Valentine's Mantle

See the post right before this to read about the challenge I gave myself.

Here is the finished product... a pink, green, and white Valentine's mantle.

It has been so grey here in Minnesota lately, that the pinks and greens really spoke to me.  So did this little bird.  Little Birdie keeps me happy when I am missing all the little critters that have flown south for the winter.  I picked him up at a craft store about a year ago.

My cute little banner cost about $3 to make.  It took about an hour of time.  About half-an-hour to select the paper and punch the di-cuts at Archiver's.  I bought ribbon on Clearance at Michael's for 99 cents.  I know- get out of town- that is cheap!  Then it took about a half-hour to design it and tape it together.  I used double-sided tape on the parts touching the ribbon, and a glue stick when it was time to glue paper to paper.

I like the idea of switching things out with a little color.  You'll notice from my Christmas pictures below that I used a lot of the same things, just with a different twist: instead of ornaments hanging from frames, I used hearts.  The red berries are awesome for Christmas, but also Valentine's. 


Serve up a little love with a heart on a pedestal... decorating with pedestal stands is the best!

I have these frames and this beautiful antique mirror and a lot more available for rent if you live in the Twin Cities. The possibilities are endless!

Mantle Mental

I am currently undertaking a mantle challenge (which I suppose it somewhat of a mental challenge)!

This was my mantle at Christmas (I was going to choose one of these pictures for our Christmas cards, which never got written this year -- sigh, ho hum).

With that kind of history, I obviously need to keep this venture somewhat simple.  But I do think it sounds relaxing and fun to do a little something for Valentine's Day.  Wouldn't it be fun to carry over this idea to wedding or party decor?  You could make some garlands to put over the dessert bar or other walls.

I headed to Pinterest, and these are the pictures I found there that I am using for my inspiration pieces (just enter "valentine's ideas" in your search bar on Pinterest.com and I'm sure you'll find these and more).  Should I use paper, fabric, cut-outs, or a little free-handing it?  It will be fun to see what I can come up with this week.

"Love" Notes

Valentine's Day is just around the corner....so why not resolve something with a little love?


For instance, let's use the "bathroom situation" to illustrate my point.

It was messy.  Not just messy-- but MESSY!  I had gotten after my darlings a few times to get it cleaned up, and it was only slightly given some attention.  After about a week or two of this occurence, it had really gotten messy.

To their credit, they were really busy with all of their activities and school work, which always presents a challenge in our household.  But still- I mean in 10 minutes it could have been cleaned up.

Frankly, I couldn't stand it any more!  So I went to work scrubbing things down.  With each scrub, I kept thinking about the justice that would need to prevail and all the jobs they would need to do to pay me back for this.

Then I had a fun idea.... why not extend a little mercy with the justice and reach out with love rather than criticism.

So I pulled out the post-its and left these notes:

I'm so glad I did.  It totally changed the mood in our home (as you can see from the silly girl in the picture above).  If I had greeted them with wrath and anger, they would have become so defensive.  Instead, they smiled, said thank you, and did their jobs.

I think this month I would like to strive to be more mindful of answering with love rather than criticism.  I am sure there will be plenty of conflicts come my way, but why not give it a try to show some mercy and come to someones rescue and pull them up rather than pointing down at them?  I don't mean make it "easy" for them-- let their be consequences, but let there be a little love and service, too.  And leave a Love Note along the way.

Tea Cup Party Favors

Here is an awesome idea for a parting gift at a wedding, reception, tea party, bridal shower-- any kind of party!

Take a tea cup.

Put hot chocolate into a baggie.  Tie the top with lace.  This particular lace is actually vintage lace which made it even more charming.

For this couple, I also put tags on it with directions and a sweet saying on it: "A little something warm from our home to yours."

I absolutely love these and they looked beautiful all set out on a table.  The guests were delighted with the treat and had fun picking out their tea cup.

I have 25 of these adorable tea cups filled with hot chocolate left from a recent wedding.  I also have a gigantic bag of hot chocolate that I will throw in with it.  I think the bag would fill maybe about 100 cups.  Each tea cup cost about $3-4 to make, depending on how cheap you can find the tea cup.  I am charging $50 for 25 cups and the bag of hot chocolate.  What a bargain!

