Thursday, September 11, 2008

I Went to a Garden Party

I helped host a garden party yesterday.
I was in charge of decorating seven dining tables and the buffet table. I wanted to do something simple, inexpensive and garden-y. I decided to use grass for the centerpieces. I thought about growing wheat grass, but then came up with an even easier idea. . .buying sod. I just needed something to put the grass in. I could have bought baskets but, at my house, it's much cheaper to build something than to buy. Fortunately I have a very supportive husband, (he really likes it when I give him a lot of compliments on my blog) who helps me carry out my ideas. We bought cedar fencing and used it, and scrap wood, to build shallow square boxes to hold the sod. I like the fencing material because it smells good and it's roughness gives the project a rustic look. I painted the boxes with "oops" paint, then sanded them to give them an aged appearance. The sod was cut to fit inside each box.

I purchased a mum plant and cut it apart. The stems of the mum are stiff enough to stick into the sod and stand upright. The sod boxes were surrounded with votive holders that I purchase at a dollar store (3/$1). The holders were also gifts for the guests. I had tea lights burning inside, then they were sent home with new scented votives.

After cutting the sod for the boxes, I had
a long thin piece of sod left;
a perfect size for the buffet table.

We built a box six feet long by seven inches wide. To make it stand above the food,
we added six small balusters for legs.
I used my little silver insects to help decorate the buffet table, too.The event was a lot of fun!

And now that it's over I can catch up
on my blog reading and comments! ;~)

43 comments:

frillsfluffandtrucks said...

What a wonderful idea! I've seen wheatgrass done before (especially at Easter time) but never sod. I like the way you elevated the box on the buffet table, too.

~ Sarah

the undomesticated wife said...

Very cute, such a cheerful table!

The insects: love!!!

Unknown said...

Wow.... Now that's a tablescape! great job Joy! I would love to eat what's in those bowls right now, hehe~

Anonymous said...

You have just outdone yourself again. Love the large piece on the buffet table. Will you be repurposing it in your garden?

joelandbecca said...

That makes me hungry! It also makes me want to wear a cute dress. What cute ideas for the table!

Unknown said...

absolutely splendid! i love the whole post, but i really, really love the idea of sending home new votives with the candle holder favors. it's all in the small, sweet details!

Darlene said...

WOW...Joy I think you out-do yourself on each post!!! WHAT a cute idea for a garden party luncheon! Absolutely adorable!

Georgia Girl said...

Those boxes are adorable. Love them! The food looked yummy also...see it is lunch adn I should have waited to come to your post cause now I want all the yummy stuff that was on the table...

MMK said...

This was really, really cute! I am going to file this idea for future use! I've had to decorate for several parties and auctions and dinners and I'm always trying to come up with something different! I especially liked the silver bugs! Reminds me of an art installation in the Atlanta Airport! Giant 2 ft. ants crawling all over the ceiling beams in one section of the arrival area! Enjoying my subscription to your blog! Marla

Georgia Girl said...

PS...Joy come over and give me a suggestion on my blog today..I need help!

JoAnne said...

What a great idea!!

Anonymous said...

Hi there
That looks sooo awesome. YOu did a great job with the buffet table. The mums look so lovely and bright. Some people are sooo good. love it!

Have a lovely day...come by for a visit.
Judi

Aranne and Dan said...

What a clever idea. So fun and festive. I actually just stumbled on your blog and took a good long look... I love all your ideas. They are great!

Valarie Lea said...

Where do you come up with this stuff???

Blogger said...

Beautiful!

Do you watch "Desperate Housewives?" lol Because when you said you co-hosted a luncheon, it just sort of reminded me of last season when Bree and Kathryn co-hosted an event and Bree sabotaged everything Kathryn did, it was hilarious...my little guilty pleasure, can't wait for the new season to begin :)

Sometimes I buy a small, cheap planter of grass at a local grocery store here and put it in my kitchen window, it lasts a few weeks before I kill it, but it's calming and pretty to look at while it lasts :)

Bella

Inspired Kara said...

A-dorable. Will be stealing this for one of two bridal showers I'm helping with in the spring. I LOVE it.

Shannon said...

How fun and how cute!! You are so creative! If that doesn't say "garden party" I don't know what does!

nikkicrumpet said...

