the tables will be set

Hello, dahlings!  Hope everyone is having a wonderful Labor Day weekend!  The weather is beautiful and it's a long weekend - what more could you ask for? :)  I'm working hard this weekend to prep for Indie Emporium, but thought I'd take a moment to share some new wedding-related goodies :)  I have officially created my table settings!  Hoorah!

Before I get into the table settings I should mention my dress came in!  It is fabulous!  It almost fits perfectly too, just a few minor adjustments.  It made everything more real to put the dress on!!  Sweetheart neck with straps and lots of bead work, tulle dress with flower and bead work detailing and a train..  I wish I could show you!  But ya know, we gotta keep it a secret from the mister ;)  I did trick him the other day, I came across a super puffy wedding dress in a magazine, like the whole sleeve and breast area just had this puffy fabric.. I said, "Hey, this is my dress!"  He hesitantly looked and then gave me "the look" and said nuh-uh..?  I would never wear something like that so it was rather humorous :)

 

We will have two different table sizes, round table and bistro tables.  I figure if we have enough table room for 100 we will be good to go.  I will use solid white linens and place a sheer white linen on top for both table sizes.  For the round tables, there will be a large vase at the center of the table with a white rose submerged in water, diamonds at the bottom of the vase and a floating candle on top!  I found some cute tea-light votive holders that come in three different sizes.  They kind of remind me of a wine glass, but with a tea-light votive on top instead of a glass!  Instead of placing tea-lights, I will cut off the stem of the roses and place just the buds in the votive.  On the table itself there will be actual tea light votives, rose petals and diamonds scattered throughout.  I like the layered effect everything has.  I will also find some kind of purple charger or place mats to give everything that "pop" of color!

 

I'm loving this look!  Very elegant!

For the bistro tables I will use most aspects of this effect, except for the floating candle and possibly the submerged rose.  I want the bistro tables to give off a lot of height and be the focal points of the room, so I am going to place branches at the top of the vase and hang crystals from the branches.

  

On our extra tables (cake, guest table, gifts, food, etc.) I will scatter the diamonds, rose petals, tea lights and tiered tea-light votives with roses instead of candles throughout just to keep everything cohesive.

I'm excited to have a vision going for the big day!  Now can we fast forward a few months, teehee :)  We narrowed down the guest list, so now I should probably start getting my Save the Date design together, woot!! 

Thanks for looking!  In case you're interested, I decided to list my bunting invitations in the shop and also have a couple more designs that I added.  Feel free to take a look!  Click here.

Have a wonderful rest of the weekend!!

vote me in on heartsy

Hello lovers! I have an exciting opportunity up for grabs right NOW, but I need your help to make it happen! I've submitted an offer to Heartsy to be a vendor that provides an awesome deal to you, the customer! In order to get the feature, you the customer have to vote me in!

To make a vote, go here and click the button that says, "Yes, definitely!"

Heartsy is the Groupon of Etsy, which means you can get fabulous deals on handmade goods by buying a deal through Heartsy. The stores that are allowed to enter deals must have a handmade shop.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.4

a change of pace - my henna tattoo

This past weekend I went to the India Festival at the Expo Square in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  The theme of the event was an Indian wedding, aka Utsav, and it was pretty flippin' cool!  There was folk dancing, delicious food, a lot of booths available to learn about the the Indian culture, clothing available, games, came rides, etc.  It was quite enjoyable!  My favorite part was the henna tattoos available.  I totally got one and I could not be more obsessed. 

Here it is about an hour after application:

It took the girl about 5 minutes to complete!  You then leave it on for a least two hours (I left mine on for three) then wash it off and viola, a beautiful piece of artwork.  Here's mine a couple days later:

The tattoo lasts 1-3 weeks. I can tell mine is slowly fading, boo!  I would never get a permanent tattoo on my hand, but I can't stop obsessing over this henna and I think I gotta go permanent on my arm for sure.  In due time... :)

Prepping for Indie Emporium

Hi there ladies and gents!  I hope everyone had a fabulous Monday.  Mine went pretty well, you know work.. Zumba.. bringing the fiance dinners.. All that good stuff :)  I've felt pretty absent the last week or so and I wanted to check in with my beautiful, lovely people!  How are you?

