• Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
    • Collaborate
  • Blog
  • Parties
    • Children’s Parties Ideas
    • Holiday Parties
    • Adult Party Ideas
  • Holiday Ideas
    • Christmas
    • Easter
    • Fourth of July
    • Spring
    • Thanksgiving
    • Valentine’s Day
  • Seasons
    • Winter
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Autumn
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Beverages
    • Desserts
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups
  • Project Gallery
    • Crafts
    • Decorating
    • DIY
    • Good Ideas
    • Tutorials
  • Shop My Home
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Bloglovin
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

  • Book
  • Speaking
  • Meet Vanessa
    • Featured

February 18, 2013

Painting Themed Birthday Party

Painting Birthday Party from At the Picket Fence

There is so much about raising a boy that completely mystifies me, but a few basics that I’ve learned so far are that they have a very unique way of channeling creativity, they love to make messes and they love to destroy.

In fact our furniture, floors & baseboards have achieved an authentic distressed look thanks to my son’s expertise in the above categories. What better way to celebrate that unique creativity and talent for mess-making than at a Painting Party.

Painting Themed Birthday Party Ideas from At The Picket Fence

This party was for my son’s 2nd birthday and with only a few guests invited, we kept it pretty simple. I scanned one of my son’s paintings to create the invitations, found a quote from Picasso that celebrates the boyish propensity towards destructive art, and used the painting’s colors to create the color palette for our party.

Painting Themed Birthday Party Ideas from At The Picket Fence

 

We featured a gallery of his artwork as the birthday bunting and framed the piece that inspired the party on the dessert table.

Painting Themed Birthday Party Ideas from At The Picket Fence

Painting Themed Birthday Party Ideas from At The Picket Fence

After a few visits to the paint department, I had amassed enough chips to create a large 2 for the front door and used the extras for cupcake toppers and dessert table décor.

Painting Themed Birthday Party Ideas from At The Picket Fence

Painting Themed Birthday Party Ideas from At The Picket Fence

Our tablecloth was a painter’s cloth and my plan had been to buy actual paint palettes to display the food but budget trumped creativity.

Painting Themed Birthday Party Ideas from At The Picket Fence

 

What I love most about this theme is that it is cheap, (our decorations were mostly free), it’s re-usable (all of the favors were art supplies for guests to use at home), and it’s fun for any age or gender.

Painting Themed Birthday Party Ideas from At The Picket Fence

The art stations were all age-appropriate with mini canvases to design, large easel painting, do-a-dot art stamps, salad spinner spin art, and face painting.

Painting Themed Birthday Party Ideas from At The Picket Fence

 

Painting Themed Birthday Party Ideas from At The Picket Fence

The favors were smocks, paint chip bookmarks, watercolors, and mini easels to display their canvases at home.

Painting Themed Birthday Party Ideas from At The Picket Fence

My son has already declared that his next birthday will be a “building birthday” and has been hoarding recycling from around the house as materials for his future party.  Judging from the “laser gun” that he made in Sunday school instead of the lamb ears that he was supposed to make, I’m pretty sure he will interpret this birthday theme in his own unique way.

And I will learn to embrace all of the messes & creative destruction along the way!

Thanks so much for joining me at the Fence today,

Julie Signature

33 Comments Filed Under: Children's Parties Ideas, Crafts, Kids, Parties Tagged With: birthday parties, kids painting party, kids parties, paint party, painting party

Subscribe

Get the latest goodness straight to your inbox!

Previous Post: « Valentine’s Day May Be Over…
Next Post: Are you Itching For Spring? »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Laura@live-love-scrap says

    February 18, 2013 at 4:40 AM

    What an awesome party theme! I’ve never seen one like this. I love all the different ways you used the paint swatches!

    Reply
  2. Linda @ it all started with paint says

    February 18, 2013 at 5:22 AM

    Julie,

    What an amazing creative party! I’m stunned — and now wish my kids were still littles so I could organize a similar party. But, alas, I don’t think my 15-going-on-16-year-old son would let me do this for him!

    🙂 Linda

    Reply
  3. Chrisitina says

    February 18, 2013 at 5:30 AM

    What a fabulous idea-loved the use of paint swatches and fun color scheme – and bet the kids had a blast!

