7 Cities Crafters Christmas

A few of us gals from the 7 Cities Crafters met up for a little Holiday Pot-Luck and gift exchange during the Christmas season. Fittingly, our gifts had to be handmade, so I whipped up these dainty reindeer ornaments. The image is simply an iron-on transfer with a blanket stitch all around; along w/some poly-filler inside. I love that they aren't the traditional Christmas colors. I still have loads left. I even gave some to my family as tag/gift toppers. I'm thinking maybe I'll perfect them and possibly sell them for next years holiday shows. We'll see...

Playing Catch Up

Sigghh...its the end of the year and I have neglected you my poor little blog for way too long. But alas I shall manage to post a few things for this month before the year is over and a new wonderful/hectic/exciting year awaits. Let's recap:



Fall...brought lots of pumpkin guts thanks to our Hunt Club visit. Pumpkin guts then led to lots of...Winter...pumpkin choc. chip cookies used as gifts and such for family & friends. Sadly, I do not have a pic of said cookies, but they are yummy. Not too much pumpkin taste...just right. I had to tweak the above recipe a bit since I used fresh pumpkin guts versus canned. It wasn't as thick as when made with canned pumpkin puree so I added flour, which didn't effect the taste or texture either. Along with lots of other holiday treats, goodies, and decorations as pictured below :) Hope you had a great holiday!

Busy busy busy...

November has been busy for me. With my daughter's bday and the holidays all falling within the same few months, things can get pretty hectic. Either way my daughter had her 4th Bday a few weeks ago. She had an "Under the Sea" themed bday party. We hung blue and green streamers all around the house to resemble seaweed and the sea. My bestie made my daughter's bday cake. I've seen "rainbow cakes" all along blogland and being the little baker that she is, I asked her to take a stab at it. I think it came out great! Very colorful and happy! Kudos Auntie Kelly ;)

Wedding: Mens Apparel

I have learned quite a few things from wedding planning as far as wedding apparel goes. For instance Mens Wearhouse has monopolized the Hampton Roads area. I couldn't find any other formal wear boutiques for men that wasn't a Mens Wearhouse. I remember they had Mitchell's Formal Wear-gone, all the places in the mall...all now Mens Wearhouses. So basically our options for groomsmen apparel was significantly limited. I originally wanted tan suits for the men to wear but after a trip to...Mens Wearhouse of course...we learned that we could only buy suits or rent tuxes. We didn't feel comfortable making the men buy $300-$400 suits so we are now opting to rent tuxes. I'd love to do these wheat suits from J.Crew. They are reasonably priced for the quality and fit but again we feel funny making our groomsmen buy tan suits. Tan suit aren't very practical to wear often so I doubt they would get much wear out of them. Luckily MW currently have these fabulous gray tuxes that work well with our whole casual, laid-back, summer wedding. We knew that traditional black tuxes definitely wouldn't go. So I am happy to have the gray alternative.


Next weekend I have an appointment at All the Rage in Hilltop. I am growing more optimistic with my dress search. I visited their site and picked out a few things and I'm excited to try them on. The prices are well within my budget too so fingers crossed! I'm also confused as to whether All the Rage in Chesapeake is the same? The VB site has a disclaimer saying they are the "original" but I was always under the impression they were owned by the same people? Guess not. Just seems silly that they would have the same store name I guess? Anywho wish me luck!

I've been tagged!

Hooray for my first award! Fellow Hampton Roads blogger, Flip Flop Bride has awarded me the Sugar Doll Blogger Award, thanks so much! I am quite new to the whole blogging scene so I really don't know who to tag, so I'll just continue by answering the questions. Without further ado here are 10 random/interesting facts about me:

1. An entrepreneur from the start, when I was little I would collect wallpaper samples from the interior design sections of department stores and make bookmarks out of them to sell to my classmates for 10 cents.

2. To deter myself from boredom on long shopping sessions with my mom when I was younger, I would collect all the sequins and beads on the floor of the dressing rooms for craft projects.

3. My fondest childhood memories include collecting things from my yard and making "potions" with them out of my moms empty perfume bottles.

4. My favorite holiday is the 4th of July. Cookouts, warm weather, fireworks...what more could you want in a holiday. That and my wonderful fiance proposed to me 4th of July weekend, making it an extra special holiday.

5. I barely wear shoes with laces or that need socks. I am not much of a sneaker gal, my casual shoes are a pair of good ole black ballet flats.

6. I am ALWAYS late.

7. Growing up I wanted to be a journalist like Barbara Walters hehe.

8. To this day I resent taking piano lessons instead of continuing with ballet class.

9. I love puzzle games.

10. I can only finish the "short" size of coffee at Starbucks.

THANKS!

