My Daughter's Notebook: A Different Approach

For my youngest daughter's Birthday, we decided the best way to create a Birthday Wall for her this year would be to put it in a book--a binder notebook to be exact. This would be a wholly different approach to a wall spread, but it worked out very well.

I used colored construction paper to fit in the binder, punched holes in the pages and prepared layouts based on different preferences in various categories, from music to books to favorite foods.

She's a Spanish major in college, thus the Spanish language is prominent throughout the pages which she adores. 

She has a college-focused blog, By Hannah Joy, where she talks about her college experiences as well as beauty and fashion, which she has a lot of fun with. That inspired this page. 

It was fun compiling images suitable and then trimming them out and putting colored triangles on the corners for a scrap-booked look. I used two primary colors and used them to contrast each other which looked really cool.



I especially enjoyed creating a front page with birthday banner throwing some colored dots on for a confetti look.

I think what I loved most about this notebook approach is that I was able to use a similar approach that I use in my art journal, using matte medium for adhesive. The only disadvantage to this is once the items are glued down, you can't rearrange them!

But, interestingly enough, she prefers the notebook and wants me to continue that approach in the future.

I chose an image of keys to the car for an ending statement since she got her driver's license this summer!

So, there you have it! I hope these visuals have inspired you to work on one for your child's birthday.
You can also check out my e-book that gives you the full story and great ideas for wall or notebook collage.

Here are a few ideas you can use if you choose to present the Birthday Wall in notebook fashion:

Include at least 5 categories for different subject matter
Use at least two colors for contrast and visual effect
Use colored construction paper or card stock for the pages
Trim to size
You're better off preparing too many pages rather than too little (I had a few left over)
Matte medium makes a great adhesive, but you can use regular glue as well
Cut triangles for corners on your images which gives it a finished look
Don't be afraid to try your own ideas; your creativity is just waiting to be expressed!
HAVE FUN and your child will enjoy it.

Showing your child how much you love them by creating this collage style visual will be remembered and treasured for many years to come!

Budget Busters for Your Child's Birthday (video)

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Cate Russell-Cole, Author and Teacher, Shares Birthday Wall Treasure

My good friend, author and writing teacher, Cate Russell-Cole, has kindly shared her appreciation for The Birthday Wall and it's wonderful benefits for your child in sharing their story.

That's really what The Birthday Wall is: it's a story of your child. A Clear Visual Representation of what your child means to you and how much you appreciate who they are and what they love.

And the story is beautiful!

Create your child's story on their Special Day.

A Recipient's Point of View: Sarah Herring

About ten years ago my mother cam up with a brilliant, family-oriented, authentic idea on how to celebrate your child and make them feel as special as possible on their big day. It was named and still is named, "The Birthday Wall."

It started out with a simple birthday banner featuring our name, our new age, and pictures of things we liked at that time, nicknames we'd been given, and accomplishments we'd achieved. At first I just thought it was a cool idea that would last until my sister and I were adults. I had no idea it would leave such an impression on me and become the ONE THING I look forward to every year on my birthday.

On my most recent birthday, all I really wanted was a Birthday Wall from my mom or something--anything--like it.

I was thrilled when she presented a collage she had made for me including my most favorite song for the last eight years, my favorite foods, my senior yearbook picture, my age, a seventeen year old nickname that still makes me smile like it did the first time she used it. The collage was all shaded in and surrounded neatly and artistically with my favorite colors and quotes.

It was the PERFECT gift, something so sentimental and priceless to me that it almost instantly sent tears straight from my heart right to my eyes in a way that touched Mom's heart.

She has invented a method of making her family feel loved, cherished and important for years to come. Ten years of such has changed my heart and my life, and I know it's something I can count on to make each birthday unique and special in its own way. It's something I get excited about and look forward to as my special day approaches.

I fully intend to pass the tradition down to my son who is almost two in hopes that The Birthday Wall will last for generations to come.

It is amazing that a simple, heartfelt idea turned into a wonderful family tradition that can bring a whole new outlook to your child's birthday.

Let Your Kids Imagine!

Have you ever thought to ask your child what kind of party they want to have? Kids have a fun and colorful imagination, and with their ideas, you might just come up with something fabulous and memorable. Tori Spelling shares some tips on how she plans a birthday party with her kids, from decorations and color to theme and activities. Get creative together!

You might think that your child's birthday wall need to be a big secret, and you can, of course, keep it that way so they will be totally surprised. But sometimes it can help to get some ideas of what they would like on their wall so you don't end up doing something that simply doesn't hit the spot for them or even be embarrassing. I include a survey list of things you can ask about in The Birthday Wall e-book to get you started.

Have fun getting creative with your kids!

