From the Wedding....

I'm afraid I don't have very good pictures of the decorations, probably because that really isn't what the wedding is all about. For most people at any rate. Anyway, considering we were working with a gym, with a large blue stripe running about four feet up the wall - and the wedding was supposed to be red and ivory, I think we did alright with the budget we were using. I really wish I had good before and after pictures to show what a transformation there really was.

One of the aspects of decorating that I felt was important, was to not try to cover up the fact that it was a gym, but make it look festive and as nice as possible.

Here are a few picture to give you an idea:

I got the idea for the suspended dots from BHG Simply Creative Wedding Spring 2005 (Yes, I've had the magazine for while - and I don't even remember what it was in there that I actually broke down and bought the magazine!). I wanted to make paper chains, but mother suggested that it would be a whole late easier to use crepe paper and it looked great.

November Wedding: I'm thinking of using the dot idea again, but this time in a leaf shape.

On the right in the top picture, you can see large pom-poms hanging below a red tulle bow. I was perusing the Martha Stewart Weddings website and the bride loved these, I wasn't sure exactly how I was going to use them, but she obviously really liked them so I definitely wanted to work them into the decor - and I'm glad we did. And I'm so grateful my little sister was willing to make them all. I directed and critiqued from my reclined position on the sofa. Very important that.

Another idea from Martha Stewart Weddings, but this time I combined her idea to make something I liked better. This wreath was the inspiration, but I didn't like it, just the concept. Instead, I used elements of these paper flowers (with different centers) and paper roses my sister found, which I would give you the link to, but I can't seem to find them! The ladies from our Sunday Bible study group all worked together to make some of the roses and assemble the petals for the other flowers. I finished putting them together while - reclining. :) We attached them to cardboard rounds mother cut out and then wrapped tissue paper around the circle to form the base. The bows are two layers of tulle ribbon.

November Wedding: I might use the idea of paper flowers again, but this time using gold tissue paper. Maybe just a few touches to give a little elegance to the rustic ambiance we want to keep.

The Bridesmaids Dresses

There was actually a maid-of-honor and three bridesmaids, but this is just two of the girls. What a beautiful color.

The Gown

The bride's beautiful dress:

I had made the pattern before so I was elected to help her with it! The pattern: Butterick 4919. We used the same alterations I made to make the cap sleeves, but we altered the neckline to make it wider. And we altered the skirt, using the two back pattern pieces from a vintage wedding gown pattern to form the train. She overlaid the whole thing, except the ties, with lace. It was truly beautiful. One of my favorite memories of this dress is the two of us lounging on either end of the sofa while we hand stitched the hem. Great girlfriend time.

We definitely couldn't have done it without the help of my mother and sisters. They gave advice and helped, especially with the lace we carefully hand stitched along the bottom to make the border. Many hands make light work, as Mummy would say.

And notice the amazing arrangement of flowers? That is thanks to Miss Penny with help from her daughter and a friend, who did almost all the flowers for the wedding. I'm so grateful to her for doing them. She did a beautiful job with a cheerful servant's heart. One thing I especially appreciate about her is that she is quite a bit older than me with a lot of experience doing weddings, but she didn't try to usurp in any way, but made herself and her talents available for whatever was needed.

I should also mention that those flowers didn't cost a small fortune. The gorgeous dahlias were from the couples soon to be neighbor, an elderly gentleman that kindly shared from his garden, and the roses were from a city rose garden where you can pick with a permit from the Community Center. The greenery was from assorted yards. Beauty doesn't have to be expensive.

Update

I decided that while I liked the black and white, it was time for a little color. And red seemd to be just the right cheerful greeting. What do you think?

I'll probably continue to tweek as time goes on, but after being sick in bed over most of the summer, it is time for some changes, now. At least that is how I feel. It seems like updating helps me to get back on my feet and feel like I'm ready to handle life again. Usually after being sick with just a common cold or flu I feel very unattractive and icky, and then just spending a little extra time grooming and doing a nice outfit works. But many, many weeks sick? It's time for some major overhaul all the way round. New haircut tomorrow?

Wedding

With a week just passing since my brothers wedding, we're full swing into preparations for my little sisters big day. We went wedding dress shopping yesterday and may have found the perfect gown - we'll see what she decides. If she doesn't want it, I'm trying to convince one of my other younger sisters to buy it for her wedding - and she would, except she doesn't have a guy and she is not going to buy a dress in anticipation.

