Pendant Swap

This is a charm for Terri Frias. She is a member of the Marie Group and it was a swap I joined. I cannot wait for her to see it. I made two of them and could not decide which one to send. My friend Terri G. liked this one the best so off it went.

It has a vintage crystal and an iridescent bead hanging from it. At the top I soldered on a finding, the back has a crown and some music paper. I added a pale teal blue bow and strung it on some white seam binding and more blue ribbon. I "borrowed" a scrap of the fabric from my daughters wedding dress she is having made. This teal fabric will be the sash on her dress. I decorated the chocolate colored linen box with a Marie image and more ribbon.

I hope she likes it as much as I liked making it for her.

Good Food Michigan!

I would like to take a moment to share a new blog with you. If you like good food and would like some great recipes then please take a moment to visit http://goodfoodmichigan.blogspot.com/

Let's give a warm welcome to Barbara and Valerie. They has started this wonderful blog to share their passion for using Michigan produce in good home cooking. Check out the recipe for the Crust-less Pumpkin Pie, or the Maurice Salad. There are also helpful hints for cooking and baking. For those of us who need some inspiration, and those that want to share their favorite recipes this blog has a lot to offer.

The Invitations

Here they are all done, whew! It has been a rough week. My youngest daughter Kim, my eldest Stephanie (the Bride), and I spent all week, working on the design, layout, fonts for the invitation. Then I had them printed and spent endless hours cutting, gluing, and putting them together.

We placed Swarovski crystals on the top and bottom one by one. This picture does not due them justice they are stunning in person. These are the colors in her wedding. Cream, Pale Turquoise, and Black. She wanted a Vintage 1930 - 40's feel, so we used a Deco frame for the Announcement. The swirl pattern is repeated on the RSVP, Accommodation, and Reception cards on the bottom. All the Envelopes are sealed and stamped with Wedding cake postage.

I will get them out Monday. I have the labels to finish yet. Almost there. Now to start the favors......

The Shower!

Saturday was the day....my daughters wedding shower. She is getting married in March, the thirteenth to be exact. Angie, Pasqual's mother and I had it at a local Italian restaurant. They are friends of the owner and we had it before their regular business hours. The had this at the front door........ Angie, Joann, Rose and many of Pat's (Pasqual) family helped to decorate the tables. Angie and her family made the lovely centerpieces for the table.... The head table was decorated with these candles Angie bought and each table had a mixing bowl with some goodies. Everyone received and apron, dishtowel, and a spatula these were the favors I made up. The person with the wooden handle on their spatula won the centerpiece. A photo of the couple graced the center table.....all was ready. Steph and Pat had a great time. They received such lovely things for their new life together, the food was great (we had a choice of salmon and chicken piccante), "huge" cupcakes for dessert , and the company was wonderful. I will share some photos another time. We took so many. Pat's family was so warm and friendly, making everyone feel welcome and like family. My good friends came, sisters, cousins, and in-laws were there to share in their special day. It won't be long now. Today we went for a dress fitting. It should be ready by next week. I will finish the invitations this week then they will be off. I have to shop for shoes, dress and complete the favors. Time is moving so fast now, hardly time to think or do anything that is not "wedding" related. Which is why I haven't been around to post of late. Soon though, soon it is moving fast, gathering speed and before we know it the day will be here. If this shower is any indication then I am confident the Wedding will be wonderful! Congratulations Stephanie and Pat!

Collage Camp Special Offer....

KC Willis and her Collage Camp! Love it. I bought the DVD, and she has just announced she is having a "special"! You can take Collage Camp for only $75, instead of the usual $95. Not only that you can also buy her classes on DVD, and she is currently offering her three follow up classes for only $35.00! A real bargain.

I love her DVD, K C shares all her knowledge on gathering materials, composition and collage. When you finish you have lovely heirloom pieces to enjoy and share. I have found they have several applications. Don't take my worked for it, just visit her at the Lipstick Ranch, or here at the Camp and check out the slide show to see:

http://collagecamp.ning.com/?xg_source=msg_mes_network

Now run, don't walk to the Camp and take advantage of her generous offer. I guarantee you won't be disappointed!

Don't Walk......

Can I just say that this is my "Favorite" Sesame Street song. I loved it when it first aired and stumbled on it on YouTube. Enjoy!

Hear, Speak, and See.......

This Christmas was quiet, and while I missed the old, I made the most of the new. Our son John showed up unexpectedly Thursday night, after work. He wanted to spend time with us is what he said. It was good to see him. He did his laundry and we visited, talked about Stephen Kings new book (John and I both love them) and watched Harry Potter. Kim was home from work at 6:00, and visited with us before leaving for her boyfriends. Steph and Pat called and asked us to come over Pat's parents, but I had already showered and reserved Harry Potter so we chose to stay home.

Christmas morning was quiet and we slept in. Kim received a re-built bike from Mike, and they took a ride (yes, in the rain). I made a breakfast for us then Steph and Pat came over and we opened our gifts. There wasn't much to open, but everyone was happy and seemed pleased with what they received. Steve and I though received the best gift of the lot. You see they had all met and had photos taken. Yes even Pat, Stephs fiance joined in (I will post that one later). I think it was great that they did this for us. I also like that they really hammed it up this time and had fun. The photo above is one of my favorites. Let me introduce you: John, hear no evil (he is the bass player in a rock band called "Seasons of Eden" look for their CD, and on the RIF), Then there is Kimberly, our youngest, speak no evil (my hippie, go green, save the planet, peace child), and Stephanie our oldest, see no evil (our own "Dog Whisperer" and animal rights champion).

This is the second time, the last was over five years ago, that they have done this. The first time I cried. You see, my children are like me, I don't like to take pictures. I do not photograph well and frankly I have yet to see any pictures of me I care for. It seems my children feel the same way (except for Kim, who seems to actually like's having her photo taken. She doesn't mind and always looks good in them). Although they always look good in their pictures, we all share an aversion to picture taking. Since I feel this way I have always respected my children's right to just say no.

The fact that they went and spent a day posing, picking out frames and then presenting us with these pictures mean more than words can say.

John and Steph like to wear black, that one in the middle, well not as much (she says she did not get the memo). I like the contrast, and can't help thinking what beautiful people they are, inside and out.

The photographer who took the pictures is a friend of my son's who will be taking Stephs wedding photos. She did a great job.