The Party: Keep It Simple and Stress Free

I love a relaxed approach to many things, including parties. Obviously, so does Rebekah Kuschmider, who shares in her article how she kept things simple and stress free as she prepared (minimally, mind you) for her daughter's first birthday, including invites, food, activity, and socializing. She shows that it doesn't have to be complicated to be fun and satisfying for all.

Creating a birthday wall for your child can also be fun and stress free. Just use your heart and appreciation for your child to guide the way and you'll know just what will make the visual pleasing and fun without making it complicated.

Enjoy the process and keep it simple.
It's the heart of it that matters.

Fun for Less!

Birthday parties are often a place that sucks your wallet dry--if you let it. But that's not necessary! All you need are a few volunteers and some money-saving savvy that Stephanie Frazier suggests in her article, 5 Ways to Save Money on Your Child's Birthday Party. From entertainment to cake options, fun activities to theme parks, she offers some great thrifty ideas that keep the fun without the expense.

When  it comes to making a birthday wall, you can keep it simple with just a few items and ideas that you can make yourself. I offer various theme-based and textual-based ideas for saving money in each chapter under the Heading, Birthday Budget, so you can know some of the best approaches to creating a fabulous display on budget.

Themes: Get Creative!

Sometimes it can be hard to figure a great theme for a birthday party, but your child is probably the best one to ask since they know what they love. American Profile offers some great theme-based ideas for a birthday party, from a Mad Hatter Tea Party to a Zoo theme. It's just a matter of your child's interest and a little imagination. :)

I offer several ideas in The Birthday Wall e-book for a theme-based party with a list based on party supplies as well as ideas related to possible child interests. That's what is so cool about The Birthday Wall; it's a custom creation showcasing what your child really loves, focusing on what makes them special and on their preferences and personality.

Themes can be such a FUN element to your child's birthday!

Birthday Party Money Savers

Whether it's food, entertainment, or decorations, it's easy to spend more than is necessary to plan a great birthday party for that super special child in your life. But you don't have to. Shutterfly shares some practical ways you can celebrate and keep the cost low and still have a fun and fabulous time. From details on party goods, food prep and invites, you will find some great ideas with room to splurge on what you just can't pass up. 

When it comes to creating a fantastic Birthday Wall for your child, you don't have to spend a ton of money to put up a fabulous display. Heartfelt messages to photos of friends may be all you need to enhance the visual of your child's birthday. In each chapter of my e-book, I provide a section titled Birthday Budget where I share tips on how to keep the cost of your birthday wall low while still giving enough ideas to run with to make it the very best. 

Budget Friendly Advice for a Happy Birthday

When it comes to birthday party planning, you want to have a happy child without the overt expense. There are so many variables that can affect how much you spend. Jessica Fisher of Life As A Mom has some fabulous, practical and fun ideas to keep your planning within budget, giving examples from her own birthday party planning experience. She includes all aspects of a great birthday party, including theme and birthday cake.

Sometimes it can be a challenge not to overspend when you want your child's Birthday Wall to be super fab, but you don't have to go above and beyond to make it special and meaningful. Just work with one or two ideas from your child's favorite things and you'll have plenty to work with the make the best, most fun visual representing your child's personality with sparkle.

A Furry Friend for Fun!

How does a cuddly, furry experience sound for a great birthday party? Fun? Interesting? Vicky Welton tells about her daughter Grace's 6th birthday party with Build-A-Bear! She shares the heart-warming, furry activities, detailing the whole build-a-bear process (in case you didn't know!) and what a great time her daughter had with her friends picking out accessories and loving their animals.

A birthday wall can contain so many fun elements from your child's life, whether it's a favorite stuffed animal or learning to sew. When you share this aspect visually to celebrate your child, it will show them just how well you know what they love and will make them feel special.

A Birthday Science Synopsis!

Next time you're planning a birthday party for your child, consider the possibilities a little experimenting can do! Angie Lee at Seven Clown Circus blog shares with many color photos the fabulous science themed ideas she used recently at her 7-year-old twins' birthday party. From fun foods to food coloring, she really brought out the FUN in science. And it was a true hit in the neighborhood!

When you create a birthday wall for your child, you may find some awesome ideas percolating that have a experimental flair to them. What has your child discovered in their past year about themselves and the world around them? Feature photos, games, and friends who were alongside during these discoveries, showcasing what really matters to your child with fun and pizzazz!

It's time to experiment!

A Big Brother: The Best Birthday Surprise!

It can be fun to plan a surprise party for your child, especially with all the planning that goes into not letting on about the party as you plan. But it can take on an even more interesting vibe when there's a BIG Brother coming home from deployment to surprise his little brother for his birthday. This inspiring birthday story is sure to touch your heart, especially from a Mom's point of view.

