Sunday, May 22, 2011

Wedding Prep and a Giveaway

First of all welcome to all the new readers who are visiting from Sew Mama Sew's Giveaway Day!  Be sure to visit their blog for lots more giveaways and to discover some fun new blogs to follow.

So lately I have been in crafting overdrive since my sister's wedding is seriously just right around the corner (less than two weeks - eek!).  I'm making lots of the decorations, and am putting together an eight and a half foot dessert table - not to mention making all of the desserts for said table.   Yes, I am the queen of taking on too much.  Anyway, here are some sneak peeks of what I've been working on.

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Pom pom garlands

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More free hanging pom poms

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These little guys were made out of burlap and coffee filters....

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....and are waiting to be strung together for another garland.  Seriously, if this wedding had a theme, it would be garlands - I'm crazy addicted.  Just check out my Pinterest boards.  All garlands.

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Lollipops - in four different colors and flavors.  These are peach.

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Gumpaste petals for one of the cakes.  Yes, one of the cakes - there will be four.

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Of course I volunteered to make the favors as well.

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Phoebe is the flower girl, so I made her this giant corsage out of eyelet trim.  Sorry for the disheveled, scraped knees, naked baby model - it got into the 80s today, and she pretty much lived in the kiddie pool/water table/sprinkler.  I have a feeling that she's going to look like this the rest of the summer.

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Except for when she's wearing her flower girl dress - which is waiting to be cut out and sewn as soon as I'm done writing this post.

So.... that's what I've been up to lately, now onto the giveaway!

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In keeping with last giveaway day, I scrounged up more Heather Ross scraps - they don't seem to end!  Most of them are from her most sought after first line, and to give you some perspective, I think all of those squares along the right side are 5".

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And I'm throwing in a fat quarter of some Flea Market Fancy for good measure.

I'll keep it easy for you - just one comment per entry (don't you hate when they force you to follow for a vote?!  It drives me crazy.  Don't get me wrong, I'd love for you to follow - but I'll let you decide that on your own terms :)

So just say hello, tell me what you're up to, or give me some advice for writing my maid of honor speech.  Or if you write my speech for me, I might just call the giveaway over and let you win.

*Comments have been closed!  I'll be back soon to announce the winner*


501 comments:

  1. you are seriously a super woman!! i LOVE all your baked goods and can't wait to see what heavenly creations you'll whip up for your sister's wedding! love those tissue pom poms, i'll be making those for my wedding too! and those burlap garlands, so cute! where did you find the burlap? i was planning on making some burlap flowers as napkin rings but i can't find any burlap! anyway, thanks for the giveaway, LOVE those HR scraps!

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  2. hey Emily ... good luck with all the wedding stuff - i know how much work it can be!!! And i'm sure it will turn out gorgeous :) I finished my first quilt for my new niece on the way in July ... red/white/blue theme and it turned out really cute!! I've got everything cut and ready to be pieced together for quilt #2 now - quilt for our bed :) So excited to get it done but just haven't had the time to dedicate to it yet ... but I love quilting, and hopefully my skills improve with each one ... and love seeing all your crafty ideas too :)

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  3. I have you on my blog's main page so I can keep updated on all your super baked goods (and sewing). See me tomorrow too for a giveaway.

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  4. wow can you plan my wedding? just kidding.

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  5. Hey Em, your sister is so lucky!!!

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  6. Ooo I've got to do my post for the SMS giveaway tonight before I hit the hay too...also, all the wedding stuff looking fabulous and I can't wait to see the dress, the fabric looks so pretty. Your sister is so lucky to have you!

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  7. The Heather Ross fabrics are so adorable! :) Thanks for the giveaway. The wedding looks like it will be amazing!

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  8. I can't wait to see everything at the wedding! I can't believe it is so close! Do I still have time to lose 45 lbs?
    Missy

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  9. ooh! more lovely fabric, as if we all didn't already have a sufficiency. but then there is WANT vs NEED, haha. Good luck with all the wedding work!! Just remember to sleep, you are a very ambitious woman, and your sister is incredibly lucky!!

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  10. I follow you anyway :P Love what you are doing, keep it up!

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  11. I am your follower and I love those pop pom garlands! Fabric is pretty sweet, too... :)

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  12. I think your pom pom garlands are great! As to little Phoebe, who needs clothes if you have your own corsage specially made mummy! So very cute!

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  13. Beautiful job on the decorations!! Look forward to A2MQG on wednesday night! :)

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  14. How hard are you working? I did a lot of my own things for my wedding like favours etc but you've taken it all to a whole new level. Love what you're doing and love your giveaway.

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  15. Thanks for the giveaway ... I've been following you since the last one - see it does work!

