Thursday, November 11, 2010

DIY Dora Birthday Party Invites

I've been planning to share this for a while because I was so happy with how it turned out. We gave our princess a party for her first birthday with a Dora The Explorer theme. She loves Dora. She starts giggling and dancing whenever she hears the Dora theme song.

Anyway, we held the party at a restaurant so I won't have to worry about the food and hired a photographer and party planner to host and decorate the venue. However, I decided to DIY the invitations and loot bags to save a little on cost because I like doing stuff like that.

I went online to look for party ideas and I was surprised that there were a lot! I liked the party favor container ideas on this site.

So creative. However, my loot bags were all set. I was able to buy backpacks with Dora print for the little girls, and blue paper bags which I plan to decorate with Diego stickers for the boys. Here's a picture of party loot bags with the items we got to put inside:

I decided to use the idea for a character on the invitations instead. I made "Backpack" character envelopes and "Map" invitations :)

ENVELOPES

You will need:
  • Purple paper (to make envelopes) or purple envelopes
  • Image of Backpack that clearly shows the eyes and mouth (template provided in this post)
  • Printer
  • Yellow paper
  • Red paper
  • White paper
  • a Printer
STEP 1: Make your own envelopes (you can find several tutorials online) using purple paper or, buy purple envelopes (like me!).

STEP 2: Search online for images of Backpack. Using Photoshop (or other image editing software), re-size the image to fit your envelope. Then create 3 separate images: 1. Eyebrows, 2. Eyes, 3. Mouth.

Here's the template I used:
To download: 1) Double-click the image. 2) After the image loads, right click and choose 'Save Image As'

STEP 3: Print the image of eyebrows in Yellow paper.

STEP 4: Print the image of the eyes in White paper

STEP 5: Print the image of the mouth in Red paper.

Here's what I had after printing.

STEP 6: Cut out the brows, eyes, and mouth images.

If you will notice, my image wasn't so good. The mouth had parts that are nothing but printed lines! My fingers went numb after all that cutting.

STEP 7: Paste the cut outs on your envelope. Make sure the facial features are positioned to resemble Backpack.

Here's what mine looked like:


Cute huh? :)

INVITES

You will need:
  • An image of Map
  • Photoshop and Photoshop skills preferred, but Word editing skills will do
  • White card paper
  • a Printer
STEP 1: Draw a map to your venue. I used MS Powerpoint to draw because I find it easier to draw lines there.

STEP 2: Layout! (using Photoshop, other software, or MS Word). Paste the image of Map on the upper left side of the invite... kind of how it looks on TV when Map sings "I'm the Map!" and shows Dora the way to wherever she wants to go.

STEP 3: Print

Here's what I came up with:


I downloaded clipart of buildings and trees to add dimension to my map because it looked a little plain. I was trying to look for free font online that resembles the font for Dora the Explorer. I found a forum online and someone suggested Creative BB. Sorry, I forgot which forum I got that tip from :(

I also created an image for a birthday banner which we had printed on tarpaulin to be used as backdrop:


Of course, we got a Dora cake from Goldilocks (they are the only ones authorized to carry Nickelodeon character cakes here, I think).

So there, my little baby turned 1 already! How time flies.

Edited 03/08/2011
I finally posted the image of 'Backpack' I used. I used to have a note here that says leave your email and I will send it via email. But since I'm a little busy, it might take a while for me to check my emails so here you go!

Some of the projects on this post are linked up to the following link parties:

70 comments:

h. said...

i want!! you still have my email right? :D

Janelle said...

Of course! Sent :D

h. said...

thanks! btw, we almost had maia's 1st birthday where you had andrea's :) kaso malayo sa mga guests. so we ended up in ortigas.

Janelle said...

And we had our weddings at the same venue di ba? Parang pareho tayo masyado ng taste! :D

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Janelle said...

Hello anon! Sent to email you provided. For other who will be poviding your email addresses, you can use this format to avoid spam:

at dot com

for example:
me at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Missy said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Janelle said...

Guys, I deleted the comments with your email addresses after I sent the backpack jpeg to your emails. Don't want you guys getting spammed. thanks so much for your interest! If others want the jpeg, you can still leave your emails here, preferably using this this format:

at dot com

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Janelle said...

Sent to your email Rosielinn. Have fun with the file! I am deleting the comment with your email so you won't get spammed. Thanks so much for your interest! :)

Anonymous said...

Can you please send me the Backpack face template? Your template is the best template I have found! :)

Thanks.
jessileta@yahoo.com

Michelle said...

