Still obsessed

Still on a sewing/stitchin' kick!  To be honest, I did take a little break.  Because I could not get the machine to work, and I was getting the teensiest bit frustrated with it.  After a little sabbatical, I went in with a cool head and figured out the problem fairly quickly- and sewed these and a few other cards in one sitting.

Oh and as you can see, I am still loving the washi/decorative tape too.  If I received an envelope sealed with these colorful tapes, I would be smiling in anticipation.  It's the little things that count sometimes.

p.s. We decorated paper stockings at work today.  I am so used to incorporating stitching into my projects lately that I was tempted to bring my stocking home to add a little special touch.  Don't worry, I didn't succumb.  I made do with what I had there.

I love little touches that make something a little more special.  R and I co-hosted a jewelry party.  She did a beautiful job of preparing the food- scones, a cheese platter, beverages- and I provided the treat bags for the guests to take home.

Projects like this are so much fun because I can play on the computer, play with the sewing machine, play with paper and layers.

Continuing obsessions: sewing detail, chevron design

Correspondence Basket

I put together a "Correspondence Basket" for our church basket auction in September.  I wanted to include some watercolor pieces, but I have sold out of those cards- so I printed off some copies at home and added a little stitching detail.

Current obsession: striped bakers twine.  Rather than spend the money at a scrapbook store, I found a package of twelve colors at TJ Maxx.

For "the Mama"

It can be so nice sometimes to take a break from the computer, and that's why I enjoy making cards with more textural elements, such as layering paper and sewing  (see previous post).

In progress:

Voila!  Birthday card for MIL that matches zebra pattern bracelet and tissue paper.

Behind the Display: Entrance

photograph by Jason Harms of Harms Studio

Simplicity and Consistency (with other displays) were key for this display, which wedding guests saw before they were escorted to their seats.

1. Decorative Letters
2. Picture
3. Jars

• Vintage jars from MOB's (mother of the bride) collection
• Other canning jars from family and friends
  

photograph by Jason Harms of Harms Studio

More on the letters: they were inspired by the One Single Photo. While I came up with other lighter options for the "LOVE" display, the A & C letters were what I had in mind from the start.

My co-worker became engaged shortly before Amanda, and I shared the inspirational photo with her. She is a creative person and I knew she would love the idea. She and her fiance were gracious enough to cut the A & C letters out of wood they had on hand.

I wrapped the lace on a roll around the letters, and the ampersand was covered in blue gradient yarn. The lace was easy, though time-consuming (the fabric was pretty wide and would catch on the unfinished wood. The yarn took much longer than I expected. I had to hot-glue gun more often than on the lace. I did end up with a few battle scars from burning myself, as the hot glue came through both the lace and yarn quite easily.

The textures of the lace and yarn and colors of cream and blue- all against the texture and color and of the hay and grass- added some romance, intrigue, and comfort to the ceremony.

Behind the Display: Memorial

photograph by Jason Harms of Harms Studio

The other big display for the ceremony site was a memorial for Amanda's grandmother. The elements included:

1. Photograph of Amanda and her grandma
2. Flowers the father of the bride picked out
3. Some of Grandma Schultz's favorite books (she and the bride shared a love of reading)
4. Vintage milk bottles/carrier belonging to Amanda's mom
5. Window - garage sale find by the bride
6. "Love" hoop:

• I found the lace by the roll in the ribbon section at Hobby Lobby
• We used the lace throughout the tables, food tables, displays
• The background was bridesmaid dress fabric
• Embroidery hoop also from Hobby Lobby
• I sewed the letters (made of other wedding materials) with my trusty craft sewing machine
• The bride gave this as a gift to her honorary bridesmaid, who was out of the country and unable to make it to the ceremony
  

I like the top display picture by the photographer because of the picket fence in the background, but this one - also by the photographer- has a little less glare.

Behind the Display: "LOVE"

photograph by Jason Harms of Harms Studio

The “Love” display stemmed from a few ideas: 


1. Incorporating other family wedding photographs (parents, grandparents, etc)

2. Tying in the color red and bridesmaid fabric

3. One inspiration photo

I shared the inspiration photo with a co-worker who was planning her own wedding. She decided her fiancee would be able to cut the letters out of wood. While they were gracious and generous enough to make letters for another display (I'll spotlight the Entrance display later) I thought larger letters for "Love" would be more dramatic.


