4.28.2012

April Wedding #3 | Lindsey + Christopher

Lindsey and Christopher are newer friends of ours over the past year or two. I met her because we are in the same field (architecture) and really get along well. I had the pleasure of attending their gorgeous wedding and I must say, she went above and beyond and I was so impressed with her talents! 

First, we were greeted with this custom tree sketch that we were to add our name and thumbprints to as the "leaves" of the tree. It is such a great idea and will adorn their home for years to come. She sketched the tree herself, but I bet anyone could do it!



Project Notes: 
Even if you can't draw, a tree is a very simple shape and you don't even need to draw the leaves! :) Since it is naturally occurring, you can't really mess it up. If I was going to start this project, this is how I would do it, no matter your skill level.

  1. Find an inspiration image online and practice free-handing it with pen or pencil on paper. You can skip this step if you are super comfortable just starting on your final product.
  2. As you get more comfortable, find a larger sheet of paper and either sketch it with light pencil strokes to trace in pen or just start with a pen (I like and highly recommend Sharpie - Ultra Fine) so you get nice definitive lines.
  3. You can erase, use white-out, scan into the computer and delete/ correct in Photoshop - whatever your skill level, to get it to look right. You can either leave or erase your pencil lines depending on the look you are trying to get.
  4. Now take it to a large format printing company, have them scan it in (or bring your digital file), scale it to fit the paper size of your frame, and print it.
  5. Think about adding some personal touches. Above, they added their names and date which can be done on the computer with a fun font or handwritten as they have done. If you look closely there is a "C + L" in a heart "carved" into the tree which is an adorable touch.
Final notes are to use a paint that you have practiced with and is not too messy. Lindsey and Christopher used a paint that you would perhaps put stamps into. It came right off our finger with the provided wet wipes.


Back to the wedding:

This time of year has great weather, and this day was no exception. Look at all of my pretty girlfriends and our fun dress colors!



They arrived by boat, what? Yes, by BOAT! It was fantastic. Here comes the bride!




The natural wedding setting was amazing. A simple draped tree was the backdrop and just perfect for their big day.

 
All the drama but not all the cost, my friend Lindsey strung up lanterns with LED candles in them that turned on when it got dark. I wish I would have had my better camera to show you the night shots, but this day shot will have to do.


Here are me and my husby on the newly constructed boat dock!


 

Happy Weekend!


4.27.2012

French Bulldogs vs. Boston Terriers

I have had many people ask [and have also wondered myself] the physical differences between Frenchies and Bostons. I found online that the biggest difference is in their height.

Bostons and Frenchies weigh roughly in the same bracket, between 10-25 pounds usually, but Bostons are between 15-17" tall while Frenchies are only 12" tall. Frenchies are shorter and squatier, if that is a word, and the squatier the better in my opinion! I compare my little baby to a piglet all the time. :)
 
I found this piece of art that depicts their differences very well!


4.24.2012

This Kind of Hurt a Little

I knew that it happened and that eventually I would have to deal with the whole Manning being a Bronco thing... I just didn't think it would be so soon. Especially sitting next to a Yankees shirt - blecht!

4.20.2012

Everyone, Meet Minnie!

So, guess what happens when a Tommy:


and a Tiramisu:


have a baby!?!


You get a little Minnie Rogers!

 4 weeks

 7 weeks

 
today :)

She is an amazing puppy! We love her already. She was so good on our 6 hour drive home! Slept almost the whole way. Here is a shot from the trip. :)



4.17.2012

Happy 3rd Anniversary to my Husband!

I love you darling! Thank you for the best three years of my life! :)

After my best friend's wedding, Steven and I took to the road for an amazing anniversary getaway!

First, we started at Oliver Winery in southern Indiana. This was the place that all the girls in college would either get taken to on an amazing date by their boyfriend, or dream about going. I was the one dreaming to go, and now I've finally gone with my true love!

It was the most perfect day, weather and company wise, and we really enjoyed ourselves! Even being a little wine-snobby, we still packed up about 8 bottles to bring back to South Carolina.


Next stop was West Baden Springs Hotel in French Lick, Indiana (home of Larry Bird, anyone?) and our beautiful room! We got a balcony room over-looking the 200' diameter dome and it was so peaceful and relaxing. We did a little gambling, horse back riding, and ate some delicious meals and had a great time! I would highly recommend it if you need a relaxing getaway.

 

Here was where I received my generous anniversary gift. Since the third year is leather, Steven got me a real, in season, Coach purse (and not from the Outlet!). I LOVE it! :)

 
Next stop was Bourbon Country! We went to Buffalo Trace Distillery and toured the behind the scenes of bourbon making, tasted some delicious bourbon (including Bourbon Creme and chocolates), and bought a few barrel staves (art project photos to come!) to hang on our wall. We went there primarily for Steven and he had a blast!






4.15.2012

April Wedding #2 | Katie + Jeff

What a beautiful day in the midwest for my best friend Katie and her new husband Jeff! OK, so maybe the weather wasn't that great, but when it is true love, nothing else matters. :)

 Last Girls Night Out in Indy on Thursday

 Rehearsal Dinner at Buca di Beppo on Friday

That's me at the top next to the beautiful bride in white. ;)
 
 Someone was designing from Pinterest - love the letters!

To my newest favorite married couple, I couldn't be happier for you and love you both!

4.07.2012

April Wedding #1 | Chris + Amber

What a BEAUTIFUL day for these two! I couldn't help but remember our own very similar beautiful day almost 3 years ago for Steven and I. The ceremony and the reception were very much like this amazing couple! It was heartfelt and fun. A lifetime of happiness to you two! :)

4.03.2012

Backyard Wildlife


Normally I am the "turtle whisperer" and although they are less photo-able [?] you can still see their little heads popping up in this pic. I love feeding the turtles and do this all summer while chasing away the geese and the ducks and the damn carp that steal the turtle's food... but this time, I couldn't help but ooh and aaah over the 11 baby duckies! Saying 11 baby "ducks" doesn't do it for me, I feel it is a must to say "duckies." :)

I also saw our little alligator is back which means that some of these duckies may disappear... but we won't talk about this part of the circle of life.

Also, how cool are all these tadpoles! There are zillions of them.

4.02.2012

Registered Architect!


Well, I did it. I went to college for 5 1/2 years, received two professional degrees, studied under an architect for at least 4 years, and then took a series of 7 tests which take roughly 5 hours each and weeks to study for over the past two years, and now I get to call myself a registered architect. All of that for a new title?!?

This really won't change a whole lot of things in my life. I will get a title change at work from "project manager" to "architect," new business cards will reflect this change, and I may even get a raise if I am lucky, but I didn't do all of this for those reasons... I did it for me.

Being a registered architect is something that no one can take away from you. It is not only my job, but it's who I am now. Hi, I am Joellen, the architect. Sounds like something out of The Matrix!

I am the youngest architect in my firm so there is still so much to learn - that is why they call it a "practice." I am just sooo happy to be done with testing! It really takes a toll on you when you get settled in to "normal" life only to have to start studying again. There went my weekends for a whole 2 years!

Now, what should I do with all this extra time?!? Oh, don't you worry, I will fill it ;)

Anyone need any projects done? I'm cheap! haha, OK, maybe not that cheap.

From Charleston, South Carolina to your computer. I hope you enjoy. :)