My New Toy

I have a new addiction.  I recently got a Silhouette Cameo and I LOVE IT.  I have been spending WAY too much time looking through the Silhouette Online store as well as figuring out how to make my own designs with the Silhouette studio program.  My sister has a Cricut and Sir Cuts a Lot, so I some idea how to work the program since the two programs are very similar.

I ordered my vinyl from Expressions Vinyl.  It was inexpensive and had a quick delivery time.  It is so much cheaper than buying it at Hobby Lobby, especially since you can't usually use the 40% off coupons for Cricut products, which all their vinyl happens to be.  Bummer.  

I went a little crazy on Pinterest making my inspiration board.  Here are some of the things that I'm sure I will be making in the next few weeks.  

from here

 from here

 from here- this woman's excitement when it works makes this worth reading

 from here

I have already made a few things too!  The bottles are part of my end of the year gift for my students.  I love the way they turned out.  These boxes add a little bit of organization to my closet.  I need all the help I can get!

These are just a few of the many projects in the works.  Vinyl is not the easiest to work with and takes some getting used to.  The best trick I have learned so far is to use contact paper as the transfer paper.  I tried using painters tape first, but it was too sticky and made it very difficult to get it where it needs to go.  I can't wait to show you all of the things I create with it!  

Bachelorette parties galore

My two best friends in the whole world are both getting married next month!!  So I have been in charge of some serious bachloretting.  I got to host J's party here in Nashville which was so much fun!  I took them to some of my favorite places and got to try some new places out!  

I can no longer say that I have never been to a drag show!  We went to a charity show at a local bar.  We were all a little nervous.  None of us had ever been to anything like this before.  We ended up having a great time.  The dancers were so beautiful and made us feel like we need to try a little harder...  I mean check Ms. Chaquita Banana out right here!  

I can't remember this friend's name, but she and J were instant besties.  

Of course, I made decorations, (Thanks for your help D!)

This group shot took 6 minds and about 30 minutes to take.  iPhone pics FTW!

 One of the very talented bridesmaids painted these for everyone.  I mean, come on, how cute are they!

The tradish lingerie shower happened of course!

We finished the weekend out with some Monell's.  It was delicious as usual and we all rolled out and to our respective cities.

Next up was C's!  We met in Atlanta for this one!  It was so nice and relaxing and wonderful!  One of the bridesmaids had pity on me and planned the whole thing.  I am forever indepted to her.  She did such an amazing job!  We met at the hotel on Friday night and headed to dinner at JCT Kitchen.  It was so beautiful!

Saturday morning we went to brunch at Rise and Dine near Emory.  C's "Bride to be" glasses were a hit!  

 Since the valet at the hotel lost the keys to one of the girls' cars (who knew that ever happened!), we decided to have the bridesmaids move all cars to C's apartment complex while K and I set up for the shower.

Her face was very serious when she was opening her gifts so this is her response to me saying "Act like you are having fun!"

Since the new thing at bachelorette parties is crossing things off your bucket list, we took a pole dancing class at Dance 411.

Maybe some of us had to use their inhalers before we started....

Here is our bride ready to do it!  That's our instructor Kitty Purry in the background with the shoes!

 It was nearly as scary as we were expecting and we were all pros by the time we left 65 minutes later!

Next up, WEDDING WEEKENDS!