I'm overwhelmed and on a mission...need help finding stuff...

[lmhall2000]

We have not had a family vacation for 3 years, we've had 2 house payments for 30 months...I could cry, but it won't help...so instead I decided life must go on....we are cutting out every excess we can to take the kids and my parents on a cruise in May (Mediterranean..it's a 10 day and kids sailed free..most airfare will be ff miles...so this is actually cheaper for us than a 7 day Caribbean )

That means foregoing Christmas gifts as we've done in the past (granted we usually only spend $150 on each of us, but we need to pinch back)...so I plan on giving the kids items they can use for their cruise as Christmas gifts...granted they'll be packed away until May, but I feel like that will help them be excited about what we need to sacrifice to get it done. I have some fun door magnet files saved that I will print out...but I really want to give each their own autograph book/trip journal/pillow case/t-shirt...here are my questions..

1. Where are some good places to start to look for autograph/trip graphics/pages??

2. I want to embroider their names on pillow cases...I want these pillow cases to last as long as they can, thinking of doing black pillow cases with white/red accents..but will the white sharpie stand up to washings?? Meaning having characters sign on the ship with the white sharpie...

3. I'm horrible at making t-shirts...any tips to making a shirt that will last and not peel off after the first wash?? (talking about iron on graphics)

4. Any other items I'm missing that may make this a lot of fun for them? We are making our own fish extender...

Thanks so much!!

Tara

 

[jtanddolly]

What are your kids ages? That might help others come up with ideas for you.

Here is a "what do you make thread" that may be a good starting place:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2179996

 

[lmhall2000]

Thanks so much Dolly!

My son is 14...but a big teddy bear, Goofy is his favorite...he loves the outdoors

Daughters are 11 & 10 ...she loves Tinkerbell and the other one loves Ariel...

It's our first cruise and we're tickled about goin!!

Thanks!
Tara

 

[MusicMouse]

A Mediterranean cruise - how exciting!! Here is my basic how-to for autograph books. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2323160
I still need to post pics of the ones I made, but this will get you started.

 

[jtanddolly]

You could make cruise journals for your kids. Here are some pages that Milliepie made:

www.4shared.com/dir/19077581/4fa6c900/sharing.html

Also, go check out wal-mart and other stores for sales on halloween pirate costume things. THen you could put together some costumes for pirate night if there is one on your cruise. If your family isn't into costumes...there were Pirate t-shirts that were already really cheap before halloween for all ages and male/female that came with bandanas at Wal-mart. Not sure if they still have them...but you might go look.

I think I have seen cruise autograph cards...just can't seem to remember who made them.

 

[jtanddolly]

Yeah! I found the autograph cards for you...I knew I had seen them!!!

http://s345.photobucket.com/albums/p379/ljcollins_2008/

She has two options...one with the name and one without.

Also, Milliepie makes cute cruise DISigns...take some time and look through her things:
http://www.4shared.com/dir/19077581/4fa6c900/sharing.html

and Mel (Bababear) also has a lot of cute cruise things:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1980430
she also has cruise magnets but I can't find her thread.

Here is one more person that does cruise art:
http://s628.photobucket.com/albums/uu9/milliesky/

You can get some ideas from Shirley's Gift Baskets:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1723220

This should get you started!

 

[lmhall2000]

This is wonderful!!!

It has really helped narrow down the places where I need to look. I'm nursing the flu right now and have loads of downtime to get my Photoshop working and organized...hoping to knock it all out today if I can!!

I'll post what I come up with for T-shirt/pillow etc...thanks so much!!
Tara

 

[jtanddolly]

This is wonderful!!!

It has really helped narrow down the places where I need to look. I'm nursing the flu right now and have loads of downtime to get my Photoshop working and organized...hoping to knock it all out today if I can!!

I'll post what I come up with for T-shirt/pillow etc...thanks so much!!
Tara

I know you are going to make your own fish extender but there is a DISmember that makes cute pillowcases that are embroidered and are fairly reasonable on ebay. Here is her information:

Her name is Tiffany, she is Luvtheears on the Dis and Gradysmommy on eBay

 

[chaoscent]

I also make cruise autograph cards. Let me know if you don't see what you want. Penny

 

[jtanddolly]

I also make cruise autograph cards. Let me know if you don't see what you want. Penny

Penny, You know I am a BIG fan of your autograph cards. I looked earlier in your photobucket and didn't see the cruise ones right off the bat. Where are they? Thanks!

 

[lmhall2000]

Penny & Dolly!

Thank you both soo much! I have already saved so many autograph cards...not sure who all is on the cruise, but figured with all the shows they put on, they should have many of them! I need to come up with a cruise cover for it, I'm going to go look at your page Penny!!

I am going to create a journal for my kids that deal specifically with each port we're hitting....I have only been using PS8 since August but think I might can tackle some of this...I have a coupon at blurb.com where I can get buy one get one free on books...I'm thinking I might get their autograph book and journal bound into one book??? If I'm sending it directly to be bound I'll need to play with the sizing....hmm...you guys have me really EXCITED!!! I can get all their gifts for under $100!!! And they will LOVE it!!

Thanks!!
Tara

 

[jtanddolly]

One last thing in case it could help you out...I made cruise travel planning pages. You can find them in my 4shared link in my signature below along with a few cruise things in the candy file and cd/dvd holders