That's a WHAT?!?!?!

I had seen a mortar board (graduation cap) made out of a dollar bill on the internet. I even went as far as finding the creator and emailed them. I was directed to OrigamiUSA Source to buy the book that the directions were published in. (Did you know that they have origami conventions and books FULL of instructions written by these master folders!?) Anyway, I happily paid the money for 2003 Origami Collection and waited. I was so excited to get it because I had planned to give little dollar bill mortarboards to our Class of 2008 friends. I mean really...how cool would that be?!?! to give a bill folded in the shape of a graduation cap!!!! I was greatly disappointed when I couldn't figure out the directions in the book. I do not think it was because they were poorly written. On the contrary, they were very well written - but for someone with experience in paper folding...which I do not have! After many tries, folds and manipulations of the bill, somehow (through a small miracle, actually!) in the end, it turned out to look like what I had initially seen, although not the way in the book.

After researching origami a bit, I think I could become quite addicted to it. It is wild what they can make out of a dollar bill or a piece of paper!! Now that I have the book, I hope to learn how to make some other stuff. It has instructions to over 100 designs made by the best folders in the world. I only ended up giving one graduation cap but he LOVED it!- (by the time I figured out a way to make it work, everyone was graduated! ha ha)Now to figure out how to make the camera! I already know exactly who I am giving it to!

Graduation Party

I carried over the theme of the graduation symbol for the party. I used it as hanging decor with large 12 inch circles, used some left over invite circles to write what each food item was, 1 inch symbols on tags for the party favors, and also made him some thank you notes with it too. (I'll post those later)

(some of Nelson's friends in the basement)

We made these fabulous little cupcake pops for the party favors. (I forgot to take a picture when we had them piled up on a tiered stand so I gathered the leftovers for this pic. )I came across her blog a few months ago and LOVED them. I was just waiting for an opportunity to make them. They were a bit time consuming but so worth it! I got SO many compliments on them and people said they were the best thing they ever put in their mouth! I must admit, they were quite tasty. ;)

Special thanks to my SIL, Mandi, who helped tons with food preparation, my bro, J, who helped me get our exterior ready and my sweet mom and dad who helped with a whole bunch of other stuff! I couldn't have done it without them!

Nelson had a great party and now we're on to the next stage in his life (deep breath....) College.