The last of our 3 weddings is this week but I had to do a quick post. The other couple that we're married to (long story) just had their first grandchild. Definitely a time to celebrate.

A couple of months ago I ordered some baby burp cloths from Creative Mommas (my sisters) and had them sent to her. Just a little something for the Gramma-in-Waiting. New Gramma Steward loved them and now gets to use them. I was just wishing I had a reason to get some for me. Which, I just might have reason now, Shhhhhh....

This happened this week. You gotta wonder if this is a celebration. It depends on how you look at, I suppose. And, I suppose, I'll look at it this way -

• the son wasn't hurt in the accident
• the other kids weren't hurt
• it wasn't the son's fault *relief*
• the son gets to live another day because it wasn't his fault
• we might end up getting a newish car
• I don't have to sit in the aroma of that dead-animal-puked-in-our-car-after-it-stepped-in-a-pile-of-it-sour-milk smell, courtesy of the 2 large buckets of cow's milk that spilled in it months ago, by said son

So what troubles are you celebrating lately?

When we decided on the birdhouse theme for this DIY wedding I did an image search of birdhouses. I didn't know there were so many different styles and that the really nice ones were so dang expensive. And I rarely find exactly what I am looking for anyway. So, plan B, we build them ourselves. I call this one the Birdhouse Triptych. Dictionary.com defines a triptych as "a set of three panels or compartments side by side, bearing pictures, carvings, or the like". I consider these birdhouses, "the like". Usually, paintings are done this way, like this one but this time, I just applied it to wood. 

I measured, drew, and cut some out. But admittedly, the Boyfriend is bigger, stronger and faster (and better looking) than I am. Everything takes me three times longer. So, he did most of the assembly. 

We make a very good team. Except when we don't. Luckily, this wasn't one of those times.

Hope you feel inspired for your next celebration.

I've really liked these Pottery Barn Table Pedestals for a long time. But, I knew I could make them myself, or have the Boyfriend do it, and couldn't justify the cost. Nor did I have a good enough reason to make them with all the other projects I have. Our DIY weddings changed all that. 

Here is my version of the pedestals. I had the Boyfriend make a taller one because I wanted the wedding cake to have a little more presence. But, it was too tall on its own so I had him make a smaller version that slid right underneath. We used that for napkins and the cake knife. (That's the handsome Boyfriend on the right in the mirror.)

I got an old chair from the local antique store. He dismantled it and used the spindles for legs. On the longer pedestals (about 4 feet long) I bought legs from the store. Can I just say I love the length of those long pedestals? Okay, I do. And I've already used them for other occasions.

I think the Pottery Barn hack was successful. Oh, and here's one more. We used these pedestals on the children's cake table. They are painted in chalkboard paint so I could write on them. I thought it was fun and playful. I think that we will use them for the cheese (and write the type of cheese on the side) for the next daughter's wedding. In about 2 weeks!! We'll see if I have any creativity left after being MOB & MOG last month. We don't do easy around here.

Do you like it?

This is one of the things I miss most about our house in Utah - the Zephirine Drouhin roses. There were several arches full of roses that smelled delicious. I loved going out and seeing those beauties and smelling that fragrance. It was so delightful. We've lived here for 3 1/2 years and I have planted zero roses. And after reading this post I know why it makes me sad every season when I realize that I haven't gotten around to doing it.

You can see why I miss it. Well, the Boyfriend came through for me on Mother's day (with the help of the Lawyer.) He's out of the country but he had her get me my first Missouri roses. She got Don Juan's in his honor. I am a little giddy over it. I can hardly wait until they are as big as the roses we left. The boys doing the dirty work. 

Happy Mother's Day to me. And I hope your's was as well.

This weekend we went to a local celebration over at Shatto Milk Company. They built a big, farm friendly store and had their Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting event Saturday. We went to show support for them and for me because it's the first time they are carrying prints of my paintings. 

A couple of years ago I was introduced to their milk (love it!) and their iconic bottles. I just had to paint them. And now the prints have ended up in their store. So we were doing a little dairy dance to celebrate. 

I mentioned earlier about the 35 nieces and nephews that the Groom had. Just his family. Kids and weddings aren't always a great mix but I feel it's important for them to be part of it and have their own memories. I thought up doing a chalkboard kid table. 

Really I wanted to do it twice as long as what is shown but we ran our of board and didn't get to the store to pick some up. It's masonite, cut to size, and painted with chalkboard paint. I didn't round the corners because we are making a frame for it and using it for the next wedding. The small scale folding chairs I picked up at the local antiques store and they were already that color. 

It was a hit and served its purpose! It kept so many kids occupied and out of cakes. It's a definite do again thing. Here are some photos. 

Since we have one more wedding, do you have any good ideas to occupy the children?

More DIY from the wedding. And there's still more things I am going to share, but I am working on the next daughter's wedding. Number 3 for us in 1 1/2 months. You'd have thought with the "inshanity" I inflict on my family that I would have planned this. But, I did not. Love took over our home and did not consult with me.

This is the Wedding Throne. The couple didn't want to do a reception line, which was fine with me, I was in one 4 days before for our son and his new bride. But, I digress. Back to this daughter's wedding. Having no line, I thought they needed some kind of 'gathering spot' for well wishers, so I came up with the idea of a loveseat throne. And her style was ShabbyChic.

I had in mind what I wanted and found the perfect doors. Love them! You can't really tell from the photo but the two rectangle openings are glass. The Boyfriend was game to try and rip the door down the middle to give me the two pieces so the arched door could be the centerpiece. I don't doubt often about projects, but I wondered about the wisdom of this one, that door was rickety. He didn't even hesitate. He doesn't know I almost stopped him.

We took a third door, with the most perfect weathering, and made that into the seat and arms. Sometimes, when you have a creative project in your mind you're not quite sure how it's going to turn out. I think it turned out amazing, I was so pleased. After it was done I didn't want to give it to them. But, it's in their new home.

My sisters' Creative Mommas website has a few more photos if you're interested.

Every year we celebrate the girls that are  turning 12, (which a daughter of mine was one of them),
 and coming into the Youth Program. 
While in the program they focus on learning values, building character and coming closer to Christ.

I get to work with these girls a lot, which means I spend a lot of time sharing ideas.  I did this night.
It's a pleasure and privilege to work with them.