We may look back on this theme think what were we was I thinking? But, it was fun to give the event direction–which, arguably, it may or may not have needed. However, it’s just the kind of inspiration that gets my creative juices flowing. So, Welcome to our Dia De Los Muertos-Themed Grad Party! Yep, that would be Day of the Dead!
[Note: Although this is for a graduation party. All but two of the ideas can be used for the traditional October 31-November 1 festivities.]
~~~The sugar skull mug was found on Ebay, we had a floral arrangement made in it using coordinating bright colors.~~~
Backing up a bit: The color inspiration (above) was from the photo (below). I couldn’t get the beautiful color combination out of my mind and had to replicate it!
Tissue paper was not easy to come by in the appropriate colors, so white coffee filters were used and dyed with Rit dye. There are tutorials all over blog-land for coloring coffee filters. I used a pot of very hot water on the stove top. One word of caution, the first filters to get dyed turned out more saturated than the last filters even though I used the same batch of dye. What I would suggest is to go ahead and dye all of them, then mix the more and less saturated filters for each pom pom. For drying the filters, I did some in the oven, that seemed so inefficient, so most of them were done the old fashioned way–draping them over various pots in the kitchen.
For the pom poms, I was happiest with using 15 filters per, crinkling and folding them into fourths, then stringing them on thread and tying securely. The graduating girl, Artsy Chick, painted the “N” (for her first name) Dio De Los Meurtos style.
But, where are my manners? Let me bring you through the front door! Balloons greeted guests in the front entryway. It’s not nearly as much of a photo op, but I like to spread the festivities throughout the house. (After posting this party/these photos I may rethink this strategy.) Extra large sugar skull balloon from Ebay.
Come this way through the dining room and find this tissue papel picado which is a traditional element. It’s hard to see, but there are owls (blue), as well as, skull cutouts–see template and inspiration HERE. The dining table also had skull “eggs” placed in a clear vase with an Artsy Chick original sugar skull drawing (see collage, following).
Who knew they had “Monster High” dolls? I sure didn’t. This cutey (“cutey” might be relative with this style of doll), Skelita, was certainly an unnecessary addition to the party–but fun! She entertained guests who lingered in the family room. For the skull candy favors, see my previous post.
“Hey!”
While I envy people who are able to get an entire, huge collage of photos together, this is what I’ve done for my children, cull favorite photos from over the years to show off. The graduation and feather boa ones were enlarged for the occasion.
Also, a custom piece was the sugar skull lawn flag, which I stenciled with the phrase “I’M KIND OF A BIG DEAL” and hung on a wreath holder. (Stencil made using freezer paper.) Inspiration HERE.
This candy dish was filled with brightly wrapped candy. Inspiration found HERE. I used address numbers and glued them to black, spray-painted chop sticks (Ha-ha–I told my girls I was going to go back and purchase a “5″ and “7″ because there will also be graduations in 2015 and 2017!) It’s hard to tell, but I used a trifle dish with netting ribbon around the bottom. To enable the numbers to stand, I cut a sphere of styrofoam in half and covered it with foil and just set it in the dish. The skull with top hat “cut out” is actually a party invitation that I ordered from HERE. During party prep, I plopped it in and we all liked it. Artsy Chick decided on a menu of a taco bar, fruit kabobs and key lime and banana nut cupcakes.
Plates, striped napkins, invitations, skull “eggs”, colored plastic wear, Smarties (of all things) and fans from Oriental Trading. Custom save the date cards in an upcoming post.
Make yourself at home, have a seat and cupcake, while you’re at it! Custom runners in upcoming post. Cupcake picks ordered from Ebay.
Congratulations, Grad Girl!
We love you and are proud of you!
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Linking with Savvy Southern Style