I just love how you can take a simple idea and turn it into something MARVELOUS! What an adorable way to decorate a table!!!

Michelle said...

that was such a good idea...looked great!

Insight, Insanity, Imagination said...

so cute! I love the idea of using sod!


Once again, you amaze me!

Twice as Nice said...

Simply elegant. LOVE it.

ElizabethClare said...

Love garden parties. Sounds like a wonderful way to soak up the last remaining days of summer. I think fall is already here in Iowa..winter won't be far away!

Blessings to you and yours,

Angie said...

It all looks wonderful! You are so good and you know it!!!

Miss Looney Tunes said...

fabulous, like usual! what power tools/tools do yall use for all your wood working projects??? I want to assemble a pack to have here and do our own projects... another thing.. i messed up a spray paint a table project but I don't know how.. it looks splotchy.. i wanted to know what your secrets are.. I sanded w/ 220 (didn't prime b/c the primer i bought was for metal, oops) and spray painted 2 coats then used spray paint lacquer.. HELP!!
If it's easier my addy is tbarmendariz@hotmail.com

Virginia said...

Another great idea. Absolutely adorable!
Blessings, Virginia

Ms. Tee said...

Oh, that is a very cute idea! I especially love the raised box. :)

Sue said...

OH MY GOODNESS!!! This is too cute! I love the idea and the buffet table with the box on the legs is a wonderful idea. You better keep that hubby...but it's you who comes up with the ideas!!!

Adventure girl said...

New here. Very nice blog.

Empty Nest Full Life said...

What a great table centerpiece. I could see all sorts of things going on in that raised box. I just wish I had your amazing creativity. Jackie

Amber said...

What fun decor! What was the occasion? I love the long box you used to spruce up the buffet! That would be a fabulous centerpiece in the middle of a long dining room table! You are lucky to be able to whip up such wooden craftmanship with ease!!!

Bonnie the Boss said...

So well done. Just so you know, I often find things at the second hand store that I think you will like. I wish you lived closer and we could go.

Mimi Sue said...

I love that sod idea. I have planted grass in baskets for an Easter thing we did one year. It was kind of a pain. You are one clever gal and it looked great. Mimi

sweet momma luv u said...

Such a cute idea! I think it is awesome that hubby likes to build things for you. Sod is fantastic!
Clever idea's.

Great fall decor also!
J

Brenda said...

We put sod in cigar boxes ( of various types) with daisies from my garden for my son's wedding. He really wanted the cigar boxes and we weren't really sure what to put in them. Grass seemed to suit the barbeque event.
We also did a candy bar (noon barbeque). Each setting had a cellphane bag with a sticker (of the bride and groom's picture) to close the bag once they filled it at the bar. The candies were in various vases from IKEA so candy could be poured out (no touching) Thanks for letting me share.
Brenda, in Canada

cherry said...

Oh what fun to plan a party...great theme...and great bugs! OHhh and hubby did a great job too. cherry

Shell in your Pocket said...

How wonderful...I love arrangements with the "grass". A garden party sounds so fun...the smallest details is what makes and event so special!
-Sandy Toes

The Dragonfly said...

Too clever! Glad you were able to get out and attend a garden party. Out here our "garden" weather is turning into raking weather and I think I may have to get our my fall today.

Anonymous said...

Hi there and wow! I can see so many possibilities with that long table planter you and hubby made! I caught up on your posts and loved them all!!!! Since our taste is the same you had lots of eye candy for me. Just one question; when you get a second could you tell me the red paint color (if you remember??)Keep the posts comin I adore them!lol Thanks - Sincerely, Jeannette

Wendy said...

What a great idea!!! (Love the little bugs)

Katie said...

I love that!

M.L. @ The House of Whimsy said...

I always love coming to your blog. There's always such great inspiration here. Thanks for sharing!!

Mrs. Laura Lane said...

Hi!
I just thought I'd let you know that I have added to you my blog favorites list!

God bless you.

Laura

Unknown said...

I'm more than a month late on this one, but it's a great idea. I"m hosting a baby shower next month and I wanted to try some different things for decor. Love the idea and I'll post what ever I end up doing in my blog next month. Take care.
JuJu

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