Archives for October 2014

Wedding Cake Idea: Beautiful Brooch Accents!

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Mother of the Bride, here’s a gorgeous wedding cake idea that uses an unusual accent—brooches! A couple of weeks ago I showed you some dazzling examples of brooch bouquets, so why not carry that dazzle factor on over to the wedding cake?

Brooches could be used in a variety of ways on a wedding cake, but one simple way—as shown in the photo above—uses two beautiful matching brooches well-positioned on bows made of ribbon. What perfect accents those brooches and bows make. So elegant!

Also think of the possible uses for the brooches after the cake is cut and the guests are served. The bride and groom might want to give them to you and the mother of the groom as a special memento of the day (fun!), or the newlyweds could use them in several different ways as decorative accents in floral arrangements or other décor in their home. Think of all the potential ideas—and they’d each one carry the treasured memory of their wedding day.

So, MOB, see what your daughter thinks of brooch accents for the cake and then have fun brainstorming all the possibilities. Whatever you decide will shine, right?!

*You might also like to read Wedding Cake Trend: Multiple Mini Cakes, Wedding Cake Idea: The Drape Effect, and New Wedding Cake Trend: The Ombre Cake.

*Flickr photo by the-icing-on-the-cake, Creative Commons License

*The Life Notes Subscriber Appreciation Giveaway is underway. Details are in my Oct. 16 post on my home page and sign-up is to the right under “Free For You.” Deadline is 6 p.m. Nov. 12. Don’t miss out on the chance to win a $25 gift card to Barnes & Noble!

Bridal Photo Idea: Down the Aisle From Above

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Mother of the Bride, are you looking for some great photo ideas for your daughter’s bridal portrait session? The greater variety of shots the photographer takes, the better the chances are of getting the dynamite photos you’re hoping for. Of course, the photographer will have lots of great ideas, but if you and your daughter can add to the list, so much the better, right?

How about trying a down the aisle shot but taken from above? If the photographer has a way to stand somewhere above the bride, this angle produces an especially striking photo of the bridal gown in all its glory.

This shot can be captured if your daughter’s bridal portrait session is held at the church, but it can also be taken the day of the wedding before the guests arrive.

Similar from above shots could be taken in other locales, too. You wouldn’t get the down the aisle effect, but the photographer could still capture the beauty of the gown from this angle in a number of other gorgeous venues.

Just be ready to fluff the gown, MOB—and then watch the beauty unfold!

*You might also like to read Bridal Portrait Idea: Windows Plus Great Light, Bridal Portrait Idea: Fun with Sunglasses, Bridal Portrait Idea: A Mirror Shot, and Bridal Portrait Idea: Watching for the Groom.

*The Life Notes Subscriber Appreciation Giveaway is underway. Details are in my Oct. 16 post on my home page and sign-up is to the right under “Free For You.” Deadline is 6 p.m. Nov. 12. Don’t miss out on the chance to win a $25 gift card to Barnes & Noble!

*Flickr photo by thelivingdead531, Creative Commons License

God’s Calling Card

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God’s Calling Card

In the midst of a yard
littered with leaves,
leaves dying and drying
becoming brown crackles,
God leaves his calling card
in a splash of color
a red reminder that says
“I am here, I am still with you,
I am not finished.”
For the winter to come
holds beauty and blessings
purpose and plans
always shining a beacon of hope
for the coming new life of spring.

And in the midst of a life
overrun with cares,
drowning in heartache and stress
struggling to stay afloat,
God leaves his calling card
in a blessing unexpected
a radiant reminder that says
“I am here, I am still with you,
I am not finished.”
For the crucible of pain
holds comfort and lessons
purpose and plans
glimmering with undying hope
for the blessing that’s on the way.

God is faithful
God can be trusted.
So in the meantime
let’s watch for his calling card,
his precious reminder
of love and hope.

“‘I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.’” John 14:18 KJV

*When has God left you a calling card?

*My photo from last year. The leaves have just started to change in our area this season. Here’s hoping for gorgeous trees soon!

*The Life Notes Subscriber Appreciation Giveaway is underway. Details are in my Oct. 16 post and sign-up is to the right under “Free For You.” Deadline is 6 p.m. Nov. 12. Don’t miss out on the chance to win a $25 gift card to Barnes & Noble!

Annual Life Notes Subscriber Appreciation Giveaway!

4392247067_d1e4b21397_zHave you subscribed to Life Notes, my free quarterly inspirational newsletter, yet? If so, you’re in luck. Why? Because it’s time for my annual Life Notes Subscriber Appreciation Giveaway! If you haven’t subscribed yet, you can join the lucky bunch right now. Just sign up for Life Notes on the right sidebar of my site under “Free For You.”

One lucky subscriber will be awarded a $25 gift card to Barnes & Noble in mid-November—the perfect time to give a gift of thanks. And, of course, I’ve got to admit I’m hoping the giveaway will be a good way to grow my subscriber list, too!

Here’s how the giveaway will work. All those who are currently subscribed to Life Notes will automatically be entered in the giveaway, and any new subscriber who signs up by 6 p.m. (CST) Nov. 12 will be entered as well. Sign up is to the right on the blog sidebar—and yes, it’s free! You don’t even have to leave a comment on this post. Just make sure you’re signed up for the newsletter. I will announce the winner in my November 13 Midweek Morsel post.

So have you all joined the lucky bunch of Life Notes subscribers now? My heart’s desire is that it will be a blessing to each one who reads it—and I hope that includes you!

“Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants. I will proclaim the name of the LORD. Oh praise the greatness of our God!” Deuteronomy 32:2-3

*I’m thankful for each and every Life Notes subscriber. Who are you thankful for today?

*Flickr photo by kissyface, Creative Commons License

Guest Book Idea: A Guest Tree

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Some brides like to skip the traditional guest book and do something with a little more flair. If your daughter falls into that group, Mother of the Bride, today’s post offers one alternative.

Instead of a standard guest book, how about a guest tree? Each guest signs a leaf on the tree, and when the wedding is over, the bride and groom have a keepsake record ready to hang on the wall, a continual reminder of all who joined them for their special day.

Your daughter and her groom can make the guest tree uniquely theirs in a variety of ways. The main design, the style of print, the wording, the colors, the frame, and what the guests sign with will all work together to make their guest tree one of a kind. They might want to incorporate the colors of their wedding, or they might prefer to color coordinate with the room they plan to hang it in. It’s all up to them.

If you think a guest tree might appeal to your special couple, MOB, suggest away. It might be just what they’re looking for—not only as a precious keepsake but as a visible way to symbolize a growing marriage as well!

*You might also like to read Wedding Guest Book Ideas.

*My annual Life Notes Subscriber Appreciation Giveaway is now underway. All subscribers, new and old, will be included in the draw for a $25 gift card to Barnes & Noble. Sign-up is to the right under “Free For You.” See my home page for details!

*Flickr photo by KristaCarolynG, Creative Commons License