Inside out theme; Memory core balls 🌈☺️

I was so excited to make these 'Inside Out' core memory balls for my daughter's 6th birthday, and they turned out even better than I imagined! Seeing her little face light up when she recognized them was priceless. If you're looking to add a touch of Pixar magic to your next celebration or just want a fun craft project, here’s how I made them, along with some extra tips I picked up along the way. First, gathering your materials is key. I used clear spherical Christmas ornaments as the base – they come in various sizes, so you can choose what fits your vision. Next, you'll need Mod Podge (I went with the gloss finish for that authentic shiny 'memory' look) and food gel coloring in all the vibrant 'Inside Out' emotion colors: joy (yellow), sadness (blue), anger (red), fear (purple), and disgust (green). If you want to take it a step further, like I did, consider printing out tiny photos or drawings that represent actual 'core memories' for your child, to place inside some of the clear ornaments before coloring. The OCR picked up on a 'picture visible inside' one of my finished purple balls, and that was a personal favorite touch! Now for the fun part: coloring! This is where the magic really happens. I found it easiest to work on a protected crafting surface (think old newspaper or a plastic tablecloth) to catch any drips. Carefully open your Christmas ornament – most have a removable top. Squeeze a few drops of food gel coloring directly into the sphere. Don't go overboard; a little goes a long way! Then, pour in a small amount of Mod Podge. This is your binding agent and helps create that smooth, even color. Here's my secret trick: once the Mod Podge and food gel are inside, put the top back on and gently swirl the mixture around. You want to coat the entire inside surface of the ornament. It takes a bit of patience, but watching the colors spread and become opaque is so satisfying. If you want a more intense color, you can add another drop or two of gel, but be careful not to make it too thick, or it won't dry properly. I made sure to create balls painted red, green, blue, and purple to represent all the emotions, and of course, plenty of yellow for Joy! Once the inside is fully coated, remove the top again and invert the ornament over a paper cup or a small bottle to let any excess liquid drain out. This step is crucial for preventing puddles and ensuring an even dry. I let mine drain for about 30 minutes, then placed them upright to dry completely for at least 24-48 hours. Drying time can vary depending on humidity, so be patient. For an extra touch, once they were dry, I carefully inserted those tiny printed 'memory' pictures into some of the balls. It’s a wonderful way to personalize each memory core ball and make them truly special. You could even use glitter for some extra sparkle! These aren't just for birthdays; they make fantastic room decorations, party favors, or even unique gifts. They’re a tangible reminder of happy moments, just like in the movie. This project was a blast, and I hope you have as much fun making your own vibrant core memories!