More Wedding Pictures

A gal from church loaded a bunch of snapshots from Anna and Drew's wedding on Facebook.  I figured out how to download them and then I uploaded them to my Gallery.  Either click there or on the link in the sidebar.  I haven't gone through them yet, but will try to later this afternoon or early next week.

Now, back to sewing!

Dress Details

I added a few close-ups of some of the dresses we have here. Click the 'My Photos' link in the sidebar.

SDG!

More Pictures

We got the camera back and I discovered tonight that Charissa left a bunch of shots on my card.  I've loaded a few to our gallery and will look at more tomorrow.  Unfortunately, there's a black smudge on many of them that I can't get out - I just don't have the software or the know-how to do a good job, but you can begin to see a bit of what we looked like that day.

SDG!

Breakfast and a Wedding Anecdote

For breakfast this morning:

We made a crustless quiche, adapted from our CIA Breakfasts & Brunchescookbook. I added sautéed leeks, breakfast sausage, green peppers, and grated havarti cheese, with a touch each of paprika, parsley, and sage. I also quadrupled the egg/cream mixture and split it into two medium-sized baking stones (one round and one square, both about 8 or 9"). I couldn't have done it without help from the kids - chopping, mixing, measuring, grating. I can't wait until it comes out of the oven in half an hour!

I love this idea, because I can add different fillings, cheeses, herbs, and spices and have some variety to our morning eggs - ooo, I just had a great idea - dollops of ricotta in the next one!
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Anna and Drew were playing around with having the ceremony outside on the patio at the Red Mountain Multi-Generational Center, so they moved the wedding from 9:30 to 9:00 to try to avoid the heat of the day. They ended up deciding that it was still too hot, so the wedding was inside. But they left the time at 9:00. Well, we had to arrive for photos outside at the park next door at about 6:00 - yes, that's a.m., Dear Readers! We ended up being about an hour late, but the building wasn't open, yet. Neither were the public restrooms at the park. None of us had worn our dresses because silk wrinkles so badly, and Anna's dress, while polyester, wouldn't have looked its best.

But, how to get dressed? Charissa, our intrepid photographer, was about to lose it. Not only had we lost an hour, but we couldn't get everyone dressed! Mama to the rescue! We put the gown on Anna over her clothes. Once it covered her, she undressed underneath it, we zipped her up, and, voilá, a bride! Those of us who hadn't gotten dressed in one of the cars in the parking lot (I couldn't even think about the contortions that would involve!), did the same. Then, when the rest of my girls arrived, we performed Act II, but with a circle of bridesmaids and other female helpers standing as a wall of protection.

We have one snapshot posted, courtesy of Drew the Greater's boss, who has known Anna since we moved here when she was 8 months old.  Click on the 'My Photos' link in the sidebar.
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Oh … breakfast turned out wonderfully!

SDG!

Clarification

I just spent a few minutes enjoying the pictures from Tim and Nikki Finnegan's wedding, also on Saturday.  Chris had lots of snapshots to share.  

I, however, have none.  'Why no snapshots?' you ask.  Well, let me 'splain.  No, there is too much.  Let me sum up…

Anna and Drew had two photographers, both professionals and both eminently talented.  However, one of them had need of a camera, because hers was broken.  She borrowed mine.  So, I had no camera with which to take pictures, and thus, I have no snapshots.  

We'll be getting it back soon because Eliza lost a top front tooth today and we must get pictures!

Life Continues

The wedding was beautiful!  Anna was a stunning bride.  There were a few stories that made the day charming (not too embarrassing!), which I'll relate later.

I finished my dress at 2:00 on Saturday morning.  Then I had to get up at 4:00 on Saturday morning to get ready.  (Our new family rule: no weddings before 11:00 a.m.)

Drew and Anna are honeymooning at a timeshare at Big Bear Lake in California.  (I can finally let that cat out of the bag!)

We're getting back into a normal routine; or at least, we're trying to figure out what normal is now.  I scaled back the younger kids' school work this week and next week is a planned Sabbath week.  Since we started so early in August, I can take it easy this week and not feel like we'll be working all next summer to catch up.  

