My G Street Cheat Sheet UPDATED!

First off, today was a total blast! I just got home three hours ago and thought I would write something. However, I can't possibly write about everything now. So, I am starting with the jaunt to G Street first and the VA/DC/MD meetup/swap will be second. Mostly because I could just update this same post and the time at G Street is just easier to process at this time. In a few days, I think I will be up to writing about the first half of the day and perhaps even have some pictures to show you. Oh, yes, pictures were taken. Now, on with the recap...

Okay, this is what I am looking for at G Street Fabrics this weekend:

Foldover lingerie elastic in brown, white, pale blue, lavender, or orange:

• Not a lot of variety available, I ended up with 5 yards of a white and black stripe ($.89 per), 3 yards of a pink, purple and white stripe ($.89 per), and one yard of lavender seersucker ($4.95) foldover elastic. None of the vibrant solid color ones that I wanted.

Lycra knit prints, especially stripes in all widths and color combinations:

• I did receive one red/black/white print Lycra knit at the swap though!

Lingerie guards:

• I will make my own before I buy them for $4.99 for just one set!

Get my fabric scissors and pinking shears sharpened for $15:

• After getting scared because of a random comment about the quality, I only had the pinking shears done. I am very happy with the job, as they were exceedingly dull before.

Specific fabric and lengths to look at (and dream of):

Textured, multi-colored wool for a Simplicity 6529 short sleeve jacket:

• Received a 100% wool tweed that may fit the bill at the swap!

Some yardage of black double knit or Ponte (one yard for a New Look 6977 skirt (view D) or two yards for the Vogue 8712 Marcy Tilton pants, view C):

• Not quite, but did receive yards of a scrumptious dark green double knit at the swap. There's too much for just one skirt. However, I'm not sure if I really want green pants so instead, I might make Butterick 5672, or vintage Vogue 7164 (sleeved version of both) out of it.

I also want to check out (but not buy):

Swedish sewing tracing paper:

• I can wait, I received a roll of tracing paper at the swap. It cannot be stitched on like the Swedish type, but it was free.

Stretch lace for lingerie:

• They did not have a lot of variety. There were only four different wide ones and in none of the colors I like.

Lingerie elastic:

• They had the same kind that Joann and Hancock carry.

Check out patterns from independent pattern companies in person:

• No can do! They now only carry the Big Four. Can you believe that? That was what made them unique back in the day, along with carrying all the great sewing books, including imports.

G Street zippers:

• They looked great but I had no specific zipper needs and already have a healthy stash of vintage ones from the Ruth Harvey collection.

One 5/8 to one inch blue button for my Grainline Moss skirt:

• Still no luck. This skirt has been hard to coordinate with because of the color. Maybe, if I had looked at the buttons stored behind the counter; however, I didn't want to go to the trouble or the expense, only wanting to spend $5 or less.

If any of the fabric can be found on their $2.97 discount table, all the better!

• The discount table was three levels high and at least 20 feet long; however, most of the fabric was in piles on the floor. You couldn't even get close to the actual tables without moving or walking on that fabric. By the way, plenty of people took that last option! Sigh.

Too bad I didn't see something I couldn't live without this trip because the G Street downloadable coupon combined with the current sale totaled 35% percent off! I made out so much better at the swap...you just wait and see! I will get around to photographing my haul for you to see at some point.

Thank you Audrey for driving and being a great travel buddy!

Thank you Robin for hosting a truly fabulous meetup/swap! Oh, the food! Check out her post on the event here.

More details forthcoming after I get some sleep and process all that went down.

VA/DC/MD Blogger Meet-Up, Anyone?

Hey, I'm finally getting myself out in public after years of pinching my pennies and staying close to home because of school and lack of funds. I missed out on all the New York meet-ups and even that Philadelphia PR Weekend, which really upset me because I have family there.

So I'm interested in some sort of meet-up of all the Virginia/D.C./Maryland sewing bloggers that I now know of. The number is much higher than I originally thought. (Oh, if you know of any others, please let me know!)

