Home | Catch My Party

Circus parties are so popular these days. Check out some of the best new trends here.

Need construction party ideas? We've got them here!

How cool would a paper plate backdrop look at your next party? Learn how to make one.

Check out all the recent posts I've done on Spoonful!

I like to put out festive decorations during the different seasons, and what I love about Easter is the colors. Pastels make me happy and they definitely make me think of spring.

So when I was at Target a few days ago browsing through the $1 bins, I saw this wooden box ($3) and these rub-on transfers ($1). I decided to put the floral transfers on the box, hoping for a kind of shabby chic look and I love how it came out.

All you do is cut out the decorations...

Peel off the back and stick it to the box. Then using your fingernail, a spoon, or any other hard object, rub the transfer so it sticks to the box.

Peel it off and voila! This is seriously the easiest craft to make, and so much fun.

Now I've got some quick spring decor and a place to store my Easter chocolates! :)

For more Easter inspiration, check out these gorgeous Easter parties  and free Easter printables on our site.

Who doesn't love Pinterest? And who doesn't pin crafts they'll probably never make? Well, here's a way to fix that!

So how do you throw a Pinterest party? Read on...

ACTIVITY

You and your friends create a group craft board on Pinterest, like these below, where everyone  adds pins of crafts they'd like to make.

You can do this part one of two ways...

OPTION 1 -- The host picks one or two simple crafts off of the group board and purchases the supplies so everyone can make them during the party.

OPTION 2 -- Each guest picks a craft off of the board she'd like to make, and brings enough supplies for 4 guests, including herself. Names are pulled out of a hat to decide which craft goes with which guest. By the end of the evening, every guest gets to make 4 crafts. **Remind your guests that the crafts they choose should not take more than a half hour to complete, or you'll be there all night. :)

PARTY FAVORS

If the host is providing the craft supplies, I recommend each guest bring a bag filled with craft supplies and instructions for one craft. These bags are exchanged at the end of the night so everyone goes home with a new craft. Or if the host isn't providing the craft supplies for the party, I recommend the host pick a simple craft, buy supplies and wrap them up with instructions to send home with each guest .

MY NEWEST CRAFT RECOMMENDATION

Here's a simple craft I found on Pinterest (that I've just started), and that would make a perfect Pinterest party craft.

Using a Pebeo Porcelaine pen (they come in a bunch of colors), draw on a ceramic mug or plate with any design or text you'd like. Then bake for 30 minutes in a 300 degree oven, let cool, and the marker becomes permanent, even dishwasher safe.

If you throw a Pinterest party, please add it to our site. I'd love to show it off!

Orbit® gum is a global brand, enjoyed by millions of people around the world.  Chew Orbit after any meal to leave your mouth with “A Good Clean Feeling®”. Eat. Drink. Chew™ Orbit! Like us on Facebook here.

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Orbit® gum via Glam Media but such compensation did not influence any opinions expressed herein.  The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Orbit® gum

Wanessa from WCC Designs is back with this boy-themed photo backdrop DIY. Take a look at how cool it is!

The idea behind these photo backdrops was to bring some element of skate parks to my big boy's skateboard party. The inspiration was the wired fences you see at skate parks, and I used it to hang pictures of his past birthdays. This photo backdrops got lots of attention at the party!

Here you can see how they looked in the top photo behind the dessert table...

And here's a closeup...

MATERIALS:

• Foam board
• Gutter guard I bought at Lowe's for $3.72 (Amerimax 20" roll vinyl)
• Spray paint
• Fishing line
• Needle
• Spray adhesive
• Brown paper
• Clothespins
• Ruler and pencil
• Picture hanger

1. Spray paint the foam board. Make sure to apply two coats.
2. With the foam board completely dry, start shaping the gutter guard onto the foam in zig zag waves. Secure the gutter guard by making stitches through the foam board with the fishing line and a needle.  Make a double knot on the back of the foam board and cut the line.
3. When done shaping the gutter guard, cut off what is left, probably half of the roll
4.  Spray adhesive the back of the foam board. Stick the brown paper on it, then trim around. This will cover the fishing line knots.

  5.  Place the picture hanger on the back side of the foam and you're done!

6.  Use mini clothespins to attach the pictures to the backdrop

Thanks Wanessa. What a great way to add some skate park ambiance to your party!

To learn more about Wanessa and see more of her designs, please visit her blog, Facebook page, and Etsy shop.

If you need to get organized, here's an easy recycling DIY project using cardboard boxes that our creative contributor Wanessa from Wanessa Carolina Creations put together.

With this tutorial, you can take any box, make it beautiful, then add these free editable labels so you know exactly what's inside.

