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Monday, April 30, 2012

A Beautiful Birthday And Wedding Week!

The whirlwind continues!  Beautiful weather, Spring in all it's glory....a replication of the day our beautiful first-born, Amanda, came into this world.
Easter - 1 year old
Lucky us....we got to celebrate another birthday with her, as a family ~ as ALL occasions are important in our family!
dinner at Pasco Kitchen
And a special card for a very special Birthday Girl!

The following is a special gift for a very special Birthday Girl ~ I scored a box of old Griffith Spice jars about a year ago.  Wasn't sure what to do with them until Amanda asked for them, reconditioned, for her birthday gift.  With the aid of a free label download on Flickr, some waterslide decal paper, paint, scrapbook paper, a laminator and A LOT of elbow grease ~ here's the metamorphous....

the original caps - yucky, scratched, and rusty

time to get to work on these!
ready for paint

brand new laminated liners

ready to be gifted....

to the Birthday Girl!
The rack will be painted with a soft shade of Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint, just as soon as I get back from Phoenix this Wednesday.   I'll be sure to post an update.

We snuck in a show from our Broadway in Tucson series ~


~ fabulous Tony winner, "In The Heights" ... talent and staging over the moon....

But, I digress....It's WEDDING WEEK!  I've been busy creating the menus for Chiara and Chris' Rehearsal Dinner, this Thursday...


signature packaging
I know you're wondering why the heck I'm so darn late in posting today, so let me share some more with you....My darling daughters hosted a "working brunch" today for the bridal party, to finish up some late minute details...
Kiki, Gianna, and Kelly

Schotzie and Chiara

The not-so-distant-future Mr. & Mrs. Jones

Barbara, Milena, and Ashley
working on the vintage brooch bridal boquet


more brooches

beautiful bridesmaids are 
very hard at work
 When Schotzie mentioned to me that Chiara wanted a unique but inexpensive wedding favor, my "swap" gene kicked in and I thought...."Aha!  An altered matchbox!"  How appropriate as the Groom is an Engineer with the Rural Metro Fire Department....And the favor was born!

I created a prototype where I painted the slider yellow, added tea stained seam binding, a piece of vintage  cotton lace and a snippet of bling....

the last of 200 boxes to embellish (Chris painted all of them - Yay, Chris!)

first batch finished

How could I NOT help one of my favorite brides?
So, lovies, hence the delay of my post...but I must get back to work as tomorrow is our 42nd wedding anniversary and I haven't even made my dh's card yet!

I leave you with one more picture....my sweet great nephew, Zachary, was deep sea fishing with his Dad and caught TWO sharks ~ one was 2.5 feet and the other 3 feet!  Oh yes, Zachary just turned 11 years old!
that's our little man in the red and blue hoodie

Have a BEAUTIFUL week, sweet friends....lots doing and I'll have lots more to share with you on Monday.  Thank you sooooo much for taking time to spend it with me and for ALL your sweet thoughts and comments. You're the BEST!
xoxo
Karen

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Giveaway!


You've gotta check out Riki's fabulous giveaway!!  She'll be giving away 2 workshops during the fantastic Artful Gathering this summer.  Best of all....they are ONLINE workshops!  Be sure to check it out!!
http://rikijewelry.blogspot.com/2012/04/contest.html?showComment=1335277413626#c3307450185520501238


Monday, April 23, 2012

Showers Of Bridal Fun!

Yesterday was our big event...the girls and I hosted a Retro Kitchen Bridal Shower for Chiara!  What a blast ~

from invitation design


to INSIDE DECOR....

thanks so much, Roach ladies, for the lovely loaner!







the GUEST BOOK




to OUTSIDE DECOR....





to TABLE VIGNETTES...








PLACE SETTINGS inside....


PLACE SETTINGS outside




 the FLOWERS...





the FAVORS....


the FOOD & BEVERAGES...





Missing photo of the Homemade Ice Cream served up in pint canning jars!

Beverages served were Orange Spa Water and Iced Tea



And to my dismay I discovered I never took a picture of the dinner buffet, which was Italian, Cheddar, and Jalapeno Sliders, 4 Cheese Mac n' Cheese, Ramen Slaw, Little Smokies, and Pizza Muffins!

the GUESTS...





the GIFTS...

and THE BRIDE-TO-BE!
Ms. Chiara Barrasso ~ soon to be Mrs. Chris Jones!
We love you Chiara, and can't wait for May 5th to arrive!  Thank you soooo much to my beautiful daughters, Melissa and Amanda....
Melissa, Amanda, Gaby, Barbara

This party could not have happened without YOU!

Well, dear friends, this achy, tired gal is going to head off to aquatics class for some therapy!! Have a most beautiful week and I'll be back next Monday!!
xoxo
Karen