Mum creates spectacular ‘art studio’ party for daughter

A crafty mother with an eye for art organised an incredible kids’ birthday party for her three-year-old daughter, which turned her into a mini-Picasso for the day.

Kara Hollai, a mother-of-two from Sydney’s northwest, wanted to give her young daughter, Amalia, a birthday bash to remember which would capture the interest of her preschool friends.

After weeks of planning Kara put together a spectacular celebration complete with a doughnut wall, DIY cupcakes, an elaborate arts-and-crafts table and an edible paint palette cake – costing AUD $1500.

Kara Hollai, a mother-of-two from Sydney’s northwest, wanted to give her young daughter, Amalia (pictured), a birthday bash to remember which would capture the interest of her preschool friends

After weeks of planning Kara put together a spectacular celebration complete with a doughnut wall, DIY cupcakes, an elaborate arts-and-crafts table and an edible paint palette cake - and it only cost her $1500

After weeks of planning Kara put together a spectacular celebration complete with a doughnut wall, DIY cupcakes, an elaborate arts-and-crafts table and an edible paint palette cake – and it only cost her $1500

Amalia, her five-year-old sister Vienna and 11 of her closest friends were miniature artists for the day and enjoyed activities such as decorating their own t-shirts and wildly painting a big drop-sheet from Bunnings which was attached to the fence

Amalia, her five-year-old sister Vienna and 11 of her closest friends were miniature artists for the day and enjoyed activities such as decorating their own t-shirts and wildly painting a big drop-sheet from Bunnings which was attached to the fence

‘The focus was on fun and mess. Being three, the activities needed to be interactive, entertaining and easy!,’ Kara told FEMAIL.

‘Most pre-schoolers attention span last 10 to 15 mins max per activity so over two-and-a-half hours it was all about how much mess we could make. Truly though the house didn’t get damaged… no evidence of the party remains.’

Amalia, her five-year-old sister Vienna and 11 of her closest friends were miniature artists for the day and enjoyed activities such as decorating their own t-shirts and wildly painting a big drop-sheet from Bunnings which was attached to the fence.

The ‘art studio’ theme was brought to life with edible cookies in the shapes of paint brushes and paint palettes and a seemingly infinite supply of crayons, brushes and pencils.

Kara bought her supplies and decorations at Kmart, on eBay and through online store Etsy and employed local businesses to create her daughter’s bespoke outfit, the painting aprons, the invitations and the colouring rolls.

'Most pre-schoolers attention span last 10 to 15 mins max per activity so over two-and-a-half hours it was all about how much mess we could make. Truly though the house didn't get damaged... no evidence of the party remains'

‘Most pre-schoolers attention span last 10 to 15 mins max per activity so over two-and-a-half hours it was all about how much mess we could make. Truly though the house didn’t get damaged… no evidence of the party remains’

The 'art studio' theme was brought to life with edible cookies in the shapes of paint brushes and paint palettes and a seemingly infinite supply of crayons, brushes and pencils

The ‘art studio’ theme was brought to life with edible cookies in the shapes of paint brushes and paint palettes and a seemingly infinite supply of crayons, brushes and pencils

Kara bought her supplies and decorations at Kmart, on eBay and through online store Etsy and employed local businesses to create her daughter's bespoke outfit, the painting aprons, the invitations and the colouring rolls

Kara bought her supplies and decorations at Kmart, on eBay and through online store Etsy and employed local businesses to create her daughter’s bespoke outfit, the painting aprons, the invitations and the colouring rolls

Kara's pastry chef husband created the paint palette cookies (pictured) which were a big hit

Kara’s pastry chef husband created the paint palette cookies (pictured) which were a big hit

Amalia also had a doughnut wall (pictured) which sat beside the party favour table on the day

Amalia also had a doughnut wall (pictured) which sat beside the party favour table on the day

‘The girls’ outfits and Amalia’s paint apron were handmade by ZP the Label based in Queensland and the headpiece was by Frankie and JoJo based on Melbourne,’ Kara explained.

‘The backdrop was a custom file created from an Etsy Store and then a local events company had a connection to a professional banner printer. Weeks of planning results in a bright colourful set up. Every styling element was used – nothing went to waste…’  

The most fun, Kara recalled, was when the children were let loose on the giant outdoor canvas and created a multicoloured masterpiece using their hands and feet. 

A table was also set up with all the party favours so Amalia’s guests could pursue their love for craft at home – these included boxes of crayons, paint palettes, highlighters, pencils, bubbles and erasers all from Kmart, and each child received their own apron.

'The girls' outfits and Amalia's paint apron were handmade by ZP the Label based in Queensland and the headpiece was by Frankie and JoJo based on Melbourne,' Kara explained

‘The girls’ outfits and Amalia’s paint apron were handmade by ZP the Label based in Queensland and the headpiece was by Frankie and JoJo based on Melbourne,’ Kara explained

The most fun, Kara recalled, was when the children were let loose on the giant outdoor canvas (pictured) and created a multicoloured masterpiece using their hands and feet

The most fun, Kara recalled, was when the children were let loose on the giant outdoor canvas (pictured) and created a multicoloured masterpiece using their hands and feet

A table was also set up with all the party favours so Amalia's guests could pursue their love for craft at home - these included boxes of crayons, paint palettes, highlighters, pencils, bubbles and erasers all from Kmart, and each child received their own apron

A table was also set up with all the party favours so Amalia’s guests could pursue their love for craft at home – these included boxes of crayons, paint palettes, highlighters, pencils, bubbles and erasers all from Kmart, and each child received their own apron

Kara made party favour bags and presents which included crayons so the kids could continue their love of art at home

Kara made party favour bags and presents which included crayons so the kids could continue their love of art at home

The food and drinks were all art studio themed, including paint brush cookies (pictured)

The food and drinks were all art studio themed, including paint brush cookies (pictured)

Kara had labels printed on juice bottles with the words 'creative juice' to continue the art theme

Kara had labels printed on juice bottles with the words ‘creative juice’ to continue the art theme

The guests had fun decorating their own cupcakes and painting on the colour roll

The guests had fun decorating their own cupcakes and painting on the colour roll

Amalia’s father, a Sydney pastry chef, created the adorable paint palette cookies and his colleague made the stunning cake which also mimicked an artist’s materials.

Kara said her daughter had an incredible time celebrating her birthday and is proud of the quirky experience she gifted her with.

‘She loved it! She is a craft lover we do craft every chance we get so she is well aware of how to get messy,’ she laughed.

‘Everyone left adequately exhausted including the parents.’

All up Kara calculated the cost was at $115 per child – which is cheaper than many other bespoke themed birthday packages available online. 

Kara said her daughter had an incredible time celebrating her birthday and is proud of the quirky experience she gifted her with

Kara said her daughter had an incredible time celebrating her birthday and is proud of the quirky experience she gifted her with

'She loved it! She is a craft lover we do craft every chance we get so she is well aware of how to get messy,' she laughed

‘She loved it! She is a craft lover we do craft every chance we get so she is well aware of how to get messy,’ she laughed

All up Kara calculated the cost was at $115 per child - which is cheaper than many other bespoke themed birthday packages available online

All up Kara calculated the cost was at $115 per child – which is cheaper than many other bespoke themed birthday packages available online

Kara told FEMAIL Amalia's friends had an amazing time and all left exhausted - including the parents

Kara told FEMAIL Amalia’s friends had an amazing time and all left exhausted – including the parents



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