Email or leave a comment with your contact info if you are interested and we can arrange a pick-up.  Twin Cities area only unless you want to pay an arm and a leg for shipping ;o)

info@ritamarieweddings.com

Vintage Goodies

I put together an order today for a customer who wanted to buy some vintage napkins for a wedding.  So pretty!


I love looking at the colors and textures of these beautiful linens.
 

I've got serene napkins, colorful doilies, and sweet old fashioned hankies.  They are romantic for weddings, and charming for everyday use as well.  I've had customers buy the doilies for holidays- they switch them out with their holiday decor at each season.  Very fun!

If you are interested in any, leave a comment, or e-mail me at: info@ritamarieweddings.com.  

I can send them or we can arrange a pick-up if you live in the Twin Cities.  I also have some posted on Etsy, you can look there by clicking here http://www.etsy.com/shop/RitaMarieWeddings, although I don't have all of my inventory posted.

Doilies: Every color under the sun!  And every shape….

I've even got hand-stitched table runners, dish towels, and dish rags/pot holders.

Vintage Batten Burg Lace Napkins and Runners (Downton Abby fans, you gotta love these!)

And beautiful "Pure Irish Linen, double damask."  Cool labels, huh?  These have never been used.

Sweet little "hankies".  A great gift for brides, grooms, wedding lines, mothers, grandmothers, sisters, etc.

(ed. note: I'm still in the process of changing over all of the labels from our new name change, so these tags are outdated.)

Introducing Rita Marie Weddings

To better serve our customers, we've undergone some exciting changes.

We have a new name!  Rita Marie Weddings

Here is my new banner that was designed by a fancy New York City graphic designer (so lucky to have a cousin who works in that industry!)

And my new logo….

The name is inspired by my grandmother who is no longer living.  My designs started out vintage, although there are lots of different styles now.  I felt that her name sounded vintage, so it was true to my vision and beginnings, as well as has a nice ring to it.  Plus, I really feel my grandmother "speak" to me as I design and run my business, so it keeps her close to me.  Wasn't she a beauty?

And to see my new website, click here:Rita Marie Weddings

And to contact me with any questions, leave a comment or e-mail me at info@ritamarieweddings.com

It was so fun to start this adventure a while back.  I let my kids help me come up with that first name, JL Plates and Platters, and my instinct was correct in letting them help out.  They are so creative, and it was just what we needed to get started off the ground.  Things have grown so much, that a new name was needed to better describe our services.  Thanks to those of you who have supported me along the way, purchased things, and trusted us to serve you or help with a wedding or event.  It has been a magnificent adventure!

Vintage Dessert Bar

Here are my practice pictures from the dessert bar I decorated at a recent wedding at International Market Square.   It was so fun to use a dozen of the cake stands I've made from beautiful vintage and antique dishes.  They topped each stand with desserts.  Then we set fresh and silk flowers, as well as little vintage dishes and tea pots and such, interspersed throughout the table.  It turned out charming and breath taking.

I am still waiting for pictures from the professional photagrapher, but here are a few from when I was practicing to make sure the color scheme matched.

If you are interested in having me decorate tables or a dessert bar, or want to use these cake stands, just leave a comment or e-mail me at jlplatesandplatters@gmail.com.  All of the floral arrangement and table cloths (not pictured) are available for rent as well- if you need tables and dessert bars decorated, you've found the right place!

Decorating a Wedding with Paper

Here is a fun book I found at the library that has some really fun ideas on decorating with paper.  The author gives step-by-step instructions on how to make each project.

The book is called Paper Cut It by Marion Elliot.   I took some photos of the actual pages from her book.

A Chinese Lantern.  Can't you see those lining a walk way or hanging over tables or on a fence?  They would be perfect in whatever your wedding colors are.

This wedding garland is awesome too.  It might be fun over a gift table or behind where the bride and groom sit during a luncheon or dinner.

And this sweet floral wreath made from tissue paper would be an inexpensive way to provide head band wreaths for the flower girls for the budget-minded.

There are lots of other ideas in her book so be sure to check it out!