Wedding: Dress Search Part 1

As far as wedding planning goes, right now I am searching for my "it" dress. Unfortunately, I want my dress to be a big surprise for everyone except my lovely mother and bridesmaids, so I won't be posting pics of what I have been trying on. That and the fiance does occasionally read my blog (such a supportive fiance isn't he?). I will be posting and sharing my experiences though. Hopefully it helps other brides in the area figure out where they want to shop.


My first stop I went to was Pure English at Hilltop, in La Promenade shopping center. I knew I was going to a higher end boutique that sold designer gowns but I'm glad I did. I am glad I got that movie-esque experience of trying on wedding dresses where the attendant helps you in and out of the gown. Mind you at Pure English you change in front of whoever you bring, so you may want to keep that in mind :P The sales lady was very helpful but she seemed a bit short tempered with my daughter. So I suggest not bringing little ones. I did find a wonderful, wonderful dress. But of course it is more than I am willing to spend. So beware if you do want the quintessential dress shopping experience do visit a higher end boutique. But be careful, you very well may fall in love with a dress out of your price range.


Secondly, I visited David's Bridal. The ladies were sooo friendly. I suggest going to their website and adding dresses you like to your "Wish List," then print it out and hand it to your sales lady on the day of your appointment. I did this and the process went by so much faster. I already knew that I liked all the dresses on the list so I wasn't wasting time with dresses that just weren't what I was looking for. Once she got an idea of my style she felt comfortable enough picking dresses in the store for me and she did quite a good job at it too. Keep in mind David's Bridal is off the rack, so yes it is much cheaper but you are getting what you pay for. You may be buying a dress that hundreds of other ladies have tried on so you want to keep in mind the cost for alterations like bead tightening and such. But I was pleasantly surprised with their selection and prices. Unfortunately, none of the dresses really got me overly excited, so for now the search goes on.

Happy Halloween 2009!

I didn't have the time or sanity to even attempt to make my daughter's Halloween costume this year but I plan to eventually for future Halloweens. My wonderful mommie made all of our costumes growing up (I got my sewing genes from her and my grandma) and I plan to continue the tradition with my children...just not this year whilst planning a wedding. That and her birthday is next month so I've been party planning for that too. Yeesh. I want to talk her into this awesome costume one year! I have an unabashed love for Hot Air Balloons. As noted here, here, and here.


via Black *Eiffel w/tutorial

60's Stewardess

I stumbled across a post on The Cupcake Diary featuring Elle Italy's editorial on 60's stewardess fashion inspiration which I loved! It reminded me of my visit to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in D.C. I made the fiance take this pic of me because their outfits are so fantastic! I'd love to live in those days and dress like that on a daily basis. Although it seems that wouldn't be the case since the other pictures depicts my sadness that I indeed couldn't be a stewardess back in the 60's because I am indeed not a white female. Phooey :P

Handmade Nation Premiere @ the NARO

FYI! Tomorrow is the premiere for the indie documentary Handmade Nation, being shown right here at our own NARO Cinema in Norfolk. The film describes and follows the diy/craft movement happening across the nation.

Some fellow ladies from the 7 Cities Crafters will also be there before the premiere selling their wares in promotion of the movement itself. Awareness for handmade! Woo!

So go check it out. The Trunk Show is open to the public from 3-5pm and the screening of the film is immediately after @ 5:15 pm. Admission is $6. Hope you all can make it.

Emma Pillsbury

I really love Glee. I have always had a thing for musicals...stage, cinema, television...doesn't matter (I can't wait to see Nine when it comes out), so Glee is right up my alley. Personally, I think its very well written; its smart and funny. Aaand I love the character Emma's wardrobe. Its very classic and vintage, lots of cardigans, pencil skirts, brooches, and pins...all me. I've been wanting/needing to make a sweater clip for myself since I don't like actually buttoning up my cardigans for work but I like them to stay in place. The more I saw Emma's character on Glee wearing them I couldn't resist. So I made this yesterday and I plan to make more :)

Hunt Club Harvest Fair

Man its been quiet over here. Sorry about that. I guess I've been overwhelmed with wedding planning. But fortunately, I realized that I was worrying over nothing because we met with the owner of our venue today at Hunt Club Farm and I'm so glad we did, because Randi really made me feel at ease. And I think that's exactly what your reception vendor should do. Listen to your concerns, wants, needs and really work with you in a way that makes it all seem doable. She definitely has experience with large events with their birthday parties, Harvest Fair, and the best Halloween Haunted attractions in the area, in my opinion. All the staff at Hunt Club is so helpful and friendly; I'm really excited to work with them. More importantly, after talking with such friendly staff, my parents seemed more on board with the whole rustic barn wedding. I was happy that my Dad mention it was a good change versus the lavish weddings they're used to. I think it'll be a good time...

