Manzanita pics!

Some inspiration...

(image here: http://www.cupidsarrowweddings.net/image_uploads/DSC01333.JPG)



The real thing coming soon!

I heart Manzanita

So I posted a while back about how to cozy up the reception space, and my caterer had suggested renting trees. It just didn't do it for me (plus it was darn pricey). I racked my little brain, and I found some inspiration:

Manzanita branches! And not just some wimpy small ones, no sir. With the help of my dear internet friend Amanda, I have 6 huge "branches" that are over 60 inches tall!

Pics to come...blogger is having some trouble loading photos at the moment. These are like sculpture, I'm so impressed. I'm still debating exactly what to do with them, but I am for sure hanging some LED votives off of them. I might include some flowers.. but B is not sold on that. He thinks they will look great with just the candles, and I worry that they will look like something from the Haunted Mansion without some added "softness". Anyway, potato potahto. I'm just happy to have them.

Pomander on a Budget

photo from marthastewart.com

So, while perusing Target today, I ran into this bath sponge.


Target bath sponge, $2.99 (found in cosmetics aisle)

My wedding obsessed brain said "Oh mah gaw - so cute for a flower girl!!" and it instantly went in the basket. Of course, my girls will carry baskets and actually throw petals (let's hope the 2 year old complies) and not bath sponge pomanders, but really, this is adorable! Because I obviously have way too much time on my hands, I grabbed some fancy gift ribbon, and tied it on for dramatic effect:



Ok, so if it is the day before your wedding and you wake up in a panic sweat only to realize that you had forgotten about your flower girls, this would be an option. A cheap one. They also come in light blue.

Cute? Or am I off my wedding rocker?

DIY Ring Bearer Pillow

There is not an abundance of orange ring bearer pillows available out there, so what else could a girl do? Pull out the sewing machine, of course!

Materials:

I found the most gorgeous orange dupioni silk on ebay for only $9.99/yard - a completely ridiculous price for such good quality silk (click here to check it out - the seller has a rainbow of colors). Then I found a super wide (3.5 inches) double faced ivory satin ribbon (need about a yard) and also a thinner matching ribbon (1 inch - also need about a yard). Additionally, you will need matching thread and some poly-fiberfill.


Directions:

1.) Cut 2 squares of silk to desired size (I chose 6x6).

2.) Cut each ribbon in half.

3.) Take one wide and one thin ribbon and arrange the thin ribbon in the center and on top of the wide ribbon.

4.) On the "wrong" side of one of the silk squares, arrange both lined-up ribbons' ends in the middle of one side of the square with long ends pointing toward the middle of the square.

5.) Arrange the other silk square on top of the ribbon ("right" side up). (This can get a little slippery - be careful)

6.) Using a sewing machine, stitch over both layers of silk and ribbons, being sure to leave at least a 1/2 inch seam allowance.

7.) Repeat on other side. There will be a lot of ribbon on the inside of the squares.

8.) Finish sewing off the bottom seam of the squares.

9.) Sew the top, but leave a 3 inch opening for the stuffing.

10.) Turn the pillow right-side out.

11.) Stuff the pillow. I use a pencil (not too sharp) to get into the corners.



12.) Use a hand blind hemstitch to finish off the pillow.

You're done!

Now you have a pretty fat ribbon for a nice bow, and a thin ribbon to attach the rings (or "for show" rings - which is what I might do). I wrapped the wide ribbon around like a present and left the thin in the middle and trimmed the excess.

Pretty, right?

Peachy Keen

photo borrowed from photos.com

After many iterations and deliberations, I have decided on my theme colors -- golden yellow, fiery orange and deep red (with accents of white, ivory, and sage). I was inpsired by a friend's beautifully simple wedding centerpieces - bowls filled with peaches! Pleasing to the eye, plus a snack, all rolled into one. Bonus.

So, my plan is to have 1/2 of my centerpieces as clear glass vases filled with peaches (pics to come) and a nice orange dupioni silk ribbon tied around (and perhaps some amber colored votives). Going for a warm summery feel - what is more summery than a peach - tell me!

The other 1/2 of the centerpieces will be low cylinder vases filled with white hydrangea and hypericum berries (with the same dupioni ribbon). Thanks Florals by Karen of Moraga for being awesome and meeting my *strict* budget guidlines.