Stress free kids' parties

I loved this article by Natalie Trice and had to share it with you.

When I read Martha Stewart describing birthday parties being like road trips: getting there is half the fun. I laughed as I learned this the hard way when I planned a surprise circus party for my son. There were going to be clowns and acrobats flying through a big top whilst guests ate candy floss and had their faces painted. On paper it was perfect but when I told the birthday boy he burst into tears and whispered he didn’t want a circus party.  The thing is, whilst social media bragging and peer pressure have upped the party stakes, if we go back to basics, all that matters is the birthday boy or girl has fun and feels special.  Whether you rub your hands in delight at the thought of planning a party or reach for the wine bottle in despair, you can successfully keep a bunch of over-excited revelers, high on sugar, happy and entertained for two hours, you just need a PLAN.

ALL ABOUT THE THEME: Go with a theme your child likes, trust me on this. If they’re mad about Minecraft, how about a junk making party? Rock ‘n’ roll parties with instruments and a stage are great for budding musicians, a cupcake decorating party is cute and a treasure hunt for pirates will keep children entertained for ages.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION: Whilst parties at home keep costs down, going for a Church hall, leisure centre, pizza restaurant or bowling alley often means leaving the washing up and mess for someone else; BOOK IT!

GUEST LIST: Whist it might be ‘PC’ to ask the entire class, extended family and Brownie pack, things will spiral out of control. Most children won’t think about putting noses out of joints they just want the people they like at their party – end of.

KEEP THEM BUSY: You can guarantee one irritating delightful guest will say your party was ‘rubbish’. Book an entertainer, have a disco, organise a karaoke competition and have a plan B, that way they will be busy from start to finish and too tired to complain when they are collected.

FAB FOOD: Be imaginative with food; ‘flying saucers’ (mini-bagels) and ‘moon rocks’ (rice crispy cakes) are loved by astronauts and telescope wraps are perfect for pirates. It you stick with pizzas and sandwiches make them star and heart-shaped and put out big bowls of snacks and fruit too, but no nuts.

INVITE EXTRA HELP: Some parents read party as ‘kid free shopping time’. However, be smart, ask some of them along, give them snacks and fizz and you’ll have a team of waitresses, peace keepers, toilet monitors and DJs for free.

A PIECE OF CAKE: Whether you make it or buy it, cake is key. Once the candles have been blown out don’t just slice it up and squish it into party bags, serve it as dessert. If it is too good to share, pop fairy cakes into the party bags and keep it for later.

PARTY BAGS: Speaking of party bags, not giving them out is pretty much social suicide. Funky, bright cellophane bags can be filled with pots of Play Doh, toy dinosaurs, hair clips or mini books and tied with a ribbon attached to a glitter filled balloon. If you want to do something a bit different, a cool alternative is a lucky dip, where each child picks a present and cupcake as they leave, simple but effective.

Finally, charge up your camera, relax and try to enjoy the party and smiles because these days don’t last forever.

P.S. If you hire a female entertainer who dresses up as Spiderman at tea time be prepared for the kids to talk, and the Dads to look!

Natalie Trice is a freelance journalist, writer and award-nominated blogger, she knows a thing or two about PR and social media too. She’s also a Mummy to two small boys, wife to Oliver and an owner of a cat and a dog. When she isn't writing or networking on Facebook, Natalie is an avid shopper, coffee drinker and collector of handbags and shoes. www.passionateaboutwords.co.uk

I guess my tenuous link of the day would be our great character inspired T-shirts which complement most themes - pirates, cops, knights, spacemen, cowboys and indians, witches and firemen.  You can check them out here. 

www.cobwebknits.co.uk

Scene on Screen - Mister Maker

I don't often have an excuse to watch CBBC but with friends visiting at the weekend with their kids, I found myself in front of the telly on Saturday morning watching Mister Maker and discovered a great programme full of ideas for things to make.

And since it's half term for most of you, I thought you might like this idea (which is still available on i-player for a few more days and this demo is about 16 minutes into the programme). 

Gloopy Glue Splat Monsters.

You will need

• a baking tray
• pink card, felt tip pen and scissors
• PVA glue and brush
• googly eyes
• glitter (and sequins)

First, take your baking tray and put in a big splodge of glue in the centre.  Using your brush flick out the glue to make your splat shape.

 Then add the googly eyes and sequins before sprinkling on some glitter.

 Next you need to make the tongue.  Draw out a tongue shape on your pink card and carefully cut round it with some scissors.

 Gently place the tongue into the glue mixture and leave it to dry over night.

