Spring Break

It's been a little quiet around here, because in the middle of working on these beautiful orders:

 We took a few days during spring break weekend to visit my home town of "Fabulous Las Vegas".

If you wonder how much we loved it, let's put it like this: You see this lake (Lake Mead) and the beautiful mountains?  Imagine Garden-of-Eden perfect weather as you walk along the shore and ride through the desert hills with no agenda while sipping Sonic Slushes in great big cups of ice.

Now picture what happened the night we got home: We arrived in the middle of the night to below zero windchills with no coats because we thought the cold spell would end while we were gone.  We had to scrape frozen ice off the car during the middle of the night as we watched drifting snow blow by us from the snow storm that morning.  Luckily, the car started.  We have been in the single digits every morning since.  It would not be an overstatement to say we LOVED the nearly perfect weather and sunshine of Nevada!!!

Not to mention the fact that we loved catching up with old friends and family.  It was truly wonderful!  And there will be more pictures of scenery to come...

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.

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.)

Special Guest: Meet Chandra of astylishlittlelady.com

Chandra contacted me via my Etsy shop because she purchased these vintage hankies from me for her upcoming wedding.

Chandra's blog is full of great eye candy, photos, and art.  She also has some really fun wedding ideas.  Here is her link:  A Stylish Little Lady.

Introducing Chandra- isn't she cute?


And here is a little bit about Chandra:
Hello. My name is Chandra. I'm a soul partner. etsyholic. daydreamer of beautiful things. lover of peppermint gum and have a quirky affection for ribbon. I'm the creator of A Stylish Little Lady and this little spot has become a sweet escape, a place filled with inspiration, creativity, and a small dose of me. My blog started as a way for me to catalog all the things I love to gawk at, including handmade goodies, food, etsy finds, art, design, and of course, a little fashion. I hope you will become inspired, daydream a little, and leave with a smile.

Stop by and visit (I love new peeps) and would like to welcome you to my random mess and chaotic bliss... a place where I can remember and scribble about the people and things I love.


Thank you for stopping by, Chandra!  And good luck with your wedding!