Happy 100th, Granny!

This past Monday was my grandmother's 100 birthday - as you can see, she's still got some good wind left in her! We celebrated family style last Saturday and I wanted to take a moment to share some of my favorite memories from the day.

The cake was a wedding size and made by Ukrop's Bakery - for those that know me well, this is my very favorite bakery for birthday cakes and a Richmond legend. My niece, Virginia, had her sights set on the cake since the moment she walked through the door. Her glazed over trance had me laughing and realizing how much of a girl after my own heart she is.

We brought Basil along to join in the celebration. All the children surrounded him and kept him busy the whole day. I joked how all we need to do is hire the little ones in our family to come over an hour a day running around the yard with him as an instant solution for tiring both Basil and the kids out.

At one point, all the men stood up and serenaded Granny with Let me Call You Sweetheart. It was quite the show. You can tell which ones are her sons as they each have their hands waved out in bravado. We have many characters in our family to keep things interesting.

Happy 100th birthday, Granny. I always knew you would make it. I'm proud to carry your name and am looking forward to all the future times we spend together and the lessons you have yet to teach me.

Shop Update: Antique Fork Bracelets

I received a surprise package in the mail containing these 3 antique forks from my mother. She knows the "siren" pattern is one of my favorites to work with and also has a knack for finding them.

I've also had a stash of vintage forks from various hotels around the globe and had a chance to work with two - one from Hotel West and another from Hotel Mayfair. I believe the Hotel Mayfair dinner fork is actually from the destination in Paris, France. The full stash of these hotel forks contains souvenirs from numerous destinations which leads me to presume they may have come from a collector with a "slight of hand" to put it politely...

I can only imagine the true story behind them and love their one of a kind nature.

The following fork is one I've had that's just simply over the top in depth and detail. The grapevine pattern runs through the entire handle including a coordinating but different depiction on the underside.

And finally, with love in mind I made the following fork bracelet from an engraved "first love" silverplate dinner fork. I love how this hidden message wraps around the wrist of a loved one as a sweet token of love.

For a deeper look into the process of how I make these bracelets, see this fork bracelet tutorial I put together a while back while in the studio.

Headed back to NYC...

Here's leaving you with a little candy cane til we meet again...

A very merry new generation

I got to meet little Virginia this past weekend over at my sister's house. Everything is well and they are all getting settled just fine. She was decked out in pink from head to toe and is destined to be spoiled. I can't wait to partake. When thinking of her, I cannot help but deny the fact I am in a new generation in my family now.

Dear Virginia,
Meeting you touched me in a way I cannot describe. I only hope I can do being your aunt justice and will try my best to make the very best memories with you.

A very Happy Christmas to each of you today.
xoxo

Hello World!

Miss Virginia Elizabeth is here and is hamming it up already! She arrived at 3:15 this morning, is 7 pounds 6 ounces, 19 inches long, and just perfect.

I'm up here in NYC so I couldn't go to the hospital to see her. I'll be heading down this weekend to meet her in person. For now, I sent in my trooper to get the good shots and send them my way asap (thanks sweety!). Go see all of my doting aunt photos over here if you find her as captivating as I do!

xoxo

Baby Update

This past weekend I went down to VA to help throw a baby shower for my sister. It was a swell time and I was finally able to give her the baby blanket I had been knitting for months. She got a lot of blankets...all so cute (I wouldn't have minded swiping one of them to be honest)...but I hope she'll be able to use this one and that maybe little Virginia Elizabeth will fancy it as well.
I love this shot of Teller cause it shows off her baby bump pretty well. We're just about 5 weeks away at this point. I can't wait to meet you and spoil you little Virginia!

xoxo