Retirement Party!/Fourth of July Decor

After 23 years of active duty, my husband retired from the Army.  Now he immediately jumped from the frying pan into the fire with a contract job and is leaving for Afghanistan in a few weeks but not before we could have a proper party for him!

Of course, it was extremely helpful that the party was planned just before the Fourth which made it very easy to find decorations!



This chalkboard frame is typically in my kitchen but I loved using it for the
 entrance to the party.  The Welcome sign came from the Hob Lob and the
wire basket was from Old Time Pottery. 



The table decorations included mason jars-one filled with Hershey's
Cookies and Cream candy and one with a blue votive candle. 
The baskets from OTP were filled with red petunias. 
Of course, flags had to go into everything!



The tin stars and hearts all came from Hobby Lobby.



We used our neighborhood clubhouse for the party so there wasn't a lot we
needed to do as far as decorating in the main area.  We did gather framed photos
of Greg's time in the army and displayed them on the tables, fireplace mantel, etc. 
I also made candy wrappers for Hershey Bars as favors.

Not a very clear photo...darn!  I used clipart for the EOD badge and DJInkers
clipart for the rest.  I love DJInkers and use their graphics for school a lot!!

The floral arrangements included vases from OTP, the tin stars and ribbon
from the HL and those are my own beautiful hydrangeas!  I was so happy
for all the rain we have had to be able to use this many blooms for the arrangements!

I found this standing star at OTP for $11 so it had my name written ALL over it!! 
The sign is from HL but the concrete cardinal is one of my favorite finds
from an antique store in Tennessee last summer. 
 It is usually in my kitchen keeping an eye on things.

This was the table just inside the entrance where guests could sign the
Guest Book and a mat that I will use to frame the EOD badge for the big guy. 
I made the guest book from a  photo/scrapbook album.  I made my own guest pages and glued them into the book.  This way I will be able to scrapbook photos into the remainder of the book.  I personalized the front cover using scrapbook cardstock in blue and printing my own label.

One last look at the chalkboard sign and petunias.  Can't you just smell them?!