Our First Birthday Party!

Last weekend, Artastic had its first "Kids" birthday party . . . . and the bar was set high! And by high, I mean sky high! A fellow Jr. Leaguer booked her son Hunter's birthday party during our Grand Opening back in September. Talk about on the ball . . . she even came to scope the place out to see how she could decorate. Boy Cassie did not disappoint. The whole party was centered around an Art theme. From the craft to the food, you definitely felt craftastic at the end of this party!

Party Boy: Hunter aka Midget
Event: 4th Birthday!
Theme: Art Party
Project: Initial Canvases

For the craft, each child was given an 8x10 in canvas with the child's first initial. Prior to the party, I used my Cricut and vinyl to easily cut out each child's initial and transferred it to the canvas. The kids used brushes, sponges, stamps, and rollers to paint their canvas with tempera paint. The kids had a ball painting and all the canvases turned out very . . . colorful! After their paintings were dry, we peeled off the vinyl and their letter "magically" appeared in their artwork.

Once their masterpieces were complete, it was time for the starving artists to attack the food (which of course was Art themed). Cassie did an OUTSTANDING job with the food and favors! Below are all the fun and yummy treats she served:

Paint Chips

Paint Balls

Paint Brushes

Water Colors

Pops of Color

Painter's Tape

Party Favors

Look at all the fun art we made for Hunter's 4th Birthday!

Making Progress . . . Slowly

As you may or may not know, August 1st has come and gone . . . .and the studio has not opened yet. When I signed my lease in June, I was guaranteed to be open by August 1st, if not middle of July. Whelp that did not happen and has stressed me out a little! Progress is being made, just a lot slower than I had hoped. During the first three weeks of construction, the place looked like a ghost town no matter what time of day I stopped by. After a couple of phone calls using what my mom's best friend/my camp roommate refers to as the "bitch on line one voice," people actually started showing up to work!

This week, I was able to start painting (really, I think it was just to give me something to do so I would stop bothering them!).

I now have a partial ceiling and lights.

They have started working on the kitchen wall.

Today, the were floating my floors. Because of time and the MESS that my floors are, I am not getting a vinyl plank hardwood floor!

They also spent some time rebuilding the outside.

People keep asking, "So when are you going to open?". As of now, this is my answer! This picture was taken right before I left today.

Lots and lots of work to still be done! And to top it off, there are people waiting to move next door where all my things are being stored. Fingers crossed there is much progress this week and I can nail down a definitive opening date.

Construction Has Started

FINALLY! Construction is well on it's way! So far, they have:

Taken down the rock on the outside of the building

And have started framing the interior walls

I cannot tell you how READY I am to have Artastic Craft Studio finished and ready to open! When I moved all my things from my classroom, the original plan was to move everything into Artastic. Unfortunately, I did not get to sign my lease until early June, meaning there SEVEN car loads of "stuff" in the guest room/craft room/Daniel's closet of the house. Luckily, the spot next to me is empty and I am able to now store all seven car loads of stuff, inventory, and all the furniture I have found over the last month there. I have almost everything I need and am ready to start painting!

I cannot thank all my friends and family enough for the support they have offered during this exciting process. There is still so much more to do until opening day (hopefully sometime in early August!) and I cannot wait for this to be my new office view!

It's Finally Here!

Here is the Artastic Craft Studio blog! Here is where we will post about construction, classes, parties, and maybe a big metal chicken (or flamingo!) or two!