Guest Book Bench?

Hi!

Have you ever wanted to do something different than just a guest book? 

There's homemade Scrapbooks and Photo Booth Scrapbooks, quilt squares for a quilts,  finger print tree posters, mat boards around the engagement photographs but did you ever think of a park bench?

Susan did on May 19th. 

She was lucky! Her fiance, Travis, has a Father, Steve Moore,  who is an amazing artist  - woodworker. He had made the bench for their new home and Susan thought it would be fun if the guests signed it!

  Since her theme was all about birds and nature with the vintage feel tossed in,  Susan decided on a card display for the guest's seating. She solicited  his help once more in making a frame out of real branches. 

He attached wire and we attached the cards Susan had made with decorated clothes pins!

This wonderful display of the seating cards and the park bench was a huge hit!

 Birds were added to the branches and as the guests took their card, we replaced it with a picture of them.

 Even the clothes pins were adorned with flowers!

 The park bench sat just adjacent to the frame for easy access. Brown "Sharpie" pens were available for the signing! It was so comfy, some guests forgot that they needed to sign before they sat!

The guests were creative in their signing since there was so much room to write and draw! 

A little varnish and this bench will be enjoyed for years to come! What a great idea!!! 

Congratulations Susan and Travis Moore!!!

Do you need extra encouragement to bring your ideas to fruition? 

I'm here for you!

Smiles,

Michelle Gregory

the Jones Victorian Estate 

Aprons Displayed in a New Way and Remembering the Old Way!

Hi!

I received this lovely email from Mary, the Mother of the Bride, about the history of aprons and I just had to post it for all to read.

Here at the Jones Victorian Estate, we remember and honor the past with special displays of such items like the Apron!

So, in honor of the wonderful Mothers and Grandmothers that used Aprons, let's remember just how special they are . 

Here, we decorated the cake table with vintage aprons and filled the pockets with flowers! It was a vintage touch that made everyone smile with surprise!!

An old apron is not only an intricate part of our history, but it's make for a gorgeous display. This knitted apron was ready for the Bride's  cake cutting!

Erica found a polka dot apron that went with her theme and was absolutely adorable for the cake and dessert cutting!

Shantel found one for her and one for her Groom, Aron! They both wore aprons but used them for the money dance!! The great part about aprons are their deep and large pockets!

I love our aprons and now it's so much fun using them in new creative ways!!

Enjoy!

Michelle Gregory

the Jones Victorian Estate

The History of 'APRONS'

I don't think our kids 
know what an apron is. The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath because she only had a few. It was also because it was easier to wash aprons than dresses, and aprons used less material. But along with that, it served as a potholder for removing 
hot pans from the oven.
It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.

From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.

When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids.

And when the weather was cold, Grandma wrapped it around her arms.

Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, 
bent over the hot wood stove.

Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.

From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. 
After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls.

In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.

When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.

When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron and the men folk knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.
It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that 'old-time apron' that served so many purposes.

Send this to those who would know (and love) the story about Grandma's aprons.
REMEMBER:

Grandma used to set her hot baked apple pies on the window sill to cool. Her granddaughters set theirs on the window sill to thaw.
They would go crazy now trying to figure out how many germs were on that apron.
I don't think I ever caught anything from an apron - but love.

Real Vintage Jewelry at its Best!

Hi!

Are you looking for vintage jewelry for you or your Bridesmaids? Or, how about a Christmas gift? 

I found just the source!!

Ocean Eyz Jewelry and Design, Kymmberly Arbiso: 

Contact info: barky16@hotmail.com ph (714)343-6050

Kymmberly, the owner, has been a vintage jeweler for over 17 years and has a huge variety to choose from. If she doesn't have what you are looking for, it's no problem. She'll customize the jewelry to you! She can add different stones to any piece or add a "drop" when there wasn't one.  

What's your dream? Do you need help? Kymmie is the one to call. 

Here, Rachell found this gorgeous broach and Kymmie added the "bling" for a sensation accent to her wedding gown. The earrings? Yes, Kymmie found these vintage pearls and created  beautiful earrings just for her!! Rachell's bridesmaid's colors were yellow so Kymmie made necklaces and earrings to match!

What can she do for you? "I deal in Antique, vintage jewelry. I also make jewelry for weddings & special occasions! I like to use vintage parts, to make similar to original or all different! I have many designers name items & parts, from pre turn of century to 60’s!  Ex:  Haskell, Weiss, Kramer, Boucher, Trifari and many names you might not know? Periods from Georgian, Victorian, Deco, Art Nouveau, Retro, studio to date!

I can take pieces by changing out rhinestones to add QZs, Swarski’s, real Pearls, stones, diamonds & such. Or keep it original, if you like it! "

Christina went to Kymmie for her Bridesmaid's gifts. Together, they created this wonderful vintage necklace! She found them and they were slightly different for all five ladies. They loved them!!  Each Bridesmaid received a gift bag from the Bride.  In each bag, they found  a  black vintage clutch purse  with the vintage necklace inside!! Brilliant!!

 Erica was looking for something delicate to go with her Organza Wedding Gown. Kymmie made the
pearl earrings, necklace and bracelet - all from vintage settings!! She also made the jewelry for the Bridesmaids; pink drop earrings and bracelets!!

Here I am with my vintage pink tourmaline necklace! I created the necklace by flipping one into the other! It can be longer or shorter, it was so much fun! - no clasps or hooks! It was just the perfect vintage accent I wanted  for my gown! Thank you Kymmie!!

So, if you are really into the Vintage craze, don't forget to accessorize! Kymmberly of Ocean Eyz Jewelry and Design is there to help!!

I hope you have a fabulous holiday season and a Happy New Year!

Love,

Michelle Gregory

Stylist and Coordinator

Hillary is Stylemepretty!

Hi!

Hillary just let me know that her photos were choosen for the stylemepretty blog! We had a blast planning her wedding with all her special vintage touches. I added old buttons to ribbons and other special touches, her Dad made a wonderful moon-stool for the backdrop of the photos, her Mom made the beautiful cake topper and Hillary's vision all came together!

I love vintage and the touch of home arts!!!

Please see the post at:http://www.stylemepretty.com/california-weddings/2011/11/18/jones-victorian-estate-wedding-david-nget-photography-naumann-studios/

Smiles,

Michelle Gregory