Wanessa used a small diaper's box and a Rice Crispie treats box to demonstrate.  Here's what she did...

Material needed:

1. Boxes
2. Gift wrap (I like to use those with a grid on the back, each square measures 1" so it's easier to measure and to cut)
3. Spray adhesive
4. Exacto knife
5. Glue
6. Ink pad
7. Scissors
8. Trash bag

Here are the boxes she used.

Instructions (Rice Krispies Treats box)

• Unfold the box
• Place the box over the gift wrap and cut the size you will need
• Open the trash bag, place the box over it, and spray the adhesive on the outside of the box
• With the back of the paper facing up, start placing the unfolded box on the paper. (Be careful with this step. Start with the lid first on the paper. Then fold the lid of the box before placing the body of the box down on the paper. And finally fold the other side of the box before covering that side with paper.  If you stick the whole box down all at once, when you fold the sides of the box back up, it will rip apart.)
• Trim off the leftover paper
• Working on the left or right side of the box, fold and stick each small side of the box on the paper, then trim the edge, keep doing that until the side is done
• Do the same thing with the the other side of the box
• With the box completely covered, start blotting the ink pad on the edges to give it a better finish. I used black ink. (This step is optional.)
• Fold the sides of the box to reconstruct it and use the spray adhesive to stick the sides together

• Start cutting off the lids with your exacto knife, save the bigger sides
• Measure the paper you will need to cover the large sides and the bottom of the box, add 2" on each side. Do the same thing with the box top then cut off the paper
• Do the same for the small sides and bottom of the box
• Choose the side you will start working first (large or small side), spray adhesive on the respective paper. Place one side of the box onto the adhesived paper and leave 2" on each side and top, lay the bottom and then the last side
• Fold over and stick the 2" of extra paper onto the box
• Repeat the same steps to cover the other sides

  

  

• With the box all covered, stick the left over paper on the top covering the edges, then using a exacto knife cut off the paper left on the sides.

• To give a better finish inside, cut 4 stripes of paper, measuring 2" width and stick inside of the box on each side

• With the lids you saved, start making a bottom to place inside of the box

• Place both together on the paper and cut the size you will need (2 x);
• Spray the adhesive on the paper, stick both lids together, do the same to cover the other side of the lids, for last trim the edges with a exacto knife and place inside of the box;
• Now that you have your box nicely covered it's time to label.

Instructions for the Editable Labels

The day is finally here! We're giving away a Cricut Expression 2 worth $299.99!

I've been having so much fun with mine! To see what I've been up to, take a look at my recent Valentine's Day post and favor box post.

What's amazing about the Cricut is the variety of projects you can create. Here are some projects I hope to conquer in the coming months (I found all these images on the Circut blog).

It's super easy to enter the giveaway. Just “like” Cricut on Facebook, then come back here and leave a comment saying you did just that.

We’ll pick a winner at random on Thursday, March 1st at 10:00PM (PST) and notify the winner by email.  Any entries after that won’t be considered, sorry. We will use random.org to generate our winner and will notify you by email. Open to US residents only. 

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I was recently sent a Cricut Expression 2 by the nice folks at Cricut, and I've been busy.

I have to say, there is a learning curve to using your Cricut, so don't be surprised if it takes a little while to get the hang of it. That's what I discovered for myself, and is also why I recommend starting with some easy projects, like those found on the Tags, Bags, Boxes & More 2 cartridge. (Perfect cartridge for party people, btw.)

Look what I created with it! I can't wait to use these favor boxes and paper tea cups at the small tea party I'm throwing for my daughter next month.

They were so simple to cut out and put together. Plus, my daughter likes pushing the buttons and pealing the paper off the cutting mat once the machine does its magic. She now thinks we're crafting wizzes!

To do this project, I also used the Cricut Craft Room, which is an online resource that's free, and allows you to see the entire library of Cricut images, as well as lay out your projects on your computer screen. I found it of hugely helpful and a much easier way to make adjustments to my designs.

I've also been looking at Cricut videos on YouTube and there are some super helpful ones out there.

Now the good part... This Friday we will be giving away a Cricut Expression 2 worth $299. So stay tuned for my post on Friday, and thank you kind people at Cricut!

Where will my Cricut adventure take me next?

Rachel used our tutorial for making Mini Lemon Tartlets, and turned them into caramel tartlets. Love this idea. Thanks for sending in the photo, Rachel!

Does anyone else have a variation on mini tartlets? Please email me at jillian(at)catchmyparty(dot)com.

