The Luncheon: Ice cream flags

This week is The Luncheon! So excited to participate in another event that I have been looking forward to for so long.

This was a joint planned event with the groom's mother. The preparations on my end may seem a little disjointed, but promise you will be wowed by the final result!

First was an order from an online restaurant supply store. Not getting a kick back or anything I assure you, but I want to share this site as a great source for party planning. The site offers a killer selection of goods, and offers small and large quantities of things. You don't have to buy thousands of any one item - so great!

We ordered black plastic burger baskets (will be lined with red and white checked paper picked up from Walmart for a steal), root beer cups, veggie and dip cups (like those used for the canning party), skewers for fruit, condiment bottles, and -- banana split boats that are shaped like boats!

We squealed with delight when we saw these. Besides being totally adorable in their own right, the groom learned to sail several years ago. Oh, and we found out through a shower game that the bride and groom both list ice cream as their favorite dessert. I made little flags to stick in the top of each banana split to commemorate their special day.

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Remaining luncheon budget: $100

(I didn't really have estimates for each component of this event, so I'll skip this category for the remainder of the posts)

Cost for serving ware and flags: $60 for serving ware shown above and $2 for flag picks

Remaining luncheon budget: $38

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Un-favorite of the day: As much as I complain about our animals, it was still sad to put down one of our cats today :(

Working on: Luncheon prep

The Baby Shower: Quilt

So happy to finish this project!

I have struggled for years about quilting. I have done a few pieced tops, but beyond that point, the idea of quilting and binding made me break out in a cold sweat, so I usually avoided those techniques.

This time I was convinced to do a true quilt. Nothing fancy on the quilting side -- I believe this is called outline quilting. The appliques are raw-edged, but sealed with fray check. This was added after the appliques were sewn to the fabric - something I never do (I usually apply the fray check around the cut pieces and let dry). This was a BIG mistake, as the maroon color bled onto the lighter pieces. This could have been a deal breaker, but fortunately with a couple washes it *mostly* came out.

(Slightly pink around the edges Scotty dog)

You may be wondering about my inspiration for the quilt. I would like to claim I am clever enough to come up with something so cute on my own, but in reality this was my inspiration

a gift bag from the Target dollar section! After finding out the baby we were celebrating as part of The Baby Shower was a boy, I had to change the color scheme. Fortunately I found a pack of fat quarters at Hobby Lobby (the patterned squares) that provided direction about the colors to use. I had most of the fabrics for the appliques on hand.

I added embroidery to a couple squares, and the deer's flower is made from felt. The elephant print was a Japanese print from my stash - always so hard to cut into those! I found a nice flannel print to use for the backing

As far as first quilts go, I would give myself a solid C. Definitely could have spent more time cutting the main squares more accurately. The fray check disaster docked major points. My homemade binding came out really well, though I think I used the wrong stitch to attach it. Many lessons learned for next time, and hopefully some confidence to try this craft again!

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Not included in baby shower budget

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Favorite of the day: This season's Design Star's first show!

Working on: Luncheon decor

The Baby Shower: Party time!

Yesterday was The Baby Shower! Everything went off with nary a hitch. The cupcakes I planned on making did not happen, as it was too hot the night before the shower to even consider baking, but store bought worked out just fine.

Here are a few pics

Store bought cupcakes on an unexpected Marshall's purchase - a ribbon adorned pastry stand. I found these chipboard animals at Big Lots for $1 and added toothpicks on the back to make them into picks.

The entrance table - cupcakes, favors, banner, and gift

Mama chair and a sneak peek of the quilt!

The eating table with framed paper cut outs

Me and the mama-to-be (pics of Danielle with each staff person and their advice will be added to this book shortly)

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Remaining baby shower budget: -$.60

Estimated project cost for cupcakes: $0

Actual project cost for all the remainders: Cupcakes $10 + cupcake picks $1 + cupcake plate $8 + balloons $5 + flowers $5 + mason jar vases $0 = $29

Final cost: $105 ($30 over budget)

I think if I hadn't gone to the store the night before the shower, I wouldn't have been swayed into buying the last minute extras. But -- they did contribute so much to the shower, so no worries. As mentioned from the start, Danielle is worth every penny!

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Favorite of the day: These would be a simple lovely gift (via ohdeedoh)

Working on: Finishing touches on the quilt

The Baby Shower: Favors

Crunch time!

