Here comes the bride...

Sorry you haven't heard from me for a while. Busy with my final shows of the season...I just have to paint or make one more thing and take it with me kinda thing. I've also been working like crazy to make sure that my brides for the months of November and December get their vintage brooch bouquets in time for their wedding day. Still have one more to make for a New Years eve wedding and will post pictures in 2013 but here is the set of bouquets that I made for a late November wedding.

Kara first introduced herself to me at one of the farmer's markets I did this summer. I had some sample bouquets on display and she was excited to find out that I made these beautiful keepsake treasures. She asked if I would make hers and of course I said YES! Most of the time my brides pick their brooches from a healthy stock that I have collected in my travels to flea markets, estate sales and second hand stores. But sometimes I will get a bride that has her own collection that she wants me to use. It's a nice option and the price is reduced somewhat because I am not using my own pins.

And what a collection she had! Oddles and oddles of sparkly bling in a box. Three boxes for that matter. One for her, one for her matron of honor and one for the junior bridesmaid. It was like being a kid in a candy story - her pins were amazing. We couldn't use all of them so I had her choose her favorites. Now some brides think that everything has to be color coordinated...a matchy, matchy kind of a thing. But, they don't. In the big scheme of things they all just seem to work together and make one beautiful bouquet. Kara's were all different colors and I'm sure you will agree when you see the photos that it worked wonderfully.

So sweet.

Kara also had some pins that represented some special things in her life. A brooch from her mom and aunt, a knife and fork pin (she's a chef!) and a medal from her fiance's service pins that was put on her bouquet handle and helped her hold on to and keep him in her heart all day.

We met and talked and I took notes, making sure that I got all of her requests just right. Each bouquet was prettier then the next starting with the junior bridesmaids. In fact although they were all gorgeous, her bouquet was my favorite. The collar and handle were platinum and it was made a bit smaller then the others because of her age - she was only 12. The maid of honors was done in navy and the brides in one of my favorite colors - blush or ballerina pink as the fabric lady called it when I went to match ribbon to it. Kara's dress was also this color. She looked simply stunning in it. A bit of the fabric was left over and the seamstress sent some so I could wrap the handle in it.

So, here they are. Each bouquet comes to the bride in a vintage hatbox nestled in shredded book paper and wrapped in netting. The very talented photographer, Annette Barr stayed up way past midnight the day of the wedding to get this to me. Can't wait to see more of the bouquets in her other photos of the wedding day.

Her expression is just priceless!

Thanks Kara for letting me be a part of your special day. I hope the memories last a lifetime and that you live happily every after.

Let me know if you would like one for your wedding. Visit my ETSY shop or find them on my "mess of things" facebook page. You can purchase the ones that are listed or contact me for a custom made bouquet. I'm adding a shell bouquet for beach weddings and have just found some wonderful preserved roses and other flowers to incorporate into your bouquet. Let me know how I can help make your day special...

Here comes the bride...

I was excited to be part of the Bridal Show at our local country club this past Sunday. Scooped up all my shabby chic wedding items for my display…an old suitcase with “Just Married” written on the front, my bride doll collection, some old cake toppers, too many cute things to mention. You’ll just have to watch my video to see the whole display!

Of course I had my brooch bouquets there and they were a hit!

Pretty in Pink

Finally, a bit of much needed rain this am. It has been a hot, dry summer. I am a warm weather girl so I don't mind it a bit.

But wait. Look what popped up on my lawn after the rain last night! So sweet and dreamy. Pretty in pink and soft creams. Cute as a cupcake! I have never been a "pink" girl but I could become one holding on to this vintage bouquet. Love how the old pink florist ribbon embraces the handle. Simply tied in a knot.

Come take a peek at all my brooch bouquets here. You may purchase one that is already made or have one custom created with your color scheme. I love working with brides!

Hope you find something pretty in pink today...

Brooch Bouquets make the news!

Great article about my brooch bouquets in one of our area papers. That's me, sitting at my dining room table creating my latest bouquet in pinks and creams. I've never been a pink girl but I could be for a chance to carry this bundle of vintage buttons, earrings and brooches down the isle!

I've made the news! You can go to the link here and read the whole glorious story of how I put together one of these lovelies! I just finished a beautiful cream and pink bouquet...some of the stems used are pictured above. Working with a bride this week on her New Years Eve wedding bouquet. So much fun. Glad my treasures are finding good uses.

Keep cool. The temperature here has been in the 100's for the last few days. No rain in sight. Illinois is know for extremes. I'm not complaining. Love the hot weather. Tomorrow I will be dragging out some furniture to paint on my shady lawn. I'll be posting pictures soon of my furniture make overs and the yummy paint that I am doing it with. Until then...

Look What I've Got...

Now I know what it feels like to find buried treasure. So many beautiful pieces glistening in the sun.

It seems like forever since I've posted. Shame on me. First came finals. Ahhhhhhhhhh, summer vacation and I got lost in the lazy days of sun and fun. We all need some time off, don't you think?

I'm back. Full of projects, and art shows and things to plan and work on. The Downtown LaSalle Canal Market was a huge success. I help run this farmers/french market in my little hometown of LaSalle, Illinois. Visit us on Facebook if you would like more info and please drop by at the next market day! Here is a video that one of my wonderful students made of the first market. Love it.

Working on my third brooch bouquet. There was even a great article in one of the bridal sections in a local newspaper that featured this lovely alternative to fresh flowers. A few weeks ago I scored BIG at an estate/barn sale that I happened to notice on my way to another sale. It was one of those rare opportunities to get something for almost nothing. And I did! Two boxes of linens, lace and vintage curtains and material. A wire shopping cart that I have been wanting for years. Brooches, pins and old clip on earrings by the box full. All for a few dollars. I never have to go to another sale all summer but of course...I will.

Love my cart. The wheels are painted a great bright green. Shopping is better with a wire cart!

Here is my shopping cart. And the material that I picked to line the basket in. Which one would you choose? I'll post pics of the finished shabby chic shopping cart. Oh la la...

Fabric #1

Fabric #2

Fabric #3

Now for a nice little walk this afternoon to a produce market in our park. My cart will be filled with fresh lettuce, green beans, corn on the cob and maybe some fresh flowers. What would you fill your cat with if you had one?