Plus Quilt and baby subway art

I made this plus quilt about a year ago, but the photos got stuck on my camera.  I was finally able to download them.  It's roughly the size of a full bed, so it'll be perfect on a twin sized bed.  I made this quilt for my best friend's baby shower.  The baby's room is purple and all done in butterflies. 

 On the front of the quilt are giant fleece butterflies that she can "play" with.  The wings move!

 I followed a simple Plus pattern that I graphed out on some old graph paper. 

 This is the quilt on a full sized mattress.

I also recently made this adorable baby subway art sign.  I used my Cricut to cut out the letters from various carts.  I then arranged them all on the canvas and mod podged the heck out of it.  Do you see the silly numerical mistake I made?  I didn't notice till we gave it to the new parents.  So I took it back to fix it.  Thank goodness the mod podge I used is not waterproof so I could scrape off the mistake!

Engagement Shoot Recap

Mr. ST and I waited to do our engagement shoot.  The shoot was part of our package and we wanted to do it in early summer. 
We got all the pictures back and I LOVE them.  Here are some of my favorites!

Ceremony Readings

We will be meeting with our minister this week.  Groomsman MW was Mr. ST's college roommate.  MW's mom will be performing our ceremony. 

That leaves me in charge of finding some readings for the ceremony.  Groomzilla originally made a request that the ceremony be short so I can't pick anything tooooo long. 

It's also traditional in his family to read the "gong" passage from the bible.  His godmother and godfather will be reading that together.  There is this funny thing about being nervous to read during the ceremony that has made everyone say the word GONG funny and then giggle. 

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
   Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
   Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
   And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

It is a beautiful passage.  I've read it in weddings before too and have loved it every time.

For the other reading or readings (I want two more, he only wants one- Ggrrrr Groomzilla!!!) I've been researching some readings from literature.  I can't help but want some aspect of my love of literature and books to be a part of the ceremony. 

How Do I Love Thee? by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

I love thee to the depth and breadth and height

My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight

For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.

I love thee to the level of every day’s

Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.

I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;

I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.

I love thee with the passion put to use

In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.

I love thee with a love I seemed to lose

With my lost saints – I love thee with the breath,

Smiles, tears, of all my life! – and, if God choose,

I shall but love thee better after death.

I Love You by Roy Croft

I love you,

Not only for what you are,

But for what I am when I am with you.

I love you

Not only for what you have made of yourself, but for what you are making

of me.

I love you for ignoring the possibilities of the fool in me

And for laying firm hold of the possibilities for good.

Why do I love you?

I love you for closing your eyes to the discords

And for adding to the music in me by worshipful listening.

I love you because you are helping me to make of the lumber of my life,

Not a tavern but a temple;

And out of the words of my every day

Not a reproach but a song.

I love you because you have done more than any creed to make me happy.

You have done it without a word, without a touch, without a sign.

You have done it just by being yourself.

After all, perhaps that is what love means.

i carry your heart with me by e.e. cummings

i carry your heart with me (i carry it in my heart)

i am never without it

(anywhere i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done by only me

is your doing, my darling)

i fear no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet)

i want no world (for beautiful, you are my world, my true)

and it’s you whatever a moon has always meant

and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows

(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud

and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;

which grows higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)

and this is the wonder that’s keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)

And of course, my personal FAVORITE:

Sonnet No. 116 by William Shakespeare

Let me not to the marriage of true minds

Admit impediments. Love is not love

Which alters when it alteration finds,

Or bends with the remover to remove;

Oh, no! It is an ever-fixed mark,

That looks on tempests and is never shaken;

It is the star to every wandering bark,

Whose worth’s unknown, Although his height be taken.

Love’s not time’s fool, though rosy lips and cheeks

Within his bending sickle’s compass come;

Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,

But it bears it out even to the edge of doom.

If this be error and upon me proved,

I never writ, nor no man ever loved.

But I think I may have to translate it for most people, especially Groomzilla. I would love to use it as part of my vows, but he would have no idea what I was telling him. lol.

