To show or not to show? That is the question.

So, I've been tossing around the idea of doing a stationary show for, oh, about 3 years now.  I think I have an extreme lack of confidence when it comes to my own work, as my mother so nicely pointed out.  I've decided though, pending my husbands agreement, that the time has come.  I'll never really be able to pursue this as a business, if I don't take it as seriously as one.  You have to invest money to make money, right? 

So, here goes nothing!  Since the Great Bridal Expo in Baltimore, MD is in September, my goal is to complete at least one (but hopefully 2) invitations every day from here until then.  Now, obviously, if I can make an invite, I can make a response/menu/table number card etc. also, but I'm not sure if I should make some as samples as well, or not.  Oh, what to do.  I also know that I need to have a website up and  running if I am to do this show, otherwise people will have no where to follow up (except here of course).  I plan on continuing this regardless, at the very least just to chronicle my journey into the business world. 

So anyway, here are my newest...

For the above, I was trying to catch the feeling of spring.  I don't know that I'm completely "sold" on it yet.  I think there are a few things that I'd like to tweak before I'll call it complete, but overall I think its a good start and will really appeal to people with a love of pastels.  Seeing it in person, you really feel like spring is in the air!  (Even though, technically summer is in the air!!).

This one I am VERY happy with.  Right now the real rustic style wedding is big... mason jars, clothes pins, a "woodsy" feel.  I think these invites really capture that feel.  I have a few tricks up my sleeve to make this even more perfect, but for that simple look, for a bride that doesn't want too much, this is it.

I hope you like, and I LOOOOOOOVE feedback and ideas.  Even though I'm making all these samples up (strictly so I have stuff to display when the time comes), I  do plan on making this a total custom process.  I love the idea of someone having certain ideas in mind, and me being able to bring them to life.  Its an honor to be able to do that.  It really is.  My only regret is that I've waited so long.  Shame on me!

Another Day, Another Wedding

So, now that I've finished the "Courtney" invitation, I'd like to share some pictures from another GORGEOUS wedding.  My sisters.  Hers evolved into another DIY/vintage wedding.  Her dress was worn by our Aunts & Mother over 30 years ago.  A few minor adjustments and it became the dress of her dreams.  It was simply stunning.

Here is wedding central the weekend before her wedding (we were more prepared this time around then we were for mine)...

As you can see, my parents have a pretty large kitchen, but we had NO problem filling it up.  My sisters wedding was SOOOOOOO different from mine, yet equally as beautiful in different ways.  She used a lot of whites and greens, moss, anything found in nature really.  It didn't originally start that way, but turned into something so beautiful. 

This is the flower girl basket she created taking just a dark wooden bucket, purchased from Goodwill I believe, and covered it in moss, roses, carnations, babies breath and that really pretty yellow filler (i'll have to look up the name). 

These are the table numbers I made for her.  I found a really cool font that I fell in love with immediately, and so we printed on a 60lb cardstock in a sienna color, burnt the edges (yay fire!), took some "woodwire" (I believe she got it at Michaels... its basically a wire wrapped in a brown string).  The bottom half of the table numbers are made from styrofoam and wrapped in moss.  I might be partial, but I think they came out beautifully!

This is her Table Tree.  We used the same 60lb ecru cardstock as we used for the table numbers, labeled each one and then included the guests names so they knew where to sit.  Once they were done, we attached moss at random to each card, and attached the card to sticks at varying height to make a "tree".  The picture really doesn't do it justice.  It was quite stunning!

Here are her menu cards, using that same lovely font, a few scrolls and listing all the wonderful food we'd be enjoying that evening (YUMMMM).  A tan satin ribbon topped with a wax seal bearing a script T finished it off.  Did I mention it was GORGEOUS?

Of course, I have to include these just because these kids were so darn cute!  The littlest boy is my son (not that I'm proud or anything!).  The wagon belons to my parents next door neighbor and was quite literally taken straight from the dirt in their garden the day before.  The kids felt so cool hanging out in that wagon!