I bought thin wood at Michael's and used wood glue to assemble three of the letters. The glue dried for awhile as I worked on other sewing projects.

We had initially looked at grapevine decorative balls at Hobby Lobby, so the grapevine wreath was perfect for the "O." To dress it up a bit, and bring in the red, I made little rosettes from scraps. The cloth included bridesmaid fabric, a variation/inverse of the bridesmaid fabric, and a few other patterns we used throughout the ceremony site. Everything tied together.

One single photo

I perused many, many blogs daily to find inspiration for outdoor and DIY (do it yourself) weddings. Because of the fairly short engagement (January to September) I was simultaneously searching for bridal shower decorations and theme execution.

One of my favorite blogs during this time of research was Hostess with the Mostess. This single photo inspired the ideas of “displays” for the ceremony site, and I will mention it again in the other display posts.

photo from Hostess with the Mostess blog found here

Because good ideas can be used more than once OR Back to the wedding

I know there appears to be a theme for the homemade gifts, but it was not intentional. I am not planning to create door wreaths for all of the gifts. Homemade Gift: 2 was crafted to provide a gift for a new homeowner, and the grapevine wreath was appropriate for the giraffe theme.

The first wreath was fitting for its recipient because I used the grapevine and cloth combination in the "Love" display, so it was a nod to the wedding.

photograph by Jason Harms of Harms Studio

I suppose I still I have quite a few wedding subjects to touch on, including the larger displays at the ceremony site. Each display was meaningful to the bride and groom for certain reasons.

Homemade Gift: 1

I typically avoid "reposts" and "share this status" ploys on Facebook. But I saw this on the page of a Midland alum who does crocheting, and I thought it would be fun to break away from my normal jobs. Plus I have a whole year! Haha, yes, I know this could possibly end up biting me (I still have to attempt Andrew's 2012 blog dare), but I have two gifts completed and delivered, so I am on track!


I made this door wreath for a Fremont friend; through the magic of Facebook, we have stayed in touch over the last few years. Facebook has this amazing ability to make us think that we see each other more often than we really do. I have watched her grand kids grow through pictures, and she has provided encouragement through comments. I saw her occasionally about a year ago, and she offered support as I traveled back and forth to Fremont while Grandma was in the hospital and nursing home.

I had not seen my friend since September for Amanda's wedding. She and her husband were one of the host couples- so I thought it would be fitting to use some fabric scraps to create something to remind them of their friendship with Amanda and involvement in that day.

Because I am a girly girl

I might have a bad day, I might have a good day- but having manicured nails always makes me feel better. I might rush out the door some mornings without any jewelry, but as least my polished nails can be an accessory. As a banker, my hands are noticed every day as I type, point and write.

As far as "manicured" goes, I don't necessarily mean going to the salon and paying somebody else (though that would be terrific!). I enjoy taking a little bit of time to trim, file and paint my own nails. Having classic red or modern gray nails makes me feel more feminine and put-together. Oh and of course I love a good hot pink to match my golfing ensemble!

I normally stay with reds and pinks- but following these posts at HelloGiggles.com as has inspired me to have more fun. This is about as creative as I've gotten recently, but maybe summertime will bring some more polish playtime...


Amanda told me my painted nails remind her of how all females from Mad Men always have finished nails. Since I can't successfully pull off the bright red lipstick or chain-smoking, I suppose nail polish will do.

Please deliver to

We received a baby announcement in the mail last year from one of Ben's cousins. The postcard was ordered through an online website but personalized with a photograph and message. One detail that really caught my eye was the "please deliver to" line, in the same typeface found in the announcement information.

Since then I have added that touch to postcard projects. I think it adds a little something.

Amanda's bridal shower invitation from last summer

Omaha Conservatory of Music event invitation- this year
(More pictures will be posted later. Yes, I realize I've been typing that a lot lately. This will happen!)

Festive trimmings- for me and the tree

I've said for the last few days, "I think I'll take down the Christmas tree tomorrow." It still hasn't happened, and I've figured out why- I need to assemble my outfit! So, because I didn't trim my tree in the correct attire, I will wear something festive when taking it down.

