We dont do huge birthdays *every* year, but this is kind of a big one… my son is turning TEN!   Double digits baby!  Needless to say, we’ve been planning a super festive party.  After last years birthday, we started talking about what would be cool for this year and decided shortly thereafter on a carnival party.  I always loved school carnivals growing up, the atmosphere was always so exciting!  I think the feeling is pretty universal with kids of any age.  My little (ahem) not-so-little guy has come up with so many great ideas, it’s been a really fun thing to talk & dream about together.

Here’s a little peek at the invites (with some info removed).  The ferris wheel is actually a die cut wrap that opens at the center to reveal the invitation!  It will come in an aqua box as I mentioned with circus peanuts underneath the invites!  I’m still working on some of the details… for instance, I’m thinking of making some one inch buttons to stick in the center of the ferris wheel where the ’10′ is now..

So, I’ve had several months to let this idea brew..  of course there will be cotton candy, face painting etc.  but we’re also going to put together some great DIY carnival games. It’s been challenging to see how creative we can get with making everything work and there’s one surprise that I’m really excited to show you!

Originally I was planning on cutting out & painting wooden booth signs, and we are still doing a few that way, but to save some a little money I’ve decided to make a lot of things out of cardboard too.  I’ve also been painting animals of all kinds to use in the decor.. wooden, iron, plastic etc.  Oh, they’re so CUTE!!!

Today I made up the design for some little candy/favor boxes!   These coordinate with the invites I made. As I mentioned, the invites will arrive boxed with a layer of circus peanuts.. which I personally find disgusting, but who can argue with that gorgeous orange color!  It’s just perfect!  Anyway, I wanted to show you the candy/favor boxes because they (and possibly a halloween version) will be my next free printable for YOU!   I can’t decide if I ought to take the 10 off or leave it there, I’m leaning towards leaving that area blank so that you can use it for anything you want to.. do you have a preference?

Anyway, I just had a minute, but will be back soon with the printables for ya!  Oh!!!  I also mentioned in my last post that I had a confession.. . here it is…

A few people have messaged me wondering why I’m just giving this stuff away for freeeeeeeee (sounds good to meeeeeeeee….) and why I’m not SELLING it… the reason is pretty simple and two part.

It took me 33 years of living and lots of life lessons to have finally realized my biggest dream in regards to my  career… and I have for the first time, the:

a.) know how -well, it’s been a steep learning curve but I’m getting there.

b.) guts -it’s taken A LOT for me to believe in myself & my ideas.. I wont go into detail, but I was scared to do this before.  Flat out scared.. but I’m learning to work with the fear and turn it into something magical and substantial … and lastly,

c.) support -I needed a partner. Someone to bounce ideas off of and someone who believes in what I’m creating enough to invest precious time and energy into bringing this dream to fruition… I got one of those.. it was the most unlikely person, but she has seriously changed my life… so… things are good and even more important (and exciting!) they’re taking shape!

I hate to say it, but I can’t tell you what it is at this time.  (dont you hate that!?!)  However, I can tell you that stationery & childrens illustration (though I’d still love to write & illustrate a book someday!) are not it.  I adore all things paper and I guess if your technical, stationery still fits in a teeny bit with this dream.. but for the most part, I’m in an all together different industry.  It’s big and I’m excited!  So, back to my answer, I’ve got a bunch of stationery designs etc. that I still have and that are still lovely and I figured, why not share?

Life’s tough for a lot of people right now, so it’s just my way of trying to make the world a teeny bit brighter…  I may sell some of things in an etsy shop at some point, but for now, I just like doing this.  It’s fun and stress free and I love it.  *smile*

So, to those of you who have asked, there’s my answer!  I hope to be able to tell you more about this *other thing I’ve been working on come the beginning of the year… so stay tuned!  Happy monday peeps, I hope it was a good one!  xoxoxox