District of Columbia:
Slapdash Sewist IN
A Little Sewing IN

Maryland:
Miss Celie's Pants IN
Smunch IN
Lemony Fresh

New Jersey:
Vacuuming The Lawn Tentative IN

Virginia:
Sew Many Happies
Sew Tawdry IN
As I Said… IN
Sewing Steady IN
Danville Girl Sewing Diary
Gotcha Covered IN
Such a Strange Girl (just found another one!) IN

Are any of you guys interested?

Unfortunately, we don't have that many Virginia options for shopping except for the G Street Fabric locations but I think when ever sewing bloggers get together it's more about the camaraderie and meeting someone interested (or obsessed!) with the same things that you are. Am I right? In addition, G Street does have that $2.75 table, not even Joann or Hancock has fabric that cheap!

Before making any further plans, I first want to know who is interested in meeting up?

My First Party Here

The party was a success. The guest list was smaller because some people couldn't make it and the smallest children were ill and stayed home, but we still had fun. There were pastel cupcakes on a transported cupcake stand (brought by my guests), eggs with mozzarella/cheddar cheese and spinach, English muffins, and hash browns. Regular orange juice and (my favorite) orange/pineapple juice for cool drinks and mint green tea and more Madagascar Vanilla Red tea for hot.

I spent the morning waaaayyyy behind. I was still arranging furniture, storing things away, and doing laundry just hours before the arrival time. In fact, I left some clothes in the dryer downstairs until after guests left, 3 hours later. I didn't even start cooking until after the first guest arrived. Next time, I will definitely cook in advance and have food warming in the oven. Even though I have many planning books by the likes of Matthew Mead and Katie Brown, I guess I'm just not that girl. Perhaps once I get some help for my major procrastination problem I can deal with things like place settings and themed decorations.

A friend brought her new camera; a Canon G10, and took some pictures of my little trinkets and stuff. Suddenly my place looked like it belonged on Desire to Inspire or some other blog with beautiful interior shots. In fact, her camera made all the colors more vivid. With my apartment full of yellow green, blues, red, and orange these pictures were great! I wouldn't recognize my own place. I feel so much better in my apartment. With the new arrangement I can now walk from end of the apartment to the other without bumping into things and knocking stacks of papers on the floor.

children, cupcakes, & color

There is nothing better than arranging for people to come over to get you motivated to clean your home...in a hurry!

Images: michellebarte.com

Great Gift Idea!

I just saw this on The Sale Rack. Excellent gift idea for the holidays: Give folks what they are cutting back on!

In this economic upheaval, people are choosing to cut back on luxury and not-so luxury items. Why not help them out? What could be sweeter?

A "Victoria" Simple Country Wedding

Yes, you can have money and still want to throw a simple country wedding.

Homemade touches in your wedding does not mean "we don't have enough money to do what we want to do so we did this" This is what I realized when I came across this wedding in an old Victoria magazine that I picked up at that yard sale.

Though the bridal couple's wedding is full of homemade details, low cost decor, and local vendors this brides parents are (I feel pretty safe saying) well off.


I mean how many brides luck out that their parents decide to build a ballroom addition to their home in order to throw their annual galas just in time for their daughter's wedding? Well, they do if the brides parents are interior designer, Keith Irvine and design writer, Chippy Irvine.



The bridesmaid dresses, reminiscent of 1890 gowns and influenced by the movie version of Sense & Sensibility were handmade of sprigged cotton lawn. Inexpensive ballet slippers were dyed to match the summery pastels.


Purchased trim was attached to the simple embroidered bridal gown.

Hand sewn tablecloths and napkins in a leaf and vine pattern

 Locally made honey as favors

The first choice for cake topper was a store bought set, but instead the Mother-of-the-bride contributed this handmade pipe cleaner pair; which I think "makes" the cake.

Talk about DIY and being involved in every aspect; even the music during the ceremony was provided by a choir that included the mother of the bride!


Images and story: February 2002 Victoria magazine article, "Heart and Hand" written by the bride's mother, Chippy Irvine.

A Wedding for $2,000

After mentioning the $1,000 wedding, I must give credit to the $2,000 wedding. Not only did this couple plan and produce their wedding under budget, they also bought a house, and moved to a new state within DAYS of the event.

Oh, and if they aren't just the cutest couple with an adorable bloodhound, they are also teachers. Read how they met here.

Yeah, too darn cute, right?

Congratulations, Matt and Sara!


