Construction Birthday Party Decorations

Ah, the big day has come and gone! It could not have been smoother or more fun! The kids had a great time playing which allowed the parents to enjoy a little conversation. It was a success!

Now here are the details!

I ordered just about everything from Oriental Trading Company! They are the best! This banner came from them. I originally got it for a row of pictures, one from each month of his second year, but it was so big I could cut it up and use it in numerous places. I did cut each triangle apart because the space between them was too wide. I just used a glue gun to stick them back together. It really was not a big deal. I believe it came with a 100 feet, which was way too much but allowed for some added decorations around the house inside and out.

This banner is the reason I bought it in the first place. I put a picture of Jacob from each month- 13 through 24. I did this last year and really loved seeing how much he changed so I wanted to include it again this year. He has changed so much in the last 4 months it is unbelievable! I made a sign like a construction sign that said, "Jake's Second Year." I will link to this on my printables post. I used the website picnik.com to write each month on the picture. This is a dummied down photoshop and I love it. It is free or you can upgrade for about $25 bucks a year!

Here are a few other places I included the banner. The last picture is the party favor table I placed the tool belts in a tool box for display. I made a printable for the banner that said, "Thank you for helping us celebrate." The truck is just an added decoration.

Another party favor were these hats. I bought them through Oriental Trading and just added the sticker (Printable page) with each child's name and a few foam stickers, again through Oriental Trading. The kids could grab the hats during the party but I saved the tool belts for when they left. These children were young and I knew that pieces would be lost or mixed up as the party progressed if I handed it out at the beginning of the party. Plus it helped the little ones say goodbye without tears.

Horrible picture, but here is a wreath I made. I will use this as a prop in a photo shoot for his birthday pictures as well. 

 

Here are foam stickers of road signs I bought at Oriental Trading Company. I received a HUGE bag of them and just used them as decorations all over. I took one and stuck it to a string then put the matching sign on the opposite side and hung the string from the chandelier. 

This is the food table. I did not serve a meal just finger foods. In the corner you can see a bucket with a sign reading, "Dirt Pudding." Here is a link to the recipe. Appropriate for the theme! :)

I printed two different coloring pages for the children. (printables) One was a picture of a dump truck and the other was a construction area. I placed them on this window seat with two buckets of crayons and some truck books. I did not know if anyone would read or color but it was an option. We did have a couple 

color-ers and book readers. It was a nice way to defuse a sticky situation. 

And the most important decoration... The DIG, DIG Table! 

I had a train table that I placed in the center of the room with pea rocks in it. I then made some road signs to decorate it with and filled in the trucks, bowls, cups and shovels. By husband thought I was nuts and told me he would have no part of the clean-up if I went through with this! But after the party he was willing to admit it was a HIT! It would obviously be better suited for outside but here in Tennessee it is just too hot to have an outdoor party in August! At least for a 8 month pregnant lady, like myself!!

The last part of decorations is the cake! I was planning on making a cake but being 8 months pregnant and having a tiny kitchen in a HOT August I decided to buy one. This one could not have been a better choice. I picked it up at Publix. 

The decorations always seem to help set the mood of a party. Although we rent and I DO NOT love the house or paint colors/wall paper, I try to make the most of it for the party. 

Construction Party- Party Favors

For the party favors I knew exactly what I wanted to do! Jake loves dressing up and I knew the other children do too. So I wanted to include some dress-up items.

I went over to Home Depot and picked up these tool belts. They were $0.77 a piece. I embellished them a bit by adding the children's names and a few foam tools. The foam tools are beads that came from Oriental Trading Company. I love this store! I have used them for years, through my teaching career.

I used the foam beads to make necklaces. I initially bought them to use as an activity during the party. But after receiving them I decided they were too small for the children to bead by themselves. I included the necklaces in the tool belt. 

I included these plastic water squirters. I thought they were cute and fit perfectly with the theme. I placed one of the squirters in the tool belt. 

