Yada Yada, busy weekend

Not to busy, but anyway. DH met with his 3rd advisor for the thesis Thursday. This one actually has editing experience in his professional life, and put in some requests for changes. Nothing drastic, just some citation changes/additions. Also found out there is a "Graduate Class" to take. Well, pay for. There isn't really a class, it's just what they call it so they can ream you for another $250. Sigh.

Whent to IKEA Sunday- I love IKEA! I found these lanterns for the centerpieces (6"w x 11"h)Also got 2 of the larger version (11"w x 17"h) for additonal decorations, and may end up with a few more. DH thought they would look great to either side of us for the ceremony- I hadn't even thought of that- way to go DH! Cream colored candles for inside, with river rock around the candles.

I have cut out all the fabric for the bordeaux colored roses- this will bring me up to about half of what I need *IF* I only put 10 per table. I hadn't thought of the other non-sitting tables until recently... I guess I better pick up the Ginger organza soon, just so I have it on hand... Might get the Cranberry too... I think I took on a really big project with these flowers.

aka

Organza to the rescue!

Got a lot done this weekend. The Guest list conversation was very short; I had already pretty much built it for both of us. DH reviewed it, took a few people off, and called it done. Now we just have to get all of the addresses filled in.

We also settled in on the invites (see previous post). I had picked them up at Target because it was the first time I saw enough, and figured I could always take them back. DH was concerned they are to pink, but when we put them against the fabric for our flowers, they were a great match.

Ahhh- that's right. I haven't talked about the flowers yet. Cut flowers are expensive. Cut flowers die. I also had a dream about my bouquet that was made of fabric flowers. So, I started googling fabric flowers. There is a lot of bad stuff out there people! I finally found these (below) which are fabulous.

The following are my attempt. I think they are turning out pretty well. I want to scatter 10 or so per table, plus another 15-20 to make my bouquet. So I will be making around 100. I got 4.5 out of a 1/4 yard (got 12 different colors to bring home and play with) so I will be able to get 18 out of a yard. DH and I agreed to three of the colors, with some possible green and mustard/gold to coordinate. As I have a 1/4 yard of several creams and light golds, I may throw a random color in as well. All of my flowers will end up costing me about $40 to make. Granted, it will take some time, but I got 10 done in one night, so it isn't inconceivable!

I may be posting dress pics soon, fyi. Keep your eyes peeled!

aka

Tis Friday again

DD will be going to her dad's tomorrow, so DH and I will have some us time, which is always nice. As the Thesis is completely done, I hope to drag him away from the computer, to which he seems physically attached. I made another bag-this time for me. Will have to PIP at some point. LOVE it, I made it smaller because I just don't need that much room.

aka

Weekend Update

Grrr. Tried to write this post yesterday, but it disappeared when I was almost done and I gave up. Here is me trying again. Finally got ahold of DH's sisters and parents last week to tell them the big news-everyone seemed very excited. One of his sisters offered to chip in, say, pay for the cake. She was excited when I told her I want three or four Fresh Fruit Tarts on raised trays. Lots of color, and less need for decorations. This is just an example; they would be made with whatever fruit is in season at the time.

Also, I bought an invitation set from Target. It is really pretty with Cherry Blossoms, and I even got the Thank You cards. They are a little pink and we really would prefer reds, but I think it is a good start. I haven't seen anything else I like that is even close to this price, but if I do, I will be able to take these back. I got two sets- one for invites/responses, and the other for announcements, and possibly save the dates. The save the dates will depend on what postage costs for the little guys.

We never got around to reviewing the "all inclusive" guest list I started this weekend (up to 101-aaakkk!). DH did get all the changes done on his thesis that his advisor suggested (and they were only suggestions-he would have signed off as is) so he should be sending that over to the other two advisors this week, then DONE officially! We are still 9 weeks from sending invites, so I know I don't have to push it yet, but I am also realizing just how hard it is going to be to start cutting people out of our list.

Other than this, I finished another bag for a friend who just wants it as a purse, and got another baby related sewing idea from another BOTBer that I can't wait to try. Now to make my bag, which will be the cutest of all. PIP will come eventually. Also, I woke up Saturday night from a dream with an image of what I want my bouquet to look like and had to get up and write it down. No big hints yet, but I want to go to the Fashion District in LA to look at fabrics...

Love Ya! aka

Time to set a date, and other things...

