Married

Please Welcome, Mr and Mrs Costelloe.
(Click on the photo for more pictures).
Yesterday could not have been more perfect, It was warm and sunny with a hint of a breeze, not a cloud in the sky. We were told this would happen, but you cannot believe it until you experience it, It went so very very quickly. At the ceremony, my mum, myself, Steph's dad, Michael's mum and Michael's dad all had a part in reading a paragraph each for the Hopes for the Marriage. I could not have been more proud. Nicky, Maid of Honour and Steph's best friend did a reading first, George Elliot, from Adam Bede, and it was beautiful. The Photographer was very busy doing his thing in getting the official pictures done.
They had a Tree Watering Ceremony, They have bought a pink flowering gum tree which they have in a pot for now, this will be planted in their own garden when they buy their first house.
the words that went with it was,
"Today we water this plant to symbolize that marriage-like a tree-requires constant nurturing and nourishment. May it grow tall and strong."
This was a really lovely message.
Wellers did us proud, the tables were set exactly as we liked, The food was delicious, The music was done by my son Jonno and his girlfriend Renee and was just right, The first dance, Stephs dance with her dad, bought tears to my eyes, and the cake was something really special and personal. My friend Lillian did us really proud. All in all it was a perfect day.
Thank you to all of you who sent best wishes, I really apprieciated them and i have passed the messages on.

Wedding Day

Today is the day our Daughter is getting Married! This has been a very busy hectic but most wonderful week of last minute preparations. All the guests are here in Victoria, some of Michaels family have not seen each other for 20 years, and some to meet for the first time. My Mum and Mike have settled in and are very excited. I am going to get my hair done, flowers are to be dropped off at Wellers for table decorations, and then to where my daughter is staying to help her get ready. Fingers crossed the weather holds, I promise pictures at the end of the day.
Thank you all for the best wishes, kind thoughts and sharing my journey with me.
You all have a lovely day,

Wedding Gifts

My daughter has been down for her final dress fitting this week and we also finished making the thank you gifts for the wedding guests.
labels were designed and printed onto Matt Photo Sticker A4 Sheets and printed out. they were then peeled and stuck onto the candles, twine was wound around and then placed into the little bags.
One thing we have been told is to record and take notes all the time because the time goes by so quickly. Her Auntie from Mauritius has made her veil, and it is just adorable, It was just the best feeling to have her and her daughter here with us to celebrate this special event.

Wedding Cake

My daughter has made her decision on the wedding cake,
It is going to be a baked pistachio cheesecake (Hubby to be, favourite food) made and designed and decorated by my best friend Lillian who is an amazing artist. No pictures yet cos at the moment it is a design concept. Nice to have another item ticked off the list.
My daughter will be coming down again in a weeks time for her final fitting on her dress, meeting my friend Lillian and talking final details,
More good news!
My Sister-In-Law from Mauritius is here and it is really lovely to see her again.
I have made 1 gift so far, for my 4 swap partners, going to have a look at my now tidy stash and start something new for one of my other partners. I just love being in the sewing mode again, (now if i just keep it all under control i won't have to waste my time tidying up!
I wish you all a happy and creative day.

Bridal Shoes

I thought i might show you the Bridal shoes that my daughter has bought. they are leather, with brown trim and really lovely.

Wellers

This is a glimpse of the Wedding Venue. Wellers. The first picture is The Main Dining Room The pictures were taken when the room was empty and before Christmas, but you get the idea. We love the wood and the openness of the place, adore the cute curvy chairs. The next picture is from the front of the property, you have many levels and very lush with vegitation. Even the picture from the car park is cute. and all around you have lovely hills and scenery. The last picture is taken from the back and it has a very nice old tram in it that you can go in and take pictures. It was in the afternoon and we saw rabbits running around, very unexpected and quite delightful.
We went there for lunch on Wednesday and the food and the service was just lovely. I can highly recommend the place.