Hi Janelle I would love it if you could send me the Backpack face template. mdhaviland7982 at yahoo dot com. Loved all your Dora party ideas. Thanks so much. Michelle

Lana's Mum said...

Him I'm also planning a Dora party for my girl.. May I have the jpeg file. Much appreciate it. Email is russ_sweetheart at yahoo dot com
Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Hi i loved your backpack idea would you mind sending me the template too!? angie_elica at hotmail dot com
Thanks!

Anonymous said...

You have absolutely the best invitation idea I hava found. Can you please send me the jpeg file. My e-mail is princssros@yahoo.com. Thanks so much.

Janelle said...

Thanks so much for your interest ladies! I already sent the file to your emails.

Hi princssros! I deleted your comment with your email so you won't get spammed. I already sent it to your email as well.

Crinklynose said...

Hi, this is awesome!!!! Thanks so much for sharing.

I would appreciate if you could send me the template for Backpack face as well :)

My email address is: bernskie28 at gmail dot com :)

Thanks a bunch!!!!

Theresa said...

hi, my niece will be having her 2nd bday this coming april, and the party theme was dora. and i love your dora party favors. can i have the dora back pack face template? and also where did bought the dora bag? thanks

sweet.prettydimples at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

Hello
Could you email me the template as well? joline@myaccess.ca

Greatly appreciated!
Thank you!

Anonymous said...

Hi there! Awesome party. I'm planning a Dora party for my daughter's second party and this is by far one of the best invitation that I've seen. I'd love to have the template if you are still willing to share (spoppe at gmail dot com)! Thanks so much!

Anonymous said...

Hi, was hoping you might be able to email me your file you used for the backpack facial images? My lil girl is turning 4 and I was thinking of getting the kids to 'make' the backpack lolly bags as part of their crafty makes at the party, thanks! crafty.mum@live.com.au

Anonymous said...

Hi, was hoping you might be able to email me your file you used for the backpack facial images? My lil girl is turning 4 and I was thinking of getting the kids to 'make' the backpack lolly bags as part of their crafty makes at the party, thanks! crafty.mum@live.com.au

crafty dot mum at live dot com dot au

Anonymous said...

Hi, was hoping you might be able to email me your file you used for the backpack facial images? My lil girl is turning 4 and I was thinking of getting the kids to 'make' the backpack lolly bags as part of their crafty makes at the party, thanks!

crafty dot mum at live dot com dot au

Nessa Krause said...

Hello,

Finally I found a very useful site - I'm currently planning a birthday party for my daughter (turning 1) and she's crazy over Dora. I found your ideas great... would it be possible to send me your files (backpack) adn if possible also the map.. i cannot find anywhere online to download the map. My email add is nessagirl at gmail dot com. Thank You so much in advance!

Unknown said...

everything is so cute!!!! can,u pls send me the file for the backpack template, thanks so much! love your blog and ideas!

thanks again, nataliemt84@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Hi. I'm currently in the process of creating the backpack invite for my kids party. Could you email me the template so I can finish the face part of it? sandramaya15@hotmaildotcom

Thanks so much!

Anonymous said...

Hi, I really love your invites and goodie bags and wish i can find the same bags. I will defintely try to make the invitations. Can you please send me the template? My email is tam32211atbellsouthdotnet. Thanks in advance!

Anonymous said...

Hello,
If you still have the backpack face template i wolud love to use it for my niece 3rd birthday.She is the in love with anything Dora.

dcannady19145@gmail.com

THANKS!!!!

Anonymous said...

Hi, My daughter is turning 3 and she loves Dora.....Can you let me know where you got the Back PacK and the Diego Bags from.

Thanks!!!

tmacedon@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Cute party I would love the template.
Davflog@Hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

Hi Janelle!
Awesome party. My daughter is turning 2 in Aug and she adores Dora. May I please get a copy of the template for backpack? Also, can I ask where you purchased the Dora backpacks and howuch for?
My email is mj_clemente@hotmail dot com
Thanks in advance!

Anonymous said...

I would love the template. Hopefully you still have it! shannon052865 at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

hi i love this teplate and can't find it anywhere canu pls send to me pls sexychick4_692 at hotmail dot com pls ,y daughters birthday is in 3 days the last thing to make are these :@ thx darl

Anonymous said...

Hello there,

I love your party ideas.... so I have to ask can you send me your Dora's backpack template if you still have it ...planning my lil girl 3rd birthday party thanks ... EMAIL: monicamcfadden97@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Hi Can you please send to ngriff6504@yahoo.com if you still ahve this template!! Thanks

Anonymous said...

