Not just repurposing, but BEING repurposed......" if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation: the old has gone, the new has come." ~~ 2 Corinthians 5:17



Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Taking a path less traveled

Remember last post I mentioned this bike for two inspired me?  
Well, it was our surprise wedding gift to my daughter and her new husband -- something they both really wanted.  
We parked it at the reception and it was a big hit, including people posing for photos by it. 
It got me wondering.... 


Where do people get non-traditional items for weddings like vintage bikes and fun signs?  
Can you rent things like that?



 So did I little googling.  
And I found that many businesses have popped up in the last year for just that purpose, spurred on by the recent trend of vintage and non-traditional weddings and the need for renting unique pieces.



 And I had much more to offer than many of the "vintage rental" businesses I discovered!  
Number one common item I noticed -- blue jars! 
(I'm now up to about 100)

 
 So I'm adding vintage rental to my services I provide!  
As far as I can tell, I'm currently the only one in MI! 
So I might even have to do a few road trips, here and there. 
(No problem packing, I have 100 suitcases too)

     
 I don't have quite as many china pieces, 
but I am working on building up my collection.


Same story for my vintage silverware.


Birdcages seem to be very popular right now. 
I have several of those, in a couple different colors, 
and a variety of styles.

   
 I even have several bird nests to go with them!


 And vintage typewriters are so great for leaving messages for the happy couple, or for displaying photos.



 And vintage cameras are universally popular.


 Cloches are great for display and for decorating throughout a reception area.


 One of many metal boxes/tubs.  Just add some ice and you've got a perfect homespun beverage cooler!


 Of course, it doesn't get much more cozy than a watering can, especially a collection of them filled with flowers. 
(Yup, I've got a "collection" of them)



 Imagine how fun it would be to have a "picnic" wedding!! 
They're becoming more and more popular.  
That's okay, I've got plenty of different baskets to go around!


Of course I've got plenty of basices, too,
like doors, windows, frames, etc. 
I think I see a photo op here!

 
And speaking of photo ops, the rental service will also come in handy for photographers. 
I think something like this could be fun (think baby bump!). 
And actually there are a lot of others that could benefit from a service like this, event planners, film producers, drama directors.  
And I have many more items than are pictured here.

So I guess I'd better get to pedaling
...you never know what's around the corner
...on the bike path less traveled. 
:)

Midge 

If you're worried I won't be doing repurposing projects anymore -- not a chance!!  That is still my first love!! My next post will be SOON and will definitely feature something I've made from junk.  :)

Monday, October 17, 2011

Trying to get back in the loop!

   So...Have you been looking for me?...No?....Good.  
Cause I've been a bad, absent blogger.

And if by chance you HAVE been looking for me...I apologize. 
I got distracted...again.  


You see, at the end of this summer, 
our daughter Becky got married!  
WHICH WAY TO THE WEDDING?


 The wedding took place in a beautiful park, on a PERFECT day. 
Blue skies, warm temps, no humidity!

 
Lots of gorgeous flowers, handpicked by some of us ladies at a local commercial flower farm owned by one of Becky's church members 
-- " Help yourself". And arranged by another.
Such kindness, and such fun!


 Becky and her now-husband, Aaron, live and work in a neighborhood where they're able to assist many of the families and their children. 
So, of course, the little girls just HAD to be in the wedding!
Eighteen flower girls with custom made skirts, 
and t-shirts that say "I'm a flower girl!"


 Groomsmen are ready to go.



 Bride side?...READY!



 This is it!


 Not too many surprises. 
Well, maybe just that the groom was barefoot....
Oh, and that instead of exchanging rings, they had tattooed "rings" onto their fingers earlier that week.   


And  they ended the ceremony with the washing of each other's feet.
Hadn't seen THAT before, but it was kind of cool.  



 "Did we do it?"..."Yep, we did it!"
YAY!!!

Of course, Mom had to snap a few pics of her snazzy brood!


 But I think it's better left to the professionals!


 They seem to know what they're doing.


 Meanwhile, the guests were  heading up for the food and festivities.


 I was able to include a few of my creations to the decore.


 And SOOO many of Becky's friends had pitched in 
to help in SOOO many ways.
Her friend made this cake topper for them!  Adorable!


 Of course there was a lot of fun, laughter, and KICKBALL!


 And dancing!!

It was a great wedding, a lot of fun!
Afterward, the happy couple didn't end up riding off into the sunset happily ever after, but they DID head out for their honeymoom cruise!  
And the bike DID inspire ME down a new road 
-- which I'll share on my next post.


Midge

P.S.  My daughter Becky is quite a remarkable, giving young lady.  We were able to watch a tv news feature about her the other day for her role as a mentor.  She's one of 5 up for Michigan's Mentor of the Year and will find out next week at a Governor's dinner who the winner is. :)  (Just had to brag a little)