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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

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July 24, 2012

How to Host a DIY Girl’s Night Out Party!

What could be better than hanging out with a group of friends on a warm Summer evening?
How about tossing a little DIY into the mix?!
That’s right, last Thursday night I hosted my very first Girl’s Night Out~DIY Style!

Girl's Night Out Label
When I read on the hometalk blog that they would provide me with some fun goodies for my friends if I were to host a Hometalk House Party, I didn’t even have to think twice.
I was in!!
I decided on a DIY theme and had so much fun getting everything ready.
Hometalk even sent us these darling aprons!
photo
And, of course I had to try it on before my guests arrived.
(Granted, not the best photo ever taken with a phone and then had attempts at editing made on it but you get the idea, right?!)
Vanessa in apron
It didn’t take much to pull this together and most of my décor was found in my own garage!
A painters drop cloth became the perfect tablecloth and an old scrap of bead board was used as a runner down the center of the table. Galvanized metal buckets were filled with flowers from my yard.
DIY Girls Night Table Setting
DIY Party Beverage Station
And I turned a metal paint pan into a fun beverage cooler!

Paint Pan Beverage Cooler

It wasn’t too hard to decide which cocktails would go along with my theme.
Paint stirs were given a coat of chalkboard paint which made it easy for me to show the ladies their beverage options.
Paint Stirs
These were some seriously yummy drinks my friends!
And yes, the Hammer is an actual cocktail and was the favorite of the night.
I promise to give you the recipes soon!

DIY Girls' Night Cocktails

Mini berry pies made with blueberries from my mother-in-law’s garden.

mini berry pies

And olive oil rosemary cakes with lemon glaze were the perfect compliment to the cocktails.

olive oil cakes

And out in the yard I had the DIY portion of the evening all ready to go.
I was going to teach my friends how to use your basic Miter Box and Saw!

DIY Party Miter Saw

Heidi jumped in and became the first victim volunteer and these gals just prove that you CAN use a miter saw while wearing cute wedge shoes and lookin’ sassy!

Heidi

Brooke showed off some seriously toned upper arms and (other) Heidi was obviously proud of her perfect cut.
Yes, we are impressed Heidi!
Kristen had used a miter saw before but gave us her best “studious” face and Julie looked like she spent every day of her life using a miter saw while rocking skinny jeans and wedge heels!
   Shauna showed us that glamour and DIY can truly go hand in hand and Molly gave us her best “I did it” pose.
Molly also won the prize for the night which was her very own Miter Box and Saw! Have you gotten started yet on those projects Molly?
DSC_1202
After the little “DIY Lesson”, we went into the house where I showed the girls some of the projects I have done using a simple miter box and saw.
Like the chair rail and “faux” wainscot in the Dining Room.
Dining Room
And framing out our Master Bathroom Mirror.
Framed Bathroom Mirror
And making my DIY Trumeau Mirror.
DSC_1112-1
And after that, well, we talked and laughed and ate until the sun went down.
And then just talked and laughed some more!

Girl's Night

I think that my first Girl’s Night Out ~ DIY Style could definitely be called a success!
All the ladies took home their own aprons courtesy of hometalk and we decided that they could really be multi-purpose.
There is plenty of room for your phone and lip gloss and a compact mirror
AND maybe even some tools too!

Group Shot

We are already making plans for the next one and I think it will have a Fall theme so stay tuned for some more of our crazy antics!

What do you think? Would you ever host a DIY themed party?

Thanks so much for joining me at the Fence today,
1553F4F30A9801A6AFB3E9C624118E7B

This post partying here:
Tuesday’s Treasures
Wow Us Wednesday
Sizzle into Summer
Open House Party
Grace at Home

Friday Party Friends:

vif187Fridays Unfolded
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40 Comments Filed Under: DIY, Good Ideas, HomeTalk, Recipes

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. laura@imnotatrophywife.com says

    July 23, 2012 at 1:47 PM

    Vanessa- What a fun night! Thanks for posting! I forget about my little miter saw! laura@imnotatrophywife.com

    Reply
  2. Debbiedoo's says

    July 23, 2012 at 1:54 PM

    How fun! And so cute all you girls looked! I love the drink markers:)

    Reply
  3. DIY Show Off says

    July 23, 2012 at 2:11 PM

    Now, that’s my kind of party! 😉 Great job on the details, Vanessa! Look like a super fun get together!