So it's Tuesday. I made it the whole weekend without bringing up D-Day, for which I am very proud. DH emailed his thesis yesterday morning, at which point I finally brought it all up. Turns out he didn't forget, he just assumed that since he had more time to write, we would talk about it another day. Grrr. I asked him if he understood things from my perspective. That by not bringing it up, it seemed as if he had forgotten. He asked why I didn't bring it up. I told him because I knew he needed to take the extra time to write, and bringing it up would have distracted from that. (basically, I had all the right answers, and he had to acknowledge that it was a crappy way to proceed, and he should have said "I know today's the day, but I have this great opportunity to finish up. Can we pick another day?"

So last night before bed, I mentioned that we should pick another day soon, otherwise we may not have enough time to plan. He says "How about tomorrow?" Okay. So I took today off. We are going to review dates, pick one, confirm that it is good for the important people, and then start planning! (I assume I will have to get the organization stuff dealt with)

In other news, I have finished the second baby blanket, and made two diaper bags. I will be making two more, but as beach/summer bags for myself and a good friend. PIP of all below.

For Veronica's boy. I love this pattern.

Closer up-not sure if you can tell-I single crocheted the squares together, using blue to join white and green squares, green to join white and blue squares. In person, the joining is raised, which makes it kind of 3-D. LOVE.

Inspiration from one of the ladies on the BOTB board. You know who you are. It is to hot to crochet anymore this summer, so I pulled out the sewing machine.

It is reversable!

This one is for a neighbor who's designer diaper bag was stolen from her car. I know she loves purple, so I made her this. Turns out she already has a replacement, but didn't have anything to carry her breast pump in when she returns to work-now she does!

Back

Also reversable- the background color is actually green-came out pretty yellow in the pictures. Notice it even has a zippered pocket.

I wanted to put a ton of pockets on-I think I may have gone overboard...

LOVE!

aka

First PIP!

So here they are! The walls are a nice dk lavender (look blue to me in the pics.) She did a great job painting-this was her first time, and she learned to mask, cut in, and roll. I added these stars today; they are a dk charcoal, though they look black, which she loves (she would paint her entire room black if I let her.) It was a struggle to keep them "squashed" as I tend toward the symmetrical in all of my art and crafts (one of my struggles.) We will be putting more stars over the bed, and over the closet doors, but not today.

aka

Time to get up off the couch

It is time. I want to post pics of DD's new paint with the stars, but can't do that until the stars get painted. So. I have decided that is how I will spend the afternoon. Will be back later to post pics.

aka

Flying Purple People Eaters

Well, not so much. DD and I painted her room on Sunday. I added some color around our place in April/May, and have the paint to do my bedroom, but haven't been motivated to do it. DD has been asking to paint her room for a long time, but I have been blowing her off because she kept asking for black. No way. If we were in our own place, I might let her do some accent walls, but we will have to prime every wall we paint when we move out of this place someday.

Anyway, Sunday morning, I just got the painting bug again and couldn't do my room as DH was going to be working on his paper all day. So I got DD up, and we went to Lowe's to see if we could agree on some colors. It actually went well! My only caveat was that she couldn't pick a color darker than our living room wall (a dusky gray/blue.) She thought for sure this would mean color she liked would come out to pale and babyish. We actually quickly agreed on not only a main color (dk lavendarish) but an accent color (light charcoal) with which to paint "casual" stars over her bed.

I had her help me, which doesn't always go well since I can be a perfectionist/control freak, and don't like to repeat myself to someone who is old enough to listen the first time. (I know, I know, I need to calm down already) She did a great job! I showed her how to mask, cut in the edges and roll. She rolled the main wall all by herself while I cut in ahead of her! We haven't gotten to the stars yet, which will be my challenge as I have to force myself into asymmetrical work, but will post pics when it is done. Hopefully I can get some good shots-I was having a hard time getting good shots of just the main color...

Look for the pics soon- aka

Dinner and a Movie

I have been looking for ways to spend more quality time with DD. So often, I find her sequestered in her room playing video games, and I am concerned that she spends so much time alone. Saturday evening we went to dinner and then saw the new Harry Potter, something we have both been looking forward to. Man, what a disappointment! I am not sure I have been this underwhelmed by a movie in quite a while. Despite this, we had a good time together. DD has strong emotional responses to movies, so she cried at the end, and even held my hand as we left the theatre-something she has refused to do for almost 2 years! I need to work harder to keep our connection strong.

aka

Blogging Virgin-No More!

Well! Here It Is. My First Post. I guess it's good to just get it out of the way, so I can enjoy it next time. Let's not talk about it too much, K?

Kisses-aka