So excited!

I've been working like a wild woman around here. After Christmas is over, there's an odd feeling throughout the house, a sort of disappointment. All the excitement is over, the decorations are gone, and wrapping paper has been recycled. NOW WHAT. So immediately, I looked at my stash of paints. It's time to brighten up the place. So I "shopped the house" (going through your OWN junk to see what you can repurpose) and I was surprised with what I found.
So once I get my pictures up, I'll post a description and the time. Hopefully you can find some fun stuff in your own house to remake!

Ode to a budget bride

What can you get for $5,000? Today, not very much. When the bulk of your budget goes to the wedding gown and the venue, there's really no room for anything else. In some cultures it's a tradition to have family members and close friends sponsor certain wedding items such as the champagne flutes, the bible and the dance hall. But personally I think it's kind of tacky. Plus you might also get stuck with accessories that aren't really your taste.
If you can book a venue that provides tables, tableware, linens and a kitchen, this is the best way to go, you can save thousand of dollars just by shopping around.
Don't think that your local floral shop is the only place to get your arrangements. Grocery stores and Costco have high quality flowers at unbeatable prices. Personally I love the look of curly willow branches. It gives you regal height, and NO COST. Depending on your area, SOME ONE you know has a willow tree or in southern states a manzanilla tree or bush. I will be posting a few pics of affordable arrangements that your friends can help you put together a day before the wedding.
While on a tight budget you really need to prioritize. What is the most important aspect of your wedding? Having amazing flowers, or having a sit down dinner? In most cases you're going to have to sacrifice in some areas.
As far as wedding favors for the guests, this can become quite outrageous depending on your imagination. Unless it is edible, it will eventually make it's way to someone's trash can along the way. One great idea is to put a small treat into pillow pouches. That way when the guests are making their exit, they can just stop at the favor table and take one pouch. Now tradition says it's one item per guest, not per couple, so make not of this, you don't want to end up short on favors.

These are a few of my favorite things that guests actually like to receive. PLANTABLES. A bulb, or if you're going for an eco friendly theme, a plantable heart with seeds embedded into the paper. This looks great hanging from a tree and they just pluck off their favor. The bulbs can be in affordable paper packaging helping to tie in your color scheme.
EDIBLES. As I've mentioned before, this is a guest favorite. Chocolate dipped oreos that are drizzled with your coordinating color and are on a stick and wrapped like a lollipop. Custom fortune cookies. These are available with or without the take out boxes and the paper boxes can also tie in your color scheme as well. A bag of toasted peanuts in a paper bon bon pouch or once again the take out box with the tag that says We're just NUTS that you joined us on your wedding day! Or we're just NUTS about each other, etc... Get creative here ladies! :) All of these can be done for a dollar or less per guest and that's about as affordable as you're going to get on a budget where you still want quality to rein.

Winter Collection 2009

I just love the look of leggings and hoodies on little girls during the winter. They look absolutely snuggly! Here's a few pics of my latest. I asked a friend of mine to paint me a pair Grinch themed boots, and they are just amazing! They are no longer available for purchase, but I needed to share their uniqueness. I will also be listing a leopard Santa set early next week, check back then for more!
On Friday I will be announcing the winner of my Shortcake giveaway.

Strawberry shortcake photo drawing, FREE DRESS!

HI EVERYONE! Don't you just love this sweet photo of Samantha Shortcake! These are her birthday photos showing one version of my adorable set. This is available on etsy where I've sold over 2 dozen sets, I've been very busy! Most sets are shipping out this week, with the last few orders going out early next week. I also have the new modern version of miss thang herself with a new twist on it, thanks to a special order.
WOnderful thing about this set as most of you know, it can be worn long after the Halloween party. The under dress is looks wonderful with cozy knit tights and boots for a great winter look.
I'm offering a free peasant dress chosen by a random drawing, to enter, you need to become a follower of my blog, and send me a photo of your little girl wearing my complete set, and full body shots. I'll try to post them over on the blog when I get several of them, and on November 7, a winner will be chosen!
OH! Here's another wonderful wristlet clutch, I love this one for those Christmas banquets we dread getting dressed up for, but you know, I enjoy myself once I'm there.

A few new clutches

Gifting members of your bridal party with something useful can really brighten your spirit. These clutches and the tote bag trio were all items to be given as gifts to faithful members of their respective bridal parties.
None of them are too trendy that they'll be outdated in a year or two. I personally love the whimsy of the aqua and red dotted clutch. Maybe I'll gift myself with one of these. I had several clients come over when I was working on these and they all gasped at the clever color combo and how it came to life in this clutch.

Here a clutch, there a clutch...

