The Green Grass Gala {styled shoot for the Designer's Challenge}

I simply adore all things party. When I was invited by Ebony {Sparkling Events & Designs} to be a part of the Designer's Challenge on a serious budget, I was over the moon. Stoked to design some dazzle and kind of freaking out over the teenie, tiny budget. No likey budgets. The list of invited designers to this challenge is astounding-and I am humbled to be in the presence of such ridic fabulousness.
My design was inspired by a sweet + charming book that is a fave of my little chimps. I tried to come up with clever + playful details while staying true to my style. I made best friends with the pipe cleaner (or "chenille stem" as the classy people call them) I surprised myself and found it easy enough to stay under that budget. I had a lot of  anxiety taking part in this amazing + unique experiment. I hope you can smile and find a little inspiration in my entry.

colorful chameleon

{green grass gala}

My chimps adore the beautiful book A Color of His Own by the brilliant Leo Lionni. The story is about a little green chameleon that gets sad because he changes color all the time and does not have a unique color of his own like other animals do. He meets an older, wiser green chameleon who suggests if they stick together, they will always be the same color as each other. Happy endingJ

My challenge design was based off of this charming little book. A sweet, little green chameleon that changes colors wherever he winds up. I adore handmade touches and creative + inexpensive DIY ideas.

The kraft table runner was designed to be kid friendly and to doodle on for serious entertainment. The centerpiece was the simplest idea and quite adorable and impactful. The potato sacks on the chairs add to the earthy + whimsical vibe and I thought the were a funny touch;) The oversized paint chip swatches were perfection for kid-friendly + fun coasters. The place settings were simply colored paper plates with a coordinating chameleon to represent the chameleon changing colors. I twisted pipe cleaners into initials for a cute finishing touch at each place setting. The green in the grass + chameleon centerpiece and sparkling water added the green neutral for the table.

The dessert and favor table was sweet + simple. The chameleon blowouts were the easiest craft. Ever. You blow them out and it looks like the chameleons tongue. The Beanie Baby chameleons were a ridiculously lucky find. I made the little “Chameleon Cages” to take the Beanies homeJ The marshmallow pops were coordinated with the cutest little chameleons and a perfect portion for a kid. The fondant toppers were brilliant, beautiful and glittered-HOLLA! They added the sparkling, polished finishing touch to store bought cupcakes.

The chameleon stencil tote is an easy and inexpensive craft. It is an Earth friendly way to tote around important stuff like army men, Fun Dip and McDonalds Smurf figurinesJ I hope you laugh and find a little inspiration in my wicked crazy “Green” interpretation. We adore the charm of A Color of His Own and I am honored to have been asked to be a part of such an amazing challenge + experiment.

Special thanks and glittery smooches to:
My fondant chick: ToniAnn {Brooklyn Treat Shoppe}
My marshmallow chick: Elizabeth {Stix N Pops}

Lone Benjamin Budget Breakdown + Deets:

Dining Table:Table, folding chairs, table cloth, forks, paper plates-personal collection: FREE
Roll of kraft paper: 4.00 (Michaels)
Three faux grass pieces: 7.50 (Michaels)
Two packages pipe cleaners: 2.00 (Dollar Tree)
Googly eyes for chameleons: from my craft supplies: FREE
Chair covers-old potato sacks I have had for about 10 yrs: FREE
Misc ribbon + twine on centerpiece/chairs/table-my own supplies: FREE
Two packages of mini colored pencils: 2.00 (Michaels)
Coordinating paint chip coasters: FREE (Wal-Mart)
Pipe Cleaner initials for each place setting: included with cost above
San Pellegrino sparkling water: 4.00 (Shop Rite)

Dessert Table:Two tiered dessert stand, whiteware platters-personal collection: FREE
Party hats: 5.00 (Party City) {embellished with Sweetheart Art my chimps drew and decorated with ribbon scraps: FREE}
Chameleon party blowouts: 1.00 (Wal-Mart){embellished with glittered foam: 2.00 (Wal-Mart) and scraps of cardstock/sequins from my own supply: FREE}
Chameleon marshmallow pops: 6.00 (Stix N Pops)
Fondant chameleon cupcake toppers: 6.00 (Brooklyn Treat Shoppe)
Cupcakes: 6.00 (Wal-Mart)
Beanie Baby Chameleons: 12.00 (AC Moore)
Chameleon Cages Boxes: 2.00 (my little chimps drew the artwork, I fashioned them into Sweetheart Art Chameleon cages)
Backdrop created with 2 pieces foam board: 2.00
Kraft paper for backer: Included in roll price above
Chameleon garland: Cost included above with pipe cleaners, googly eyes, twine

Craft Table: Reusable + recyclable tote bags: 3.00 (AC Moore)
Paints: 4.00 (AC Moore)
Dabbers: 2.00

Invitation: My own design and supplies



TOTAL SPENT: $70.50
*If this were a real party, I would estimate I would have spent an additional $20 on food.