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Denim & Diamonds With a Pop of Sunflowers

Greetings friends!  Well, I had this complete  blog post designed and posted and went back to update it with a picture of the soup we enjoyed and clicked "Control Z" and lost the entire post!  Not even my genius computer whiz son could help me restore it.  So.... I am reconstructing it again.  I understand if you don't want to read it twice, but you might want to check out the  soup that initiated the problem.  Additionally, I've added a few more very unique pictures.  Check out the ice, and, the cake!

My neighbor, Anita, and her best friend, Becky, along with a few other women wanted to bless their pastor's wife with a special evening.  They asked me if I would host a party for her as a way to do that.  I love parties, so I agreed to do it.  It was an incredible evening.  Come along and you can attend the after party and not consume any of the calories! ;-)



A duo of denim and diamond wreaths welcome my guests. 
 

A sparkling group of decorated tin cans, candles and a glowing mirror beckon my guests into the family room. A "SPARKLE" banner formally greets them with the theme of their party.
 

A close up of the mantle.  I bought this mirror a few years ago and absolutely LOVE how it highlights decor of every season.


The tablescape states, "You are going to have a really good time tonight!"

This table was set before my guests arrived to entertain me, and before the champagne goblets were removed for serving "Slushy Strawberry Punch". Additionally, the faux diamonds had not been added yet for that unique bit of whimsy.

 

Here's the sprinkling of diamonds to add sparkle to the table along with a variety of bling on candles, name cards, and dinner ware jewelry under the soup bowl. A vintage coffee can sits atop a mirrored tray adorned with bling. I hosted a Denim & Diamonds party last summer with different flowers.  I really like how the sunflowers, although artificial, add a pop of color and excitement to the table.



Another angle shows off the Spode Delamere blue plates, the silver crested milk glass, and the Ralph Lauren looking dishes.

 

 Above is the handmade invitation exterior.


The interior of the custom printed invitation


 Decorated with bling, it is time to fill the champagne flutes with
 "Slushy Strawberry Punch".
It is a delightful punch made with Jell-O.


Added to the punch was an always popular Bacon Bouquet. 
 It never disappoints to bless and impress. I see a few roses are missing!




Place setting at-the-ready for chilled peach soup.





Everyone has diamond shaped ice, right?!



I tried to think of every detail that would delight my guests. ;-)



My dear friend and treasured assistant, Kathy, place the garnish with precise perfection to make this  soup so inviting.  It's such a perfect choice for a hot summer evening.



Summer evenings always call for cool offerings. This summer chilled watermelon salad was an excellent choice, and tasty too with a balsamic dressing.



Always a favorite were Barbecued Country Short Ribs, accompanied by a festive pineapple rice, lemon asparagus, rosemary carrots and a version of the world famous Smoke House Cheese Bread.



This old-fashioned chocolate cake never fails to delight my guests.   It is made from scratch and worth every calorie!  It is placed upon a vintage diamond designed cake plate.

 

The chocolate cake was served with strawberry ice cream and garnished with strawberries and course sugar crystals that added sparkle.  I'm getting hungry just looking at it!


A variety of crafts were constructed in the cooled down summer air in the back yard.


My guests each made a wreath to take home.
They made sunflower pens, decorated tin cans and water bottles, and a coffee cup. 

 
Each lady left with a pouch securing a  cut in half rock exposing the sparkle within. I typed up a message of remembrance about how they must always remember how precious they are and that they sparkle inside and need to share their sparkle with the whole world. 

Here was the message within:

Everyday you'll find people who are like denim on the outside and diamonds on the inside. Some people can possess a rough hardness or unattractiveness to their exterior.  Even they have sparkle within.
                
As Christians, we are to let our lights shine so that other see Jesus in us, i.e. "sparkle".  As with a rock, we take a few hard knocks in life. These are the places and times where we have experienced and overcome trials.

These hard times serve to enhance and expose the sparkle within us because we have the Holy Spirit within.  

As with a carefully cut diamond, there are many facets that reveal its beauty and they aren't all the same.  People are that way too. We can all sparkle in ways that are attractive and give glory to God from within.
I pray that God will help you reveal the sparkle He has placed within you so that others will benefit by knowing you as you glorify Him.

Always remember, you sparkle inside!



I'm pretty sure they had a delightful time.

I'd love to hear about your summer parties.  
Until next time, remember:
What every you do, Make It Delightful!














4th of July Hostess Gift, Party Favor or Love Gift


Fourth of July Fun


This adorable creation was designed by my sister, Jane Perry, originally for her son Ben's Rehearsal Dinner as favors for each guest to take home.  Her son was married last July 2nd. It is truly a delightfully fun gift.  Come take a look!

It includes:
  • Two vintage 4th of July pictures that were mounted to red scrapbook paper
         Boy card says, "Will you go off with  me on the 4th?"
         Girl card says, "Yes, I will go off with you on the 4th?"
  • Patriotic paper nut cup 
  • Red Mylar fringe
  • Silver pipe cleaner
  • Uncle Sam hat (Hobby Lobby)
  • American flag
  • 3 Star embellishment (Hobby Lobby)
  • Red Crimp
  • White floral tape 
  • Red and white bakers twine
  • A mini mason jar
  • Patriotic Hershey's kisses (Walmart)
  • Small cellophane bag
  • E-6000 glue
  • Clothes pin for stabilizing

Instructions:

