Put Your Cards On The Table Week: Closing Ceremony

What a great week. We really pushed ourselves for “Put Your Cards On The Table Week”. We sacrificed some cards for the greater good. We rescued some cards from the dark recesses of dresser drawers to let them shine again. And finally, we show that cards can be easily rein-card-nated as gift bags or handmade cards.

The staff and I knocked this out in no time — which matches their attention span. They are looking forward to presenting it to their friend at an upcoming Birthday Party. While “kid” friends may not appreciate handmade gifts, they do welcome a tricked-out package. So, crank up the bling, glitz, glamour, pizazz and oomph (“Oomph” is actually in the dictionary: 1) sex appeal 2) vigor; energy. This is a G-rated site, ok PG, based on my donkey pun at the end of Party Game “Who Am I?” But, we’ll stick with definition #2)

Finally, this demonstrates an important Party MOMster principle: Having little ones create for others, fosters generosity and kindness.

Wow! Ending with a little philosophy. This week has brought out the best in the Party MOMster and staff. Release the doves. Extinguish the flame of righteous idignation. We have conquered the pricey greeting card and “Put Your Cards On The Table Week” has come to an end.

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Oo La La: "Mettez Vos Cartes la Semaine de Table" Continues…

Since Tuesday when I saw a crepe recipe on one of my favorite blogs, I’ve been feeling a little — I don’t know, how you say — French. I do a great French accent that has the staff rolling on the floor (But that would likely mean it’s funny and not very accurate or convincing.)

So, what do you get when the Party MOMster feels a little French and it’s “Put Your Cards On The Table Week”: Decoupage!

Yes, Decoupage: “the art or technique of decorating something with cut-outs of paper, linoleum, plastic, or other flat material over which varnish or lacquer is applied.” (Thank you Dictionary.com) It is derived from the French word découper, to cut up or out. Ok, class put your pencils away, it’s time for Art.

So, the staff and I picked two of their favorite cards with great color and images. We cut out what we liked …

and with the help of Modge Podge (a glue and sealer combined) lacquered them to two small picture frames.

C’est magnificant!

I was responsible for cutting out the cards. And a circle cutter from Creative Memories, always makes things easy, but look super finished. But, applying the Modge Podge is a great staff duty –it’s a very forgiving medium.

So, there you go. Mes gamins déchirent la maison (My kids are tearing the house a part). Since everything sounds nicer in French and I’m tired of saying these things over and over in English. You will be hearing the following in the Party MOMster household:

• Réhabilitez le temps (Clean up time!)
• Calmer! (Quiet down!)
• Le fait de frapper non!(No Hitting!)
• Manger!(Eat!)

And I bid you adieu.

P.S. (I know no French this is all compliments of Free Translation Online. But, the French accent is all my own.)

A Loom, A Shredder and Some Eggs…

I am so charged about “Put Your Cards On The Table Week”. But, it’s not for the faint of heart.

Inspired by a childhood memory of my sister and I weaving potholders like sweatshop workers (Hey, doesn’t that sound like fun?), I thought — let’s try that with cards.

So, I run around the house digging up stacks of old cards. I have to admit there are some I can’t bear to re-purpose and tuck them back away. But, a few seem like prime candidates and run to the shredder.

Yes, I said the shredder. I haven’t used the shredder in a while, but I thought it would slice through the cards like a pasta maker — turning my cards into colorful paper fettuccine.

“Hey guys, watch this.” I feed the card into the shredder and it spits out confetti. Not quite what I had in mind. One staffer is speechless studying the card remains. The other turns to me with wide eyes and says plainly, “Why did you do that?”

Not everyone is on board.

Plan B. The staffers are busy on their own projects. They don’t seem to have the stomach for this. So, I pull out my paper cutter and begin making my colorful paper fettuccine. Now that the cards are unrecognizable and the craft table is a big mess, the staffers want back in. We begin to weave a bookmark.

Somewhat skeptical at first, they see the pattern take shape and are thrilled. The Party MOMster’s cool quotient is rising steadily. Earlier instability is now seen as genius. The staffers can only be described as “stoked”. (Is a Mom of three allowed to stay “stoked”? Does anyone say “stoked” anymore? Am I wicked dating myself?)

Moral: You gotta break a few eggs to make an omelet.

“Put Your Cards On The Table Week” continues….

Put Your Cards On The Table Week…

Whoa…After my niece’s stage debut, a Graduation party and Father’s Day, the Party MOMster’s got a celebration hangover. (That does not mean the same as it did in college. I did not partake in the Beer Pong game that evolved at the end of the Graduation Party. I’m just really tired, but my house does look like a Frat house at the moment.)

But, I shall press on — because I’m the Party MOMster and I’m on a crusade: squeezing every last penny out of greeting cards. Call me “Joan of Hallmark”. (A clever twist on Joan of Arc…..ok, moving on.) My pocketbook is still smarting from my Father’s Day card purchases, as I mentioned in last week’s post, Father’s Day Gift Idea. So, this week is “Put Your Cards On Table Week”. We are going to take all our old cards, throw them on the craft table and get to work.

To kick off this week, I’m actually going to highlight a project that I did a few years back. We added our second staffer and received many beautiful cards congratulating us on our bouncing baby boy. I also had a baby’s room that could use a little art. So, I created this card collage. It was a cool memento of all the well-wishers, as well as a neat art piece for the little guy’s room.

I believe this could be a great 1st Birthday Gift. But, I think if you are looking for some cool wall art for your kid’s room, sifting through some old cards is a great start. One staffer loves pink, princesses and hates to throw stuff away. We may create another cool card collage this week or something else — you will have to stay tuned…

So, you wake up on Monday thinking it’s just another ordinary day, and you find out it’s “Put Your Cards On The Table Week”. I know the sun seems a little brighter, the air has a sweetness to it and a bird has just rested on your shoulder to chirp you a tune. Share the euphoria and your card ideas with us this week!