We stuck around to pick out pumpkins, enjoy the petting zoo, and see all the other attractions that are available everyday throughout the Fall. Unfortunately, today it actually felt like Fall, so it was quite chilly. We ended the day with some hot cocoa, warm cookies, and a family friendly movie on the couch. It was a good Saturday :)






www.huntclubfarm.com

If sometimes I go MIA...

...you can find me here: 7 Cities Crafters, the other labor of love. Click it to see all the awesome crafty stuff going on in the area :) So if it gets quiet here...I'm posting over there, or wedding planning, or chasing my toddler around...probably all at the same time :\

I found this image all too appropriate...bc Chuck Norris is THE MAN!

Fabric Flowers

Just wanted to share a side project I've been working on. I've been helping some friends make Fabric Flower corsages for her wedding next month. I think they came out quite nicely and I love the fabrics she chose. Who knew satin would look so good next to tweed?

On my wedding news, I cleaned out my local Michael's of their Martha Stewart paper in green and stocked up on some ribbon that were only 50 cents a spool. I am kinda upset though bc the whole reason I went to Michael's today was to use two 40% off coupons I had...and of course I forget to use them both! Bah....oh well I still think I did a good job stocking up on the sale items.

Wedding: Hampton Roads Reception Sites

I want to share a few things. First the place for our reception! We are having a rustic barn reception at Hunt Club Farm in Virginia Beach, VA. I was ecstatic when we came across this place. I was starting to get worried because it seemed like there weren't a lot of charming places in Hampton Roads to hold receptions. Kyle and I agreed we didn't want a banquet hall. They just weren't us. We wanted something with character and I definitely wanted something with an outdoor feel since Virginia Beach's fickle weather ultimately ruled out an outdoor reception for us.

Secondly, I wanted to share my findings with you. I know a lot of people who are also getting married soon so I figured I'd share my hard work. There seemed to be a lot of sites and info for NoVa weddings but not so much for Hampton Roads. So I hope this helps!

Keep in mind I don't have your typical hotel halls listed because those are pretty easy to search for. These places were unique in either the place or price ;)

Listings without links are Officer's Clubs. I hear this is a great option price wise if you have military in your family.
Reception Sites

Why didn't I think of this...

A lot of the time, in the craft world you come across things that just make you think..."why didn't think of that?" This is one of those things. I came across this on Design*Sponge and realized it is made of the same fabric I made my grocer tote out of. It'd be cute to use washable markers and write different notes to your kids on. Aww I can't wait until my daughter goes to school and I can write her gooshy notes for her lunches. This will def be added to my never ending "To-make" list. Hope you all enjoyed your weekend! We spent all of Sunday afternoon at the park, it was a beautiful day here in Hampton Roads...now I am sore...I should get out and play more :P

Wedding: Asking my bridal party

Slowly but surely, I am getting things done and crossing them off my wedding-to-do list. My latest accomplishment: asking my lovely bridal party if they'd do the honor of standing by me on my big day. I sent out these prize pins with the appropriate title for each lady. They are wearable with pins attached on the other side. I love the look of a classic prize pin :) Thanks for stopping by!

Currently Obsessing Over: Wool/Tweed Handbags

I am def in need of one of these for Fall...

1- Gap, Wool Duffle Bag, $49.50

2,3- Urban Outfitters, Kimchi Blue Menswear Tote, $58.00

Wedding: First Game

I thought this was a really cute idea. The couple didn't want to have a first dance, because they aren't much of dancers moreso gamers so instead they decided to have their First Game of Rock Band! How awesome is that? The fiance is very much a gamer and we have had many a late night Rock Band sessions, unfortunately I do like to dance so we're keeping it traditional...still a very cute idea though.

Whitney Lee Photography brings you Stephanie & Kevin's wedding

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Last Days of Summer...

Last few shots of summer and our road trip to Huntingon, PA. More here...

Trip to DC

The fam and I recently took a trip up to DC to visit my sister and the new little one, as well as to be tourist and show my daughter all the wonderful sites of the Nat'l Mall. More here...

Wedding: Invite Secret Formula Revealed

Thank God for the genius that came up with this. Even though the graphic artist probably intended for it to be a joke, I will probably seriously refer to this when it comes down to sending out invites. So watch out people!

I don't remember where I got this from so if you do...lemme know. Thanks!