*Read about their rings. I had no idea this was available, but how cool is that?

Wedding 08: Quick Update

Just a quick update to anyone who's interested. There will be more thoughts after I've recovered and processed it all:

• First of all, everything worked out! No vendors failed me (they ALL excelled!), no rain (which was in the forecast earlier in the week), no one passed out from the heat (a miracle!), and the Bride loved all the surprises that the Groom and I had secretly planned (see one below)!
  
  
• I was running around so much I didn't get to see the ceremony BUT the timing was perfect in that my having to chase the best man, who forgot his corsage, I did get to the Bride just in time to arrange her train, tell her how gorgeous she looked, (I hadn't seen her dress before!) and see her start down the aisle with her dad.
  
  
• The reception site is separated from the ceremony site by a slight hill and a stone fence, so when I could get the chance, I would peek over the fence to see how the ceremony was going.
  
  
• We worked about an hour late on schedule the whole evening but there is only so much you can do to rush a bride and groom from a cellphone. I still think we got out of the park by deadline. (I don't know because (bad planner!) the only person who was wearing a watch was the caterer.)

• I didn't get to take many pictures so now I have to wait like everyone else. However, when they get the pictures in, I'll have some up here.
  
  
• The room ended up looking so lovely, despite it's sad beginnings as a conference room.

• During setup, the draping wasn't working so I made the executive decision to have them stop. Note to future brides, 50 yards of tulle goes nowhere, we would have needed 400 yards just to be safe. It was just the wrong weave material for the job. Thank god the bride trusted my judgment when she asked and I told her what I did. If need be though, the floral designer said she has my back.

The Getaway 1956 Rolls Royce

I've done back-to-back conferences with hundreds of people and assisted on events attended by royalty and a recent female candidate for president, but doing a wedding for a friend was a totally different story. Nerve wracking, in fact.

No matter how many times someone said it was perfect, or I was doing a great job, I couldn't just take the praise. This is what I still need to process.

Yeah, yeah, yeah...

I'm still here at home, but not for long.

I just put together an emergency kit for today: safety pins, bobby-pins, mints, band-aids, little packs of Advil & Motrin (don't worry, I saw 16 Candles!) tape, scissors, sewing needles, ivory thread, floral tape, some corsage pins, etc.

But I just couldn't stop surfing for wedding stuff. I think I'm addicted!



I just found this site, thoughtfulday, and checked out the pictures of her wedding. I was drawn to her dress, surprise, it's another bridesmaid dress! This one is by Thread, was $400, and is just perfect for a beach wedding like this one. Also check out her silver sandals!



She had a gorgeous color scheme, yellow and white, and she incorporated it elegantly yet also in a real fun way (check out the groom's yellow socks!)

So, now I'm off to pick up some stuff, including a vegan meal for one of the DJs, then to get everything ready for the event!

Images: by Anna Wolf

Wedding 08: Today's the Day!

Well, here I am the morning of the wedding.

The rehearsal yesterday went well despite the incredible heat.* I actually went straight home, had a popsicle, and took a nap because I was so wiped out. Then later at 10PM there was the post-family rehearsal dinner hangout at a local restaurant where the couple knew the owner. We ended up having the back patio to ourselves and I got to catch up with people I hadn't seen since college.

One of the funniest things of the night was finding out that despite my thinking that I didn't remember the groom at all from those days that once someone mentioned his old girlfriend (as in BradandAngelina) I suddenly remembered him. You know how there are couples that unfortunately get defined as a unit, so that alone they loose context and look familiar but there's just something missing. Well, that was this, once the couple moniker was used an image formed in my brain. Funny.

I ended up leaving around 2:30AM. Wow.

I want to show you a few images of items that were created for the wedding. Hopefully, I will have time to get better pictures of them on-site with my camera since I don't have the patience to wait for the professional pictures.

Table Centerpiece

The glass hurricane vases have moss inside that anchors ivory-painted willow branches with attached crystals. Since this pic, it was decided that pink and cream roses will also go around the lip of the vase, forcing the ivory painted willow stems together and giving them more of a massed look. I don't have a picture of that yet, but it will look great.