The plan is for a casual fall wedding and we may have found the perfect barn to have the event. They had wanted to do an outdoor wedding, but since it is in November, we are going to just do it in a casual facility. Casual is not my style, but I'm really looking forward to this wedding. I think with a barn and the groomsmen wearing Carhartts, it is going to embrace the more rustic, casual feel the couple wants, but with her wearing a beautiful dress and some more elegant touches, it is going to be a perfect blend that reflects their personalities. And I think it is going to be a lot of fun!

Green is their main color, and then they want to incorporate a fall color scheme, not leaning to heavily to either side. Not to much green and definitely not too many fall colors. We've already got some really good ideas and I can't wait to get started. Hopefully I'll be able to post picture as we go along.

Announcing Another Victim....

...of Cupid's Arrow

She was so subtil about it, leaning against the back of my chair in which I sat ironing the ties for my sister-in-law to be's wedding dress, and when I glanced back at her, she smiles and holds up her hand, flashing the ring along with her million dollar smile.

One of my little sisters is engaged. The one that was courting. I'm beginning to think that waiting isn't what the guy's around here do. Or perhaps my brother sent a new trend. He's the type to set new trends.

This will be the first time we'll be on the actual planning side of the wedding and it should be exciting around here for the next few months. Three to be exact. Well, didn't I say just this year that she was the one that needed to get married first? She is an absolute dear, but I think it is going to take all of her sisters working full time to get her married. This is the sister that always waits till the last minute to finish important dresses.

I can see it now, "You are not walking down the isle until I finish your hem. Just hold still a minute, he's used to waiting by now."

He's always puntucal, and she's the one just getting into the shower when we're supposed to be leaving. I'm sorry, but I think this is very funny.

Caution: Cupid at Work

Life was a lazy summer day, warm and comfortable, pleasant, with just enough of a cool breeze to keep it from being uncomfortable, and then the wind came up, crisp and stirring, it has my attention. Will it just be a stiff breeze and then die down again, or are we in for a little stir me up wind?

The courtship lasted two weeks, one day. And the answer was, yes! My little brother, shall I rephrase that, younger brother, the one that used to have an adorable mop of curls and make me scream, is all grown up and getting married to a absolutely fabulous young lady!

Their story is beautiful, romantic, incredible and funny. And it has only just begun! She's been interested in my brother since before she actually met him, but she still didn't believe all the wonderful things his sisters said about him, because a guy that good just couldn't exist. Then she met him and she was a believer. I know, he is a rare breed, but take it from me, there was one once - but he's taken now.

The first time her father met him, he called his best friend up and told him he thought he'd found his daughter's future husband. And I think the first time my parents met her they decided she would make a very nice daughter-in-law. So you see, the parents had this figured out from the first. They were very smart though, they didn't push, they didn't hint, they just waited.

Everything has happened fast, very fast, but knowing them as I do, it's perfect and romantic and wonderful. I asked her when she showed up with a ring on her finger if she was surprised. Yes, but she was wondering how long it would take him. They're so cute.

And in there someone asked to court one of my little sisters. This past Wednesday they had officially been courting for a week. And we've seen him every day since. I don't mind, he's pretty nice. And that is another really cute story. His brother-in-law actually tried to talk him out of doing it, not because he didn't think my sister was the right one, but he thought she wasn't interested. His reply? She'll have to learn to like me. That'a guy!

Well, considering I've spent the last few months being nearly embarrassed with how obvious it was that she had a serious crush on him, I was very relieved to hear it. I guess I did know that it wasn't obvious to anyone but her mother and sisters, but I was afraid she would betray herself if not strictly monitored. Of course, there are some things only a sister, an attentive one at, that is going to catch. When I really realized she liked him, it was because she was holding her jaw differently when she was talking one time when he was over after a hiking trip. Now really, who is going to pick up on that? Of course, if someone was watching they might have guessed when not two feet behind him she got a chair to stand on so she could turn on the ceiling light. She could have asked him, it would have been a very simple reach for someone over six feet. And I'm sure he would have been very happy to oblige. My hero!

Want to know something, it's pretty obvious now that she likes him.(And vice-versa) People in a certain condition, seem to have a certain look about them. And she has it. It's pretty cute. She's pretty cute, and he's pretty lucky. Really, he's into the outdoors, hunting, fishing, etc., and she's always had that interest and has actually been bear hunting in a group that he was out with. All that and she's very beautiful and has a good sense of casual style - and then she can still go to the ball in a beautiful gown and be lovely. He is lucky, what?

I think I'm going to enjoy this nice summer storm - but I'd better hang on. It is going to be quite a ride through the whirl of wedding preparations!