And They Wonder Why Americans Don't Watch the World Cup?

It's Over

Spring 2010 Soccer season is officially over.  There was supposed to be a tournament next weekend, with each team playing three short round-robin games "for fun."  But the notice came late, there was an entry fee (we play town "rec" soccer, the league for those who don't care much), and not enough teams signed up.  They had Rachel's 6th grade team playing 4th graders, so we pulled out.  They had William's 2nd grade team playing 2nd grade boys, 3rd grade boys, and 4th grade girls.  ???  His team was going to play, but last night the whole thing got cancelled.  Too many teams unhappy with the format, I think.

Can't say as I'm disappointed.  This means that for the first Saturday since early April, we have NO soccer games to attend.  We can legitmately sleep in.

Ahhhh.....

Of course, we still have Rachel's 2nd dance recital.  But that's not until 6:30pm.  I think I can be up by then.

The Song in My Heart

Printed on a VanderCooke proofing press.  Hand-carved image, Font is Kaufmann 30pt.  Hand-mixed ink color (from what was around).

Can you find the error?

There Is No Remedy for Love But to Love More

That's the Thoreau quote that our friends used on their wedding invitation.  Very sweet, eh?

So, as promised, pictures!  Alas, I did not take "before" pictures, but I will try and explain all the pieces.

I tried to take a picture of it hanging, but, you know, it moves.  The pink bird on the tag is a punch-out from the save-the-date card.  It was stuck on a cool sepia-toned picture of the old mill that was the venue - but I could NOT figure out how to include it.  So I peeled off the bird and used that.

I made a memento box for them as well, from a Club Scrap kit I've had hanging around for ages.  The paper didn't match their theme at all, but it had that same vintage-y feel to me.  I made the card to match the box, it says "Love is the master key that unlocks the gates of happiness" on the inside.  The couple's initials are on the spine of the box, same paisley paper as the card.  Cut out with my Wishblade.

So I put the mobile in the box and laid the card on top.  I debated wrapping the whole thing, but was overruled by husband and daughter.  I did put it in a plain white gift bag to make it easier to carry.

I sort of wish I had not left it in the bag - it looked very plain on the gifts table.  However, it was apparently a big hit with the couple.  She recognized that everything was from their invitation (except for the wire!) and really loved it.

Yay!

I have to say, as craft projects go, assembling and covering the box was WAY harder than assembling the mobile.  The mobile was a little finicky - after you tie everything together, you just slide the strings to the points where everything balances.  Then add a drop of glue on each knot.  But it wasn't hard.  When we're talking projects, the part I find hard is content (and little tiny things you have to manipulate are always frustrating).  But I don't really think of myself as an "artist" and so things I write or draw or collage always feel a little pretentious.  I'm working on it.

However, I've picked up a new art form.  You'll have to wait until the pieces dry, though.  :)

Tuesday Update

I will upload the pictures of the wedding present as soon as I figure out where John put my camera.  We brought it to the wedding, he had it in his pocket (since, you know, men's clothes actually HAVE pockets), and I don't know where it got to.

We had a lovely time, the weather was lovely for an outdoor wedding, and the whole event was very fun.  I shouldn't have worried about what to wear so much - the dress ran the gamut from fairly casual sundresses to backless halter mini dress with 4 inch heels.  And everything in between.  My dress was comfortable enough (a little lot warm in the sun) and I actually ditched my stockings half-way through the cocktail hour.  I wore flats and was glad of it - the ground was slightly damp from rain a day or two ago, and all the women in spike heels were sinking in.

The event was at a historic mill (state park) right on the Delaware and Raritan Canal, so we were treated to kids jumping off the bridge to go swimming and lots of bicyclists passing by.  Ceremony was non-religious, outdoors in a grassy area next to the canal.  (They wrote their own vows, so sweet!)  Cocktail hour was in the basement of the mill (and just outside), with lovely appetizers that just kept coming (prosciutto on toast with some cheesy stuff and balsamic vinegar was a fave).  Dinner was outside in a larger grassy area with an excellent band playing quiet music, and also very good (at least, the fish I had was excellent, John said his steak was a little overdone).  Then dancing, inside the Mill, to the same excellent band + the rest of their members.  If you ever need a band for an event nearish Philadelphia, or see them playing at a local club, I highly recommend The Philadelphia Funk Authority.  They were incredible.

I will admit to being a little sore and tired on Sunday (we weren't up THAT late, but haven't been out dancing in, oh, say, forever?).  Ok, ok, I fell asleep on the couch in the early afternoon.  But we had a really good time.  And now, it's Monday equivalent again.  And I'm procrastinating going to the gym (which I really need given the vast quantity of good food I consumed at the wedding).  Onward!