Just one more project for The Baby Shower itself - cupcakes, that I will make tomorrow - so I should be kicking back. But you see -- there is this quilt I have been torturing myself with. It doesn't have to be done in time for the shower - I know this - but I sure want it to be...

Anyway, favors were easy. I found these cute as can be packs of MS labels at Big Lots. At Michaels, I find a lot of items still in these types of bags, which presumably the employees are supposed to break apart prior to putting on the rack. I am honest, and go ahead and separate the contents, instead of chancing that the cashier will not notice and ring me up for only one item.

But, by the time they get to Big Lots, somebody should have figured out there was more than one item in the little baggie if they wanted them sold separately, so no remorse. The paper is also from the MS craft line, but found at Marshalls. We have a brand spanking new store up the street, and it is so clean and organized - shopping nirvana! Actually, within the last 30 days, a new Ross and TJ Maxx opened in our neighborhood as well. I feel it is good karma for all the time I spent in janky ass discount stores throughout southern California - including the one in West LA off the 405 where people get shot at from time to time.

But I digress...

I used small white square boxes, and lined the inside with Martha's pretty paper. I put little bundles of animal cookies in the boxes and tied them with a light green satin bow. I stamped "Thanks" on the elephant labels from the *big lot* of labels from Big Lots and put the labels on the front of the boxes. So happy with how they turned out! Cute, and I did not need to put my life in danger to make them - always a good thing!

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Remaining baby shower budget: $6

Estimated project cost for favors: No estimate - did not know what I would be making

Actual project cost: Boxes $3.60 + Cookies $3 + labels $1 + bags $0 on hand + paper $0 on hand + ribbon $0 on hand = $6.60 (uh-oh - over budget)

Remaining baby shower budget: -$.60

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Favorite of the day: No time to look for favorites!

Working on: Really? You're asking me that?

The Reception: Letters ~ revisited

So you recall the moss letters for The Reception

Still love these! We needed a way to hang these up (behind the food table, if you recall). I intended just to use an orange ribbon, but found this cream-colored cut-out ribbon, and hoped I could use it as well.

I ended up overlaying the orange ribbon with the cut out one, and love the result! Looks lattice-y and garden-y the look we are going for overall!

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Remaining reception decorating budget: $838

Estimated project cost for ribbon for moss letters: $6

Actual cost: Ribbon $5 + sticky hooks $7 (I forgot I would need something to hang these up - also will be used for the embroidery hoops)

Remaining reception decorating budget: $826

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Recent favorite: Chef's favorite LA hole-in-the-wall eats

Working on: Everything but the quilt

The Baby Shower: Advice book

Cost for photo album: $0

Cost for paper and adornments used to fill pages: $0

Cost for (eventual) photos of the mama-to-be and her co-workers: $0

Cost for advice and well wishes from your co-workers as you embark on the journey to motherhood: priceless

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Remaining baby shower budget: $6

Estimated project cost for advice book (to be filled out at shower): $0

Actual cost: $0 as noted

Remaining baby shower budget: $6

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No faves today

Working on: Quilt!

The Luncheon: Cake knife and server

In planning for these events, I did not realize chemistry would be involved...!

Both couples getting married next month will be borrowing our cake knife and server. We offered the set to the couple for whom we are planning The Reception from the start. In speaking to the other bride (for whom The Luncheon is being planned), she mentioned that she had tried to order a cake knife and server for their own reception, but the website she ordered from could not complete the order. I have just the one you can use, I said.

I had allotted some money to buy silver polish, as I figured that's what you need to clean silver -- right? Turns out all you need is science!

(Line sink with aluminum foil -- Add baking soda and salt -- put your silver pieces in to soak)

I used these directions and the pieces came out all shiny and new looking! I wish I had more silver to dunk :) I added a ribbon detail to personalize the pieces, and will do the same for the other couple using their wedding colors.

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Remaining luncheon decorating budget: $100

Estimated project cost to clean cake knife and server: $5

Actual project cost: Silver dip $0 + ribbon $0 = $0

Remaining luncheon decorating budget: $100

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"It's a small world" favorite of the day: So we're probably going to have a trash truck themed party for Hank's 2nd b-day. I remembered I had saved a trash can themed party as a favorite recently. I looked at it again, and saw something I hadn't noticed before -- the big purple recycling bins that are (I think) unique to the LBC. Looking through the pictures, I noticed one of Hank's little friends from his music class!

