This is my plan today: enjoying the rain (from inside), reading my favorite new purchase "Mom, Inc. The essential guide to running a successful business from home" (this book is so good, there will be a post dedicated to solely this soon), and continuing with day 2 of our rice cereal adventures. Have a lovely Monday!
a very blessed weekend
Some photos from Liam's baptism and brunch last weekend. We had a beautiful day filled with loving family and thoughtful friends. All the details came together just as I'd hoped, and we ended the evening at a hot air balloon launch at Letchworth State Park. Even though they didn't fly across the gorge, it was pretty awesome to get a shot with them in the background since I had one on the invitations. How cool was that?! We are so very lucky.
celebrating love
One of my newest wedding calligraphy jobs: navy ink on square envelopes. Love how classic these turned out! I am so unbelievably excited to see this invitation suite- the bride is featuring my calligraphy on the invite & enclosure cards alongside her bridesmaid's hydrangea pattern designed pocketfold. I'll be sharing more photos of the ensemble after their big day.
Made this little gold doily for my parents' 30th wedding anniversary. Kudos to those two love birds for finding the secret to staying happily together for so long- they just create fun times!
Calligraphy for my talented friend Meredith's wedding, and a special envelope for the lovely bride herself.
A tea party bridal shower invite. Trying to mix things up a bit with some asymmetrically punched corners!
I'm really really pumped about etsy starting a wedding registry! I've been hoping to make some more printable invitations for my shop, and anticipate a large number of brides visiting etsy with this new feature. Getting married? Go check it out and register for some awesome handmade items for your home!
more christening creations
My cousin's daughter was baptized last weekend & this was a small piece that I made for her. She had a completely beautiful day. Lately I am feeling very blessed to be surrounded by all these adorable little babies! The doily/dresser scarf underneath was an adaption of a technique that I saw on the purlbee website. I need to refine my process a bit, I think. 
The "star of mommy's blog", himself (found the bib at Target and couldn't resist).
Busy week getting ready for our trip to Cincinnati on thursday. More projects to post later.
baptism buntings
We've been preparing for Liam's baptism, and thinking of nice things to make for our small brunch afterwards. I've seen so many sweet little buntings around, and thought I'd take a stab at one. The fabric is a mix of some that I've had since I was young & some that I bought for the hexagon pillow I made this summer. For the back I used a light blue color linen, because I'm totally enjoying linen right now, but also because I had some lying around. I plan to hang it in the nursery afterwards. Buntings are a complete labor of love.
new season, new life
My grandmother passed away last weekend. We've been reminiscing about cherished memories lots, but mostly thinking about the new life that she is enjoying now. She will be missed dearly. Below is a program cover I did in her honor for the service.
I finished a really neat wedding calligraphy job last week. The inner envelopes were kraft paper pocketfolds with a chocolate ink, and the inner envelopes were brown with a 'bell bronze' metallic ink. Is it silly of my to be geeked out about this?
This wedding ensemble is for the sister of a dear friend, who wanted a rustic themed invitation.
Made a second version of the adorable aviator hat from a few posts ago for Liam for next winter.
Here's to new life this spring!
handsome boys, handmade knits
Wanting to share a hat that I made last week- my first attempt at fair isle, which ended up being a lot easier than I expected. This pattern was also from the purl bee. I'm excited to try charting out my own patterns to create.
The aviator hat below is one that I made for Cecelia's son Freddie's first birthday. The original pattern was from etsy, and I altered it with the stripes at the top. Hoping to get this to him and snap a shot of that cute little boy soon.
one month
As many of you know, I have taken a short break from posting while I adjust to motherhood & help introduce the world to our son Liam Michael Place. He was born on New Years' day, which makes him one month old today- how time flies! He is our most tiring and rewarding creation, and fills us daily with the greatest joy. I am looking forward to sharing more about this wonderful new life soon.
I have new projects to post shortly- lots of wedding invitation jobs are coming up, filling my sketchbook with florals, banners, and chevrons. Can't wait to share!
masters & milestones
Where did the time go!? It seems like not all that long ago we were anxiously awaiting Michael's financial aid offers, and now he's a Masters Architecture graduate! He is an amazing man and husband and deserved every bit of celebration from this last weekend. I'm so proud of him and all the time and hard work he's put in to this program over the last 2 years!
As long as I am sharing all of the excitement of our lives, we do have another bit of news:
.....we are having a baby! Expecting our first little blessing's arrival at the beginning of the new year- so so thrilled to be an almost mom :)