Thursday, December 1, 2011

A year ago...

A year ago on December 1st I clearly remember my hands being raw from all things...needlepointing! 

Yes, I am still in my 30's.  No, I don't need a walker to get around.  Yes, I know the needlepointing sterotype of grannies sitting in a rocker needlepointing with little glasses on the tip of their nose.  Ok, yes...I do wear glasses sometimes and they do tend to slide down every now and then.  Let's move on...

Now, how does needpointing, sore fingers, and a year ago fit together?  Let me explain...

Rewind to December 1st, 2010...My sis-in-law, Courtney, was only 27 days from her wedding day and I had volunteered to make some of the special gifts for guests.  She and her fiance, Korbin, planned a destination wedding in Jackson Hole, WY on December 28th.  It was truly an incredible destination and provided for some unbelievable photos and memories. 

Courtney did most of the planning herself since her husband was deployed at the time while serving in the Navy.  She did it all while here in Texas, which made things a challenge at times, but she allowed me to be part of this special day and help with some of the really special details.

One of the things I volunteered to make were the 'take-away' gift for guests.  THANKFULLY it was a small wedding of only immediate family and a handful of friends!  I needlepointed and made mini-champangne bags for each guest to take away to toast the New Year.  On each bag was Courtney and Korbin's last initial...K.  I couldn't find burlap bags at the time that would fit the champagne bottles that Courtney wanted to use so I made those too.  Thankfully my mom gave me a quick tutorial on how to operate a sewing machine so that I could quickly stitch up 20 bags.  For a good 3 months I would needlepoint whenever I sat down to watch tv, on long car rides, while sitting in doctor's offices, and anywhere I was sitting or even standing for more than 5 minutes. 

Josh about had it with all things burlap, eggplant purple, and anything involving a K by the middle of December.  And I was to panic as the days ticked by and the number of K bags very slowly grew...very slowly.

Here are a few pics of the completed bags...I'll admit, I did really love them.  Do I think anyone knew how much time and effort went into them?  Um, no.  Hell, no.  But, it was totally worth it.  The little details make everything in my opinion. 




Another guest gift that I made for Courtney and Korbin's special day...the welcome bags.  They were also stitched from burlap and had their signature C and K monogram that we designed.  We cut the CK monogram out from a deep eggplant purple satin fabric and used an iron transfer paper to adhere them to the bags.  These bags were filled with hot chocolate and marshmallows, peppermints, maps of Jackson Hole, handwarmers, lotions, chapstick, etc.  Everyone loved them and used the goodies inside throughout the entire weekend.  



There is a lot more to share from this incredible event and I will in the days ahead.  So stay tuned!

XOXO