My first quilt square

I was determined to get at least one block done today.  And I did!

When I was forced to put everything away last night, I had only traced the first square onto freezer paper.

This was so much better than the wax paper I had originally tried.

This morning, I cut the pieces apart and ironed them onto my fabric.

Then I cut each piece out, leaving about a quarter of an inch seam allowance, and layed them out.

Then I began the process of piecing them together.  To make this quilt as period correct as possible, I’m hand piecing with 100% cotton thread.

Here’s the first finished strip of the square.

And here’s all three strips, finished and ready to be pieced into a block.

And here’s the finished square, ready for quilting.

One down, 120 to go!

The only thing I’m disappointed about is that I didn’t really pay any attention to the placement of the bunches of grapes on the dark red print.  I am not so disappointed that I’m going to redo this one, but I’ll definitely keep that in mind the next time I use this fabric.

If this project interests you, I’m using these tutorials I found on the PurlBee, which is one of my favorite blogs for sewing and knitting inspiration.  They’s also inspired my Irish Chain Quilt guestbook.

Hand vs. Machine cutting

Hand vs. Machine piecing

Hand vs. Machine quilting

Just a little update

I picked up my dress and shoes today.  Thought I’d share a few detail shots with you.

Isn’t she beautiful?  She’s currently residing in a canvas bag in Kinsley’s closet.  I figured that was the last place Matt would think to look.  And least tempting.  Although he’s pretty adamant about not seeing me or the dress before the wedding.

My indecisiveness will be the death of me

I don’t want to give away too much, because I would really like to surprise our guest with our invitations.  But I have to share these fabulous invitations.  I’m not sure where I got the idea that a booklet invitation would be a good idea.  I’ve been in love with pocket fold for a long long time, they are just so much work.  And although Cards and Pockets has the color paper I want need, I just can’t plunk down $1.40 per invite just for the folder. I also thought about making them myself, but for some reason, I was really stuck in this 6×6 thing, and desperately wanted metallic paper.  Please don’t ask why I want metallic paper.  I do not understand my need for metallic paper at all.  But I need it.  Anyway, I decided that I’d taken on enough projects for the wedding and did not need the hassle of constructing 175 pocket folds.

I had pretty much given up on the pocket fold and moved on to other ventures.  The most current plan with basically a folded 6×6, which I intended to stamp the front of with our peony stamps and then put the enclosures inside and hold it all closed with a nice green ribbon.

The more I sat on this idea, the less I liked it.  Truth be told, I really need to go ahead and get the things printed so I will stop changing my mind about what I want.  Although, I will say this, the designs have gotten more and more simplistic as time goes on.

I’m hoping we have finally made a final decision on the invitation front though.

I was browsing wedding goodness on Etsy, which someone else (can’t remember who) referred to as their “dealer” earlier today.  I completely agree… Etsy is so my dealer.  I don’t buy very often, but I browse daily.  Can you window shop for crack?  Anyway, I was browsing Etsy and saw these booklet style programs and though, hey, here’s an idea.  Why not put the invitation into booklet style and keep everything nice and tidy, without having to create a pocket fold?  What a genius plan.  I hit google and the first thing that came up were these beauties.

(They are Cambridge, from Libra Designs)

Aren’t they gorgeous?  I loved them so much, I was pretty much done.  Matt even liked them.  Not just like, but I think he’s honestly happy with these.  He says they remind him of olde time-y flight booklets, with the tickets and everything tucked in them.  I tried to order a sample, just to have something to touch and feel (I’m very much a visual, tactile kinda girl) and discovered something a bit depressing.  They only ship to Europe.  For about 4.5 seconds I considered ordering a sample and having it shipped to my uncle in Kent and then he could ship it to me, but I decided that was too much trouble, and I would figure it out on my own.

And of course I had to run over and see what the Hive had to say.  And the Hive has yet to let me down.

These are Mrs. Lime’s.  They are a little more modern than what Matt and I are going for.  He’s so traditional, and honestly, the classic-ness of those above appeal to me much more than did Mrs. Lime’s.  But they are still gorgeous and a definite inspiration.

