Teacher Appreciation

Don't we all appreciate the fantastic teachers who teach our kids?  My own mother was a French teacher and then a school librarian at a French Immersion school.  So when the PTA asked for someone to help with the teacher appreciation luncheon - I was all in!  I chose a book theme for this luncheon.

I had found an old home teaching book from the 1920's at an antique store on one of my usual jaunts.  So I used some of the pages to make a background for the buffet table.  Then I used more of the pages for the half-wreaths that say "thank you."

The vintage pages were used on the centerpiece vases as well.  I used a black velvet ribbon with vintage rhinestone jewels around the vases.  Most of the flowers were from my yard.

I used apples, vines from my yard, and confetti made with the vintage paper and a cute little paper punch!  All of the books were just from my bookshelves at home.

I made a few paper flowers from the vintage paper.

Easy paper garland with glitter letters.

I used 3-tiered stands to add more books, greenery and apples.

I even stacked more books way up high on the shelves!

I just couldn't resist making a paper chandelier with the book pages and a lamp shade!!

I love to use the ceiling as a place to decorate.  This time I hung black books from black ribbons.

Here is the vintage home-schooling book that I found in the antique store.

Show your teachers some love this year!!  Hope this inspires you!

Cheers,

Linking up with these fun parties:

Amaze Me Mondays at Dwellings

Brag Monday at The Graphics Fairy

Make it Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House

Made by you Monday at Skip To My Lou

Tuesdays Treasures at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

 Anything Blue Friday at The Dedicated House 

Feathered Nest Friday at http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Show and Tell Friday http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

It's a Hodgepodge Friday http://itsahodgepodgelife.blogspot.com/

Frugalicious Friday http://decormamma.blogspot.com/

A Crafty Soiree http://www.katiesnestingspot.com/

Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground

Cottage Style Party at Lavender Garden Cottage

Thrifty Things Friday http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/

Fabulously Creative Friday at Jennifer Rizzo

Simple and Sweet Fridays http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/

The inspiration Gallery at The Craftberry Bush 

Shabbylicious Friday http://shabbyartboutique.blogspot.com/

Flaunt It Friday http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/

All Things Thursday Blog Hop at All Things With Purpose, Glamorous Affordable Life, Posed Perfection, and Posed Perfection

Pearls and Lace Thursday at Faith Grace and Crafts

Inspire me Tuesday at A stroll through life

The Dedicated House for Make it Pretty Monday

Knick of Time Tuesday at Knick of Time Interiors

Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy Little House

Transformed Tuesdays at PJH Designs One of a Kind

Tuesdays at our Home at Our Home Away From Home

You're Gonna  Love It (Tuesday) at Kathe with an E

Tutorials Tips and Tidbits at StoneGable

Blissful Whites Wednesday at Timewashed

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Centerpiece Wednesday at The Style Sisters

Strut your stuff Saturday at Six Sisters

Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper

Share Your Cup Thursday at Jann Olson Blogspot

Share your Creativity (Saturday) at Welcome To It's Overflowing

What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants

 Pink Saturday at How Sweet The Sound

Fabulously Creative Friday at  Jennifer Rizzo

Pin me Linky Party at Diana Rambles

What to do weekends at Crafts a la mode

 

 

 

October Wedding

Ah, weddings!  Don't we all love a beautiful wedding?  Whatever the season of the year - love is always in season!  I have a small business decorating for weddings.  Not coordinating, just decorating.  DIY brides hire me to decorate/rent them some of my creations for their big day.  I ask the bride to send me a few family members to help me set up; I give them all a job for the day, and we get the place decorated!

This sweet October wedding was in Dallas, at a place called Party Off The Grid.  It is the former Power and Light company in Dallas; now it used for weddings and events.  It has a very industrial/warehouse/exposed brick kind of look.

The bride's father built the backdrop structure out of PVC pipe.  (He was quite an amazing and terrific dad!)  I hung the white tulle all over the frame to make the backdrop for the vows area.  It's difficult to see, but I also had chandelier crystals hanging down from the chandelier all the way to the tulle backdrop.  The bride and I experimented with different ways to hang the tulle on the guest chairs.  She chose this look, and I love the way the fans blow the tulle - quite ethereal.

