New friends for Wyatt

Reggie and Simon

I'm getting ready for the arrival of my nephew Wyatt in November. The creative juices are flowing.

Planning and fresh ideas...Part 2 of The Wedding Story

In my utter excitement and enthusiasm for the big event, I started asking too many questions and started stressing out the bride. I honestly didn't mean to, but I guess I did. I had to take a big step back and let JB and Causten tell me what they wanted and how they wanted me to help.

What they decided is that they would have the small private ceremony in New York in August and then a reception for family and friends in October in Denver. (That's where Causten grew up). We made plans to meet in Denver in April to take care of wedding business. This would include checking out the likely reception venue, tasting proposed menus from a few caterers and maybe, just maybe there would be a little time to squeeze in some dress shopping. I had my fingers crossed.

In the meantime, I started thinking about little things I could do to make the day special. I NEVER had any illusions that any of my girls would want to wear my wedding dress. My dress was very special to me and was stylish enough for 1983, but not so much for a modern, stylish woman in 2013. Still, I wanted JB to have something special to wear, use or hold during her ceremony. I took my wedding dress and veil out of the trunk I had it stored in and stared at it for about a week. Then I took the plunge.

With tiny little scissors and a seam ripper, I began to painstakingly remove the yards of Chantilly lace that covered the dress. I was surprised that it was in such good condition and I started brainstorming what I would do with the lace and taffeta. Before I made any more cuts or snips into the dress, I cut a piece of scrap muslin into a strip and started playing with it. I folded, gathered and twisted it into a flower. I liked it!

 Hmmmmmm.

What if I were to cut the taffeta into strips and make lots of flowers and then make a bouquet of those flowers? I got very excited about the idea, but I was nervous, too. Once I started cutting the fabric, there was no going back. I took out my rotary cutter and mat, took a deep breath and started cutting my wedding dress into 2 inch and 3 inch strips of fabric. JB knew that I was making something, but didn't know what.

I didn't want her to feel like she HAD to carry it if she didn't like the way it turned out. I knew that she might really want to carry fresh flowers. I put together a small bouquet of the fabric flowers to show her when we met in Denver. It had a vintage quality to it that was very pretty and it turned out that she loved it! Whew!

Since JB and Causten were getting married on our 30th anniversary, I used 30 flowers to make the final bouquet. I wrapped the stems of the flowers with a piece of the Chantilly lace. I think it turned out wonderfully - here is how it looked...

By the way, I still have enough fabric and lace leftover to make flowers for another 2 bouquets should I need them...

The Best Anniversary Gift...Part 1 of The Wedding Story

Because there is so much to say on this subject, I have decided to write about this in several parts. Lots to say and share...

Here is JB wearing my wedding dress in 1999 when she was 13 -
we were having a bridal fashion show at my workplace.

Back in February, JB and Causten called and asked Ron and I if we would mind sharing our anniversary with them....wait, WHAT?! They wanted to get married this year on our 30th anniversary! I immediately started crying (with happiness) and, of course we said "Yes!"

Because I have a tendency to over-share here, I was politely asked not to share the wedding details ahead of time. I have been on "lock down" and did my best to respect the couple's wishes. Now that they are married, I think it's ok if I share some details of the happy event.

As the mother of the bride, I learned the most important phrase for the event..."It's your wedding - we will do whatever YOU want." I found out pretty quickly that this wasn't going to be a big, traditional wedding. No maid of honor, best man, bridesmaids or groomsmen. The ceremony would be very small, private and possibly take place at City Hall in Manhattan on August 27th. That was all ok with me. I had always told my girls that it didn't matter to me what kind of wedding they had as long as I was in attendance!

But then JB said that she didn't necessarily want to wear a wedding dress...sigh..."it's your wedding - we will do whatever YOU want..."

To be continued....

Back in the Saddle...

It's been awhile since you've seen anything new from me here. Sorry about that. My attention has been elsewhere. It's been a very busy summer.

I still have a few irons in the fire, but I am going to make an effort to get back to writing. I will do what I can to fill you in on my activities during the last couple of months, but it may take awhile. While I figure out where to start let me just tell you to go see The Butler.  It is an amazing movie!

See you soon!