I Can Do That...

Today, I had an epiphany.  The purpose of  this blog is to inspire your creativity, it's not to provide step by step instructions to create.  I usually don't follow instructions and I don't think you should either.  Even when I post full recipes, I encourage you to make them your own.  Flip the script. Rock the boat. I try to take pictures to document my processes, but sometimes I forget.  I attempt to take pictures of the final product... but sometimes, I don't get perfect shots.  I will post projects I have worked on and I will share the source of my inspiration. Inspiration which comes to me in varied forms.  I am on Pinterest, yes.  I follow a lot of blogs yes, but most of all,  I think A LOT.  I get input from my friends and I get absorbed in what I am working on.  I can see a common everyday item and think... yeah, I can make THAT into something.

CARNIVAL PARTY
If you have been following the blog since it's inception, you know that my focus over the past few months has been my daughter's 9th birthday party. The theme of the party was a Carnival.  If she EVER forgets this party, that means she has serious amnesia because the party was above and beyond any expectations a nine year old should have for a party.  Let me share some of my ambitious creations.

THE FERRIS WHEEL CUPCAKE DISPLAY
The number one item that started it all was this... I felt like I could make a Ferris Wheel Cupcake Display out of a bike rim.  I didn't know how, but I knew I could do it.  I googled it, searched Pinterest, but I could not find anyone that had done it.  I bought a bike rim for $10 that I found on Craig's List and I painted it.  At least I had started... then I looked at it for weeks.  I would be remiss if I did not give a shout out to the guy at Lowe's that was patient enough to believe in my vision and walk around the store with me for over 30 minutes, helping make my spotty vision a reality. Here is how it turned out:

I did not have a blueprint or a plan, this project was truly organic, taking form bit by bit.  I used a round base, screwed in a 2x4, nailed the rim to the base, used wire to secure the pieces of metal that would hold the cupcakes to the rim, painted everything, and circled the whole thing with a strand of Christmas lights.  Originally I wanted it to spin, but I was content with the final outcome.  I think it came out pretty good for someone who is not a builder!!!

RING TOSS

I drink a lot of bottled water.  I know, not the best thing as far as the environment goes, but I do.  My brand of choice is Blu Italy from Trader Joes.  The water comes in lemon, lime, and plain.  Not only is it good tasting at a good price, but I love the way the bottles look.  I thought using these bottles would be great for a ring toss game.  About 75 empty bottles later, a cardboard potato chip "pallet" that I swiped from my local Sam's Club, a bottle of Aleene's Quick Dry Tacky Glue, and a bag of ring toss rings and I had an awesome Ring Toss game.  Since I do not drink many of the plain flavor, there were only 5 blue bottle tops.  If a kid got a ring on the blue bottle top, they got a prize.

PUNCH OUT

I was a bit disappointed when I was told that the place where I was holding the Carnival Party did not allow Piñatas.  I needed an alternative.  I remembered I had seen a few Punch Out Game tutorials online that I knew I could remix and make my own.  Having recently relocated, I had a wardrobe box that I thought would work out perfectly, and it did.  I cut 9 holes in each side of the box and taped paper bags with small gifts (whistles, dollar bills, party horns) behind each hole.  Although it was a bit awkward taping the paper bags inside, it turned out great and the kids loved it.  I rented a Plinko game and numbered the sides of the box.  Whichever number the Plinko chip landed on, the child was able to punch out a circle from that side.

MARQUEE LETTERS

One day while on Pinterest, I came across the instructions for mini marquee letters. I was smitten with the project, and who would not want to see their name up in lights?  I wasn't committed to the idea though.  Not until my blogging partner over at A Candid Love Met Creativity encouraged my madness.  "You can do it!" she said.  And then I was all in.  This is one project that takes commitment.  I didn't complete it all in one day. I did it over a period of a few weeks working bit by bit.  I was very happy with the final product.  I tweaked the original instructions by adding some flashing lights and placing the whole thing inside of a cardboard box to contain the wires and to make it easy to transport.  This will now be a permanent fixture in my daughter's room.  

I hope my projects inspire you to step out of norm of just following step by step instructions.  When you see something you like, just tell yourself, "I CAN DO THAT!"