Well, the big sign-painting workshop with Jen of Onion Grove Mercantile came and went. And it far exceeded my expectations. When I volunteered to host an event to support Dress for Success Quad Cities, I just crossed my fingers and hoped someone would show up and I wouldn’t embarrass myself.
Instead, we ended up with 40 women in attendance (my stretch goal) and more than $1,300 raised to help women on the road to financial independence and careers.
Hurray! I love it when things come together. And I couldn’t have done without these two gals. Thanks, Jen and Michelle.
Jen drove over an hour to make it to the party, put together four designs for attendees, helped me promote the heck out of it, and then led the whole group as our celebrity instructor.
Michelle was my trusty type-A assistant, helping me set up the room, inviting her friends, being a huge encouragement, and even cleaning the windows for me.
Needless to say, I love these two. They smiled the entire time. Even when I was ordering them around and even when they were carrying boxes in and out. Which is strange, because even though it seems that they did all the heavy lifting, it was me who woke up the next day feeling like someone had hit me repeatedly with a lead pipe.
Now that the important part is out of the way, let’s get to the details. I really don’t want this to become a excessively long post, so I’m going to try to split this up into a few different days. Today, I’ll just share photos and general info about the event. I’ll come back the rest of this week with tips to host a crafting workshop, and more detailed posts on the decor and favorite recipes for crowds.
The general gist
Beyond being a fundraising success, this was just a really fun event. I love getting together with other women. I love crafting. I love eating good food and drinking wine. This event covered it all.
Plus there were aprons for everyone. I really loved the aprons.
After Jen agreed to be our celebrity instructor, I immediately got started with lists. I’ll get more into the details, but suffice it to say that anything like this becomes more work than you originally think it will. (Or is that just me?)
I’m really proud with the how the decor turned out. I started with a huge roll of kraft paper from Amazon and a lot of mason jars. I didn’t want it to be too difficult or fussy, especially since the tables needed to hold supplies, too. I think the finished product was really cute.
I love how different all the signs turned out. And I love that all those boards started in the barn that Ryan tore down. Now they are living on at 40 different homes.
The best part of an event like this is those people who say they aren’t crafty. You know the ones. But, they end up being the craftiest of all. I loved every single one of the signs that night.
Oh, and here’s my sign. I only painted the background before I got distracted so someone else finished it up for me. I love it so much in my living room.
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Jenny @ Anything Pretty says
What an amazing event you guys put together. I am so impressed with your party planning skills while balancing a job, a baby, a house, a blog, oh and a barn. Now I just wish I lived closer so that I could have attended and made one of those super cute signs. And drank some wine with you girls.
Kelly @ Corner of Main says
Awesome! It looks like you guys had a great time =)
Vel Criste says
this is awesome! Glad you all had a great time! ๐
Emily says
This looks like an awesome time, so wish I lived near you (for lots of reasons, this being only one). You’re awesome, Kim!
Kim says
Looks like a great time!
Becky Caudill says
What a great event! Congratulations to you for putting something so successful together.
Leah says
love every bit of this. great job girl!
Kristen Holmes says
So happy the event was a success! Looks like everyone had a great time!
Karla says
This is such a fun idea! I love that you did this! Wish I lived closer so I could’ve come ๐
Lyndsay M says
your event seriously looks amazing. And you are right, Michelle’s crazy expression really did make the evening complete :).
Oonafey says
The signs look awesome and everybody looks like they were having an amazing time! I really wish I could have been there.
Amy@BuffaloRoam says
This looks like so much fun! I’m glad it was a success. Congrats!
Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication says
Looks like a great time!
Congrats on doing such a great job putting it together! ๐
Chelsea @ two twenty one says
I seriously wish I lived closer to you guys so I could have gone to this awesome event. You did such an amazing job, Kim!
Jo says
So glad to hear it went well and it looks like it was lots of fun.
Lindsay says
Congrats Kim! I’m sure it wasn’t easy to pull off!! Dress for Success is such a great organization too.
Gabbi @ Retro Ranch Reno says
Congratulations on a very successful event! It looks like it was a perfect night…great job! ๐
Leigh Powell Hines says
What a great event. Congratulations!!!!
Kristi says
Congratulations on what looks like an awesome event, Kim. So proud of you for putting your resources together to help such a great cause.
DecorandtheDog says
Kim Woodward is the most awesomest party planner in the world. Seriously. I will wash windows for you anytime.
P.S. I loved the aprons too.
Amanda @ Serenity Now says
What an awesome event, Kim!! Looks like so much fun. ๐