For the past couple of weeks I've had my head down, working hard in preparation for Indie Emporium.  I've mentioned it a few times on the blog, but if you've missed out you can read all about it here.  It is a super cool, indie craft show where everything is handmade!  It's a grand event with make&take tables, demos, live music, hip craft vendors and best of all - a handmade fashion show.  It's all happening September 30th and October 1, 2011.  I do a lot of the graphic work but this year I'm stepping it up and will be setting up a table with all my lovely paper goods and a few new additions, so I hope you'll come by and see me!!

The wedding front is still swell, I started on my wedding blog and ironed out the guest list.  Going to look at the venue with fresh eyes next week to see how it's all coming together!  I do have a very special invitation to debut, but that will have to wait a couple of weeks :)  **Hint: it's an invite for a special tea party for my bridesmaids, mom and grandmother!  I seriously cannot wait to show off this cuteness.

It's probably going to be a quiet month, but I will try my best to get some cool things scheduled for your viewing pleasure.  :)  Thanks for reading! xoxo

motivating monday - coaching

"A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment." - John Wooden, former UCLA head basketball coach.

Are you spreading the positivity and giving criticism without bashing?  I 100% loved today's quote and am a full believer that one can lead a team without being the most disliked person in the room!  Before you "coach", be sure to think about how your words will come across.  Your words can really change the views of those around you, and it's not always for the better.  It is best to speak greatly, less often.

Happy Monday! Let's rock this.

xoxo

wedding wednesday - dazzling rhinestone wedding

Hi lovers!  Today's Wedding Wednesday features a current GreenerMe design + some new components.  Can't wait to show you!!  Bethann heard about me through her brother and sister-in-law, Brett and Melissa.  I had the opportunity create a beautiful wedding set and programs for Brett and Melissa and was soooo super excited that Melissa spread the word about my business to her family!  Bethann and her hubby Daniel's wedding plans involved a small formal ceremony followed by a dinner for her closest friends and family.  The following day a large dinner and reception was held, a fiesta all of her friends and family could attend!  I had honor of creating invitations for both events, as well as table cards and escort cards for the formal ceremony.

 

Bethann liked the class and sophistication of the Patterned Rhinestone Delight set.  This seems to be a big hit amongst the brides and I love changing up the colors for each bride!  It truly looks like a whole different set once the colors are customized :)

Here is the rhinestone detail of the set. 

For the dinner reception, we used the Patterned Rhinestone Delight set as inspiration and created dazzling tent-style table cards and escort cards!

I knew these had to pop, so I found large rhinestones to be the focal point of the table card that is sure to attract the guests eye!  The table card is tent-style and has the table number on both sides of the card.

I just love the detail and how the table cards turned out!

My favorite part about the ceremony/dinner reception set was the escort cards!  Each guest was given a 6 ounce bottle of wine as a favor.  To both present the favor in an appealing manner and also outline the seating arrangement, the bride requested that the escort cards attach to the bottle of wine.

They turned out perfectly! 

Little rhinestones for a little "pop" ;)

 Bethann wanted something a bit more casual for the dinner party so I was inspired by my lovely bunting invitations to create an invitation that I thought fit the event's style and theme.  The party was held at her parent's home and she was thinking big tents and buffet-style catering.  I knew this invitation had to convey a fun and comfortable party that let guests know a good time was in store.

I used peacock teal as the focal color and created flags that spelled out "celebrate".  I hand strung these onto a silvery floss and secured each bunting set to the card.  The card was then mounted onto the teal cardstock and paired with a white envelope.  To give a little extra touch, we coordinated the bride and groom's names with with the teal color.  I can only imagine the great time that was had at this big event!

Don't you just love how the set turned out?  I sure do!!

It was a tremendous pleasure to work with the Castone family!  Great people and to be able to be apart of not only one big day, but two?  I am truly one lucky girl!!  Congrats Mr. and Mrs. Burke!  I wish you many happy years to come!

motivating monday - make your own circumstances

“Circumstances! I make circumstances!” – Napoleon Bonaparte

Today is the day you go out and make your own luck! Yes, it’s true, you can make your own luck! Hard work, diligence, kindness and paying it forward are all the keys to success and making your own luck. Regardless of nature vs. nurture, social status or the amount of money you have – everyone has an equal shot at this thing called life and it’s up to you to make it happen.

Whether you don't think it's possible, you're overwhelmed about something or if all odds are against you; I guarantee if you just get busy, you'll get it done, you'll learn and you'll grow.

Yes, you can!! Now get out there and do it; don’t think – just do! :)