    The wedding looks like it's going to be amazing. I hope you can share lots of pics.

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  16. Thanks for the giveaway!
    Your blog is amazing :)
    Off to browse past posts

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  17. Good luck with all of the wedding prep, the gorgeous things you have already made are just beautful & you can tell that they're made with love. As for your speech, speak from the heart & you'll be fine. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  18. oh, your sister's wedding is going to be beautiful, especially decorated with the lovely things you make and with such a cute flower girl, too :)
    Thanks for the giveaway.

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  19. I specifically asked people not to follow as I don't want "false followers". I've bookmarked you though and I will come back when it's all died down to check you out! Love the prize, it's fab! I'd be happy to write your speech. At my wedding last year I gave a speech, as did my maid of honour and the usual 3 men, but mine was voted the best. So come on, hand over the scraps and I'll get writing!!

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  20. Maid of honour speech??? I've never heard of that one. Maybe they do it differently in the US from here in the UK. To be honest most of my friends just have a bride a groom speech, which runs along the lines, thanks for coming, now tuck in to the grub and have fun.

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  21. That wedding is going to be awesome, wish I were invited! Sadly, I've never even been a bridesmaid (my only chance surprised his fiancee at Niagara Falls on holiday and didn't tell a soul... It's ok, I'm over it, I'm over it...)

    So anyway, can't really help with the maid of honour speech but I don't think you can go wrong just being yourself and saying all the good things you really feel :)

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  22. Thank you for the lovely giveaway! The most exciting thing I'm up to today is going to salsa class tonight. I only started a few weeks ago, but I love it.

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  23. Lovely preparations love love looooove the corsage for the cute flower girl. Oh, and don't apologise, they enjoy their freedom (of clothes) in the summer, it's so funny they don't want to put on anything :)
    XO from Athens
    S.

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  24. Hi, Thanks for a lovely giveaway

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  25. I love a wedding with a bit (or a LOT) or handmade loveliness!

    I've never been to one that had a Maid of Honor speech though. Maybe, erm, keep it short, keep it sweet and have someone double-check your jokes before you make them.

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  26. Wonderful job on all the wedding goodies!!

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  27. Beautiful fabric... thanks for the chance to win. Good luck with the wedding organisation... allmap(at)y7mail(dot)com

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  28. I *love* Heather Ross fabrics!!
    And wow, you are BUSY! Love the garland and all the pompoms. I really like that eyelet trim corsage, super cute! Maybe make one more into a headband for her? :)

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  29. Great giveaway and blog! I'm following you now cuz I wanna :)

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  30. I love cake crafting too:) Thx for giveaway!

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  31. Awesome! I'm starting to make the decorations for my wedding in September, so I have an inkling what you are going through!
    As for the Maid of Honor speech, you say two nice things about the bride and the groom, and then throw in if you had anything to do with them getting together OR when your sister told you something that made YOU know that they would someday get married!

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  32. Good luck with the beautiful wedding. Lucky sister!

    316ramirez@gmail.com
    Thanks for the opportunity and I hope I win! :)

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  33. Wow, great scraps for fussy cutting! Good luck on your preparations! Thanks for the giveaway! Sharon

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  34. Would love a chance to win and now I'm going to follow you since you didn't force it on me! ;)
    mamaisaac09(at)gmail(dot)com

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  35. Thanks for a fmf chance giveaway and some great HR!

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  36. Your sister is one lucky lady to have you!

    I've never written a maid of honour speech, but having suffered through one I can say that unless you're a comedian by trade you should stay away from humour and just speak from the heart. Good luck!

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  37. wow....I'd love to win those cute heather ross prints...thanks for the chance!

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  38. I'd love to win too.... looks like you're having a fun time with wedding prep, v.jealous as that was me a year ago for my own wedding, I loved every moment of it.

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  39. wow...what a fantastic giveaway! i have never written a moh speech. sounds scary. i have heard some horrible ones though... stay away from past relationship humor or anything that would REALLY embarrass her. good luck and thanks for a chance!

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  40. You've got a lot going on, are you sure you're not a wedding designer by trade?! As for speeches, I love ones that pull together great anecdotes since that let's you share memories and reveal something about the person and the couple that not everyone will know.

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  41. Wow, I would love to have you as my wedding helper. This is going to be such a beautiful wedding! Just makesureto take the time to enjoy it. Sometimes we get rushed on the big day! Great giveaway!

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  42. Your wedding crafts are beautiful! Today I'm planning to start a baby quilt which is my favorite thing to make. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  43. I can't wait to see Phoebe's dress!

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  44. i'd love a chance to win! i wish i could give you advice for your speech.. i'm in a wedding on friday, and i still have no idea what i'm gonna say!!! gooberific@yahoo.com

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  45. I would love to win your scraps! And your pompoms are awesome!

