Sunday, January 9, 2011

Quick Kid's Birthday Party Bag and Card!


Yesterday, my son had a birthday party to go to....this is a big deal as Robbie has autism and finds parties can be overwhelming.  It took a lot to persuading to convince him to go as this was a new friend and we would be going to a new place.  "New" anything is very overwhelming to him.  He did ok at the party - sat nicely - but very sadly, would not participate in anything.  I was really bummed out.


Anyhow, I needed a large bag for the birthday present and of course, found out I didn't have a pre-made one in my stash.  So, I repurposed a Coldwater Creek bag and decided to write out the birthday boy's name using the Cricut Zoo Day Lite cartridge.  Quickly, by cutting the letters at 2-3/4", I was able to make this title bar for the bag (also covering up the label..).  Wiggle eyes added some interest. Paper was from Hobby Lobby's animal print stack.


Of course, there was a label on the other side of the bag that needed attention so I opened up Cricut "Life's A Party" cartridge and found this shadowed "Happy Birthday" sentiment., which I cut at 2-1/2".  I love the chunky font for kid's projects!


Finally, I made the simplest card I've ever done....I cut this paw print card from Life's A Party at 4-3/4". I cut the paw print layer at 4-1/2" so I could have a border of green.  I cut a 4" x 4" black square to go behind the paw print cut out since I didn't want that to be green.  Unlayered sentiment is also from the same cartridge and cut at 1".  It can be layered but the layer had circular cutouts that didn't work so well at such a small size.  Ribbon by Stampin Up!

This was a quick and easy project for a kid's gift!

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42 comments:

  1. I love this project, Joy! You are such a great mom to go through all this work when having your son just attend the party is so difficult for you/him! I wish there were more mom's in the world like you!
    Happy new year, Joy!
    --suebella4u@hotmail.com

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  2. This is a great idea. I am always thinking I need to use a new bag but don't alway have just the right one on hand. Now I know to look through my other stash - department store bags.

    As for your beautiful son - keep your head up and keep the faith. I am a Special Education teacher here in Frisco and I know that miracles do happen everyday. I have seen it!

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  3. Joy,
    Great idea converting a shopping bag. Love the letters cut out in the animals. I am sure it is hard seeing your son struggle. At least he went to the party. My 9 year old dtr is extremely shy and has hid behind the sofa at other kids parties before, even when all the kids were from her class in school.

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  4. Love the project! Simple or not, it turned out beautifully.

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  5. OMG! You make this look and sound so easy. Thanks for giving the "ungifted" hope.

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  6. This is so cute. I love this project!!

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  7. This is a very clever idea and a darling project. And your son is lucky to have such a great mom!

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  8. Just goes to show that Simple really is Beautiful! Repurposing shopping bags as gift bags using the Cricut is BRILLIANT! The card is perfect for a children's party. I so appreciate you and your creativity! Thank you.

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  9. Joy this is great! I love that the bag is craft paper. This makes me think I want that cartridge! It's so cute!!!! I love your projects and have followed your blog for a while. I've learned a lot from you. You introduced me to the tweezer and quick dry adhesive. Two things I can't live without. Thank you! I'd love to have you follow my blog too;)

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  10. What a great idea. We seem to always need a bag at the times when we don't have one. But what a great way to recycle the department store bags I love it!

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  11. Great re-purposing.

    I work with a few kids who have autism. I know how it can be a challenge for them and you. Experiencing new things is hard for everyone. Unfortunately, some parents would simply not even try. So praise yourself! You are a great mother!

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  12. great project and great way to recycle. I have a bunch of bags I can recycle.

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  13. LOVE the bag and Card idea Joy! Soooo cute and clever! :o) Sorry your son didn't play any games.. but it was a big step that he even went and sat there! Sooo good for him for trying and Great for you on being such a wonderful MOM! :o)

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  14. Great job repurposing the store bag! Turned out super-cute.
    Sorry that your son wasn't so interested in the party, but good for both of you in trying.
    Hope you have a good week!

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  15. Fantastic idea! I always save shopping bags because they are too nice to throw away now thanks to you I have a reason to keep them.

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  16. What a nice way to recycle, reuse. Taking something ordinary and turning it into something wonderful.

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  17. I love the bag and the repurposing was perfect for the design. Amazing creativity on your part.

    Robbie gets huge high 5's for going to a new place, for a birthday party, for a new friend. Kudos to you Joy for being a great Mom and encouraging Robbie.

