In your brain did it stay, that it's Boston's birthday?!

I recently had the opportunity to design some invitations for a soon-to-be 4 year old's Dr. Seuss themed birthday bash.
After a little brainstorming session I decided to hit up the local thrift store to swipe their Dr. Seuss selection. I went for the oldest and most authentic books I could find, meaning, books that were written by Dr. Seuss himself and with the pages actually sewn into the spine (none of that glued in stuff).
Once home, I quickly went to work coming up with some Dr. Seuss inspired copy for the invitation itself (click on pic above to zoom in). Then I promptly went to work disassembling the books I had purchases earlier.

I would be using the pages as a backing to the vertical invitation as well as for handmade envelopes which would later be mailed out to guests.

I really felt adding the backing to the freshly printed invitations really finished them off but I think the envelopes were my favorite part of the whole package. Looking closely you can see little holes where the threading use to be which indicated the envelope was just a portion of a real and classic book.

I think the hardest thing about designing themed birthday invitations is that there are almost too many possibilities. I love designing my own kids party invitations although, I don't recall ever posting any samples here...sad. Maybe I'll have to play a little catch up before their next celebration of birth.

UPDATE: I now have this package for purchase in digital form. The package includes files of invitation, envelope template and step-by-step instructions on how to create your own handmade Dr. Seuss birthday invitations as shown above. To purchase check out the shop HERE. Please email me if you have any questions (gnat[dot]anderson[at]gmail.com).

Just call me grandpa

What is it about all things mini? When I was little I had a decent collection of matchbook cars and my favorite one was the ambulance because the back doors opened up to reveal permanently installed plastic benches on both sides of the vehicle. The front door also opened to reveal a drivers seat and a baby-blue colored dashboard. I loved looking at all the tiny details, like the odometer and radio buttons. I wished so much that I could shrink down to fit right inside and take a spin. It wasn't because I wanted to drive the car—I knew that day would come—it was because I wanted to temporarily be a part of a miniature world (this is probably why the book The Mouse and the Motorcycle was so appealing to me as a kid).

*(image)

A few months ago I was in a train hobby shop where I found myself surrounded in a world of minis (aka heaven); tiny people riding bicycles, a little boy in an inter tube prepping for some outdoor water adventure, tiny cars, even tiny pets. The other costumers also seemed to be lost in this very literal "small world." The difference between them and me however was most apparent in appearances. I was sporting bleach blond and they were sporting grey and balding. I had on a thrifted leather belt adorned with debosed mushrooms and butterflies, they had on thrifted suspenders. I was enjoying a break from the kids and they were enjoying their retirement. Alas, they accepted me with friendly nods, smiles and how-do-you-do's, and therefore allowed me to fit right in.

Unfortunately, also unlike the lovely men around me, I don't have a basement full of train paraphernalia, just my love for small. Sure I had a handful of plastic treasures but how could i really justify buying them? That's when I remembered some very special dioramas I had seen by photographer Lori Nix (see samples throughout post). So I allowed myself to pick out a few things to support my newly proposed hobby. After all, my kids really don't keep me very busy and I think I really do have too much money and am in need of something to spend it on.

About 3 months later I haven't made any miniature scenes to photograph or even purchased more material for that matter. At least we live not too far from a town with all things tiny...

(mini letterpress)

(mini greenhouse)

I have discovered that minis make great gift toppers if nothing else...

and so, the obsession continues.

*pic jon took of a scale model he helped create at school with his group; Eric, Rachael and Kathryn.