Wedding Attire Acquired...

This is the dress I chose for our granddaughter's wedding. I decided I'd rather wear tea length than more formal floor length.

I did order a floor length dress in navy blue, but wasn't happy with it once it arrived. Thankfully, I'd also ordered this one just in case. I'm really glad I did. I love the way it feels (a little stretchy and the lace is soft), and it fits and suits my body type.

It's supposed to be in the 80° range Saturday, but I have a beautiful shawl in earth tones I can wear, in the event it gets chilly in the evening.

If the kids aren't wearing cowboy boots under their formal attire, I'll be shocked. As for me, I didn't want to wear "granny flats", but needed something comfortable (and suitable). I found these. They fit like a glove, and feel like they were made just for me. Cushioned insoles, suede exterior, and not too tall a heel.

I've already worn them around the house, so I know they'll be great not only for the wedding and reception, but also for the rehearsal dinner the night before. Plus, I'll get lots of use out of them after this weekend.

I've chosen an ankle length, flowy skirt with a cowl neck top, these shoes, and a wide belt for the barbecue they're having after the rehearsal.

I'm sure I'll have photos to share of me wearing these new duds that I'll be able to post next week.

Oh, and in case you're interested, everything came from Amazon sellers. I was prepared to go to the bridal shops in the area if I had to, but I wasn't looking forward to what everything might cost. As it turns out, I got everything for what one dress might have cost in the store. I'm really happy not to have had to spend that much...even though our girl is worth it.

So, now I can relax the rest of today and tomorrow knowing I'm good to go for this celebration weekend. We're really looking forward to our family time. More pictures next week!

 

Party Night...

Thanks to an unexpected printer failure, I ended up with a last minute trip to town to find a print business who would run my images through on my printable fabric (and a piece of card stock). Four places disappointed me (one out of business; one on its last leg requiring a passcode to enter and no door attendant to know I was outside; and two were closed on Fridays). 

Thankfully, there's still an actual print shop open in town on Fridays, and they were able to accommodate my needs. With my printed quilt label and brooch insert in hand, I drove home to put the finishing touches on the quilt and get both gifts wrapped.

The party was lovely and the nearly newlyweds (who hadn't planned to open gifts at their hostess' home) humored Grandma by opening their packages so I could see their reactions.

They especially loved the quilt label, and then showed me their new quilt does, in fact, cover them both, which will be perfect for movie night cuddling.

I loved seeing their reaction to the brooch I made. Granddaughter immediately said it will be affixed to her bouquet for the ceremony.

Equally gratifying were the questions about its construction from her groom and his best man! I gave them a short explanation - you know, just enough not to bore the pants off 'em - and then accepted grateful hugs from the kids. 

Grandpa, Uncle and I left shortly after and drove an hour back home. I can say, without equivocation, that every hour I spent creating the brooch and quilt were well-spent. Their reactions affirmed that.

Their wedding is only fifteen days away, so now I can turn my attention to what I'm going to wear to the wedding, and spend the rest of the time relaxing. Definitely no deadlines for a while.

 

A Full Day...

Even so, I didn't get to the quilting part yet. I did finish making the binding; assembling the back; layering the back, batting, and front, and then pinning...and pinning...and pinning. 

By the time that was all done, so was I. Handsome came into the studio and declared it "lights out" for the day. I didn't argue. 

I work early today, but when I get home, I'll be quilting layers together. We'll see where I go from there.

I decided to make a "lap quilt for two" for our granddaughter and her fiancé as a shower gift. I think this flannel assortment will be perfect. Soft for her, with a neutral color palette for him. Plus, I don't know their preferred color scheme for their home, so I think these colors are safe.

The fabrics are the Moda "Farmhouse Gatherings" line from Primitive Gatherings. I originally purchased the fabrics for a new "nap" quilt for myself, but we've always been told to gift something you'd like to receive, so I think this qualifies.

I'll continue working on this over the next week, and will do straight line quilting after I finish piecing it. I should complete this ahead of schedule (for a change). More progress photos later.

 

Everything But The Acorn...

Our granddaughter's brooch is finished, save for adding Grandma's signature acorn to the back.

I used silver-finished kid leather for the backing, and a pin back to secure it to her gown or bouquet.

Grandpa and I will give this to her at the upcoming couples' shower. I'm also working on a large lap quilt for them. I'll be shooting for their shower date of September 25th. Once again, I'm going to be busy. sigh

We actually had a cool wedding gift planned, but found out that it's not going to work. The kid's bought a duplex as their starter home, which we think is smart and practical. So was our idea.

We wanted to gift them a quarter beef share, which necessitated a freezer for storage. We asked their dad to slyly find out if that would work. He contacted us yesterday to inform us that, not only is there no freezer (which could easily be rectified), but having no basement, there's no space in the house to accommodate one either.

So now we have to rethink our plan and come up with a new one. Any ideas from my wise and creative readers? Let me know.

 

A New Start...

I started the bridal brooch for our granddaughter yesterday. I chose all the components, set up the ground fabric in my special hoop - the one that belonged to Handsome's mom, and started work on it already.

This is how far I got before I stopped for the evening. I'll work on it more over the next few days, as I embroider toward the finish. 

Although I haven't heard a date yet, I'm sure there'll be a bridal shower pretty soon, and this is one of the gifts I'd like to give her. So I'll keep stitching until this is finished.