Success!

We did it! I now feel pure elation and relief at the success of our school auction. Everyone involved worked so hard in their designated areas and the work more than paid off! It felt as if I was preparing for a wedding; the only difference was I didn't have to say, "I do", to anyone except the auctioneer on that Kindle we won. Which by the way, is awesome! I wanted to take the liberty to share with you all the decorations, because that was my area. I wish I had a video of the event then you would be able to see everything in its entirety. I also realized, too late, I should have taken before and after photos for you to see a complete transformation. Oh well. I hope you enjoy the pictures and the music. It is my favorite christian song. I think it is appropriate here at Easter. Listen to the words and allow His spirit to move within you, I know he has within me!

This is the stage where the live auction/dinner was held. I know that I am missing a moss ball to the left of the stage!



All of the purchased tables had Easter Lily centerpieces. We mixed in a couple of plants and wrapped the pots in burlap, twine and ribbon.



The remaining tables had these centerpieces. Try to overlook the sugar dishes that were added after the fact. That was not part of the decoration!



Flanking each side of the stage in the back, for added height, there were these twig trees. I simply spray painted some branches from our crepe myrtle trees white, added some flower acrylic lights, potted plants and moss at the base. Viola!



This has to be the conversation piece of the event and not because of the decorations, but because of what this massive piece of furniture really is. It is a high bar! Did I mention that our function took place in a church facility! No booze was stashed behind the counter, I checked! Sure could have used it at several different times! Ok, about the pic. I happened to have some linen fabric currently not being used and velcroed it to the high bar. A bird cage, from a long ago pet (key word LONG AGO), a couple hurricane lanterns and topiaries dressed it up.



This is the bird cage. It was rusty when I pulled it out of storage. I spray painted it cream, put some grapevine moss (yes there is such a thing) and lighted lanters on the bottom. I hung a moss covered ball with a tiny bird glued to it at the top.



This is the hurricane lantern with some of the grapevine moss inside.



Two of these flower arrangment baskets hung of the front doors to welcome visitors. (Sorry about my shadow in the pic, I am no professional!)



Greeting guests at the sign in table were two of these arrangments at each end. These were probably my favorite. They seem to invite spring, don't they?

Inside of the gym , where the silent auction was being held, I added a few twig arrangments with mini votives hanging down.

Let the Decorating Begin!!

I must admit, I've been hibernating when it comes to blogging. I do have a good excuse though, I have been diligently working on decorations for our school auction. I've decided to share my progress with you all on the off chance you see something you might want to try or something that may give you an idea in which you can take further. I have spent the last couple of months studying every event blog I could find ,( kudos to the website http://www.hostesswiththemostess.com), and I have looked at so many wedding magazines for ideas that I'm just thankful I'm not planning one of those events! My hats are off to you brides to be, for the bar has been set high for you ladies! I have had so many wonderful ideas that I really would liked to have added to this event, but budget and facility limitations have laid the road blocks before me. That is ok, there should always be a plan "B"! I long ago learned that no event will proceed without a glitch, you had just better be prepared! I sure hope I am.

When I was first approached about decorating for this event I was beyond honored. Then, I was overwhelmed! I am an organizer when it comes to planning for ANYTHING. My brain was in turmoil over the endless possibilities of what we could do with the chosen facility, and at the same time it was wrestling an appropriate budget; I surely do not want to be remembered as,"the decorator who blew the wad"! I soon came to recognize that this is not for my glory, but for the Lord God's glory who has bestowed this particular talent onto me. It is funny how you sometimes will plan your decorating around a certain color palette and then totally change your theme! That is what has happened to me. We have a garden theme. The title for the event is " A Classical Affair". I thought that elegant, natural elements would really add a classical appearance to the evening. Since it is an indoors event, my goal is for the guests to feel as if they are dining in a garden. So the countdown has begun and we are five days out. I thought I would give you all a little "Tasting" of what is to come. I will keep you aprised of my progress this week, and God bless you all, but you may be privy to some of my frustrations and angst of what is to come. I will post the event night for the "Grand Finale"!

Here are a few of the projects that have been underway. I'm sure this will look like a bunch of junk, but just you wait till it all comes together!

This is a pic of some of the moss balls that I have made. They, along with white rice paper lanters, will hang from the stage ceiling.



And this is what they look like:



These are the toparies that I hope will also be on the stage:





Coming Next:
Twig trees and bird cage

Baby Shower

I think I should rename my blog "The MIA Blogger", because that is what I have been, missing in action! As most of you mothers know, life is hectic and extremly busy. Whoever coined the title,"Stay-at-home mom", should have thought that one out better. I don't "stay" at home. I think my title should be,"Domestic Engineer", engineering all things domesticated! I have recently stumbled upon the revelation that I am an overachiever. Me, really? Yep! I can't seem to do anything normal, it must be almost out of touch for me to attempt. Rest assured I am praying about it.

On a happier note, my dear friend, Jennifer, gave birth to her third child this past week. Babies are such joyous reasons for celebration. We celebrated Laney Elizabeth's, that is the new addition's name, arrival with a shower only a few days before she was born! Talk about a close call! So, as says my blogger title, the Haphazard Hostess, opens her door to you and will give you a little peek at our good time!



We did have quite a spread and plenty of leftovers! (see how I over
achieve?!) Jen has an vinyl tree on the wall of the baby's crib. I decided to replicate that tree as a center piece for the shower. I simply cut a few branches from our crepe myrtle and spray painted the branches gold metallic. Then I glued leaves I cut from white cardstock onto the branches. A white planter with reindeer moss served as the base. I also printed little birds onto 4x6 cardstock and cut them out into circular shapes. I finished them off by using a hole puncher and running coordinating ribbon through the holes and tying a knot, leaving room for the cards to be hung for the tree. I had each person write a wish or blessing on the back. Each blessing was prayed over before giving it to Jen to keep as a momento.





For this event, I used my milk glass plates and silver servingware. I wanted to keep mostly a white theme so I could blend some of the colors from her nursery. White is always a safe bet and most always looks clean, classic and elegant.

I usually do a cake, but wanted to focus on other things for this event, so I went to our local Publix and had them to make the pettifores. They did such a great job and tasted great!

Here is Jen with her oldest, now, daughter, Leah(or as my husband calls her Le-Le!) And, yes, she is almost nine months pregnant! Not fair, I looked like a sumo wrestler with BOTH of mine!







This pic just shows how adorable she is! Leah really loved helping her mommy open gifts!

I have to give a special thanks to a few friends and family for the help they gave me in which I could not have done this without. A heartfelt thank you to Claudia, Melanie and Wendy for going in with me on the shower. It sure helps when you don't have to carry the load by yourself! To Shelton, without I would have no pictures! Since NOTHING can ever go off without a glitch! I forgot to charge my camera and thankfully Shelton showed up with hers! I am also grateful for the website http://www.hostesswiththemostess.com for giving me such wonderful ideas! If you are hosting any sort of event, they have great ideas! Some of you might be wondering why have a baby shower for the third child? In my opinion, and we all have one, every child should be celebrated! Each person is a gift from God and there is nothing more intimate and special than that of a new birth, a new beginning. God Bless each and everyone of you!