Decorate with Memories!

Hi Everyone!
We've all heard it said, "Surround yourself with the things you love".  That is such good advice.  What do you love and how can you incorporate it in your decorating?  Let me share with you some thoughts that just might ignite at spark of creativity in your own home.

Old mismatched dishes which others would throw away or toss in a sack for the Goodwill, I rescue.  Old dishes and especially platter are a treasure to me.  This platter I especially love, not only the dainty little rose design on it but also the fact that it belonged to my Grandma.  Although I don't have specific memories of her using this dish I do have very sweet memories of her.  She was such a kind and gentle lady who always let me choose the food I wanted to eat when I came to visit her.  I love the fact that her platter now hangs in my home.

Next is a  platter, which is part of a grouping of plates above the window in my dinningroom.  This platter too, has a special memory.  It belonged to my husbands Grandmother.  She loved to cook and my husband has memories of many good meals being served using it.  He to loved his Grandmother and she holds a special place in his heart too.

This is an old platter which I found at a Thrift Store and just couldn't pass up.  I have quite a collection of old ones!!!  This hangs by the back door.

Just look at the sweet design on it.  There is a red trim around the outside.  Love the gray and yellow!  

Use them in a grouping or just a single platter above a  picture, either way they are beautiful to me. 

It is true what they say, "Surround yourself with what you love" and I might add to that, Surround yourself with memories of those you love". 

May love, peace and happy memories  fill your home.
Bev
   
 

Wedding Part 2!

More great pictures to share!!  Hope you enjoy!!!

This was a photo tree with snapshots of the couple throughout their life and also current pictures of the couple. It was appropriately called the "Blessing Tree".

Guests were asked to write a blessing, advice, or words of wisdom to the couple and hang it on  the tree. 

Other pictures of the couple were display in old frames like the one above and below.

This display had pictures of loved ones tucked in among flowers and old books etc. 

Flowers were everywhere and they were just beautiful.  Look at all the interesting containers!

The vintage escort cards were hanging on an old door.  Each card was  uniquely decorated. 

Here are some conversation areas, both inside and outside the barn.

"Love" the burlap pillows.

Look at that beautiful countryside!!!  The guest enjoyed appetizers in the shade.

The Bride and Groom each had a signature drink.  Lemonade was served for the kids, using the pink straws of course!!  Besides eating and drinking there were a lot of fun activities for all ages.

The photo booth was a hit with all ages. Here are a few possess.

 

This was a little activity table for the younger ones. 

Luminaries were released into the afternoon sky.  It was a sight to see floating over the countryside.

This was a special thank you gift for each guest as they left the wedding.



 To the Bride and Groom, we love you!  God bless you with a long and happy life together!

Blessing from ours to yours,
Bev 
 

A Day to Remember!

"Decoration Day", a day to honor those whose sacrifices made our nation free today.   This is such a sweet graphic which I found on : http://littlebirdieblessings.blogspot.com/  I just fell in love with this blog!   She has many great vintage graphic which she generously shares with readers.  Take some time to visit this delightful  little ciber space.

Vintage Wedding Unveiled!!

Hi Everyone!
Thanks for bearing with me, as I have been a little slow getting this blog up but finally I am posting wedding pictures and they are amazing!!  Every time I look at them I get goose bumps!  It really was a day blessed by the Lord and one we will remember for all of our lives. 

The reception was held on top of a hill, in a big red barn out in the country. There was a spectacular view of the countryside.  The day was very hot for the first of May but a beautiful blue sky and green pastures in every direction.

The dinner was served upstairs and as you walked up the steps you were met with the most beautiful rustic elegance that your eyes could behold.  Chandeliers, hanging light all a glitter, and candles all aglow.  White table clothes with a burlap runner down the center.  Beautiful soft peonies and roses filled the air with a wonderful fragrance.

My daughter loves vintage!!  The older the better!  Old silver trays, and a variety of old bottles were used for vases and the cutest thing of all, old photos in which the picture was removed and the table number stamped on it. Each place setting had a parchment napkin and a cookie favor.  The bags were the cutest ever!     