What did you pick for your ceremony?  Did you choose any nontraditional pieces?  Please share them!!

Bridal shows and expos

The ST house is still attending bridal shows.

Not at my request. 

Yup.

Mr. ST made the request.  Why you ask?  GREAT question!!

A few months back (around March) I officially handed over the job of transportation to Mr. ST because he did not think I was getting good prices, or asking the right questions, or finding out enough about the cooler size on the limo bus.  Whatever.

I continually nagged  reminded him about his job of finding transportation.  We only need one limo bus, for three hours just for the bridal party to and from the ceremony and the reception.  That's IT. 

Here we are less than three months out and NO LIMO BUS.

We trekked up an hour north of our house to a lame, small, terrible show and there was only one company there. 

I made the suggestion that I would spend a day and call around and get a company.  He said no, let's go to this show on the 25th. 

Oh Groomzilla. 

Did you assign a task to your groom?  Did he get it done in time?  Is there hope for my Groomzilla? 

Shoes - the Finale!!!

The shoes are FINALLY done.  You can read about the shoesHERE  and  HERE .

No more paint dye.

No more glue.

No more crystals.

No more glitter.

No more clear sealer spray.

They are done. 

Here is the before.  I never took a great one- only them in the box. Sorry!!

Just getting started on the multi-colored crystal strap. 



Working on the heel strap.  I even put the multi-colored crystals on the tiny buckles. 

Here they are - all glitter and crystal fabulousness!!!  SO HAPPY WITH THEM. 



Did you find your wedding shoes?  Have you ever taken a plain pair of shoes and crafted them into something spectacular?

Scrub a dub-dub - Shower Time!!

It's been a while. 

I know. 

Shame on me. 

Baddddd blogging bride-to-be. 

I've got a millions things going on for the wedding - we are 104 days until the wedding...CRAZY!!!

I had begged, pleaded, demanded that the shower be during the summer.  I knew I would not be able to handle all that extra cleaning, writing, etc during the school year.  There was a week left of school and the bridesmaids commmmmpletely surprised me. 

Mr. ST's parents had been asking to go to dinner at various restuarants in the area to find a place for the rehearsal dinner.  The first place we went to is a favorite bar/restuarant of ours - Calloways.  It's great: there is a bar, a miniature golf and driving range, arcade place and some small rides for kids, plus a go cart track.  Needless to say, the STs and friends hang out there all the time. 

We walked in and I was yelling at Mr. ST for not following the directions of the host,  when I turned left and VOILA! SURPRISE!

Mr. ST is holding our niece, his mom is in the pink/orange, his dad in the yellow and there is me shleping in all the bags for Gabby.... NO CLUE.  lol

Yup, silly face.  I honestly had no idea.  Don't get me wrong, I TRIED to figure it out, but I had no clue. 

You can see the beautiful shell corsage that my mom made for me.  It has is beautiful and I want to put it in a shadow box with the invitation.

Our cake - not your typical shower cake - so it was perfect for us!  The flip flops on the cake are magnets on our fridge now! :-)


It was such an overwhelming day.  I'll recap all the gifts and the bow hat and bouquet.  Those were some SPECIAL bow items.  How was your shower?  Where you surprised? 

Easy Easter Crafts

Easter has sprung up on us!  Haha.  Love a good pun. 

Bridesmaid TBG came over a nice relaxing day of crafting. 

This is my newest Geo Mesh wreath.  I LOVEEEE this stuff.  More and more craft stores are carrying it in stock and they are getting more and more colors/textures as well.  It's easy to manipulate and lasts in all sorts of weather conditions.  This is a bright pink mesh with a glitter line in it.  The peeps are made from foam and from my chick Peeps template I made last year and from bunny peeps from MADE by Dana.  The garland is from the dollar store too.  I was inspired by a few wreaths I had seen on Pinterest and so I go to work.