The groom's mother helped me hang the tulle in the reception area. (photo below)  (I put everyone to work!)

 

Since this was an October wedding, I suggested using a white pumpkin for a dip container somewhere on the buffet table.   So I scooped out the pumpkin, and we placed the dip for the crackers inside it. The greenery and flowers are a combination of vines/flowers from my yard and the bride's grandmother's yard.  (I say use what you have!)

 Of course I had to embellish the pumpkin with rhinestones, pearls, and jewelry!

I placed a champagne bucket under the pumpkin, added a beaded fabric on top of the bridal fabric table cloth.  A pair of my silver candelabras with beaded shades complete this entry table.

Oh!  And I added jewelry to the actual champagne bucket as well!

The bride's mother, grandmothers and aunts decorated the tables, I can't take any credit for those.

 I just love the cake table!  I hung a white canopy from the ceiling to surround the cake.  Then I dressed the cake table in bridal linens and white fabric.

I even hung chandelier crystals on the canopy over the cake.  Inside the canopy is a candle chandelier.

Musicians played classical music while the bride walked down the aisle.  I decorated this arch with tulle, lights, crystals, pearls and jewelry. 

The bride's aunts were caterers - lucky for her!  They did a beautiful job with the food.  I added bridal fabrics and a mix of greenery from my yard and the bride's grandmother's yard. 

  I used a gold urn filled with white/glittered twigs, and crystals hanging from the sides of the urn.  Then hung candle chandeliers above the buffet table.  (Actually the bride's brother hung the chandeliers - I really do put everyone to work!)

 The column holding up the urn -- I wrapped this column in silk fabric, then wrapped it again with gold ribbon, then embellished it even more with pearl appliques and rhinestone jewelry.

 

The bride's dad also built a photo booth for a fun activity at this wedding.  Wish I had photos of it!  Such a fun wedding!

Thanks for visiting today!

Linking up with these fun parties:

Amaze Me Mondays at Dwellings

Brag Monday at The Graphics Fairy

Make it Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House

Made by you Monday at Skip To My Lou

Tuesdays Treasures at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

 Anything Blue Friday at The Dedicated House 

Feathered Nest Friday at http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Show and Tell Friday http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

It's a Hodgepodge Friday http://itsahodgepodgelife.blogspot.com/

Frugalicious Friday http://decormamma.blogspot.com/

A Crafty Soiree http://www.katiesnestingspot.com/

Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground

Cottage Style Party at Lavender Garden Cottage

Thrifty Things Friday http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/

Fabulously Creative Friday at Jennifer Rizzo

Simple and Sweet Fridays http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/

The inspiration Gallery at The Craftberry Bush 

Shabbylicious Friday http://shabbyartboutique.blogspot.com/

Flaunt It Friday http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/

All Things Thursday Blog Hop at All Things With Purpose, Glamorous Affordable Life, Posed Perfection, and Posed Perfection

Pearls and Lace Thursday at Faith Grace and Crafts

Inspire me Tuesday at A stroll through life

The Dedicated House for Make it Pretty Monday

Knick of Time Tuesday at Knick of Time Interiors

Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy Little House

Transformed Tuesdays at PJH Designs One of a Kind

Tuesdays at our Home at Our Home Away From Home

You're Gonna  Love It (Tuesday) at Kathe with an E

Tutorials Tips and Tidbits at StoneGable

Blissful Whites Wednesday at Timewashed

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Centerpiece Wednesday at The Style Sisters

Strut your stuff Saturday at Six Sisters

Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper

Share Your Cup Thursday at Jann Olson Blogspot

Share your Creativity (Saturday) at Welcome To It's Overflowing

What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants

 Pink Saturday at How Sweet The Sound

Fabulously Creative Friday at  Jennifer Rizzo

Pin me Linky Party at Diana Rambles

What to do weekends at Crafts a la mode

Teacher Appreciation Week!

This past week was Teacher Appreciation Week.  At my daughter's school we "appreciate" the whole school staff.  They all work very hard, (I know - my mom was a french teacher for many years) and we give them little treats all week long.  Then on friday, we host a luncheon for the staff.  Here are a few photos of the event...I decorated with a blue & brown theme.

First thing was to cover the plain wall.  I used craft paper in brown and blue, then added pretty wrapping paper (the triangle shapes) for fun and interest.