Everywhere a clutch clutch! It is a MUST HAVE item the day of your wedding. Also a wonderful keepsake gift for your bridal party. I've produced about 20 clutches in the last 4 weeks, and I love hoe unique they all are. What makes my design stand out is a unique style...AND I will custom embroider the bride and groom's names and wedding date on the inside liner. OR, if this is for a bridal attendant, then it is very appropriate for the liner to say, LOVE, LORI, or VANESSA or YOUR NAME HERE, LOL

I have my clutches available in ANY color satin or print. Shoot me an email if your ever in the need for a clutch! I'm also starting my line of small leather hand bags and clutches. I found this AMAZING little shop that carries gorgeous and hard to find colors of genuine leather, no vinyl here ladies. Also, I'm always open to suggestions, so send me a comment if there's a color combo you'd like to see. THANKS! L

To be a bridesmaid...

Always a bridesmaid... I WISH! There are so many options out there for todays bridal party that I am truly envious. I was a bridesmaid in my mother's wedding back in 1995 and let me tell you, it was gross. I personally love the infinity convertible dress. It goes from an afternoon lunch to a wedding reception by just readjusting the straps. I have one myself that i tweaked and worked over until I had it master and didn't expose myself which isn't hard to do. I've made SO MANY of these for other women and have never had a bad review.
The other pics I have posted are other bridal options and other gowns I've recently worked on as well as my line of bridal clutches. These are a wonderful keepsake for yourself and your bridal party. I add a personal message on the inside, simply "Love, Lori" or "Love, Vanessa" I also do this on all of the bridesmaid dresses. It helps when they recieve them so as not to be confused or "you have my gown!" LOL Here's the pics!

Jennifer's Wedding 2009

I worked with an amazing bride who was both planning an amazing wedding, AND expecting her first child. Well everyone, she pulled it off fabulously, and here are a few pics of here in her custom Beneath The Willow Bridal Couture. She wanted something very light, as it can get VERY hot here in July (well everywhere), and also something that was traditional bridal attire. She opted for a taffeta liner and chiffon overlay, so this was a dream as far as weight. I did my embroidered train with a faux liner so the liner was only in the back. This has 2 functions, 2 protect the gown from soil damage as well as creating a canvas for me to embroider her personalization on. THANKS JENN! Now comes baby! :) PLease contact me if you are interested in a similar gown.

And the Winner is.........

Heather! Heather is from California and is the winner of my keepsake ring bearer pillow.
Congrats to Heather! I will post pictures of the finished pillow. :)

Apron Give AWAY! Free apron for June!

Okay everyone! I've been up to my ears in last minute aprons for the last week of school! At Sun Valley, my daughter is in the dual language kindergarten program, so she is learning her lessons in Spanish as well as her primary English language.
Her teachers are always decked out in aprons!
So, I thought I'd offer my followers a free apron for those summer cookouts. So post a comment with your favorite BBQ treat, (maybe a recipe or two, LOL) and that gets you entered to win a gorgeous summer apron!
I will take entries through July 15. Only way to win is to post! :) So tell me your favorite BBQ dish, and your name.
GOOD LUCK

Wedding Give AWAY for you BUDGET BRIDES!

I've designed a few ring bearer pillows and now I need bride and groom to customized them! Here's the deal... Become a follower of my blog, post a comment with the bride and groom's names, and wedding date and an EMAIL ADDRESS where the winner can be reached!
If you are a bridesmaid, mother of the bride, Matron, or Maid of Honor, this would be a great little gift and the bride wouldn't need to know it didn't cost anything.
Great for a budget wedding, budget bride.

You may wonder why I would give away a free wedding item... Truth be told, I need a sample picture to use for my future listings. I could make up 2 bogus names, but then I still put the effort and materials into the ring bearer pillow.

Want something non traditional? So do I! I would love to do a black or chocolate brown pillow with contrasting thread... or a gold satin with baby blue thread for a beach wedding...The possibilities are endless!
Formal, informal, themed weddings, whatever, this will be a wonderful keepsake that WAS FREE!

I will be taking names and emails until June 10th, then I will announce the winner. You must be a follower of the blog! It's easy so go on and do it. :)



THANKYA! lora


beneaththewillowdesigns@yahoo.com

MY LOCAL FEATURE!

WOO HOO! I've been up to my eyeballs in satins and tafetta for weeks trying to complete the orders for custom prom gowns. All the while I hosted a spring book fair at Sun Vally Elementary. While chatting with Lynda Jo Staples, a reporter for the Daily Sun News here in Sunnyside, she asked me if I would like to be featured as the WORKING STIFF section of the paper.
I hesitated slightly at first, but thought, oh, what the heck! Lynda Jo followed me to a fitting for Melodie Casas. I still had some work to do on her fitted red gown so it worked out really well.
Anway, here is the link in case you guys want to hear some background on how I can to be a wedding gown designer, LOL Since Wednesday evening I've been swamped with calls. Some are just hemming, while 2 girls called wanting to know if I could make a custom gown in less than 24 hours!! GOODNESS! And I thought I was a procrastinator. :)
Sorry, girls, PROM is Saturday, TOMORROW, and you clock has just run out.

http://www.dailysunnews.com/DSNFeatures3.shtml

SPRING IS IN WASHINGTON!

