Lucky Seven Chalk Art

When I saw Dana Tanamichi's chalk art for the very first time, I just fell in love,
I thought it was so beautiful and the typography was stunning.  
I always say I was born in the wrong era, and her work embodies another 
time, and well did I say it is stunning?

I have been waiting for the perfect occasion to make some of my own.
Then we started planning Ethan's Lucky Seven Family Game Night...perfect!!


Let me start by saying I am no Dana Tanamichi.  At all.  She is incredible.  
However,  one similarity may be the time constraints we work under.  

After getting all of the supplies, Matt creating the board, {we use inexpensive plywood with a smooth surfaced thin sheet of MDF on top, it takes chalk paint lovely}, painting, letting it dry, I had one night from the boys' bedtime to party morning to create a 
the whole theme for E's party.  Nothing like last minute right?!  


Well I had been fighting a nasty nasty virus and while thankful no one else was sick it kind of threw my plans out the window, but sometimes too much time makes it harder, 
too much time to overthink.  So once his balloon surprise was ready for the next morning, 
I got to work.  


To know how she pulls off those amazing creations, I read this insightful interview to find a supply list...cheap dollar store chalk, rags, fabric tape measure, and I added hairspray,
good ol' aquanet as the party was outdoors and I had no idea what the conditions would be.
I didn't want to be a sobbing rain-soaked mama mid-party spitting out phrases like, 
"all that hard work just washed away"... before E would grab me by the shoulders and say, "get a grip mom!"


So after setting up shop on our kitchen table, I got to work.  I really had no time to think about how I wanted it to look, so I just had some of her photos around me.  Then I tried to cover the {already cleaned for the party} kitchen floor with as much chalk 
and hairspray as possible. 

After I completed the top section I got a little bleary-eyed.
I blame it on the aqua net, not the hour of night.  
I started thinking about teasing my non-existent bangs
 and measuring them with the flexible ruler tape.  



Really I was hoping E would love it because I am not sure 
a chalk art family game night beats an epic air bounce-a-thon,
but I am so thankful for his faith in me to try!


He requested 3 games to play, 
Angry Birds, Minute to Win It and Hole in the Wall
so I wanted those represented on the bottom half. 


I admit it, I just wanted to draw the angry bird guy.


Here it is, in all of it's chalk dusted glory!!

My handsome and sweet birthday boy E.  

And this one just rocks...you say it's my birthday!!

Worth every bit of inhaled aqua net infused chalk dust.


Thanks E for thinking mom could actually pull this one off. 
I know I don't have many of these party planning chances left,
my big seven year old, so I loved making this one count for you.


More to come on the Lucky Seven party, and think about
a massive chalk art piece to make a statement at your next party!
Just give yourself a little more time than I did!


Until soon,
:: michelle ::


Linking up to some of these lovely parties.  Stop by and see their awesomeness!