These are the blocks that Bridesmaid TBG made - sooooo cute.  She came up with the saying herself too!  They are still a tad wet here, but she needed to get home to her pup, Roxanne. 

Hope you had a great weekend!

Why hello!

Hello Blog World!!!

I cannot believe it's been so long since I last posted...well, actually I can believe that. Work has been amazing, busy, but amazing.  Weekends for Mr. ST. and I are spent with family, completing random home owner crap, and catching up on our sleep.

I'm going to try and write more often.  There are some biiiiiig things coming up in the world of the wedding very soon.

Tons of DIY projects are up my sleeve and I cannot wait to share all the failures, er, successes with you!

Hope you had an amazing St. Patty's Day!

<3 Sandy Toes Bride

ONE YEAR

ONE YEAR!!!!!!




366 days!!!!!


(I'm know I'm not a math whiz but we, of course, picked a LEAP YEAR to get married.  Yay extra planning time...or not!?!???)

YAY for 2012!!

I also want to say thank you to all the wonderful people out there that have helped us this last year with all the planning we have gotten done so far.  It's been a fabulous year and we could not have done it without your help, love, and support.

That includes you, dear reader!! Thank you for listening to me vent, whine, and wax poetic about tulle, shells, and just the right shade of teal. Thank you for all your kind words and comments on posts and for the wonderful friendships that I've been able to start through the great big wide world of blogging. 

 

Ups and Downs

I'm back.  I know I said it would be only a week...well life happens.

We had a tragic event at the school where I work and the past two weeks have been so hard to emotionally process. 

With that said, the SandyToes household is closely approaching ONE YEAR!  Ahhhhh.  It's crazy to think that MORE than a year has done and gone by in this waiting game.

To help us get in the spirit of the wedding Mr. ST and I have signed up for Weight Watchers together.  I was very successful at it before about 3 years ago.  We all know about the hip injury and how it still plagues me to no end.  I'm going to try going to the gym nice and steady for a few days a week to get back in the swing of things.  Being around skinny, tiny, thin high school students certainly can make you aware of your own size! lol.

My starting weight is 167 pounds.  I am in no way proud of that.  I am aware that I put most of it on during the last year I was unemployed.  I emotionally ate ALL THE TIME. I'm all set to go to my first meeting tomorrow.  I'm going to try a few out to see which "leader" I mesh with the best.  I'm also going to have to FORCE myself to fit in gym time.

My schedule most days is: up at 4:30 am, shower, get dressed, and out of the house by 5:50.
Work (school) 6:30-4ish  - if there aren't any SGA/Sports events
4:30-5ish  - grading and making dinner
6:-6:30 ish dinner with Mr. ST.
7:30 ish - finish up grading/planning for the next day
9:00 - 10:00 - pass out from exhaustion.
* I have 'hall duty'  at the end of the day and I've been trying to walk the entire 45 minute period - but it can be hard because I'm still 'working' and can get called to do other things.

I need to find gym time.  Do you have any suggestions?  How have you managed to squeeze it in?  Any sneaky way for me to add more to my day? 

Miss you!

It's been about two weeks since I last posted.  It's also been a bit over a week since school started.  PHEW.  Life has been exhausting, but fantastic and amazing. 

I've been slowly reading all of your posts out there - promise!  I can't keep up with the commenting if I want to read them all, but know that I'm still so happy to read about your lives and what you have been up to in the last two weeks.

I just wanted to say hello and that I miss you all and I miss blogging.  I'll be back hopefully next week to share all that wedding nonsense and craftiness going on in the Sandy Toes household. 

Happy Planning and Crafting!!!

Phinally a Photograper

PHINALLY we have a PHOTOGRAPHER!!!

Mr. ST and I met with another photographer, Dan, from Inlight Studios.  He was meeting us for a "dinner meeting" at the local Atlanta Bread.  I was excited about getting a soup and sandwich combo let alone getting to meet with an other photographer!!  You know you love those artisan meals too.