    Reply
  4. Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says

    July 23, 2012 at 2:44 PM

    What fun, Vanessa! It looks like everyone had a great time. I’m going to need to have to learn to miter. I may have to pick your brain. : ) I bought a frame kit for the main bathroom, but the master bathroom mirror is just too, too long to buy a kit for {i.e. too much $}. So I may have to try my own.

    Reply
  5. thistlewoodfarm says

    July 23, 2012 at 2:51 PM

    Vanessa,

    You are so totally rocking that Hometalk Apron! What a fun party and the paint tray with the drinks iced down should be filed under #whydidntIthinkofthat!

    I want to be on the guest list for the next one 🙂

    You are such a rock star!

    blessings,
    karianne

    Reply
    • Anna says

      July 23, 2012 at 8:38 PM

      Ditto what Kari said! I LOVED the drink idea and I want to be invited too! 🙂 Oh and I most definitely want the Hammer recipe!

      Reply
  6. Funky Junk Interiors says

    July 23, 2012 at 3:00 PM

    Oh my gosh that looked like so much fun! What a fabulous post! So inspiring!

    Donna

    Reply
  7. Dawn says

    July 23, 2012 at 3:10 PM

    Such a fun idea! I love it.

    Reply
  8. CAS says

    July 23, 2012 at 3:22 PM

    I can’t imagine any kind of party at your home not being fun, but put some good “girlfriends” together — seriously, how could it not be a laugh-fest! The aprons are darling!

    CAS

    Reply
  9. Val says

    July 23, 2012 at 3:33 PM

    I wish we were neighbors!!!

    Reply
  10. MelissaKaylene says

    July 23, 2012 at 4:21 PM

    Looks like a lot of fun!! 🙂
    Melissa @ WillametteValleyWonderWoman.blogspot.com

    Reply
  11. Stacy Curran says

    July 23, 2012 at 5:38 PM

    What an amazing idea! Looks like so much fun! I’m headed over there now 🙂
    Stacy

    Reply
  12. Beth @ UnskinnyBoppy says

    July 23, 2012 at 6:09 PM

    This looks like SO MUCH FUN! You girls are all just too cute in your wedge heels with a saw in hand. I love it!

    What a great party setup, too. That paint tray idea is awesome. Well played.

    Reply
  13. Karah @ thespacebetweenblog says

    July 23, 2012 at 7:12 PM

    How fun!! And totally agree .. that paint try turned bev bin is genius!! 🙂

    Reply
  14. Maury Kilgo says

    July 23, 2012 at 7:24 PM

    What a fun party! I love this. Those chalkboard paint stirrers are genius!

    Reply
  15. Dear Wallet, says

    July 23, 2012 at 7:31 PM

    Wow how fun! I love it, and my mind is already spinning with possibilities! I may have to jump on this bandwagon!

    Reply
  16. Judy says

    July 23, 2012 at 8:05 PM

    That looks like it was such a fun time. What a super idea!!

    Reply
  17. Anna says

    July 23, 2012 at 8:36 PM

    Seriously SO fun!!! I want to do a DIY party now!!! I will definitely be contacting the girls at Home Talk! 🙂

    Anna

    Reply
  18. Queen Mary says

    July 23, 2012 at 9:41 PM

    I would love to be invited to this kind of party! I would love to have more time to spend on learning wood working too!

    Reply
  19. Eclectically Vintage says

    July 23, 2012 at 11:54 PM

    Cocktails …
    Wedge Heels …
    Skinny Jeans …
    Woodworking …
    Ah, why don’t I live closer to you!
    Looks like a fab time was had by all …
    green with envy!
    Kelly

    Reply
  20. Debbie says

    July 24, 2012 at 12:31 AM

    This looks so fun! I loved the way you decorated too. I think the paint tray was my favorite idea, but I loved the paint stirrers too.

    I wonder if my friends would go for something like this? Of course, my sister would have to do the teaching. She’s the tool master. Me? I’m basically decoupage.

    Reply
  21. Courtney ~ French Country Cottage says

    July 23, 2012 at 5:45 PM

    Looks like so much fun Vanessa!! I thought the thrifting party sounded like fun too!!! 🙂

    Reply
  22. Alicia@ eco friendly homemaking says

    July 24, 2012 at 2:42 AM

    Looks like such great food, fun and fellowship!!

    Reply
  23. Janelle MacKay says

    July 24, 2012 at 7:23 AM

    This looked like so much fun! I love your commentary too… !!! Janelle

    Reply
  24. Ann from On Sutton Place says

    July 24, 2012 at 1:35 PM

    This looks like a blast…and your friends were such good sports about the whole take a picture thing! Sometimes non-bloggers just don’t get it. You and Heather are doing a great job as Hometalk Ambassadors. What an opportunity. Best of luck!

