Party Life - To Infinity & Beyond

My son loves Toy Story, but while most kids who love the movie are crazy over Woody, my son is a Buzz Lightyear fanatic. His first trip to Disneyland, he went on the Buzz Lightyear ride and its been Buzz ever since. So for this recent 3rd birthday we did a Buzz Lightyear themed party. While he does love the whole Toy Story clan, I really wanted to go in a Star Command direction which is a lot more DIY since all the party supplies are Toy Story. Here's what we came up with:

This was the invitation we sent out to all Space Rangers.

My sister was visiting from North Carolina and volunteered to put her cake making abilities to use and made a Buzz Lightyear cake and cupcakes.

I was impressed by her talents.

I got balloons from Party City and other décor from Amazon and Hobby Lobby to create the different backdrops. We had the cake and party favors on this table.

Besides doing a piñata our party favors were Astronaut Ice Cream. I was able to get larger quantities on Amazon and got the extra ones I needed at Hobby Lobby (used 40% off coupon code in store).

I had originally planned on giving kids Star Command badges as they entered. I made them (several hours of work), but then had last minute printing issues and no time to run out and do elsewhere. Instead as they entered they were met with a backdrop and masks for photos.

Here is the birthday boy in his Buzz Lightyear costume.

I painted to background by using a projector and butcher paper. I then painted in my pencil outline. I used the same technique on the other paintings.
As they came in we had a welcome with Toy Story characters saying hello.

Our meal was rocket fuel (fruits and veggies) and pizza at the Pizza Planet.

We had tables outside and did a couple of games and coloring pages before eating. One of the missions for the Space Rangers was to return the LGM's to the Unimind. They had to free the LGM's from the forces of Zurg (purple balloons) then return them to the Unimind (green bucket) to receive their prize. It was a fun party! I know I went a little overboard for a 3 year olds party, but the 50 people at the house had fun and there are a lot of great memories to keep. Thanks to everyone who came to celebrate with my little boy!

Creative Life - DIY Apron Project

When I say, I sew, I mean I know how to use a sewing machine at the novice level. I can do some troubleshooting when my bobbin doesn't function properly but beyond that, I call for reinforcements. I can measure and cut out a simple pattern, but tend to fly by the seat of my pants and hope it turns out. As you will note from a previous post, some redo projects, like my attempt to turn a maxi dress into a maxi skirt can be a major fail and look like I drink heavily. So keep all that in mind as you read this post.

My son enjoys cooking with me and has started working on some painting projects as gifts for Christmas. He doesn't have a smock/apron of his own and generally uses his sisters' flower patterned apron. This can be a problem when she wants to use it. So I thought it high time he had his own.

I set out to Hobby Lobby in search of fabric (Note: While Joann's has a much greater selection of fabric, I find Hobby Lobby has much more trendy prints). I discovered some red fabric with Mickey Mouse heads in a darker shade of red and my friend, Amanda, discovered a Toy Story print with Buzz and Woody (two very big names in our house). I guessed (correctly, I might add) that I would need a yard of the Toy Story fabric and a half yard of the Mickey Mouse fabric. I used the floral apron of Katie's as a pattern for this one, though it is a little big for him. I guess I figure he can keep it longer if he will grow into it.

- Here's Katie's apron (I chose not to the do the bottom with the ruffle like this one)

I measured the strips and ironed them inside out so that I could easier sew them, then pull them threw right side out, then sewed them closed.

As you can see the bottom is a jagged mess, but I cut it and folded it straight when I sewed it.

I folded a piece for the pocket double the size I wanted and ironed it. I sewed the bottom of the pocket on, then cut the back piece of the fold, so it would have a nice seam length, then sewed both sides.

Voila! The finished project!