Flower Girl Dresses {FREE Pattern}

In June my sister and I spent DAYs together sewing four, flower girl dresses for her July wedding. We based the dresses on a free pattern from a wonderful sewing blog: madebyrae. Obviously they were each very different in size but the pattern scaled nicely and the addition of a yellow sash was just the touch they needed to make them formal enough for the wedding.

I haven't posted anything in the sewing category in a while and didn't want you to think my sewing machine was gathering dust!

Photo credit should be given to Jackie Ray Photography.

In addition to the dresses we also made this adorable ring bearer pillow. Thought I'd add it as inspiration for anyone planning a yellow and navy wedding!

Sisters

Watching Marin and Adalyn this past week has been amazing. I know they are three years apart and Adalyn is only four months old, but you can see a friendship developing already! Adalyn lights up when Marin is around. Arms and legs wiggling her face reflecting the joy inside each time Marin dances, sings, or even screams. As I type this, Marin is bringing Adalyn the entire contents of her toy box. "Wow….TOYS!!!” Screams Marin, while Adalyn, content to chew on a green teething ring, studies Marin’s every move.

On Wednesday, they were in the floor together, when I heard Marin giggle. I looked down just in time to see Marin placing a plastic ring on Adalyn’s ear. She then proceeded to place rings on each of her own ears. More giggling (and cooing) commenced.

What a treasure to watch them grow to love each other. I know they’ll have squabbles (what sisters don’t) but I’m SO excited to see them become friends and the best of playmates. It's little treasures like this, watching your daughters become friends, that makes parenting such a joy. (That, and little girl giggles.)

Fabulous French Doors!

Reed glass in Mahogany. Ahhhhhhhhh.....Seriously I've been dreaming of these doors since we bought the house (seven-long-years-ago). Still need to be stained to match the doors in the house and the cabinets in the bathroom, but it's installed and now we can finish the trim and baseboards in the master bedroom.

View from the master bedroom (see the louver closet doors in the background?)

View from the master bath into the bedroom.

UP, The Movie Themed Rehersal Dinner Party

The Spirit of Adventure was the theme for Joshua and Sarah’s Rehearsal Dinner party on Friday evening. My Mother pulled together a fun and creative party based on the “Married Life” portion of the Pixar movie “UP.” While this portion of the movie is sad, it also beautifully depicts the “adventure” of marriage. The desire for adventure in the characters of Carl and Ellie reminded us of Joshua and Sarah. Sarah has dreams of visiting far off places and Joshua is excited to go anywhere Sarah wants to be, but most of all they anticipate the joys of married life.



Here are photos from the evening. We created centerpieces for the tables that matched the "up" theme and included picture of the couple and their correspondence on their Facebook Wall posts. Each one was different. I created them in Adobe InDesign and printed them on translucent vellum paper, cut the upper portion so it looked like the balloon was floating off the page and taped them with double sided tape to create the tube. A battery powered tea light was placed inside to illuminate them. Each guests was also given a round token designed to match the theme that included menu options.

Our good friend and talented artist Cole Carter drew childlike caracturates of Joshua and Sarah which were placed on the main table along with a wooden house that Joshua made years ago. Mom added a bunch of colorful balloons to the top to create their UP home. In the movie, the destination of choice is Paradise Falls. Joshua and Sarah's next destination is Africa, so we created a similar change bottle and labeled it "Africa Fund."

It was a fun theme with endless inspiration that could be incorporated into any wedding, shower, or party. While looking for ideas I came across this BEAUTIFUL Up movie themed wedding and engagement shoot, photographed by Wildflower Photography. Visit if you are curious.

Our Yard Is Excited!

This Pumpkin Vine is a Sign that It’s Pumpkin Carvin’ Time!

Found this little beauty in the yard this morning. Oh the side effects of having an annual pumpkin party in your front yard. Baby pumpkin vines springing up everywhere. Had to share our yard’s (and my) excited anticipation!

Belly Pictures {Grimes Family}

I spent Saturday morning with the Grimes family taking belly pictures. Baby Mikayla is due next week. We are all patiently awaiting her arrival. Here are my favorite pictures from the day. Isn't Darci a beautiful mommy?

Wedding Invitations {Joshua & Sarah}

Joshua and Sarah's wedding is just days away. Above is the wedding invitation and RSVP card I designed for their BIG day. We carried over the "Western Meets Sophisticated" theme from their Save the Date cards. They both loved the design and have received lots of good feedback from guests about how much they love the wedding invitations. I can't wait for the BIG DAY. Let the countdown begin!