Party cheap. Shop the House.

My daughter was called upon to throw a 25th anniversary party for her in-laws.  I offered to help with decorations because, well, you know.

Her Mom-in-law is also my dear friend Sheila, and I h'school her son Jason. You may also remember I did similar party at their place last year for Maddie's 20th birthday.  You'll recognize some of the items I re-used, but this was a different crowd so no one was the wiser :)

Burlap should be given some kind of award in the fall.  Don't cha think?  Seriously, it's like magic.  Except for when it catches on fire.  Ahem.

Rocks are also nice. I obviously stole some of my mantle decor for the occasion.  Everyone thought I was genius.  Nay, say I.  Cheap I am.  Like how I hid the stems in the 'vases' on the plastic roses?  Maddie tied regular napkins with some ribbon I picked up on clearance somewhere sometime in my sordid crafting past.

Here's a shot going all the way down the table.  The red striped tablecloth is a heavy weight piece of interior decor fabric I'm hoping someday to make into a floor cloth.  Key word here: someday.  Remember, nothing was purchased new for this party...except the three stacked punkins at the end (and some white roses you'll see in a minute.)

My daughter brought her IKEA coat hanger to display Sheila's bridal gown, which was crocheted by her grandma!  Can you believe that?  Gorgeous....  Maddie actually tried it on, but I didn't get a pic of that.

The detail is amazing.....below is Sheila on her wedding day.  Wasn't she beautiful?!  (Pretty sure I wore that same bridesmaid dress in teal for my sis' wedding in '89.  Pretty darn sure.  Actually, pretty sure my own wedding gown looked just like that bridesmaid dress, except in white in '86.  Sans the shiny bits.)

Here's Sheila with hubby Ron in the 'prom pose'.  *snort*

Maddie laid out the table with memorabilia....the notecards were handed out to each couple to write favorite memories of time spent with Sheila and Ron.  Her wedding bouquet surrounds their unity candle, which they tried to light, but no go.  Did I mention burlap catches fire easily?

Pitcher is mine from home, as is the Martha cake topper.  Vase was a special wedding gift they received. Maddie got crafty with some lettered wood pieces I brought.  I basically threw a ton of crap stuff in a big ole basket and figured we'd use it all somehow.

Here's my Maddie, who adorned one of the lacy serving aprons used at Sheila and Ron's wedding reception.  At least that's what Sheila says....I think maybe it was for the honeymoon.  Did I just type that outloud?

Here are a few more touches I scattered around the living room.  Remember these?

Fabric leaves and wicker balls.  Simple.

'Course it helps that their home is already decorated in warm russets and browns. And cameras....

Oh look.  It's Jason.  That's his "Can't I ever get away from my kooky teacher?" look.

It was a great evening of food, laughter, and food.  And dessert.  But I restrained myself from taking pics of the food.  And dessert.  Actually my camera battery died.

Maddie did a splendid job pulling everything together, and I had fun as usual froufifying someone else's house.  Now if I could just get my own house froufified to my satisfaction.  So how have you used stuff you already have at home to decorate for a party?