Shaken, Not Stirred

A simple shower gift of a cocktail shaker from a bridal registry, dressed up!  The bride and groom are planning a nautical wedding this summer at the Maine Maritime Museum.  Post wedding, the happy newly weds can kick back in their new home with a couple of cocktails - shaken, not stirred!

For the bride-to-be these days, it is all about wedding planning, but once the wedding is over, she can focus on enjoying a little downtime with her new husband.  With this gift they can shake things up anytime!













The custom laminated recipe book I made includes my photos and my husband Chris' formulas for fiercely delicious bar creations like a lemon drop, a margarita served up, and Chris' favorite - a perfect Manhattan. This was a fun project as after each photo shoot, we had a drink or two each night to enjoy over the course of a few days.  As my Mama liked to say, is it bull-bat time?  Cheers to the happy couple!

Airline Ticket Gift Card

My project today:  designing an airline ticket gift card that incorporates the live oak that is so prevalent in Savannah!  My sister had asked me to help her friend Christine who generously is giving her Auntie a flight to Savannah for her 40th birthday. Hopefully her Auntie is pleased with both the card and the gift!

Labels Convey Cohesive Themes

Labels are a great way to add a cohesive look and feel to your event, and as a nice bonus, guests aren't left to question the hospitality.   In addition, guests will notice how everything about the party is thoughtfully orchestrated with a singular theme.  Isn't it is the little details that very often make the biggest impression.  I use stickers, laminated pieces, clothespins, toothpicks, magnets, and textured string to mount labels depending on the label's purpose and location.  Here are some examples from Finn's Baptism Brunch.

Finn's Baptism Brunch Details

Here are some photo details from Finn's Baptism Brunch, starting off with the details I added to make the party more meaningful, such as the history of the gown, heirloom photos, and the guest book.

Finn's Baptism Brunch

They way I view a Baptism is that it is a welcoming and blessing of a new child, and most of all a celebration of the child. Finn came to us as a surprise, born one week early on the first full day of spring, which inspired the party theme color of spring green. I wanted his Baptism party to reflect the level of appreciation we have for him coming into our lives. I also saw this as an opportunity to practice my recent foray into branding and photography. I tried to form a cohesive event that was full of details that made the event more meaningful to everyone. Little details include asking guests to bring a baby picture of their own to share on a heirloom photo board, a unique guest book where guests were asked to share life advice for Finn, and a bit of history on the Baptism gown Finn wore that day. We also borrowed a recipe from Finn's Great Great Grandmother Johnson for the heirloom chocolate cupcakes, all 50 of which were made by Finn's grandmother Bene. We served Robinhood Meeting House biscuits, which were served at our own wedding. Favors were Fannie Mae Mint Meltaways, a childhood favorite treat of mine. Even more exciting was a gift Finn received that day: a quilt made by my good friend and his new godmother, Kelly, with an f design that coincidentally matched the party theme. The f design stemmed from the f in a circle on his birth announcement which I designed as well. Lots of pictures and details to come!