Oooo-La-La. A Tea Table in Paris.

I'm sorry I didn't post pictures sooner, but I am STILL in full swing with entertaining and crafting.  I have the last of my busy weekends in a row this upcoming weekend.  I am hosting a baby shower at my house and also throwing an appreciation dinner for our Thrive ministry leaders at church.  The baby shower is an owl theme, and the ministry dinner is a red carpet/Hollywood theme.  They both should be a ton of fun, but this should be a busy week!

I chose to do a very non-traditional tea table this last weekend.  It all started with my sister in law's Eiffel Tower decor she has at home.  I didn't want to create or buy a centerpiece, so I thought about what was accessible and worked from there.  We placed the tower on a platform in the middle of the table and added some tulle and battery operated white lights under the base of the Eiffel Tower.

I saw some gorgeous ostrich feather arrangements when I googled Paris themed parties, so, because I could not afford ostrich feathers, I took red boas and hot glued them to round styrofoam to make feather topiaries.  I spray painted the wood stick and the glass vase black so the topiary had our table colors.  They were fun and whimsical, though they still make me think of Animal from the Muppet Show.
I apologize for the pictures.  Not only is the lighting not perfect in the church auditorium (no windows for natural light), but we also had tables extremely close together, so everyone's decorations are melting into my tablescape.

We used my mom's beautiful cream china and red napkins, so our color palate was red, black, cream and white.  I wanted to do black and white stripes as the pattern for the accents, but it was almost impossible to find the striped materials we needed.  Instead, we went with a black background and white polka dots on ribbons and the crafting paper placemats.

For favors, I melted chocolate into a fleur de lis mold.  I gave each person three of these chocolates in a clear bag, with a red, fabric flower pin attached to the outside of the bag.  Finally, I tied them shut with a black and white polka dotted ribbon and a matching piece of paper with scripture.  Because of space issues, we stuffed the cute favors into the water glasses.

I made nametags out of red stock paper and the same polka dotted ribbon. 

Finally, I made chair back decor.  I had visions of tissue pom poms hanging from the back of each chair, but my poms were too big and round.  I played around with them and realized I loved them as really full HALF poms.  With the black and white scalloped tissue paper, they looked just like a can-can dancer's dress.  It was just an "accidental" craft that worked. 

The tea was fabulous.  I am going to share some of the other tables.  Some were traditional, some creative and fun (I love Lucy theme and a classic Hollywood theme), and some whimsical and magical (Tinkerbell).  All of them were wonderful. 

There were 70-something tables in all!  The event had over 500 women in attendance.  The lesson was on the biography of Fanny Crosby, who wrote a zillion hymns, including Blessed Assurance.  Her life was a convicting lesson to both non-believers and Christians alike. 

Have fun looking at all the tea tables.  If your church doesn't do something like this, you have to mention it to the staff.  It is such a FUN and successful event! 

"Ethel" and "Lucy" from the I Love Lucy table.

My mom and I ready to start the tea.

I linked this post to:

Today's Creative Blog







Blue Cricket Design

Friday Favorites and 100th Post! 5-6-11

I really wasn't paying attention to my post numbers, but I noticed today that I had 99 posts written on my blog, and today's Friday Favorites makes 100!  Yay!  I hope there are many more to come!
With a 2 year old who had a stomach virus all weekend, the end of the year ministry celebration yesterday, and the tea table prep for tomorrow, it was a really busy week.  I didn't link up to any parties this week, and I didn't have tons of time to enjoy all the creativity out there.  I couldn't forget Friday Favorites, though, so I took the time to share a few great ideas out in blogland.

Make It and Love It created interchangable heel flip flop straps. I agree with the post--those flip flops without the back strap are forever falling off my kids' feet--even my five year old's.   Again, mommies of girls, how cute would it be to use fabric that matches a special dress or favorite outfit?  Oh, and the bows . . . so sweet!



The Idea Room shared a tutorial on making beautiful monogrammed soaps.  Not only are the soaps individualized and great, but she recycles the soap box to create special wrapping like you find in a high end boutique.  Brilliant!  This project is very low cost and would be easier to do with each one that you make.

 

Happy Clippings shared some creative, cost effective ways to honor your kids' teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week.  I love the colored pencil vase--so colorful, fun, and affordable. 

The Birthday Blog shared a very doable, affordable and fun lego birthday party from My Many Colored Days.  The colors are so vibrant and FUN, and it looks like the boys are enjoying every second of it.  If you have a boy who likes Legos, definitely check out the ideas here!



