It’s All About the Cake

We are back from our vacation and let me just say we had an absolutely wonderful time. We always enjoy our trips to Michigan's Upper Peninsula. We travel to our cabin way on the western end of the UP each year where we thoroughly enjoy the splendor of God's creation of nature. If you have never been to the UP, and you really enjoy the outdoors and pristine wilderness and natural attractions, then the UP is the place to go. The western end of the UP has the Porcupine Mountains with numerous hiking trails and waterfalls to explore. Life seems so relaxed there and wherever you go to eat, you meal is always piping hot and homemade.

We planned our trip this year around my cousin's wedding. I have only 2 cousins and they are siblings. My extended family is very small so I cherish my Aunt, Uncle and cousins.

Gavin and Sara's wedding was just beautiful and was held outdoors at Presque Isle Park on a beautiful warm, almost fall like day in Marquette. My cousin Rachel (Gavin's sister) and her husband Sean got to show off their new baby Allison which was another highlight of our trip that we couldn't wait for. What a wonderful day. (Feeling the warm fuzzies?)

I'm going on about the wedding because I was honored by my cousin and his lovely bride, Sara when they asked me to make their guest book. When they first asked me I planned on doing all the inside pages using digital elements and hand making the cover. When I didn't like the outcome of the digital pages, I decided to hand make all the pages (well, most of them anyway). The only thing is the decision to make the pages by hand came the day before we were leaving.(very typical of me) So, I packed a crate full of items I thought I might need and prayed my husband wouldn't be too put out by the work I needed to do. He was put out just a little bit because we had to run the generator to light the cabin at night so I could work. We don't usually use the generator cause we're usually too whipped from our daily excursions to really need the light. We usually just need our beds. I suppose if that is the worst of it, then it really wasn't too bad for him. (Sorry sweetie ). I worked into the wee hours and finally finished the book the day of the wedding! They don't call me Last Minute Lulu for anything. I work better under pressure anyway. I'm so pleased with how the book came out and I luckily was able to snap some pictures of it during the reception so that I can share with you.

Here is a list of items I used to make the cover:

Paper: Soft Sky DSP (retired), whisper white, Gray designer paper(unknown source)

Ink: Whisper White craft, Basic Grey, Soft Sky

Stamps: Brocade Basics (Stampin Up!)

Accessories: Computer for title – font is English found at dafont.com, Spellbinders scallop and petite oval nestabilities, Stampin' Up! pretties kit (flower and rhinestone), bashful blue taffeta ribbon from Stampin' Up! and the new scallop edge punch from Stampin' Up!, Crop-A-Dile and the cover is the Stampin' Up! 9 x 9 on board book basics.

I hope you like it. I will post some more pages from it next time.

Here is a picture of my dancing children and my niece. They had a blast at the wedding.

Just before the ceremony I told Nolan that even though this is outside, he had to pretend like he was in church, to be quiet and behave himself or he wouldn't get any cake.

After sitting there so quietly, watching all the people get teary eyed during the reading of the Velveteen Rabbit and then greeting the family in the reception line what does he ask me? "

"Can We Have Cake Now?"

Wait, there's more…

While taking a break from dancing at the reception, Nolan asked me

"Mom, are all weddings like this?"

Me: "Do you mean are they all fun with dancing and great food?"

Nolan: "Yeah"

I chuckled

"Did you think it was going to be boring with old people music?"

"Yeah"

"I told you that Gavin said the DJ would play the Hamster Dance for you kids. Did you think that would be the only fun song played?"

"Yeah" (with a sheepish smile).

"So if we are invited to another wedding, you won't be all mopey about going?"

"Nope! Weddings are fun! Will there be cake at other weddings too?"

Bless the hearts and minds of children. He then ran back to the floor to boogie some more. The little party animal was all over the dance floor turning cartwheels and handstands and enjoying rockin' out to Bon Jovi and more! My sweet daughter, Sophie and my niece were also dancin' fools and so sweet when they took the hands of some 3year old twins and danced with them. I am so blessed with wonderful and amusing children.

Thanks for stopping by and listening to my ramblings!