Sunrise Creations Blog

There is no law that says you have to have a theme for a party.  Even a child’s birthday party can be loads of fun with just a general party atmosphere but let’s be honest; themes do make parties more interesting and memorable, and you can have as much fun in the planning as your guests will have on the day.

 

Half the fun is in picking the theme, especially for children who have a favourite character, toy or colour you can work with.

 

Make every effort to follow your theme the whole way through, from your invitations through to your lolly bags and thank you cards because making it truly memorable is usually all about the details.

 

There are many wonderful examples of themed parties on blogs and websites and it is worth doing a search on themed parties in general as well as the theme that you choose to work with.

 

One of the finest examples of a Mary Poppins “Jolly Holiday” theme as lovingly depicted on Sharnel’s “My Life My Loves” blog.

 

 

Don’t feel overwhelmed by the lengths that this amazingly creative woman as gone to in her efforts to recreate the “Jolly Holiday” experience, her work is inspiring but you can invest as much expense and effort into your themed party as you choose.

 

If you choose a theme subject that you and your child already know and love it gives you greater room for creativity and you can often utilise items that you already have for decoration and in activities.

 

Having a theme that allows for dress ups and costumes works well as all kids love to dress up and role play, and the natural play acting that comes with that adds to the festive atmosphere.

Face painting is a wonderful way to bond with kids of all ages. It is fascinating to see children’s faces light up and personalities change when they see their transformation in the mirror. It is a great skill to have as a parent, childcare worker, teacher, children’s venue owner or fundraising group, and a great flexible part-time job for a young adult.


With the proper instruction, anyone can face paint like a professional in no time. Each month, Julie Tattam from Making Faces will share face painting tips and techniques, drawn from her experience painting thousands of faces as well as teaching beginners and advanced face painting classes.

Today’s Tips:

1. Use good quality Taklon or synthetic paint brushes.
   Don’t be tempted by bargain store brushes as they are uncomfortable on the face, don’t give a fine enough line, and are often harder to sterilise effectively. Invest in a good quality paint brush with a fine point. Contact Julie to enquire about the best brush types and sizes to use, and where to get them in your local area.
   
   
   
   
2. Use good quality professional face paints.
   Liquid face paint is slightly cheaper, but a much better result will be achieved with professional dry-cake face paints from reputable manufacturers. We always recommend Snazaroo as it contains a preservative which prevents bacteria from growing in the paint when it is stored. NEVER use water colours or any sort of craft paint on the face as it can cause skin staining, eye damage and severe skin irritation.
   
   
   
   
   
3. Practice on paper first.
   To get used to the basic shape of a new design (eg. a batman mask or princess crown), draw a rough outline of a face on paper, and repeatedly sketch the design onto the face. This will get you used to drawing the design quickly and accurately, without wasting your face paints. You can also experiment with developing new designs this way.
   
   
   
4. Never use craft glitter.
   Glitter is an essential tool to add that “Wow” factor to your face painting, but to avoid eye damage and skin irritation, it is essential to only ever use cosmetic-grade, 100% polyester face painting glitter. It is specially cut to avoid the sharp edges which craft glitter has, which can seriously damage little eyes. This type of glitter is not readily available in craft stores, so contact Julie to help you locate them in your local area.
   
   
   
5. Always have a couple of cheek/hand designs available.
   Some children don’t like having their face touched, but really love having a little design painted on their hand or cheek. By having a couple of these designs up your sleeve, you are able to ensure that the more timid kids are not left out. A good selection of cheek art designs can be seen in Making Faces online gallery.
   
   
   

Topics to be covered in our next “Quick Tips” blog will include popular girls and boys designs, face painting hygiene and safety, must-have equipment and other tips to get you face painting like a pro!

If you would like to learn more, contact Julie Tattam at Making Faces on 0414 783 106 or julie (at) makingfacesaustralia.com about attending one of their fun and easy 2.5hr Learn To Face Paint courses. You will receive individual attention from a highly trained professional face painter, and come away with all the skills and knowledge to face paint confidently and safely after one class. Visit the Making Faces website for details and to view examples of their work.

A last minute birthday party idea, turned into one of the best parties we have had for our 4 year old little princess. Arianne, is a girly girl – dress ups, make up, dolls, dancing – anything girly. So we decided to make it a hair and make up party. We hired a hair dresser to do the hair, and then a couple of mums did their nails and make up. What a success! The girls had a ball – the grins and the excitement on their precious little faces were gorgeous.

Below is the thank you card we sent out - don't all the girls look gorgeous!