Bridal Shower...

The weekend got off to a rough start with my sister's daughters coming in from out of state to try to deal with her personal effects to clean out her home. Her husband is having an understandably difficult time, and going through my sister's things was difficult for everyone. My remaining two sisters and I did what we could to help, but there were a lot of tears amidst moments of happy memories and laughter. 

Our nieces went back home yesterday, and will return in a couple months to put together an estate sale, but many boxes went for donation, and some items of sentimental value were given to family members. 

Before the ladies left yesterday, I was able to meet up with them for a light lunch. Hugs were exchanged, and then we parted ways. My eldest niece was driving six hours to get home, while the other was heading to the airport to fly home. I got in my trusty Explorer and drove an hour north to the wedding shower for my great-nephew, Ethan's fiancee's wedding shower. I knew my two remaining sisters would both be there, so we were looking forward to celebrating for a couple hours.

The bride is in white, and she's surrounded by her sister, who is the Maid of Honor (in pink), her two other bridesmaids, and her daughter.

My niece (her future mother-in-law) threw a wonderful party. She's a great party planner, and there was tasty food, and a few fun quiz games to play for prizes. 

When the bride-to-be opened the gift from Handsome and me, she looked at me and smiled. She told me more than once that she loved her new brooch, and would absolutely wear it for their ceremony. I am delighted that she is happy with what I created for their wedding.

Before we all parted ways, I made sure there were photos taken of me with my two sisters, Di and Jan. We did the best we could to help our nieces over the weekend, then attend this celebration, but I know all three of us were tired by the end of yesterday. 

Jan will be working today and tomorrow; Di will spend a little time with her son's family before leaving to drive six hours north to go home. She lives near my eldest niece, so she has nearly the identical drive. I'm going to get some things done with Handsome today, but I'll be able to rest a bit, too. This weekend was a good time to spend with family, but under the circumstances, it was exhausting, so we'll recuperate as we're able. 

We all miss the sister who wasn't there, and it will always be this way for us. We were four and now we're three, but Lyn will always be in our hearts, and we'll do our best for her daughters, grandchildren, and husband.

Rain, Rain, Go Away. A Bridal Shower Yesterday...

Brynwood Needleworks - Danielle's Shower Cookies

 

Yesterday was so much fun! I spent about four hours with friends for a bridal shower. My dear friend of nearly twenty five years is going to be a mother-in-law in October. Her eldest daughter is getting married, and Sunday was the bridal shower, hosted by her younger daughter and the bride's attendants. 

 

The weather was perfect. It was chilly and overcast in the morning, but by the time I was driving forty minutes south, the temperature had risen and the sun was shining.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - The Future Bride

 

Danielle, her younger sister and brother (not in attendance) were mere kidlets when I first met Wendi, and over the years we have quite a few shared memories. I was so happy to be invited to share in the making of a monumental new memory for their family.

 

My guess was that there were at least fifty others who were as happy to be there as I was. The venue was decorated perfectly; the food (in typical Wisconsin style) was abundant and delicious; and even strangers were just friends in the making.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Toilet Paper Bridal Gowns

 

We played bridal gift bingo (you had to fill out your own card with gifts you thought the couple would be receiving, prior to Danielle beginning the gift opening, and then x out your squares if/when they were revealed when opened); a "how well do you know the couple" questionnaire;  and there was also a contest to see who could make the cutest bridal gown from up to five rolls of toilet paper. Each group (loosely) consisted of five women (except the ladies at my table left shortly before this game started, so I grabbed my model and went to work on my own). Can you guess which dress I made?

Each "tp bride" received a small gift, and the winner (which we weren't) received an extra gift. It was all great fun, especially seeing all the creative ladies in the room.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Party Favor Coffee & My Bingo Win Towel

 

I won a bingo gift, so I chose a button tab kitchen towel (created by Wendi's mom). I was drawn to one kitchen towel with a chicken motif on it, but I know you're not surprised that, in the end, I chose coffee! Then, on our way out, our party favor was a cute package with coffee from a local shop (enough for twelve cups!!).

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Dear Friends

It was a wonderful way to spend an afternoon, and to be able to get together with a woman I admire (and the daughters she's raised into amazing young women) was icing on the cake. I made sure to get a photograph of us together before I left to drive home. 

 

I'm really looking forward to the wedding, and plan to create something special for the bride and groom. As the wedding is in October, I have plenty of time to lend some thought to what I want to make for them.

 

So, last thing...if you leave a comment guessing which tp gown I made, I'll have a little gift for the first person (or everyone) who gets it right. I'll let you know on Wednesday!