Bonus page for Crafty Minx readers

A little while ago, my editor at Murdoch Books, Sophia Oravecz got in touch to ask if I could re-jig a few of the projects in The Crafty Minx to suit overseas markets. Because my publishers were heading off to London Book Fair, where the rights to books are sold in to other countries.

The Crafty Minx is now available in the UK as is, but we’ve created a few extra pages to better suit a Northern-hemisphere climate… I thought it a shame for the people who bought the original version to miss out, so here’s the page which replaces the ‘Tree Decorations’ project in the Summer section – enjoy!:

SENSATIONAL SHINDIGS

There are so many ways to throw a fabulous party on the cheap. The very best ideas often come from a lack of cash and some inventive thinking, anyway. I’ve been to such a range of parties in my time – from all-out, spare-no-expense end-of-year bashes and black tie balls to homey festivities in friends’ backyards and picnics in the park. These days I have to say the latter’s more my thing, but there’s a time and a place for everything.

Some crafty ideas for excellent party decorations:

* Throw an Andy Warhol’s Factory party. Clear the furniture, cover the walls in aluminium foil and colour-photocopied pop art of your friends, serve champagne and huge bowls of popcorn, and ask guests to look to Warhol’s muse Edie Sedgewick, the man himself and a whole host of other fabulous nobodies for sartorial inspiration. Play some psychedelic 60s tunes on the stereo, and let the good times roll. You might even want to film it for posterity – Andy would have.

* Have a Surf’s Up! birthday party on the beach, like my five-year-old friend Enzo. Pop the event information (occasion, date, time, location and any further instructions) on a label you’ve whipped up on the computer, then peel off the back and stick to a beachside postcard. Make a surfboard-style piñata filled with lollies to hang from a tree, and ask all your guests to wear Hawaiian shirts or leis to the festivities. Erect umbrellas and serve mocktails in the shade, with a cake in the shape of a beaten-up VW Combi van to complete the look.

* Go south of the border for inspiration, with a Mexican-themed barbecue. Serve Margaritas with miniature drinks umbrellas, buy a stack of straw sombreros, and all the ingredients for Nachos and Tex-Mex (ribs, corn chips, guacamole, grated cheese, sour cream, refried beans, mince, tomato salsa and fresh lettuce). Festoon the walls with Day of the Dead-style imagery (such as this fun skulls-and-hearts fabric I screen-printed myself), re-purpose a broom handle as a limbo stick, award the winner a bottle of Tequila, and slap a fake moustache on everyone who walks through the door.

* Throw a hats, wigs or masquerade party, where everyone has to wear at least one of these items. This has to be one of the cheapest and easiest fancy dress options, as guests only need to buy one thing to be in theme. Hang streamers and party lanterns from the ceiling, and give out those paper whistles which everyone loves… particularly the neighbours, at three o’clock in the morning!