My daughter loves pine cones and always collects them, so when I saw this tutorial for a beautiful way to display them in a frame, I had to post about it. The tutorial was created by Linda of Craftaholics Anonymous.

How beautiful would these framed pine cones look as part of your fall or winter decor.

Check out the entire tutorial here!

Thank you, Linda for this easy craft. I might be making one this week with my daughter.

I saw Brenda F's Backyard Carnival Party and almost flipped. The attention to detail was amazing. Then I discovered she pulled the whole thing off on a budget of $464 for 70 people. That's about $6.50 per person.

Of course I had to learn her secrets, so here are Brenda's top 5 tips on saving money throwing an amazing party. Take it away, Brenda...

TIP 1 - Don't be Shy

Because I knew my theme early on, I was able to talk to the manager of our local Dollar Tree store about a "Big Top" promotion they were having in their candy department throughout the summer and requested that they give me the empty boxes.

Once I was given the go-ahead for pick up, I was able to fill up my SUV with these adorable red & white striped boxes AND she threw in a colorful plastic sign that said "Candy Zone." It worked perfectly at our candy buffet table. These items were FREE, and were going to end up in the trash if I hadn't spoken up.

Empty carnival boxes from the Dollar Tree

When a Facebook friend who lives locally posted pics from her grandson's carnival party, I immediately sent her a message to ask if she wouldn't mind letting me borrow some of her decorations before I spent money on purchasing those very same items myself. She was happy to loan them to me, as they were just going to sit in a box in storage otherwise.

Borrowed items and prize table

Because I didn't have the extra money to hire professional entertainment, my husband entertained our guests with his juggling skills and I taught myself how to twist balloon animals by watching tutorials on Youtube. I also asked friends to assist me. One friend was willing to play the clown, one did face painting, and two others helped me with making balloon animals. 

My husband, the juggler

My friend as the clown

Lots of balloon hats

My friend helping with face painting

I called our local feed store to ask about their pricing on hay bales and asked if they were available to rent instead of purchasing. As it turns out, we were able to purchase them upfront and return them later, undamaged, and we received all of our money back. I loved the old-time look that the bales provided, and they also doubled as extra seating. Ultimately, they didn't cost us anything and because of the significant savings, we will be using them a lot in the future!!

Free bales of hay for sitting

From other friends, I received an old fashioned popcorn maker to use for the day, a candy claw arcade game, and I was also offered two cartons of flossing sugar, cotton candy cones, and paper popcorn bags.

All other tables and chairs were borrowed items as well.

I know it seems like a lot to borrow from others but when you really need to save money, take whatever is being offered and it never hurts to ask for help. Most people are happy to oblige!

Tip 2 - Use What You Already Have and DIY Whenever Possible

Collect items around your house that may fit into your theme, including bowls and serving dishes. Sometimes you have to think outside of the box to repurpose items, but you will be surprised at what you won't have to purchase.

Search the web for free printables and royalty free clip art. You can use Microsoft Office and your free basic photo editing software to customize your own invitations, labels, banners, and other party decorations instead of purchasing them at party supply stores. The DIY custom touches are what really "wow" your guests! It doesn't matter what your skill level is with crafting, there IS always something that you can find to do yourself. Sometime's it is just as easy as hitting the print button.

I purchased a DIY printable package from an Etsy shop: Bee and Daisy. I searched until I found the best deal. It was $12 for the blank invite, pinwheel patterns, cupcake toppers and wraps, napkin rings, labels, a tee shirt transfer, and a banner sign. All other printables used were found online and were FREE. But don't allow yourself to get carried away with printing. Ink is expensive and this ate up much of our budget.

Invitaton

I bought a T-shirt at Target at $4.99 and I already had the iron-on transfer sheets lying around, so I printed out the image, and in 1 min. his birthday shirt was complete!!

And to think that I was originally going to buy him a custom T-shirt with a $29 price tag + shipping. Ouch!

I fell in love with cotton pom-pom's this year and created a #4 to decorate the dessert table backdrop. Using cardboard from an empty cereal box, I traced out the number, cut the shape out, and filled it in with small and medium sized colorful pom-poms and I used the jumbo pom-poms for making the fun garland by using a travel sewing kit and attaching each pom pom to thin ribbon. A hot glue gun would work just fine, too, but I really wanted this one to last so that I could re-use it again in the future.

Pom pom backdrop

Using some of the "Big Top" boxes that I received from the Dollar Tree, I made a circus train, and used inflatable animals, that we already owned, to sit in the train cars and welcome guests as they walked up to our front door.

Homemade circus train

I transformed my son's puppet stage as the "Ticket Booth" just by blocking out the painted clock with a picture of a clown and stringing a small banner on it.

