New Job

by Meredith

Excuse yet another delay on my blogging.  Last week I accepted a new job at Manhattan Toy, a botique toy manufacturer in downtown Minneapolis.  I'll be the in-house marketing and public relations specialist.

This adds yet another change to the books for 2013.  But, I'm excited because it's the perfect time for a career change - I'm looking for more growth, new challenges and a few new faces.  I'll pick up my blog editorial soon. Promise.

"They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself.”
― Andy Warhol, The Philosophy of Andy Warhol

DIY Bouquets

by Meredith

I'm thinking about making my own bouquets this summer with flowers from a small business I love at the Minneapolis Farmer Market.  You can plan ahead and create a custom order, then pick them up the day before the wedding.  Then I could create my own bouquets and centerpieces.  It can't be that hard, right?

I've found a lot of videos and tips online and in magazines, but any other suggestions?  Have you tried it before?  I want to know how it went.

table numbers

by Meredith

Now on to place settings...  below are some of my favorites.  Nothing I want to copy exactly, but I will use pieces from each.

Jesse and I love to travel, so this theme is perfect.

Happy May Day

by Meredith

Happy May Day.  Buy some flowers, make a basket and give to a friend, share some love.

aisle decor

By Meredith

This week I'm thinking about aisle decor and have many ideas.  Below are my favorites.

{Aisle decor: a single gerbera daisy, tied with black ribbon}

{Flower cones made from sheet music}

{Ribbon in your colors wrapped around chair ends for a simple aisle decor}

{Hymn pages made into flowers}

Mirror Transformation

by Meredith

I found an old mirror while sorting items at my Gram's house.  It's a beautiful white painted antique, wood mirror.  It's perfect except for the chipped paint.  You can easily pick up some spray paint and fix it.  Just remove the mirror and go outside to spray on a few layers until it's completely covered.  Let it dry and wala!

The Past Two Months

by Meredith

I hope my readers have stuck with me over the past two months.  I apologize for not being present, but a lot has gone on.  First, my wonderful boyfriend proposed February 9th, 2013.  We are planning a wedding celebration for July 20th of this year.  Secondly, my beautiful mom and best friend passed away March 20, 2013 after a courageous 26-month battle with brain cancer - a glioblastoma multiforme.  It was the hardest time of my life and I hope the only.  Since early February I've checked out of my normal routine and spent all of my time and energy living in the present and with loved ones.

Now, I'm trying to get back into the swing of things... slowly but surely my blog too will be up and running.

Sending wishes your way for happiness, love, success and health.

Meredith

 "Life is all memory, except for the present moment that goes by you so quick you hardly catch it going." ~ Tennessee Williams

No Sew Blanket

by Meredith

My Mom's friends gave us a no-sew blanket kit for Christmas, in hopes that we could make together.  It's been quite busy lately, but this weekend we found time.  It was so much fun.

This is one lovely, yet simple project you can work on with someone else.  It creates not only a wonderful keepsake, but a beautiful memory.

{Lay the two pieces of fleece out so that the wrong sides are together (both right sides are facing out) and the edges are even.  If the edges are not even, trim the larger piece of fleece so that both pieces are even. Cut off the selvage edge from the both pieces.}

 

{Cut out a 5" square from each corner.   On all four sides, cut slits all the way around that are 5" deep and approximately 1 1/2" apart.  You should cut through both layers of fleece at one time.}

{Cutting the slits in the edges makes fringe.  Since you cut through both layers of fleece at the same time, the fringe will be in pairs.  Knot each pair in an overhand knot - just like you tie a balloon. The knot should be close to the actual blanket.  Continue knotting each of the pairs all the way around}

Gram

by Meredith

My heart has been heavy the last week.  My dear Grandma Helen passed away last Thursday, January 24 at 10:15pm.  She had ongoing respiratory problems and they caught up to her at age 90.  But, up until the last month - she got to do everything she wanted to.  She has been my second mom and best friend for my entire life.  I hope I can be just like her.  Handle things with grace, have the most unconditional love for my family and friends, keep my faith in God strong, be hard working, focus on the present and keep going.  I love you Grams, so very very much.  I'm so happy you were mine and I was yours.  Even though you're gone, I feel like you'll be with me forever.  Until we meet again in the land of glory, love your Meredith.

John 14:1-4, 18-19, 25-27

14 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. ² My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. ⁴ You know the way to the place where I am going.”

¹⁸ I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. ¹⁹ Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.

²⁵ “All this I have spoken while still with you. ²⁶ But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. ²⁷ Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

{Dad's birthday brunch at Dangerfield's}

{Annual birthday cake made by Gram}

{Gram's 89th birthday at Sunsets}

{90th birthday at Church}

{Walk by Minnehaha Falls}

{Three generation trip to Duluth}

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

by Meredith

 

Today...

by Meredith

This quote sums up how I am going to take on 2013.  Cookie Monster has always been my favorite.

Atlanta

by Meredith

Sorry... one more week of poor creativity.  Today I leave for Atlanta, Georgia to see my dear cousin and friend, Dawn.  It's been hectic getting ready for another long weekend out, but it will be so worth it!  I've never spent time in Atlanta - nor Georgia really, except for one day in Savannah two and a half years ago with my family.  Here's a photo from our day trip to Savannah - in front of the famous Paula Deen restaurant, The Lady & Sons.  We were on vacation in Myrtle Beach, SC and spent a day driving further south to check out the scenery.   More to come next week!

 

Lutsen

by Meredith

Happy New Year 2013.  I apologize for my creative hiatus, but it's been a busy couple of weeks.  Now I'm headed to Lutsen and next next week Atlanta.  Once I'm back in the normal grind, things will start to get a little more crazy again.

{View of Lake Superior from atop the Lutsen Mountains}