Wedding Ideas

This is the wooden box that my daughter had bought for the Wishing Well for the wedding.
The box itself is plain and she is going to have an engraving of a scene from Wellers on it. Currently it is holding some of the wedding invitations she has hand made. The size is a business sized envelope.
This is the guest book, the pages are fabric with natural elements in it, Wooden decorations and hinges, The pages are A4 in size and perfumed. Very beautiful, The same scene from Wellers will be on the inside of the book to match the box.
She will be changing the ribbon to go with her theme.

Wedding Cake

This is a completely open post. I am looking for wedding cakes in Melbourne Australia.
Cheesecake is a great option, but not limited to, I am interested in hearing about cake makers in Victoria, Australia. The wedding in question is in Mid March for 65 people.
I am interested in both good and bad stories here, not just commercial stores, but we love the home cook too. Even if you do not cook yourself, but know of someone who is an avid cook and could potentially be up to the task and live in the Northern Suburbs or the City of Melbourne i would love to know.

Table Decorations

Bridal table Mock Up.

For the past couple of days we have been very busy. Steph came down for 3 days and in that time we set ourselves a timetable and got it done. Day 1 shoes, (i cannot put them on the blog until later cos they ware going to surprise people, They are really lovely. job done, ticked off the list.
Day 2. Wedding Dress Fitting. Lovely, Dress will be ready for a second fitting on the 15th Feb. the day after our nephews wedding and Steph has booked her time to be here then anyway, so that is just perfect. Job done, ticked off the list.


Bomboniere Mock Ups. They are also going to be place settings too. On the bottom will be their table number and they will choose how they place themselvers on their table. 60 plus candles, done. another thing ticked off the list.
8 round table Mock Up. There will be rose petals on the table too.

All the table decorations are wrapped and two table set ups per bag, ready to go. Bridal table set up in its own bag.
Last day, day 3, Steph booked for us to go to Wellers first as a thank you and to sample their menu and wine. so a table of 6 was booked and we went. LOVELY! the food was very nice indeed, looked and tasted lovely, the wine was nice and all had a good time.
We took more photos and had a lovely afternoon.
Steph had to go back home, happier that she managed to do what she wanted to do in the short time she was here.

Making Paper

Today i will be making paper, This is something i have not done for quite some time. Going from left to right we have, Christmas Bonbons, and gold ribbon that i will be shredding up into little golden strands. A4 coloured paper to act as base colours, recycled blanket and newspaper, some ready made potpourri, a deckle, a bucket, deep tray, a shredder and not in the picture is the paint stirrer and drill. (thanks Jodie for that tip!). Not included, is Tilli in tray,
For these test pages i will not be using seeds, i will be using chilli flakes. The reason is that i want to get the consistency right and the flakes will show up and i can see how they will be dispursed.
The actual paper for the wedding will be done by myself and my daughter when she comes down at the end of this month.

Cushion

This is the cushion finished.
The cushion measures a lovely 61 cm square, I used curtain fabric from Spotlight that cost $3 a metre and although i tried i could not capture the coppery sheen it has when the light hits it. It is a mid weight fabric that very thin strands of copper, brown and gold running through it like little wavy lines going one way. I used it making the grain go through it sideways, it picks up the light better that way.
I thoroughly enjoyed making it and i am sure they will like it. It is the first cushion i have ever made, but it won't be the last that is for sure. I had great fun doing it.
I have decided not to bead it because they have cats and i don't want to risk them trying to pick them off and swallowing them.
I have some fabric left over so i'm thinking round coasters to match.

wedding Ideas

We have just bought on ebay, this lovely box.
the dimensions are just right for envelopes.
This is going to be used instead of the traditional Wishing Well and on the top we are going to have engrave a picture of Wellers. the place where they are getting married.
The second thing is that the Bridal table is going to have a bonsai tree. Don't know which one yet, more on that when my daughter comes down. We are going to have fun looking.
We have decided! The copper/bronze finished candle holders are going to be filled with a potted plants, one for each table.
The cushion i was working on is finished, i will post a picture tomorrow, too dark right now to get a good picture.

Wedding Ideas

I bought 8 of these to use as decorations for the round wedding tables.
How i am going to use them yet is not quite known, Do i put in it the copper t light candles or the other idea that i have which is to use them like planters? It does not show, but they have glass on all 4 sides which can be removed.

