The Boyfriend and my 29th anniversary was a month or so ago. This invitation from Mod Memento, was the inspiration for my gift to him. 

I decided to write our relationship in this storybook pattern. It's written third person and actually was quite easy to write. We have 29 years, with a lot of history, so it turned into 2 boards.  I loved doing it. Here is a copy of it.

I also wanted to try this transfer method so I put the two together. It was a lot of work and wouldn't suggest it for a first timer. But, I do love the result. And he did too. Here it is hung in our home.

 Here is a slide show with a few instructions. The play button is in the top left hand corner.

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.

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.