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Shirley's party advice part 3 - in which Shirley may make a guest appearance

994 replies

stealthsquiggle · 20/04/2012 22:58

We appear to have filled another thread Shock

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silver28 · 21/04/2012 07:20

Found you! Been lurking but too busy actually planning my party to post (plus discovered Draw Something which has been keeping me rather busy Grin)

DS's knights party is tomorrow!! I'm pretty much sorted but the bloody weather is plotting to ruin everything Sad. We've hired a bouncy castle, i've made bunting (white and dark purple, I thought it looked suitably riyal and would also do for DD parties in the future!) and have 11 guests aged between 2 and 6 who I planned to release into the garden for the best part if 2 hours. That might still work but showers are forecast so def need some more indoor activities just in case.

I have cut some shields out of coloured card and have a stack of pens (washable) and foam stickers which I'll set up on a small table throughout the party (regardless of the weather). Have planned pass the parcel too but think I'd better get together a list of party games to keep in reserve. DSis and my best friend are teachers so I can always rope them in to help (I can think of plenty of games but am nervous of trying to boss the children, especially as most parents will be staying so may observe my ineptitude!).

I have made thd castle cake that stealth made and I'm thrilled with it. It's the first time I've done something like that and it was easier and quicker than I expected. Was grateful to mumsnet for some if the tips tho, such as freezing the cake before doing crumb coat and not making the 'stones' too small (thanks stealth!).

Have also made cake pops using the cake trimmings, and choc marshmallow lollipops (two marshmallows on a stick, covered in chocolate and lots of sprinkles). They look good so hopefully should go down well. Other than that am doing traditional party food for the kids (sandwiches, sausages, cold pizza, pom bears Grin, veg sticks, party rings, cheese and pineapple on sticks, strawberries). Just trying to beg enough chairs to get them sat round our dining table in thd conservatory as the picnic in the garden is off the cards.

Have inflatable swords (for towards the end of the party!), a dragon piñata (for which I've bought a plastic sword which should hopefully be string enough to use as a basher) and kids van put the goodies (moam sweets, loose stickers and party blowers) into their party bags. I've bought white paper takeaway bags, decorated them with each child's name and also put in a toy knight for the boys (from pound land but look more expensive IMO) and a soft toy animal for the girls (couldn't find dragons, and I know it's a but sexist but I know most of the kids well and know it's what they'd prefer!). Also put in a bag of choc coins (mine were 59p from home bargains and are really big and taste pretty good (I had to check of course!)), a cake pop wrapped in cellophane (to save cutting the cake up during the party) and they can each take a sword home.

For adults I've made three types of cake/tray bake and have crisps, wine, beer and soft drinks. Think that should be ok.

So I think im all sorted. Just need to clean and tidy the house, remove valuables and put as much furniture as poss from the lounge into the garage to create space for games if the rain comes.....

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Blatherskite · 21/04/2012 08:19

I've linked from the old thread so hopefully everyone should find us now.

The party sounds great Silver. Hope it all goes well

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TheScottishPlayer · 21/04/2012 09:25

Quick post to get this on to my threads.

Hope the party all goes ok Silver. Does the bouncy castle have a rain cover?

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stealthsquiggle · 21/04/2012 10:26

Party sounds really good, silver - all set. Which part of the country am I crossing my fingers for good weather for (I know ours doesn't look good - next 5 days forecast are rain, rain, rain, rain and rain Sad).

Thanks for doing the link, Blathers - I just about managed to start a new thread on my phone but didn't want to use up the last post on the old thread in failing to link to it!

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leftmysociallifeatthedoor · 21/04/2012 10:53

Good luck with the party!

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Doilooklikeatourist · 21/04/2012 11:14

Hallo again ,
stealth squiggle I think it was you that asked , we live near Carmarthen in west Wales .

Quick question , we've had 1 refusal , 8 invitees have accepted by phone , email and in person , so that makes about 12 who haven't replied , so I guess that means they'll be there . The rest are family who I know will be there , is that a sensible assumption do you think ?

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Blatherskite · 21/04/2012 11:25

Always assume that non-RSVPers will turn up. I had a Mum at School tell me when I asked if her DS would be attending DS's party that she just assumed I would assume he was coming if she didn't RSVP Hmm

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silver28 · 21/04/2012 17:05

We're in Lancashire, so I guess I should have expected rain really Grin

The bouncy castle does have a cover, do we should be ok unless it really pours down.

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stealthsquiggle · 21/04/2012 17:27

Doilooklikeatourist - other side of Wales from us then (we are in England, but not far from the border). I would love an excuse to make a house-shaped cake. There is a cake shop in Oxford which has done a cake of the Sheldonian Library and I always spend ages admiring it (they have a dummy version on display in their window)

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Blatherskite · 21/04/2012 18:01

Knights party done. T'was good. There was a cardboard castle and pens, a balloon "dragon" to attack and "kill" (that was a good idea, the kids loved it) and the castle cake of course.