My friend, Erin, from over at In Between Laundry, made a gorgeous makeover to her entryway hallway.  With simple paint and some wainscotting, she was able to transform normal into absolutely gorgeous!  I am in LOVE with her new light fixture too!



Anngela's Pretty Little Things made a spring bib necklace that is so great!  Though it has various light colors of fabric, it all balances well and could be worn with many outfits.  I do so love a bib necklace done well!


Happy Friday to everyone!  May your weekend be beautiful, with at least a few scraps and crumbs of time for you to be creative!

Boo Boo Shoes: Women in the Word Wednesday, May 4, 2011

This post is an excerpt from my old family blog, on which I would often write Christian encouragement posts.  This is a post from my 2008 archive.

Hosea 14:9

"Who is wise? He will realize these things.

Who is descerning? He will understand them.

The ways of the LORD are right;
the righteous walk in them,
but the rebellious stumble in them."

Carter has a particular pair of toddler-sized flip flops which have ceremoniously been nicknamed his "boo-boo shoes." Whenever he wears them, he is due to experience at least a couple of fairly major wipeouts. In fact, Carter wore them this last Saturday to Lake Mission Viejo. Before lunchtime, he had a fat lip, a wiggly tooth and two skinned knees.

Carter knows the danger of his shoes, and when his eyes are rimmed with tears after a fall, he contemptuously glares at his boo-boo shoes, knowing full well where to place the blame for his lack of coordination. Despite this, he gravitates toward them every morning, pleading with mama to let him wear his "flip flops." Deep down, he feels like they are big boy shoes, and his vanity and strong will suppress the red flags that are warning him of impending danger. More often than not, I veto his desires, as I know the shoes are not practical and will cause him to fall.

To take a literal illustration and figuratively twist it, I was pondering Carter's shoe dilemma with my own struggle to "put off" things in my life that inevitably cause me to stumble in my Christian walk. In Philippians 4:8, God tells us to think about what is pure, true, right, lovely, noble and admirable. As we all know, it is a battle to dwell on rightoeus thoughts when we are living in and surrounded by a fallen world. However, we can make daily choices that can hinder or support us in our pursuit of holiness.

When I know I should be having quiet time with God, am I pushing everything aside and grabbing my Bible, or am I settling onto the couch for one quick click around the channels or a much desired catnap? When a magazine causes me to struggle with vanity or covetousness, do I cancel my subscription or do I gloss over my sins and continue to pick up the pages that lead me astray? If a certain friend continually gripes, gossips and brings out the worst in my sinful nature, do I repent of my own sinful contribution and then lovingly admonish the friend (perhaps even having to put the brakes on the friendship) or do I ignore the situation in an effort to be "at ease" with others?  In other words, do I value people pleasing more than I value obedience and righteousness?

God often gives us red flags that should send us running in the opposite direction of the danger, but, sometimes, much like Carter with his big boy shoes, we are drawn toward the danger due to the lure that sin can take on our flesh. It often seems attractive and benign, but it ensnares us and causes us to fall.  Let us listen to the loving discipline and warnings of our Heavenly Father. Recognize what in your life can cause you to stumble and experience spiritual injuries. Turn from what causes you to sin and replace the danger with righteous disciplines, friends and conduct.

Psalm 116:8

"For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death,
my eyes from tears,
my feet from stumbling,"

Let Me Hold You Longer

I'm still crafting like a crazy woman over here, but, alas, I still can't spill the beans as to what I am doing (see last post).  However, another fun event happened today!  I took my oldest over to his new school to turn in his KINDGERGARTEN packet!

I can't believe I have a kindergartener in the fall.  He is my special buddy--the baby who patiently put up with me as I learned to be a mommy;  the pregnancy that caused me to get sick almost every day, for most of the day, and sent me to the ER 3 or 4 times to get hydrated; the labor that took almost 24 hours and ended with him being emergency vacuumed out and breathing only with the help of a bag for his first 10 minutes of life; the big brother who patiently welcomed his little brother into the world and has taught him the joy of running, giggling and having fun.  I'm going to miss him terribly next year.  A stage of life is passing and a new one is beginning.

Can you tell I am feeling sentimental?  Well, to just add some salt to my wounds, I read Karen Kingsbury's Let Me Hold You Longer poem tonight.  Needless to say, I am a big, blubbering mess right now. 

