Are you a Blue Like Jazz fan? Because I am! I've read it half a dozen times as well as Donald Miller's other books! LOVE!

So you can imagine my excitement when I found out they were making a movie about it!

My fiance took me to see the movie (titled Blue Like Jazz: the movie). It was better than expected! The movie is very loosely based on a few stories Miller told in his memoirs and essays, though it held very true to the ideas, statements, and opinions in the book. The ending, which I won't spoil, made me tear up- I felt like the way he wrapped it up was the way I wish the whole church community, including myself, could wrap up our lives here on earth- but you'll have to find out how by going to see it like I did! IT'S WORTH IT! GO!

YAY! Sorry for the poor quality of the photo- was taken with my phone! : )

For more info on the movie and where/how to watch it, go here!

This probably belongs in the Wedding Wednesday spot- but these have to be a little more detailed! I wanted to show you a few things I've bought recently for the wedding from etsy too. These were custom and adorable!

Firstly, HOW CUTE IS THIS STAMP! Jo from JoSprouts made us this adorable custom stamp! She was so patient and kind while we were figuring exactly what we wanted.

Jo has a big selection of little characters to choose from! Like above- then you choose your favorite, a font, and the words for underneath and she makes you the stamp!

However, Jo didn't have a character that looked like Caleb, so I sent her a few photos....

and for just a few more dollars, she drew Caleb and I, added glasses and a little bow! How adorable! She was so helpful! Jo makes a lot of other cute stamps too- head over to her store and check them out!

Also I wanted to show you these cute little necklaces I had made for some beautiful women in my life! The owner of Elegant Swan custom made 11 little leaves for me! My order was probably pretty confusing and she was so helpful! She also threw in jump rings so I could finish the necklaces- so great!

Lois from GlitsyCreations gave me a GREAT bulk price for these simple chains for the necklaces.

I got myself a C and an A too : ) for me and Caleb. So dainty and pretty!!!!

I can't wait to give these to my ladies!

 

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I wanted to feature some of the AWESOME vendors from etsy that have been helping me with pretty decor for our wedding plans! I can't give away too many details- but here are a few. : )

I can't say ENOUGH about Lori from Morrell Decor on Etsy!!!! What a sweetheart! Lori worked really hard to get us a custom order for 175 yellow and teal hand cut gift tags to use for our wedding favors. My computer was being silly and I kept messing up the order, but Lori was so patient and made sure everything was just right! And her prices were very reasonable as well. I'm so glad I met her! As for the favors,  I don't want to tell exactly how we're using them, but trust me it'll be adorable! But, go see Lori's store here NOW- she's got more than just gift tags- she sells home goods, party decor, vases... just to name a few!

I love this gorgeous Aqua Blue and Lemonade Yellow bakers twine to tie things together for favors! The owner of Bella Creationz was very helpful and combined a few orders for me to make things easier!

Okay, confession, this isn't from etsy. : ) I got this adorable Washi Tape Set from my other amazing obsession of ModCloth! These will be perfect for decorating and invitations.

Sigh, okay these aren't from etsy either... but I found a nice guy on ebay.com who sold me a large lot of road maps to cut up and use! A few of them are Indiana maps so we can put hearts around Valpo where we met. teehee.

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I found this fun tutorial on Creative Little Daisy!

 I bought these probably five years ago at an antique/consignment store. I think I paid about 12 dollars for a set of four.  Now you can expect to pay at least that for just one. Last night I was cruising around the internet and happened upon a link to a tutorial using mod podge and food coloring to make your own. Cool! In the original tutorial, she experimented with a few different methods and colors to get the look she was after. She had some problems with brush strokes showing up in the finished product.  I think she had the best luck using undiluted mod-podge, painting it on then stippling out the brush strokes with the end of her paint brush.  She used the jars as hanging garden lanterns, with tea light candles. Just lovely! This afternoon I decided to play around with some mod-podge and food coloring myself. I'm thrilled with the results.  First I gathered up a few jars, some mod podge and blue and green food coloring.
 Just pour some mod podge into one of your jars. I didn't measure, I just poured in about 1/4 cup.
 
