Wedding Shadow Box

Yet another Pinterest find... a wedding shadow box!

I love any project that incorporates stationary and memorabilia so this was a perfect idea.  I knew I already saved many things from the wedding that I wanted to make into something but I didn't know what...

A routine trip to HomeGoods lead me to the awesome find of the shadow box from $20.  It was a black, distressed finish complete with a tan material on the inside with pearl push pins.
The wedding invitation was a must along with a few pictures to commemorate the day.  Left-over plum scrapbook paper framed the invite to incorporate the main color of the wedding and to bring it all together.  I snipped off a few buds and blooms from my bouquet along with T's boutonniere to pin as embellishments.   Remembering a few more details that I had made for our special day, I had to add the bell and ribbon wand, and drink stirrer.  I placed the ribbons around the other pieces.  One last addition was our thank you card picture of us holding our thank you boards I made.

It took a little bit of time trying to figure out the best configuration of keepsakes and photographs.  After some time, I finally found the best mix and careful pinned it all down.

T put it up for me in our room and I know remember our special day every day!

Dad's Collage

This past year was a great year filled with a wonderful honeymoon (I'll have to share pictures later), a new home (again, pictures coming soon!), and fabulous celebrations.  My dad turned the big 5-0 this year and of course we celebrated in a big way!  I helped my mom plan a fun, low key surprise party.  We knew we wanted to put quite a few pictures on display but I vowed that I would never make a mundane poster board with cutouts and "funny" sayings.  I went to my trusty Pinterest account and started the search for a memorable DIY picture collage project.  Then I found it... a photo collage in the shape of the number 50!!!  PERFECT!  The site did not give any information on how to make it, but my brain was going crazy with ideas of materials and procedures.  I knew exactly what to do without any instruction.  I visited my local craft store to buy huge foam board (2 pieces).  I sketched out a 5 and a 0.  Using a utility knife, I cut out the numbers with care to not hurt myself or my hardwood floor!  My mom had been collecting old photos of my dad with friends and family so I began to place them on the numbers.  I had so many photos left that I decided to use the scarp pieces to build an exclamation point to add more space for more awesome pictures.  I ended up printing more photos (from the wedding and recent adventures) and scattering them throughout the collage.  After I was happy with the placements, I used the amazing Glue Dots to stick them to the foam board.

The night of my dad's surprise party, T helped me hang the collages above the awesome mountain bike cake for everyone to check out.  It was a hit and everyone liked taking a step back in time... but most importantly, my dad loved it! <3

Infinity Scarves

So, I first saw these crocheted chunky infinity scarves on Pinterest and thought to myself, "I can do that!"  I immediately thought back to when my mom taught me how to crochet.  I remember the first scarf I made for my mom while I was in Organic Chemistry lecture... it was light pink, short, and completely uneven.  When I held it up it, had a beautiful hourglass shape... not necessarily what you want to see in a scarf!  Needless to say I have yet to see the scarf dawned by my mother, but no hard feelings!

I mentioned my thoughts about making this infinity scarf to my mom and she bought a skein of chunky brown yarn called "Barley."  I started the scarf with an N hook.  My mom helped start it for me but after showing me how to double crochet, I was on a roll and did not want to stop!  

Here is the finished product!

 

After making the Barley scarf, I couldn't help but want one in EVERY COLOR!  I ran out and bought "Dallas Gray."  I altered the pattern a bit to make it skinnier and shorter.  Here is what it came to be...

I also made one more in a beautiful chunky off white yarn called "Fleece."  I wear this cream-colored scarf the most since it goes with most outfits/colors.

I was excited to be invited to Katie's 7th birthday and knew exactly what to give her for a gift... a scarf!!  I knew Katie LOVED blue so I chose a gorgeous "Ocean Tide" yarn and crocheted a smaller version of my gray infinity scarf.  I added a cute crocheted lavender rose for a finishing touch (the rose is also a completed and successful Pinterest Project!).  She loved (and rocked) it!

Long time, no post!

It has been quite some time since I have posted!  I have been thinking and decided that since the wedding has been over, it is now time to transform this blog into a space of inspiration and reflection.  
TJ jump started my passion for photography when he gave me my camera for a wedding present so there will definitely be photos here.  Along with photography, I have fell in love with Pinterest and completing projects that I find.  Needless to say, you will find a menagerie of completed and in-progress Pinterest projects.  I'm excited to turn over a new leaf and begin blogging again!