I'm still pretty tired, but I don't want to take afternoon naps and then not be able to sleep at night, thereby throwing off my circadian rhythms.  So it's early to bed, not so early to rise for awhile until I regroup.

Catching up on cooking, cleaning, and organizing the house.  And planning my next sewing projects: the Hawaiian shirt Drew wanted for his birthday in June (he's so patient!); a couple of cotton day dresses from Eliza and Melody's wedding dress patterns; a lambswool and cashmere blend, navy blue, winter shawl (beautiful and warm!); a reversible brown with polka dots wool jacket with removable long sleeves; jammies; a regency gown for Judith (which she'll help make - home ec. dontcha know?); and maybe one for me, too!  (The Pride and Prejudice Ball is coming up soon! - ignore the weird dimensions on the website - it's pretty cool even with the weirdness!)

I posted a link in the sidebar to my formerly called .mac, now MobileMe (hate that name! - how narcissistic can I get?) Photo Gallery.  I posted some of my rose and miscellaneous flower photos.  I'll let you know when I've got wedding pictures posted.

I guess that's it for now.  I've got some boxes to sort through.

SDG!

Officially Brain-Dead

I'm running on empty…empty of brain cells, that is.

I forgot to change the presser foot when I switched stitches and broke a needle.  I rarely break needles, but when I do, it's a doozy!  This one went in four or five different directions, one piece hitting my arm.  I was wearing glasses, so my eyes were protected.

So, I walked away from the sewing machine and spent a few minutes reading a chapter of Northanger Abbey to the kids.  Once they're finished cleaning the kitchen, I'll read another and only then will I consider sitting back at the sewing machine.

We're all coming down with colds, so we've started on oregano oil and grapefruit seed extract, per a friend's instructions.  Jona's also acting as my second brain.  Before I do anything, I run it by her to make sure it's not too foolhardy or complicated and will really get me the results I'm aiming for.

By God's grace and strength, I will make it.  Prayers are always appreciated.  I also have some help coming tomorrow: Jona and Karen, mother of the maid of honor.  Jona reminded me that, except for my dress, we're down to those piddly finishing details, much hand-work, and that I'm almost done.  And my dress will be pretty simple as I've already done so many.  That was encouraging!

SDG!

Adrenaline and Grace…

…that's what I'm running on right now, mostly grace!

For those of you who are wondering how the wedding sewing is going:

Eliza's flower girl dress - done (and beautiful!)

Melody's dress - done (looks so sweet on her, but needs Static-Guard)

Sussy's bridesmaid dress - done (lovely)

Bonnie's maid of honor dress - done (She danced around the room when she tried it on and didn't want to take it off so I could hem it.  That felt good!)

Jessica's bridesmaid dress - done (and it looks adorable)

Judith's dress - still need to hem the lining and the skirt and add a couple of bows

Rebekah's dress - still need to mark the hem, trim it, then hem the lining and the skirt

Christy's bridesmaid dress - appliquéing the Celtic braid along the top (yes, I'm insane!  Don't ever make a decision when you're dead tired to satin stitch instead of straight stitch), then need to fix the hole in the lining (from the part that got cut off because it got caught behind the appliqué - oops!), then install the zipper, sew the back skirt seam, whipstitch down the lining, mark the hem, then hem the lining and the skirt

Mandi's bridesmaid dress - install the zipper, whipstitch the lining, mark the hem, sew the hems, then complete the embroidery on the bottom of the skirt

my matron of honor dress - measure and cut the skirt, fold the pleats, attach it, the lining, and the zipper, whipstitch the lining, add the embellishment, mark and hem the lining and the skirt

I'm taking a break from Christy's appliqué to write this.  I'm googly-eyed from staring at that tiny satin stitch and so thankful for non-prescription reading glasses!  But I need to get back to it, soon; she's coming over tomorrow to mark the hem.

On an emotional note - as hard and exhausting as these last few weeks have been physically, the Lord is carrying me through.  I should be snapping my kids' heads off, angry at everyone, and weeping all over the place from pressure and tension, but I'm not.  A couple of times I've cried, but it's all physical.  I'm not emotionally weepy.  I have friends here and around the world who are praying for me and I so appreciate it.  The Lord is too good to me!

