The backstory: Party’s comin’ – just ROLL with it.
The commitment had been made, “COLOR her world” being the appropriate foreshadowing.
My kid loves ART so we were going to have a crayon-themed post-bounce nosh session. And if you’re having a crayon-themed party, you must have crayon-related favors, no?
I searched online to find goodie bag filler and my savior was US Toy. In fact, I didn’t even have to order them – I loaded up my online shopping cart and drove over there. (Thank goodness withOUT the Princess Cupcake. I’d still be there 2 weeks later if I had!) The employees were SO helpful. I just handed them my list and they showed me where each item was and I filled my basket in no time. I even got a discount with their member card – and no shipping. I was elated with my treasures which included craft paper to cover the tables so the kids could color on it, a la Macaroni Grill-style with a boat-load of crayons I found there as well. Here are photos of my goodie bag swag:
Girls
Boys
crayon bank, crayon bubbles, crayon eraser, crayon keychain and monkey/elephant filled with jelly beans – because kiddos expect some sugar in there somewhere
Are you wondering what the fabric thing is? That, my dear, was NOT from US Toy but the blood (literally), sweat and tears (wow, again, literally) of Mommy Upgrade effort. The piece de la resistance would be the custom-made “crayon roll” that you also see in the above photo.
As soon as I got it in my mind that it would be the PERFECT favor (in fact, I think I have Bianca to blame for this idea…) I was committed.
Gasp. I would have to sew. (Note whole category on my blog called “Don’t make me sew it.” That should tell you something.) No getting around it.
It’s simple: I don’t sew.
There’s a reason: I am really bad at it.
I dragged my sewing machine from the garage as we have a contentious relationship. I can’t thread it, and it won’t work for me. We have co-existed with a Mexican standoff for 8 years and counting.
It sat in the kitchen for a few days – taunting me. The hubs finally noticed its presence and mockingly asked me if I was getting ready to sell our pile of crap on Ebay.
“No, why do you ask?”
“Because your sewing machine is in the kitchen and I know you aren’t about to use it.”
He’s just hilarious.
But I was. And before committing to making upwards of 20 crayon rolls (because nearly everyone had RSVP’d “yes,” or hadn’t told me “no” yet. WHY don’t people RSVP?!?) I needed to ensure that I could make ONE. I grabbed my left-over valentine fabric – okay, you got me. Not really “left over.” That would imply I was using the remainder of what was originally there. This fabric was from a project that never saw the light of day.
My first attempt was a disaster.
This happened nearly every 45 seconds:
Somehow I did manage to complete it – and it only took me about 4 hours. Which I am sure you will agree is ridiculously long. Assessing the situation, I knew there was no possible way to complete that many crayon rolls in that manner. I wouldn’t be done before Christmas, let alone April 2.
So I called in the cavalry.
Bianca. My crafty cohort who actually does sew (probably why she thought it was such a great idea to begin with) and knows how to fix such things. She messed with the bobbin and viola — it was supposedly fixed.
I tested it with a trial run of a pillow case – okay, pillow sleeve – for Princess Cupcake. I cannot do decorative hems or fancy crap like zippers on the ends so it literally is just a pocket for her pillow. She didn’t care. It had Snow White on it and it was pink.
Success. And the green light for the largest sewing project of my life.
Tune in tomorrow for the next installment of “Planning for Party – the Mini Series: Episode 3 – T minus 10”
What’s your happy place? Crafting? Cooking? Cocktails? Party planning? Yes please! I love it all, and I’ve tried a lot. Check out my how-to’s! What should we do next?
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