We all want our child's birthday to be a special as we can make it. Sometimes another family member that your child loves can make their birthday even more special. Be sure to include important memorabilia on your child's birthday wall to commemorate a special occasion such as being reunited with a loved one who is off to war. Family can truly make a birthday the best ever!

Happy Birthday: It's Playtime!

Instead of birthday parties being about all the amenities, perhaps a simpler approach, like playtime and a homemade cake, can be what the party planner ordered. Erin Guerrieri shares her view point on keeping simple traditions with her kids. It can be refreshing to just give them time to play with friends and family, making memories and having a good time.

You can keep things simple when you create a Birthday Wall for your child; just highlight the best of the best and what you know will matter most to your child. I give suggestions for keeping it lightweight and less complicated in How I Did It sections in each chapter.

Simple can be Sensational!

Is Bigger Better?: A Birthday Party Analysis

Sometimes laying down ground rules for the party planning is the way to go, especially when you're looking at the birthday budget. Christine Berry MacKenzie shares her point of view about the necessity or lack thereof of a big party with all the amenities in her article, How to Control Growingly Elaborate Birthday Parties. She explains how keeping it simple may be the way to go and be just as successful and memorable in the long run.

Each chapter in The Birthday Wall contains a section called Birthday Budget which helps you see how you can save money while creating the best birthday wall ever simply by choosing what works best for you.

You can make your child's birthday memorable and still keep it simple.

Raggedy Ann and Andy Adds Whimsy to a Celebration

When I was a child, I had my room decorated with Raggedy Ann and Andy. I just loved those dolls and everything that came with them. That's why when I saw this party theme, I just had to share it with you!

Abby Snyder has twins, boy and girl, who just celebrated their first birthday, and she shares her party prep story with how she came up with her theme idea, where she found many of her decorating ideas, and also displays several adorable photos to showcase the party and her twins' fun that day.

Abby actually hangs a picture banner by the fireplace that reminded me of The Birthday Wall family tradition I have used to celebrate my daughters' birthdays for nine years. Perhaps her display will inspire you with ideas for your child's next birthday wall.

I love the whimsy Raggedy Ann and Andy creates with such a fun, lovable theme. You can create one too, with a custom created Birthday Wall for your child.

For Your Sweet Tooth: A Sprinkled Special!

I love it when I discover a birthday theme that is clever, cute, and well designed. How about Sprinkles? Yes, these colorful collections can be found throughout this theme, from decor the activity ideas. Kirstin of Kojo Designs created a fabulous setting, favors, and fun with this adorable birthday theme.

How about throwing some of that sprinkly fun to a Birthday Wall, showcasing more of your child's loves? Yes, you can easily incorporate the funnest of themes to your creation celebrating your child's personality in all of their glorious dimensions.

Have some sprinkle-based fun and celebrate the best of your child for their special day!

A Pretty Princess: Pink Playfulness

This Mom, Abby Larson, who wrote the post, SMP (Style Me Pretty) at Home: Audrey's 4th Birthday, showcases how you can have a terrific birthday and use what you've got (with a bit of super frugal spending to fill in the gaps). With pink enhanced photos galore, Abby shows all the dimensions and elements of her daughter's 4th birthday, with activities, decorations, and costumes. A Perfect Party for a Pretty Princess, indeed!

When you have a birthday party with such adorable decor, you'd want to embellish your child's Birthday Wall with some of that glitter going on! There are so many wonderfully fun and fancy options with how you can visually please while enhancing the self-esteem of your wonderful child. Add some pizzazz and have some fun!

Fun at Home with Bounce!

I love the simplicity shared in today's featured post, In Praise of the Old-Fashioned, DIY Birthday Party by Katie Granju; it amazes me how something as simple as a bounce house can make a child's day on their birthday. You may be surprised when you ask your child what would make their birthday special; it is often met with something simple and doable.

One of the elements of The Birthday Wall is focusing on what makes your child happy. When we listen to what our children want and why, we can discover what is in the hearts of our kids. And that's what we really want to know anyway, isn't it?

Themed Inspiration: A Penguin Party!

I thought this penguin themed party was the cutest, from the decorations to the cupcakes and then some. But I think what inspired me most about Noah's First Birthday Party: Penguin Style was the celebratory aspect of friends and family for this one-year-old named Noah with his parents, Abby and Rick. This was the perfect birthday story of how one life can change another for the better in ways that are just awesome and wonderful.

This post truly inspired me with the application of what makes a child truly special--one of a kind--in reference to The Birthday Wall and how we can show this clearly as a visual in ways that help our children understand how much we love and appreciate them. Noah's story is a perfect example.