Working on: Photo booth planning

The Baby Shower: Chair for mama-to-be

As mentioned, The Baby Shower is being held at a zoo. There will be three picnic tables to use for the event.

(Please ignore anything you see in the background of this picture...)

I thought about how awkward it would be to try to sit at a picnic table for any length of time at 8 months pregnant, and decided to make the mama-to-be a special chair to sit in. I found the chair for $2.99 at Goodwill. Using spray paint I had on hand, I spruced it up a bit.

Then, came the cushion. I am getting a little low on funds for this event, as you may have noticed. I *could* have just used the chair pad it came with -- or recovered that one with some cute fabric. But, I just couldn't bear the thought of adding another craft project to my already impacted list.

(I already had this ribbon!)

I was all set to buy a pad a 99 cent chair pad at Ikea, which is the price I swear some of them were sold at last month. This month they all seem to be $5.99 and up at Ikea, as was the case at other chain stores I visited. Still being stubborn about not wanting to make something, I figured I could take a few minutes to embellish something.

I bought this cheapy pillow at Ikea, and just added ribbon for ties and a fabric covered button (from this chica years and years ago - you just never know when you are going to use something you receive in a swap package). I think it turned out pretty cute, and hopefully will be comfy for Danielle.

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Remaining baby shower budget: $11

Estimated project cost for chair: $5

Actual cost: Chair $3 + cushion $2 + ribbon $0 + button $0 = $5 (right on the money!)

Remaining baby shower budget: $6

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Recent favorite: Cute teacher gift (via Dollar Store Crafts)

Working on: Advice book

The Reception: Box for cards

No terrible drawings today - in fact just some lovely handmade paper to display

We have a local art supply store that has the most amazing selection of traditional Japanese paper. I gravitated towards the cream based print to start. Do you notice the colors of the flowers embedded in the cream colored paper? Yep - orange, moss green, and purple. Serendipity!

I have recently come into a large supply of paper mache boxes. Some are for a very lovely memory project that a friend and I need to get back to once the "party season" is over. But, most of the boxes I bought for the project came in sets (so I have left overs of the sizes I did not need), and the store I placed the order with sent extra boxes on top of that. We are literally swimming in boxes, and have no place to store them except for our bedroom. Le sigh...

Seriously - please let me know if you need any square or rectangular lidded boxes for your projects. I would be more than happy to get rid of these.

Anyway, having a few boxes to spare, it was no big deal to take one to wrap to use as a card box. May be a little small, but I will monitor the box at the reception to see if it needs to be emptied. Of course it is always nice to have a roll of tape for folks whose cards fell off their presents during transit. The cute little frames from Ikea are making the blog rounds as of late. They are plastic, but in low light, I don't think anybody will notice. For 99 cents, I couldn't help but buy a few, and anticipate they will show up elsewhere at The Reception.

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Remaining reception decorating budget: $846

Estimated project cost for card box: $3 (I initially thought I would only use one sheet, but liked the two papers coordinated with each other...)

Actual cost: Paper $7 + box $0 + trim $0 + frame $1 = $8 ($5 over budget)

Remaining reception decorating budget: $838

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Favorite of the day: I've got nothin'

Working on: Moss letter ribbon detail

The Reception - Embroidery hoop wall

I am brand-spanking new to the world of planning parties for others, but one thing I have learned already is that you have to remain f l e x i b l e.

There were some elements of The Reception that were absolutes - I will be making a pin board that can be used as a guest book, and I have ownership over that idea. Other things I will be the one to execute, but I hold back on making any purchases until the idea is set in the couples' minds. I am, after all, the assistant to this creative design team.

Initially we discussed decorating the ceiling of the church's cultural hall (again, basically a multi-purpose room) like this

(Worst concept drawings ever!)

using tulle or organza to drop the ceiling, and hanging paper lanterns down the length of the room. Strands of white lights would be draped with the fabric.

Then, the bride-to-be mentioned she had seen something online with embroidery hoops, and wanted to use those instead of the lanterns. In keeping with the whimsical theme, I envisioned the hoops being hung with different strands of ribbons in their wedding colors

(Seriously - have you ever seen such terrible drawings on a blog?)

I bought the embroidery hoops at this point (and left the tags on), but did not buy any ribbon, as I wanted to confirm one more time that I was on the right track. Good thing I did, as the next incarnation was hanging the hoops vertically filled with plain colored fabric and hanging them like a mobile in the center of the room. The fabric tenting would now come towards the center of the room and then fan out

(No "A" for effort here...)

