Play Ball

Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good, too - Yogi Berra

One of my best friends was married recently in of all places a baseball stadium and I had the honor and privilege of serving as a bridesmaid.  Since the venue was so outstanding, all other details could be a little more spare.  Whether it was finding the perfect pink and navy groomsmen ties or helping tie ribbons around the flower vases, I was there for her.  One fun, unexpected, element I helped with was the programs.  We turned a basic paper item into a part of the ceremony by creating program 'pendants' that everyone waved from the stands after the 'I dos'!  I was able to print 2 triangle shaped programs per 8.5" x 11" and mounted on a larger triangle for contrast and stability.  Then I punched two holes and threaded a basic cake pop stick through. When put together, one side was the program, the other side was the couple's monogram.

I always enjoy any chance I can help a friend celebrate a special occasion.  As a surprise, I made an extra special two pendants for the bride and groom for a cute stadium photo prop!  All photo credits are the wonderful Joan Tsen of Applesky Photography who made running around a baseball stadium snapping photos look easy.

Destination: Wedding, Part 2

A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person. - Mignon McLaughlin

So excited to leave for our big trip to Asia this month! As a bridesmaid, I've been busy helping tie up loose ends and last minute details... including making some fabulous peacock feather boutonnieres for the men and fasinators for the ladies. I love the non-traditional twist on classic flower options, and I love how they came out!


They were a bit of a challenge but once I figured out the right method, they went pretty fast! I cut a strip of felt as a backing, then arranged and hot glued the feather stems to the felt. Next, I wrapped a piece of ribbon around the felt/ feather base and hot glued the end to secure it. I can't wait to share these with the bridal party!

*Boutonniere*

*Facinators*

Destination: Wedding Part 1

When I design a wedding dress with a bustle, it has to be one the bride can dance in. I love the idea that something is practical and still looks great. - Vera Wang

I will be going away this month to Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Singapore! My friend is getting married and redefining "destination wedding" by inviting us to her hometown of Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia! I am honored to also be a bridesmaid for this occasion and am happily helping the Bride with all the special touches... including perhaps the most special of all: the Bride's veil!! The Bride envisioned a vintage "birdcage" veil with beautiful ivory flower and feather accents.


We went shopping for supplies at a craft and fabric store, picking up ivory Russian-style netting, which has larger openings than typical tulle. The Bride also selected two ivory flowers and a gathering of long, delicate white feathers that I arranged and sewed onto a small piece of cream colored felt. I then glued another matching piece of felt to the back to cover up all the threads and attached it all to a standard metal hair clip with a few strong stiches. Originally the intention was to sew the netting to the clip as well, but instead I sewed the netting to a seperate clear hair comb. This way, the bride could place the veil exactly where she wanted it (with the help of a couple bobby pins on the ends) and then remove it later for the reception, keeping the beautiful flower and feather accents in her hair! Make sure to cut the netting about 1.5 to 2x the width of the Bride's face and gather it up evenly as you sew it to the comb. Then, the nature of the materal will naturaly curve down, creating the "birdcage" effect. Also, as an extra festive touch, the Bride glued small crystals to some of the netting intersections! The result is a lovely, custom piece for her wedding day that reflects the Bride's fantastic personal style!