Wednesday, August 15, 2012

A Surprise Nautical Themed Birthday Party

We recently celebrated my mom's 55th birthday. When I started talking to my dad about my mom's upcoming birthday, we immediately decided that we were up to the challenge of orchestrating a surprise luncheon. I started thinking of something that would stay true to who my mom was. I came up with a nautical/southern theme. My mother has always had a love for the water. She was also born & raised in the south.


As a tribute to her 55 years, I had everyone write down their favorite memory shared with my mother. I know how fast get-togethers can fly by. This way, she can really sit down & relish her special day.





When I think Southern, I think sweet tea! We served iced Arnold Palmers, diet sweet tea & sparkling water. All the drinks were served in mason jars & garnished with these paper straws I have been dying to use at a party. Both found at www.amazon.com 




For the favors, I bagged up some homemade peanut butter fudge. I packaged the fudge in brown paper bags. I made the labels with some paper doilies & a favor label printed from www.weddingchicks.com


Since it was a hot Florida summer day, I felt it was a MUST to hand out fans for everyone to cool themselves off with! I printed the fans, along with everything else at www.weddingchicks.com


On the tables, I laid burlap table runners, with place mats at each table setting monogrammed with a D. I put a bag of barbecue chips at each seat, because, I mean who wants to dig into a chip bowl? Plus it was super cute for everyone to have their own personal bag!


What a view!!


 I made burlap rosettes to frame the welcome sign, reading : Grab an Iced Tea & Let's Sail Away! Welcome to Debbie's 55th Birthday Celebration


For lunch we served fried popcorn chicken, barbecue baked beans, baked macaroni and cheese & yeast rolls. Everything was served on bamboo plates purchased at www.amazon.com . Linen napkins were rolled around bamboo flatware & tied with twine.


I made 2 table runners with old photos & double sided tape & adhered them to brown butchers paper. My mom is the typical sentimental mom & I knew all these old photos would really tug on her heartstrings(I have to admit, they tugged on mine too).


Typically when I do any party, I try to keep a budget of $500 for 30-40 people (Tricky, I know!). My big splurge for this party was the bamboo plates, bamboo flatware, fabric for the linen napkins & mason jars. My order at amazon for the small dinner plates, dessert plates, forks, knives, paper straws & mason jars came to $110. I spent $50 at Joann's Fabric for all the fabric, including burlap for the table runners. I felt I could justify this splurge since I was using recycled beer bottles, taco sauce bottles & even tomato cans for vases. I also used in season flowers for all the arrangements. I must say that I think the splurge was well worth it. I can't even count how many times people came up to me saying how cool the bamboo looked. Everyone wanted to know where I had purchased them! Win!! :)

For dessert, we served mini blueberry pies, chocolate chip cookie bars & yellow cupcakes with butter cream frosting. I made each cake plate using E600 glue with a dollar store candle stick & plate! I purchased yellow linen napkins that I just LOVE at www.target.com





While I was setting up the morning of the party (with the help of some loved ones), my dad took my mom out on their boat. I took a picture while we were all hiding in the corner, as they came in to dock.


Surprise!! Love you Mom!

Event Coordination & Design: www.astylishaffairbyjessie.com
Caterer: www.publix.com
 

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Friday, August 3, 2012

DIY Burlap Save The Date Banner

I am loving burlap & banners. Burlap is super inexpensive & one of the only bunting banners I am comfortable using hot glue with(which is super easy!). Hot glue will be your friend in the project!

What you will need:

  1. 1/2 yard of burlap

  2. Cardstock

  3. Paper trimmer

  4. Corner punch

  5. Scissors

  6. Hot glue gun

  7. About 6 glue sticks!


First thing you will want to do is decide whether you want to paint the letters on using a stencil or print out text on cardstock. I obviously chose the cardstock method using a FREE printable from www.weddingchicks.com Have I mentioned how much I love that website?? :)


Next, trim your letters with a paper trimmer & use your punch for the corners.


Now, cut out a pattern using the cardstock. Use that pattern to cut out all your triangles.


Trim long strips of your burlap & get to hot glue'n!!


Lastly, glue your letters on your banner & you're all done!



I love to see these banners on Save the Date cards & on dessert tables.
The entire project cost me about $1.50 for the burlap! I had the rest of the supplies already. How can you beat that??
Happy Crafting! :)


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