 The following day, when it's dry, carefully peel your splat bug off the baking tray, shake off any excess glitter and there you have it .... a splat bug.

 You can make them in lots of colourful shapes and use them to decorate mirrors, windows, books or storage boxes.  A little bit of sellotape will help to secure them in place.

 If you have a go at making them, do send us your pictures and let us know how you got on.  We'd love to see them.

www.cobwebknits.co.uk

Meet the Maker - Cardboard Collective

 

If you fancy yourself as a whizz with the old fancy dress, I think I've found something to challenge your skill levels, especially when you discover they're all made from cardboard.

These creative masterpieces are all the handiwork of Amber who hails from the US originally but, having travelled all over the world for the past 10 years with her husband, has finally settled in Japan where she started her family. 

She started her blog in October 2011 and tries to post once a week. Here you’ll find inspiration for projects, cardboard links, information about tools and techniques, and also a bit about sustainable building, crafting and living.

Each year she runs a challenge and this year's no different. You can find out more here. The standard varies but looks pretty high!

   

   

And they also offer some awesome tutorials with great instructions and easy to follow photos.   This one will allow you to create your own unicorn costume.  Check it out here.

If you do have a go, please let us know. Post your photos. We'd love to see them.  We must find someone who can make something like this for our photographers.  Check out our stunning images in our professional gallery here.

www.cobwebkbnits.co.uk

Meet the Photographer - Anne Geddes' Meningoccal Campaign

Long before I was lucky enough to work with some talented photographers taking amazing images of newborns in my hats, I had seen and loved Anne Geddes' work with babies.  

She recently began a project featuring survivors of Meningococcal disease and having seen some of the images I just had to share them with you.

The campaign will see Anne partner with meningococcal disease support groups from around the world, photographing 10–15 families across three continents who have experienced the impact of meningococcal disease.   The pictures will be published on 24th April which is World Meningitis Awareness Day. 

The aim is to educate parents about the threat of meningococcal disease and the importance of prevention and vaccinations.  

At the same time the stunning images celebrate the survivors and honour those who have lost their lives to the disease.

Anne hopes the campaign will inspire parents to do what they can to protect their children against this terrible disease.

“You just need to look at one of these children and you’ll understand the impact of this devastating disease. I’ve never met a parent who doesn’t want to protect their child, and as a mother it really would be your worst nightmare to see your child go through such an ordeal. We need to empower parents to understand meningococcal disease, to and know their options to help protect their children.It is my goal that these images will capture the inspiration and strength of these survivors, and at the same time I want their own parents to look at the images and think their children have never looked so beautiful.”
To learn more:  http://protectingourtomorrows.tumblr.com  and www.comomeningitis.org

www.cobwebknits.co.uk

Book Worm - Where the Wild Things Are

Google has commemorated the much-loved, though sometimes controversial, American children's author and book illustrator, Maurice Sendak, best know for Where The Wild Things Are.

Sendak, who would have celebrated his 85th birthday today, was a superb artist who created some of the most original children's books every published. Some had his own text and pictures, such as In The Night Kitchen, Outside Over There and Higglety Pigglety Pop! while others, including Mr Rabbit and The Lovely Present andA Hole is to Dig, matched his illustrations to others' words.

  

All images (c) Maurice Sendak

Where the Wild Things Are, with its anarchic hero in the form of wolf suit-wearing Max, caused controversy on its publication in 1963, when some teachers and librarians thought it could be a bad influence on children, or otherwise be too frightening or disturbing for them. However, it went on to unprecedented success, selling over 19 million copies worldwide, and was later both turned into an opera and adapted for the cinema.

www.cobwebknits.co.uk

Meet the Maker - Jane James, Ceramicist, Jersey

It's easy to see that the Jersey's coast and its atmospheric colour and light have inspired Jane James in her work.

She creates colourful ceramic fish, sailing boats, sea birds and beach huts. 

Many of the pieces are mounted on local driftwood and fishing rope reclaimed from the beaches around Jersey. 

A dog walk on the beach is never just that for Jane and her family, they are constantly on the look out for driftwood and other flotsam and jetsam that might be used in her pieces.

As well as a gallery on the Island Jane has a studio where, as well as seeing her and her colleagues at work, it is possible for children and adults of all ages to create their own unique ceramic works of art.

As well as drawing on her pieces for inspiration, there is a great stock of vibrant paint colour glazes, stamps, stencils, sponges and, books from which ideas can develop and Jane and her team supply all the tools and advice you need to create beautiful ceramics for yourself. 

All images (c) Jane James