I hung branches from the ceiling.  On the branches I tied ribbons in varying shades of gold, brown, and blue.

The centerpieces were flowers from my yard.

More flowers from my yard, and I draped this column in beaded blue & brown fabric.  Gave it dress maker details with ribbon binding.  Then added a beaded trim at the top of the column.  Love the sparkly details!!!

~~A bit of glitter & glitz!~~

Chandelier crystals adorn the top, and rose leaves adorn the bottom of the vase.

Wrapping paper at the top of the vase...I used a paper punch to get the pretty pattern around the edge.

More wrapping paper for the buffet table background.  And more glitter paper too!!

Lots of yummy food in my silver trays...

The school staff enjoyed this lovely setting in the teachers' lounge for their relaxing lunch.

A very sweet lady named Kim made ALL of the desserts.  I take no credit for any of the food...I just display it...

 

We (PTA) also gave the staff members a nice tote bag as a gift. 

Food & Presents:

A good day for the school staff!

Treat your teachers well -- they work hard!  : )

Linking up with these parties:

Brag Monday at The Graphics Fairy

Make it Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House

Made by you Monday at Skip To My Lou

 Anything Blue Friday at The Dedicated House 

Feathered Nest Friday at http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

Show and Tell Friday http://romantichome.blogspot.com/

It's a Hodgepodge Friday http://itsahodgepodgelife.blogspot.com/

Frugalicious Friday http://decormamma.blogspot.com/

A Crafty Soiree http://www.katiesnestingspot.com/

Vintage Inspiration Friday http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/

Inspiration Friday http://www.atthepicketfence.com/

Thrifty Things Friday http://thethriftygroove.blogspot.com/

Simple and Sweet Fridays http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/

Shabbylicious Friday http://shabbyartboutique.blogspot.com/

Flaunt It Friday http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/

All Things Thursday at All Things With Purpose

Pearls and Lace Thursday at Faith Grace and Crafts

The Dedicated House for Make it Pretty Monday

Knick of Time Tuesday at Knick of Time Interiors

Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy Little House

Transformed Tuesdays at PJH Designs One of a Kind

We did it Wednesday at Sew Much Ado

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Strut your stuff Saturday at Six Sisters

Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper

Share Your Cup Thursday at Jann Olson Blogspot

Pink Saturday at How Sweet The Sound

 

 

Mother Daughter Tea Party

Spring will come.  Spring will come.  That is my mantra!  All this cold and rainy/foggy weather will end, and then we can move on to happier sunny days!  To get everyone thinking ahead -- here is a post on a Mother-Daughter Tea Party that I hosted with my daughter just for fun!  Of course, it would work as a birthday party as well.

This was the table for the daughters...I tied strips of pink tulle to the top of the 2-tiered serving tray.  I also wrapped pink tulle around the edges of each tier using double stick tape.



I added a canopy over the girls' tables.  A little more pink tulle pinned on to the canopy, and...can you see the little flowers hanging from the canopy?  I attached them with a needle and thread, let them hang down and blow in the breeze!



And this was the Mommy table!  See the little tea pot shaped cookies?  I made sugar cookies and used a tea pot shaped cookie cutter.  Easy!  The little cone shaped flower centerpiece  -- I made with floral foam cut into a cone shape, pinned the layered leaves on with straight pins, and then stuck the flower stems in on top of the leaves.  So Fun!

I pulled out all  my lovely crochet doiles to pretty things up!

My neighbor let me borrow her china...oh, and the red roses are from her yard too!....My roses were not cooperating...Of course, she and her daughter came to the party too!  : )

The girls wore their favorite dress or costume!  Fabulous!  Look at those tiaras!  Every girl needs an excuse to wear her tiara!

Our craft activity was to make these lovely tissue paper hats...complete with stickers to decorate them!

I hired two teenage girls to help with manicures and serving tea....They had just as much fun as the little ones!

And, of course, a fabulous fashion show with all the girls!  They all chose either something they brought, or they could choose from my daughter's dress up box.  Sorry about that blurry picture, someone touched the camera lense...probably me...

Linking up with:

Teacup Tuesday at Artful Affirmations

Friends sharing tea at Bernideen's Tea Time