Homemade ticket booth

For the photo booth: I collected our own sheets and bought cheap curtain panels to use as the backdrop and placed old Halloween costumes into a storage trunk to be used as photo booth wardrobe props. Easy!

Photo booth

Before selling old toys on Craiglist, or donating them to Goodwill,  I decided to give them one last go 'round and I incorporated them into our theme as well. Our son's battery operated Thomas the Train Railroad was set up and we also used both his rocking horse, and stick horse for some "Pony Ride" fun!

Thomas the Train ride

I find that it is best to stay clear of any party theme that is commercialized or too theme specific. It is almost impossible to use those same supplies in the future, lending them to the "one-time only" option. Example: When looking to purchase a printed cardboard cutout, I opted to buy the Hot Dog Concession Stand instead of buying the Carnival Barker because I can get so many more uses out of it.

Concession stand cutout

Try to use color combinations that are easy to find and that can be used again. I like red, white and blue. The best reason I can give for this is because after every Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day, party supplies in those colors are found extremely discounted. It is then that I stock up! This same combination also worked great for our son's train and baseball parties that we have done for him in the past.

Also, when looking for possible favor bag items, I always look in the clearance section of stores first. It is not uncommon to find great favors there that are well made, allowing us to gift our guests with something more than the same junky toys that are usually found in favor bags, and that every parent hates! This year, those items found did not cost any more than $0.49 each and they were used at our Prize Table.

TIP 4 - You're Not Feeding the Army

Outside of hosting a dinner party, you are not promising your guests that they leave with full stomachs. I always keep this theory in mind and inevitably, I am always left with extra food. To save additional money this year, I offered party guests food and snacks that gave me more quantity with lower costs.

The food

For example, we served corn dogs that gave 16 servings for $5.00. I purchased one large watermelon instead of a fancy fruit tray and served corn on the cob at 10 ears for $1.00. I spent $2.00 on bags of small carrots instead of serving a veggie tray that would only get half eaten.

I also purchased Goldfish crackers and gumballs that I individually wrapped into small portions, using clear bead bags that I got from the craft store. It allowed us to stretch the servings better than using the pint size snack bags and instead of over-filling the peanut bags with loose peanuts, I stuffed those into small snack bag first, to help keep them fresh, and to assist in filling up the paper sack, which allowed me to to use only one bag of peanuts and not having to purchase any more.

I also decided to use small cellophane bags again to showcase the cotton candy, instead of using the cones, because it required less product per serving and we had less waste.

TIP 5 - Plan Ahead

The first money saving tip will always be to plan ahead.

When your theme is chosen early, you have the time to search out party decorations and supplies at a reasonable cost, and/or either make them yourself.

Because I started planning our Backyard Carnival early and had an idea of what props I wanted, I went to children's consignment stores first and placed all the items on their "Wish List" and they contacted me when those items came in.

This was a huge time saver too! I did not have to visit these stores more than once and several of the items wouldn't be something they would have taken otherwise, because they aren't a high demand item, or that they were in less than perfect condition.

Simply put, if they weren't on the list, it would have been a missed opportunity. I was also able to negotiate better prices this way because they were making money on things that they never had to place on a shelf.

Secondly, I asked my friends that frequented thrift stores and yard sales to be on the lookout for certain items. They found me a brand new, never used, cotton candy machine for only $6, a baby sized pool and an entire shopping bag of rubber duckies for only $0.50 (to be used for one of the carnival games), a new face painting kit, and a crystal cake plate for only $1.50.

BREAKDOWN OF EXPENSES

Our party expenses totaled $464 for expecting 70 guests.

Food- $165 (includes drinks, snacks, candy for buffet table, and birthday cupcakes)

Printing- $60 (includes cost of printable package and paper too)

Party Props- $27 (includes hot dog stand, circus canopy, and dessert table decor)

Oriental Trading Co.- $49 (includes all misc. party supply supplies but I got free shipping)

Craft supplies-$50 (includes paint, glue, tape, paper lollipop and wooden craft sticks, fabric and ribbon.)

Serving pieces- $34 (includes paper plates, cups, utensils, peanut and pickle bags, paper straws, and 2 large netted style outdoor food covers)

Prize and Party Favors- $44 ( includes cost of prizes provided at each carnival game station, the Prize Table for every guest and custom party favor bags for the children only)

Helium Tank Rental- $35

*I could have saved even more money if I didn't insist that every part of the house was decorated....that is Tip #6. lol

Thank you Brenda, for these smart and creative tips. Your party looked  amazing!!

If you haven't seen the whole party, please check out all the photos. It's worth a serious look!