Wooden Train Whistle Pizazz

So, I have a slight issue with coming up with AWESOME ideas for parties at the BEST times. And of course, by best times I mean at the very last minute causing me to rush to do even more than I originally planned on.

Now, is one of those moments. With just a mere 3 prep days before the party, I decided that the super awesome dollar section train whistles I scored at Target (you can read about that win here) were a little boring plain.

I mean, can you really just give a blank whistle with absolutely no "Train Party Pizazz?"

I didn't think so.

SO my sweet whistles got a little makeover.

Just a little.

I mean, look at them! Don't they look sad???? If I was that plain, I would be sad. (And you would too, don't lie)

So I got to work.

 I used my handy dandy Cricut to cut out M&E. Since the invitations were made to look like tickets from the M&E Railroad (aka Mason and Ethan, since it is a joint party), it seemed fitting that the whistles display the same traits. After cutting out the M&E on some card stock, I simply placed my homemade stencil onto the whistle and used a sponge brush to apply the black paint.

I like that it kind of looks a little rough around the edges like a stamp.  

Then, since I still have a lot of thrifted fabric left over from some of the other birthday projects, I tied a little strip onto each whistle for a little color.

Don't they look so much better! A little easy (FREE) personalization! Now, I want to add the date of the party! I may have to do that today.

(There's that adding things at the last minute deal again. I wonder how many more times it will happen before Saturday gets here.....)