Through these developments, it was determined we had access to fabric to drape from the ceiling, lights, and paper lanterns. This was a major relief in terms of my budget, as these elements were the main contribution towards my initial estimate of $1,000.

Just recently, the bride-to-be decided that she just wants to do lights on the ceiling with the paper lanterns - no fabric. I said that was fine, and I would just return the embroidery hoops. She indicated that she still wanted to use them, perhaps on a wall. In discussing her plan for the layout of the room, it seemed the perfect spot would be behind the cake, which is going to be framed by two rented trees

(I was also going to "rent" some greenery -- i.e. use it and return it --, so this is a budget saver as well now that somebody else has stepped in to do this! Also, I don't have to feel guilty for being a cheapskate...just a terrible artist)

This seemed like a great idea, and a chance to find some really fun fabrics that fit with the couple's unique color palette, so the bride-to-be and I headed off to Jo-Ann. It was a weekend that fat quarters were on sale for 99 cents, and I said they would probably be the easiest to use with the potential to return the ones we did not cut.

The first print she picked up was a batik. I brushed it off nonchalantly, saying that I didn't like those types of prints -- but the bride-to-be was not dissuaded. She really liked the print because it had 3 out of the four wedding colors in it. Ok -- let's see what we come up with, I said, hoping as we picked out the rest of the fabric that one would seem out of place. But instead a few batik prints more ended up in the basket. I was nervous about our final selection of 12 fabrics, but I figured it was nice that the bride got to help in the process, and since fabric filled embroidery hoops are so cute and whimsical, it would not matter once they were all clustered together which fabrics they were filled with.

So -- here is the result of the first effort

There may be some of you out there that love it, but I hated it. It seemed too mismatched in terms of the types of prints used, yet some how also too obvious that we were trying to get fabrics in the four colors. I made an "assistant creative director" decision, and decided to buy new fabric without getting an ok from the bride-to-be first. I kept two of the original prints (one is sorta batik-y), and bought more fabric and two more hoops.

Here is the second try

I am much happier with this grouping! I tried to lighten it up a bit, and look for prints that had a cream colored base, or prints that used more than one of the wedding colors (my favorite is the floral print with moss green dots). To me this fabric selection looks more whimsical. Plus, it goes better with the wallpaper I will be using on the photo booth wall, which is a moss green damask. I may buy one or two more hoops to balance out the sizes.

I feel bad that I challenged the choices of my "clients," but I feel we are back on track with where it seemed we were going with the overall look for The Reception. Centerpieces are not under my purview, but worried we may be facing the same challenge of getting swayed by elements that match the color theme, but not the overall look it seemed we were heading towards. I have bought little bits and bobs that could be used on the tables to try and bring the couple around to my way of thinking :) Creative genius, or control freak??

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Remaining reception decorating budget: $906

Estimated project cost for embroidery hoops: $50 ( I was hoping I could find more of these thrifted, but only found two -- the largest ones)

Actual cost: Embroidery hoops $22 + fabric (rejected) $8 + fabric (used) $30 = $60 ($10 over budget)

Remaining reception decorating budget: $846 (still need to buy removable sticky hooks to hang these)

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Favorite of the day: Don't these sound awesome!

Working on: Ribbon to hang the moss letters. Notice in the post describing the moss letters I thought I would be buying lots of ribbon. Now -- not so much!

The Luncheon & The Reception: "Etched" root beer mugs

As noted, my high hopes for finding picture frames that could be used for multiple events fell through. One item that is, however, recurring at both The Luncheon and The Reception is...root beer!

Have I even mentioned that BT recently got into brewing beer? He bought all the equipment (all the equipment - this hobby has already gone way beyond just buying the little starter kit that chain stores sell around Christmas. Fortunately - or not - he has a local store to fuel his passion). Brewing root beer is a much easier process than brewing beer. You can even make a version in a new trash can using dry ice, which BT has fond memories of from church events growing up.

(I only had letter stickers - no stencil - so did a block of "frosting" around the letters)

The luncheon will probably have a low tech brew, but the reception couple has already ok'd a full keg to dispense their brew. I have asked on multiple occasions to make sure this idea is kosher with them, as I would not want them to have regrets later in life that they had a kegerator at their wedding. They indicated that this is one of the elements of The Reception they are most excited about, so we are continuing with the plan for now. To that end, I made etched Mr. and Mrs. root beer glasses to use at both events (pending final approval).