Classic Little Black Silk Taffeta Cocktail Dress
Pointed Toe Tapestry Heels
Knitted Clutch Purse
Beaded Cluster Bracelet
Vintage Christmas Poinsettia Brooch
Vintage Yellow Gold Ring

and- because you can't find everything on etsy, Cinnasnap nailpolish from Target

p.s. this took much longer than it should have

It's tradition

My mother-in-law gives each kid an ornament every year. Ben has a multitude of Santas in his ornament collection, and lately has been accruing more dental-themed pieces. This year he got two Santa Dentists! The top two ornaments- the first Santa and my Teacup ("spot on", considering my love for tea)- were from the in-laws.



The lower two, including the camera (can you "picture" a more perfect ornament for me?), were from my aunt.

**I hope you noticed the carefully planted puns.

My parents sent me a few sentimental ornaments from home for me to have: ornaments from my Grandma and Grandpa Skelton.


Grandpa worked at Campbell Soup. Aside from this Campbell Soup ornament- every year Grandma and Grandpa would send our family a Campbell Soup ball. We have some awesome video footage from a Christmas when my younger brother was hanging up one of the glass balls. He was chattering away, and telling my dad, "we have to be very careful with this one--" right as he dropped it. Luckily the mustard-yellow shag carpeting was enough cushion so the ornament didn't break.

I love having a variety of ornaments- ones that reflect our personalities, our interests/passions; that remind us of our past and family; and let us share in our today together.

What I became accustomed to

So Ben has been on break from classes for the last three weeks. The timing is great for me because of course the last few weeks have been filled with holidays- Christmas, New Year's, my birthday - and lots of other deadlines at work, in my freelance work, and with other birthdays and celebrations. During the last few weeks I've been really spoiled, as I have been coming home to meals just about every night, and Ben has been packing me lunches too.


Here is one of the amazing meals he fixed me. I don't have a description of the food- he would be way more detailed in the ingredients than I could write right now- but I think the picture says enough.

Ahhh much better

I am not a bad blogger....I am not a bad blogger. Here is a little something to tide myself over. I have posts in my head, and pictures to go along with them. But for now this will do.

Welcome to the Wedding Weekend

I have to admit this is one project that almost got the best of me. After a smooth start, I encountered a couple of tension issues (ones that I could now solve much quicker, after much more experience with this little craft sewing machine!), plus a few logistical problems that slowed me down. Yes, there was some cursing. I had my doubts I could complete it without throwing the machine and/or the project against a wall.



But I just kept going, "30 Rock" on in the background and coffee by my side. The banner is not perfect, but I was so proud to see it finished, considering my little experience with machine sewing. I love the imperfections and the texture of the thread binding the different fabric letters with the canvas. I love the ribbon ties that I added and reinforced the very last minute before heading out the door for the wedding weekend. Oh, and, yes, I love the reaction I got from the Bride, who had no idea what it would look like.

Looking the part

Well I have used my golf clubs a couple times this summer, and have still failed to get a picture as proof. So instead, I can at least show you my appropriately-picked wardrobe for these outings.

Plaid Bermuda shorts- Aeropostale

White V-Neck Slubbed Tee- Kohl's

And although you should keep accessories minimal (simple jewelry, bobby pins), of course you can't forget a few items:

Ladie's Golf Glove- Target
Flashy Fuschia Sally Hansen Insta-Dri nailcolor- Target
Pink golf clubs- wherever my husband found them online

Signs, signs, everywhere signs

Growing up, I was always good about hand-drawn signs, posters etc. Think: Garage Sale signs for Grandma; "Happy Birthday" cards and decorations for high school lockers; Volleyball spirit cards; Father's day and other holiday cards.

As much as I still enjoy breaking out the Crayola markers and colored pencils now and then, I love the looks I can achieve using the computer. Whether it is simply printing and framing a menu to add to the mood...

I've quickly printed and framed a menu many times before.

or spending more time developing a design theme...

This framed sign design corresponded with the advertising posters/invitations and other signs for the event.

I think little touches likes these can make a difference. That's why today I spent an extra minute to label my treats at a party I hosted:

Please note the Trajan Pro font I've featured before- it was a Premier Designs Jewelry party

Finishing touch

We had a family wedding last night, and I was lucky enough to work on the design for the invitations, programs, and the last piece- thank you cards. Shhh, the cards were a surprise! But I'm sure the couple is too busy honeymooning it up to check this blog...