Anyway - We were a few minutes early for the meeting, and much to the JOY of Mr. ST Dan was already there!  I'm pretty sure Mr. ST would have hugged him for being earlier than us.  Punctuality is a big thing for Mr. St - which is hilarious because I'm NEVER on time.  haha.

We sat down and got started with the meeting right away.  From the first moment Dan started talking we were all very comfortable.  He was honest, funny, and had an answer for all my crazy, neurotic bride questions - "What happens if we have a major natural disaster and you get stuck in your house because of a giant tree that fell and your car was crushed by a crane trying to get the tree off your house, who will come to my wedding then?????"  Seriously the question I asked.  lol. Dan was relaxed and it made Mr. ST relaxed so he actually asked questions and was involved. 

We finally went and got some GREAT food.  I wanted to book Dan right then and there.  I kept looking at Mr. ST trying to send him messages with my mind that I was SUPER happy and wanted to book RIGHT NOW.  I guess my Jedi mind tricks need practice because Mr. ST didn't get it.  At ALL.  We finished eating and left. 

I wanted to see what Mr. ST thought before I waxed poetic.  I waited and waited....and waited.  He finally said, "I like him." 

That's it?????  I could hold it in no longer and let it alllll out.  I wanted to book right then.  We went home and discussed a bit more and decided we were happy and would book the following day.

SOOOOOOOOOOO - Photographer is finally on the DONE list.  YAY!!!  This is something that was very stressful for me and I wanted to book sooner rather than later.  I am SO glad it is done.

What was the ONE vendor you wanted booked right away?  Which vendor did you stress over the most?

Time flies

So last I left you, it was our engage-iversary.  I had planned to make mini burritos for a late snack when Mr. ST got home. Well, during the day the doorbell rang - I had a delivery!

You can't see the card very well, but it says: "Thanks for saying YES"  - made my heart melt.  LOVE HIM.

They are sooooo pretty.  And I'm not a huge flower person either, but I loooove them.  And a week later and they still look the same.  The secret?  Change the water every two days and add a bit of sugar.  Keeps the flowers looking AMAZING. :-)

This last week was busy with last minute preparations for BFF and MOH NM's suprise baby shower.  I made the 40+ cupcake display.  It was hard work - especially hiding it all from her! I'll have a post about more of the fabulous baby things later. ;-)

Even one of the dogs got in on the fun. He is a silllly puppy wearing the soon to be here baby SM's tutu.  He did kinda like wearing it.  haha.  

 He's also here to help me share a VERY big surprise that I've been DYING TO SHARE WITH YOU!!!

I GOT A JOB!!! 

 I'll be starting a full-time job for this coming school year.  I am beyond excited and nervous and everything else in between.  It's been an AMAZING week so far.  So I appologize now if the blog posts are few in the next few weeks - I'll be starting a new job, in a new district with alllll new curriculum - so it's going to be a big adjustment. It's so nice to know I won't be on unemployment any longer, and the most important thing: it's going to make wedding planning JUST a tad bit more fun because money won't be as big ( but still a tiny bit) of a worry now. :-) Hope everyone else is enjoying the end of summer!

Engage-iversary = Wood

365 days ago, Mr. ST came home from work and asked me to marry him while I was making a burrito. 


It's been a fabulous year of planning, fighting, learning, growing, and falling more in love with each other.  We don't have any super special plans and Mr. ST is stuck at work late for some training and won't be home till after 8 pm tonight.  I am going to make us some small burrito snack tonight to celebrate. :-)  BUT he has an extra day off this weekend, so we'll be spending it doing some major yard work.  haha.  Ya us!

I did get a surprise "gift" today.  When I got up, THIS was in my backyard:

See that shed?  It was just built.  I had asked the builder if I could have the scraps of wood he would normally throw away - I explained I craft and could use them for cakes, diaper cakes, crafting in general - He was happy to oblige when the job was done. YAY FREE WOOD!!!

These are two of the largest sheets of ply-wood.  You can see they are as tall as my kitchen table.

More ply-wood!  It's various shapes and sizes. 