    Reply
  4. ECKDesign says

    February 18, 2013 at 5:40 AM

    LOVE this idea and theme for any age! =o)

    Reply
  5. Thistle says

    February 18, 2013 at 6:18 AM

    Love this idea Vanessa! What a cute party….and you had me at the paint strip number 2!

    blessings,
    karianne

    Reply
  6. Bridget says

    February 18, 2013 at 6:19 AM

    This is such a great idea for any gender! I love how you incorporated paint swatches throughout. This has definitely given my ideas for one of my next birthday parties!
    Thanks

    Reply
  7. Anne says

    February 18, 2013 at 6:49 AM

    What a cool idea!Love all the details even the color swatches and cupcakes!
    xx
    Anne

    Reply
  8. LAURA S says

    February 18, 2013 at 7:20 AM

    Oh Julie, this is truly a beautiful idea and your son will be able to look back at his Birthday photos and Smile!! Cute party favors…one could add a nice paintbrush or small water color pad for the older children or adults, as well. You could also have a chalk station, crayola station (For those who don’t like to get messy)…oh, the sky is the limit! My mind has gone nuts thinking of all the ways to host such a colorful party. TFS!!

    Reply
    • Julie says

      February 18, 2013 at 2:20 PM

      Thanks so much for your kind words, Laura! You’re so right, the variations on this theme are truly limitless!

      Reply
  9. Anja says

    February 18, 2013 at 8:05 AM

    Pretty, and so creative! =) It’s great to give the kids an interesting thing to do and express themselves, love the idea!

    Reply
  10. Sherry says

    February 18, 2013 at 9:44 AM

    Oh My! I love this themed party! I think it may be my favorite themed party yet! Thanks so much for sharing…it looks amazing and I’ll bet those kids had a BLAST!

    Reply
  11. Jeanette says

    February 18, 2013 at 9:45 AM

    Wow! can I come? Great ideas!

    Reply
  12. Leslie Stewart @ House on the Way says

    February 18, 2013 at 10:07 AM

    What a great birthday party theme! It’s so creative and unique! Thanks for sharing with us.

    Reply
  13. Marty Walden says

    February 18, 2013 at 10:57 AM

    How clever and what fun! My son is turning 14 next week and just started art classes. Maybe we should try this for him!

    Reply
    • Julie says

      February 18, 2013 at 2:11 PM

      Hi Marty, I love the idea of an art party for older kids! Maybe incorporating some art history/art appreciation elements into the party and finding an artist in residence that could offer a short instructional time. You could stage your very own art gallery showcasing the work from your son’s classes. Such possibilities!

      Reply
  14. Brooke Halgren says

    February 18, 2013 at 11:15 AM

    Julie, this is soo cute! I can’t believe I have never seen these pictures before! You are soo creative! LOVE!!!

    Reply
    • Julie says

      February 18, 2013 at 2:12 PM

      Thanks Brooke!! xoxo

      Reply
  15. Tiffany | offbeat & inspired says

    February 18, 2013 at 11:53 AM

    I absolutely LOVE this idea. It’s so creative and stylish and would be appropriate for any age group! I could throw a party like this for my friends! The photography/colors are totally gorgeous too! Thank you for sharing!! 🙂

    Reply
  16. Jill Flory says

    February 18, 2013 at 12:06 PM

    That is great! I love ever single detail!

    Reply
  17. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    February 18, 2013 at 4:49 PM

    What a fantastic idea for a birthday party!…so very many wonderful ideas! Happy Birthday to William!

    Reply
  18. Laura @ Finding Home says

    February 18, 2013 at 6:59 PM

    Love this – so super cute! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  19. Randi - Dukes and Duchesses says

    February 18, 2013 at 7:34 PM

    That is the CUTEST art party I’ve ever seen. I absolutely love all the fun details … and the color palette is great!

    Reply
  20. Elizabeth Cooper says

    February 18, 2013 at 9:44 PM

    What a nice party you have here Heather and Vanessa! This is a party that everyone is welcome…I really love paintings especially nature.

    Reply
  21. laura@Top This Top That says

    February 19, 2013 at 12:41 PM

    Ohhhhhh I so love this ideaI for a b-day party. I can imagine the masterpieces coming out of the day.

    Reply
  22. laura@Top This Top That says

    February 19, 2013 at 12:41 PM

    Ohhhhhh I so love this idea for a b-day party. I can imagine the masterpieces coming out of the day.

    Reply
  23. Ellen says

    May 30, 2013 at 8:49 AM

    Fantastic! My daughter loves to paint & we are running out of original b-day ideas. She’ll be entering the actual teens next year & this might be a fun, different thing to do & tie it to a sleepover. I’ll certainly remember this!

    Reply
  24. Brandy says

    September 26, 2013 at 11:53 AM

    Hi,

    I’m hoping to also plan a painting party for my son who will be turning two this February (getting a head start during naptimes because I’m due again in January).

    Was hoping you could tell me where you got the favors and canvases. Of course I want to save a bit of money…

    And what about the paint pallet for the kids and aprons?

