A Towel Cake

I attended a bridal shower over the weekend and wanted to give something fun and different, but practical at the same time!

So, I decided to make a towel cake! I had seen some similar on the internet and thought I could do it! I bought several of the bathroom and kitchen towels that the bride registered for, rolled them up (with Dynamo's help of course), and made a cake!



Yes, that's a whisk and spatula at the top! On the registry too!



What do you think?

I added the purple ribbon and dried hydrangea since I know purple is her color and hydrangeas are her flowers!

Here's one last photo of the whole thing...Sorry it's a little dark, but my light tent isn't big enough for this item!



I thought it would be a little boring to just give towels, so I gave it a twist! This way I was sticking to the registry so she got what she wanted, but I got to jazz things up a bit!

Wedding mini book

Back in April we attended my cousin's wedding in Maryland. It was absolutely lovely. I wanted to put something handmade and special together for her of the photos I took. I also wanted a way to keep some of the special momentos together for her in the future.

Remember the messy floor...

Well, that became this...

And, the other side of the book...

I was looking for the perfect paper to create this accordian fold mini book, and when I didn't find what I was looking for, I simply went through my stash of shopping bags. I found this lovely black and white floral one. I took it apart, folded according to instructions I found in one of my how to make a book books, and ta da!!

I chose to use the colors of her wedding: black, pink, and teal! I just love black and white photos!

On the front and back sides of the covers, I used wine bottle corks from the wedding. She had used them in a very unique way. She cut them in half, cut a slit in the curved side, and inserted place cards. Fabulous idea! So, they were the perfect clasp to hold the book together along with a rope like string. I chose this because it reminded me of the beach and the rope you use to tie a boat to the dock.

So, here's more of the inside...

She had on these beautiful pink heels with her dress! They matched her mom's dress. You can't tell in these photos, but trust me! The minute I saw them I knew I was going to edit the picture to make it black and white with the only color being on the pink shoes! So fabulous!

In this next photo I used the table number card on our table because it was her "family" table.

And, on the other side of the accordian book there was a pocket on each page to hold special papers, etc. from the event. In the first pockets I placed the invitation, the welcome message in our hotel bags, and a map of the area.

And, on the last page I put the menu from dinner along with the interior envelope which held our invitation. Inside that envelope I put a CD with all the photos I took from the weekend.

So, I'm not really sure what she'll do with the book, but I wanted her to have something special from us! It was kinda like a giant card!

I promise I've been working...

I know I've been a little slow this week with posting projects, but that doesn't mean I haven't been working. Two completed projects are going out to their recipients in the mail today, and once they receive them I'll post pictures. Until then, here is an in progress pic and hint...

It has to do with my cousin's wedding back in April.

Sending Wedding Congrats

I wanted the card that accompanied my cousin's gift to be lovey dovey, unique, and kinda shiny! I love using hearts and my gold gel pen! Those Unibal gel pens from Stampin' Up! are awesome!!

And, I had to use some of that lovely red glitter paper! No, it's not just for Valentine's Day!

I used chocolate chip cardstock along with old olive cardstock and ink. The designer paper is from JBS Mercantile.

Happy Thursday!

A special wedding

Over the weekend we went to Kent Island, Maryland, for my cousin's wedding! It was a wonderful event, and even though Saturday was rainy, it shined inside for the bride and groom.

The whole family was together. This is a photo of the Morris family...

Here are my two other two cousins with my 91 year old Grams...

And, here are a couple of photos of Dynamo and I...

To respect my cousin's privacy, I'm not going to share any photos of the rest of the wedding until she's seen them, but I just wanted you to know that I'm not M.I.A. Just been driving and preparing for the big event!!

Lindsey Marie was a beautiful bride. It was a beautiful weekend. And, we're so blessed to have a new addition to the family.

Happy 4 and 7 today, Dynamo!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Then...

(2004 - when we started dating)

Our wedding day...

(2007 - the best day of my life!!!)

(July 2010, Wilmington, NC)

 

(October 2010, Georgia)

(February 2011, Richmond, VA)

With every day that passes I am more and more thankful of our time together as husband and wife and as best friends. You came into my life and swept me off of my feet...still do - like this!!!!!

You are my Prince Charming! I have learned so much from you and each day become a better person because of the love you show and give me...it's unconditional. Everyone should be able to experience that love. I'm so blessed to be so loved by you! I'm so blessed to have you! God has given me a special gift by giving me you! I thank him everyday for one more moment with you!

I'm so glad that you left your number on my car windshield that day 7 years ago! I'm glad I decided to call you :) We've been through lots of changes, but the one thing that has remained the same (and grown tremendously) is my love for you!

So, happy 4 year wedding anniversary, Dynamo! And...happy 7 years together!!! I love you forever and ever!!

If The Stars Were Mine

If the stars were mine,

I'd give them all to you.

I'd pluck them down right from the sky

And leave it only blue.

I would never let the sun forget

To shine upon your face.

So when others would have rain clouds

You'd have only sunny days.