There were games too but the kids spent 90% of the party racing around the garden. I think a bouncy castle would have worked.

Good luck for tomorrow

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Tinkerisdead · 21/04/2012 18:03

Hi all. Silver, you have done amazingly. Make sure you post pictures on your profile asap before kids devour the lot. If theres one thing better than planning parties its seeing the results and details!

Doilooklikeatourist, i know the others said do a chilli (and indeed i always do at a large gathering) however i'm gonna throw in the trusty pulled pork idea. Shirley swears by it in the slow cooker and their are some recipes for it in the slow cooker thread running in food topic at the moment. Its bbq flavour, shred it up and put into rolls/cobs/baps whichever your regional word for them. I dont like bbq and we all deemed that it would work just plain pork with stuffing or apple sauce like a hog roast without the cost!! It would work well with salad and potatoes etc and calls for less ingrediants than a chilli.

I found a brill step by step for a fairy castle cake so im gonna try a practice run maybe the week after next. Seems piss easy by making the towers out of pastillage rather than cake. Im hopeful of emerging better than the "ingridants" rival.but i will need to buy a brick embossing mat i think. Now everything ive read says emboss sugarpaste then add to the cake but i like to cover my cake and smooth it perfectly before working it. Im nervous about adding the icing in sections!!!

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Blatherskite · 21/04/2012 21:31

While at the party today, DS got an invite to another party...Octonauts this time.

How on Earth am I going to make an Octonauts outfit!?

The knight looked really good today, even DH was impressed, just sticking him in a paper hat ain't going to cut it :)

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TheScottishPlayer · 21/04/2012 21:35

Ooh, we had an Octonauts party last year! We didn't do fancy dress though. Hat and collar is key! There's an Octonauts page on fb and people always posting party pics so you might get some costume ideas there.

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Blatherskite · 21/04/2012 21:46

I know the party boy is going to be Kwazii. I'm thinking of trying to talk DS into Captain Barnacles then buying a blue boiler suit and adding a pale blue collar, belt and boot covers...?

Maybe a compass on the belt?

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TheScottishPlayer · 21/04/2012 21:51

Captain Barnacles is great. You could even just get away with blue trousers and a l/s blue t if you could find the right kind of shade. H&M maybe? Light blue face-paint for his little 'tache?

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Blatherskite · 21/04/2012 21:58

Oooh, good call. Grey nose and light blue 'tashe.

A boiler suit would be about £10 on ebay - what do you think of this colour? Not quite right but close enough?

A cheapy compass is about £1.50 so could definitely do that and he already has a spy glass. Would need to make a hat

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TheScottishPlayer · 21/04/2012 22:04

That would work! Felt for hat/belt? Captain barnacles plays the accordion but that's maybe going a bit far! There's an Octonauts magazine which often has character accessories - not sure what's on this month's.

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Blatherskite · 21/04/2012 22:11

I've found plain blue pyjamas in the right colour!! here if the link works! Much cheaper :)

I'm thinking cheap pale blue pillow cases to cut up to make the belt, collar and boot covers. Would that work? Bit more hardwearing than felt and would mean I could stick it all in the washing machine so he could wear it again.

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TheScottishPlayer · 21/04/2012 22:16

I have zero sewing skills, but I imagine a pillow case would work perfectly, there's a little Octonauts logo on the hat, so I was imaging felt might be easier to cut out to attach. It's a shame you're a guest and not hosting, I still have the template for my Octonauts invites Grin

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Blatherskite · 21/04/2012 22:21

I'm sure Stealth and DW can help with sewing tips :)

Felt might be better for the hat as it's a bit more rigid. Maybe even foam sheet? Maybe some of that puffy fabric paint to make the logo? I bought some to do the skull and crossbones for the mini hat I made for DS's dinosaur when he went to School as Captain Flynn for WBD so I'd just have to dig that out.

PJ's and compass have been ordered. Party is about a month away Blush

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stealthsquiggle · 21/04/2012 22:23

What timescale are we talking, blathers? I have pale blue fabric...

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stealthsquiggle · 21/04/2012 22:25

Ah - you answered that. Catch me later in the week when DH is away and my sewing machine is home and I would love to help!

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Blatherskite · 21/04/2012 22:25

Just found endless "how to make a sailor hat" pages with a quick google. Will have a look tomorrow :)

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Blatherskite · 21/04/2012 22:26

Thanks Stealth. I love this thread Grin

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TheScottishPlayer · 21/04/2012 23:09

'tis indeed a great thread! I've loads of great ideas for DS's pirate party already and I'm sure I'll be asking for loads more advice once I get in to full planning mode.

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