Tag: neon

Neon Tween Birthday Party Theme

This post is brought to you by Nestle Toll House Birthday Sugar Cookies.
Bake some birthday love.

I’ve been having some fun lately, coming up with and executing party ideas. First up: a birthday party featuring a whole lot of neon.

I think it would be perfect for older kids and trend-conscious tweens because it isn’t pastel or overly cutesy, but it’s still fun and colorful. Something like a rainbow party might feel too young because you know, they’re soooo grown up at that age (can you hear the eye roll?), but neon is just right. Plus what’s better for tweens than a sweets table that could be left setup for midnight birthday slumber party raids?

The paper chain was made from neon poster board, and I also punched shapes out of it to make large confetti for the table. The hot pink cake was from the local grocery store (I removed the plastic Dora the Explorer rings that were all over the top, then smoothed the icing and added some paper flags). The cookies were baked from ready-made dough and icing (I added bright pink food coloring), then I laid them out on a tray covered with neon pink polka dotted paper. The flowers and candy were all standard, easy to find stuff from the grocery store. I bought a roll of extra wide neon green ribbon from the craft store, and everything else was already on hand.

It’s an easy, inexpensive party to put together, and wow that neon gives some zing! It could be toned down too though. Andrea used neon brilliantly in this table setting.

What do you think? Would you use neon for a party?

August 22, 2012
How To Make Graphic Wall Art

post by Andrea

I’ve been deep in the throes of getting a very special room ready for an expectant arrival; baby number three. [editor’s note: Andrea, not me (Nicole)!] I knew I wanted to use a mix of purchased prints and interesting treasures that hold meaning to our family, but I also knew I wanted to add a touch of DIY art to the room. The room is pure white, with white furnishings and bedding, and a touch of linen beige and bright pops of color to add some vibrancy to the space. I’ve had this bright neon artists tape on hand for a few months, and have had visions of creating graphic wall art out of it for some time, I just needed the right space to put it. When we settled on the theme for the nursery, I finally knew just where it had to go. The process is simple, with dramatic results. Here’s the how to.

(more…)

August 14, 2012
An Easter Table With a Neon Twist

Today’s post is by a new contributor to Making it Lovely, Andrea Howe. I met and roomed with her at Camp Mighty last year, and I know you’re going to adore her as much as I do.

Yesterday, we saw my take on an Easter table. Andrea has been celebrating neon for the past week over on her style blog, For the Love of…, and today she’s sharing some crafty ideas for bringing a little neon to the table for the holiday.

I’ve loved neon for as long as I can remember, and am thrilled to see it make a resurgence, in a very updated and modern way. While neon may be most used in the style world, I wanted to add a touch of it to the home, and so created an Easter table setting infused with subtle touches of neon. I like neon best in small doses and when displayed back to neutrals, so set against the rich wood of a farmhouse dining table the bright colors pop, yet the overall feel isn’t overpowering.

I began by focusing on using things I already owned as key parts of the table setting. These include pieces from my milk glass collection that belonged to my Grandmother, a couple of plain white Easter bunnies, simple white napkins and placemats, and my never-ending supply of mason jars.

I began by spray painting mason jars first in a coat of primer, then with a couple of coats of neon and plain white spray paint. I wrapped some neon and white twine around each jar, held in place with a spot of hot glue. I also added a coat of spray paint to some adorable little ceramic bunnies I had found at Michael’s. The ceramic absorbed the spray paint beautifully.

I took fabric paint and plain white napkins, and simply added polka dots in a random pattern using a round sponge brush available at any craft store. The trick to working with neon is to just focus on 2-3 colors at a time. Anymore and it starts to look a bit dated.

The last thing I did was add a few eggs, first brushed with neon paint. Once dry, the eggs were coated with standard craft glue, then dusted with Martha Stewart neon glitter. Placed in a hobnop candy dish, for me it’s the perfect blend of vintage modern.

By using a mix of pieces I already own and love, and creating some easy and inexpensive DIY’s, I’m thrilled with the results of my modern neon table setting for Easter.

April 4, 2012