Best Friend Goodbyes

Thrifty Centrepiece

Over the past 4 years, ministry for me has included the coordination of many special events.

I love planning a party and approach each event as just that, as my philosophy of ministry has determined that any time we meet in Christ's Name - it should be a time of celebration.

Read the Bible.

Jesus went to a lot of parties!

I've enjoyed the challenge of planning these parties on a budget, keeping in mind good stewardship including using up resources we already have on hand.

Recently, I required a total of 22 table centrepieces for 2 different church events, on a limited budget. I also wanted to do something different.

One can only utilize fake flowers and rose bowls for so long!

(Not that there's anything wrong with fake flowers and rose bowls.)

(They're perfectly fine.)

(Okay. I'm tired of fake flowers and rose bowls.)

I went to an idea I had borrowed from a friend back in our CFOT days and used it 2 years ago for a Passover Seder Supper event we held, and again for our Easter Sunday Breakfast.


Gather a group of volunteers to help out and you're gala prep will be ready to go in no time.

Supplies:

8.5" x 11" cardstock
Stamp
Ink
Scrap of cardstock for stamped image
Ribbon
Hole Punch
Scorer
Scissors
Printer
Microsoft Word

Instructions:

(Although I've no doubt you can tell what to do just by looking at them.)

Stamp scraps of cardstock and cut out, as desired, leaving enough room for 1 hole to be punched.

Using Word on your computer, align 8.5" x 11" page in landscape layout and choose 3 columns. Proceed with typing anything and everything you want your centrepiece to say. (You could include graphics and omit the entire stamping part at this point, if you want.)

Print out, score (use ruler if needed) and fold.

Punch 2 holes at the same time 1/2 way down ends.

Punch 1 hole in stamped cardstock piece.

Thread ribbon through all 3 holes and tie in a bow/knot, tight enough that centrepiece will stand on its own.

Voila!

They're high enough to add colour to each table, but low enough that they don't interrupt conversation.

How cute would these be with the person-of-honour's pic on it?

WWJD?

He'd go to a party!

And he'd be the kindest person there.

And the winner is...

Oh yes, ladies and gents, it's Oscar time!

The razzle, the dazzle, and the always popular red carpet runway.

Here are a few pics we took standing outside the Kodak Theatre, home of the Oscars, last May.

Looks so much smaller and dumpier less-extravagant in real life vs. on the telly.

The whole area was a little seedy, actually.

Interesting experience.

Hmmmm.

But ya know what?

I watch the Oscars every year.

Like, since I was a tween.

Often with Mom and a big bowl of popcorn between us.

I love the snazzy outfits and creative acceptance speeches.

Who could forget Robert Benigni's leap over a chair, or Cuba Gooding Jr.'s squeals of "WOW!"

Or Bjork's swan dress?

Or anything that Cher has worn?

Good ol' Hollywood fun and yet, not without its controversy over the years.

Whether you love Oscar night or loathe it with all of your being, it always winds up being the topic of conversation the next day.

Bring on the popcorn!

(I'm probably on the phone with my Mom as you're reading this.)

Kisses

In case you can't read the small print, it says:

"I like you so much, I'm sharing my treats!"

These were super easy to put together,
except for the temptation to sample the goods.

Nevertheless, these valentabulous (ya, just made that one up) treat bag toppers are free for you to print and can be found at Living Locurto, along with many, many other neat-o Valentine's Day ideas and fun, everyday printables.

Linked to: Finer Things Friday, Fingerprints On the Fridge, Virtual Valentine's Day Party, Fireflies & Jellybeans, Pink Saturday, Frugalicious Friday, Saturday Nite Special.

Catching Up from October

I had fun accompanying Blaise on his first school field trip which was to the Cow Expo at the Agri-Trade Show.

Blaise helped Daddy make his great-great-great grandmother's authentic Italian spaghetti sauce.

Our Pirate Girl went to a Halloween party hosted by a friend from school. It was THE most Halloweenish-decorated house I'd ever seen!

Carving the pumpkin at home.

Our spooky kidlets on Halloween night.

Party Planning

I'm combining the following pictures in my plans...

...to create a very special 5th birthday party for Blaise.

Passover Seder Pics

Centrepieces I made, based on the original kept from our Seder experience at CFOT. (I really enjoy the decorating part of events!)


Richard Muller from Jews for Jesus Canada, gathers all the children to explain the hiding of the Afikoman.


A display of the interesting Seder symbols that Richard brought with him.