Done!!!

Updated for photos from the wedding:






I'm finished!!!!

The theme of the wedding was birds, as you can see on the invitation below. The bride (I think) made these really cute flags done in fuchsia with silhouettes of the birds from the wedding invite. She hung them on lines decorating the arched trellis at the alter and the windows at the reception hall.

My favorite part of making this album was putting together the flowers and vines. And actually, it was probably good I wasn't finished by the time we had to leave for the wedding because there was a lot more pink in the decor than I had visualized just using the invite to go by. The extra time allowed me to include more pink. Yay, pink! I love working with pink - it's such a pleasing color.

It's hard to create a book based solely off of just the wedding invitation, but I think it turned out okay. There are only a few things I would change.

Here is the inspiration - the wedding invitation (I have blurred out the couple's names for privacy):


Here is the album:






































































































































Hare are the two hidden tags:














Here is the coordinating card and wrapping paper. The card is sitting on top of the wrapping paper. The wrapping paper took about 5 minutes because I just took butcher paper and stamped images willy nilly all over the place. The saying in the card reads, "May the wings of love enfold thee, may the strength of love uphold thee."

Defeat

I have admitted defeat. The album will not be done by the time we leave for the wedding. It is hard not to beat myself up - such is the life of a perfectionist. I think my DH breathed a sigh of relief when I threw in the towel. I was running around like a mad woman trying, trying, trying to get it done. But these things take time and time was what I didn't have anymore of. I am waving the white flag. You have a year to give a wedding gift, right. Oh, God, I hope this book does not take a year to finish.

Insanity

I am getting to try out so many new techniques and the pages are coming out okay, but man this is a big project. I think I am driving my DH insane. There is paper in every room of our home (except our bedroom and he hides out in there like it's a sanctuary) and there are punches, stamps and dies everywhere. It looks like a florists shop blew up in my living room. I can't even describe my craft room, but it's bad. It is very, very bad. I am thinking it may take as long to clean this mess up as it did to make the album. Wish me luck.

In Over My Head?

So I have been working on a scrapbook that will be a wedding gift (I'll post pics once it's done) for the wedding of my husband's co-worker and friend from law school and it has occurred to me that I may be in over my head. Maybe it's just that after 3 nights of about 3 hours of sleep each night I have lost all faith in my abilities. I hope I can make the vision in my head a reality. Isn't it frustrating when you envision something so clearly but may not have the capability to make it happen?

On a brighter note, one of the great things about working on this album is that it has brought back all kinds of memories from my own wedding - which is hard to believe was almost five years ago!

Here is my favorite moment of the whole day. It was when my DH and I were at the railing and he was cuddled up behind me. Man oh man, how I love my man.

Happy Father's Day!!!

I am blessed with a wonderful father. We have a great relationship and I feel so lucky to have such a great Dad.

In addition, when I got married I got another great Dad - one who is supportive, loving and generous.

Thank you to both of my Dads for being there when I have needed you.

And to all the fathers out there, I just want to wish you a Happy Father's Day!

Parent Layout

Cute bead letters...

Longing

I love craft goodies. My current longing is the branch punch by Martha Stewart. There are so many cute things you can do with it - but, alas, I have promised my DH absolutely no more spending on craft supplies. I guess it will have to wait indefintely. I am going to stay reformed. I made him a promise and I am keeping that promise.

Here's a blog featuring it and some cards made with it: Dee's Divine Designs - Martha Stewart Branch Punch

If you think it is cute, too, your best bet is Walmart or ebay. Martha Stewart made it part of her non-seasonal collection and so they are stocking it at Walmart in limited supplies.

Tradition

Practicing using coordinated papers.

JoAnn

I never thought I would fall in-love with a woman but I love Joann! The smell of newly inked papers, charms galore, rows of stamping supplies, fun new punches and super cute embellies. Plus, who doesn't love 40% off coupons? Yep, it was love at first sight. So much better than Michael(s). But not nearly as wonderful as Spencer.

Zoo Layout

Practicing with top and bottom borders. The mats are made from foam I got from Dollartree - love, love, love the Dollartree!!!