Signs and stuff

The tubs and bird I found at Tuesday morning.
Tubs will work great for drinks.

I rescued these crappy wood pieces over 2 years ago from the shed behind Chem-Dry's office in Zephyrhills, and saved them. There's a total of 3. But I've only painted 2 so far.

sketches: planning and ideas

DIY Brooch Bouquet

Whew!

I was really concerned about this project, considering it was all theoretical, I had never made one before, nor did I have directions or a tutorial. All in my head.
*aside: 90% of the brooches were my mother's and grandmother's. I purchased the rest on etsy, a few were mine (there's a rhinestone skull in there!) plus an owl Jason gave me.

Pictured here are a few of my tools and ingredients:

• Fabric cut into strips
• Styrofoam Ball, cut in half, and cored for bouquet base to fit
• straight pins, scissors
• and a TON of brooches, beads, buttons

Once much of the fabric strips were secured, I added a few "flowers" made of squares of fabric and straight pins. Then, the fun part. wire and stick all of the decor.

The final product:
click to enlarge any picture

* See Finished DIY Bouquet blog post for more photos!

Wedding Music that doesn't SUCK

A.K.A. - Disappointing online wedding song lists.

GAH! So, as usual, I am a list maker, and of course, I love others' lists.
And I google EVERYTHING. This is not an exaggeration.

The lists of wedding music and ideas, is sad at best. I was sorely disappointed in the lack of variety, and the lists reminded me of music I've heard at every 80's wedding I ever went to.

If I have to hear --"If a picture paints a thousand words, then why can't I paint you..." I'm going to go nutty.

So, with my elaborate musical vocabulary, I have come up with some WONDERFUL and not DATED wedding music. (to be continually added to)

Cake - Love you madly
Ani Difranco - Wishin and hopin
Cake - Never gonna give you up (Barry White Cover)
Jason Mraz - Lucky (our song!!)
Rascal Flatts - Bless the broken road (yes, I know that's a country band)
Shania Twain - Forever and for always (dear GOD it's two in a row!)
Barry Louis Polisar - All I Want Is You
Jo Stafford - You Belong to Me
Wilco - On and on and on
Harry Connick Jr - A Wink and a smile
Dick Dale and the Deltones - Misirlou
Sufjan Stevens - That dress looks nice on you
Iron and Wine - love and some verses
Chuck Berry - Cest la vie
Sigur Ros - Hoppipolla
Amy Winehouse - Will you still love me tomorrow
Tori Amos - Lovesong
Michael Bublé - The way you look tonight
Etta James - At Last
Phantom of the Opera - All I ask of you
Andrea Bocelli - Besame Mucho
Andrea Bocelli and Katherine McPhee - Can't help falling in love with you (Elvis Cover)
Miriam Stockley - Kissing in the Rain

+++
Gabe told me today they will probably play:
Wagon Wheel
Woooooot!

Here's a couple links to the Ode to Joy versions I like:
Lisa Mount - Ode to Joy on Banjo
Longneck Banjo - Ode to Joy
and in no way am I asking for this, but thought you might enjoy:
crazy ode to joy
and this is just ridiculous:
Ode to joy played on wine glasses

Valentine's Day!!!!

Oh how I love this man.

Ready to mail!

It's official. The save the dates (STDs) are READY. TO. MAIL!

Save the Date - a screenprinting project

72 days!

Macy's Wedding Registry just informed me that my timeline is getting shorter. Thanks, Macy's, for putting it all in perspective.

I've been perusing through these registries wishing I could register at an antique store instead.
Alas, I've managed to pick a few items I could use.

Currently, I'm FINISHED with the following:

- Book Location! Check!!!
- Book Photographers <-- multiple!
- Book Videographer
- Book Band
- Find Dress (WHEW!!)
- Find Catering (thanks MOM!!)
- Find Rentals (tables, chairs, etc.)
- Design save the date
- Design invitation
- Design RSVP card
- Design Wedding Map
- Print Envelopes for STDs
- Purchased some items for decor
- Painted Birdhouses

I'm currently in work mode on these items:

- Bouquet (I'm making it!)
- Decor for Ceremony & Reception
- Printing STDs
- Decide on Cake
- Decide on Officiant
- Decide on flower girl/ring bearer
- Decide whether or not to throw extra bouquet

Things I need to start working on soon:

- Print Invitations
- Print RSVPs
- Print Maps
- Print Envelopes for stationery
- Shoes
- Fabric for draping in Reception
- all decor for reception
- Help Jason find outfit!
- Ring for Jason


Yes, this helps me feel like I'm accomplishing something, but there's so many other things to add to one or more of these lists, including the list entitled "Things I haven't even thought about."

Accomplished! My first purchases

After a week or so of designing and re-designing, I settled on this:

90 Favor Tins

I got ahead of myself and just started painting the birdhouses
while Jason was practicing the banjo.

More Pics of the Ranch

Party Barn: Pool Table, Juke Box

Party Barn: Entrance on left and the bar

Party Barn, wide shot

Horseshoes and Fire pit

Wedding Thumbprint Tree "Guest Book"

This is something I REALLY want to do.
Simple, something to frame and hang in our home.
I had no idea there were SO Many already been done!!


UPDATE: This (below) was the thumbprint tree my BFF Jessica Dietrich Standridge painted for me!  We got a 4 pack of memories stamps from michaels, and pens that match.  Her illustration is amazing! And! She'd love to do some more - so if you're interested - check out her etsy and message her for more details!

Rustic Wedding Thumbprint/Fingerprint tree