kyle is 5

Last Monday (10/12), Kyle said ABSOLUTELY everything must be Thomas the Tank Engine for his birthday party. I was still tired from the family wedding the day before, so I agreed to it. Even though I was planning on making his party table absolutely fabulous with my paper crafting projects. I was kinda glad I didn’t have to make anything. I was worn out. Too bad for all the cute stamps and supplies I’ve bought for the party. None were used. =(

Tuesday: Still tired. Bought some Thomas party goodies. EXPENSIVE!

Wednesday: Still tired. Got a flu shot. More tired. Started to rain. Gloomy~

Thursday: Kelleigh was showing off (heehee) her newest box template to her creative teams, and I felt motivated again to create something. I used this template to make 36 party favors. I’ll share the photos this Thursday when she releases the template at theDigiChick.com.

Friday: I let Kyle help me with the party stuff, and he didn’t mind everything wasn’t Thomas. *whew* Wish I had started working on it sooner. Didn’t have enough time to make much. *sigh*

Saturday: Still raining. The party at 10 am. About an hour drive from our house. The party place was right next to train tracks, and that was the inspiration for the travel theme party that I had in mind.

Meagerly decorated party table. I was planning on putting the train track (Stampin’ Up! Wheel stamp) just on the center of the table. But, Kyle wanted to do it. I loved his version better.

Used the circles from Thomas confetti for the chocolate nugget trains. Cut sticker sheet margin and used it to connect the wheels.

Put buttons to make candy cars. I REALLY wanted to make the matchbox cars, but didn’t have time for it *sigh*

A lot of kids were sick and couldn’t make it to the party. It was at a moon bounce place. One kid broke her arm at the party. Yikes!

Here, Kyle is making birthday treats for his class. I wanted to use Taylored Expression’s Cuppie stamp instead of the Thomas, but Kyle stopped liking the Cuppies ever since I made the pirate ship.

I didn’t want to bake cupcakes cuz then I would have to put frosting on top (too messy, and Kyle’ll only eat frosting) and I’m never good at pouring the batter into the cupcake mold without spilling it every where.

We baked a chocolate cake in a baking sheet instead and scooped it out with spoon and put it in the clear plastic cups. He put lots of sprinkles, stuck spoons, put Thomas decoration, and wrap it with sandwich bags.

Overall, Kyle LOVED his birthday celebration.

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*Whew*
I finally finished Kyle’s birthday invitations. I was brainstorming for his cards since June/July, and even had a mock-up, but never got to actually make any invitations. I knew I wanted to make an accordian card, but couldn’t really decide on the cover. And couldn’t really find a place to put the “All Aboard” ticket.

Then, yesterday I was thinking, why not make travel luggage cards? After all, I’ve been doing a lot of 3-d projects lately, why not make my son’s invitation different. Besides, it fits with “train ride to the party” travel theme.

Matchbox Template Set by Kelleigh Ratzlaff Designs (I used the large template). Her templates are soooo easy to use, and love using it since she did all the measument and all I have to do is print and cut.

Kelleigh Ratzlaff Designs is having a 30% off Back to School Sale until the end of September!

Stamped the cover. After I made this prototype birthday favor backpack (brown lunch bag covered with patterned papers), I was worried about how long it would take for me to make over 20. Stephanie (She was my first blog candy claimer and we became friends =) suggested stamping instead. Brilliant! Thanks Stephanie!

Flip the cover. Glue the bottom and the back part of the luggage. Attach the box.

Attach the ribbon (I used all purpose craft glue) to the cover. Spread/glue Aleen’s Tack-It Over & Over glue on the ribbon. This way, you can open and close the flaps over and over again.

Here are the invitation cards that go in the boxes (luggage).

Stamp: Making Memories Passport;
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black.

Stamps: Stampin’ Up! ” Choo Choo” and the matching train track Stampin’ Wheel; Taylored Expressions “Sweet Celebration”;
Stickers: Paperchase Cityscape.
Lollipop behind the engine.

Stamp: Maya Road “All Aboard” Singleton Stamp.

Duh~~!! I attached the handle on the front flap instead of the top. It was around 4 am, and I was dozing off.

Ta-da~! 21 Matchbox luggage. Hmmm… Missing one on the photo.

This one is for Kyle.

I didn’t put any contact information on the invitation card, because the party place provided it along with “do not sue us if your children get hurt” kind of waiver forms.

Now, I have less than 3 weeks to work on his party favors.

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I created these cards for the Papertrey Ink Challenge.

Cardstocks: Georgia Pacific (white, 110 lbs), Stampin’ Up!
Stamps: Stampin’ Up!; Martha Stewart (dotted lines)
Inks: Stampin’ Up!
Brads: Basic Grey

Read More About - Cards: Four Colors »