Well, back to the sewing machine.

SDG!

Progress

• All muslins are made.
• Only 3 more to fit: one of them being mine, which my mom will help me with tomorrow; one of them I'm trying to arrange a time to meet with the attendant; and the third is on its way to Dallas for Drew the Lesser's sister to try on, mark up, and mail back.
• Judith cut out and sewed her second muslin today - there were so many piddly adjustments to hers that I felt like we needed another just to be sure, and I'm glad we did as we discovered that she needs separate right and left back pieces because of her posture, which we're now working on. Cool thing: her sewing ability and her confidence are improving.
• All the lining fabrics have been pre-treated and pressed.
• Three patterns have received final alterations - I'll start cutting out these linings tomorrow.
• Still have to figure out where the pink embellishments will go on 5 of the dresses; although I had a good idea for Bonnie's which she's contemplating (can you say 'godets'?).
• Have to research and choose the embroidery pattern for Eliza's flower girl dress. I think it's time for a trip to Martha Pullen's website.
• Must purchase silk thread (for the silks) and cotton thread (for the rayon linings).
  

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And, although the website isn't complete yet, it's up!

Little snag in the invitations, but Plan B seems to be working, and they should be ready to mail next week.

SDG!!!

Catching Up

Attendants' Dress Progress:

patterns all traced with preliminary alterations: check
all bodices cut out of muslin: check
2 muslins made and ready to try on this morning after church: check
all but the green silk pre-treated and pressed: check

This afternoon, I'll work on a few more of the toiles, especially that of Drew the Lesser's sister who lives in Dallas - I need to mail hers out tomorrow so she can try it on, mark it up, and send it back. I might even have time early in the week to make Drew's birthday Hawaiian shirt - only 2 months late!

School Plans:

I was going to start school on the twelfth (the eleventh is the first day of the government schools' new year and, after working all summer, we take that day and have a 'First Day of Public School, Aren't We Glad We Homeschool?' day off to watch movies, eat treats, play games, and read aloud together), but I've decided that, other than our time together (Matins? Lauds? still not sure what to call it - 'Morning Time' doesn't work because sometimes it happens in the afternoon!), the kids will work independently to give me time for wedding sewing.

Lately for our time together (whatever it'll one day be called) we've been…
reading through II Corinthians
reading The Gospel Primer
memorizing the books of the NT, with review of OT books once or twice each week
learning 'God Moves in a Mysterious Way' by Cowper, alternating with review of 'O Wondrous Love'
learning 'Paul Revere's Ride', reviewing 'Casey at the Bat' once each week
reading a chapter or two of Northanger Abbey

Jared's Plans:

He's in the midst of applying to Patrick Henry College. In Houston, spoke with Gene Edward Veith, provost of PHC, and he was so encouraging about Jared's application. We don't know what the financial situation will look like, but we're thinking Jared will complete his first year through PHC's distance learning option - we have to go with whichever option is less expensive. And, starting tomorrow, he has a job with an inventory company.

Been thinking lots about CiRCE, but haven't had time to put fingers to keyboard, yet.

SDG!

Catching Up

Okay, can you say, 'busy'? I would, but I haven't had time to. ;-D

1) I returned Sunday evening from the 2008 CiRCE Conference in Houston. Wow! The laughter! (The Wild Bunch was in top form!) The fellowship! The Macy's run! The stimulating discussions! The challenging teaching! It was glorious! I have lots to blog about as I think out loud through my notes and the ClassEd discussions have already begun.