If the stars were mine,

I'd tell you what I'd do:

I'd put the stars right in a jar

And give 'em all to you

If the birds were mine

I'd tell them when to sing.

I'd make them sing a sonnet

When your telephone would ring.

I would put them there inside the square

Whenever you went out.

So there'd always be sweet music

Whenever you walk about.

If the birds were mine,

I'd tell you what I'd do:

I'd teach the birds such lovely words

And make 'em sing for you.

I'd teach the birds such lovely words

And make 'em sing for you.

If the world was mine,

I'd paint it gold and green.

I'd make the oceans orange

For a brilliant color scheme.

I would color all the mountains

Make the sky forever blue.

So the world would be a painting

And I'd live inside with you.

If the world was mine,

I'd tell you what I'd do:

I'd wrap the world in ribbons

And then give it all to you.

I'd teach the birds such lovely words

And make 'em sing for you.

I'd put those stars right in a jar and

Give them all to you.

words and music by Melody Gardot, 2009 

The Birdie Sling

The last part of Lindsey's gift was a beach bag/tote bag. She told me that she loves bags and colors, so I wanted to make her something to maybe take with her on her honeymoon or tote stuff around town!

I used Amy Butler's Birdie Sling pattern. Another fabulous pattern by Amy Butler, let me tell you!!! This is the second time I've used this pattern and it was easier than the first time. It certainly wasn't hard to begin with because her patterns are so user friendly, but the more you make something, the better you get at it.

Of course it had to be different on each side. Everything I make is two-sided in case you haven't noticed! Maybe this could be my signature :)

It turned out fabulous! The colors were bright and spring-like. The bag is the perfect size. I know she will enjoy using it!

I try very hard to think about the person and their personality when I make something. Every card, bag, purse, etc. that I make is special to me. Just like the person I make it for. 

If you're looking for a great pattern, this is it! All of Amy's patterns are great! 

Something borrowed, Something blue...

On my wedding day, my cousin, Lindsey Marie, gave me the above vintage handkerchief that was her Granny's, and said that it could be "my borrowed" or "my blue," whatever I needed. I carried that hanky with me down the aisle the day I said my vows to my Dynamo. I did cry that day...a lot!! But, they were happy tears!

My mom's friend bought a get well card with a hanky in it...showed it to us...said "Rachel, you can make that"...and I thought I could too...So, I thought hard about it and came up with the above design for Lindsey's card. I wanted to incorporate shells because Lindsey is a beachy girl. The shell was one of many we found on one of our trips to Florida to see Dynamo's parents. It was the perfect addition.

The shell band slides off of the card and it opens to reveal this rhyme:

"Something borrowed, Something blue, Either way it's up to you! Love, Rachel Marie"

This was probably one of my best card creations. It was so special. You see, Lindsey and I are both only children, so we have a common thread. I have always looked up to my big cousin. I'm so happy to see that she's found her "Prince Charming." He will be a wonderful husband to her and a great addition to our family.

"Pledging" her love

My cousin, Lindsey Marie, is getting married in less than 2 months! Mom and I took the trip up to northern Virginia (NOVA) to attend her lovely shower and celebrate with her on Sunday! It was a beautiful shower and we were so grateful to be able to be a part of her celebration.

Every guest was assigned a time of day and their gift had to be associated with that time. Mine was 6 a.m. So, there are lots of things you could be doing at 6 a.m., and I figured I'd focus on the cleaning theme (for the most part with a kiss or can of nuts thrown in).

I wrote her a letter and used common product names in the letter (i.e. PLEDGE, SNUGGLE, etc). Dynamo suggested that I put each gift in a numbered bag, and she was to open them in order. There was a tag on every item that she read aloud. Here's a pic of all the items lined up ready for bagging...

So, the letter read (each number represents the tag and corresponding bag):

1. Dear Lindsey Marie, Congratulations on your upcoming wedding. In less than 2 months, you'll PLEDGE your love to the man of your dreams.

2. Your wedding day will be the DAWN of your lives together, not as two people but as one.
3. Your marriage can be filled with lots of JOY if you choose to make it joyful.
4. Marriage does take work, but remember that everything worth having does. Not everything will be all lovey dovey and KISSES.
5. Asser may not always be MR.CLEAN or as BRAWNY as he is now.
6. As the years pass, you might not be as TONEd as you used to be either. That's ok, because you should love one another for what's inside. That's what counts.
7. For better or worse, it works best when no one tries to be a HOT SHOT.
8. There will be times when things will frustrate you. Some things he does will even drive you NUTS.
9. It may even make you want to SHOUT.
10. When times get tough it will seem like things just keep SNOWBALLING out of control.
11. When that happens take a deep breath and most importantly, pray, because the TIDE always turns.
12. Never go to bed mad. Be sure to plant a WET ONEs on each other and SNUGGLE as much as you can.
13. Above all, make sure to love Asser with all your HEART always. Love is truly enough.

When all the bags were filled, I stuffed them into a large rubbermaid tote, which was also part of the gift, and really good for transporting.

I think she really enjoyed the gift. She cried! So, more on the card and tote bag I made her in the next couple of days! Happy Wednesday!