Invitations by Robin

Last Saturday was like Christmas all over again.

I received notice that a package had arrived for me at the post office. My daddy ordered me some new shoes, but it seemed too soon for them to arrive. The mail man handed me a package that was much too small and thin to be shoes, and I started at the Vermont return address puzzled...then the wrinkles on my forehead turned into an exclamation of joy!

Mike's mother has offered to DIY our wedding invitations, and the package I found myself clutching tightly while skipping back to my dorm held the samples. I spread them all over my bed as my roommate and I gawked over the delicate flowers, and gorgeous colors of the paper. The textures were amazing and Mike and I had a very difficult time picking out "the one."

Mrs.Girr did an amazing job with all of the invitations. They fit out theme perfectly and looked gorgeous. In the end, Mike and I decided on this long/thin invitation. The invitation part itself is inserted into a cute little holder decorated with yellow flowers. The invitation is formal but also really fun with the yellow poofy flowers.

I am so blessed to have a mother in law talented enough and willing to make these for us. I would never have the time to DIY my own, and I doubt I could make them look as lovely as these. 

Here is a picture of us from Mother's Day last year and one from Mike's college graduation party. Isn't her smile just gorgeous?!

I will not give up!

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Is it graduation yet? HOW many papers are due tomorrow?! Did I really just spend 5 hours on that project? Who can't make it to the wedding? The invitations need to be sent out when? Is that dress fitting really this week?

These are the questions that are flooding my thoughts every day. Sometimes I feel like I'm just barely keeping my head above the water. The sea that I found myself drowning in is a sea of books, papers, and scantrons. Is the end really near? Will the wedding come together? Will it be as magical as I've dreamed?

I don't mean to depress you all, but I just really needed to let out some of these burdens that are pushing down on my shoulders. I promise that tomorrow's post will be much happier, but tonight...I'm just trying to keep my boat a float. 

Crochet Therapy

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Good Sunday afternoon dear readers,

I was just doing some laundry and felt like doing another blog post, particularly about that I do when I really REALLY need to relax. 

This week has been tough. I had several exams, quizzes, and just the day to day homework assignments. Senior year is really rough and I've had to take some breaks here and there to stop my brain from frying itself. 

When I need a break tend to do one of these five things...

1. Take a nap

2. Read a novel

3. Doodle

4. Call Mike

5. Crochet

Well, to get a good nap in I need at least 45 minutes. Since I don't always have that amount of time to spare, I'll pick up a book and read a few chapters. I just finished reading The Inheritance, and started a new book by one of my favorite authors Shannon Hale. It's called River Secrets and it seems to be told from the point of view of a bystander.  

If I'm really stressed out then I'll doodle a little something. I prefer using a pencil, but will use whatever is handy if I'm desperate. I've been known to doodle on the back of my scantrons and quiz sheets. It just really helps me to relax and not think of anything but my drawing. 

If I can, I'll call Mike up for a little chat. Just the sound of his voice makes me feel lighter. Of course, since he's not always available for me to call...my last weapon of relaxation is my crocheting hook.

I know that I've mentioned it before, but there's just something about the feeling of the yarn in between my fingers that's so relaxing. Sometimes I crochet something for myself, such as a coffee mug cozie, or hat, and something I'll make something for Mike or one of my other friends. 

Lately, I've been able to make and sell some cowls to a teacher and classmates. Not only does the crocheting relax me, but it brings in just a little extra cash that I know Mike and I will need this summer after we get married. 

So what do you do when you really REALLY need a quick break? Feel free to share in the comments bellow. 

This Weekend: Braided T-Shirts

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How have you been liking these weekend tutorials? Have any of you made some of the things featured on the blog? Tell me about it! I love feedback as much as you do!

Anyways, this weekend I've got these cute braided t-shirt necklaces. Definitely making one of these in my spare time... 

Thank you Pink and Blue blog for the tutorial!

What I gave him

Happy Thursday morning to you all!

I'm so chipper this morning, maybe it's before I got 8 hours of sleep last night. Oh, that was so nice. Better than homemade chocolate cookies. 

Anyways, I wanted to show you what I got Mike for Valentine's day!

First, I gave him a yummy red velvet cupcake. I don't have access to an oven, so I had to buy this one from my RA. I love love love the little heart topper. Is that becoming a thing now? Putting toppers on cupcakes?

Then, inspired by cyd, I put together this "one a day candy box" so that Valentine's day doesn't have to end at midnight. I bought the biggest pill box I could find and filled it with some of his favorite candies. Now Mike can keep on enjoying his sugary sweets all week long!

Last but not the least by any means, I gave Mike a week of love letters. Each envelope it labeled and sealed (no peeking!). We normal see each other once a week, so I know that these will bring a smile to his face during "non-Brittany" days. 

I may be able to upload a few more pictures from our day later, but this week is jam packed with homework, projects, tests, and quizzes. Not gonna lie, senior year is hard. Last night I gave up on studying and just hit the sack. I think it did my brain some good. 

So as you sit there leisurely reading this post, I'll be cramming and studying away with all of those notebooks on my desk.

Have an awesome Thursday!

Happy Valentines Day

Happy Valentine's Day dear readers!

I know some of you hate this day with all of your being, but I've always decided to spend it with the ones I loved (boyfriend or no boyfriend) and I hope that you do too.

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Vintage Valentines part 3

Well dear readers,

This is the last post in the mini "Vintage Valentine" series. I hope that you have enjoyed gawking over these cheesy cards like I have. I could spend hours just look up more and more vintage valentines. The illustrations are just too cute.

As I searched through these cards, I notice the lack of boy valentines. I only found a handful and saved them for this last post. I wonder why they aren't illustrated as much as girls are.

Any ideas?

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Vintage Valentines part 2

I am so thrilled to have stumbled upon such a large stock of vintage valentines!

Here are some more that I just had to post...as cheesy as they may be.

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There's just something I really love about the corny "be my valentine" cards. I guess I see how some can find it annoying... but they make me go 'AWW!'

P.S. This is what I sent to Jen for our Handmade Valentine Swap!

1. Granny Square Mug Cozie

2. Felt Flower Pin

3. A Candy a Day Box

I interrupt your regularly scheduled day to...

Hellow Miss Yellow Shoes Readers!

I know what you're thinking. "She already posted today. What is she up to?"

Well I'm glad that you asked. I just really really wanted to show off this awesome cowl that Jen made for me! We both signed up for a this Handmade Valentine Swap along with many of not a hundred other crafters and became partners. 

I was so thrilled walking outside of the post office with my package today. I hugged it close and smiled so big that my friend laughed at me. I knew that Jen had a wicked handmade shop and that her crafty self would surprise me. 

Let me just say that I love this cowl. It's my favorite color, mustard yellow, and so thick! I wore it today and got many complements on it. "I got it from my swap buddy!" I would say to them.

Thank you again Jen for doing this handmade swap with me. I really enjoyed it and I hope that you participate in more swaps. This was my 3rd and I can't wait for the next one!

Here are some things that I love from The Yellow Umbrella Shop.

If you're lucky enough to be in town, be sure to stop by The Yellow Umbrella at...

Gift Shop and Gallery

204 3rd Street NW

Bemidji, MN 56601

Support Handmade Artists!

Vintage Valentines part 1

I heart vintage. My mother and grandmother taught me the love of antique things. 

They just don't make beautiful trinkets the way that they used to...

This Valentine's day, why not print up some of these vintage valentines and give them to your friends? 

They would also make super cute fridge magnets or even garland for a classroom.

The 1930's one with the yellow dress is my favorite of this batch. 

What about you? Which one do you love the most?

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