July 09, 2009

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE

This is your mission if you choose to accept it.

Make this space beautiful. Oh, and you have a $50 dollar budget.

!?!WHAT!?!


Seriously, this was my task.
I was asked by ladies at my church to help decorate for the final evening at girls camp. It was based on the parable of the 10 virgins in the bible. So basically this final evening was to look like a wedding feast.

Loved the concept, but was overwhelmed with how to basically pull off a wedding reception on $50 bucks.

I had to get REALLY creative to accomplish this and after pondering what I needed to do, the thought came to me that nature was free. So, on the day of the event I was picking magnolias for my centerpieces in 90 degree heat and bugs EVERYWHERE.
.
I had to use taper candles instead of pillar candles because of the expense, but actually I think it looked better.

I couldn't find taper candle holders that were low like tea light holders, so again, I had to get really creative. Votives and sand did the trick and looked amazing. It added to the simple, rustic theme I wanted.

We borrowed lights and hung them with tulle to create a "tented" look.

What do you think?




I borrowed rustic pots and used a lot of my home's decoration to create a focal point on the beautiful stone fireplace.


It was an honor to be involved with this special night. It created a fancy evening for girls who had "roughed it" all week.


Many of the leaders who had been at camp all week were so kind and helped for all of the 5 hours it took to get things done.

Here are just a few of the many helpers I had.

Words cannot express my gratitude.
Thank you!!!




I would say ~ mission completed.

xo Emily xo


28 comments:

CrzySoapLdy said...

It looks fab, Emily - you did a great job!

Kristina P. said...

Emily, it looks like a wedding reception! It is GORGEOUS!!

Emily Anne Leyland said...

Thanks girls. I've never been so nervous to make something turn out "right" in all my life. It did though. Yay!!!

Salty Gal said...

You are so awesome! How big is your ward back there? I'm curious...since I've always lived in a state that has a lot of LDS people. They are lucky to have you :)

Candace said...

That is awesome and gorgeous!!! You did an amazing job!!! I love the ceiling, how did you do it????

Emily Anne Leyland said...

Why thank you Brit! Our ward is pretty average sized now. We just split though because it was getting so big. about 120 each week I think. We moved to the Charlotte area 3 years ago and I've never been happier.

Emily Anne Leyland said...

Candace- we hung Christmas lights and stapled them to the beams and then hung white tulle to give it a draped tented effect. Thanks woman.

Heather said...

woah! you are a decorating DIVA!!! I bet you get a call from Martha Stewart soon ;)

* said...

What a beautiful job! I'm heading to my YW Girl's Camp tomorrow...wishing there was a feast like that one at the end of it, but more likely it'll be fast food burgers on the trip home.

You are creative & frugal & amazing...to the core!!

Shelle-BlokThoughts said...

Okay, you're amazing! I am not worthy to be called your friend... for real!

You DID AWESOME!

rummage family said...

Through the heat, bugs, and stealing wheat.....I had a blast doing this "impossible" project with you! You're awesome!

Emily Anne Leyland said...

HAHAHA- y'all crack me up. I sooo appreciate the encouraging comments. Thanks from the heart of my bottom ;)

Kendra@My Insanity said...

Very impressed! (visiting from Just a Girl). I know a bit about girls camp and small budgets. I was craft director this year, and am blogging about the projects we did, now that it is over, and I can take the time to blog about it.

Don't be surprised if you start getting lots of requests to decorate for real weddings, after this! It's really lovely. I never would have guessed it was a girls camp from the photos!

Jennifer Juniper said...

It looks magical and I can't believe you spent only $50! You win the award for most creative use of money.

Lynda @ SportsMadGirl said...

50 bucks - are kidding me. That was fabulous and you are amazing. Thanks for sharing.

Emily Anne Leyland said...

Thanks y'all!! And I was $20 over my budget. Shhhhhh :)

Rewinder said...

this is amazing!

Blessed Momma said...

Wow, fab job! This reminds me of my own wedding so much! We had it ourdoors at night over a pond with white lights and tuell(however you spell that) everywhere. The reception looked similar. Great job, and on 50 bucks!!! you go girl!


www.weareblessedathome.blogspot.com

Martha said...

It looks beautiful! You did an awesome job on a budget of $50!

Darci said...

WOW! What a transformation. You have such vision. I've never seen such a creation at girls camp.

Neisey said...

That turned out awesome! Good job.

Rain said...

Very nicely done. You have great ideas, they probably knew you would come up with something great. Hope the party was fun. -HurricaneKassi

Elizabeth said...

Emily,
You did a beautiful job! Very elegant and serene.
Elizabeth

Mac said...

We knew asking Emily to get the job done was pure inspiration. I don't know anyone else that could have done what she did on the budget she was given. The whole evening was very special, but when the girls walked through the doors into the 'feast' I know they were absolutely shocked at the transformation. A memory that will last a lifetime and more. Can't thank you enough!!

mary.liz said...

Emily that is BEAUTIFUL!! What a magical transformation! I wish I could have had something like that at any of the Girls Camps I've ever been to, as a YW or a leader! How special and what a treat for all the campers. I bet they didn't want to go. You are amazing! What a great way to bring the Spirit even more to such an event. I bet pictures don't even do it justice! Good job!

Rainy Day Farm said...

I just found your site from Just a Girl, and I am so impressed. That room looks so beautiful. You did a great job for $50. Can't wait to come back for more ideas.

Calhounville said...

yall did a great job....it just lets you know you don't need much money to make events look fab

Adam and Sariah said...

Extremely Impressive...now I know who to call when I need to decorate my living room and all I have I have is $20