I cannot wait to turn these into letters, signs, gifts, etc.  That pile is about three feet high too. YAY!!

And last, the ply-wood scraps - but most are still very large pieces.  SO excited to think of all the FABULOUS-NESS that can be made.  Mr. ST can't be mad because this was all FREE!  I looooove free crafting supplies!



Did you have an Engage-iversary?  How did you spend it?  Any ideas for me to surprise Mr. ST??

Photography Phrustations Part 2

Mr. ST and I met with a photographer.  She was recommended to us by BM TBG.  PhotogR was the photographer at TBG's wedding back in April.  I knew I liked PhotogR's style of photography so I emailed her to set up an appointment.

Several emails later we settled on a date, place, and time.  We would be meeting off the Parkway (major highway in Jersey) about half-way between our respective places.  No worries - Starbucks means I get to appease my major coffee fix. 

Mr. ST and I left with a small cushion in case we got lost.  We arrived about 10 minutes ahead of schedule.  No big deal.  We checked out the place, didn't see PhotogR, so we got breakfast and coffee and waited. 

Then we waited some more. 

Finally, 13 minutes late (yes, 13, Mr. ST kept track), PhotogR came in to Starbucks.  She threw her multiple bags down, made a small introduction, then ran over to the counter for a coffee.  I could sense that Mr. ST was not a happy Groomzilla. 

I smoothed out my sundress and waited with a smile.  I'm willing to let people be late because they were lost, it's not a great impression and something I won't forget, but I understand that it was a new location for both parties.  PhotogR comes back to our table, pulls out a few sample albums, and begins to chat with us about album options, pricing, and shows us all these album cover options.

Hold on just a minute.  When the multitude of emails went around, I had expressed that Mr. ST and I were interested in services for the day - that albums would come later - we didn't need to hear those options first. But she kept going.  And going.  I politely reminded her we were not interested in albums up front, but were glad to see her work.  I also reminded her that we had seen her first hand in action.  She continued to show us more album options.  After reminding her three times that we could discuss it later I could REALLY tell that Mr. ST was no longer interested. 

I asked all my usual questions and I did like her personality.  It would be an interesting discussion on the way home.  We finished up the meeting and got back in the car.  Neither one of us said anything for a while.  I could tell how Mr. ST felt about her, so I asked.   He didn't like that she was late with not phone call, he didn't like that she didn't listen to what we wanted, that she was "scattered brained" with all her things. 

He was right.  So we went home, I sent an email thanking her, and told her we would be in touch. 

We've got ONE MORE appointment made.  I've gotten a few more numbers and will contact that if need be.  I've got my fingers crossed this next one will work out!!

Did you have a hard time when you interviewed vendors?  Were you able to choose the first one you met with?  Any advice for helping us decide?

Whaaat a Weekend

It was a busy one again in the ST. House.  Mr. ST and I are still slowly working on the invites - cut, fold, crease, cut, fold, crease, cut, fold, crease.  It makes my fingers tired just writing it again.  I know these will be well worth it.  They are what we want and we are VERY happy with them.  We have the time - we are going to take advantage of it!

Bridesmaid TBG stopped by on Saturday night to help our with the Cut, Fold, Crease Routine.  We got about 50 pocketfolds done - we also gabbed away for several hours so that's a big accomplishment for us.

I made another crayon monogram for a baby shower.  I love making them.  If any of you lovely readers out there want one - I'd be happy to discuss it with you! Send me an email!

There was beautiful sunset that I saw while walking in the park.

For a SNEAK PEAK -

This Giant 2' x 4 ' canvas is getting a make-over.  I found it in the thrift store for only $3.00.  SCORE!

I also want to reach out to any of you crafty ladies (gentlemen?) out there!  A very good Blogging friend, Kira from Her New Leaf is hosting a Craft Challenge!!!  She did another one a while back back and I was SO jealous because I wanted to join in the fun.  So go check this out and send her an email to join !!!


