Old is NEW again

Awhile ago when my sister-in-law got engaged, one thing was certain, she wanted to use part of her mom's veil. Somehow incorporate pieces of it into her special day. I thought this was glorious.

Then I realized she was asking me to help. Sure. Sure. Sure. Then the nerves sit in. I think I asked at least 3x's if she was certain what she wanted, considering I was about to take scissors to almost a 40 year old veil. The answer was always the same. YES.

I decided if I was going to be able to do this, I need to set one week of my time aside to focus on this. A whole week...ha, that's a lot of time in my world.

So there I sat armed with a glass of wine, a pair of sharp scissors and this veil, floor length, lots of tulle, and lace sewn from one side to the other. The first cut ::gasp:: is the hardest.

This wasn't normal lace, you know like something you'd see these days. There were gaps, and holes, with it's pattern, made it very difficult and painful to try to hot glue these together. I'm pretty sure I have no finger print left on my pointer finger.

Nerves, hot glue pain, NO idea what design to go with. So worth it, so so so worth it.

Design 1...

Design 2....

& The final  (and my favorite) Design 3...

I got the opportunity to go with the bride to see which one she picked with her final fitting of her wedding dress. I couldn't of matched the design to her dress more if I tried. I'm not going to reveal which one she went with. You'll just have to stay tuned for her special day in April to see it on the bride herself.

I'm so excited how all of them turned out, and have now been inspired to try some more fabric jewelry designs. Thanks Erin, it was a pleasure, and thanks for the opportunity to push myself in a new creative way!

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Before you say 'I Do'

I don't know many people that can say they've known one of their clients their entire life. I'm sure as a child I annoyed her and my sister more then I'd like to admit. BUT as we've grown, if I ponder here long enough, I can probably come up with some stories that our parents would frown upon. HA!

I've seen Karen over the years grow as a woman, a mom, sister and a friend. She's such a beautiful person inside and out, so naturally I was overjoyed when she contacted me to help her and Ryan with wedding items. First up...PICTURES!!!  

Ryan....what a cutie. If he's reading this...I bet he smiles quietly and simply just by my comment. Can't you just feel the love between these two? I want to pinch them!!!

Here's where the fun starts. Karen presented me with a challenge. Well not so much challenge, but project. She explained to me, not only did she need engagement photos of her and Ryan, but she also wanted to include her three beauties...her kids. "Cause after all...Ryan isn't just marrying me...he is marrying all of us" said Karen. AND oh so true.

Despite cold temps, freezing fingers, cloudy skies, runny noses, and rain... like troopers we laughed our way through the pictures that turned out adorable, and this session was simply a pleasure to do.

Karen your family is so precious and Ryan you're one lucky fellow. I can't wait to join your family and friends when you say 'I DO' in September. It's going to be a beautiful event, and thank you for allowing me to capture these memories for you.

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Hey there blue eyes

I don't know what I loved more about Mr. Colton, his baby blues, or that he didn't want to smile at all for me. PERIOD. Babies make you work that much harder to capture that perfect shot. It pushes me, it drives me as a photographer. I don't think we thank them enough :)

Every time I would hold the camera to my face, his mouth would open. He would garble some sounds, as if he was trying to get through to me with his sweet words. I could of sat and talked to that little guy for hours. Such a sweetheart.

AT LAST...literally my VERY. LAST. PICTURE. Daddy got him to squeal. LOVE IT!!!

Holly & Jim, your boy is gorgeous. It was lovely having the opportunity to capture some photos of Colton. Thanks again! 

Sweet Baby G.

I had a lovely opportunity to capture pictures of Baby G. Not only just a few hours after he was welcomed into this this world, but also a week later in his home. It's amazing how quickly they change in just a few days.

What can I say. He is uniquely beautiful. With his detailed features. I just love when little baby boys look like little old men. So full of personality at just the ripe age of 7 days. Hope mommy is prepared to fight the girls off, cause he's a looker!

