Summer Splash Crochet

So, not to trump my post about my AMAZING wedding but I must share this blanket I just completed!

I call it: "Summer Splash/Flower Power" a long name for an intricate piece. This blanket started as a couple different things before it actually became a blanket. Initially it was going to be a table runner, and then a blanket completely of flower squares, and finally evolved into this beauty! 

I finally decided on a design idea and went with it. This blanket is comprised of multi-color granny squares with varying square patterns. I used triple crochets and DC. The flower squares were from a pattern I found on pinterest, they are very good just make sure you read them carefully. Here is the pattern link: http://beacrafter.com/crochet-wild-daisy-granny-square/

I modified this pattern to match the size of my sunflower squares.

http://beacrafter.com/crochet-sunflower-granny-square/

That is the link for the sunflower square- make sure you read it carefully.

After making tons of flower squares I was ready to begin the granny squares. I just used colors I already had from previous projects, I did not buy any specific colors for this project except the flower square colors, the rest I had just happened to have. It was fun coming up with color combinations and patterns. 

Once I had my squares I arranged them in some order, alternating flower squares and color block squares. I ended up with the featured pattern above! Next task was putting them together.....

It is always interesting when joining squares... there are so many methods to choose from. I ended up using a new method I discovered on pinterest, it allowed you to continuously join squares in rows. This was a very convenient method! 

Here is the link: http://fantasticmio.com/2013/07/25/continuous-join-as-you-go-tutorial/

I love this method!!!

Here is the beginning of my join:

 

From this point you just go row by row until you have joined all your squares together, I think crocheted around my whole piece to begin the rest of my blanket. The next part of this blanket was inspired by yet another pinterest post about a Granny Square blanket, a continuous project.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/167759154845669512/

From there I just began adding colors and varying between 3DC cluster shell and a variation on that which actually looks like a shell with a gap in it... I'm not sure what it's actually called. It is very pretty though! When working in a continuous square... it takes forever it seems to get around to where you began to start a new row. I was glad to finish this one up.

This was the majority of my squares joined before beginning my border.

This blanket was a lot of fun to make and definitely is a nice and colorful addition! A super fun, and creative project.

A Dream Wedding...

So we got married......

It was a warm June afternoon and the weather was perfect, my Mr. Right and I said "I do". After three years of dating and being engaged we finally tied the knot.

 We got married in a little gem called the JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh. It is a beautiful location with numerous gardens, all different themes and most available for rent! Here is the link to their website so you can check it out yourself!

http://jcra.ncsu.edu/

These gardens are part of NC state's campus and are definitely a must see! We had such wonderful weather and everything was perfect. We got some great candid photos from friends and family who had their phones with them. Our ceremony was just perfect, full of humor and sincerity; a perfect combination. We had AMAZING photographers for our wedding and for my bridal shots. They were so professional and went above and beyond our expectations! I highly recommend them if you need any kind of photos made! The photographers name is Christi, here is a link to her website: http://christiannphotography.blogspot.com/

Christi was absolutely phenomenal, she is highly rated on wedding wire and is definitely the best package for your money, plus she is a very talented and sweet lady! Speaking Christi, she found the perfect location for my bridal portraits! It is a new venue in Holly Springs, NC called the Leslie-Alford Mims House. If vintage/classic is your thing, this is your place! It is a BEAUTIFUL old house that has been restored and re-opened as a bridal/wedding venue. Each room in the house has it's own theme and is beautifully decorated, it's like a trip back in time. Here is a link to their page: http://www.mimshousenc.com/

If you are in the area, you must pay a visit to this beautiful place!

We got our cake from Cup cake Bite in Fuquay and our flowers from Broad Street flowers, here are their links:

http://www.cupcakebite.com/

http://www.flowersonbroadstreet.com/

They did wonderful work with the cake (pictured above) and the bouquets and boutonnieres were just beautiful!! They totally fit with our vintage theme!

 Local businesses are the way to go! 

I believe we stayed in a reasonable 10,000 ish range, probably more but it was so worth it! We saved money by buying some things in bulk from BJ's Members Warehouse such as, dishes, napkins, utensils, and even the guest cake for $35.00!! What a steal! We also hand made a lot of decorations, I made ceiling decorations using hemp string and modge podge, creating hollow orbs. We also hung table cloths from the dollar store to create the hung-fabric effect on the ceiling. IT was beautiful. The Dollar Tree is the place to be for weddings. BEFORE YOU BUY go to the tree, they probably have it. We bought all our vases there and they were beautiful! 

You don't have to spend a million dollars to have a million dollar wedding.

The beauty is within!