2) I also have 10 dresses to make by the end of August for Anna's mid-September wedding. The first batch of silks arrived today - they're stunning! I was able to play around with Rebekah's cornflower dupioni and tried the triple stacked pleat that I want to put in the back of my skirt. I held it together and wrapped the fabric around Rebekah and had her walk down the hall. Wow!!! It's so beautiful!!! I'm also in love with the silk georgette! It flutters and flows through the air. {contented sigh}

3) I came home from CiRCE with 32 lbs of Tapestry of Grace. (Thanks, again, Debra!) I've listened to one GK lecture (complete with notes and discussion questions), and am half-way through the second. Our GK spine arrived today and I'm eager to begin reading it. I've also started One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, the only book on our list that I haven't yet read. So, it's time to begin planning school. {whew! I'm tired just reading about all that!}

I'll try to keep you up to date, and I hope to make time to blog my way through my notes from the conference, but it'll take time. I'd like to begin working on that soon, but it may need to wait until mid-September.

SDG!!!

Progress

We have a date, a time, and a place!!! September 13, at 9:30 a.m., at a local multi-purpose room that fits about 400. {whew!} Anna and I will go down this afternoon (once she's finished at the dentist) and put the deposit down to hold the room.

We're also narrowing down dress fabrics. On the Sense and Sensibility forum, someone mentioned the Silk Baron. I'm so impressed with their selection, their prices, and how friendly they are! I've already had to call them about changing my swatch order and the man I spoke with couldn't have been nicer!

Their dupionis are beautiful, and they have an impressive selection of colors. Their other offerings aren't as substantial, but they have some very nice georgettes, chiffons, and just the right taffeta for Eliza's flower girl dress.

I'm now working to set up a meeting with two of the attendants so Jona and I can take measurements and begin working with the patterns. As soon as the fabric is decided upon, we'll order that and get going. Then, we'll work with two attendants at a time as each dress will be a bit different.

SDG!

Transitions

To continue my last post...

Given Cindy's comment (her concern isn't a possibility at our church as there are well over 500 members), I've been thinking about the balance between community and cleaving.

For a single person who has been rightly encouraged to be involved in the lives of others, investing in them and letting them invest in him in return, there's a huge transition in getting married.

Instead of thinking of the feelings of lots of others, one's new spouse becomes pre-eminent and that one person must be considered above and possibly against all others (after the Lord, I'm talkin' horizontal relationships in this post).

That doesn't mean that the new couple doesn't continue to invest in the lives of others, but it does change the nature of that investment and those other relationships.

SDG!

Theology of Wedding Planning

Anna mentioned something to me in an email today. She's been contemplating a 'theology of wedding planning'. This is a great thing to think about and I'm going to join her in musing about it.

First of all: (to quote CJ Mahaney) the main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing. 'What is the main thing?' you ask. As always, for those of us who have been regenerated by the power of Christ through the gospel - the glory of Christ and a focus on that saving gospel is the main thing.

Secondly: it's important to remember the purpose of a wedding - that two people end up married at the end of the day.

Community is also an important factor. Marriages don't take place in a vacuum. Even though it's a limited relationship between one man and one woman, what that one man and that one woman do in the privacy of their home has repercussions throughout the community. It works the other way, too. The community influences and underpins the marriage relationship. When two sinners say 'I do', they will need the help and support of that community to glorify the Lord in their marriage (back to the main thing). Sin always rears its ugly head and when it does, those not so emotionally involved, yet who love the couple, need to come alongside and help (help each party see his or her own sin, repent, and then to forgive the sin of the other as well as to provide accountability). Biblical marriages happen in the context of community.

How does that work out practically in the arena of wedding planning? Ah, that's the question! I'll continue this train of thought as I talk with Anna about it.

SDG!

Finding a Gown

Now that we have Anna's gown, it's time for me to start thinking about mine and Eliza's, as well as dresses for Judith, Rebekah, and Melody, who aren't in the wedding party.

As I mentioned before, Anna has chosen colors and is allowing each attendant to choose her own style of gown, with certain parameters.

Research: I've been spending lots of time looking at gown pictures online. Anna knew what silhouette she was looking for, which helped us narrow our search. She also had an idea of how embellished she wanted her gown to be and that also helped us narrow things down.

So, I think I'm looking for something with an empire waist (but the skirt below the waist doesn't need to be very full - it can be more of an A-line). I'm avoiding halters (not good with my linebacker shoulders). I have permission to have a bit more beading and embroidery on my dress as I'm filling two rôles, but I'm not going to go nuts. I don't want to look matronly, but don't want to look as if I still think I'm 20!