The base of the hurricanes will be surrounded by various shapes of candles in shades of cream, white, and a pale pink that the bride calls Blush. However, when I hear that, all I see and hear is Julia Roberts saying "my colors are blush and bashful" from Steel Magnolias. What you can't see clearly in the picture (and I haven't seen in person) are little glass marbles that the bride made with their initials and the wedding date along with "Blush" napkins printed with the same information.

Bouquet

these will become this
 

Favors

There's chocolate in there!

However, that's not all, because two days before the wedding the bride has also created table signs and name cards with a system for designating if you want the beef or chicken entree. Yes, a very busy bride!

There are also silver electric lantern lamps, beautiful white mini-lanterns to light the paths and to be suspended by shepherds hooks in the garden, hundreds of candle tapers, and silver urns to hold the bouquets at the reception. Yes, that's a lot. We don't think everything will be used but why not have everything at your disposal? We can always edit.

Just in my car alone, I will be carrying the painted event sign, five packs of votive candles for the mini lanterns, the electric lanterns, a black and white embroidered table runner, the favors, a bolt of ivory tulle, and a new cake platter!

Well, I'm going to go now, there is still lots to do, including a secret mission! I'll let you know how it all goes, ok?


*I've totally changed my mind on what I'm wearing because of it. No full-length lined linen dress for me!

Wedding 08: Countdown!

The ceremony location, the Italian Gardens in Maymont Park

I don't know how many more posts you'll see from me this week. The wedding is only two days away, but I think I may have a few more wedding-related posts in me.

I have also been doing a little sewing so I'll get back to writing about that next week too. I made a teal blue petticoat!!

Wish us* luck!

Photo by diana.penn on Flickr

*The bridal couple and me, their friend and event coordinator

Wedding 08: The Look

C(oi)n Purse led me to a bride who bought a bridesmaid dress in ivory to wear as her dress.



Well, I've been suggesting this next thing to people for years. Have you seen some of these bridesmaid dresses from Watters and Watters, Alvina Valenta, and Jim Hjelm? Gorgeous! No excess ruffles, sequins, or colored iridescent lace, just beautiful dresses with elegant simple lines, and best of all, many times cheaper than dresses especially marketed as WEDDING dresses. Just imagine them in white or cream. Perfect, right?

Don't forget the budget savings of making your own dress too. Villain Extraordinaire has made an incredible red dress for her upcoming wedding that makes me think "steam-punk" for some reason and check out this slinky slip dress by Sweet Sassafras that has a prohibition-era speakeasy vibe to it. You should also check out her photographer, Jillian Kay.

Another wedding blogger whose archives were just combed over by me is Perfect Bound. I found so many beautiful inspiration photos there, like this beautiful birdcage veil and natural hairpiece.


Also look at the loveliness that is at the UK's Peonies and Polaroids; the images of dresses she has found on the web (like this vintage lovely), her DIY projects for her upcoming wedding (some already seen in the DIY contest from an earlier post), and her actual dress, which is a dream.

Images: Project Subrosa, Saraicat; Nicole Polk (via Perfect Bound), Perfect Bound; Peonies and Polaroids

Wedding 08: DIY

Designer extraordinaire Matthew Mead's great website, with seasonal DIY ideas for entertaining could definitely help a handy bride out.

At the end of last year, wedding website, Style Me Pretty held a DIY Wedding Projects contest. This one has some incredible ideas!

I already directed you to the C(oi)n Purse site a few days ago, but that was before I checked out her DIY projects! She gives the production and price breakdown for the centerpieces she is going to use for her tea ceremony-themed reception. Also check out the beautiful jewelry she made for herself.



Beau Coup is a company that makes favors, for weddings and parties of all sorts. Just look at this adorable bubble gum dispenser one for $2.95, great if you're having a small wedding.

Images: Matthew Mead, Style Me Pretty (also seen here!), Style Me Pretty, C(oi)n Purse, Beau Coup

Wedding 08: Words of wisdom and some whimsy

Here, I found a kindred spirit when it comes to using event-planning experience to produce a beautiful, meaningful, and yet still affordable wedding. I spent one night reading almost her entire archives. You must check out A Practical Wedding.

Here are other blogs that also preach substance, sensibility, and style:

A $10,000 Wedding
C(oi)n: Purse
Absolutely Gorgeous
Peonies and Polaroids
Offbeat Bride

Check out this great Etsy wedding gift guide!

