Established...

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My friend's sweet daughter Hannah got married a few weeks back and it was the sweetest little country flavored wedding I've attended. I've gotten to know Hannah's style pretty well over the years; she's a lot like her Dad, Texas artist Jon Flaming. If it's a touch country or patina, with a story attached to it...it's a win. I knew right away that I wanted to make Hannah and Preston a pillow for their new house that commemorated their special day.

Hagaman, est. 2012

Well, one thing led to another and one of her wedding attendees saw the pillow and asked me to make a couple for her as gifts...

I love making these special little gifts to commemorate wedding dates. So fun. Ohhh...how cool would it be to do this for a newborn?  Wouldn't one of these pillows look amazing in this nursery?

nursery via ...

So cool! Dang, this might be enough to make me want to have another baby...  If we're friends and you're expecting, you now know what you'll be receiving at your shower. xo

Tres Joli Wedding

Remember this wedding that I shared with you guys? Well, the wedding came off without a hitch. Voila!!!! The bride and groom are happily married and now have many fond memories of their special day. I am extremely honored to have been a part of it in spirit and via my mom's famous coleslaw recipe that was served alongside their farm fresh local bar-b-que menu. Congrats Jeen and Julian.
Here's a look:

Games and special seating for the littles...

Games galore for the grown-ups too... (Look at that lovely bride. Go get 'em Jeen!)

I think this may have been the very first post I have ever done with a huge grin on my face spanning from ear to ear. I am so happy for you Jeen. This whole wedding was handmade - including Jeen's dress. She taught herself how to sew in order to make her dress herself. Love that. Isn't this couple just amazing? If you'd like to follow more of Jeen, she's got a new blog and it's stellar, just like her. xo

A Reader's Handmade Wedding Plans

Since turning off my comments, I've received some really sweet and inspiring emails. One such email came from a dear follower in France. As I've gotten to know Jeen a bit, I have become completely smitten.  She is absolutely darling and one of the most creative gals. She shared a few pics of her upcoming wedding with me and I immediately asked if I could share them with you. I hope you are equally as inspired and breathless as me.

the barn

the view (I know, ahh-mazing!)

signage

extras

tabletop decor

the games

Sigghhh... right? The entire thing is lovely. She hasn't missed a single detail - even the wait staff will be wearing checkered aprons! Love it. The menu is barbecue (a fave of mine), so I got to share my Mom's delish coleslaw recipe with Jeen as my own little contribution to this grand day. If I could afford the airfare, this is one more wedding I'd love to crash. Well done Jeen! All the happiness in the world to you and Julien. xo

Wedding Crashers

Have you ever been to a wedding that you didn't receive an invitation to? My first thoughts when asked to do just that were, "uh, NO WAY!" Seriously, on the way there I was kind of nervous and then upon arrival I pretty much wanted to crawl out of my skin. Weddings are so personal and intimate. However, I was assured this wedding would be different.  Oh my gosh...different doesn't even scratch the surface. This was THE most amazing, stunning, gorgeous, lovely, intimate, personal and loving weddings I have ever attended and I didn't even know the couple getting married.

My husband introduced himself to the lovely couple, Hannah and Cameron, after the wedding. And they actually thanked him for coming (crashing!) This couple is special. No. Lie. Their family - amazing and their body/community - exceptional.  Take a look at this handmade, one of a kind stunner. I hope you get as lost in the beauty as I did.

Each place setting was adorned with mason jar and vintage coffee mug - all to be taken home as guest gifts. Sigh....

Friends were put to work weeks before the wedding making these lovely string balls that hung from huge pine trees.

"Pews" were made from bales of hay with quilts draped over them. Each row had a lovely arrangement of flowers sitting at the end. *It should be noted that their florist cancelled on them a day or two before the wedding so it was up to them (and family/friends) to purchase flowers and make their own unique arrangements. Well done, right?!

The lovely bride walked down an aisle of, what else?, burlap coffee sacks. This is Portland after all. On another note, I wish I had a close-up of her stunning dress. I'm told she bought a dress off the rack and then snipped here and there adding fabric here and there to make it her own. It was lovely. The finishing touch? She wore these adorable suede lace up booties that were simply perfect and without knowing her, seemed to fit her personality to a tee!

Did I tell you this all took place on a u-pick-it orchard called Sauvie Island? I know. Are you dying yet?

After the wedding the couple took communion together, danced a ton, ran under a canopy of falling hydrangea petals thrown by family and friends and went down stream in a boat. I don't know what  you're thinking right about now, but this was one wedding I would not want to miss crashing for anything! It was so surreal being there. Kind of like I was in the middle of an epic romance novel. I even cried a bit during the ceremony. It was that touching and loving. Hannah and Cameron, I wish you all the best that God has to offer. What He has united as one, let no man separate!

Have you ever crashed a wedding? Do you have a favorite wedding that you'll remember forever - besides your own? Come on, give it up. I really want to know.  xo

(all photography by Adam Fish)

A Very Big "I DO!"

That's Kim. She's been my best girlfriend for over 15 years now. Over time we've grown a lot; sometimes choosing the same path and other times choosing completely different ones. But we have always managed to stay "together" if you will. Something you should know about Kim because you sure as heck can't tell it from the photo above... she's old! (Ha ha ha, just kidding Kim.) Her nickname is "Granny," but for different reasons. A couple of years ago, she finally met the man of her dreams and in August, she'll say, "I do" to that lucky guy.  His name is Drew. He jokes, "I can't believe Kim was a Granny before she became a Mom."

Because I have known Kim for so long, we have often talked about weddings and the like. She was my Maid of Honor and now I am one of her Bridesmaids. Here's the sad part for me, she lives in Austin which is three hours away. This leaves me longing to be more involved in the wedding planning and all the activities that go along with it. Lucky for me, I have a blog! So, I thought I'd share some of my ideas for Kim's wedding with all of you, as if I were the Wedding Planner.

Here's what I know so far: 

The wedding will be held mid-morning in Kim's Mom's backyard that overlooks the Austin Hill Country... it's lovely. The color scheme is Coral and Lavendar. The eats will be yummy Texas bar-b-que. The dress has been purchased and it's a beautiful tea-length stunner.

my fabric choices for flower wraps, napkins, garland and table-covers

flowers in fabric adorned mason jars will hang from the trees along with floral garland

clipboards (with pics, art and love notes) and mason jars filled with candles will adorn the back fence behind the seating

Texas bar-b-que will be served on a table like this (chalkboards, flowers, pics and garland)

or like this (aren't the wooden drawers to die for?)

this print will be framed (without glass), propped on an easel, with silver sharpies for guests to sign

guests will have their photos taken in a hanging frame (love this!)

Willy Wonka candy will be served alongside cupcakes (I call the groom Willy Wonka)

cupcakes from Hey Cupcake! will be adorned with sweet little handmade flags

attendees will enjoy music, laughter and handmade favors (I'm thinking lavender.)

But this is all my vision. I think I may need to recite my vows soon! xo