Happy Anniversary to us!

Happy 2nd Anniversary to my . . . . . . 

good-looking

big-smiling

 hard-working

fun-finding

chore-helping

sweet-kissing

lovably real,

dream-sharing,

hand-holding,

heart-warming

husband!

**Verse from Carlton Cards - anniversary card I purchased, but loved too much not to share!**

Wedding Gift

As I mentioned our friends Matt and Candra got married last weekend.  I knew I wanted to make them something as a gift but I didn't know what.  I saw the beautiful McKinley quilt pattern on obsessive crafting disorder and I thought it was perfect!  I modified the pattern to be bigger and instead of using charm packs, I just cut out my own 5x5 squares.  I absolutely love the fabric!

Here's the full quilt, thanks to KC for holding it up for me in the backyard.

A couple of close-ups of the squares and the backing, made with a twin sized brown cotton sheet from Target:

 I hand embroidered their names on the front:

 Used my Stampin' Up Big Shot to makes some 'flowers' to add some appeal:

I made a cute bride and groom card to go with it:

 This was definitely a time consuming project.  I loved how it turned out.  I had hoped to make it bigger.  I just knew that with the late start, I wouldn't have been able to make it bigger and finish on time.  I spent an entire weekend sitting at the kitchen table, just quilting. Matt and Candra loved it, I'm glad that I did it!  Thanks for your advice that you would have loved to receive something like this.  It definitely gave me the motivation to get going on it.

1 year ago

12 months of tenderness and sweet surprises . . .
52 weeks of learning new and wonderful things about each other . . .
365 days of sharing and blending our lives together . . .
525,600 minutes of loving one another . . .

364 days ago

You're a falling star, you're the get away car.

You're the line in the sand when I go too far.
You're the swimming pool, on an August day.
And you're the perfect thing to say.

And you play your card, but it's kinda cute.

Ah, when you smile at me you know exactly what you do.
Baby don't pretend, that you don't know it's true.

Cause you can see it when I look at you.

And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times
It's you, it's you, you make me sing.
You're every line, you're every word, you're everything.

You're a carousel, you're a wishing well,
And you light me up, when you ring my bell.
You're a mystery, you're from outer space,
You're every minute of my everyday.

And I can't believe, uh that I'm your man,
And I get to kiss you baby just because I can.
Whatever comes our way, ah we'll see it through,
And you know that's what our love can do.

And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times
It's you, it's you, you make me sing
You're every line, you're every word, you're everything.

So, La, La, La, La, La, La, La
So, La, La, La, La, La, La, La

And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times
It's you, it's you, you make me sing.
You're every line, you're every word, you're everything.
You're every song, and I sing along.
Cause you're my everything.
Yeah, yeah

So, La, La, La, La, La, La, La
So, La, La, La, La, La, La, La

Lyrics:  Everything - Michael Buble
Photos

Jack & Jill Shower Inspiration #2

If you remember back to this post, I'm planning a Jack & Jill shower for some friends who are getting married in October.  Since our summer is filling up quickly, I'm trying to do some planning early.  We've finally set a date of early August.


The new Summer Mini for Stampin' Up has arrived and it gave me another great idea that I am really excited about.  A Hawaiian Luau themed shower.  When I saw pages 26 & 27 of the catalog I was immediately inspired.  That, with the birthday party that I read about Running from the Law throwing for her husband, I was inspired to give it a try!


The beautiful Designer Series Paper and Tropical Party stamp set will help to create some cute invitations.

 Source

Also the matching party favor boxes and the same stamp set will be great for some favors!  I think the boxes would be cute with some flip flop or flower shaped chocolates or cookies!

 

Source

This SU Designer Printed Album would make a great scrapbook for the couple to add pictures from the shower to and even for the guests to sign!

Source

Party City to the rescue again for the other supplies!
(All image below from Source)


For the yard, how about some strings of Round Lantern Lights to hang on the trees and some Tiki Torches strewn throughout the yard.

Source

We'll decorate the tables with some coconut bowl candle holders and maybe some table skirts.

Source

I'm still looking for game suggestions and prizes will probably be some little liquor bottles or something similar but doesn't pineapple bowling sound like fun for a kids (or neighborhood) Luau party?!?!

Source

We've definitely got some music options to choose from if we can't come up with some on our own.

Source

And plenty of tableware options as well.

Source

The decoration choices are endless! I would like to make sure that it doesn't look like everything was just purchased and put up (I hate strongly dislike the word 'tacky' but that's what comes to mind as to what I'm avoiding).  Nothing too loud or anything that screams 'Kid!' but something that is fun and 'classy' (this word seems kinda silly to describe a Luau) at the same time!


Now I'd need to figure out a menu.  The Pig Roast idea wouldn't sit well with some of the attendees so we're going to pass on that.


