Tutus and Bluebonnets

This is my adorable niece wearing a gigantic tutu that I made. This pictures is from her third birthday pictures (shot by Courtney Moore Photography).

She had so much fun playing in the bluebonnets.

Paper Peonies.

I love peonies, and I have a passion for making paper flowers. I have known for a long time that I wanted to create paper flowers for my wedding. Not long after we started planning I decided that my bridesmaids would carry paper peonies. I set out on a mission to learn how to create my vision. Of course I didn't need to look further than Martha! I found a tutorial on her website for how to make tissue paper peonies. I tweaked the method slightly- and this is what I've come up with.

I am so pleased with how they turned out. I think each girl will carry a bouquet containing 6 or 7.
I am so looking forward to seeing how they look next to the aqua dresses.

Round 1 of Wedding crafting!

I saw a sweet sweet idea on Pinterest. One gal asked her friends to be in her wedding by sending them each a box. I knew immediately that I wanted to do this! Three of the ladies I wanted to ask live too far away for me to ask them as a group- and I wanted to do something more than a simple phone call or card.

I bought plain cigar boxes from Michael's. I painted the outside aqua and the inside pink. I decoupaged some pretty paper on the front and filled the box with notes and pictures.
I started with a note asking each girl to be a bridesmaid.
I've always pictured bridesmaids in cowboy boots. They are a favorite of mine. I knew that it would be difficult to get everybody together to try on dresses... and I know each of these ladies has their own unique style. I opted to let them choose their own dresses within my color scheme. I am so looking forward to seeing what they choose.
I included a brief paragraph describing what we are envisioning for our wedding.
My bridesmaids are spread out from "down the street" to across the country. It's very important to me that they not be strangers who meet a day or so before the wedding. I chose to include a small introduction and contact information for each of them. I chose six bridesmaids, and while each of them has met at least one of the others- they haven't all met.
I filled the bottom layer of the box with pictures of dresses that I like and some decor inspiration.

I mailed a box to each of the girls that I asked- and I can't think of a more perfect way to have asked.