeeee cool.  Till death do us part, think pink!!!"  Ok, so that was from "Grease 2", but I sing with that movie too.

Here was my crafty contribution to the party.  A fifties car standee.  I've only recently learned the term "standee".  I cut it out of that thick foam board you can get at Lowe's or Home Depot.  It had a shiny silver paper coating on it (which worked great for all the chrome on the car), but it took acrylic paint very well.  I found the image on the computer, printed it off, and put a transparency over the picture and outlined it.  Then I took my overhead and projected onto the foam board in order to trace the image out.  Yep, I'm old school.  I have an overhead projector I think I got off of ebay.  It comes in super handy.  Then I cut out the image using a box cutter, painted it with acrylic paint, and printed out the personalized sign for the license plate.  We took it to the bowling alley and had everyone take their picture "riding" with the birthday girl. Then I used those pictures for personalized Thank You notes.  It worked out great, and the kids had a lot of fun with it!

Hope you enjoyed my little blast from the past.  And don't be afraid to push the boundaries when it comes to decorating, crafts, and design.  I am happy when I am creating and making those special memories for my kids.

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