Graduation Party for our Family

Graduation Party

Just wanted to share a few decorating ideas that I used for my daughters graduation party.

I used and antique door as my table. It was to symbolize and new door opening in her life. From there I added an old suitcase I bought at Goodwill 2.00 and filled it with random photos of her from birth till now. I had a very scrapbooks I had made over the years and laid them out. I had a yard sale globe, an antique store owl (which is the mascot of KSU) an old camera and a center piece of branches and flowers in a wine bag. I used an old door from a chicken coop to hang more photos and 2 letters she had written in kindergarden. The pennets I made with scrapbook paper and added some scrap book paper with Beautiful sayings and quotes I bought at Michael's. I made 4 pennets for 16.00 and had little saying placed around.

This was her gift table. More photos and a mailbox that held cards. We set out the cards she had already received. The wreath was a way to show the school she is going to attend in the fall.

 

This was another display. Old boxes served as Memory boxes to hold framed pictures, awards, graduation hat and diploma and the Powder Puff medal and football.The old window screen was a perfect backdrop to more photos.

 The array of photos people loved looking at. This party was for my Family and my close girlfriends so I had a photo of my daughter and most of the guest somewhere on display. That was fun for everybody to be part of the memories also.

The Guest of Honor!!

Growing Baby Garden Themed Baby Shower

Growing Baby Garden Themed Baby Shower

 This was the inspiration behind the "Grow" Themed party. I made this for her and it ran about 12.00 for me to make it. She loved it

 I made lots of pennets and placed them throughout the house. I made 3 to 4 and they ran about 2.50 each. Getting the paper I wanted from Joann's and Michael's.

 The food was very fun to make. Always cheaper when I prepare it myself. I tried to stick with the theme "Garden" when I decided the menu. WE had Carrot Cake Cupcakes and Cinnamon Muffins with Fresh blueberries. Chocolate Mint Bars, they matched the color theme.

 These little sandwiches were a hit. A Cream cheese with Basil mixture topped with Strawberries. Simple and cheap. 

 I made her an A to use in Baby Audrey's room. You can buy these at Joann's for just a few dollars and I always have twine on hand. This makes a great little statement.

 I love making random items into chalk boards, They have been used in so many of the events I have thrown.

 For every ones "Thank You" goodies I made a cute little tag and attached it to packages of wildflower and watermelon seeds. The tags read... I am a seed; watch me grow, like Baby Audrey whom you will soon get to know.

 This was my favorite part of the shower... Audrey's Enchanted Rock Garden. To do this, I set up a large table with river rocks and paint and brushes, also had a book about Rock Painting and I had my kids and I paint our rocks for samples. Everyone at the shower painted a rock before they left for Baby Audrey and sign their name on it. I made a sign to put out in the yard also. My sister loves her yard and planting flowers and small gardens. This will work great in her yard.

I was able to pick up this sign at Stein Mart for less than 10.00 added so much to the party. 

 The drink station is our Grandmothers Famous "Shower Punch" we didn't need another drink but I also had Tea and Water. I bought herbs and plants instead of fresh cut flowers so that I could plant them after the shower.

 I always seem to add an Antique feel to my parties at home because I work with what I have to save on money. The center piece is a mixture of rulers and yard sticks, mason jars, plants and adding texture however I can.

 I always look around for scrap fabric when I go to a craft store it is sold very cheap. Here I used some for a runner, to wrap around a lamb and on the table. I feel it pulls everything together.

 This was my splurge for the mommy to be. She loves a fruit tart and she claims that Gabriel's in Marietta GA is the best. She is family to Paula Deen and her food is tasty. www.gabrielsdesserts.com

 I continued the theme with the serving pieces. I had made these several years ago for another shower.

 We had a nut covered chesse ball, a goat cheese log roled in sunflower seeds drizzled with honey each served with crackers. Spinich dip and sourdough bread. A simple veggie tray, Deviled eggs and 3 different hot sandwhiches. The sandwiches go over great. Use Fillo dough sheets. I made turkey, ranch with bacon, Ham and Cheese, and Herb cream cheese.

 

 








Owl Themed Pool Party


 

Original Owl are work made by the Birthday Girl!

I tried to decorate with a few touches of Owls that I picked up
at antique stores. I used a rustic decor to decorate, because that is the types of things I have around my home.

The party menu just had to be a few snacks because we had the party from 3 to 5. We had the Fruit and Peppermint, homemade Chex style snack mix, Pigs in a blanket, snicker doodle cookies, cupcake and bottled water.

The little brothers!

Gift table

 

 

 



This was the first time I have served these tasty treats and the kids loved them.

Oranges and lemons with an old fashioned peppermint stick. The lemons were the best

"Sweet and Sour"



 

OK the Owl cupcakes were so fun and looked awesome. They look like the require more talent than they really do. Super simple, you need: cupcake, I iced them with cream cheese and chocolate icing for a duel color. (They looked better then the solid icing) Oreo cookies, chocolate and vanilla for eyes (the vanilla cookies looked better) and then add a Hershey Drops to finish them off. Orange and yellow M&M's for the peak

 

I hope she had a wonderful Birthday Pool Party!

 

Party favors: A S'more kit with a roasting fork. Zoe wrapped each fork with some of her Duck Tape