For inspiration:

If you're carrying around an old creased and folded image from an old issue of Martha Stewart Weddings for inspiration there is a good chance that this woman, Rebecca Thuss, is responsible. She styled images for them, Blueprint, and the mother-ship, MS Living for years. The great news is that you can still view those images through her work portfolio here.

Wedding 08: Miscellaneous

Found these great signs from Delightful Details at the Brides Cafe. Also check out the other beautiful images of floral decor ideas on that site.

If you ever wonder what my idea of a cool wedding would be you should read Lina's take on Lina's Lookbook. If someone told me I was not allowed to plan my own wedding (I strongly suggest no one EVER do this, because it would be their lives on the line) I could be perfectly happy going along with this plan.



Here's a great source for wedding shower, house warming, party hostess gifts from Beehive Kitchenware, lots of great metalwork pewter items. I was reminded of this company after they were mentioned by Ariana on Becoming Mom.

Also check out the Wedding Week of posts on This Young House, devoted to documenting their very DIY backyard wedding from last year. I think everyone would be tempted to have a wedding at home if they had that back yard!

Wedding 08: Keeping up to date

Wow, I really thought I would have a blast blogging about wedding options and such but I just haven't had time to do the additional research needed to write. So in future posts (I have SO many unfinished posts on this!) , I am just going to list and link to all the great stuff I've found in the last few weeks. Not a lot of pesky text to read, just beautiful images and incredibly great ideas. How's that?

By the way, the planning for the July 19 wedding is going smoothly. The things that had me freaking out two weeks ago, have been handled.

I had totally forgot all about the event planner "need for control" thing. Which is amazing, since that was exactly what burned me out on the job. You have an incredibly strong need to control every aspect because you feel that is your job, however, just as in real life, you can not possibly have control over everything, therefore, you constantly have to re-evaluate what to freak out about more. The good thing is that I also remember how great it feels when it all comes together and people thank you for the job you've done.


Just ten more days!

Photo: Adorable directional signs by Delightful Details.

Wedding 08: Candles as reception decor

Goal: Use multitudes of candles in the reception area decor.

Task: Create a great look using multiple sizes of white, ivory, or blush candles.

First thoughts: The bride has already accumulated multiple sizes, shapes, and complementary colors of candles in order to create her desired atmosphere. Her method for displaying them is in the process of being created. These are other ways that I've seen candles being used to great effect. Using candles instead of floral centerpieces is one of the most affordable ways to decorate tables.


The mirrors allow more reflection and are extremely appealing at night weddings.


Candles in different containers elevated on several different levels.


Simple colored candles with coordinating satin ribbon trims.


The simplest of them all.

Picture Sources: danizerrenner, Mishka Designs (2), gfrog123, True_Queenie

Wedding 08: Draping the Interior

Task: Create a special almost ethereal space for the reception.

Goal: To use the room structure and fabric to evoke a draped tent effect in the reception room.

First Thoughts: The planned room luckily is equipped with visible metal room ceiling supports from which tulle can be draped. The caterer is willing to attempt this if supplied with the fabric for an extremely reasonable additional fee. Our job is to calculate the correct amount of fabric needed to achieve the best results. So, definitely looking for people who have done this before. Also hoping the caterer has prior experience and perhaps photos of how they achieved it. The photos would definitely help us in calculating the fabric yardage. Professional ceiling draping is usually done with semi-sheer voile, but more economically can be done with a fine net tulle. Luckily, tulle is cheap (under $3 a yard) and comes in 108" widths so that does help a bit. Update: Don't do tulle, voile is what you want. Try Fabric.com; Hancock Fabrics; Jo-Ann Fabrics; Wholesale Fabrics; and Harts Fabric.

Examples of two popular techniques: Flat drape and Swag

This portfolio from One Source Weddings in Tennessee is truly inspirational for any couple looking at less-than-wonderful venues. It shows the immense difference that draping can do for any venue, from staid conference rooms to high school gyms.






This one is actually a pre-assembled curtain that is erected on-site.

Photo Credits: The Bride's Cafe, The Foundry L.I.C. (2), Styled Weddings and Events