Blah

Howdy.  I wish I had a more positive post to write, but, . . .  I don't.  A fellow blogger, that I follow religiously, wrote recently that she didn't feel like creating anything.  It's hard to believe that I am not the only one!  And the blogger asked, 'who else felt the same'.  I really wanted to scream 'ME'!  

I don't know if its the weather (it has snowed at my house the last two Saturdays), the barometric pressure, the sadness in my heart, or the hurtful words spoke at work (towards me), or the simple busy-ness in my mind.   Either way, or whatever reason, the desire to craft has escaped me.  So unfortunately I don't have a new craft to share with you.

I made twelve cards for my Bunco ladies, to send to them, to remind them that I am hosting Bunco in June.  The theme for my host night is 'High Tea'.  And well, I want to share two of my favorite cards.  And yeah, it wasn't the one I originally created for a challenge 10 days ago.

here is the pink one:

and here is the blue one:

so real quick.  the card base is made from kraft card stock from a big box store (HL).  The page isn't from a cook book, but rather a digital download.  As is the tag, the ticket, and the tea circle.  I did add a bit of sparkle by heat embossing the sentiment in unique gold embossing powder.  The paper blossoms are from the dollar bin at a different big box store (M).

Well, let me say, that it does touch my heart when you 'visit', and when you leave a comment.  It really does bring a smile to my face., and fill my heart with happiness.  Thank you!

I have been tinkering with some decorations, gift packaging, and place settings for my Bunco night.  I'll take some photos, and share my creations.   Thank you! and please visit again!  hugs!

Table Set

~ photo heavy post ~

Whew.  Sorry for the tardiness of this post.  Life has gotten in the way of my crafting {smile}.  Hate when that happens.  

Anyways, I wanted to share with you how I did my plates for this years hosting of Bunco.  I wanted the table set to match my overall style and theme: farmland.  So, I selected a clear plate.  Pinterest had a lot of great images of doilies and clear plates.  However, they were all loose doilies.  I wanted my doily to 'stick' to the plate.  Because I plan on layering the plates.  (Also, another image I found on Pinterest.)  

I have to admit, I am addicted loving Pinterest.  Anyways, I decided to get the look I really wanted by doing a reverse decoupage technique to 'stick' the doily to the clear plate.  That way, the doily would go with the top (clear) plate, and then the user have another plate incase they needed another plate for seconds, or whatever.  However, I didn't want the bottom plate to be non-usable because of contaminants from the glue on the doily.

So, I applied spray adhesive to the middle of the doily, let it dry completely.  Then applied Mod Podge to the back side of the doily, to add some sticking power to the doily and clear plate.  It also sealed the doily to the clear plate, so there wouldn't be any lingering contamination seeping through the doily onto the bottom plate.

So, this 'farmland' color scheme is a sweet pink, a nice aqua mist blue, white, and silver.  So, I decided on using silver solo cups to tie into the metallic silver on the home-made napkin rings.  I added pink polka dot paper straws, and added a small strip of aqua mist blue diagonal stipe washi tape.  Since this tape is a bit transparent, the diagonal lines on both sides, look like gingham patterns. And, to make it all work, and look like it actually belongs, I selected a silver paper plate.  The clear plate is 9" circle.  So, I selected a 10.5" circle silver paper plate.  That way, the bottom plate, looks like a charger.  A bit more classy.  The plastic flatware I used has a metallic silver shine to it.  It looks like actually flatware, and not plastic.  Another touch to improve the overall look: picnic to party!  

The continuum of paper, plastic, metal, burlap, lace, and ribbon through out the overall table setting, along with the mix of patterns, (but keeping with the same color scheme) helps keep the table setting coordinated, and gives it some visual interest.  If everything matches, items get lost in the overall landscape. (blue plates, blue table cloth, blue flatware, blue napkins, regardless of the mix of materials.)

Also, I added these sweet, fabulous broaches to the bows on the floral arrangements.  I thought they also needed a little bling, to help tie in the silver metallic additions.

The broaches came from China, so I did have to order these 3 weeks in advance.  However, please be aware, that international shipping, does take a while.  So, the lesson I learned from this, is to actually have a finished plan.  

Here are the table number holders that I had shared with you earlier: altered salt shakers.  I made button cards, to label the tables {smile}.  [these will be for sale in my Etsy shop soon.]

I altered the salt shakers a few weeks before I knew what I was going to do for the table numbers.  But, I still love them {smile}.  The salt shakers look similar, so they look like they belong, and the table numbers are all button cards, but with a different color.  Additionally, the colors do work with the color scheme.  So, it gives them that 'looks like they belong' look, gotta love that!

Oops!  I forgot a photo of the dessert table.  So, here we go!  Yeah, I am a fan of choices.  So, there are three (yeah, 3!) desserts.  Also, I did the reverse decoupage on the dessert plates and added tiny tasting folks into mini canning jars!  [keeping the country shabby-chic charm of my party theme: farmland.]

From left to right.  A mixed berry pie (strawberry, blueberry and black berries).  Lemon bundt cakes.  And peach cobblers.  All are individually sized.  That way they are portable.  And sharable with the right person!
I took dollar store cookie trays and spray painted them a cream color.  I added a piece of pink gingham parchment paper under the food items.  I took small pink and blue distressed frames to hold the dessert name.

Thank you for stopping by today.  Hopefully, you return tomorrow to see more prizes.  Beware, these next few posts (3), the photography is less than desirable.  However, I wasn't able to double check these before entertaining. {frown}