Of feathers and fine things
Friday, October 1, 2010
Buillied into it
But The Boy tells me people have to love it since he loves it so much (I think he's biased myself). But I've been making these sorts of things on and off for the last year, experimenting with various techniques and scenes. I've been giving them away as gifts and those people seem to like it. That is encouraging. So after much debate, I gave in and opened a store...and then left it empty for awhile.
It took a few more weeks for me to get up the courage to actually post anything for sale. But then we went to a wedding a couple of weekends ago. The Boy asked me to make a shadow box papercut illustration for the couple as sort of a "card" based on the magnet they sent out as a Save the Date. I obliged but was nervous as I did not know them very well.
The card was made and presented at a very gorgeous (although hot) wedding. And then nothing until they came to visit The Boy at his work and proceeded to gush about the "card." It made me blush a little to think that this couple, who were virtually strangers to me, actually liked the illustration so much! And there you go: the boost to kick me in the pants and start listing things to sell. Maybe someone else would want to have one made for themselves? Anyone?
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
A Bend in the Road
My poor neglected blog. I had promised to write about the wedding and what all has been going on in my life since that big day...but I forgot. Well, actually, life just got busy and new projects arose and well, my blog was left at the wayside.
But I'm back. And hopefully, for good!
News: it's been over a year since I last spoke (which means, since The Boy and I were hitched!) and life has been rather blissful for the most part. Marriage hasn't changed us much, only made life much richer and happier.
What other news? I've been in the middle of changing professions in my real life so that has consumed a lot of my "free" time. It's rather thrilling but a daunting task to completely change everything. For more about that, see my other little blog. It's all about the difficulties in trying to become a freelancer in the publishing industry.
And...this blog is about to have it's own changes too! Already, I've updated the look of the blog but now that the wedding that was, well, was, it's time to figure out what this blog will be about. So, since I have another pet project going, I figured this would chronicle that since it served to record my wild thoughts pre-wedding.
And this is where I let you in on a wee secret of mine: I've opened an etsy site! Yup, I have a store. (Find me here!) For now, I have just opened the place but have yet to fill it with all sorts of things I hope people like. Here's the scoop of what it should include (and therefore, what this blog o' mine will be about): all things paper. By that I mean, handmade cards and postcards, photos, drawings and sketches, prints, and papercut art. The last bit is what I'm most nervous about. I don't really get my art out very much but I may be brave enough now to show it to you and to others.
So whaddya say? Visit me? Let's see how this whole thing will go.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
2 months to go...
Somehow, between doctor's appointments, work and family obligations, we have actually managed to get a few things off our check list.
1. Finalized the guest list! At first the numbers started out on the smaller side then ballooned an extra 20 people! We've finally settled ourselves and fought off the urge to invite anyone and everyone and find ourselves in a cozy low number that best evokes the intimate feel we're hoping for the wedding.
2. The men are styling. At least the men in the wedding party. The Boy and I talked it over and decided that a suit best fist our nice relaxed wedding rather than something more formal like a tux. He had contemplated tuxes for awhile, liking the traditional aspect of it; he liked it so much so that I agreed to go tux rental shopping with him. Two hours later, we found ourselves with our heads in suits of every shade imaginable. The Boy tried on a few jackets for me and I liked how they all fit but as we were leaving the store, I happened upon a charcoal number that I had him try on as a whim. Low and behold, my Boy was transformed into someone else...a groom. I suddenly had visions of how he would look on the day we got married and it took my breath away. I told him he had to get it because that was his suit. Isn't it funny to have the "I know this is it" moment with something other than my Dress (and the fellow, of course)?
3. Invitations are being sent out this week. After much time and such a labour of love (really, I'm quite proud of them), they're going out into the world this week. Pictures of them when they're all done.
4. Bridal accessories are all checked off. I've got the Dress, my veil, shoes and even the things unseen. It's nice to know how I'll look in a few months.
5. On that same note, I've got my makeup lined up as well.
6. And next week, we're doing the engagement pictures. Stay tuned to hear how that goes!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
all things floral
The long-promised post about wedding flowers! I mentioned awhile back that I had finally decided on concrete images for the types of flowers I want to use at the wedding as well as the arrangements. After the Maid of Honor and I browsed our local wholesale flower shop (and Costco and a few other shops) we came up with a few ideas of hardy flowers that would be in season and would stand up in the weather.