    Reply
    • Julie says

      September 26, 2013 at 1:38 PM

      Hi Brandy,
      Most of the supplies for the party came from Lowes/Home Depot (paint swatches, stir sticks, drop cloth), Ikea (art smocks, mini easels, paintbrushes, and small metal buckets (used for the brownie pops & to hold paint brushes), and Michaels (small canvases and craft paints). I also bought a cheap salad spinner from Ikea that we used for the spin art. I didn’t include a picture of that activity but it was a fun one for the 2 year olds. I cut out shapes from white card stock and they selected one to place at the bottom of the spinner. A few blobs of paints of their choosing (I used washable paint for easy spinner clean up) and a few vigorous spins on the spinner created some fun art pieces. We strung twine and used mini clothespins to dry the art. You might want to experiment beforehand to get the right proportions of paint for the spinner. It’s pretty fun!
      Happy planning!!

      Reply
  25. long sleeve plus size bodycon dress says

    July 24, 2014 at 8:54 PM

    Yes, fashion trends are referential and recurring, but
    at the same time new ones pop up, allowing us to visually reflect the world around us.
    Readers may refer to a related article entitled The Best Fashion Merchandising Degree Schools in the U.
    Make room for your trendy new wardrobe by going through your old clothes and getting rid of unwanted clothes.

    Reply
  26. fiberglass marine divided freezer plates says

    September 28, 2014 at 4:14 PM

    Plus, they come in all different sizes and styles so that you can find exactly what you need to accommodate
    you and your guests. Top mount refrigerators are excellent for storage
    space as they have wide shelves and a lot of door shelves for drinks and
    condiments. With so many options available, you should be
    able to find and ship models according to your individual
    needs without much trouble.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Super Science Party says:
    May 1, 2013 at 5:33 AM

    […] Paint Themed Party Pioneer Party Harvest Party […]

    Reply
  2. How to Make an 8 Layer Surprise Cake says:
    May 2, 2013 at 7:41 AM

    […] are more of Julie’s amazing party contributions: Paint Themed Party Pioneer Party Harvest […]

    Reply
  3. A Tea Party Birthday says:
    May 29, 2013 at 11:04 AM

    […] Painting Party […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Search This Blog

Get the book!

Invite Vanessa to speak at your event!

Stay updated!

  • Simple Fall Decorating Ideas

    Simple Fall Decorating Ideas
  • Autumn Home Decor Tour

    Autumn Home Decor Tour
  • Apple Bread Pudding

    Apple Bread Pudding
  • Paper Bag Pumpkins

    Paper Bag Pumpkins

Sign Up and Never Miss A Post!

Must Reads

Latest Recipes

Strawberry Muffins with Lemon Glaze

Honey Tea Cake Loaf with Lemon Glaze

Apple Bread Pudding

view more recent recipes

Recent Posts

  • The Autumn Season of Motherhood October 18, 2023
  • Simple Fall Decorating Ideas September 14, 2023
  • Decorating a Sofa Table May 31, 2023
  • Strawberry Muffins with Lemon Glaze April 19, 2023
  • Console Table Refresh March 24, 2023

Footer

Stay Connected!

Instagram

Next week is first Sunday of Advent. And contrary Next week is first Sunday of Advent. And contrary to popular belief, the celebration of Advent is VERY different from just simply doing a ‘countdown to Christmas’. It’s not about having little drawers filled with candy or doors to open with prizes inside. Those things are so much fun and definitely help to build anticipation as you head closer and closer to the big day.

But Advent, from the latin word ‘adventus’ meaning ‘arrival’ or ‘appearance’ keeps the focus completely on celebrating the arrival of the King who came in the form of an infant.

This is one of our favorite family traditions and over the years I’ve figured out how to incorporate the Advent candles into my decor without using the traditional wreath. I hope this gives you some ideas and inspiration as we head into this sacred season. 🌲

#advent #adventdecoration #wearethehomemakers
Why do I start decorating before Thanksgiving? Bec Why do I start decorating before Thanksgiving? Because it’s the Saturday after and my house is almost completely ready to start the season! So I’m sitting with my coffee and just soaking it all up knowing that now I can focus on shopping, hosting and preparing our hearts for the start of Advent. The only thing left to do is get our fresh tree for the front room and then the decorating is done. 

Starting early is a gift I give to myself and I’m always grateful for it! 🌲

#simplechristmas #traditionalchristmas
“I would maintain that thanks are the highest fo “I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.” ~ G.K. Chesterton

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours dear friends! 🍂
Christmas has arrived in the family room where I k Christmas has arrived in the family room where I keep things simple but festive! We’ll get a fresh tree after Thanksgiving which will go in our front room bay window but this slim faux tree with its colorful ornaments tides us over for now. Which room in your home gets the Christmas treatment first? Or do you just start doing a little at a time in each room? 🎄

*pillow covers are from @jshhomeessentials
I share this recipe every year because it’s JUST I share this recipe every year because it’s JUST.THAT.GOOD! 

