i think the ribbon is a little too busy... number two is my favorite. i like that the text is on the left and the monogram is on the right (which is GORGEOUS, btw!) it looks more balanced that way.

my mom lost my baby sister when i was 6... even though i was fairly young, i still remember it being tough for the family and really tough for her and my dad... i'm so sorry.

i wouldn't send it now, unless she says she'd like it. it may be too hard for them to see baby things for the baby they don't have anymore.

i'd keep it for a little while - if they have another baby, i would finish it with a complimentary color - a different shade of purple, or something. then include a note that says you started it for the first baby, but are finishing it in a new color for the second.

my thinking is, if they're anything like my parents, they're not going to want to forget their first child. my mom wrote letters to my sister every year for a while, just as her way of coping. the blanket with two colors might be a nice way to remember/honor/celebrate both kids.

oh wow! my great grandparents were deaf since childhood, and i have fond memories of learning "cookie" as my first sign. great job!! i want to find a hand cookie cutter now too.

we're doing our wedding for around 3k... not including honeymoon. i was extremely stressing out because we live in los angeles, where everything is twice is much - not kidding.

eventually we settled on a reception at a hall at our university's campus... it's a gorgeous building, and because we're students there, we get it for $350, all day, everything included. we couldn't pass that up, despite our initial dislike of getting married on campus.

my advice is to focus on one aspect that's really important to you, and spend the most money/attention on that. that could be invitations/programs/paper goods, favors, attire, food, cake, music, photography, etc. we chose to skip music, found a cheap photographer, and i'm DIYing invites for around $150 in exchange for offering more food options at the reception.

think of unique places to get married - museums, backyards, parks. chances are, if it's a random place, they haven't dealt with many weddings. that means they probably won't be as organized, but it also means they'll be cheaper.

as far as alcohol, it's only worth including if you're at a private place (residence). otherwise, it adds a LOT of money!

i just got engaged a few days ago, so i'm still in the very, very early stages of planning. i definitely agree, do what you want - i've raised guide dog puppies since i was 7, and i already know i want my raising friends with their dogs at the wedding and i want a picture of me, my fiancee, and all the puppies. i know i'll probably hear some comments about it being inappropriate to have dogs at the wedding, but i don't care. it's my wedding.

we're looking at summer 2008, btw, and we will both be 21 when we get married.

i love this!! i always want to make skirts from the fabric i have lying around, but i never have zippers for them... problem solved.

random question... i've seen these crystal bouquets before, and one tutorial described using a power drill to twist the wires... did you do that, or did you do it by hand?

either way, amazing!! totally copying you a few years from now.

business casual? that's what it sounds like to me... slacks, dress shirts, no ties necessary for guys, blouses and skirts/slacks or a dress for girls...

ADORABLE! i especially love the little bernese mountain dog... but all are adorable. ack!

Ha! When I read the title I thought you embroidered Scooby Doo on a pair of pants! We called 'em lanyards.

haha, i thought that too! i was like wow, someone must be a huge scooby doo fan. we called them lanyards too, and i could never do anything beyond the box ones.