For instant colour that is really current, i was thinking of going to Bunnings a couple of days before and adding potted colour in each of them.
They will have the Tree of Life copper emblems that i have been making as well as pictures of their two cats hanging on them too.
The fun is still happening, I have loads of stuff to use, just have to work out how to use them. I will keep you posted.

What I Have Been Making Today

Anyone following my blog now knows that the theme of the wedding is the Tree of Life.
This is what i am working on at the moment. This is on a 14 inch embroidery hoop, the backing is seeded cotton drill, the tree silhouette is on a self patterned brown fabric.
I ironed vlisofix on to the brown fabric, drew on my design, cut it out, and then pealed off the backing and ironed it onto the cream fabric.

I am now in the process of blanket stitching it all around with a shiny copper/gold/bronze embroidery thread.
When it is done i will be cutting out a piece of wadding to fit, turning the edges under and then i will be stitching the whole thing invisibly onto a large square cushion/pillow.
I maybe putting in other details, like beaded flowers, not sure yet. This is what i like about crafting something new. This will be my wedding present to Steph and Michael.
I am really enjoying the process.

Sleep!

I am feeling really good today, Sleep is back! Thank you all for your lovely and helpful suggestions, very much appreciated. I had my usual 3 hours sleep last night and can now tackle the world.
I have started a new project, no photos yet as no camera until the 10th January, but it is a fabric wall hanging, with a cream background, It is round, done on a large 14 inch embroidery hoop, the main subject is in a brown self patterned fabric and has been vliofixed onto it and i am currently blanket stitching all around the raw edges using a gold/bronze/copper multicolored shiny thread. Most relaxing.

Pictures

I have no camera!
but it is not lost, just borrowed until the 10 January.
My son Jonno and his girlfriend have borrowed it for their first overseas holiday in Vanuatu. My hubby has a camera but i don't know how to use it so i may not be posting until then.
I will however be reading your posts, and i will be posting step by step pics once as soon as i understand how to use his camera.

The handmade paper and the wedding table decorations are coming along a treat.
In the meantime,
Let me wish you ALL a Happy New Year.

Making Paper

One of the things i am going to make for the wedding for each guest is a hand made paper seeded scroll. This is the first part of the paper i have put away to make them with. (first i will have to look for a cheap/secondhand blender. You cannot use one that you are using for food). I will be adding shredded gold/bronze ribbon. and the idea is for the guest to plant it into a pot as a reminder of the day.
However, this is where i need your help! I have one herb so far, Thyme, I have chosen it because it is a small herb and a play on words. I want the paper to have a love and wisdom theme, the plants must be able to grow in a pot and the seeds small. Any gardeners out there with suggestions? I will be reading them all.

Tree Of Life

The washing is already on the line, the vacuuming is done, the meat is out of the freezer being defrosted (spag bol tonight) and so it is time to play. These are the Tree of Life symbols being made as part of the wedding decorations using what i have at home. I did buy the silver coloured bangles, 6 for $4 I need to make 8.
Currently i am stripping down some cabling for the copper wire, acquired from a nearby skip (with permission).
I am going to go for a walk later to look for some pine cones and gum nuts, going to my friends house and saw up a fallen tree limb into slices, sand them to make bases for these decorations leaving the outer edge natural and decorate the candles.
I have no idea how they are going to be assembled together yet, but that is all part of the fun.
I hope your day is as much fun as mine.

Daughter Is Coming!

I know my daughter will be embarrassed at this but i just have to spill,
My daughter is coming for a quick visit tomorrow and i will have her here for only a couple of days and we will spend it Wedding Dress Shopping, Making Invitations, Talking and Making Decorations!!! I am so happy i am beside myself!!!
So Just remember to give your loved ones a call every now and then, don't wait for a special reason to call them, do it " Just Because".
I do have something to post about the celebrations but it will wait until she comes!

Dress

Tonight for the first time i have been talking wedding dresses with my daughter over the internet, without guilt of study in the way. How lovely this is.
Anyone having a wedding savour all the moments and cherish each step in the process cos it is once in a lifetime thing!