Minecraft Birthday Party

Recently my twins turned 11. Woohoo, I think I was more excited than they were. It is just a wonderful feeling to watch them grow and develop. I am so proud of them. They don't let autism hold them back and they are such wonderful kids. So I couldn't let their birthday go past without celebrating with a party. Besides they kept asking, very nicely, for a party. :)

I decided to do a Minecraft party for them but it had to be done on a budget. The boys wanted a pinata but there are no Minecraft themed ones available in stores where I live. I don't even know if they have even expanded into party merchandise so I had to DIY. I bought a pinata and made my own picture for the front.

 Luckily Creeper faces are easy to draw. I just needed some green cardboard, a permanent marker and some sticky tape. Then after a few minutes of work, TA DA.... a Minecraft Creeper Pinata. The boys liked it and they were super keen to check what goodies I was filling it up with.

 I had seen lovely Minecraft birthday party spreads on Pinterest and Etsy. I couldn't afford to get a professional party planner to do it for me so I had to try my best. I bought a piece of artificial grass from Bunnings to use as a table cloth. I really wanted the long thick artificial turf but that one was EXPENSIVE so I had to go the budget option. Let me tell you that the budget option still cost me $40, so luckily I have been able to recycle it for another project.

I bought some place card templates on Etsy and printed them off and then pasted them onto cardboard. I then tried to find food to match the names of Minecraft items. Here is a sample of some of the foods that I used.
Obsidian - Oreo biscuits (both black)
Redstone - strawberries
Coal - Cocoa popcorn
Sticks - straight pretzels
Raw Fish - smoked salmon slices

 The strange part was that the kids all went for the healthy food first. The smoked salmon slices were so popular that there was a line up of kids waiting for their turn to get some. I did not expect that at all. I expected the 'chicken' would be popular as I had spicy mini drumsticks and chicken strips but what 11yo would ignore chips and lollies to eat smoked salmon.  But apparently an entire class of 11yo kids are more interested in healthy eating than I am because I kept sneaking lollies. I also may have been sprung eating leftover icing out of the tub with a spoon. I have no regrets either.

Now for the cake, I attempted to copy a cake I saw on Pinterest but I am hopeless at cake decorating. Seriously I am not talented at all in this area, but hey I can't be Supermum at everything. So here is my sad attempt at making a Mincraft cake. It is meant to look like water, sand and grass blocks but I didn't quite nail it. I used blue jelly, rice crispy bars, and lamingtons which I tried to ice to look like grass. I then added plastic figures to decorate. Luckily my boys have good imaginations and that no one had seen the proper photo of what it was meant to look like.

 Now here are the birthday boys.

 Now if you would like to check out better versions of Minecraft party ideas, then head to Pinterest here. Prepare to be amazed.

Minecraft coffee table

My boys want a Minecraft themed bedroom. The company that makes Minecraft hasn't expanded into the complete range of merchandise to flog to kids. Though I am sure it is just a matter of time but for now I can't just go to the store and buy Minecraft decor items. So I am slowly decorating the hard way, which is DIY.
So far the boys have knitted wool cushions which Grandma made from a pattern found here.
I also bought them weighted blankets made with Minecraft fabric. Weighted blankets can help calm and settle children with sensory issues especially children with autism.

I had this old coffee table that was doubling as a bedside table between the bunk beds. It was very knocked about and even had a corner chewed by a dog many years ago.

 I sanded the coffee table and put two coats of undercoat on. I then put two coats of leftover green paint on. I then tried my best to make a Creeper face template. I was convinced it was big enough but I think I should have made it bigger still. I was also convinced I had centered the template before painting. hahahaha. Luckily the boys haven't noticed.

I then had a wild urge to distress the paint. I have never tried heavily distressing a piece of furniture before but wanted to try before I start a BIG project later in the week.
Here is the final product. I haven't sealed it yet as I am trying to work out if I need to make any further adjustments first.

 

Here is a photo from when I was falling off what I was standing on to try take these photos. Luckily I wasn't injured. :)

I have seen a few removable wall stickers on Etsy that have Minecraft related designs. I am thinking of getting some of those for the room. I also plan to get the boys to help make some paintings to hang up in here. I think we have enough Creepers in here though. I really want to make a Minecraft pig as they look cute.

I hope you have a great day. I am hoping to stalk the postie today as I am waiting on exciting things to arrive for a new project. :)