Love how the envelopes look!!...can u please e-mail me the template,thanks =) E-MAIL: cynthiaaguilar30@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I am sitting here trying to make backpack invites myself and I am so glad I came across this site!! I love the idea (better than what I have been attempting to do)!! Could you please also send me the backpack. E-mail is kristencavanagh at yahoo dot com. =)) Thank you soo much!!

-Kristen

Dickinson said...

I am making dora backpack goody bags and would love to use your template for the face. Thanks!
hsdgbd@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Hello, everything is beautiful!!!
My daughter is Turning 2 in 15 days, and I am making Dora backpack Goody bags, may I please get a copy of the template? Thanks!!!
Acqua2008@live.com

Unknown said...

We are doing a Dora theme for my daughter's second birthday, and the backpack templates would be awesome to use! Can you email them to me, please?
kferguson05 at hotmail dot com

Thanks!!

Lisa Garza said...

I am also doing a Dora theme and would love to use these, can you email them to me too, please
Thanks so much!

Anonymous said...

Hi, Janelle!
I am a Brazilian mother and I am also doing a Dora theme for my daughters' birthday party. Could you email me the backpack jpeg, please? It would help me a lot!
Thanks so much in advance!
Viviane
email: vivianepvs at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Hi, I really love your invites and Backpack face template. My daughter turning 3 and is also in love with Dora! Can you please send me the templates? My email is ahines0524 at yahoo dot com !! Thanks in advance!

Anonymous said...

I just got done with my daughter's party...I used the invites but changed it a little
I used glitter felt instead of cardstock for the backpack and they were such a hit! Everybody loved them
So thanks!

Anonymous said...

Could you please send me the template of backpacks face.
Rachel.McFee88@yahoo.com

Clarissa said...

Can you send me the template of backpack to my email? Crankyclary@aol.com

Anonymous said...

I would love your templates if you would share. Your party looks great!
pnkleopard12@aol.com

Magan said...

I love this for my daughters 1st birthday. Can you please send me the template AliceHester@centurylink.net.

courtney said...

I love this idea! Would you please help me create for my daughter's 1st bday party?

Courtney said...

so sorry! I forgot to include my email address! I was so excited!
cocoa_542@hotmail.com

Unknown said...

Could you send me a copy of the jpg via email? I want to make them for my daughter's 2nd Birthday.

Anonymous said...

Can you please email me the template for my daughters bday party
Sina.patel@yahoo.com
Thank you!!!

Unknown said...

Hi
Wow. Loved your ideas!
Can you send me template as well. R_palache @ yahoo dot com

berenize said...

Hi love all ur ideas can u send me the backpack template for my daughters b-day party.
Ortizberenize@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Hello! I'm planning a Dora Party ouod I have the template as well? My email is belinda_mejia@hotmail.com thanks in advance :) Belinda

Anonymous said...

My little one loves Dora as well. CAn you please send the file? MY email is Wiccan_gypsie at hotmail dot com

Thank you in advance

Anonymous said...

hello great party can you also email me the backpack template and map at lms_4405@yahoo.com thanks

Rosangela said...

Hi Janelle I would love it if you could send me the templates. rosangela_deluna@yahoo.com Loved all your Dora party ideas. Thanks so much.

Anonymous said...

i absolutley love this idea. can you please email me the format. thank you. my email is msjames610@aol.com

JULISSA said...

I love these ,,, and really need it please send it to me Julissadiaz905@gmail.com thank you soo much

JULISSA said...

I love these ,,, and really need it please send it to me Julissadiaz905@gmail.com thank you soo much

Sarah said...

Oh my! This is excatly what I have been looking for!!! :)

ssbarnhardt at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

can u send me dora's backpack face template to LizaL4@hotmail.com thank u

Anonymous said...

Hi ! I just love your Doraback face template and would love if you could send it to my email jonellmcollins@gmail.com Thankyou so much my baby girl is going to love it.................

Jackieoa said...

Fabulous job with the backpack template. Can you send it to me as well? I was wondering how you got the eyebrows, mouth, and eyes to duplicate on a sheet. My daughter's Dora bday is May 12th. Can you send it to me at Jackieoa(at)gmail(dot)com?

shine00024 said...

Hello!
I'm in need of Backpack's face template, please! I also need instructions on how to duplicate more than one on a page. Appreciate all your help!
shine00024@yahoo.com

Sheila said...

Beautiful I love the bags

Anonymous said...

I'm in need of Backpack's face template, please! I also need instructions on how to duplicate more than one on a page. Appreciate all your help!

crystal.mejia@yahoo.com