Finally, something to share - I received an email from Diane @ Simply Bridal - an online dress store.
Simply Bridal is an online wedding dress store, selling 100% handmade, customized to fit dresses. They're giving away a free wedding dress every day for a month!

Promotion Details:
-  Enter in Simply Bridal's DAILY Dress Giveaway from Aug 8 - Sept 8 HERE
-  Tell us your Name, Email Address, and Zip Code to Enter - That's All!
-  No purchase is necessary to enter our giveaway!
- Don't forget to 'like' the Facebook page so that you can see who won each week.
More details about our promotion can be found in this press release:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2011/08/02/prweb8688796.DTL

I just wanted to share - I'm going to enter, see what happens.  I'm not being paid for sharing that or getting any compensation for it - I just wanted to see if I could help someone I know win a dress!!

How was your weekend?  Were you busy?  Did you get to relax?  We've got another craft day coming up this week! 

Oh no! Missing Invitations...

Alternate title:  Why Mr. ST is so amazing and surprises me daily.

Don't get me wrong, the invitations are not here.  They are not in our house.  They aren't exactly "missing" either.  Mr. ST and I labored over cutting again last night.  I am up to about 20 pocketfolds an hour - using only scissors.  The to-be-cut piles still looked so large!  I was grumbling about it when we went to bed last night.

When I woke up this morning - the GIANT paper cutter and all the invitation envelopes were missing! Of course the stinkin' pocketfolds were still on the table.  Evil thieves took the easy part and left me the tough job!!! ARHG!

YES!! These giant manila envelopes were all missing. 

I texted Mr. ST  - he explained that he took them to work with him.  phhhheeeewww - SAY WHAT?!?!.   He is working a double, then is off for 12, then on again for 16.  During some of his downtime he said he would set himself up to get more of the cutting done.  Yes, you read that right ladies.  He voluntarily took the paper cutter and bulging manila envelopes to cut more items for us.

Sometimes, when I least expect it he surprises me in the most wonderful ways!! Now if I could only get him to be eager to cut the pocketfolds too.... ;-)

See - how can you NOT love that face?!?!?!  Has your groom surprised you and taken responsibility of any tasks?


Welcome to all the new Weddingbee readers too!! If I'm not following your blog make sure you leave it in the comments so I know to go there!

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not forget to go comment on this link for us.  We are still in the contest and need more comments!  PLEASE!!!! Mr. ST and I appreciate it!! :-)

Slow and Steady Wins the Invitation Race

Mr. ST got all the invites, inserts, tags, and pocketfolds printed this week.  We finally settled in tonight to start cutting them. 

Well, when I say we, I mean Mr. ST. 

While I was busy doing this:

Yessss.  MESSY KITCHEN. 

I made a trial batch of homemade pickles.  haha. I apologize now for anyone that gets an invite in the future and it's scented like garlic and dill.  I washed my hands thoroughly, but garlic is so pesky on skin.

But back to the invites - This is what our kitchen table looks like:

Several inches high stacks of paper.  In various colors.  With several paper cutters. 

Mr. ST even made this AMAZING template that we printed on the pocketfolds so that we don't have to mark them up with pencil and score marks.  He is AMAZING sometimes. 

I finally settled in to cut all the tags for the front of the pocketfolds and wouldn't you know, the silly blade on the paper cutter was all banged up from all the trials we had done.  AGHR!

These are the envelopes that Mr. ST labeled to help us keep all the items organized.  I've invited a few bridesmaids over this weekend to help with this amazing cause. :-)

We made a very small dent, but the invitations that we worked so hard on for all this time are beginning to take shape.  It means we are getting closer and closer to an wedding day!!!! Oh, and if you want the PDF file for the pocketfolds, let me know and I'll email it to you. 

And one last thing, Mr. ST and I are still in the contest for our videography.  PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE go to this link and leave a comment PLEASE GO COMMENT We really need to win this to have videography at our wedding.  You're the best!!! :-)

Did you tackle a DIY that took tons of time?  What the result worth it in the end?