Finally! The daffodils are blooming and the sun is shining! Maybe I will be able to get some outdoor pics of my next few sets! LOL The wind has been so fierce, and the last 3 days have actually been peaceful.
Kyla just had her 6th birthday so I snapped these new pics of her. She is wearing 2 of my best selling items for spring. This year I've gone with a little different color scheme on the peasant portrait set. Love the pink flower and the contrast of the blue background. By the way, that blue is my new studio! More on that later.



Also shown is my GOLDIE set. This fabric is VERY hard to find this year and I still have some in my stash from last years inventory.

PROM! My favorite HIGH SCHOOL function! Seriously, it's the first time in a girl's life where she gets to really GLAM it up! I've been knee deep in taffeta and chiffon for the last month. I LOVE IT! I'm finished 4 custom PROM gowns in the last 2 weeks with contracts for 3 wedding gowns for muc later. Many of these people find me by reading my ad in our local paper. I've met quite a few wonderful people.
Well, one more gown to go! I will post pics of all the gowns when Melodie's is all complete.

My latest read, HANDLE WITH CARE

I love novels. I can open a book and connect with characters very easily. I love emotional sappy plot lines that make you feel weak when you've read the last page.
The newest novel by Jodi Picoult, HANDLE WITH CARE was definitely a good read. This particular end caught me off guard though. I'm pretty good at predicting the possible outcomes for most novels, but this one knocked me on my butt. I won't spoil it for you and tell you how it ends. Here is the book description from Jodi Picoult's website. If you are in a book club, or just looking for an emotionally impactful read, she's your girl.
And how the heck do I make my links clickable??? This is starting to annoy me! LOL

http://www.jodipicoult.com/handle-with-care.html

ShadowDragon Dreams Give away!

WOOHOO! Wanna win something free? Jennifer of ShadowDragon Dreams is offering a free applqique tee in your custom size and design! Her appliques are wonderful! She has so much talent and you should check out her ANGEL OF MIDKNIGHT book blog. YUP, that's right, she is now an author as well.
To qualify, all you need to do is become a follower of hers and post a comment anywhere on her blog. GOOD LUCK! You know I'm doing it! :)


http://shadowdragondreams.blogspot.com

A few of my favorite things...

All over the house I have little scraps of paper with words to live by. A cute saying I've heard on tv, or a quote Ive read in a magazine. Last year I met a sweet woman neamed Heather who can make these quotes come to life with her Vinyl Wall Art.
You've seen it everywhere; children's room decor, Home is where the heart is sayings... I LOVE IT! I found Heather again this last winter showcasing her vinyl and she was personalizing Christmas ornaments. They were absolutely fantastic! My 8 year old son Damian had one done with his name in a flaming font.
In the last year I've bought about 4 designs from Heather. I finally put one up in my family room and the room finally seemed more personal. It went on so easy and STRAIGHT! HA! Now when I fianlly decide on a paint color for the front room and my sewing studio, then I will put up the rest. IF you are interested in ordering from Heather, here is a link to her site. Another thing, her turn around time is SO FAST!



http://heatherswordsbydesign.com/

Happy Birthday Dear Joey...

Today my younger brother Joey turns 23. i may be his oldest sibling, but he truly inspires me. He is FREE.
When I think of what he does, the way he lives and what he has to offer the world, I am in awe. It makes me think of my life as a little bubble and him a big bouncy ball, capable of taking on any obstacle. He has a quick wit, is charming and handsome. Nothing at all like the annoying little brother I grew up with (SORRY ABOTU DRESSING YOU UP AS A PRINCESS!). Today, he spent most of his day at college, studying, going to Starbucks and feeling uncelebrated.


for a pic of joey and his big sis LORA, scroll to the bottom of the screen. I think this may be the only pic that I have of us as adults. I just pulled it out of a drawer and took a picture of a picture! LOVE IT! :)

SPRING COLLECTION part 2

Just when I thought it was almost spring we get another snowfall. Now I don't usually mind the snow, exceptfor when Ruben has to drive over the pass to Seattle, and when I have to try and convince my customers that my newest sets are for spring when there is snow in the yard!
So here are a few pics, I really love the comfort of the cherry knit set. The knit is absolutely LUXE! This is available in a size 2T to an 8. Kyla is a finicky little girl and half of the stuff I make for her she has some knit picky thing to say. Wrong color, she doesn't like flowers, where is the pink.... but my spring collection she is really into.

Another thing... When I am trying to click on the blog thingy add pciture, it won't let me....it just goes to saving. Anyone wanna give me a tip, it's flipping annoying me!!

Spring 2009 Collection

It's here! Several items from SPRING 2009, Beneath The Willow Designs.
There is a wide variety of fabrics and themes up fro grabs. There was a different inspriation behind every set.
I will be listing these and a few other items on www.etsy.com and also on www.ebay.com
you can find my items as well as the other BOUTIQUE WILD CHILD listings by typing BWILD in the search area on the sites.