Category: Decorating

Boho · Crafts · Decorating · Family · Glass · Surprise · Vintage · Wedding

Made With Love

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What a beautiful rehearsal! Before I share more on the wedding day, I want to share with you a few of the things that were made for the wedding. I know I had talked about them and didn’t share much about them with you. You already got an update on the dream catchers. But did I tell you about her bouquet?!

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When Ashley asked me to make her bouquet, I felt so honored. She had this idea in mind for years and I had been saving brooches for her bouquet. So, it was so exciting when the day came that we were to make her dreams come true. But there was one catch! Yes, it was no longer a colorful brooch bouquet. She wanted white, off-white, silver and gold. So back to the drawing board and we collect more in the colors she wanted, and I made her bouquet. I hated it! I tore it apart and started over!! It just didn’t say ‘Ashley’ to me. I felt that it would just wash out and she trusted me to do it the way I thought represented her best. Here it is y’all!

They had planned a sand ceremony for the wedding, so Ashley asked me to etch her a container with an ‘S’ and the year for them.

 
Her bouquet was also going to need a good strong holder for the reception to display it. This is what I came up with for them.

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Ashley decided that she was going to wear turquoise for her jewelry and Marie had found some great antique pieces. We just weren’t sure how they would look with the dress, so Marie had to pass on them. I had picked up a Victorian turquoise brooch when we were in Salem and I gave Ashley the option of borrowing for the wedding. In the end I had made her earrings, two turquoise necklaces and a turquoise hairpiece to wear.

The flower girls head pieces were another creation for the wedding.

I can tell you that each piece was made with love.

 

Marie and I had an amazing and exhausting time working on the wedding for Ashley and Joshua. And in the end, it was worth every moment to see the love and happiness on their faces.

 

Rehearsal
Boho · country life · Decorating · Family · flowers · Gardening · Party · Wedding

Rehearsal

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Rehearsal 11
Backyard prep for rehearsal dinner

Well, it’s finally time. The house is ready. Marie and Jeff have an incredible backyard thanks to the hard work of David Bergman and Nacho with Weatherford Gardens. He went above and beyond in not only making the backyard a place out of a Hallmark movie, but he also helped prepare the whole yard and pasture for the big day. I must say, I have not seen a yard look as incredible as this one does. George Perry of George Perry Construction is the masterful craftsman who build Marie’s greenhouse after he did her renovations in the house and Biv’s playhouse. I can only imagine what the first snow fall is going to look like back here. Total Hallmark moment!!

 

 

Tables were provided by Kim and Lindsey of Borrowed Treasures in Weatherford Texas. They also provide seating, tables, glassware and so much more for the wedding. Check out their website y’all! As a bonus, they also rent out their location in town as well as have sets for holiday pictures.

 


Marie worked hard to set the table décor while I worked on the greenhouse. A few table runners from my stash of extras helped bring a little softness and a great backdrop to Marie’s finishing touches. Mother nature was lending a helping hand with a few fallen leaves. It looks like Marie planned them.

 


Dinner was some tasty barbeque catered by the Mesquite Pit in Weatherford Texas. Desserts were the perfect ending of the meal provided by the groom’s family. Wine from the Grape Creak Vineyard would be served. A special thank you to Fred and Kathy Harper for helping serve dinner. You were great!!

 


Marie had trash cans painted by Kylie Lacefield. Gave a nice touch to an otherwise not so pleasant necessity.

rehearsal 24
As the sun started to set it only got prettier folks! What a wonderful start to this romantic weekend here on the ranch. Can you feel the love in the air yet?

 

Photos of happy couple hanging in the greenhouse.
Dream Catcher Finally!
Boho · country life · Crafts · Decorating · Family · flowers · Party · Surprise · Vintage · Wedding

Dream Catcher Finally!

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So, have you been trying to figure out how the dream catchers were going to come out for the wedding? Let’s look at where we started here.

 

Oh the mess people! Work in progress here.
This is how we wrap
Some of these are too big for the lap.
It’s a start
Rack and Stack
Hoops in the trees
Tatting never looked so dreamy
Got it going on now…
Little more organized…

We added more and more dream catchers as ideas came and the arch grew. We also had to have some for the trees at the wedding!

 

Really?? Two more to go.
Last Batch ready to go.
So close…but not done.
Hoop de doo

 

Beth and Jimmy helped me get them arranged and hung for the big day.

Dream Catchers Install 1
Hanging and ready for the move. Man I am stressing right now!

I stressed watching them move the arch and get it situated but so far so good.

 

Ok, we got them down in the pasture. Now we need the final touches.
Almost, getting closer!

And the flowers were the final touch needed to make this the center piece to be remembered!

