HAPPY NEW YEAR

Now is the time that we prepare ourselves for a brand new year full of promise. Celebrations fill our time and inner reflection provokes thoughts about what we want to accomplish. Resolutions will be drafted with our best efforts intended. Some of these challenges will fall quietly away, only to be revived again next year parading around in victorious glory making us question whether or not we can succeed against them. I've never really been big on resolutions, I always figured why wait for a new year to make improvements in your life. However I do feel renewed and I am going to make some this year. It is the regular stuff. More excercise since sewing and typing on the computer tend to lack cardio/muscle toning qualities despite what I tell myself. Cooking more often to avoid the convenience junk food trap. I also hope to create some more one of a kind pieces with my enormous mountain of supplies so I can offer a wider range of unique choices and explore different techniques. All of this has to come with balance though, so I want to share with you a very worthwile article I read about resolutions (please click here to read). Remember that time is your most precious resource and you can succeed. Now I am off to prepare for 2010! (Holy cow is it really 2010!?!)

CHAMPAGNE ANYONE?

Here is a recent custom order that I had been working on. I am in love with these colors, the soft ivory and champagne hues flow together and look effortlessly glamorous. The roses are handmade silk dupioni with genuine freshwater pearls and crystals for added sparkle.

After my client received her package she sent me this email:

Hi Marie,

I just received my package today. Wow! Everything is so beautiful! I'm so happy with it all and I can't wait for everyone else to see how gorgeous they are at my wedding. Thank you so much for all you amazing work. I truly appreciate it.

Sincerely,

Alexandra

Everytime I get these emails from my clients it always makes me smile. I have been developing my construction techniques and style of design for a long time and it is amazing that I get to share that with others. I feel really lucky to be able to do this and I have a lot of new design ideas waiting for their turn. One thing leads to another and so on.

Thank you Alexandra for the wonderful email, it was a pleasure to make these for you and your fiance. I sincerely enjoyed it and I wish you two all the best that is to come in your life together!

A REFLECTION

This has been a big year for me in several ways. It's funny how time goes by in a flash and yet you can reflect on the past and feel how far you have come. Almost like you are living another life than what you started a decade prior. I know that this will happen several times in my life and I look forward to the progression and new outlooks.

I have had so many wonderful customers that have shared very special moments with me and it never fails to make my heart sing. Thank you so much. I also get to share my life with those closest to me and I am so grateful for that. These friends and family are the connections that will endure throughout life and be the memories fondly reflected upon.

So here is to 2010! May it bring opportunity in all forms for growth and giving to us all.

ASHLEE AND WILLIAM

One of my wonderful clients sent me these pictures today. When I opened them my eyes immediately turned misty. I will admit that I am a bit of a romantic softy. My client pictures are one of the things about my business that I look most forward to. Every piece that I create is special to me and to see them at the ceremony brings me a lot of joy.

Ashlee first contacted me in April about creating a custom pillow and baskets for her wedding. We settled on a design concept of a pearl box sent to me by Ashlee that was to be temporarily attached to the top of a ring bearer pillow. If you were to remove the box it would reveal genuine freshwater pearl flowers on top of a silk bow.

Just look at this image! My favorite thing about this picture is the expression on the ring bearer's face. It is absolutely priceless.

The flower girls are equally sweet in their floral halos, perfect dresses and adorable shoes. These little girls had double duty with not only flower girl baskets but also a ringing bell. I love the woman peeking out from behind the wall on the right. These little snapshots tell a whole story.

You could not ask for a better client than Ashlee. She is a wonderful person and was a real joy to work with. Also as a quick note, Ashlee and William are featured on the Kenneth Poole website under the "Real Brides" section. Here is the link to take a peek. Thank you Ashlee for sending me these pictures! You and William make it look effortless and it was an honor to work with you.

CUSTOM ORDERS COMING

I love making the specially requested items for my customers. It makes me feel good to work closely with them to create something that will blend seamlessly into the ceremony that they can't find anywhere else. A lot of my favorite pieces come to life this way. The ring bearer pillow above features a satin strip that was taken from a relative's wedding dress and used to create the beaded sash you see in the center.

Alencon lace with a chocolate brown silk taffeta base and a vintage rhinestone center. Yum!

This is from an order that was one of my favorites! I really enjoyed working with this bride and she even sent me pictures after the wedding. Talk about icing on the cake!