Bobbling Along, Let the Crafting Begin

I went to Michael's for the first time since starting the wedding madness.  At 8:40.  20 minutes before closing.  What was I thinking?  Needless to say, I'd barely started exploring the possibilities before being kicked out.  Or maybe that was for the best. 

I ALMOST bought this way cool shimmery green ribbon overlaid with a shimmery purple one to top the Ball jars.  Sadly, however, they were not BOGO as I'd thought, and I'd already promised the 40% off coupon to my son for some type of mask.  Bummer.  Will have to hit up friends for their Sunday ads and go back prepared to shop!  

Of course, I didn't leave empty handed.  I now have the following items waiting for me to put to discover their true calling:

• Paintable, plaster bobble heads with picture frame faces.  Cake toppers...TOO cheesey? 
• Purple & white flowers that I'd like to use for hair accessories...somehow
• A leaf stamp.  This one is simple, for decorating some wooden Ikea frames that will house pictures of us...as kids? now?  both? 

Also started soaking wine bottles to remove the labels, so we can put them on the tables as water bottles.  Decorative touch, or excuse for drinking?  You be the judge. 

Ooh, after a kick-butt Santana concert last night (is there any other kind?) featuring an amazing cover of Sunshine of Your Love, I'm leaning towards that for our song as we "leave" the ceremony.  Or maybe I should save it for when everybody can baila, baila, baila. 

One Bride's Trash Is Another's Kid Craft

Freecylce is the best thing since Craigslist.  For those not in the know, it is a community of people GIVING STUFF AWAY to each other, with a goal of keeping useable items out of the landfill.  Users are expected to give as much as they get, creating a circle of found treasures and sharing. 

Of course, there is a catch.  You can't be picky.  If somebody lists "box of wedding" stuff, you take the box.  No leaving the ribbon you don't like on their porch while skipping away with the goodies.  You take it all, freecycle what you don't need and the circle rolls on.

Needless to say, I've been much more interested in Freecycle these last few months.  A recent box I picked up came with quite a few useful items, including unused wedding bubbles and iron-ons like "Team Bride" and "Ring Security" (we are making t-shirts for the kids & guys to wear under their shirts for when they are ready to de-formalize).  And magnets. More than 20.  With their wedding announcements on them.  So.....now what? Now...magnet projects for the kids to keep them amused during the reception, that's what!  A hot glue gun and a few sheets of sturdy stationary later, these babies will be ready for the kids to turn into custom art pieces at a craft table set up in the trees.  Of course, their medium will be color pencils.  No markers, paint or meltable crayons allowed at the wedding.  Would like the art to stay on the paper and off my dress, thank you very much. ;-)

Furthur...Progress on the Wedding Front

July 11th Kevin & I had a jinx moment, when I texted him "Only two months to go!"  He'd been about to text me the same thing (awww).  We quickly moved from thinking that was cute to realizing "Holy crap, ONLY two months."  Since then, our motivation levels have doubled.  In the last 10 or so days we have:

• Printed & mailed invites
• Updated the wedding site (ha, AFTER I learned that people were receiving our invites which only offer online RSVP...& THEN realized I needed to upload the guest list for it to work)

• Bought wedding shoes-- verdict still out if the heels are "sinkers" 
• Ordered wedding ring from Silverwood on Etsy; will be like the one pictured but in silver with white sapphires
• Started talking to a travel agent about cruise honeymoons
• Had an initial meeting with my seamstress
• More or less finalized the menu

No wonder I'm so tired!! :)  Oh, and my coup...yesterday, my friend Liz was on the lookout for blue mason jars for my centerpieces.  We were both disappointed that her journeys found the jars ranging from $8-$22!!  Apparently rustic charm comes with an upscale price tag. I resigned myself to the possibility of going with the new, clear canning jars K had bought for, well, canning.  Pickles and salsa might have to wait until after the wedding.

An hour later, I'm doing my slightly obsessive daily search for wedding items on Craigslist when lo & behold, I find a girl selling THIRTY blue mason jars for only $3 each.  I picked up half of them, bringing us to 20 jars.  Yeah!

Another great find this week...I wanted to do gazpacho shooters, but only if I could find reasonably priced glasses to serve them.  It wouldn't make sense to spend more on the cups than the soup!  After debating a variety of servingware online and in stores, K had the perfect suggestion.  Large tea lights from Ikea, which sell for about $.50 each.  They are clear, so people can see the pop of color, & they hold about 3 oz of liquid.  Perfecto!  Better yet...we picked up 50 of these babies on another CL run.  Will supplement as needed, only want to use the brand new ones, but great solution.  There, the secret is out-- I AM marrying K for his brains.  Not that the looks hurt either. :)

Now we just have to keep up this pace for another 7 weeks!