By the time you read this…our bags {will} be packed. Our home {will} be clean. And the house/dog sitters {will} have arrived. Not yet, but the key operative word…will.
We will hopefully, be on our way.
We’ve been planning this trip for over a year…and I just can’t wait. Want to know the best part?
The. Kids. Have. No. Idea.
We’ve kind of it planned out, when we’ll tell them. Still working out those last details. Honestly, our plan was two fold. a. they won’t drive us insane if they have no idea where we’re going and we just blatantly lie to them {and I’m sure in some way damage their internal psyche} and b. We get to surprise them. Of course, there’s always c. That they’ll make our lives miserable with whining, but I’m thinking less miserable in that whining category since they don’t know…
I fully intend to video their reactions. Maybe even post them on here just for good time’s sake. Some of my best memories when I was little, are of my parents surprising me. I knew that when I had kids, I would do this, so I really can’t believe I’ve kept it to myself this long. I’m seriously about to explode.
I know this totally makes me a dork, but I’m kind of a closeted Disney nerd. I worked there for a while in college, as part of an internship program, and it was one of the best experiences. Hands down. I almost stayed on to be Cinderella when they asked me, but Jamin and I had broken up {I totally dumped him and then immediately regretted it} so I rushed home ever so dramatically to be with him… Yep. That’s my one claim to fame. And my real life fairy tale. All that aside, I haven’t been back. And that was 11.5 years ago. So this time, it means so much more. Because it’s like Christmas morning for my kids, for days in a row. But better.
I don’t think I’ve been this excited about something…in a really long time.
I figured by the time we do this again, the kids will be too big to go along with any of my crazy mommy shenanigans. So what did I do? I sat down and made matching outfits. For all of them. On multiple days. I knew I would regret it if I didn’t do it now. And I may or may not have gotten a little carried away. But the plan is matching colors every single day-it makes them easier to keep together visually as well. Don’t worry…Jamin and I will not also be donning ridiculous mouse ears…
At least not Jamin.
These are some shirts and a pillowcase dress for Emerson I was inspired to make on the fly. Not perfect, but it will do. And they make for a great photo op!
I followed this tutorial, to make a bit of a vintage screen printed look. I filled these in with a paint brush and a bit of white paint. She even has disney shirts on her site…and is kind of brilliant, so be sure to check it out.
This is Emerson’s handmade Ariel dress, that I still have to piece together. But I figured it will only stay on for about two seconds before it comes off, after her “boutique” appointment, so rather than spending 100 dollars on a dress, here we are! I’ll be sure to have plenty of photos when it’s all said and done, of prima eminator ballerina donning it in the fabulous glitterific moment. You’re only three once, after all.
These are my fave little vintage images. I can’t wait to see them in these!
I even made some matching lego star wars shirts for them to wear to the lego store at downtown disney.
Yep. This process is addictive. And yes, I am a dork.
Again, be sure to check out that tutorial, but these are my faves with that technique, mentioned above. Here’s all you’ll need: Some freezer paper, an iron, a pencil, and your image. Paint, a sponge brush, an exacto and a self healing cutting mat.
Simply trace, cut, piece together, iron and paint. {more details, here.} You may have to think through some of the images, because the less complicated the better…but its totally worth your time when its all said and done!
A few added pieces of advice: I saw on an additional tutorial where they recommended running the freezer paper through the printer. Then I read that someone tried that and it melted in their printer and ruined it. So, you may want to go with tracing.
When you’ve finished painting, it takes about three to four hours to dry completely, so be prepared to wait a while, unless you want to blow dry. That being said, heat setting them is recommended, as well, so that they don’t come off the first time you wash them. {I ironed mine (with a shirt underneath) when we were finito, and plan to wash my shirts inside out on gentle cycle.} I’m hooked, obviously. I got a little carried away with this entire process. So much fun!
I hope you guys have a wonderful, relaxing labor day weekend. I’m personally looking forward to stepping away for a bit. I’ve promised Jamin I’ll do just that, and I fully intend to stick to it. But I have a ton of fabulous guest bloggers lined up for you guys next week, so stay tuned for some serious eye candy. I can’t wait to share these super, über, incredibly, wonderfully talented ladies with you!
Amanda says
When you get back you must do a full tutorial on what to do/not to do, where to stay etc. I am itching to go this winter. Hope you guys have an absolute blast!!
Amanda says
And I love the outfits!! The red is my fav!
Randi says
Yes, yes, yes! I’m taking my daughter in March for my 30th bday so I would love to hear some suggestions!
ashley @ the handmade home says
absolutely guys! I have a few experts I can call on, too. Looking forward to doing a little mini series when we get back! 😉
Beth Miller says
Have a blast! And we definitely want to see an entire (or several) blog posts about your fabulous, memory-making trip!
