This is day 1 of a four part series showcasing my outdoor makeover, courtesy of KMart, and a Flamingo Soirée, inspired by Party Bluprints dot Com, to celebrate my new outdoor space.
the inspiration - original mixed media drawing 14' X 10 "
Oh my goodness…this has been a crazy two weeks. I invited all my children, their spouses and their children to come to the beach for Memorial Day Weekend. And to be true to my image as a creative lifestyle evangelist, I had to make it a bang up celebration. I promised not ‘just’ a party, but an entire outdoor makeover!!! So how do I do this? huuuummmmm……
THE INSPIRATION
I have just finished a flamingo painting and I knew that would be the theme. I had a theme and just a spark of an idea, yet I needed more. I began by browsing some of my fave blogs for ideas when I came across this post at Party Bluprints dot Com. Dawn Sandomeno had two amazing posts just waiting for me (and you) ~Tips For Creating An Amazing Outdoor Party Space! and The Super Summer Outdoor Party Menu! She partnered with Kmart to come up with wonderful ways to transform any outdoor space. I called my daughter in Atlanta, who loves to entertain, and we talked food and drinks. I told her to browse Party Bluprints dot Com too. I downloaded Dawn’s party blueprint, headed to KMart.com to browse their outdoor furniture and finished with hundreds of amazing ideas and some awesome new furniture to boot!!!
That story is to come.
THE INVITATIONS
First things first. Since I am launching a new company called Designer pARTy Shoppe~we put the ART in pARTy, I knew these better be good. I am known for innovative and attention getting invitations.
Of course they would have a flamingo as the star. I found these cute rubber flamingos a while ago and knew they would serve me in the future. So I designed this little party invitation in an old jewelry box. I painted the inside brown (like earth) and filled with lawn (dyed confetti)…as it is an outdoor makeover/flamingo party. I used PhotoShop to design the box wrapper* and the invitation. I glued the wrapper to the box lid with Elmer’s Glue. Then I plopped a flamings inside with the invitation card and voila…instant attention when it arrives in a guests mailbox. How could they not be intrigued?
THE PAPER DECOR
I would need to outdo myself on this one. The paper decorations are my forte, so the ideas just popped. There will be flamingos with a pink, green and yellow color scheme everywhere…not in your face, but subtle reminders here and there. Pink will prevail…great against the green of the outdoors.
As you see above I made charms for the pink straws. I placed labels on the pink and green salt and pepper shakers and toothpick holders. I could have gone overboard with these decorations, but I used constraint. Not easy for moi!!!
My fave design element so far is the cutlery holders. I made a sign for the outdoor cutlery (plastic of course) and glued it to a square glass vase filled with pink kidney beans and green split peas. You just have to see the up close…
fans for the Florida heat with the menuon them
Then there would be food decorations…toothpick toppers and perhaps even a few hot pink strawberry cupcakes.
There will be coordinating napkins and tablecloths. Festive indeed… You will need to wait until Day 4 to see how everything comes together however…tomorrow we talk about the KMart Outdoor makeover!!!
a Flamingo printable Designer pARTy Shoppe
A Flamings printable will be available soon in the Designer pARTy Shoppe plus full step-by-step directions for the invitation box and other party ideas will be posted next week. Please check back often…
Tomorrow we have the BIG Kmart makeover...,do not miss it!!!
Darling, darling, darling!!!!!! You are so stinkin’ creative!!!!
thank you Courtney…i have a big imagination!!! LOL
Magnificent, so creative! The flamingos are a nice touch and would be unusual here in New England!
I lack in the creative side. I loved your ideas especially the dried beans added to the utensils. What a great, functional way to add even more colors & texture to the decor. Great Job!
Pink Flamingos HOW FUN!
I love it! The cutlery holders are really my favorite thing, I would have never thought to do something like that!
I am in love with your flamingos! So cute!!! I think the beans holding cutlery is really clever, too.