I’m always doing crafts at work or with my nieces, and after sharing a couple of crafts last year, I though it would be cute to share this one as well.
Do you love tea and have friends who love tea? I do and sending them a cute little tea card is a lot of fun, and something adults or kids can enjoy making too.
Supplies:
Colorful Paper (Scrapbook Paper works best)
Glue
Scissors
A Teabag
Pen or markers (optional)
Directions:
Print out the template.
Cut it out and decorate it, or use the template to cut the teapot out of a piece of scrapbook paper.
Glue the pocket on to the teapot, but only on the bottom and side edges. Leave the top edge alone as you want to be able to place the teabag in the pocket.
Write your note on the back.
Place teabag in pocket.
Give away to your tea-riffic friend or family member.
So as I have been saying in every post, I have been planning my Jane Austen 29th birthday party for a few years, and when the lockdowns happened last year I began to grow worried that I wouldn’t be able to have it. But luckily we moved down a tier, I had it, and we all had such a wonderful time.
Party time!
So in my previous posts I went over the invitations, the prizes, and the decorations. The next step in my party planning was activities. I had planned for three games, but I also had four little girls coming and needed something to occupy them; along with those who didn’t like playing games. I had thought about doing a tea blending, but the weather was supposed to be warm with wind. I looked about on Pinterest for ideas, and found fan making on the PennyWise blog.
Hmm…?
I love fans! They are so pretty and useful and I thought it would be perfect for the girls to make with their moms, or for any party guest to make if it grew too hot. With my party being the first of May, weather in California can either be extremely hot, medium hot, cool, or occasionally cold. I figured fan making would be something fun all can do to add to an outfit or a useful tool in the sun.
Austenland (2013)
So I didn’t follow exactly what they did in the PennyWise blog as I didn’t want to pre-make anything, and I also didn’t want to worry about having to supervise glue gun usage. So I took her idea and made a few changes.
Supplies:
Colorful Paper (Scrapbook Paper works best)
Stickers
Clothespins
Colorful Tape/Craft Tape
Stapler (Optional)
Ribbon (optional)
Directions:
Add stickers to scrapbook of desired.
Fold the paper back and forth, making accordion folds.
Staple the bottom part together and then pin by the clothespins or just pin the ends together with the clothespins.
Cover the clothespin with the Craft tape.
Add ribbon or other notions if desired.
Here is my example:
I then left everything out on a table so people could choose what they want and do it how they like.
This was a lot of fun. Only one child made one, as the rest had my friend make them for her. Then when it grew really warm, a few other of my friends decided to make some as well. My one friend is super artistic and made an extremely beautiful one. I didn’t get a chance to take a picture but she is fantastic at everything she sets her hands to.
This wasn’t too expensive, the thing that cost the most was the Scrapbook paper. I wanted a pack of paper that looked more vintage, to go with the Regency style of everything. They had cheaper ones, but not the style I wanted and I went with the more expensive one at Hobby Lobby (80 sheets for $19.99). The clothespins were $2 a pack. I bought three different types of craft type: two came in a pack of 2 for $1 and the other a pack of 3 tapes for $1. The stickers I already owned.
As only a few made fans I had a lot of paper left over. You know how much I enjoy making my own cards, so I used them to make thank you cards and have lots to choose from for any future ones I design.
I’ve been having so much fun sharing all these things with you, and even though the party has ended I will be continuing to share all my other party plans!
So I have been planning my Jane Austen 29th birthday party for a few years, and I did not let the Coronavirus get in the way. We had the party and it was a lot of fun. Even though the party has passed, I am still going to share all the things we did and how I put it together.
So I love piñatas! I mean who doesn’t like hitting paper mache with a bat and getting a reward?
Besides me loving piñatas, I had four little girls planning on coming and wanted to make sure I had some things for them as well. When I was doing my party planning I spotted a homemade teapot piñata on Almost Unschoolers. I thought to myself, I could totally do that-I have made piñatas before, I mean it was a donkey not a teapot, but I’m sure it wouldn’t be too difficult.
And I thought with today being Cinco de Mayo, I thought what better day than today to blend my culture with Jane Austen. So here we go:
Supplies:
1 Cup of Flour
2 Cups of Water
1/2 tbsp of Salt
Newspaper
Plastic Bag
Balloon
Gesso or paint
Paintbrush
Glue
Crepe Paper
Cardstock
Scissors
Cup or Bowl for Balloon to rest in
Candy or Teabags
Fake Flower (optional)
Hot Glue Gun
Directions:
Lie a plastic bag on the table.
Blow a balloon up and set on a cup or bowl in order to apply the paper mache.
In a large bowl combine flour, water, and salt-whisking to remove any lumps.
Cut newspaper into strips, about 2 inches wide and 4 inches long.
Dip paper into flour mixture and cover balloon. I recommend doing two layers, letting it dry, and repeating another two layers.
After all is dry, carefully pop the balloon and throw it away.
Paint paper mache with white paint or gesso.
After the paint or gesso has dried, begin covering the piñata in crepe paper strips (I found it easiest to paint the glue on and work bottom to top). Be sure to cut each strip so it has a fringe look.
Fill piñata with candy or teabags (or both).
Using cardstock, create handle, lid, and spout. When making the spout, take the cardstock and create a funnel, cutting the paper down until it is the right size.
Hot glue the pieces on and the fake flower to the lid.
Here we are after I gessoed it:
Then when I added the crepe paper and cardstock:
Candy and tea bags inside:
And of course the finished product:
At the party!
Now piñatas aren’t hard or expensive to make they just take time. I only spent $7 on this as I already had the water, flour, newspaper, and fake flower. The cardstock was $1, the assorted candy $4, and the Stash teabags $2.
I’ve been having so much fun sharing all these things with you, I can’t wait to continue with all the other party plans!
janeaustenrunsmylife 