You should also do a Disney tips post since you worked there and know the secrets!
Seriously Sassy Mama says
I cannot wait to surprise my kids like this one day! I love the clothes!
Amy says
How exciting! Nothing is better than a child going to Disney for the first time. I am going in about a month and half and CANNOT WAIT!!
Mrs. Bee says
Aww! You did a fantastic job with the shirts! I squealed a bit when I was reading your post because we are leaving for our first Disney vacation to WDW on Wednesday! We’re staying at Pop Century for 9 nights. I think I’m more excited than my boys. Granted, they are only 2 and 4 though. I also made shirts using that same tutorial. I loved how easy it was and how absolutely adorable they are. I hope your family has an amazing time on your vacation to the World!
ashley @ the handmade home says
WHAT?! Crazy! How fun!!! we will be there til Wednesday! Maybe we’ll see each other! ha!
jaime says
I love all of the shirts! Hope you guys have an amazing trip.
HollowSquirrel says
Have a GREAT trip! I must make those Lego Star Wars shirts for my boys — they would LOVE LOVE LOVE them! Thanks for the great idea! Have a BLAST!!!!
jami nato says
i mean, seriously…you are amazing. hand painted t-shirts. they are going to flip out when they get to go to disney and wear mickey. i never let my kids wear mickey mouse b/c they are so cheesy. but now i have seen the light. i will repent.
have so much fun. give goofie a kiss for me.
ashley @ the handmade home says
jami! I KNOW, right??? I don’t either! I can’t STAND cheesy! That’s why I said I was closeted. It’s nowhere in our house and my kids never wear it unless its in pajama mode. I’m over the top about this trip, and just couldn’t resist!!! 😉
Laura says
Oh my goodness, those are the cutest cheesy Disney outfits ever! I love them! Have fun!!
Carrie Cauthen says
Awesome shirts! I LOVE the yellow and green. Have a blast!!!!
Audra Lynn says
I’m so jealous! We took our kids when they were three and one, and we need to go back so that my daughter has a trip she’ll remember. We talked up the last trip and got Aidan really excited about it, but I think I’d like to do it as a surprise the next time. I can’t wait to hear how it goes!
Jenn says
The shirts are ADORABLE! You’re so talented! I hope y’all have an absolute BLAST and that you totally enjoy your time away! You’ve worked hard! 🙂
Shannon says
This post made me so giddy! We just took Coleman for a week back in March!!!! It was the most fabulous (and shockingly relaxing) vacation eva!!! YALL HAVE A FANTASTIC AND AMAZINGLY MAGICAL TRIP!!!!! 🙂
Renee says
I, too, LOVE disney.
The shirts you made are DEFINITELY NOT cheesy! You have succeed in making Mickey Mouse look great! I can’t wait to try out that tutorial.
Have a great trip surprising your kiddos!
Bonnie says
I think you are so smart to do it as a total surprise. Not only so you don’t get the week or even month long nagging ‘when are we gonna go’ ‘who is gonna be there’ etc… but to see it as an opportunity to preserve your children’s reaction is priceless!! I am using this idea when we go next year!! Sssshhhh, don’t say a WORD!!
Jessica Higgins says
What a wonderful surprise! My hubby and I are Die hard Disney Fans and have just made our trip plans for October. Have lots of Fun! Also, those shirts are amazing!
shana says
have a blast! we were there in june and our (6) kids all had the best time!
blessings,
shana
Mary McDaniel says
Please, please, please share your kids reactions! It’s making me laugh just thinking about it! Have a delightful time!
Dorothy says
Have a great time. This sure brings back my days of dressing my three kiddies in coordinating outfits. You did your usual bang-up job. 🙂
Tori says
My parents suprised us when they took us to Disney too…it was one of the most exciting memories I have! And if your a nerd than I’m a nerd, I can’t wait to make our kiddos cute shirts and other fun things when we go! Have fun:)
Maria says
Love. Pinned on Pinterest because I will definitely be doing this for our next trip! Can wait to hear more details!
Katharine says
I’m a major Disney dork too. My daughter and I had annual passes to Disneyland for a few years. In 2009 I spent my 48th Birthday there cause they were offering Southern California Residents a free day on their birthday. 🙂 It was fun to see all the other people who shared the same birthday together. I wanted to go to Disneyworld for my 50th, October 30, 2011 but it wasn’t in the cards. I’ll try to at least get to Disneyland in the next year. The outfits are adorable. i don’t know how you do it with such small children. All I can say is wow!!! I can’t wait to see the pictures you share with us.