Googling provided me with a few ideas:

• Ham and Glazed Pineapple Snacks
• Bacon Wrapped Pineapple
• Macadamia Nut Crusted Chicken
• Pineapple Chicken kabobs
• Hawaiian Lemonade 

There were lots of other ideas here as well!


Have you ever thrown a Luau themed party?  Any other suggestions?  Any other Jack & Jill shower theme suggestions?

Anniversary Gift Ideas

Our first wedding anniversary is quickly approaching (middle of next month).  We are planning a trip (still undecided as to where - yeah, we need to get on that) but I would also like to get KC a gift as well.  I think it would be cool if we could stick to the 'lists' of what to get for each anniversary.  I was doing some web-browsing and found out that there are 2 different lists for Anniversary Gifts.

There is the Traditional List and the Contemporary List (found here):

Anniversary Year	Traditional Gift	Contemporary Gift
1	Paper	Clocks
2	Cotton (Calico)	China
3	Leather	Crystal, Glass
4	Linen (Silk)	Appliances
5	Wood	Silverware
6	Iron	Wood objects
7	Wool (Copper)	Desk sets
8	Bronze	Linens, Lace
9	Pottery (China)	Leather goods
10	Tin, Aluminum	Diamond
11	Steel	Fashion jewelry
12	Silk, Agate	Pearls, Colored gems
13	Lace, Moonstone	Textiles, Furs
14	Ivory, Moss Agate	Gold jewelry
15	Rock-crystal/glass	Watches
16	Topaz	Silver holloware
17	Amethyst	Furniture
18	Garnet	Porcelain
19	Hyacinth	Bronze
20	China	Platinum
21		Brass, Nickel
22		Copper
23	Sapphire	Silver plate
24		Musical instruments
25	Silver	Sterling silver
26	Star Sapphire (blue)	Original pictures
27		Sculpture
28		Orchids
29		New furniture
30	Pearl	Diamond
31		Timepieces
32		Conveyances (e.g., automobiles)
33		Amethyst
34		Opal
35	Coral (Jade)	Jade
36		Bone china
37		Alabaster
38		Beryl, Tourmaline
39	Cat's-eye	Lace
40	Ruby	Ruby
41		Land
42		Improved real estate
43		Travel
44		Groceries
45	Alexandrite	Sapphire
46		Original poetry tribute
47		Books
48		Optical goods (e.g., telescope, microscope)
49		Luxuries, any kind
50	Gold	Gold
51
52	Star Ruby
53
54
55	Emerald	Emerald
60	Diamond, yellow	Diamond
65	Star Sapphire, Gray
67	Star sapphire, purple
75	Diamond, diamond-like stones, gold
80		Diamond, Pearl
85		Diamond, Sapphire
90		Diamond, Emerald
95		Diamond, Ruby
100		10-carat Diamond

So I can choose from Paper or Clock if I stick with the 'lists'.

• For clock I was thinking Watch (because I'd like a new watch too :-) ) and then realized that Watch is actually listed for 15yrs.  Hmm, so I guess that means I can't do watch.  I could get him a clock, but we don't have many clocks around the house and I don't know where I would put a clock.
• Ok, so paper.  I've done my share of picture books and photo albums so that's not going to work.  I've done tickets to sporting events before as well (and with his wacky summer Ultimate schedule, who knows where we will be on what weekend).  I love the idea of the architectural letter pictures of last names as seen on a few etsy shops.  I purchased a few prints from one of these shops for a wedding gift this past year and they looked great (I think it might be more for me than for him though)!

What did you get your SO for a first wedding anniversary gift? Did you stick to the traditional or contemporary list or just get something you thought he/she would like?  Any suggestions for me?

P.S. A 10-carat Diamond after 100yrs?!?!  I wonder if anyone has ever been married for 100yrs.

Jack and Jill Shower Inspiration

Update: Candra if you do find this, please don't read it!  Thanks!

My friend is getting married in October and would like to have a shower here for guys and girls in addition to her shower up north with her family.  Since most of the other Bridesmaids live north, I've taken on the task of planning this shower and leaving the other one to them (plus it doesn't appear that the MOH's (sisters)) really want much input, but that's another story.  She asked for something fun and mostly just for people to have a good time and hang out.

I'm looking for ideas for "themes" or types of showers that go well with both guys and girls there.  My first thought is a "Mexican Fiesta" theme.  What makes this more appealing is that my friends owns Fiesta ware in practically every color.

Here's the inspiration board I've put together for the shower.  (This is my first one ever, so please don't judge :-), I didn't even do one for my own wedding!)

Source 1 - 6 & 10, 7, 8-9 & 11

I think I might have hit the jackpot at Party-City for most of my supplies if we go this route.

I'm looking for other suggestions for a Jack-and-Jill themed shower.  I'm also looking for 'games' or things to do.  We were looking at mini liquor bottles as 'prizes'.