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.

 

The Mario Karty Party is OVA!

My sweet little boy had his Mario Kart party yesterday. He was so happy. Enough said.

Here are some sneak peeks. Hope to post the rest of the pics and deets soon:)

I am simply obsessed with the vibe of Confetti System

I made my own version and it was dazzling

The dramatic kid's dining table

the kids flipped over this

cutest lollipops in the universe

more deets on Lollipop Girl very soon:)

plumber's PVC pipes I painted and

designed into little dessert pedestals

PVC idea ripped from Grey Grey

a sweet cake for the sweetest boy

The Supa Fly Gavin Rave...

My sweet baboo, Gavin, turned 6 this week.  Gavin adores the Fly Guy series of books by the amazing Tedd Arnold. Every week Gavin brings home a new Fly Guy book from his library day at Kindergarten. So sweet. Nothing I could think of more perfect than a Fly Gavin Rave for my little chimp. Of course, I had to make most of the items because there aren't many dirty fly decor items readily available for purchase . LOL. I added regular old dirty houseflies, fly swatters and garbage cans into the mix as well...It was such a fun & filthy day for our boy and his besties.

Handmade is my game. Some interesting deets..I used gray throughout this party as my neutral. I dig gray.
I also tried to echo the iridescence of a fly's wings throughout. I bought lots of iridescent cellophane and fabric to craft and cover with. It was interesting, sparkling and beautiful. I also used a bit of my beautiful carnival glass collection.

I used lots of crazy, mismatched ribbons and trim... I adore the fresh and fun feel of wild and chaotic decor.

I also became besties with the underappreciated coffee filter..LOL!

Totally different and shocking-I did not have a dessert table...I displayed my desserts on both of the dining tables. I displayed them as mirror images of each other. The kids were beyond excited about it. It was intimate and charming and just so old school. I loved it and so did the guests.

I featured a Treats and Trinkets Favor Table. The little chimps filled their own favor buckets and they were so stoked and excited when it they found out they were able to fill their own buckets! It was so cute..And I learned that most kids choose red for anything and everything...LOL!

Enjoy the pics. It was an amazing day. I love my Supa Fly Little Guy to the moon and back:)

handmade invitation for hip + tiny raves

I dig gray.

Fly Guy trapped in a colorful garland

of ric rac, pom trim, ribbon and felt.

Buzzzzzzing around handmade paper flowers.

 handmade paper flowers with layers

of iridescent cello mixed in to

echo a fly's wings.

custom knock knock birthday sign

by the dazzling Knock Knock Factory

hand dyed coffee filter flowers in galvanized garbage cans

served as the centerpieces. With buzzing

flies above of course.

glitta:)

custom Knock Knock Factory Sign

hand painted and glittered fly swatters;)

I glittered the edges of the coffee filter flowers

two dining tables for the kids

prizes for the games

spoons with fly swatter covers

I affixed crazy trims and flies

to each napkin setting

dining tables

special guest from Cali

 Wow. Could I possibly have taken any more

pics of the dining tables? LOL.

I like this pic...LOL

real kids eating lunch:)

whole lotta boys...

activity, game and playstation room

pool table, ping pong tables, games

wii and xbox area

books

peace.

Keep the fly on the fly swatter, one arm behind your back

and race..Everyone wins:)

Fly Vision craft.

Really a kaleidescope;)

party favor for the Mamas.

Treats and Trinkets Favor Table.

Idea I saw and ripped off from the

charming & talented Jennifer-Posh Tot Events

lollipops I wrapped in tissue then

the iridescent cellophane.

Fly Gavin in his

Birthday Finest:)

The kid is Supa Fly

Supa Fly & Cute

Dessert time:)

Carvel ice cream cups, cake pops,

cookies, jellybeans and cake push ups

were on each table-family style.LOL

cake balls by Terri's Party Treasures.

OMCB

Oh My Cake Balls

 Glittered fly swatter cookies?

Check.

The Dazzling Sara~Dandy Delights



Mini Kandy Kones with

Jelly Belly beans.

Do I need to tell you who made these

ridiculously adorable and covered

in flies and glitter kones?

Superchick is Supa Fly

I tie dyed coffee filters and fashioned them

into couture covers for my Carvel cups..

Come on, you know that's funny:)

Special Fly Guy cookie by Dandy Delights.

Cake by Mama:)

I made my sweet baboo

his own special cake~

covered with flies:) 

Def one of my fave projects.

No comment.

birthday wishes for the boy.

true love.

the original fly guy

Glittery junk by me:)

Special thanks to my party posse. I know I am a demanding, picky and insane client. You ladies all did such an extraordinary job and made my chimp's birthday so special. xo

Custom Door Sign {The Knock Knock Factory}

Mini Kandy Kones {Posh Party Pretties}

Cake Pops {Terri's Party Treasures}

Cookies {Dandy Delights}

Custom Fly Guy Shirt {Peanut & Pumpkin}