Periodically, I get myself in way over my head with a project. Some readers here might remember how I managed to plan a full-blown wedding in just five months. Or that time when I worked my fingers literally raw making this tarot card for an art show. Or, most recently, when I spent every spare minute for six weeks making hoops for a craft show.
I know how to do it, folks. Step one: Take on giant projects, no questions asked. Step two: Work yourself into a frenzy and don’t stop ’til it’s done. Step three: Spend an excessive amount of time recouping from that mania. Lather, rinse, repeat.
Which brings me to my latest giant project! Last month I helped a good family friend decorate for her daughter’s baby shower. She’s so generous and thoughtful, so it goes without saying that she wanted this shower to be incredibly special.
That’s where I come in (not to toot my own horn). To take this pineapple-themed shower from 10/10 to 11/10, I was recruited to make a few tropical centerpieces to decorate the tables. Since I’m an OK flower arranger, I suggested that I fix up some centerpieces for the party. Unfortunately, the mom-to-be is allergic to flowers. Fortunately, I spent a lot of time last year learning how to make paper flowers. It was the perfect opportunity to get me back into my paper flower groove while also being useful. Win-win!
With some templates from Lia Griffith (and only a week to work once my supplies arrived!), I went to town making paper ginger flowers, heliconia, birds of paradise, pincushion proteas, Cala lilies and a whole mess of greens. I put my Cricut to work cutting out dozens of leaves, but when it came to the flowers, well, let’s just say it was all hands on deck!
In the end, I made nine centerpieces. There were a few late nights putting all these together, but that’s what reruns of Unsolved Mysteries are for!
After I finished up with this, my first big project of 2018, I basked in the glory of a job well done and binge watched plenty of 30 Rock. Now, after resting, it’s time for another big project. Like I said, lather, rinse, repeat.
