The Carnival Birthday Party

I am so pleased to slip on these featured everyday mom heels and wave goodbye to the circus. Yes the "Greatest Show on Earth" was a hit but it left my <insert title here> and me completely exhausted. It was well worth it though because all the kids enjoyed it.

From the event I now truly understand the concept of hiring, or at least assigning, someone to take some photos because yes a girl as together as me can forget to take the photos especially because I was the only carnie working the booths. Here are a few of the highlights I did manage to capture on film:

The first act was my version of the Super Epic Rainbow Cake balancing on the wonderfully built cake stand by my <insert title here>. Yes it is a bit thicker than the original, which you can see at Whisk Kid, but it was my first time baking this monsterous cake.

Overall everyone loved the sight and taste of this cake especially the birthday boy and girl (pictured at the right). I thought it turned out superly delicious not to mention there was plenty leftover so I got to quietly indulge my first piece of cake the day after the circus left town.

Next up are the games because what is a carnival without games. Yes you said it... Nothing! The games were all made by hand because the Ringmaster and I wanted to be a little more "greener" and spend as little as possible especially with the 400 miles of gas to cover. One of the first games played was Tic Tac Toe or in "carnie speak" Three in a Row.

This game was made with miraculosly no cost to me since I already had all the supplies. If you would like to recreate this board you will need:

1. A board. I used the backing of an old framed poster that someone threw out, I know redesign points for me. You can also achieve this look with a foam core board.
2. A ruler. You will need this tool to achieve a perfectly straight square for your board.
3. Some paint or decorative paper. I used leftover Tempra paint I had for the stripes and puffy fabric paint for the outlining of the star (thus the gloss).
4. Bean Bags. This is the fun part because you can design your bean bags to the theme of your party whether it be by color or shape. Since I am obsessed with the Strong Man and his mustache I opted for mustache and lip shaped bean bags that I made with scrap fabric I had.

I then used canned food cans and covered them in ballon and star wrapping paper to hold the bean bags. I think it came out great and the best part is I can pull it out anytime for the kids to play with it.

On to the next game... Go Fish. Although this picture is not the actual one taken at the party it was the same concept minus the Goldfish in the middle. Hands down the goldfish was what made this game and I am glad I bought them even though some parents weren't pleased they were also the prize for winning the game. The object was to get 3 ping pong balls into the jars and win the fish such a classic. I still remember when I won my first goldfish at the fair. Thanks Grandma.

Another classic game is Pin the Tail on the Donkey but to keep with the theme it was more like Pin the Nose on the Clown. The other featured games were Shoot Out, Knife Throwing and Ring of Fire which are not pictured.

With all great games come great prizes, such as live goldfish, cracker jacks, brownie pops, pinwheels, and circus maracas.

And yes you guessed it, the circus macaras were the most wanted prize. I just wished I made more. I stumbled across these diy maracas from Beauty All Around, but put my own spin on them. My favorite was the Strong Man (of course) and the Bearded Lady.

If you are planning a carnival and need any ideas or help please feel free to contact me. In the mean time you can relax and get your heels here Butter Women's Sallie Pump ♥



Call me a Carnie

Its back to reality which means back to work. I just wish the Ringmaster wasn't such a slave driver but then again I could be on grooming the bearded lady duty or the knife thrower's assistant.

So I'll happily keep on crafting and stress over the fact that I only have 24 days til the carnival comes to town. On the plus side I do get to find whimsical heels, like this one, to introduce you to.

And on to the next project... Games!! Because what is a carnival without the food and the carnie booths. The Ringmaster and I have nailed the booths down to six since the magic birthday numbers are six and three. So drum roll please, the games are...

1. Ball Toss
2. Duck Races
3. Three in a Row
4. Go Fish
5. James' Shoot Out
6. Searra's Knife Throw Off

Now doesn't that list just make you smile as big as a clown. In addition, there will also be the ulimate favorite games of Pin the Nose on the Clown and the get your rage out on a Pinata. So far I have only completed the Ball Toss.

Did I mention I have less than a month to finish all the games, prizes, decor, and food ideas. Talk about stress. Right about now any job sounds better even cleaning out the wolfman's cage. While I set up the tent you can get you whimsical heels here Irregular Choice Sweety Bird Platform Ladies Pump ♥

The Carnival is coming to Town

In the mix of creativity uncontrollably spilling out of my head I stumbled across this colorful heel. And then it hit me in the face like a pie to a clown. My two, always adorable yet mischievous, stepchildren are turning 3 and 6 this year and what better way to celebrate than with a carnival themed birthday party.

So the alphabet must come to a hault, tear I know, but I have get my act together because the carnival is coming to town. I roughly have two months to plan the Greatest Show on Earth featuring the death defying act of a double birthday. And with all great acts the audience needs to be notified of the event so invitations were first on my list. Although I have to admit I put the invites on the backburner for the time being because who doesn't like to start their day off with some good ole fashioned fun.

Step right up, Step right up, because Carnie is my name and Ball Toss is the game. First of all I would like to thank the inventor of Mod Podge for this one. This diy project was simple and requires only 3 items (Mod Podge, a can and paper) and 3 steps.

Step 1: Choose your can. I opted for a beverage can because I think they have more balance for the type of project I did, but you can also use a canned food can. Plus if you are using a specific image or pattern it will come out smoother with a canned food can than a beverage can.

Step 2: Choose your image. I used newspaper for mine specifically the comics since they have such vibrant colors and stickers for the names but you can use pretty much anything including fabric just remember to think outside of the box.

Step 3: Mod Podge your hearts away. First I applied Mod Podge directly to the can then applied my image and finished it off with a coat of Mod Podge Gloss. Here are the ending results, however, be sure to click the image to enlarge and get a full view.


My <insert title here> thought they came out awesome and doesn't want to use them for the game, but rather save them. My answer was hunny I paid nothing for them so let the kids have fun and throw their hearts out after all it is a carnival of fun and love.

For your very own carnival feet you can get your heels here  T.U.K. Women's A7926L Pump ♥