Easy to make and fun to serve, use cut PVC Pipe for the base of a festive napkin ring!

It’s a little on the DIY side of projects, but The Junior League of Houston implemented this idea for their recent Charity Ball and I just thought I would pass it along. It seemed like a unique idea to bring some pizazz to plain ole’ black or white napkins… Here, they simply painted cut pieces of painted PVC Pipe and glued on Feathers and Stones to match the look of the surrounding decor.

You can have your local Hardware Store, Lowe’s or Home Depot cut the pipe for you there, on site. Or, for an even more quick fix and less permanent use, you could simply cut Paper Towel or T.P. Tubes with an exact-o knife (Scissors might distort shape).

Cover it in Moss with a flower on top for a Ladies Spring Luncheon… Glue it inside torn strips of bandanna and tie the ends in a knot for a B-B-Q…  or simply wrapped with an array of ribbon…How creative can you be with this concept?

The Gilt Studio custom designed and handcrafted 14 of these Gilt Hands and Gazing Ball centerpieces as party decoration for the Junior League of Houston’s annual Charity Ball Fundraiser event. This year’s theme was “Abracadabra”, a nod to Old World Witch Craft and Wizardry.

As though invited to gaze into your fortune teller’s Crystal Ball, these sculptures are of Gilt Plaster Hands gilded with Dutch Metal Gold Leaf and plaster molds, cast from my very own hands! In turn, with the help of my AMAZING crew, we leveled and mounted each hand onto recycled slabs of Marble and Granite positioned to pedestal the illusive gazing ball high for all to ponder… Who?! What?! When?! Where?! Why?!…

It was a very elegant and, from what I hear, successful event to which we are delighted to have been able to contribute!

Congratulations Junior League of Houston and many thanks to my crew: Mom, Aunt Kathy, Mosettee, and Ross!

-Palmer

…for a fun last minute baby birthday vase. Our flowers were ideal for the occasion, pink and white daises for a little girls 2nd Birthday Dolly Party. But, when our host realized her vase supply was out of stock, we had to find something else that would pleasantly display her blossomed bouquet.

With the party colored in pink and green, it just so happens that her drinking glasses matched just right. We simply cut a string of ribbon around the width of the glass and taped it in back, over lapping the ends and rolling the tape the width of the ribbon to tack it under neath, so that it appeared seamless… costing no more than what was already in the cabinet and taking no more time than a snip here and a tac there.

It worked great for us, and if you find the need, it can work great for you too!

Enjoy!

-Palmer

Here is an extremely simple, no expense, yet festive spin on a time saver idea in preparing to host a weekend long event.

If you do not already know, it is helpful to pre- set and stash away the different “condiments” involved before party time for the various needs throughout an event. For example, when organizing the different meals, don’t just plan ahead the meal to be served, but take one more step and organize ahead of time the dishes and utensils to be used in serving.

At our recent Birthday Beach Bash, we counted out ahead of time which plates, napkins and utensils we would need per meal per person. As usual, we bundled them into groups per meal and labeled each group with a sticky note. That way, when it was time to use them, anyone could just reach in the bucket and know what goes where and when! In honor of celebration, Brooke took one extra step further in preparation and tied each bundle with a birthday bow! The act was so simple, but transformed a strategic necessity into a birthday festive decoration all its own!

Good idea, Brooke, and thanks for your help!