Topiaries in Blue and White

These were the easiest topiaries ever.

They were made as centerpieces for my mom's "surprise" 80th birthday party.

She actually surprised us! (More on that later!)

The centerpieces had to travel from Georgia to Virginia.

 In a container. 

Be transferred to my sisters car

 and then delivered to the restaurant where the party was going to take place.

 All without my mom knowing. 

They needed to be tough. 

I had watercolored a topiary in a blue and white planter on each invitation 

so that set the centerpiece theme, if you will.

This is some of my moms lifelong collection of blue and white 

so we knew this was a good way to go with decorations.

 We knew big helium "80" balloons prob wouldn't be her style!!

I gathered blue and white pots and bowls from my thrifting expeditions along with some florist foam, twigs from the yard and boxwood balls from the floral supply.

 ( I went to the wholesaler but I've seen them at HL)

Oh, and the glue gun. Can't do any project without a glue gun!

I smushed the block of floral foam snugly in the container.

(Now's a good time to admit I'm not experienced in floral design)

I glued the stick into the floral foam

 and then put a dab of glue on the top of the stick and secured the boxwood ball to the top.

You can see why I didn't call this a DIY post. So easy.

I made double topiaries and varied the size. 

I did not know anything about where they were going so I figured variety was the best bet.

I tied on lavender bows to match the watercolor on the invitation.

Then I added some moss around the bottom to cover the florist foam. 

They looked very pretty down the center of the tables and on the buffet table.

We had the restaurant to ourselves.

Did my dad plot and plan and enlist our help and actually pull it off??

So did my mom like her surprise?

I promised more on the surprise part...

Well, 12 minutes  (Mollie looked at the clock when I called to her) before we were to walk out the door ( and yes, my dad pulled his part off - she had no clue) my mom surprised us all and had a little oopsie (SURPRISE!!)

and we had to call an ambulance and spend 23 hours in the ER/Hospital. 

Sooo, on our way to the 2nd hospital the ambulance had to take her to, Mollie and I stopped at the restaurant to tell her friends what happened and invited them to stay and enjoy the lovely surprise party my dad had planned.

But, I didn't want her to miss out completely so...

I wouldn't let the guests have the cake!!

I took it with me!!!

Don't worry - The nice caterer at the restaurant served them the delicious peach pie meant for the next day. 
I have no idea what the people who were supposed to get the  peach pie had  ;)


PS. My mom is doing well but I don't think any of us will try to surprise her again!