    Reply
  25. Linda @ it all started with paint says

    July 24, 2012 at 6:24 PM

    I wish I lived nearby … looks like so much fun! And I had to stop reading midway through and pin that genius metal paint tray cooler! So fun!

    🙂

    Linda

    Reply
  26. Lynn@ The Vintage Nest says

    July 24, 2012 at 7:07 PM

    This was so darn cute! Loved reading about the party and your pics. of the party attendees are adorable!

    Reply
  27. Homa Style says

    July 24, 2012 at 10:24 PM

    What fun! Thanks for the photos. We have a diy afternoon at our home for the ladies to make 40 wine crates for centerpieces for our Humane Society fund raising event. Most of the ladies had never used any power tools. Just wish we would have took pictures!!!

    Reply
  28. Carmel @ Our Fifth House says

    July 24, 2012 at 11:06 PM

    This looks like my kind of party – miter boxes, saws, and screwdrivers – I’m in! 😉

    Reply
  29. Rustic Anthology says

    July 25, 2012 at 9:40 PM

    What a great idea- looks like fun!

    Visiting from Savvy Southern Style and am a new follower!

    ~Ashleigh @ rusticanthology.blogspot.com

    Reply
  30. Honey at 2805 says

    July 26, 2012 at 10:56 PM

    Super cute! Everything looks wonderful! Thanks for sharing at Potpourri Friday!

    Reply
  31. Richella says

    July 27, 2012 at 1:07 AM

    Such fun! What a great idea. Glad the party turned out so well for you! And thank you for linking the post to Grace at Home–what a great idea!

    Reply
  32. reFresh reStyle says

    July 27, 2012 at 3:57 AM

    What a fun evening! I wish I could have been there!

    Reply
  33. Vind says

    July 27, 2012 at 8:12 AM

    Many people add sugar, honey and/or creamer or milk. Naturally, this adds to the calories.

    Reply
  34. Kristin @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia says

    July 31, 2012 at 9:12 PM

    I love this!!!! You are too cute.
    XO
    Kristin

    Reply
  35. Anu@My Dream Canvas says

    August 3, 2012 at 4:19 AM

    This is super cool! I am hosting a Giveaway to win a 50 dollar gift card to the store HomeGoods. It would be great if you stopped by and entered. Thanks Anu

    Reply
  36. billigste a-kasse says

    August 6, 2012 at 11:08 AM

    Most of the people are very like it and used in this site so that can be know that and do enjoy it in this site and post.

    Reply
  37. Margot says

    July 2, 2013 at 6:50 AM

    I appreciate, result in I discovered just what I was looking for.
    You have ended my four day lengthy hunt! God Bless
    you man. Have a great day. Bye

    Reply
  38. Website Hosting says

    March 17, 2014 at 6:57 AM

    I like it whenever people come together and share opinions.
    Great blog, stick with it!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. diy pool party {in curacao} the space between says:
    January 29, 2013 at 1:16 PM

    […] Now … who’s ready to host their own Hometalk party or thrifting day?  Head over to the Hometalk Blog to find out how to get in on the fun.  And let me know when you post about it … I’d love to see if your friends are as talented as mine it! You can check out what a few of my friends have done for their Hometalk adventures here, here, here and here. […]

    Reply

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Front door wreath….✔️ The very last Christmas dec Front door wreath….✔️

The very last Christmas decorating to be completed and one of the most important since there’s nothing I love more than welcoming people into our home this season.

I bought the wreath for $15 from a wonderful local vendor, reused my favorite bells and added a velvet bow in the color I’m carrying throughout the house this year.

Do you buy a fresh wreath each year or do you use a faux wreath on your front door? 

#frontdoorwreath #christmaswreath #christmasporch
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“Who can add to Christmas? The perfect motive is that God so loved the world. The perfect gift is that He gave His only Son. The only requirement is to believe in Him. The reward of faith is that you shall have everlasting life.” (Corrie Ten Boom)
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Ingredients:
2 pounds fresh or frozen cranberries
2 oranges
2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup white wine.

Instructions:
Wash and pick over berries, removing any that are soft. Peel and dice oranges removing any seeds. Combine all ingredients in a large pot. Bring to a full boil. Reduce heat and continue cooking until cranberries pop open and mixture is thickening.
For best flavor, prepare and let stand for several days before using.

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#wearethehomemakers #homemaking #homemakerschristmas #club31women
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