(link)

Pretty aren’t they?  I like her vellum overlay.  But my favorite part is her RSVP postcard.

It’s perforated and pre-stamped, so all the guest has to do is fill it out, tear it out, and drop it in the mail.  Genius.

I’m thoroughly excited about my invitations.  I can’t wait to get started on them.  But we are still working on getting a few things ironed out and nailed down.  Like our reception venue, which Matthew has moved.  And we haven’t secured accomodations information for the OOT-ers yet.  But as soon as those tasks are done with, these babies are getting put to press!

Inspiration at T minus 387 days

My dad thinks I’m over thinking this whole thing. I told him to leave me alone and let me have fun with it. Which I am. So here’s where we stand with 387 days til the wedding.

Most Importantly, the church

We will be married at The Holy Family Catholic Church in Columbus, Georgia

And the reception site is the Port Columbus National Civil War Naval Museum. Website here

The picture is stolen from their website. It’s not my ideal place, but it’s free so who cares. Matt works there and Jamie has been kind enough to let us rent it out for nothing. Including firing the cannon as our send off.

My dress

me in my dress..

It’s too big (the store dummy dress). Dress was ordered on May 24th and should be shipped on August 30th. I love it!! It’s an Alfred Angelo from Spring 2008. It’s way more than I ever saw myself in, so much more elaborate, but it’s gorgeous and it looks really fab on me. These pictures don’t do it justice.

my shoes:

aren’t they HOT??? I originally did not want to wear heels, but we’ll see how these work out. I’ve heard that the are super comfortable.

I plan to dye my crinoline to match.

hair inspiration:

Hair Jewelry:

I do not want to wear a veil. I put one on with the dummy dress and it took away from the dress. So hair jewelry is what we’re doing. I’m going to make my own. But here’s my inspiration.

Bridesmaids Dresses:

I truly think these are horrendous on this model. But on my sister, they look great. They will not be this color. They will be claret, hopefully close to the same color as my shoes. No shawl.

I haven’t picked out their shoes yet.

Kinsley will be a “bridesmaid” too, but she’s wearing this dress

we don’t know what color we are making it yet.

No decisions have been made about tuxes yet.

Flowers

one of my bridesmaids is a florist, so I am leaving most of the floral decisions to her.

I’m making my own invitations, save the date cards, and inserts. I will also be doing my own programs.

Here’s the paper I bought…

Cake:

I think I’m going to bake it myself (that way I can make it sugar free since Matt is a diabetic) and ask another bridesmaid if she can decorate it. I also think I’m going to make these crystal do-hickeys that will come out of the top and dangle over the edge. I saw them in the DIY brides book, but I’m not terribly interested in spending the money on that book just for that one project. Maybe I can find a picture.

I had originally wanted a cake topper from Willow Tree, but now I’m thinking burgundy roses from my bouquet.

Groom’s Cake

Matt wants a baseball. We will give him a baseball

Ugly foil-covered cardboard will not be present. I, however, have not decided on a better presentation for silly baseball cake.

Other tidbits:

Rehearsal dinner is at the Rankin Quarter downtown. They are also catering our reception.

Save the date magnet will be purchased off VistaPrint as soon as the engagement session is done. It is tentatively scheduled for Friday, June 6th, but I have not heard back from my photographer to confirm that.

Our centerpieces will also be hand-made. I got the idea from Martha Stewart’s website, but I’m altering it slightly.

Martha made her’s out of picture frames and painted them black. I think that’s a lot of unnecessary cost and work, so I’m using mat board (that stuff they use to mat pictures inside of frames). They are black with a cream interior, absolutely gorgeous.

I also found votive candles 144 for $75 dollars.

Yay!!!

For our grandparents who have passed, (most recently, Matt’s Granddaddy 5.28.08.) I will have small picture frames tied around my bouquet and also a memorial table set up at the reception.

I think that’s about it for now. I’ve practically planned the whole thing.

There’s still plenty to do:

choose the music, choose the food, pick out rings, make all the crafts, pick out Bridesmaids shoes, make Kinsley’s dress and find her some shoes, pick out tuxes. etc. etc. I’m too tired to think about it anymore tonight.