A Quick Update

Hi Everyone,

I've been sooo busy here at The Catersource & Events Idea Factory Convention. I wanted to write a quick update for everyone who has been emailing, texting, & calling me with good wishes. Thank you!
Yesterday was my first day to really get into the seminars and I've learned so much and met some really great people.

TODAY is set up day for my Table Top display.
TOMORROW is the judging and announcement of who the winners are at closing of the convention.

I must say, I've been having some self doubt since we went to the convention center on Sunday to unload all my stuff for the table top. Looks like everyone is bringing the Big Guns this years. Nothing like last year. Big companies too, one being Chumash Casino! There was only one other contestants stuff there when we set up and they had a big tree!
We had to make two trips. First we dropped off all the table top stuff then we had to get the chairs and drop them.I'm glad we put all our stuff in Sunday, as there weren't many people so we got in and got out easily & quickly.   Had we done it yesterday, it would have taken forever waiting our turn to get in.

Great guys that helped us in and gave me some tips. I guess last year some contestants did steal idea's from others, hmmmm.

Set up space for all of the contestants

My space is kind of in the middle on the far side.
 Terry is pissed I'm where I am and not in a corner. I think it will be fine as long as I stand out.

I just barley fit in my space with my chairs.

All my stuff for my display.

Only one other constant had their stuff there. 

Check out the tree! What's in that ice chest?

P.S. Yes there may be more typo's or incorrect grammar. Please note I've had no sleep for three nights and I wanted to get up early to get this out to you all.
Wish me luck. I think I'm going to need it!! 

They Say..... Third Time is a Charm

When I got home from the Fashion District on Monday. What fun that was. I forgot it was a feekin holiday, so there were all kinds of people down there! On the way back there was a bad accident on the freeway (of course because it was a holiday I took the freeway instead of Sunset Blvd. as I usually do), so it seemed to take forever to get down there, do what I needed and get back. I didn't even go to the flower mart. I just wanted to get my fabric and get the hell out of there.
When I finally returned home, ready to go to task on my arrangements and get them finished,  I was looking at my lantern arrangement, something was off. It was just not quite right.  So I decided to re-do it, again. Third time is a charm!

The way it looked on Sunday.

You can't really see it here but it's leaning a bit.

Flowers pulled out ready for round three!

All this work has worn me out!

Lantern ready to get dressed again.

Redo of branches on top piece.

Re-build.

Starting all over again.

Hmmm, did you do this just for me?

Base of arrangement.

All I'm gonna do before we get to set up.

I'm ready to be wrapped for the trip to Vegas!

A few more finishing touches then I'm ready.

Wrapped & ready to go!

Table Top Design Update

Well,  I mis-measured my table cloth skirt. Curtis came over to help with sewing yesterday. He spent his  afternoon sewing a few things for the table cloth, the main one being the skirt. AFTER... he cut & sewed the hems on the skirt  fabric and pinned onto the top of the table cloth, we realized we were about a yard and a half short. I should have had Terry double check my calculation. Well, that is, if I'd calculated. I didn't really calculate. As usual, I kind of  winged it. You think this may be where the problems lies? Note to self... calculate everything, especially fabrics! To top it off, I found the skirt fabric at a really great price and bought all they had, so I can't go get more. I do think I have an even better idea for the skirt, though it means MORE money. When I was down town on Friday, I did see some other fabric that I think would be awesome for the skirt. The only problem is, I now have to go back to the the fashion district tomorrow. I thought I was finished going down there for awhile. Oh well.

I think I have finally settled on my place setting though. The problem is Macy's near me, only had three of the large plates. So I've gambled and ordered the rest online. I have a feeling I'll be driving to Canoga Park and or Beverly Center this week to buy the rest in person. I do love these Martha Stewart  leaf plates.

While Curtis sewed, I started on my center piece.
My floral arrangement will go on top of this.

As usual, Lucy is into everything!
Though, I must say, both girls have been pretty good when it comes to not destroying my arrangement.
The Freekin Raccoon we have living here, is another story.
He's actually broken the wings off my fairies and pulled some of the flowers apart!
If  I only had time to deal with him!!!

My arrangement is not quite finished and a bit messy here.
It's been shoved behind the couch and got a bit smashed.

Lantern with arrangement.

Trying to peek in at the fairies hding.

Are you in there?

Going into the Final Stretch

 Well the Catersource and Event Solutions convention are a little over a week away! I'm excited and just a bit stressed, preparing for my Table Top design contest.

 For those of you that don't know. I'm one of 20 or 25 people in a Table Top Design contest. I will be getting judge by industry professional and David Tutera!! I'm pretty excited about it all. This allows me to delve into some of my other creative passions.

I started on my table top arrangement last week. This is the beginning of my design. My theme, is of course "Bexx Secret Garden". My original theme was Diva's Dishes but I decided I wanted to do something a bit more whimsical incorporating my fairy collection and my secret garden.

Curtis and I found this awesome lantern at the Home Goods store a few weeks ago. This launched my idea and theme! 

First Attempt.

Had to redo since styro was too small.

Today I'm off to finish my table settings purchasing. Of course since I'm on a budget, I'm using this term very losely, I'm shopping at the discount chain Home Goods, Marshall's stores. The problem with this is they don't always have the amount I need (I have to have a table setting for 8)  so I have to go from store to store trying to get all the pieces. I'm think I've finally found a combination I'm happy with now, I just need to find the finishing pieces.

Wish me luck! I don't think I'm going to post my complete setting and design until  the show but I'll be posting bits and pieces for you all to see how it all comes together.

Have a wonderful and creative day!