1) Kangaroo Paws
(image from miss_armour)
You've seen before. I used it in a previous post where I had some musings about flowers I was considering. Surprisingly, they remain in the updated vision. (Is it really that surprising when they are free? Thank you good friends!) Though I want to still use the kangaroo paws, I'll probably only have them on side tables like the ones for the guest book. It's really such an architectural plant and had we decided to still have the reception at the original venue, it would hold up nicely against the more modern and clean lines of the Zen garden. However, with the garden turning into a backyard garden, it's not really the lush romantic feel I'm looking for. I think it would be an interesting detail in some rooms (bathrooms? front entryway? kitchen?) in some tall vases, but the look would be a little on the sparse side because the branches are so very interesting on their own.
2) Pink Hydrangeas, White Roses and Greens
(image from ... ? If you know it, send me a message and I'll credit you)
This is my favorite of the centerpieces I've got filed away on the computer. It really goes well with the pink part of the color scheme (though, technically, we have no official "colors" for the wedding) plus I could probably throw in some peach as well (a concession to the orange requested by the Boy; does peach count as orange?). Sprays of hydrangeas, maybe creamy roses and difference plants in greens; it's full, low to the table, completely romantic and airy and at home in a garden reception. I plan to surround the centerpieces with candle votives (who doesn't love the glow of candlelight?).
I am torn by the next two images. I want to use at least one of the ideas on a few different tables.
3. Hydrangeas in Vials
(image by mellow_stuff)
The first idea is to gather a trio of vials and fill each with a single branch of hydrangeas (I don't know why but I've recently grown to really like the look of them for the wedding). I don't know if I'll get vials but I like the idea of using very few flowers that add a lot of punch.
4) Hydrangeas in Clear Glass Vase
(image by adam_binsz)
Same flowers, fewer containers. This appeals to me as I don't know what I'll do with all the vases and bottles and other assorted containers after the wedding. The fewer we have left over, the better but I can't seem to sacrifice the vision for practicality.
5) Tulips and Sprays
(image by snippet & ink)
Actually, I probably wouldn't go with tulips for the wedding even though they are my favorite flowers (in red, please!). I think they'd wilt in the summer sun and there is nothing sadder than a wilted tulip. I don't want any sadness at the wedding so I have actually banished my favorite poesy in favor of hardier ones like roses (this could work with a few of the glasses containing sprays and sprigs of --dare I say it... baby's breath!). I liked this scene so much I have enlisted a few friends to start collecting bottles and jars and all sorts of colored glass. I can recycle after the wedding.
6) Sweet Peas
(image by Blondie's Highlights)
I like the pop of the blue in the vase (plus love the fractured glass look as well) and I'd probably combine the last two images into a single vision. I'd have a collection of 3 to 5 vases/containers with the stronger coloring of this photo. I've never actually seen a sweet pea in real life but I googled it and they are actually really pretty. if I used sweet peas (which the MOH has suggested I also use some in my bouquet) it would be a really sentimental gesture as the future MIL actually refers to me often as Sweet Pea.
You'll notice that I said I'd be choosing a few of these options (if not all) for the different tables. Does this mean I have an attention span problem? Probably. But I like the charm of different tables offering different delicacies for the eye to devour; and who says you can't do it yourself on a budget? One just has to be a little creative and be a tad bit neurotic.
Enough about the centerpieces though, onward march towards the inspiration for the bouquet!
I love this bouquet. It has pink ranunculus, some roses and berries. Since peonies will not be in season for the wedding and anemones were a little too modern for the style we're going with, I thought ranunculus were the perfect choice for the bouquet (maybe in the vases too). I like the gardeny feel of it.
(image by orawrat)
For the bottom of the bouquet (where you hold it), I wanted to wrap it with typewriter keys and all! Since I won't get my books as part of the decor (did I mention I got my masters in English Lit?), I figure it would be a nice nod to my love of all things literary. (image from weddingbee's Mrs. Lovebug)
Do you know what I learned from this? While I loved flowers at home, I didn't originally think I'd use them much in our decoration because I thought, wouldn't this be a great way to save some money? I can decorate with plants and fruits and books. *sigh* I love books. But now it seems like there are flowers everywhere, even at the ceremony site (granted, we aren't providing that). In the end, we're going with what we love and while money is an important consideration, there are more ways than one to achieve that all-star wedding look that still somehow retains that charm that is our love.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
(K)not a Bride's Best Friend
Monday, April 20, 2009
The Wedding That Could've Been
Couldn't you imagine carrying this handmade bouquet to an altar of flowers and nature shining down on you as you say your vows of devotion and love?
How about trusting your wedding bands in a little box lined with moss? This is perfect with the blue lining on top, like the sky acting like a canopy over the wedding.
I love these as coasters. Or booster seats for yours truly.