The Boat

As I've mentioned, my parents bought a boat. I've been doing my best to learn the boating terminology, but in the meantime, I've been helping my mom with decorating (a bit more up my alley). Having a full time job, I'm a bit slow to execute, but we're making progress. Things have definitely changed along the way but a lot has stayed as originally planned. I had to work with all outdoor fabric which was a challenge, but I was pleasantly surprised by what was out there. I did get one exception... the multi-colored chevron fabric in the salon; it was just too perfect.

Christmas in July

Why not celebrate Christmas in July?! It's about time I actually post some projects on T&V since that's what I originally intended. Really just so I have documentation of some things. Otherwise, they get lost in the depths of my computer hard drive, never to be seen again.

This was a Christmas card that I did last year for some dear friends and I love the way it turned out! Of course, it's the picture that makes it so adorable, right?


PS - You might notice that you recognize these precious kiddos and oops, I got their names wrong! Actually, I always change up names (especially last names) when I show different items on the blog. Think it's only fair. So yes, I did help host Stacy & Eric's engagement party but no, you won't see my name on there!

Engagement Party Invitations & Decorations

Thanks Elizabeth for some of the photos that I snagged!

Sources:
streamers - crepe paper folds from Zuchers in orange, flame red, bombay pink, pink and white // other sources here (although they seem to be out of stock a lot) and here (very high quality crepe paper, more expensive) // tutorial by Jordan on Oh Happy Day
balloons - affordable sources here and here (where we purchased ours with other party supplies) // we had them inflated at the floral department of our grocery store
table clothes - Table Vogue (I finally got to order some for myself!)
food - we DIY'd the food... my aunt barbara's pesto torta, antipasto skewers, beef tenderloin sandwiches, prosciutto crostini (inspired by the Italian Dish found via Pinterest), Adriana's sugar cookies & truffles, color coordinated Jelly Bellies
flowers - beautifully arranged by Heidi

Recent Business

This blog definitely has a more personal vibe going on these days, but I originally started it as a home for my little side projects.  While I haven't had much time for side projects recently, I did squeeze in a few things during the past couple of weeks that I wanted to share.

I had my first request from someone I don't know!  A friend of Anne Harrison's mom saw Anne Harrison and her birth month pennants and wanted some for her precious daughter.  I was so flattered and could not pass up the opportunity.  Unfortunately I didn't have a chance to take pictures before I sent them out but I did snap a quick one.

They turned out pretty darn cute if you ask me.

Next up was a request from a dear, life long friend.  Mitchell is pursuing her dreams and entered into Lucky Magazine's Lifestyle Contributing Editor contest, and she's in the third round!  Her assignment was "entertaining, my way" and she asked me if I could help design an invitation.  Party planning and paper?  How could I say no!?

Go check out her submission here and vote!!  Also you can read more about her journey on her blog, Dear Marguerite.

Birth Month Pennants

Before sweet Anne Harrison was born, I was thinking about ways to commemorate her first year and document how much she would change over that year.  I had seen my fair share of the handwritten signs in sharpie on white computer paper-- 1 month-- and thought that there must be a cuter way!  Inspired by Nicole at Making it Lovely and John and Sherry at Young House Love, I decided to make birth month pennants.

 

While it's easy and fun for me to make the pennants, it's really up to the parents to see this to fruition.  I'm so happy that Anne is keeping up with Anne Harrison's monthly birthdays. I can't wait to see all 12 months together.

I love seeing the monthly pictures of Anne Harrison so much that I decided these pennants are a good thing.  So I made a new design just for precious Penny Singleton!

Penny arrived yesterday, and I just can't wait to meet her.  I'm also look forward to seeing Penny and her monthly photos.  No pressure, Joanna!

As I'm looking back at these photos, it's a good reminder that I need to continue to work on the photography of my projects.

Engagement Happy

Love is in the air!  I'm currently working on engagement party invitations for a dear friend from college.  Can't wait to share those... they're looking great! 

But first I want to share a little happy that I made for another one of my best friends, Weaver, when she got engaged.  I always thought I wanted to be an event planner, that is until I realized I'd rather be planning my own parties than someone else's!  I'm a planner and what's more fun to plan than a wedding?  I put together a little wedding planning and organization set for Weaver and designed it just how I wish I had organized our wedding planning materials. 

During my engagement, I set up a binder-- one for me and one for my mom, and the problem was that the binder gets way too heavy.  Solution?  Set up file folders, group them into categories and corral the folders in clear envelopes.  That way, you just grab the envelope you need and go!

I also included a mini notebook from Russell + Hazel, so she can keep all of her notes organized.  I just love their products.

Inside each folder are wedding worksheets-- checklists, questions for vendors, timelines, etc.

I love the way they turned out and hope they help with the wedding planning chaos!

Meredith's Bachelorette

One of my best friends Meredith got married this year!  To celebrate, I planned her bachelorette party in New York City and, of course, designed an invitation to spread the word.

Address Label

I wanted fun but also needed to include a fair amount of information.  I did a double-sided invitation, with the back mirroring the front.  Of course, I had to have a fun envelope as well!  I did a label that wrapped around a navy envelope.  The whole package came together and looked quite crisp.  Unfortunately, I didn't take pictures of these before I sent them out, so these are picture files of the designs.

I also designed some coordinating paper pieces for the weekend events.  I made stickers for cups that we used during the spa party and lingerie shower and chevron printed napkin rings around a navy paper napkin for dinner.  We went paper and disposable for the weekend.  Apparently, people in New York don't cook very much and have limited supplies on hands!  I guess it is true-- the oven is better for shoe storage than cooking.

click on any image to enlarge

Birth Announcements

While Anna was my first client, Anne has been my most patient and trusting client.  She asked me to do the birth announcements for her precious baby Anne Harrison.  Little did I know as I was designing these that they were for my sweet goddaughter. 

Anne and Anne Harrison have been my guinea pigs for numerous Tallulah and Vidalia projects!  More glimpses into those in another post.

Holiday Cards

This is the piece that started it all!  Anna wanted something different for her 2010 holiday card and was brave enough to trust me to design them!  We decided to use pictures of the girls taken at Atlas, our farm, and to keep the design simple to let the photos shine.  One of the many things I love is things that come in pretty packages-- I think presentation is everything!  So I designed the envelopes to coordinate with the cards.