    I know how overwhelming autism can be, my step son is 14 now and new anything remains a trying experience sometimes it's okay sometimes its not.

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  18. Joy,what a great idea to repurpose a bag! It was a good step for Robbie to go to a new place,and a party,even if he couldn't join in the games. Maybe next time will be better.Your patience will be rewarded, I am sure. BethAnn M

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  19. ADORABLE card and gift bag! What a creative idea!

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  20. I love that you re-purposed this bag! Everything turned out wonderfully!
    Tara

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  21. I love this! So creative!!! Those over stimulating parties and events can be so stressful both for the kid with autism and the parent. I feel your stress:)

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  22. Great project. My best friend has an autistic son. I admire your patience and persistence with your son. It probably means more to him than you know.
    Thanks for sharing,
    Cindy :)

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  23. Love!! bag and matching card. Any kid would love to have.

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  24. Great idea, love the way you did his name!

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  25. Great projects! Now I have more ideas to use this cartridge for. I got it because I thought the solid animal images would be great for a shaped mini-book, but this is a great way to use the letters!

    On another note, I have a 5 year old autistic son (my LOVE!). He's my youngest of 3. This is his first year at elementary school and right now I'm just hoping that he gets a chance to be invited to friends birthdays like every other kid. He has a hard time bonding with kids his age and I totally understand the fear of new things for your son. Lucas ALWAYS wants to "go home" even if we are somewhere he's having fun, so kuddos to him for giving it a go and trying something new & to you for supporting him, I know it can sometimes be frustrating to watch the struggle, but just getting him involved is so worth it! :)
    Much love!

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  26. Great job on making something out of "nothing" & it's great that the bag & card coordinate so well!!

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  27. Thanks for sharing. I re-purpose bags as well. My family says I am cheap! I have to be so I have $$ for my craft addiction!
    Susan

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  28. I would have never thought to repurpose a department store bag, I've decorated plain bags before though. Thanks for the idea! cathy cmwirt at verizon dot net

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  29. My 8 yo ds has Autism too. I KNOW how you feel and give you a big virtual hug. You got him to go to a party, that was awesome. Step one. Next time, maybe he'll participate in one thing. I too have my creative outlet that keeps my sanity. Email me if you want to chat about ASA ok?
    Wendy-duswork@hotmail.com

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  30. Keep working with your son, he'll have good times and bad times....just go with what is handed to you. Love the project.

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  31. I love the card you made and the bag that you reuse or what I call it recycle. And don't worry to much your son he will pull through this and start play with.

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  32. What a good mom! That takes so much time and energy and you could have easily just not taken your son and used the time to do projects. You are awesome and so are these ideas. Thanks so much for sharing all of this.

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  33. was very blessed by this post. I teach inclusion, with autistic children included in a regular education classroom. The fact that he attended the party is huge and speaks volumes for you as a parent. Keep us the great work!
    The bag and card were too cute!
    Blessings!
    Becky
    CricutInMyClassroom.blogspot.com

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  34. Great bag! I like this so much more than one you can buy! Speaking as a former person who worked with people who have autism, the more you try the better it will get. He did awesome just for going and doing well! Next time he might participate, but if not you are absolutely right to be exposing him to new experiences. Hang in there- you are an amazing Mom, of a terrific brave kid.

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  35. Joy what an awesome project....
    You are in my prayers now I know what your meant when I sent you a few e-mails and you eluded to having had some bad moments and times I felt bad just to know you had ...had these and now that I know .... wow....thank God your son has you as a mother...God did plan it this way........just know this....your son is the luckiest kid in the world.

    Joan Smith.

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  36. Just as a word of encouragement. I live in the DFW area and a boy with a form of autism was featured on the news. Thanks to his mother's encouragement he is now nominated as one of twelve children in the US to receive an award for disabled children who have acheived a high level in the sports world. There is always hope for progress with a mother like you.

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  37. What a wonderful way to use plain bags!!

    I'm glad your son went to the party... baby steps is all you can ask for.

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  38. Hey Joy, sorry to hear Robbie didn't have the best time at the party, but you are doing a fabulous job and he is lucky to have you as his mommy! :)
    And this bag idea is just FABULOUS!! I can't tell you how much money you've just saved my husband and I! From now on, I'm recycling all shopping bags like this into new gift bags! :) Thanks for sharing :)

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