It isn't as difficult as it looks.  I just want to spell it out precisely.
  • Glue the two  vintage pictures to a piece of red scrapbook paper.  
  • Leave an extra inch or two at the bottom to position your pictures high enough to see.
  • Cut out around the  picture as shown. Set aside.
  • With E-6000 glue, or a glue gun, attach the red mylar trim all around the top of the cup.
  • Hold the attached ends together with a clothes pin. 
  • With the white floral tape, wrap the 3-star embellishment up and down to the flag with the bow facing outward. Press the tape to the flag so it sticks.
  • With a wooden skewer poke a small hole in the bottom of the inside of the cup, close to the edge where the seam is.
  • Apply glue to bottom and side of the flag toward the bottom to hold the flag steady.  Insert flag and attach it to the cup.  Hold steady with a clothes pin.
  • Attach both pictures so that they can be seen.  The words are important to see.
  • Place about 1/3 to 1/2 cup of red crimp at the bottom of the cup.
  • Insert mason jar lid, then mason jar.
  • Insert Patriotic Hershey's kisses into a small cellophane bag and insert into the mason jar. 
  • Twist the silver pipe cleaner around the bag top at the 1/4 mark of the pipe cleaner. Leave about 3/4 of the link free to form a heart.  (Isn't  that sweet?!!) 
  • Form a heart with the remaining 3/4 of pipe cleaner length.
  • Wrap the Uncle Sam hat with a measure of bakers twine at the striped base of the outside of the hat leaving enough room to tie a bow. (Approximately 12")
  • To make your life easier, tie knots in the twine BEFORE you cut.
  • Attach the Uncle Sam hat with the bakers twine and tie a bow.
 
Tah-dah!  

I'd be interested in hearing about any unique 4th of July creations you have created.

Until next time...













 

Spring Brunch Fun

Greetings Friends!  Thank you for reading my blog today! 

Today, I am going to share with you a very colorful and fun Spring Brunch. First, I will show you a video of my tablescape.  Than I'll add a few more pictures and  comments.



The picture below is a "Before" picture.

I felt the table needed something but I couldn't think of what it was.  After asking my sister, Jane, to look at it, she suggested I paint the rims of the Terra cotta plates.  I knew immediately that is what was needed and considered my sister to be a genius at that moment.


Below is what the table looked like after the rims of the Terra cotta plates were painted.  They served beautifully as chargers for the colored Fiesta Ware plates that would host the scrumptious brunch.  I removed the top plate with the hostess gift while we enjoyed our brunch.  Don't you agree the painted rims are just the ticket!




The party favors were the felt watering cans filled with flower pens. 
The felt frog nut cups were filled with instant coffee packets and a chocolate spoon.



Below is a picture of the absolutely delicious brunch we partook of.


We enjoyed a wonderful egg casserole topped with guacamole, salsa, sour cream and green onions.  The fruit was cut into diminutive bite sized pieces. A scrumptious Almond Pastry added to the enjoyment of the meal.  Bagels were also an option.  Here is the recipe for the best egg casserole dish you will ever have.  It is perfect for feeding a crowd.  Perfect for Easter, Mothers Day, Birthday's, Showers, or any other occasion you can think of.


Anniversary Eggs

8 eggs
1 pint cottage cheese
1 cup Bisquick
2 cups cheddar cheese
1 cup milk
1/2 cup melted butter

Mix all ingredients well, pour into a greased 9” by 13” pan and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes or until center is set and the edges are slightly browned. Serve with various toppings.  Bacon bits, salsa, guacamole, shredded cheese, black olives, green onions, sour cream are all good. 

Recipe furnished by Patty Bivens





Working backwards, here was the wreath at the entrance to my home.  I love whimsical!



Along with the whimsical wreath, gigantic flowers greeted my guests and set the mood. 

We all enjoyed a delightful brunch and then decoupaged Terra cotta plates to take home.  What a fun activity!

Hope you enjoyed viewing my Spring Brunch.  I'd love to hear about any ideas you are planning to execute this Spring.  

Until next time~
  












Last Minute, Fun Valentines Gifties for your "Gal"entines

Greetings to my faithful blog followers!  I hope you are well and living a delightful life.
Today, I am going to share some really FUN Valentines gifties I shared with a few of my friends and my sweet sister.  I got this giggly feeling inside when I thought of these and I think my friends got a good giggle too.  This gift proves you don't have to spend a lot of money to give someone a measure of delight.  These were $4 each.  (Sorry friends if you thought I spent more.)  They are very useful too, you'll see.

When I desire to give multiple gifts, I try to find a cost pleasing way to delight my gifties and create things that bring us the delight of giving too.

I trotted my behind down to The Dollar Tree and purchased adorable Valentines socks, a little sparkly manicure set, a bottle of nail polish, and a hair brush.  Stick with me, it will make sense in a minute!

I placed these things strategically in a clear cellophane bag and tied it with a red ribbon.  You could use any ribbon you like.  What made this gift so delightful (in my opinion :-) ) was the little card I attached to the bag.  It read:

 
I Love You...
From the Top of Your Head
To the Tips of Your Toes!

Debbie








I received very positive responses. :-) You, too, can achieve success in delighting others at a reasonable cost.  Another added bonus was that it didn't have any calories and can only be used for good!  :-)

Additionally, here's a fun and inexpensive giftie you can quickly assemble and give by clicking here: Valentines To-Go Gifts

 
 



I will be sharing my Valentines Dinner Party tablescape for anyone who loves to create and view such things in my next post.  If you like Vintage glass, you will love this table.

Until next time~


PS, I always love to read your comments.  They make my heart smile!