Eliza's dress won't be too difficult. Flower girl dresses are so fun to make.

I have to continue to think about the other girls, though. Again, it all depends on the time of day.

Speaking of the time of day (which is dependent upon venue), the church is leaning toward 'no'. So, I'll start calling places today. I'd like to offer the kids some interesting and unusual alternatives, so if you have any ideas for where I can look, I'd appreciate it! There's a local olive mill that looks beautiful, but I don't know if they host events; I've also found a couple of wineries, but they may be too far away; one winery is closer, but probably not big enough. September will still be too hot for an outdoor wedding (although monsoons will have ended by then), so I need someplace indoors (or farther north with a higher elevation). So, I'll be making phone calls today!

SDG!!

Houston, We Have...

...a gown!

Anna and I went tonight to browse at a discount wedding warehouse. The fourth gown she tried on was the one. It's exquisite and just perfect for her. And it's on clearance, so the price was right. It actually costs the same amount we paid for mine, 23 years ago.

We're continuing to discuss the attendants' dresses (or gowns). Anna and Drew have chosen colors for the gowns (although, other than the flower girl, we're not sure who will wear which color), but want to allow each attendant to choose a style according to her individual figure. There will be certain elements that will be the same for all the gowns - Anna wants no strapless gowns, and they'll either all be tea-length or floor-length, but not a combination. We're also thinking about embroidery or beadwork or both that will be the same or similar for all the dresses as another element to pull them altogether.

However, we can't really make any decisions until we have a place, which will give us a time of day and thus help us know how formal the attendants' gowns will be. We haven't heard back from our church yet, but I'm going to begin making some information-gathering calls tomorrow to scope out alternatives. I did some preliminary looking online this afternoon.

I've also been doing a bit of research about the duties of the mother of the bride and the duties of the matron of honor. I'm so thankful and relieved Andrea will be coordinating. I think I'd already be feeling overwhelmed without her.

I've been researching weddings on a budget and think I've found a good resource. It's in the other computer, so I'll post more details later on.

SDG!

Gowns

We went to a local bridal gown store on Saturday. We got there only a couple minutes before they closed (the flat tire took a goodish bit of time), but they let us in and let Anna try on a gown.

It was beautiful! It was the right shape for her figure. It was the right size. The color looked wonderful with her complexion. The embroidery was gorgeous. The price wasn't.

I found a bridal warehouse here in town and we're going tonight to browse.

I'm still not sure what color I'm wearing and without knowing the time of day, I can't start designing yet, but I've been browsing gown websites for ideas (something not-too-matronly, but still pretty and feminine and that won't clash with the other attendants - Anna has decided the colors, but each attendant will choose her own style of gown). I can't begin to think about dresses for the three middle girls yet either, but am planning on making them pretties to wear, too.

SDG!

Wedding Progress

I can't reveal details (they're not mine to reveal), but I can post progress.

Colors have been chosen, as have attendants.

Anna and Drew are still working on a venue and a date. Our church is very busy in September and we're still not sure if they can shoehorn in another wedding. Anna's birthday is in October and she doesn't want her birthday and her anniversary to be that close together. They both think that November is too long to wait.

Anna's friend is going to coordinate the wedding.

Another friend has a business designing invitations, and a friend of Drew's mom is going to print the invitations, the wedding programs, and provide reception favors.

They're setting up an informational website that will also act as their clearing house for R.S.V.P.'s.

We've begun looking at wedding gowns online, just to get ideas.
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I was in Barnes and Noble the other night and, on a lark, stopped to look at the wedding planners. Oh, my. The things that our culture thinks are necessary for a wedding are mind-blowing. The lists I looked at included, among other things and with no indication that they might be optional, a professional make-up artist, a professional hair stylist, manicures and pedicures for the entire bridal party, and a professional calligrapher to address the invitations.

However, in the books I browsed through, there was no mention of pre-marital counselling. We as a culture seem to put too much emphasis on making the wedding a big deal, and not nearly enough on making the marriage a big deal. I'm thankful the kids aren't just thinking of the big day, but beyond.

SDG!