Now, of course, I had to feature the bride and groom.  How horrible of a sister would I be if I didn't.  I also need to give my sister credit for helping me finish all 100 of my handpainted invitations for MY wedding.  I doubt I ever would have finished them with out her.. especially since we also did 100 response cards and all the place cards and all the table numbers.  Yes, I experience a few psycho moments before my wedding.  

And now, for the unveiling of my newest invitation... The Courtney!

This was my first attempt at a Dahlia, and I love it!!! Even more importantly, the bride LOVES it!  I can't wait to post a picture of the entire suite once its finished!!!

Its About Time...

So, I've been a horrible excuse for a blogger since the beginning.  I haven't been able to get myself to commit to one particular topic to kinda stick with.  Did I want to blog about motherhood (as if there weren't enough of THOSE blogs around), or try my hand a diet and excersise (yeah, cause I've had SO much luck with that over the years... blah...).  Finally, I realized what I've had in front of my face this whole time.  My invitations.  I can't say for sure that I'll ever start a "real" business with this, but for now, I'm enjoying my creative time and enjoying even more the oppurtunity to help people that want custom, but not at a custom price.  Granted, my invitations are NOT cheap either.  I start at $4 a piece and go up from there, but at least you're getting EXACTLY what you want at a price you can afford. 

The whole idea for this came up in 2008 when I was planning my own wedding.  I couldn't find what I wanted, regardless of price (even though budget was DEFINITELY on my mind). I wanted a custom, expensive look, without the actual expensive part.  After looking on EVERY invitation website humanly possible, I decided to make my own.  It took a while, but I got exactly what I wanted, at a better price than I ever could have imagined (the only things I had to pay for were envelopes and paper!). 

I unfortunately didn't thing to get a picture of my invitations, but there are the table cards I came up with, which match the invites.  To say I was proud of myself would be an understatement.  I can't even begin to tell you how many compliments I got quite literally as soon as they were mailed out.  My wedding became a chance to "showcase" my creativity, and even the morning of my wedding, "crafting ground zero" was the first stop!

As you can see, pink and flowers were the focal point of my wedding and I wouldn't have it any other way. I wouldn't chance a single aspect of anything from my wedding day, even though all this "crafty" business took up so much time.  Every detail was so planned out, that it all felt so custom.  So me. 

And so, that brings us to the very first invitation set I made for someone ELSE! It actually started off between Christi and myself talking about starting a wedding business (which I would still LOVE to do!) and evolved into her invitations.  She sent me a few ideas to give me a clue as to what she was looking for, and I got to work.  Thankfully, having a bride that KNOWS what she wants is a HUGE help.  So, here we go....

Next time, I'll get better pictures, but for now, this will have to do.  This girl is OBSESSED with all things blingy, hence the sparkly envelopes/pochettes.  Her wedding colors were black & hot pink, and so that is the evolution of this invitation.  I am really happy with how these came out.  Even though I missed out on painting, I'm pretty sure hand painted invitations wouldn't have gone with her wedding at all, and these couldn't be more perfect. I just knew making these that this wedding would be fantastic, fun and upbeat.  I'll find out in June if I'm right... (I'm always right, FYI.  Just ask my husband). 

Next up, I'm working on an invitation for a woman named Courtney, who is having a destination wedding and DOES require and hand painted invite, so I'm SUPER excited about it.  Its not quite finished yet, which luckily gives me a reason to blog again!  I cannot wait to see how this one comes out.  It will definitely NOT disappoint!

Get Gym On! (At Home!)

I've been researching (a lot), trying to come up with the best, easiest and most stress free workouts that I can do at home, that won't intervene with my son's schedule and that I can also include him in.  Amazingly, there is a TON you can do at home, if you just take the time do it.  Making excuses is easy.  I have millions of 'em and I've been using them for years.  I'm realizing though, that yeah, it may make things "easier" right now, but life with only get more difficult and getting in decent shape now will be easier than trying to do it in ten years from now.  Sooooo, here are a few GREAT sites I found to get you motivated and get you moving.  I hope you appreciate these as much as I have so far!

Great, easy arm workouts!

