DIY: Backyard Bash

Hi friends! I know Miss Heather and I have been MIA for a month or two, but we're back! I'm excited to share with you photos from my 23rd birthday where Heather and I crafted our little hearts out. Seriously. It was non-stop crafting and to be totally honest, Heather started and completed most of the crafts while I ran around like a chicken with it's head cut off. My birthday party started out innocently enough and next thing I knew, Heather and I were planning an over-the-top backyard party. We received so many compliments during the party and people were even telling us how cool the party looked from the pictures that Heather's lovely boyfriend, Tim, took. 

Therefore, I wanted to share with you how to turn any backyard party into the perfect summer backyard bash!

Table Layout

~We created "food" and "bar" signs by using foam poster board, spray paint and tissue paper. For the "food" sign, heather created a chevron stencil to paint the design and then we used black paint to spell "food".  For the "bar" sign, heather used the same chevron stencil,outlined the letters with a sharpie and then hot glued crumpled up tissue paper to fill in the letters. We used white candles, fresh flowers from Trader Joe's, white tablecloths and a lantern to decorate our tables.~
*our inspiration for the boards were found on pinterest and based on this and this.*

The Bar

~At our bar, we made spiked Arnold Palmer and it was delicious! We used equal parts iced tea, lemonade and added vodka to taste which we placed into a glass dispenser from World Market. On our table, we arrange some more fresh flowers, a bucket for wine, wine glasses and chalkboard mason jars.~

~Our chalkboard mason jars were a hit! Everyone was asking how we made them and they were by far our easiest craft! We bought 12 packs of mason jars from Wal-Mart, one package of sticker labels and chalkboard spray paint. We sprayed the labels the day before and placed a label onto each mason jar on the day of the party!~

~We made a "Keep Calm and Party On" banner to use as a photo backdrop. We used a pre-made banner from Hobby Lobby, spray painted it pink and wrote on it using a sharpie. It turned out great!~
*we based our sign off of this idea from pinterest.*

~What really pulled the party together were white string lights and paper lanterns that we strung up all over my backyard. It really set the mood for the party and I'm planning on leaving them up all summer! P.S.My friend, Ellen, made this giant wine glass for me using a glass from Micheal's, paint and baking it!~

~more photos using the string lights and lanterns as a backdrop~

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~in addition to all our decorations, we set up our outdoor fire pit, created yummy chocolate cover pretzels, created "happy birthday" flag banner cupcake toppers and lined the way to the party using white balloons pinned to the ground with golf tees!~

We can't wait to throw more summer parties and to get inspiration for your own summer backyard bash, visit our Pinterest!

-Miss Mel and Miss Heather