There's so much love for this little guy. Mom and Dad, quickly fell into their rolls of perfect parents. 

And look at that, BABY G. already knows how to flex those muscles. Impressive little guy!

I can't wait to watch this adorable cutie grow into a little man. BIG Thanks to the H. Family for allowing me to capture some memories of your precious family! It was a pleasure! 

I hear family wedding bells.

It's very hard to wrap my head around the idea of my sister-in-law getting married. When I first started dating her brother...she was 9...NINE YEARS OLD. And come April she'll be on her way to becoming a beautiful bride/wife.

I feel old. Yuck.

I remember it like yesterday, trying to play the "cool" girlfriend, because I always wanted a little sister SOOO BAD. 10 Years and some odd months ago I married her brother. And now...I'm designing Erin's wedding shower invites.

Time. Goes. WAY TOO FAST!!!

I love, correction, was honored to be able to design both of Erin's wedding shower invites. We are a part of a large family. I don't know that one location could house all the woman that make up both her mom and dad's sides....there's oh so many of them. It would be one heck of a party, anyways...moving on.

With having 2 completely different showers, as an artist I was overly ecstatic that I was able to run with 2 completely different looks. Ahhhhhhh a designers DREAM!!!

For shower invite 1...we went with simple, yet elegant.

AND..shower invite 2...I was excited to be able to incorporate one of Erin & Steve's engagement photos in the design, along with beauty and a THEME - hearts and lots of LOVE.

Both unique and equally a joy to design.

Stay tuned for closer to April, for the revealing of Erin's Wedding Program I'm working on. And hopefully by then, I will have gotten over the fact that she's not a kid anymore. BUT I'm not making any promises! :)

Mirrors reflect, and so shall I

This time last year, I looked fear in the face, giggled, and started my own business.

Well rewind a bit....FIRST, I physically took pen to paper and made a list of what I had to offer others as an artist, and with what I had to offer, could I actually make money off this. And then took that list, ripped it up and rewrote it like a dozen more times.

Next...I told myself I was crazy, laughed and realized that was a good thing. Or at least I've been told.

We are unique creatures, and our worst critics, I can surely attest to that. If you are TRULY an artist, you learn to grow, perfect your craft, force yourself to find that next piece of inspiration. Many have given up on their journey, it's not for the faint at heart. But with the love and support of my husband, family and friends, I jumped and probably giggled a little more.

2011 was a great beginning to a lovely journey. I've met some beautiful people, that have allowed me to come into their lives, and capture memories, and I am eternally grateful.

With all that said, I'd like to photographically reflect with some of my personal favorites that I captured this year.

Here's to the future, and all the perfect things it brings for us all.

Enjoy....

A boy and his lolli

When it comes to having a toddler myself, I have learned as a mom that I am NOT above small bribes. For example. Will I promise my son a sticker if he's on his best behavior just to get through the grocery store to find something for dinner? Oh you bet'cha.

I love a photography challenge, especially with kids. They make me push myself that much harder creatively, from running down the street losing my flip flops in hopes to capture that ONE smile they decide to crack. It keeps you on your toes, but it's a rush I wouldn't trade for anything.

Meet Gavin. My most recent cutie photo challenge.

We tried a skateboard, and although a sweet picture, I knew this boy had more to give.

Second attempt...a car for him to ride around on. Is that a small smurk I see little man? We're getting closer!

 

I wasn't giving up on this day, on my way to the session, I made a quick stop for some water, and thought, maybe it would be a good idea for an emergency backup plan.

SUGAR. It might be a sticky mess, but kids love it, and is almost a foil proof plan, you will in fact, get a smile out of a kid, even with a small amount of it. And in this case...a lollipop. A simple lollipop saved the day.

Gavin, you were a trooper on this hot day, and were probably a sticky mess for your mom to clean up. BUT, you are truly as sweet as the lollipop it took to crack a grin.

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