Old Beautiful Quilts... They are not just for warmth anymore!

Hi!

Are you planning a wedding with a homegrown or vintage design theme? 

Have you given it any thought? 

If you are or have, I have a suggestion for you. 

Quilts!

In my mind, it conjures up rich texture, color with dimension, love that's real  and warmth of history all  mixed together into a beautiful package.

So, how would you use these precious love gifts?

Here are a few....

A table overlay!

A special linen for the sweets or cake table!

They may be used for those rumbustious flower girls and ring bearers!

                 I added a few snacks and toys to the quilt and these children were in heaven!

A welcome quilt that proudly displays the love for the day!

                                    Here, I mixed textures with the table linens and it was a big hit!

Quilts are a lovely way to add color and texture to the overall theme without a huge expense. 

They can be a special wall hanging behind the cake table or how about an overlay for the gift table or bridal table! 

Here, the guests signed quilt squares instead of a guest book! So, whether the quilts are for decoration or practical usage, they are a wonderful element to add to any wedding.

Let's have fun!
Smiles,
Michelle Gregory
the Jones Victorian Estate

Vanity Mirrors!

Hi!

Do you enjoy the romance and delicacy of anything vintage? 

How about Vanity Mirrors? 

They are very reasonably priced, from $5.00 to $30.00! They can be found a your local thrift store, flea market, antique store or antique swap meet. They are all unique and a beautiful piece to start with.

Kelly and her friend loved the look of the vanity mirrors and she decided to incorporate them in her wedding. This is how an idea starts!

What do you love?

She had a blast finding all sorts of different vanity mirrors. We then teamed them up with a vintage frame, some old and new bottles and lace doilies. I have an abundance of dried lavender so we made little bouquets for each mirror.

Here is the happy Kelly  with all the trays, frames with chalk boards and bottles for each arrangement.

From there, she had the table numbers professional "chalked," and we added flowers to the vases.

I have never liked the back of table number frames! So, I came up with an idea to add a card the size of the frame that detailed Kelly's bridal party and some fun facts about them. In that way,   no matter where a guest sits, it looks good and finished!!

The little lavender bouquet was just what Kelly wanted... a delicate addition.

The flowers were simple but elegant and each table hosted an assortment vintage bottles.

I love the combination of three vases; small, medium and tall, and a mix of color too!

Since her colors were green and light lavender, the green bottles just added to the fun of the overall design!

Here's Kelly and her girls!

This very vintage and unique centerpiece was a huge hit that everyone enjoyed.

In fact, all the ladies wanted to take the trays home!

What do you think? The mirrors are a beautiful base for any centerpiece. The delicate metal designs and the shape of the trays make them a great starter piece!

You can add your own touches and make it completely different!!

Do you need some help with designing? 

Let's have some fun!!

Love,

Michelle Gregory

the Jones Victorian Estate

Hand Tinted Photographs for a Real Vintage Look!

Hi!

So, if you're working on your "vintage" look, I'd like you to consider this really easy and fun project.

Hand Tinting!

Years ago, I used paint the photographs to achieve the hand tinting look I wanted.

Today, it's really easy, cleaner and a lot more fun. Let me explain...

First, download a variety of  photographs and change the "effects" to Black and White.

Print the size you need for your frame; i.e. 5 X 7 or 4 X 6 or any size (I used 4 X 6) and print them on plain ole' copy paper. 

Let the Photograph Dry Completely!

Using colored pencils of your choice, start adding the color to the details of the image!

I use a slightly heavy hand with the colored pencils.  I then go back with a clean eraser and"blot" the color to blend and soften. 

In this first photograph, I accented the window frame. 

In the second, I added color to Allison's floral dress and lips!!!!

Remember, hand tinting is generally not for the entire photograph but rather for special touches.

 A before and after shot of the photograph!

These photographs will be added to the floral centerpiece.... check out what I'm doing below!

This is amazing, if I may say so myself. What's here?

A double-decker, wooden silverware box, lace, silver candy dish, small silver accent pieces,  silver single candelabra and a fun glass bottle table number. 

BUT, I opened the drawer... added flowers and a photograph of Brandi and Josh (my past Bride and Groom) that I used as a sample of this way-cool centerpiece!!!

Brandi, I kept my gift favor! :)

It's multi-dimensional and multi-colored and just plain beautiful!

And it's just the sample mock up!!

Thank you Flower Allie for the beautiful flowers!!!

Hand tinting! Who knew?

Smiles,

Michelle Gregory

the Jones Victorian Estate

Happy Valentine's Day!!

HI!

In the lovely spirit of Valentine's day, I thought I'd make something different.... I made this Heart out of old corks! Each cork was tinted naturally by the wine in which it protected. It was so much fun sorting the different colors, from burgundy to pink, as well as the crest or logos from the wineries. I selected the logos that resembled hearts in their  design for an added touch.

Just for the record, I didn't drink all these bottles of wine. I have to admit, the parties at the Jones Victorian Estate are spectacular and filled with love.

So, on this special day for lovers, friends and family, I wish you all a happy Valentine's day.
Love,
Michelle Gregory
Stylist and Coordinator

p.s. The heart will be added to our wine cellar!

the Jones Victorian Estate