From Couch to 5K

This last one, I found to be REALLY helpful.  In fact, I did my first run/walk tonight.  I've decided a few things after completing his walk... 1. A JOGGING stroller would be very beneficial.. regular stroller just didn't cut it.  2. Know your limits, and push them (just not too much!) 3.  Invest in a really good sports bra.

I'll be researching the whole bra thing... I don't need the ladies bruising my eyes or my knees while running...
To save money, I can easily postpone the jogging stroller necessity.  Thats what daddies are for, right?  But the boobs need support!

Save the Tata's! :)

Nap Time Woes...

So, as usual, I'm exhausted, worn out and just plain ol' tired by the time 2 o'clock rolls around.  My son is napping, so taking some time out for myself seems like a no-brainer, right?  Not so much.  After weeks of the repetetive "wake up, grab cup(s) of coffee, feed child, play, nap child... you know the drill) and having NO energy to speak of, I decided yesterday was the day to throw in the towel and visit the dreaded Dr.  I'm still waiting on the blood work to come back, but in the mean time, one can't help but wonder whether is the whole "overwieght thing" thats throwing my balance off, or if its more serious.  Maybe mono rearing its ugly head again, or anemia, or just plain old being tired from having a 2 year old wear you out!
I don't know the cause.  I do my best to eat right (thank GOD for Medifast and saying goodbye to 17lbs so far).  I try to get enough sleep, but having a 22mo old who isn't a big fan of sleep makes that difficult.  And of course, my husband just thinks its in my head.  But, I KNOW I'm tired.  I'm not crazy.  I just want things to get back to normal, and I DO NOT want to HAVE to take a nap with my baby every day, even though he happens to be the best snuggler EVER!
I can, however, recommend a few things that, at the very least, have helped revive SOME energy...
Vitamin B-12... all around mood lifter... take some!
One-A-Days Metabolism Booster multi-vitamin (good stuff!). 
Another good one, even though I can't honestly say it has had any effect on my energy, is Biotin... great stuff to boost hair and nail growth!

Also, just thought I'd throw this in... my new favorite eye shadow color of all time.... Pink Venus, by M.A.C

Eat, drink & save MONEY!

So, I know there is a lot of talk lately with TLC's Extreme Couponing (TLC's Extreme Couponing).  I think this is a GREAT idea... BUT (isn't there always a but?)... how many mothers out there have time to save up, cut, organize, plan & excacute a mega shopping trip.  And even if you do, where can you store 30 gallons of laundry detergent, 48 bottles of palmolive and, oh, let's say 88 bottles of mustard??  Can you even imagine storing thousands of rolls of toilet paper in your home?  I would think that would be a fire hazzard... just sayin'...
Now, to be fair, I'd like to add that I'm ALL about saving money... I just like to do it as easily and thought-free as possible.
For example... like eating out?  Try restaurant.com for restaurants you probable didn't even know EXIST in your home town.  Its a great way to save & you find great little places to eat! I call that a win/win scenario!  To make it EVEN BETTER, restaurant.com is ALWAYS having some kind of sale.  Best way to keep up with their sales is to like them on Facebook and also join their mailing list... Like right now... use promo code FRIENDS right now and save 70% off your order... to put that into perspective for you, for a $25 gift certificate to the restaurant of your choice, you'd normally pay $10.  Right now, using said promo code.. you'll be paying $3 for $25 worth of food... I don't think you can beat that anywhere... not even McDonalds $1 menu offers that kind of deal... I'm telling ya, my momma taught me well... check it out!

Halloween Treats for your little (or not so little) ones...

Crescent Mummy Dogs

Fun little treats for kids of all ages!  I love halloween.  I love the changing of the leaves, the scary activities, the pumpkin patches, the pumpkin spice lattes... I love it all.  I especially love trying out new recipies.  I'm very blessed to say I don't have a picky eater on my hands, but I think even the pickiest of eaters will appreciate the mummy-rific-ness of these hot dogs.  I mean really, who doesn't love their mummy (pun totally intended!).

For those with a sweeter tooth, I'm definitely looking forward to trying this recipe out... take a peek yourself, and if you beat me to it, let me know how it is!
Pumpkin Roll Cake

I'll just leave it at yummm....