I don't mind short-cuts, easy ways out. I use paper plates for company. I love paper towels. Crock pots. Spray paint. But if I get an idea in my head, no matter how complicated, I am stubborn. I have to see it, try it.
John knows me well. Instead of opting for using several lighthouse collections for a friend's reception, I wanted something BIGGER, BOLDER, MESSIER, MORE TIME CONSUMING...I thought it wouldn't take long to do. He shakes his head knowingly, stays supportive, but isn't surprised when I am stressing over the time it takes to finish a creative project.
These are almost done, with 2 1/2 days to spare!
Centerpieces Need HEIGHT! But not too much.
Ever been at a party and the centerpiece is right in your sight line--you can't see across the table? One of my pet peeves. But I also think centerpieces need height, some presence, make a statement, be noticeable, tie in with the theme, add conversation cues, and be fun!
These started out as cereal boxes, yougurt containers, ice cream, sour cream. I raided the recycling bin.
Made my own paper mache paste from 2 parts water to 1 part flour. Ripped wrapping paper and used the white side up.
Needed to smooth out the angles. If you have ever filled cracks with expanding foam, you know how much it can poof! I got the kind for cracks. Sprayed it out and then quickly spread it out with a plastic knife to texture the walls.
If it expands more than you want, you can wait until it dries and use a saw knife to make it smaller.
I primed them (spray paint) and then painted them the exact color of the sand.
Glue is on sale with back-to-school sales! I smeared it all over the castles with my hands, than rubbed sand all over the walls, nooks and crannies.
An outside project! Messy, but fun. One neighbor walked by with her dog and said I looked like I was in a huge sandbox.
The goal was to create 10 table beach-scapes, they didn't need to all match, which encourages creativity! I have shells and beach glass to add, already painted the plant dishes they will go in...
Saturday I will upload pictures from the Nuzman beach-themed wedding reception to show them in context.
P.S. note: lots of compliments and questions about how I did them! Too bad they aren't weather proof, or I would make a huge one in our backyard--which actually sounds kind of fun, if we built a play fort, I could faux paint it, add sand...
Sam had a great time eating cake (white chocolate sea shells and brown sugar "sand") and dancing.