 


Special thank you to Josh Plumlee for making the incredible arch!!

dreamcatchers floral 8
So beautiful!!
Clothes · Crafts · Decorating · Recycle/repurpose · Shopping · Vintage

Vintage Market Days

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Vintage Market Days Kissimmee

While my husband was off hunting, I went to the Vintage Market Days in Kissimmee. It was my first time to one of their events. I was excited to say the least. I had purchased the early shopper pass so that I could go before the crowds. And it was worth it!

 

I arrived about 30 minutes after it was open. I knew exactly what I was hoping to find and was excited about what surprises there could be. I am one of those methodical shoppers too. I must go a certain direction and down every aisle. I take my time and inspect everything. One of the first booths I hit had furniture and some antique linens. Yep, you guessed it. I picked up a couple things like table clothes, napkins and doilies to replenish my stock used for the wedding. They tried to talk me out of one of the table clothes because of a rust stain. No problem for me, I have my super-secret cleaning solution to take care of that. So that lovely little thing came home with me.

 

I found this adorable banner at Well Red Design booth. It is made from vintage postcards! So adorable and I know Marie will love that hanging at her house for Thanksgiving. Of course, now I will be looking for vintage postcards when I go my adventures in antiquing. What is even cuter is the little notes on be cards. The history behind them just makes it even more precious.

Vintage Market Days Tournesol Tribal

At the Tournesol Tribal Booth I picked up the cutest ring and earrings. I also picked up bags of stamped metal and buttons. I have great ideas for these in the future. I love when you see different things like this that inspire me creations.

Vintage Market Days Jewelry

I found everything from antiques and collectables to jewelry and clothes. There was something for everyone! I ran into the Stained Glass Lady from here in town where I learned to do stained glass. She is a great teacher and moved into our downtown area being revitalized here in Saint Cloud.

Vintage Market Days Cans

I fell in love with the old vintage windows and milk cans. This booth had also had oil cans and shutters just to name a few things.

Vintage Market Days Jacquelyn Delia Desgins
I met a jewelry designer from here in town, Jacquelyn Delia Designs. Her booth was packed so I didn’t get any pictures, but she had amazing turquoise jewelry. She had her own design of the tobacco leaf jewelry and cigar rings. And converts vintage jewelry with her modern designs to bring beautiful contrast of old and new. Just loved it!

Vintage market Days

As you can see from the pictures, there was amazing vendors. The two days that followed they were crowded, and people left with car loads of goodies. I can’t wait until my next adventure with the Vintage Market Days.

 

Cooking · Decorating · Family · Food · Shopping

Heading Home

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On my way home, I stopped in Houston to see my daughter. Nothing puts a smile on my face like Lacey. We had dinner at one of our spots called James Coney Island. The memories we have made eating hotdogs there will always stick out in my mind. Thanks for another memory Kiddo!

 


I stayed a couple nights so that I could also get a chance to see Amber and Chris. I am so excited…they get married in January!! So proud of these two and the amazing future they have together.

 


I headed to downtown Houston so that I could go to James Avery and do some shopping. I love their jewelry and always find something for a gift or myself when I go. I picked a few things and headed over to Central Market.

 
HEB is a Texas chain grocery store and their specialty stores are Central Market. I wish Florida had an HEB, let alone a Central Market. The fresh squeezed orange juice puts all others to shame. You will find five or six different kinds of potatoes to exotic fruits in their produce. My mind just goes crazy with ideas when I am there. I want to take it all home. They have a butcher shop on sight as well as fresh seafood. A bakery and freshly made foods to take home, all kinds of spices, coffee and teas are just the tip of the iceberg of what you can find. I fill my basket with all my favorites that I can’t get anywhere else and spices galore. I think I picked up at least 4 lbs. of Texas Pecan Coffee. If you ever get a chance to shop at HEB, you will love it. And if you get a chance to shop at Central Market, bring a cooler!

Central Market 1

 

After my little shopping spree and lunch, I headed over to Half Price Books in Pearland. I love the book store and lose time when I am in there. Then I made a stop at my favorite antique store there in town, Brows’ Aroun’ Antiques. They have been there since 2001 and I have been going there since they opened. I love finding new little treasures when I shop, and they never disappoint.

 
I had to make this visit short, but I will be back again soon. I made a stop in Port Allen LA on my way home to stock up on my Cajun favorites for cooking. Bergeron’s Boudin and Cajun Meats is where I pick up my tasso and andouille. Wait until you see what I cook with them!

Baking · Cooking · Crafts · Decorating · Family · flowers · Food · Party · Wedding

Ashley’s Shower

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Shower 8 Front Sign

We were home late on Sunday from Massachusetts and I was back on the road by Tuesday heading to Texas. It’s shower time y’all!

I arrived Wednesday at the little house and unpacked before heading up to my sister’s. My car was loaded with wedding decorations including the bouquet. Talk about a nervous drive trying to make sure nothing got screwed up. But I was glad I was able to bring it out and now we can focus on the shower.

