Happy Anniversary, Mr. Bean!!!

You know I love you more than my craft room.....right? :)

A Tisket, A Tasket. Another Chai Pani Gift Basket.

Edit:  I've added the photographer's pics of the baskets at the end of this post.  Love. :)  Photo credits go to Rachel Kabukala Photography.  

One of my closest friends is getting married. And I couldn't be happier.  Ever since I met her in 2003, I've been dreaming of her wedding.  It was pretty much a given when she found The One that I'd be helping her plan her wedding.  And so far, I've enjoyed every minute of it.

For her chai pani (engagement), she asked me to decorate the gifts and basket she would be giving her fiance.  The color scheme for the event was lime green, royal blue, and cream.  She wanted me to keep everything masculine (i.e. no ribbon). She loved the basket I chose for her (future) sister-in-law at her brother's chai pani.  And she loves peacock feathers so she wanted me to include peacock feathers like the basket I made for her (future) sister-in-law at her brother's chandlo. So, the big decision was what to do next.

Hobby Lobby came to my rescue.  As usual.  When I went to look for ideas on what to do, I purposely avoided the ribbon aisle so I could think outside of the box, but the Christmas ribbon aisle called me.  And when the Christmas ribbon aisle calls you, my friends, you must answer.  Because it always means something good.  And guess what?  I found some ribbon that matched her sari perfectly.  So even though I was instructed not to use ribbon, I bought 4 rolls.  I secretly wanted to hoard this ribbon, but it matched her sari so perfectly, it seemed rude of me not to share it's awesomeness with the world Jackson, Mississippi.  It was my duty to use it and let it be seen. So I made a decision to use it.

I also bought some gold rope that I thought seemed masculine.  Then, I pre-cut what I could and packed up my carry-on - oh yes, my friends, I am a traveling craft room - and hoped that I had everything I needed.  You wouldn't believe how much attention I attracted at the airport with my peacock feathers sticking out of my bag.  Too funny. 

I never like to put anyone out with my craziness, so usually when people offer to help, I almost always decline.  Especially because I never really know what I want to do until I sit down and stare at it for 4 hours.  This time I knew I was in over my head so I accepted some help.  Ashley, Asmini, and Swati pretty much saved my life.  They were very patient with me as I decided what I wanted to do and made me feel confident in my choices.  They actually put everything together for me while I worked on the basket, so I cannot take credit for how lovely they all looked.  All I had to do was snip ribbon.  You don't know how grateful I am for their help. 

Here are the baskets on the day of the ceremony just before their debut.  The photographer took lots of good pics of them.  I did not.  Ha. 

Here is my friend holding one of the gifts.  Look how perfectly everything coordinated!!  I'm telling you, when the Christmas ribbon aisle calls you, you must answer! Oh, and she loved the ribbon. :) 

Here is the basket.  I kept it very simple.  I couldn't resist the blinged out peacock feather I found on the same aisle as the Christmas ribbon.  And, as I was walking to check out, I saw some 4" gold letters and snatched up a "D" - the groom's first initial.  If you've ever been to my house, you know I'm a big fan of initials.  And even though I wasn't sure if my friend would go for it, I bought it anyway.  I love those last minute things you pick up.  No matter how well thought out my creative plan is, the last minute purchases always seem to be the best.  Love when that happens. 

Here are all the gifts in action - including her gift basket from the groom's side of the family.  It is always a cool feeling to see the things I create in action.  :")  Well, in this case, it was the things Ashley, Asmini and Swati created.  Ha.  Thanks, Ladies!  You don't know how relieved I felt when everything was done. 

My friend Anita jokingly calls me the Basket Whisperer now that I've had my fair share of decorated baskets under my belt.  This is just one more set to add to my repertoire.  :)

I have a couple of things I am working on but I am not sure I will have time to post it before I head out on my trip.  But, you never know.  When my craft room calls, I always answer.... (I'm think going to just keep recycling that phrase....)

{Me adjusting the bows :)}

November Obsessions

It's November!!  And I'm less than three weeks away from my crazy shopping trip to India. I.Can't.Wait. I am freaking out just a little bit because it is starting to hit me that this will be the longest I've ever been away from Mr. Bean and Freddie.  I haven't ever left him for more than a weekend.  But, I am pretty sure that the three weeks will fly by quicker than I'd want.....we have a lot to get done there! Anyway, here are my obsessions for November!!

{image via the Purl Bee}

Echo! Lotta Jansdotter's new fabric line.  I became obsessed with Lotta Jansdotter last year when I happened upon a book of her stencils.  A friend bought me that book of stencils for Christmas without knowing how much I loved it and I've been coveting it ever since.  I love her clean, simple designs.  I kind of want to stencil my entire house with those.  And she just seems like she's cool.  Like she was probably always the cool kid at school.  Like myself. Hehe. When the Purl Bee announced the launch of LJ's new fabric line, my jaw literally dropped.  So.In.Love.  

{image via iTunes}

Fuzzle.  Best game ever.  I am known to get obsessed with games here and there.  Lately, this game has been occupying all my free time lately.  I wake up and play a game. I play just before I go to sleep. I play during lunch. While I am microwaving my lunch.  While I am cooking.  I play anytime I have at least one hand free.  It is so addicting.

{image via Bravo}

Mad Fashion with Chris March.   Yep, another Bravo TV show that I can't get enough of.  I was a fan of Chris March when he was a contestant on Project Runway season 4.  Not just because of his crazy designs, but because he was so funny.  His show is just a fun show to watch.  As expected.

{image via Amazon}

Modern Minimal: 20 Bold and Graphic Quilts by Alissa Haight Carlton.   I happened upon Alissa's blog a little while ago. Lately, I've been wanting to sew a quilt, but not a traditional one.  Her book Modern Minimal is not out yet, but it gets me so excited.  Now I just need to figure out when I can get started.  :)

That's it for November!  I've got a post to share with you that I hope to put up soon!  Until then, I've got to get packing!