 Add a few drops of water to thin down just a bit. So it's the consistency of.... oh I don't know, slightly thinned mod podge. Then squirt in a few drops of food coloring- to your liking. I tried a few different combinations. I think I liked a 3:2 ratio 3 blue drops to two green. But you do what makes you happy. Stir it around to get a uniform distribution of color, then start swirling. Swirl around to cover the inside and pour the remainder into the next jar you want to color. Keep swirling and pouring to your hearts content or until you run out of jars or you need to mix more- which ever comes first. You want to get as much of the mod podge mixture out of the jar as possible so you don't have a big glob of dried gunk in the bottom of your lovely jar.
 

This is how it will look wet. I'm pretty sure I read somewhere about heat setting paint on glassware by baking it at a low temp, so I set my oven on the lowest setting it would allow, 150 degrees and popped them in.
   
 I took this after they had cooked for about 20 minutes. And for the finished product, drum roll please.....
 
Not too shabby, eh? They look very much like the real deal and since no brush was used, there are no brush strokes.  I don't imagine they are food safe. I wouldn't drink out of them or store food items, but they work great for showing off some pretty flowers.
 
  You'll notice there's no water in the jars. I was impatient to take a picture, but I want to let them stay in the oven for a few hours to really set the mod podge. The label says once dries, it doesn't come off. Edited to add*** OK, I've searched and searched for info about water and mod podge. After reading the FAQ page on the Mod Podge website, I don't  think they will hold up to having water in them.  I wonder how a clear spray sealer might work??? I'll have to give it a try tomorrow. Or you could just use the same method, but use paint made for glass, maybe something like this orthis. Or just don't put water in them and they should hold up just fine.   I used a gloss finish mod podge, just because that's what I happened to have on hand.

Freebie Friday

I found a few graphic things to use with your designs, businesses, etc!

 

via puglypixel

More pretty ribbon vectors! Retro Web Ribbons Vintage Psd Pack and a lot more free usefull graphic elements! via pixden

 

45+ Free Lessons In Graphic Design Theory via noupe

 

Create Facebook Timeline Covers with Paint the Moon's free templates. Photographer's guide to Timeline on Facebook Business pages. Videos, tips and tricks. via paint the moon

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This post will be quite short, but sweet! I frequent The Plaid Barn. I LOVE this site! It's kind of like groupon- everyday they post a new diy project, craft supplies, or little bobble that is super cheap! From jewelry, to gift tags, to baking supplies! Check it out! There's a new product everyday- but make sure you check it in the morning- they run out of their product offers fast!

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via ruffledblog

It's wedding wednesday! And today is all about the grooms! As I'm preparing for my own wedding, I feel like I'm forgetting the little things I can do for my fiance during the special day- because it's his special day too!

So here are 10 WAYS TO MAKE YOUR GROOM FEEL SPECIAL ON THE BIG DAY

1) Throw him his own shower! Brides get bridal showers for decorations, cleaning supplies, and frilly things- why can't your groom have a shower (or we could call it a monsoon so it sounds more manly ;)  ) where he can get tools, dress clothes, and things for work! via etsy

2) Leave him little messages, like on his tie! This is very easy to do. Just thread a needle with embroidery thread, and thread this message on just the under layer of the tie! Another message idea would be a little inside joke or pet name. via pinterest

3) While we're on the subject of little notes, why not send your flower girl or his best man with a quick note for him to read before you walk down the isle? "I can't wait to kiss you," "You're my best friend," "I love you," "This is my dream come true" are all cute ideas to write! via emmaline

4) Give him something meaningful! This woman gave her groom a cufflink with a man of the place he was born, and another where they will start their new life together! via etsy

5) Make his boutonnière yourself. He'll appreciate the handmade gesture. via soulscapesphotography

6) get him a killer groom's cake! Think of his favorite hobby, alma mater, etc! via weddingchicks

7) Decorate with some of his own interests! My fiance is going to be a math teacher! I like these math coasters, and this cool equation, would be fun to paint/hang somewhere. via google

8) Let him be him! If he has a fun idea! He should be able to do it! Caleb likes the idea of throwing the garter on his favorite hobby- football! via adaytorememberca

9) Meet with him and write him a letter before a wedding. This couple used a door so separate them so they couldn't see each other before hand. This can also allow the couple to hold hands and pray if wanted! via emmaline

and 10) I found this great list of things to do after you get married to continue encouraging him! via momlifetoday