Have fun!!!
Misty says
Ok.. I am totally laughing right now! I am in my car on my way home (hubs is driving) from Disney World!! We totally just did the same thing… Kids had no idea where we were going!! (we choose the “be very,very vague in answering the where are we going question. ) We woke the kids up as we were driving into the resort parking lot. It was AWESOME!! I may or may not have teared up to see the total excitement in my kids faces!! I hope that you guys had a magical time!! (now I just need to figure it how to unload all of the Mickey stuff I got and try to convince my husband that it’s always been around!! 🙂
Misty says
Hmmm … Crazy auto correct! Meant ” figure out” 🙂
Dawn says
I’m completely a disney dork too! We just came back from disney last week. Love the shirts you made-wish I had done something creative like that before we went. I also love that your kids had no idea they were going. We did that a couple of times and it made the best trips
Lindsay says
So many cute ideas!! Thanks for the stenciling tips & tutorial! Going to make some for us this week!! 🙂
I featured your adorable applique shirts & dress on my blog, feel free to come check it out:
http://www.artsyfartsymama.com/2012/02/pinteresting-features-n-shtuff-23.html
Sarah Jayne says
We’re going to be going to WDW in a few months and I’m planning on making some cute matching outfits for my two toddlers. I LOVE your vintage Mickey and Minnie shirts and I’ve been searching for similar images to stencil. Where did you find those images? If you don’t mind posting a link, I’d really appreciate it! Thanks!
ashley @ the handmade home says
Hey Sarah-I have no idea which images I used. Just do a search for vintage mickey face, etc. I hope you can find some!
Courtney Theobald says
Ha! Funny…I had the same experience working as an attractions hostess through the college program and then almost stayed on in the entertainment department but was too homesick for my boyfriend…now husband. When we go to Disney, I plan extensively and make sure everyone is color coordinated…My two boys have to match and my baby girl lives in tutus. Funny.
Jessica N says
Can you tell me where you found the vintage Disney images? I want to make these shirts for my little ones to wear to DIsney in 2 WEEKS!!! 😉
ashley @ the handmade home says
Jessica-I’m sorry. I actually have no idea. I made these over a year ago in a quick, last minute kind of project for the kids. I simply googled them. I know there are a plethora of vintage images out there, so I recommend searching for them under mickey mouse vintage etc. Sorry I’m not more help! I should have linked them, and at the time, I just didn’t think about it. Good luck + have fun!!!
Tali says
Can you tell me where you got the Star Wars Lego characters to stencil? My son would love those!
Ash says
Can I please, pretty please know where you got your template for the star wars ones? I’ve done freezer stencils in the past, but can’t find any lego ones quite as cool as these. ;oP
ashley @ the handmade home says
Hey! This was so forever ago, so I’m sorry I’m just not accurate with these. I think I googled lego men, and found some on a white background that were larger photos. I then printed, and traced their outlines onto the tracing paper. I would try amazon for those white, easy to see backgrounds. I hope that helps! Sorry I’m not more proficient with this one ;}
amy says
Hi there,
These are adorable! We’re going to Disneyland in April for my daughter’s 5th birthday and I can’t wait to make some shirts for all of us. I was wondering if you have a link to where you got the images used for the freezer paper minnie and mickey.
Thanks!!
ashley @ the handmade home says
Hey amy! I am so sorry but I have no clue where those came from. I googled vintage images. I hope that helps!
Tammy says
Your story sounds almost like mine! We’re leaving on 5/2/13, like your children, they have NO idea!! Love your outfits, wish I did something like that too! My Girl’s are 7 and 12. If you have any tips or suggestions, I’d appreciate hearing from you!
ashley @ the handmade home says
Hey girl! You can read all about them here! We did a short little series about tips and tricks. ;} I hope that helps + have a blast!
Christin Stoufflet says
Hi! Where is you get you vintage Mickey and Minnie images? I have been looking for shirts for our trip and I just love these. I have been googling and can not find them. Thanks!
Christin Stoufflet says
Never mind! I see now that you don’t know. : )
ashley @ the handmade home says
So sorry Christin! I found some recently – just Google vintage Mickey and Minnie and they should turn up. 🙁 Wish I’d saved those links!
Dawn Mercer says
Hi, can you share where you got those images? I am in love with this idea!! Thanks for posting 🙂
ashley @ the handmade home says
Hey Dawn! I am afraid this post is so old, and it’s before I was taking the whole blogging gig “seriously” so I do not have the images. I would recommend searching for vintage mickey etc. on google for some good results – that’s definitely what I did. Thanks!