I had posted photos a couple of months ago from my cousin Nellie’s bridal shower. Well the big day was yesterday. For October in Chicago they could not have gotten a more beautiful day. Everything about the wedding and reception was beautiful. You could just see how in love the 2 of them are and how perfect it all fell into place for them. It’s really neat knowing that they started dating in high school and stayed together all these years just like Frank and I. The kicker… the same high school. BT love stories I tell ya ha ha.
I have been sick for the past few days (digestive disorder is a bit out of control) so I was just happy to be able to attend, support them and witness how memorable it all was. Starting to finally feel somewhat better today and taking it easy the rest of the day while editing photos and laying around.
Frank and I decided to join forces and make them a wedding gift. I am so happy we got a head start on it with me getting ill. The idea came to me as I was thinking how well we did working together to make our great niece Violet a wooden Marie wall hanging. I thought it would be rather symbolic if we joined forces again to make another special gift together for Nellie and Vince’s special day. Even more so it being from one married couple in the family to another. I had a vision of sorts in my head because I knew Nellie loved owls. You all know my appreciation of owls comes from my Mom so when I have a chance to use them to make something special I am all over it.
I thought this time it would be fun to not just share the finished piece but to also share some photos of the work in progress.
I sketched it out with different ideas and versions. Frank got the wood and had me draw the final idea we both agreed on directly on to the wood. He then cut it out by hand with a saw and hand sanded it to make sure it was a smooth surface.
I then did my thing and painted it. This shot was taken during the painting process.
When it was all dry I painted the sides and back and then Frank put a nice clear coat on top of it. Then I wrapped it along with an picture hanging kit in cellophane, attached the card and added a cute polka dot green ribbon (Nellie’s favorite color).
When we got to the reception we saw my Dad also made a artistic gift for the couple (now you see where I get it from ha ha). He drew a caricature of them and included a mat for all the guests to sign! Our wall hanging set perfectly next to it and the other gifts that people brought.
For fun here are a few photos I got at the reception (before we had to leave because of me not feeling well.. ugh)….
Frank and I with the stunning newlyweds Nellie and Vince
Me with my beautiful cousins Nellie (the new wifey Turrise), Chelsea (the maid of honor) and our awesome Aunt Maureen
A photo my Dad took of Frank and I at our table
My new favorite photo of me and my Daddio 🙂 Not only my Dad but my artistic inspiration.
Stay Spooky!
LDG Nicole
Living Dead Girl Nicole 