• 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!

  • A New Look for the Family Room

    A New Look for the Family Room
  • Honey Tea Cake Loaf with Lemon Glaze

    Honey Tea Cake Loaf with Lemon Glaze
  • The Slow Exit

    The Slow Exit
  • Honed Quartzite Kitchen Counters Reveal

    Honed Quartzite Kitchen Counters Reveal

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

  • Strawberry Muffins with Lemon Glaze April 19, 2023
  • Console Table Refresh March 24, 2023
  • Laundry Room Makeover February 23, 2023
  • Winter Decorating Ideas January 27, 2023
  • Nostalgic Christmas Home Tour December 10, 2022

Footer

Stay Connected!

Instagram

What do you do when you want to use a bunch of boo What do you do when you want to use a bunch of books in your decorating but it can cost $50 or more for just ONE brand new book? Head to the secondhand bookstore of course! I’m so excited about this new look in my family room and this easy, inexpensive decorating tip I’m bringing to you for this #tiptuesday
Today feels like one of those days that is worthy Today feels like one of those days that is worthy of a chef’s kiss. Blue sky with nary a cloud in sight, perfect mid-70’s temps, a gentle breeze blowing through my hair as I walk around my yard to see the status of my flowering plants.

This morning I was running errands and the weight of hard things that are happening in the world, the culture, my own community and even in our circle of friends just felt so heavy.

But, as I was exiting a store, I passed a couple who were in their late 60’s/early 70’s and holding hands as they walked through the parking lot. I happened to glance over just as the husband lifted his wife’s hand up and planted a kiss right on it. It was a moment that reflected such love and tenderness and it was made sweeter by the fact that they weren’t spring chickens. I felt honored that I had been the one to observe and appreciate that moment.

What an incredible thing it is that as humans we are able to hold so many emotions in our souls all at once. To feel sorrow for the pain a friend is enduring, grieve the decline of a culture drifting further from the Lord, ponder how to navigate a challenging school situation, marvel at and enjoy the beauty of creation right outside my door and feel joy at getting to see a tangible example of lasting love while walking through a parking lot.

I truly believe that as we mature in our lives and in our faith, we learn to embrace the tension that comes with the collision of different emotions and recognize that they can all coexist at the same time without one taking something away from another. Simple joys make the hard stuff a bit easier and hard stuff makes us appreciate those simple joys even more.

What’s a simple joy that you are thankful for today?
Oh what an absolutely lovely weekend we had!! Here Oh what an absolutely lovely weekend we had!! Here are some highlights…

*Friday night I joined some wonderful ladies at church for a time of fellowship and yummy desserts. I made a strawberry lemon coffee cake and it was amazing if I do say so myself. ☺️ We are new-ish to this church and have just felt so warmly welcomed and folded in which has been very healing.

*Saturday was filled with getting our outdoor spaces spiffed up and my guys got our new table put together!

*Sitting outside for lunch with a yummy salad and iced tea felt like a little slice of heaven.

*Sunday we went to the iris gardens with my in-laws and then came home for naps and the most mouth watering ribs that my sweet husband had on the smoker all day.

*This glorious weekend ended with some ferocious rounds of UNO-corn (a hilarious version of UNO) and brownies my sweet daughter made for our dessert.

How was your weekend sweet friends? 🌸
I am absolutely and completely a better version of I am absolutely and completely a better version of myself when the sun is shining! Raise your hand if this is true for you too.

And, not only do I feel myself seeming to physically rise up from a slumbered state to greet the sunshine we've been longing for, I find that it seems like my house is rising up too. Every room, every nook and cranny (even though I now see dust bunnies that I missed during my cleaning on the dreary days), every leaf and flower outside...it's all coming to life and breathing fresh hope into my spirit. What a gift it is to be able to enjoy this home in all of the seasons of the year and of our lives. Now, I'm going to head outside and clean our deck and maybe there will be some time leftover for those dust bunnies!
I’m slightly obsessed with these glass dispenser I’m slightly obsessed with these glass dispensers! They come with pre-made labels for SO many different options and would make a great Mother’s Day gift! I love how they add a bit of pizzazz to my kitchen. And they go perfectly with some of my antique accessories like the little dish my mother in law gave me for salt and pepper and the tiny toothpick holder which belonged to my great grandmother. 

If you’d like the link to order them, just leave a comment with the word ‘bottles’ and I’ll send it your way. They’re even on sale right now! 🙌🏻
The lilacs are coming! The lilacs are coming! This The lilacs are coming! The lilacs are coming! This is what I’m thinking (and sometimes saying out loud) every time I pass my dining room window and see my lilac tree bursting forth. I should probably just go full Paul Revere and ring a bell while I shout the news for all to hear. I’m sure my family would love that!

Lilac season is so bittersweet because it’s over way too soon but, fortunately, I’ve figured out how to capture the deliciousness of the fragrance by making my own lilac scented room spray. It’s SO simple!

Directions: Fill spray bottle with 50/50 ratio of water to vodka.

Add 12 drops of lilac oil. Give it a shake, spray and if the scent isn’t strong enough, simply add a few more drops of lilac oil.

This sweet little project was first featured in my book Life in Season and is definitely one of my favorites.

Have the lilacs started blooming where you live?
The cherry blossoms on the tree in our backyard ar The cherry blossoms on the tree in our backyard are at their peak and I’m here for it!
It’s time for another #tiptuesday! One of the gr It’s time for another #tiptuesday! One of the greatest joys of this stage in my parenting journey is getting to see the results of the years spent pouring into my children. The worry, the sleepless nights, praying, questioning our decisions and learning to trust in the Lord Who loves them even more than we do. We definitely didn’t do everything right, but what an an amazing experience it is to watch them become these incredible teens/young adults. My tip this week might seem simple, but I believe it can make a major difference in the lives of our children, in our homes and maybe, just maybe, in the culture too. 🌸
It was the most glorious day to celebrate my best It was the most glorious day to celebrate my best friend! Oregon came through with perfect weather for my wonderful husband’s birthday and we made the most of it by taking the convertible to our favorite winery and soaking up the sunshine, yummy food and wine. Then we had a lovely time celebrating with family at our home. Robb is truly the most amazing husband and father and all around incredible man. He loves and leads us well so it’s such a joy to get to honor him on his special day. 🎂

“The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good.” Matthew 12:35
It’s time for another #tiptuesday! Today I’m s It’s time for another #tiptuesday! Today I’m sharing with you two critical things to determine if you want to create order in your home which leads to a much more peaceful experience for everyone. As a recovering perfectionist, this has been one of my greatest lessons and I hope it encourages you today! 🍃
Load More... Follow
Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2023 At The Picket Fence