And I have a confession ...I’d rather have cranberry sauce smothering the turkey on my plate than gravy any day!! And this, this right here? Well it’s the best (and easiest!) cranberry sauce ever!! I eat on crackers and sandwiches and sometimes just by the spoonful. It’s so yummy! And I’m just so very thankful for all of you that I’m going to leave the recipe right here instead of making you go to the blog to get it. I promise you won’t regret having this on your Thanksgiving menu but be warned...you may find yourself up in the middle of the night sneaking some helpings of this deliciousness. Or maybe that’s just me!

Ingredients:
2 pounds fresh or frozen cranberries
2 oranges
2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup white wine.

Instructions:
Wash and pick over berries, removing any that are soft. Peel and dice oranges removing any seeds. Combine all ingredients in a large pot. Bring to a full boil. Reduce heat and continue cooking until cranberries pop open and mixture is thickening.
For best flavor, prepare and let stand for several days before using.

Gobble, gobble!! 🦃
How do I want people to feel when they walk throug How do I want people to feel when they walk through my front door? That’s always at the top of my mind when I’m decorating my entry for each season, particularly at Christmastime. 

✨I want them to feel like my home is greeting them with a smile.

✨I want them to feel like this is a place where care has been given to details (but not to the point of being too stuffy or too busy or too overwhelming). 

✨I want them to feel like there is peace here.

✨I want them to feel like they are welcome…because they are. 

My home is a reflection of my heart and my heart is a reflection of the ONE for whom I live and try to honor and praise all of my days, but especially at Christmas.

How do you want people to feel when they come into your home? 

#christmasentry #simplechristmas #simplicity #wearethehomemakers
This is not a criticism of those who are sharing t This is not a criticism of those who are sharing their great new Christmas finds but rather an encouragement to those of you who are feeling a bit overwhelmed by it all and trying to resist the temptation to purchase more items than you really need.

Several years ago I felt a conviction in my heart about how much time and money I was spending on trying to create a new look every Christmas. I was not being a good steward of my resources and I was far too easily swayed by the peer pressure in this area. And a funny thing happened when I smashed this idol that had taken up residence in my heart. I suddenly found renewed joy in decorating for the season. By keeping things simple and maybe only buying something like a new spool of velvet ribbon, I actually realized that I could be far more creative reusing and repurposing what I already had.

In the coming weeks your news feeds will be filled with temptations for MORE. Maybe, this year, you too can find the joy in LESS. 🌲

#simplechristmas #simplicity #wearethehomemakers
It’s that time of the year again! Time for me to It’s that time of the year again! Time for me to set up the hot coca station! ⛄️🧣☕️It’s always a favorite spot in the house and I leave it up all winter long.

Do you have a hot cocoa or coffee station at your house? Here’s a look back at years past if you’re needing a little bit of inspiration!
#hotcocoa #hotcocoabar
I don’t know exactly why this is, but my home se I don’t know exactly why this is, but my home seems to rise up to welcome Autumn like no other season. Maybe it’s the warm, subtle tones. Maybe it’s the way the sunlight streams in at a different angle this time of the year. Maybe it’s the leaves doing their fall dance. Maybe it’s just that this is when everything begins to  feel a bit more cozy.

Whatever it is, I’m savoring every last bit of it as we enjoy the most beautiful final days of Autumn here in the Willamette Valley. The rain is forecasted to return later this week and I’m planning to move onto twinkling lights and evergreen boughs but, for now, here’s a little last look at Autumn in my home. 🍂

When will you begin to transition your home from Autumn to Winter?
I laughed out loud yesterday as I was listening to I laughed out loud yesterday as I was listening to a podcast. Not because something funny was said but because the timing of the statement was perfect. The guest on that episode was offering encouragement to pastors about how to stay true to God’s Word during these tumultous times and then encouraged the rest of us to be thinking of how we can show love and care towards our church pastors. He said, “maybe even have them over for dinner!” And that’s when I laughed out loud because we were hosting our pastor and his family for dinner THAT VERY NIGHT!

After the heartache of leaving the church we had attended for over 20 years, it was such a joy to have this incredible shepherd and his wife and daughter in our home. We’ve witnessed them tirelessly, sacrifically giving so much to their congregation and the community at large and we loved that we were able to give them the opportunity to receive. They are some of the warmest, kindest people you’ll ever meet.  The meal was simple (roasted chicken and vegetables recipe from @jocooks), the dessert was made the night before and it really required so little from us in terms of effort.

Friends, take care of those who are in the trenches of preaching/teaching right now as it is not an easy time to be in that role. Bake them a loaf of bread, drop off a gift card to a restaurant or maybe even have them over for dinner (but don’t use that time to complain or critique 😉). 

I truly hope that it blessed them as much as it did us! 🍂
Load More... Follow
Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2023 At The Picket Fence