The Bride in her cowboy boots, with the Maid of Honor and the Matron of Honor (sisters of the bride)

This was on of our projects which was so fun to do.  The menu was country food all the way.  Don't you just love these cute little food labels!

Flowers were everywhere!  The soft colors of the flowers were such a great balance of rustic and elegance.

An old buffet was used for serving desserts!  It was called Mel's table in honor of the grooms father who passed away.  They had some of his favorite desserts on it.  What a wonderful idea!!

Blueberry Cheesecake was one of Mel's favorites.  The drawers were pulled out and held the forks and homemade mints.  I just love the old table which the wedding cake set on.  Such elegance!

Vintage all the way!!  Two old fork were used by the bride and groom, one said "I do" and the other "Me too".  The server was engraved with there wedding date.

The brides bouquet held a hanky which was my mothers and I used it in my wedding bouquet 36 years ago.  Now two of my daughters have carried it in their bouquets and hopefully my youngest daughter will follow suit too.

 

Traci, from Whimsy, staged the barn, bringing in all her old furniture and totally transforming an old barn into what you have just seen.  There is more to come and I will be sharing the rest next week!!!  Wait till you see the lower level of the barn and some of the activities which took place outside. 

Have a great weekend!
Bev

Weddings are so exciting!  I just love the planning and preparation as the events unfold leading to the big day!!  We are just a few days away from my daughter's big day!  There is a crescendo of last minute activities.   Having three daughter is such a blessing from the Lord!  We have been together all week!  Talk about a support team!!!  We have had so much fun as we have crossed off items on the "To Do List". 

Today I wanted to share with you a project that I made for the bridal showers.  These were a little Thank You gift for the Aunt's who hosted the events.

Aren't these just the sweetest little bags!!  My daughter loves vintage and you will see that theme throughout the wedding. 

Old buttons, doily, hanky and the picture was vintage clip art printed on muslin.  It was my first attempt at printing on fabric and I just love the way it turned out.  I used sepia instead of black ink.

The flowers and ribbon were purchased and glued on.  The stamp set is "Kindness Matters" from Stampin
Up.

Kindness truly does matter!  Thanks to all the Aunts for such nice bridal showers.  Thanks to my three beautiful daughters for all the joy and happiness you bring to my life.  I cherish our time together.  You were wants my little little girls running, playing and having fun.and here you are today.  All grown up, beautiful, responsible and truly caring women.       
And now with tears in my eyes and a treasure in my heart, I look ahead to the wedding day.  On my lips is a prayer of overflowing thanks.  Kindness Matters!!  Thank you Lord for showering me with your kindness and love.  You have blessed me not once, not twice but with three daughters.   Joy personified!!

Kindness from my Heart to Yours!
Bev  

Time to Create!

Today I took some time to hang out in my craft room and do my very favorite activity, creating some fun and useful cards.  It is great way to unwind from the busyness of life. 

I made this card for a bridal shower.  Her colors are gray and yellow.  The background stamp is "En Francais" from Stampin Up.  This is the same stamp used to make the Easter cards, "He Is Risen".  It is a great stamp works great for backgrounds!  This time I embossed the script with white.

Here is the same card using a light green and black paper combination.  Don't you just love the little rhinestones on the butterflies?  This card is so versatile and can be used for weddings, anniversary, thank yous, birthday or just any occasion.

 Have a great weekend and remember to take some time and do something that you will really enjoy.

Blessing from my Craft room to Yours!
Bev 

He Is Risen!

Easter such a joyous time to celebrate all that Jesus died to give us.  Everywhere you look is new life, which is a constant reminder of the new life we have in Christ.  These beautiful daffodils greeted me when I walked out my front door last week and this week the tulips are in full bloom.  Each day is a gift from God filled with surprises and signs of new life popping up all around us.  Who but the Lord could create such beauty!

   This week I just had to do some creating too!  Creating something special to share with others is my absolute favorite thing to do.  I had so much fun making these Easter cards!  The stamp and supplies were from Stampin Up.  The card was in there spring catalog, I just changed the size of the card.

He has risen!! 

Take time to enjoy the beauty all around you and most of all remember to thank Jesus for the new life He died to give us.

Bev