 

We hit the ground running when I arrived. Reviewing through the menu and getting our lists together of what we still needed to buy. Decorations have been accumulated and it was time to start getting them up. Marie’s house is looking amazing and all the work being done for the wedding is really paying off. I can’t wait to show you all the work when it is done.

 

Thursday is a day of decorating, getting our nails done (mine look horrid after all the crafting), grocery shopping and of course the liquor store. I have things to do! Ashley comes in to try on her dress so that I can get an idea of what needs to be adjusted. Oh my, her dress is beautiful and all lace! And it needs to be taken in quite a bit. Holy cow!!!

 

 

Friday I am deep into my cooking mode so all worries about alternations will have to wait. I make my Sangria using a Llano red wine and a berry brandy. Llano is one of my favorite Texas wine companies. They also have an amazing port I highly recommend. So here was the menu for the shower. I had to make up the chocolate bread pudding for the dessert tamales and prep the rest of the menu. Luckily the beans, rice and tortillas came from Rosa’s and would be picked up before the shower along with a few other things. We had a few last-minute decorations to make and were so glad Beth and Carla came over to help. Chairs are delivered from Borrowed Treasures. I love the assortment they brought and can’t wait to see what they do for the wedding. Our brother Chip and his wife Noemi arrive with our niece Anita. Woo hoo!

 

Saturday as Marie is rushing around running last minute errands (our brother too) I have Anita working those arm muscles helping me with the two sauces for the tamales. The cookies as gifts were so adorable from Back Home Bakery. Long story short, it was great! Everything went well for the shower. We had over 50 people show up and Ashley was happy. We took care of the food and venue so that Havalah and the rest of the bridal party could concentrate on the bride. Noemi and Beth worked hard helping me with the food and clean up. My brother cooked the meats and jalapenos and Clarinda was the photographer. Michelle made the red sauce, yummy! I am so grateful and thankful for everyone’s help!

 

Sunday was a day spent finishing the headdress for the flower girls, taking in the wedding dress and chatting with my sister. Ashley will be a beautiful bride and I know that when I go back before the wedding, more alterations may be needed. The wedding is just a month away…

 

Bridal Shower Menu

Catching Dreams
Boho · Crafts · Decorating · Party · Vintage · Wedding

Catching Dreams

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Remember in our post ‘And We’re Off…’ when I talked about projects I was working on? Here is an update on Ashley’s wedding decorations I am making.

Taking them apart is a lot easier than putting them together. Catching dreams here.
Oh the mess people! Work in progress here.
Sammy helping with the dream catchers

I started off taking apart dreamcatchers my sister had purchased. The feathers and all did not work with the vision of the wedding. I had feathers floating all over my house after that. Sammy even got into the fun for a while.

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Hoops in the trees

My neighbors by now are used to coming home and finding things hanging in my trees. One day I will break down and make myself a paint tent but until then, my trees will have to do. Some of these are macramé hoop and some are hula hoops from the dollar store. I removed the beads inside and stripped them of the covering if I was able too. Then hung them to be spray painted. When you are working with light colors you want to make sure that none of the dark shows. I even covered some in white tape to help with string get a better grip on the hoops because sanding wasn’t doing it for me.

And the winner is…
This is how we wrap
Some of these are too big for the lap.
Plastic needles for the sewing
It’s a start

I use Lily Sugar’n Cream cotton string/yarn to cover the hoops. It works great and won’t damage the doilies when you attach them. Some of the macramé yarns are rough on them. After wrapping the hoops, I attached the doilies using the same yarn. We bought some of these at Antique Week in Warrenton and I had quite a few already.

 

High Bar
I got two…only 15 more like this. But then there will be more!
Got it going on now…
Hoop de doo
Give it a swirl
So close…but not done.

Then it is to the stringers. I have everything from vintage lace and ribbon to yarns and muslin that I am using. I try to get an assembly line going so that I can focus on each stage instead of having chaos in my office. My husband made me a bar to hang things from to work and it made it easier when I got to the stringers. But now I have taken over my dining room. I see new tables in my future for my office and a little rearranging in there too.

Got it going on now…
Love it
Rack and Stack
Tatting never looked so dreamy

I am not finished with these beauties yet. There are feathers and so much more to be done but so far, I am pleased with my progress. Tomorrow I will sit and work on the pompoms and tassels for a while. This is love ladies and gentlemen. My niece would tell you I am not known for showing emotions, but there is a lot of love for her in each twist and turn I make. It warms this Mimi’s heart that she will know she is surround with nothing but love.

Dreamcatchers 0706-04
Little more organized…

When I am done, and they are hung at the wedding I will update you on these beauties. Until then, look at Pinterest at some of the great ideas people have come up with on dreamcatchers. See y’all later, I’ve got to get back to work!