Trick or Treat Sign

So I was in a local craft store recently and saw this really cute "Trick or Treat" sign.  I thought -- I could do that!  And you can too!  My husband had some old pieces of 2x4's out back -- all were different sizes which was perfect for this rustic sign.  You could also find scrap wood at

Lowe's or Home Depot in the wood cutting area.

First I had my kids paint each piece of wood black -- nothing too perfect.  After they had time to dry I sanded each piece especially on the edges to give it a slightly aged look.

Next came painting the letters...we used regular craft paint in 3 shades of orange.  At first I planned to use a stencil but I found that I could do just as good free-handed.  To give it a bit of depth I added a highlight of white to each letter.

I also made this quick "Happy Halloween" sign to hang over our mirror.  I bought orange card stock and used scalloped scissors to cut diamond shapes for each letter.  I also purchased letter stickers with a cool grey web texture.  The individual diamonds were then glued to black and white polka dot ribbon.

Jaime and Jordan - October 22nd

Jaime and Jordan did most of the decorating and planning for their sweet wedding.  We however were lucky enough to play a small part by providing them with bouquets and corsages.  I wanted to show you them because I loved the colors.  Jaime chose olive green, grey and eggplant.  Fun and different.

the bridesmaids bouquets...

Pumpkins with Feather Hats

For this pumpkin project I was inspired by an article I read in a recent Somerset "Home" magazine.  An artist added black lace, feathers and flowers to small pumpkins.  It looked fun and different.  First I needed some black netting -- so I found an old top I had that was too small for me -- instead of the taking it to the Goodwill I decided to cut it up! I did buy 4 black roses on sale at Micheal's and also had some black feathers left over from a job. I wired and just tied everything together -- then I added a few sparkles and a little bling!  They almost look like they have on little vintage hats!

You could also add rhinestone broaches or earrings...

October 21, 2011 - Elizabeth and Brian's Wedding

I can't wait to share this bouquet with you all.  For Liz we designed this fall inspired bouquet -- her wish was that it wouldn't be "too dark".  I think we nailed it!  It was full of textures and colors.  To lighten the terra cotta, burgundy and orange colors we added greens and creams.

I always encourage all of my clients to add a personal touch to their bouquet.  Here Liz provided me with a small scrap of her dress that was left after alterations.  I attached it vertically over some pretty cream ribbon. 

The ceremony took place at Wolf Lakes at the Lakeside venue. What a beautiful view!

The tables were so beautiful dressed in chocolate linens and the chair covers were gold with chocolate ties.  On half the tables we used tall vases with manzanita and a "pop" of color at the top.  To incorporate the lighter greens we used moss balls inside the vases.  I loved it!

The other half of the tables were decorated with our candelabras.

October 22, 2011 - Monique and Greg

Monique was such fun to work with - she had some really cool and different ideas!  She and Greg held their wedding out at Tuscan Gardens in Kingsburg.  We attached white curly willow to our arch.  Small glass holders were hung with white ribbons and filled with white flowers.  Down the isle we made large white half pomanders with cream football mums.  White pillars and ribbons finished the look.

 

The bridal bouquet was a Beidermeir design (which means it has monochromatic rings of flowers) -- the inner circle was white tulips, the middle dark purple callas and the outer is white hydrangeas.

Here bridesmaids wore black dresses and carried these purple and cream bouquets.

We used our black candelabra with a super cute half pomander of purple imported carnations and

cream ribbons.

For the other tables we added black wire to 3 cylinder vases and submerged purple makara orchids

and floating ivory candles.

Fall Pretty Please

Okay so it is almost the last day of October and I decided to force fall today by baking a pumpkin pie!  If the weather hasn't been giving us that fall chill we all long for after summer - then maybe the smell of pie will.

This summer - after inspiration from my friend Kiley - I started collecting vintage silverware.  I love my new finds.  I purchased these from a local antiques store in downtown Clovis and paid about $1 each.  I keep them on my counter in an old jar and use them often.  For some reason they feel perfect in my hand when eating pie.  They are heavier then my Target silverware.  I wondered who used to eat with these??? That's the beauty of vintage pieces - they all tell a story.

October 15, 2011 - Jenna and Trenton's Wedding

I am just so inspired by beautiful women, that are secure in themselves, to live the life God created for them and at the same time bless others.  Jenna is one such woman.  Jenna really wanted black and red with touches of silver -- she trusted us -- it was so fun putting her flowers together. 

For her bouquet we used these awesome "Black Magic" and "Freedom" red roses with cream white Stephanotis blooms.  I say awesome because these roses open up so big.  Love it!

We did slightly smaller version for her bridesmaids and added loops of green bear grass to give it a modern edge.

Jenna and Trenton had this beautiful seating chart made using black and white damask papers which coordinated so nicely with our table toppers on all the guest tables.

Inside the Grand - 10th Floor we did two different centerpieces - one with tall black curly willow and hanging crystals with a ring of red roses.

And the other centerpieces were black covered square vases that held black manzanita branches and hanging glass candles with a red rose petals.

{Thanks to my mom for sewing these super cute black and white damask table toppers!}



October 15, 2011 - Valerie and Luke's Wedding

Yummy, yummy, yummy fall colors!  I am hooked and have a serious love affair with this time of year.  Valerie was so sweet and new what she wanted for her flowers - "bright" fall colors she told me.  To add an extra punch of color we used purple stock and red and yellow "Circus" roses - paired with burgundy dahlias, green hypericum berries and orange dahlias.

We added in a touch of magenta into the bridesmaids bouquets as well...

Toss bouquet on our purple bubble linen....

 

On the reception tables we put together this cool arrangement with brown curly willow twigs - what made it cool were these new LED battery lights that look like twigs -- we hid them inside the fresh willow twigs.  Inside the galvanized bucket were pomegranates, grapes and fresh flowers. 

We also used our tin lanterns with attached flowers and pomegranates.

The sweetheart table....