(Should have put something behind the glasses so you could see them better!)

It took awhile to find cheap, plain beer mugs, but finally found two (really heavy duty ones!) at Dollar Tree. Etching cream, it turns out, is very expensive and hard to find. I took a tip from Ms. Evie and used frosted spray paint instead. The painted area will not come in contact with the drinker's lips, and this is a one two time use thing anyway.

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Remaining reception decorating budget: $912

Estimated project cost for root beer mugs: $5 (I figured etching cream was some cheapy bottled thing you bought at Michaels)

Actual cost: Mugs $2 + spray paint $4 = $6 ($1 over budget)

Remaining reception decorating budget: $906 (as part of this project, we also need to make the actual root beer, buy cups, provide cocktail napkins, and decide if the kegerator needs any decoration)

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Favorite of the day: Awesome prize if you are the winner! (via ljcfyi)

Working on: Embroidery hoop wall (re-do)

The Baby Shower: Games & Prizes

The last baby shower most of my male co-workers attended was my own. It was also, for many of them, their first.

In designing games for The Baby Shower, it was important to not go too crazy or do something too embarrassing or else people will not participate (there was a contest to drink a beverage of choice out of a baby bottle at my work baby shower. The game was announced, and everybody just went back to their conversations, I guess in hopes that idea would just go away).

I chose two written quizzes for this baby animal themed shower - one to guess the names of the offspring of different animals and the other to match the number of days gestation to the right animal. Both seem fairly harmless and gender neutral.

Prizes are also always a problem with our mixed gender group. Food (which I went with) is easy, but not too exciting. It should be noted, however, that the mama-to-be craved root beer throughout her pregnancy, so this gift seemed apropos as a shower prize.

I don't think a prize from any game played over the years has been received well by my co-workers. They whine about not winning the games, and then complain about the prizes when they do win. A positive attitude generates positive returns, I say. Of course, I was the one who scored a free trip to Disneyland as part of a white elephant gift exchange :)

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Remaining baby shower budget: $22

Estimated project cost for games and prizes: $10

Actual cost: Prizes $11

Remaining baby shower budget: $11

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Favorite of the day: Nada mucho

Working on: Advice book

The Baby Shower: Decor & Servingware

We haven't seen much from The Baby Shower, have we? This is the first event on the calendar (this month!), so I'd better get hopping. This constitutes the decor for the shower

Blue thrifted tablecloths, some thrifted stuffed animals (I know - eww - but they've been washed and they are just for decor), the Animal Parade dessert plates and garland with some fabulous blue cross-hatch rimmed plates and napkins that coordinated well with that design, and framed pictures of mama animals and their babies

Initially I wanted to use the same frames for The Baby Shower and The Reception to save $. But then I found these cute yellow frames at Target and knew I would have to get separate frames for each event. Perhaps the mama-to-be can find a place for these in baby's room? The shapes were all cut freehand, so that's why mama giraffe's knees are a little low...

And here is Hank's photo-blogging debut

He posed the giraffe and held up the camera (upside down, initially) to take the picture - complete with saying "cheese" to his subject.

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Baby Shower budget: $75

Estimated project cost for decor and servingware: $50

Actual cost: 2 Tablecloths $8 + stuffed animals $3 + plates, napkins $9 + specialty plates, banner $17 (inc shipping) + frames $16 + paper $0 = $53 ($3 over budget)

Remaining baby shower budget: $22

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Favorite of the day: An old favorite - one I never thought I'd have the opportunity to execute. Oh, yeah, baby - we're doing it :)

Working on: Embroidery hoop wall

The Reception: Dot Banner

This is the dot banner

I don't know what inspired me to make it, or how it will be used at The Reception, but it just seemed like something fun to make using the couple's wedding colors, which are burnt copper, moss green, cream, and lavender. The lavender throws folks when I tell them what the colors are, but I hope you can see how lovely they are all together like this.

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Remaining reception decorating budget: $918

Estimated project cost for dot banner: $5

Actual cost: Paper $5 + twine $1 = $6 ($1 over budget - should have bought the paper with a coupon)

Remaining reception decorating budget: $912

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Favorite of the day: Always so much attention to detail

Working on: Quilt