Sassy Cheryl's Show Me Thursday

...and, it's Monday.  As you know, Sassy Cheryl asks to see what we're working on and she shows us what she's working on.  For more Thursdays than I care to count, I've been working on a fund raiser event for an organization called St. Martin's.  A friend of mine "invited" me to serve on The Arts Committee, one of two fund raisers for St. Martin's.  It was easy to get caught up in the enthusiasm and dedication of the other members.  I jumped in with both feet.

I really had NO IDEA...

Now, I am not one who is comfortable approaching folks for money-that's just not in my skill set, but give me paper and I'm good.  Boy, did I use lots of paper!  One of the members of the group came up with the theme.  She is a creative genius-you'll see what I mean...

Another woman developed a fabulous interactive web site prior to the event.  What a job!

Many of the ladies pounded the pavement seeking donations, made lots of phone calls, knocked on doors...

I started early writing descriptions of the donated items-oh, the editing.  I have determined I am mildly (maybe not so mildly!) dyslexic which does not serve me well!  Scrambling letters is my specialty!  You know those "tests" that give you a few letters at the beginning and end of a word and then put numbers in the center?  They are not a challenge for me.  So, while I like to write...

I worked on the center pieces.  Thank goodness for my Cameo.  It got a serious work out.  I made the menus and cut little easels for all the menus using Marianne Designs die cuts.  The committee wanted special name tags-check.  I made the posters for the featured "live auction" items and individual cards for each of the silent auction items, all embellished with circus tents---LOTS of paper!

Set up took us over two days with all hands on deck.  We transformed an empty hall at the fire house. The event was spectacular!  Local artists donated incredibly beautiful paintings, pottery, jewelry, wood working, photography, quilting...  Local businesses donated services and goods.  Individuals auctioned off boating and flight adventures, house tours, cocktail parties, and vacation accommodations. 

After dinner, during dessert, the local volunteer Marching Band made a surprise entrance - well, some of us knew, but it was a well kept secret.  Let me say, that was quite feat in this little community!

See that tent?  That was Louann's brain child.  Masterful!  She ordered rolls of sheet plastic, the kind you might use to cover tables at a picnic.  She had detailed plans and sketches.  The telescoping pole-amazing! Last Wed. was the day of truth-would it work?  There was no way of testing it before hand.  Needless to say, it WORKED!  I was in awe of this creation.  

I did not take any pictures the night of the event, but trust me, it was wonderful.  

The lights were up during the cocktail party and silent auction and then dimmed just enough for dinner creating dining ambiance.

Here's the committee.  I'm the tall lady in the back, third one from the left with the not really natural blonde hair-ha!  Every circus needs a clown-Julie was "Vanna White-face" for the event!

After an amazing evening, months of prep, weeks of work, and days of set up, we broke it down in about an hour---sigh...  Whatever will we do next year?!  I don't know about the other ladies, but I felt like someone had let all the air out of me, the next day.

So, there you have it-that's what I've been working on!  Whoo hoo-success!