Baby Bean is a BOY

My dear friends Alyssa (one of my bridesmaids) and Khoran have finally announced the sex of little baby bean.  Khoran already has high hopes of him being a boxer, but I am sure Alyssa has other ideas for him.

 I couldn't be happier for them! Congratulations you two!

.ray.

China Collection Part IV

A lot of browns added to the collection this week.

.ray.

Jess Singer

We have way too many talented friends, so I thought it would be a great idea to randomly feature them throughout my blog. Not only are they people that Damon and I surround ourselves with, but also people whose little pieces of art have managed to make their way into our home in some form or fashion. 

The first featured artist is the lovely Jessica Singer.  Jess is a local art teacher who can create everything and anything.  She may be a little off the wall with some of her pieces, but nonetheless they would be way cool hanging in any room or sitting on a shelf. Jess is always up for a new project. So please email her, jks5030@gmail.com, if you are interested in purchasing something I posted here, or you have an idea but need someone to make it. 

Damon has a thing for graffiti so I asked Jess to make this for him. 

A lot of the work featured above is from her collection " Beauty and the Beast".

Jess doesn't know it yet, but she is going to need to paint us wedding themed corn hole boards. 

SUPPORT LOCAL ARTISTS!

.ray.

Cove Barn

On Sunday I leisurely took a drive through Duncannon and came across this little gem on Route 15.  It is four stories of "stuff" and is only open Sunday's from 8-5.  They have a little bit of EVERYTHING. Their prices are pretty standard but still cheaper than most antique shops. They didn't have a lot of what I am looking for but it did seem like they add to their inventory quite often. If you haven't been there and live in the Harrisburg area, it's worth a fall drive!

.ray.

Kegerise-Myers

Damon wins week one and, because I couldn't get around to it in time, also DOMINATES in week 2.

Sorry Chad and Bailey...

As summer ends and fall approaches, a crazy epidemic has occurred within the male population. Men from far and wide have been positioning themselves in front of their television sets on Saturdays, and not leaving until the wee hours of Sunday evening. They leave the house Monday only to make the cash money, but then return to their couches for one last game that night.  Well, Damon too is one of these men, but maybe not to the extent of some because he still manages to get a golf game in any chance he can. Although Damon only likes to watch his teams, the Cowboys (America's team, as he says) and Notre Dame, he does enjoy flipping back and forth to the football channels to see how his fantasy players are affecting his point total.

I don't really have the slightest interest in watching football other than the fact that Damon did mention that if he wins there would be a good chance he would donate the money to the wedding fund. If Damon's fantasy football name wasn't enough, Kegerise-Myers, the boys in his league are really gonna get a kick out of the fact that they are being mentioned in the infamous "Ray and Day" blog.

My Poem:

So here is my little shout out to my husband-to-be,

CONGRATS KEGERISE-MYERS-Good luck in Week Three!


And just to let you know...I will be taking Damon's last name-no hyphens involved. :)

.ray.

Skeleton Keys

Initially I didn't know what to do with the skeleton keys Damon's mom found.  After coming to the realization that I probably couldn't use them anywhere for the wedding, I decided to frame them.

REAL simple project.  The only things needed are the keys, a shadow box frame, Gorilla Glue, and some sort of paper for the background.

For the background, I chose a page from one of the old books that I bought.

Carefully, I tore out a page and then glued the keys to it.

I let it dry for 30 minutes and hung it up.

Simple. Simple. Simple.

.ray.

Embroidered Hoop Art

I don't know if it is because it is football season and Damon gives me no attention, but last night I went into a crafting binge. If this is any insight into what this football season is going to bring, then watch out.

My first project: Embroidery

 

My mom got me a slew of embroidery thread off of Craigslist for my birthday. I know most people, unless you are of my grandmother's age, don't ask for embroidery thread, but I wanted to try to a few different crafty projects.  I also managed to pick up some embroidery hoops and fabric at some yard sales on the cheap. I wasn't quite sure what I wanted to do with it all, but last night I figured it out.

First, I ironed the fabric, then dug out my embroidery hoops, needle, thread, and found a print of Pennsylvania on the computer.

Next, I stretched the fabric between the hoops and made it as taut as possible.

I then attempted to copy the Pennsylvania pattern onto the fabric. I used a pen-not a good idea. I think there is a fabric pen that dissolves if doused in water; maybe I need to make another run to Michaels.

Next, I turned to YouTube to teach myself how to make stitches.  I used a "back stitch" (trying to sound knowledgeable).  With all things in place, I went at it.

Charlie gave me moral support.

If you used a pen like I did, you will have pen marks ALL OVER the fabric.  The easiest way to remove the ink is with alcohol; nothing else seemed to work.  I wanted to keep it framed in the embroidery hoop so I cut the excess fabric off.

It may seem a bit complicated, but it's not. I don't think I have ever even sewed before. So, most of you first-timers should be fine. Give 'er a try!

.ray.

Mrs. Kegerise

This came in the mail today. ;)  etsy: wisconmon

I think Mrs. Kegerise looks and sounds quite nice.

Succulents

As I peruse this blog and I see all the entries I have made thus far, I am starting to think I have pretty much made this entire wedding a do-it-yourself one. I don't know if I have gotten a bit overzealous, or the control freak in me has taken over, but I yet again have another d.i.y. project for the wedding.  The plan is to use succulents as the wedding favor. If you know me and have seen any of the plants I have brought into our house, you would know that I kill everything.  My mom, with the green thumb, has taken over this project. There are a million different varieties of succulents and cactus, and I have managed to scour my mother's yard, the neighbors, Damon's parents, and even a few yard sales to come up with several different varieties.  I am still in search of more varieties, so if anyone reading this blog would like to contribute, I would be more than thankful.

The above three pictures are from my parents' house. My mom has created a little green house for succulents.

Damon's parents' yard.  

There would probably be more if Damon wouldn't have thought they were a weed at one point. 

$1.00 for all of these at a yard sale over the weekend. 

.ray.

Free or Really Cheap

I guess free is the theme of this week's finds.  Some people may think it is completely gross to be a "picker," and sometimes even I question what the heck I am doing, but as long as you pick and choose wisely you "should" be fine.

Damon and I found this chair on the side of the road. 

Bowls

7 hankies for $1

$3 game of Scrabble

This ancient sewing machine was free and it works.

This trunk was free, although I am not sure where it is going yet.

.ray.

Happy Birthday

I spent September 8, 2011 celebrating my 27th birthday and preparing for the Flood of 2011.

.ray.

Pinterest

Have you ever heard of Pinterest? If not, you're missing out. Similiar to this blog, it is one of the greatest spots out there on the internet.  Pinterest is a virtual pinboard.  You "pin" any online image to your board and you can share it with others or just keep a catalogue for yourself.  You can follow other boards or people that inspire you. I find it super helpful to store all of my wedding, decorating, styling, and traveling ideas in one place. You name it, people have pinned it. A little info to get started: you need to request an invite from Pinterest or know someone who is already on it that can send you an invite. What are you waiting for?

Get "Pinning"!!!!!!!!!

.ray.

Labor Day

We went to the lake house for the Labor Day weekend with Scottie and Cayce, oh, and let's not forget Kaya. We had quite the weekend of boating, board games, and dogs. Kaya and Charlie became fast friends, and maybe best friends forever by now.

EVERYONE was exhausted from the weekend.

HAPPY LABOR DAY!

Oh yeah, I did manage to explore the Goodwill in Huntingdon.

Footstool turned plant stand, $3.00

.ray.