The last thing I included was a small plastic dump truck. Inside the dump truck was a notepad, crayons and stickers. 

I wrapped the tool belts up with the child's name showing. I plan on displaying them as part of the decorations until the end of the party. We will see if the kids let me do that! All of the items inside came from Oriental Trading and I also bought construction hard hats. I plan to put those out for the children during the party. I made sticker labels for those and will post pictures of those later. They will be the "party hats" so the kids will hopefully want to wear them! I am getting so excited! 

Felt Cupcakes

I absolutely love all the felt food out there and wanted to try to make some as well! Then I came across this opportunity from Something Splendid.

For a small fee I received all the supplies, template and web video directions on how to make these delicious cupcakes! It was so fun and well worth the fee! I ended up making two sets for gifts. Here is the first set:

I made two sets so mine are slightly different because of my available supplies. I then took the cupcakes and placed them in a fun basket. With a handmade apron and pot holder. 

I made the apron out of kitchen tea towels and used the same towels to make the pot holder.

I love these sweet cupcakes and think this gift it too cute for a toddler! 

Thanks Something Splendid, I copied that!

Second Birthday- part 1

I cannot even begin to believe that Jacob is almost two years old! I am so proud of the little guy and love getting to know him and watching him grow everyday!

Preparations are well on their way for the birthday party! I went back and forth about even having one but decided that we would have a small party with his friends. The party theme is Dig, Dig (Construction). Jacob is obsessed with all things construction! He has actually been fascinated with construction since last October!!   When planning the party I pulled out my Party Planning Template again and started brainstorming.

 

I just googled construction birthday parties and found a great supply of resources. There are so many creative people out there so, I Copied That! Here are the plans I made for Jake's party.

I have started getting the decorations ready and the party favors together as well. It is so fun and I just can't wait to see Jake's face when he sees the house decorated and his friends over all ready to "Dig, Dig!"

I found the cutest idea from My Own Road. This is perfect for my little guy!

Jen took this trash bag box and turned it into a mailbox for her daughter. I knew I had to do the same thing for Jacob because he loves the mail! He loves getting the mail and saying hello to the mailman. He then takes each piece of mail and studies them very carefully! :)

I didn't have as large of a trash bag box but this one worked just great! I had to use paint to write Mailbox on the box because when I used stickers they mysteriously disappeared! Although I did get a very nice 'picture' out of the deal! 

Sorry about the picture I was messing with my settings and had to click fast.

Jen made some mail for the mailbox out of felt. She took the time to make them very cute. I did not sew two pieces together but I did made some mail.

After playing with the mail and mailbox I decided we needed a mail bag to put the mail in before it was delivered! Jake kept taking the mailbox and moving the mail around, kind of missing the point. So I threw together this little mail bag for him to use to help deliver the mail. It seriously took about 30 minutes to make! It is very simple, I used an old receiving blanket and a scrap piece of fabric. I love using receiving blankets to make toys for Jake because the flannel is strong, soft and does not fray. I added a little pocket on the front with a flag and the letters for US Mail. The bag is simple to allow for easy access for putting the mail in and taking it out. I made one strap and place it across his shoulders so the bag hangs at his side. He was super excited! :)

Check out Jen's tutorial over at My Own Road!

Little Girl Apron

Christmas gift making is in full force over here at I Copied That!

I was at Target picking up a few things and had to walk through the dollar section, of course! I saw they had some bags of toy plastic fruit and vegetables. I thought about my friend's daughter and knew she would love the food. After thinking about ways to make it creative, while I walked through Target with a toddler who has decided that the front of the cart is NOT cool anymore, I was idea-less. 

That evening I went through my bookmarked projects for toddlers. What could I possibly do? Finally I came up with an idea! Phew! I would find a cute little basket and make an apron to add to the basket and fruit. I was at World Market to pick-up some cookie cutters and found the cutest tea towels.

I thought that I could use the red floral (with the cute little ruffle) to make the apron! I could also use the solid red (they came together) as a liner for the basket. Oh, I found the cutest little basket there as well! 