I know God has great plans for my buddy, and this new stage is a great thing.  I just need moments like today to remember to be patient when I am frustrated with being a stay at home mommy and when I am impatient with the boys.  Before I blink, it will be gone, and I'll cherish those memories of giggles and snuggles that I took for granted at the time.

Here's the poem by Karen Kingsbury--just in time for Mother's Day.  Grab some tissues and go hug your kiddos.

LET ME HOLD YOU LONGER Karen Kingsbury

Long ago you came to me.,
a miracle of firsts;
First smiles and teeth and baby steps,
a sunbeam on the burst.
But one day you will move away
and leave to me your past,
And I will be left thinking of
a lifetime of your lasts…

The last time that I held a bottle
to your baby lips.
The last time I lifted you
and held you on my hip.
The last night when you woke up crying,
needing to be walked,
When last you crawled up with your blanket,
wanting to be rocked.

The last time when you ran to me,
still small enough to hold.
The last time that you said you’d marry
me when you grew old.
Precious, simple moments and
bright flashes from your past—
Would I have held on longer if
I’d known they were your last?

Our last adventure in the park,
your final midday nap.
The last time when you wore your favorite
faded baseball cap.
Your last few hours of kindergarten,
those last days of first grade,
Your last at bat in Little League,
last colored picture made.

I never said good-bye to all
your yesterdays long passed.
So what about tomorrow—
will I recognize your lasts?
The last time that you catch a frog
in that old backyard pond.
The last time that you run barefoot
across our fresh-cut lawn.
Silly, scattered images
will represent your past.
I keep on taking pictures,
never quite sure of your lasts…..

The last time that I comb your hair
or stop a pillow fight.
The last time that I pray with you
and tuck you in at night.
The last time when we cuddle
with a book, just me and you.
The last time you jump in our bed
and sleep between us two.

The last piano lesson,
last vacation to the lake.
Your last few weeks of middle school,
last soccer goal you make.
I look ahead and dream of days
that haven’t come to pass.
But as I do, I sometimes miss
today’s sweet precious lasts…

The last time that I help you with
a math or spelling test.
The last time when I shout that yes,
your room is still a mess.
The last time that you need me for
a ride from here to there.
The last time that you spend the night
with your old tattered bear.

My life keeps moving faster,
stealing precious days that pass.
I want to hold on longer---
want to recognize your lasts…

The last time that you need my help
with the details of a dance.
The last time that you ask me for
advice about romance.
The last time that you talk to me
about your hopes and dreams.
The last time that you wear a jersey
for your high school team.

I’ve watched you grow and barely noticed
seasons as they pass.
If I could freeze the hands of time,
I’d hold on to your lasts.

For come some bright fall morning,
you’ll be going far away.
College life will beckon
in a brilliant sort of way.
One last hug, one last good-bye,
one quick and hurried kiss.
One last time to understand
just how much you’ll be missed.
I’ll watch you leave and think how fast
our time together passed.

Let me hold on longer, God,
to every precious last.

Chocolate Molten Lava Cake and a Top Secret Table

    

I am in a bit of a jam.  You see, I am crafting a lot the past several days, but it is for our tea table we (my mom and I) are hosting this Saturday.  It is a competition, so each hostess keeps her tea table theme, colors and ideas secret.  There will be about 72, yes 72, tea tables at this event, so there is a lot of talent!  I so want to show you what I have been busy doing, but you'll have to wait until Saturday afternoon.  I can't let any secrets leak out to the competition. 

I also am crafting and preparing for a baby shower I'm co-hosting at my house in two weeks.  It is an owl themed baby shower, and I'm co-hosting with a pair of very creative friends.  I am excited to see the final result and to enjoy the day with the new mom.

Okay, I know I got your attention with the chocolate molten lava cake.  Have you tried Duncan Hines Signature Desserts?  They have different flavors, but I have only made the chocolate molten lava cake.  It is delicious.  The chocolate is rich and dark, and the center is ooey and gooey.  The best part is, it makes 8 mini cupcake-sized cakes for under 4 dollars.  Oh, and all you need is the box mix, 1/3 cup of butter and 2 eggs.  You can find the box mix right there with the cake mixes.  Go buy some so your kids and hubby can treat you on Mother's Day. 

Oh, and by the way, they are paying me NOTHING to talk about this dessert.  My blog is not even a blip on any business radar, so if I mention a product or company, I really, truly like it.  Pretty refreshing, huh!