Inspiration board in progress

Very much in progress.

I'm looking at invites right now, as you can see from the samples across the top. I'll slowly add to it..

All things forrest-ish.

So I said I'd do a post about the trip last weekend didn't I?

We had a lovely time! The resort is quite secluded, overlooks a lake. The above photo was taken on our balcony, we stayed in a lakeside room. They also have chalets. The restaurant (which is where the reception will be) has floor to ceiling windows overlooking the same view. It also has a fireplace, and an adjoining room  that will be used for all the kids (they'll get their lunch there, plus it will have a range of kids friendly supplies - colouring stuff, DVD etc.)

Food is tasty, and we can do the wedding on site to remove the need for (any more!) travel. And of course with the view, we won't need to go overboard on decorations (just chair covers for the mismatched chairs and table decorations). They have enough accommodation to cover if all the guests happen to want to stay there, including cabins for families or couples wanting to share as well as the lakeside rooms. (I rather think there will be a lot of people staying the Friday & Sat nights.. kind of a wedding weekend party! Yay!)

There is an amazing area nearby - Beeldelup Falls. If we could have crammed everyone onto the viewing platform, we'd be getting married there, but no such luck. Photos will be taken there assuming its not pouring with rain. Similarly, worst case scenario if it's raining for the wedding, we'll be able to do it inside. (though it will be a little cramped!)

Getting married on the lawn overlooking the lake isn't quite exactly the "married in the middle of the forest" thing I had in mind, but we weren't able (even enlisting the help from the lovely ladies at the visitor centre, and much driving around) to find something that was what I had in mind and were groom/guest access-friendly. But the lawn overlooking the lake will be pretty, if a little less forest-feral. But also better choice given inclement weather. So there it is.

I also spoke to the very nice florist in Manjimup who wrote me down and told me to talk again to her in May :) And got the card for the local hairdresser, who was sadly really busy and couldn't talk (even on a Monday morning :(

And that was pretty much the trip. Very relaxing, and we both had a great time.

p.s. I order my fabric swatches today, hurrah! Will post on those next.. plus finding a Save the Date design I like.

Pretties.

Okay very quick update. (I should be doing housework :P)

Shawl is now 30% done.

Venue was great! Will be posting out Save the date cards once we confirm the guest list.

And look how pretty these hair things are: 

And lots more of them. That's just a quick taste.

Knitting is happening, I'm looking at invites and we're going to check out the venue!

So happy and excited.

We finally found a date that both A and I can make it away for 2 days (overnight) to check out the (potential) venue.  I'm really looking forward to it. (Plus, rough time at work at the moment, so I could do with a mini break.)

I've also hit the 20% complete mark on my shawl (so my spreadsheet tells me) .. this is what it looks like. That's a 50c for scale.

I've also been checking out plans for invites. I was going to make something myself, but am thinking (based on stuff I've seen online) I may well be able to buy something that is very close to what I want much cheaper (and with little to not stress or effort on my part). So I might yet do that. Sadly, while I have a deep love of letterpress, I can't justify that price.

For example, I love this one at Poppy Letterpress.. I'd get it printed in darker green (with black text) I think. Sigh. Pretty, but I just can't justify the cost, when I want to spend money on other things. Like food. (See, I love my guests. They will care about food, not about the beautifully printed card.)

I also went to look at fabric. (Mostly so i could get an idea about what my dressmaker was talking about when she kept mentioning different fabrics. I sew, but I'm far from a seamstress). Just looking at the amazing laces made me almost consider a lacy dress because good lord they were gorgeous. (Many were $250+/meter, but still... very pretty). And I tried to think of a good reason to buy sheer white fabric with tiny red bows sewn on, but .. no. Not really. Red's unlikely to be a colour for the wedding, so even making something for little miss was out.

Oh and since I have cleaned up the study, I'm thinking I might put together a inspiration board. The boy will probably think I am crazy, but we're used to that, right? I might post pictures if I get into it.

Dumb/Awesome things that stop me sleeping.

Dumb cos.. well, I should be sleeping.

Awesome because... I realised I am a doofus. I don't need cute coloured ballet flats for the wedding. /slaps self

I have a deep and long abiding love of boots! I should be using this as the best excuse ever to buy kick-ass awesome boot goodness! I could be looking at boots right now!! (this would be where the not-sleeping part kicks in). They may not even match my dress, and I just don't care!!

Boots I loved a long time ago that I may consider..

Need to not be stillettos, ideally with a chunky vintage heel, though wedge or flats (or something I can walk on uneven ground in probably ok).

I'd consider anything from an ankle to below the knee.

Link me if you have suggestions, ladies!

I like these, and I know I'd wear them at every opportunity afterwards. But... very black for the dress..

Oh and I like these. Even if totally against the vibe I was going for, I probably wouldnt care!

 

 

No, I never really did lose my goth boot loving self. Damn, why did I have to get old!

Oh and these... I could probably actually wear those, even if the brown wouldn't sit as well with the grey.

Happy things....

So my meeting with the dressmaker went well, and I am oh so happy about it :)

And I've been knitting up a storm.

And, because it may well amuse someone.. an example of why maths and crafts can fit nicely together.

I needed to be sure I could finish my shawl in time. But it's a triangle, so you can't just count rows.

Thus... I created a spreadsheet so I know what percentage is complete after each row.. and so I can know I'm on track. (I'm just under 15% now..) This is reassuring and yet geeky. (And yes the shawl is lovely so far...)

I am now happily looking a wedding design/invitation eye candy.. I wish I could justify letterpress (doesn't everyone?) but will manage regardless.. My evernote is getting a workout!

I almost wish I was getting married in Perth, just so I could make one of these... how lovely is that!

Pssst... can you keep a secret?

This one.

 

 

Okay... so this is the dress I am discussing with the dressmaker at the moment. It's a photoshop mash up of a few different designs I liked.

It has a corset fitting with lace up back, raw edged ruffled underskirt in colours ranging from white to a pale grey and an over-skirt  in white with draping and white & grey (handmade by me) flower detailing.

It will be worn with a pale grey Icarus shawl and probably more flowers in my hair. I'm currently considering options that include a jasmine circlet or a flower and feather fascinator or something else.  And hopefully I'll look a damn sight happier and less polished than her. More arty-woodnymph-creative than posh slicked back hair, I think.

So yeah. That's the current thought. And other than a comment about the large number of ruffles, she seems up for it so far. Go team!

(I love raw edged ruffles, i think they hit that sweet spot of fun/party/textural without getting too frou frou for my tastes..)

Anyway, that;'s the current thought, got no idea whether it will happen, but let's see...

Wheee! I started my shawl!

I am such a knit geek. But I can say I loved casting on my shawl for the wedding more than anything.

Perhaps, if you might indulge me a moment of whimsy...

Perhaps it is because it is something personal and small and within my own control.. and with my own perseverance and patience and skill it will be something beautiful and fine, that I made, with my own two hands and no one else, that I can wear on the day I marry my man.

And that gives me the most delicious and joyous satisfaction, even from the very moment I cast on that pale grey string of fluff.