DIY Bride...naturally

So, given the fact I'm a bit of a crafty person, enjoy the occasional card-making/stamping/scrap booking Saturday, have more craft supplies than clothes, and have just the slightest bit of control issues :) ...naturally I'm finding all sorts of things to DIY (do-it-yourself) for my wedding.  Well me, or those who can sew/also crafty.  I think it's fun (granted I'm saying that 8 months out), most of them allow me to save money, and I get exactly what I'm wanting.

This brings us to what will probably be my biggest DIY project of the wedding...unless I make my own wedding cake (but that's for another post...and only if I can do it without my mom knowing) THE INVITATIONS!  Some girls dream about their dress, the flowers, the groom...me, I dream about paper! Sorry Josh.

Last year I came across the greatest invention!  The JIGster!

(source)

Envelopments is a company that I swear was created for someone just like me.  All the paper, envelopes, letterpress, ugh...it's just so pretty! What also makes Envelopments great is their tools! Like the JIGster.  It allows you to mount layers of paper quickly and accurately!  amazing!

Here is a product review and a video showing you how to use it.

It's $70.  I think after using it for ALL my invitations and EVERY card I make from here on out makes it worth it though...right?  What do you think?

Themes That Didn't Make the Cut - Part 2

It's pretty much a given that I love me a good "Theme Party." I've had 27 years of birthday parties (coming up on 28) and I've yet to repeat a theme. I fully support costume parties and LOVE celebrating holidays. When it comes to my wedding...what theme will I choose? I've come up with a few ideas. These are the ones that didn't make the cut.


My first theme marked off the list was the March Madness idea.  March also holds the Irish holiday of St. Patrick's Day.  Here's the deal...I've got Irish in me (hello? red hair, green eyes, fair skin...duh.) but I'm not sure a full out Irish wedding celebrating St. Patrick is for me.  Though I must admit I look pretty darn good in green.

Here's what it would look like if we went the Irish route:

some of the flowers and decor - HELLO CLOVERS!

the bride and groom attire (gotta have a leprechaun, might as well be josh):

bridesmaid look:

invitation inspiration:

reception food:

all in all I would prefer a St. Patrick's Day wedding to a March Madness wedding...but we are about a week late on the calendar.  So...St. Patty's Theme did NOT make the cut. However, green will be a color...just not this prevalent.

stay tuned...more to come.  feel free to make suggestions as well!

Happy Birthday Caitlin!

Today is Caitlin's birthday!

Wow.  My life would have so many less delicious, ridiculous, and hilarious things in it without Caitlin.

I've known Caitlin since high school though our friendship actually began about 3 years ago when she moved back to Nashville.  Looking back it's as if the Lord hand-delivered Caitlin to me at a time when I needed a good friend the most.  Since then she has continued to remain a constant joy and bright spot each and everyday.  Her passion for serving the Lord through helping others is contagious and inspriring.  Her dedication to follow God wherever He leads her is convicting and humbling.  If you spend any amount of time with Cait you know she loves Jesus with all her heart, cares deeply for others, will stop anything she's doing for a good dance party and never passes up the opportunity to hang out with a donkey.

Caitlin...friend, roommate, co-slacker in making our lists...HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

family reunion invitations

My aunt recently asked me to design the invitations for the upcoming family reunion.

Hmmm...baby showers, wedding showers, birthday parties...you got it! I'm there.  Family Reunion invitations?!  it threw me for a loop.  After getting over my creativity block I came up with a few that I really liked.

(naturally I've changed the date, location, contact info...to protect the innocent of course.)

in the mail

I'm so excited about what came in the mail the other day.

(No...not King Kong for those that were wondering).

But these samples....

(sorry...I couldn't resist.  I had to break into the LILAC before I remembered to take a picture)

I'll be featuring them on the next TREND blog coming up in a few weeks...they may also be used in somebody's wedding that is less than 8 months away, but I don't know who's that would be!

Stay tuned for fun things to do with this twine...and even a discount to purchase it!!

I can't throw it away.

It's been almost two months since I was in the wreck in Kansas City.  Besides the fact that I'm still dealing with Insurance companies and hospital bills I have this little number that won't let me forget it:

It's the cute dress I bought the weekend before.  It was my perfect "girls weekend" dress.  They had to cut it off of me in the trauma room along with everything else I wearing.  They sent it all home with me in this little gift bag :)

I've been able to throw away the undergarments that were cut (because that's just gross), but for some reason I can't let go of this now scrap peice of fabric. wierd.  In high school I got run over by one of my friends.  The t-shirt I was wearing had one side of it torn off.  I'm pretty sure I just threw that away a year or two ago. 

It's interesting to me that I've held on to things that remind me of not so fun times like they are souviners.  You would think I wouldn't want to see them again.  I suppose they are reminders of God's faithful provision and protection over my life during those traumatic times.  My cut up dress is pitiful to look at, but brings a great sense of awe and thankfulness that God is with me all the time.  Do you keep reminders of hard times? Or do you throw them away? 

My friend Rachel is still on her long road to recovery.  My "trauma" seems so trivial to what she went through and is dealing with on a daily basis.  Please continue to pray for her strength, patience, and comfort as she begins to heal.

my concert list

A few years ago I made a list of all the people that were a MUST SEE for me in my lifetime.  Granted, I don't go to TONS of concert, but there are a few big names that I love and really want to see live.  The list went a little something like this (in no particular order):

James Taylor
Harry Connick, Jr.
Paul Simon
Paul McCartney
Billy Joel
Phil Collins

Before Monday night I had seen half my list.  James Taylor (now twice), Harry Connick (also twice), and Billy Joel.  Then came Monday night...

SIR PAUL MCCARTNEY ladies and gentlemen!

Holy cow!  I'm not even going to try and give a review because I'm not that talented of writer, and "OH MY GOSH" just doesn't do it justice.  Seeing him perform live, right there, a former beatle, one of the greatest living musicians...it was a chance of a lifetime and I'm glad Josh agreed to buy us tickets and take me :)

ps. his drummer may  have been on of my favorite parts of the show.

now, Paul Simon and Phil Collins are left. 

who is on your concert list?!