I took the tea towel and cut it in half. I then folded it in half and measured four and a half inches over from the fold. From that point I cut a J shape to create the shape of the apron. From there I followed the tutorial prepared by Joanna at Star Dust Shoes. I had some scraps that I used for the ties and for the pocket.

Although it is not perfect, I think it turned out pretty stinkin' cute! Love the ruffle at the bottom, and I did not even have to do it! I cannot wait to see sweet Nyah walking around in this apron!

Here is the whole gift! I found the collinder at World Market as well. It is tiny and so cute. I thought it would be a good addition. Come on you have to wash those fruits and veggies after you pick them!

Merry Christmas, Nyah!

Hope you love your gift!

Thanks, Star Dust Shoes, I copied that! 

Happy Halloween!

After all the craft projects we were finally ready for the big day! 

And a big day it was; Jake's first trick or treating!

This was the full gear for the costume. Cute right?

Now the best part... a couple days before Halloween there was a mysterious backhoe parked at the end of our street. No one was quite sure why but I did not care. Jake got all dressed up and we went down for a photo shoot!

Off to work!

He could not have been more excited!

Yes, he pulled out his screwdriver to 'work' on the wheel!

Could he be any cuter?

Ok, Ok back to Halloween.

We all had to dress-up for our neighbor's birthday party before trick or treating.

Trick or Treat!

What a fun night!

Toddler Tool Belt

I was done to the wire getting Jake's Halloween costume finished in time and what happened?? BROKEN SEWING MACHINE! (of course!)

AHHHHHHHHHHHHH

What to do? There is nothing to do but get CREATIVE! I still needed to make the tool belt for his costume and I had a basic outline for doing so from The Creative Maven. 

Her plan used a place mat to create the tool belt. I loved this idea because I knew that he would be rough with it and I wanted it to last so he could use it for dramatic play. I decided that I could pull this off using a GLUE GUN! Thanks to A Girl and a Glue Gun for inspiring projects using a glue gun!

This plan could not have been easier especially using a glue gun!! All I had to do was fold the place mat in half then fold one side down one inch. I glued the half inch down then glued the sides down. I added a loop for the hanging hammer. I also glued binding to add a bit of embellishment.

I glued the strap on the back of the tool belt. I already had bought the clip to open and close the straps and I just put it on with a bit of glue too! I am telling you, SUPER EASY! And I still think it looks cute! I did not tell anyone it was glued and no one noticed. So make a tool belt for your little one today! 

Thanks The Creative Maven, I copied that!

Trick or Treat

I picked up this little orange bag at Michael's Crafts. It was $1.00 and I knew I could make this little bag a cute Trick or Treat bag for my guy! I had some extra reflective tape from the construction vest so I thought I could add that and maybe some paint to represent a pumpkin.

I made a stencil, just out of paper, and used this glitter spray paint. It had a squirt top so it was very easy to use. I then outlined the face with some fabric paint. One side done. Check!

Sorry not a great pick, but you get the idea!

On the other side I decided to get a little more creative! I saw the cutest idea from a post on a Halloween Round-up but my computer went dead and I lost the site! Boo! I had to work from my memory. The basic idea was a spider web made out of black floss and a spider out of a button. Super cute! Here is what I came up with...

I had to make this picture extra large because, come on, it is too cute!

After attaching the spider, button, I went over two holes with bright yellow to make the eyes. I felt like the bag needed something more so I stitched his name down at the bottom and stitched a black dotted line through the handles. After all the stitching I needed to add a lining. I put a black lining in the bag with some extra fabric I had laying around. 

Hopefully this bag will not only be used this Halloween but for more to come!

Sorry I can't give credit random blogger, but I copied that! Thanks!

Edit:

I was not completely satisfied with the pumpkin side of the bag so I added some more embellishments. I added a pumpkin shape around the face and wrote Trick or Treat. Much better!