MINECRAFT BIRTHDAY PARTY

I say it every year. I'm not doing another party. I'm not going overboard this year. It's not happening. It's too stressful. Then, there's the "please momma" and I give in.....every time.

Last year it was Sonic the Hedgehog. This year it's Minecraft.

I don't know about you but I find the Minecraft merchandise to be really expensive for all it is. I mean, some of the stuff is just cubicraft, right? But it looks the part. And someone loves it.....so what can you do....

Off I went searching for something different. Something that would blow his little mind when he saw it. Then, as if by magic, I found Bubskiworks Designs on Etsy and she had the most amazing looking Minecraft inspired cube 3d invites.

I know some of you out there are thinking to yourself, why didn't she just figure out how to do them herself?? After all crafting is just "lovingly borrowing from others" right??? Well, you know what? There are some things that you're good at in life and there are some things that you would rather leave to someone who knows better. In this case, Monica from Bubskiworks is my hero!!

I sent her a message and within a day she had responded with the printable file and everything. That's what makes Etsy such a fantastic website. I was able to find something amazing, have it customized and still remain true to my vision of a handmade Mindcraft theme.

The evening was spent cutting out the printout on the white side of a pack of shiny cardstock we had lying around after Christmas. Folding them with a metal ruler helped to keep the straight lines where they should be.

How gorgerous are these?

This was his reaction face the next morning.

ALRIGHT THEN....Step one done. Invites ready and sent out to friends. Next on the to do list: Party Bags.

I liked the look of these guys on Pinterest as the Steve head was included.

I've changed jobs recently and now I work for a Eco-Friendly catering disposable company called Green Man. Making a kraft brown bag a GREAT starting point for the party bags. And completely accessible.

We lovingly borrowed the image for the Steve head from this site

Here's were I come in to my element. You can see from past posts on character inspired projects, I got this covered....

Our artistic weapon of choice for handmade party favours were perler / hama beads

Finally, the cake.

****Confession time*******

After the battle between myself and my equally perfectionist husband. We had agreed last year to tone down or get a professional to make the cake. As this is what he wanted:

Just a little flashback to last years Sonic Birthday Post Steve did a terrific job with Sonic on the cake and the makeshift cutter made from a Coke can *beaming with pride for my hubby on last years efforts*. However, the reality was that we were up 'til the crack of dawn getting everything ready as it took us completely inexperienced cake decorators an EPIC AGE to finish. This was the first time we had both ever worked with Regal Icing. Despite the odds being stacked against us, I think the finished product was great. And so did the birthday boy.....and that's all that matters.

FYI - if you are looking for a professionally made version of this cake (for 10 kids) you're looking in the region of £60-£80 (and to be honest, I don't know if that would include all of the details that you might want)

Back to the drawing board.

After a little peer pressure from my sis and mum.....we then decided to try and tackle this behemoth ourselves.

I cannot take any credit for this cake at all. Hubby baked, decorated, designed and measured the entire thing himself. All I did was make tea and coffee and keep Theo out of the kitchen until it was finished.

Quick recap with funds :

£6.00 for custom designed invites IS THAT NOT AMAZING?!?!?!?!
£1.00 for cardstock
£5.00 for 15 brown party bags
Hama / Perler bead - left over from other projects
£15.00 for small packs of Regal Icing in 6 colours and the square cutter.

Total: £27.00 for cake decor and party bags.

I cannot recommend Monica enough for her invitations. She is super quick, friendly and so easy to work with. Go and see her Etsy Shop