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  46. You are a wedding item goddess. I have no advice for a speech as I have one of my own to come up with by Oct. I may just have to stalk your blog for ideas. LOL

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  47. You seem like a model maid of honour! Look at all the work you're doing! It's gorgeous!

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  48. Those garlands are all fantastic! Unfortunately I don't have any good advice for you other than to speak from your heart. I've never been a maid of honor, but for my wedding, my best friend just talked about some of our best memories together & it couldn't have been more perfect.

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  49. You have been making wonderful things! What a great giveaway....count me in!

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  50. Oh my gosh your eyelet corsage is beautiful. What a great idea and keepsake. As for the speech, I don't think it is important to embarrass the bride or make jokes at her expense, but rather speak from the heart and just say what comes naturally. Also. Have a glass of wine first. :)

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  51. What an amazing giveaway! Thank you! I've mostly been knitting and craft sewing lately and scraps are currently my favorite craft item lately!

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  52. What a generous giveaway. Good luck with the wedding, speak from your heart, make sure to look all around the crowd, and wear your waterproof mascara!

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  53. you are a machine! i'm just about to head to see uncle ned (bed) thanks for the giveaway

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  54. What a fabulous giveaway!! Thank you!

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  55. I had to enter, I'm in Ann Arbor too! I can't wait to check out a local blog. Thanks for the giveaway!

    Bree
    bdoody11 at yahoo dot com

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  56. Love Love Love these fabrics! Just paid some good $$$ for some FQ's of goldfish in a bowl. I would treasure anymore I could get. Thanks for playing!!

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  57. Love the pom pom garland, so pretty!

    Thanks for the chance at a wonderful giveaway!

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  58. Wow, you are a wedding wonderwoman! Good luck with the speech. I'd love to win those adorable scraps!

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  59. WOW !
    Nice fabric! Would do a bag with!

    marykickass(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  60. Oh my word, I remember giving my speech at my brother's wedding! I was actually his "best man" (I'm not sure what they call it when you're a female and are standing on the groom's side??? -"best woman" sounds so wrong). I had a little speech all prepared, but when the time came to deliver it, I just stood there and cried and said how happy I was for them and sat down!! Everyone was laughing and applauding, so I guess it was okay! :)

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  61. Looks like it is going to be a fun wedding. The fabric is all really cute.

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  62. hello - hope the wedding preparations continue to go well - thanks for the giveaway - fabrics look cute.

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  63. Yeah! These would be great for an I-spy quilt! Good luck with your speech- it will be wonderful as long as you speak from the heart!

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  64. Holy shnikeys! Our wedding is right around the corner and we don't have anything near as exciting as you have going on. Well done! I hope your sister knows how lucky she is to have you. My advice is to keep your speech short. People remember the really stellar and really crappy speeches and, really, very few fall into those categories. Let everyone get their food and go dance!

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  65. I've been a maid of honor twice and a best man once as well. LOL. My tip . . . prepare ahead of time. Well. I wrote out some ideas of what I wanted to say for all 3 but ended up crying through most of them so I'm not sure much made sense. It's ok to bring up a piece of paper or a notecard so you don't ramble. Mostly, let it just come from your heart. A little humor doesn't hurt either. ;) You'll do great!

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  66. My sister is also getting married soon, 4th June to be precise! it's getting pretty hectic too although I don't have anywhere near the amount of responsibility that you have.
    Great giveaway, i'm so in love with anything by Heather Ross

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  67. How in the world do you do it all? And with a small child. Will wonders never cease? I won't even begin to start giving suggestions for the speech. So...my day. Not much to report. I'm working now (or well, let me rephrase that. I'm at the job that pays the bills, but haven't done anything but "play" since I got here). I've had a headache all day long (5 hours here at work), and can't wait to get home so I can lay down and see if a nap will take this pesky thing away. Good luck with the wedding.

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  68. You're so busy! My own sister got married in October and I wasn't nearly as brave as you are. The invites and my speech were all I contributed. P.s. I know my speech wasn't all that great and also it wouldn't be the same history as you have with your sister, but it helped me to read quite a few of them by other people before I wrote mine, so shoot me an email if you'd like me to send you a copy of the one I did for my sister. Again, with the caveat that it isn't anything great, but I think it meant a lot to her, and I did find it helpful to see what other people did for their speeches before I wrote mine.

    catherine(dot)alley(at)gmail(dot)com

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  69. Good luck with the speech. I'd love to get my hands on all of those Heather Ross scraps. So many crafty ideas...

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  70. wow your sister is lucky bless her. Love the garlands there fabulous. And your little girls flower corsage is gorgeous and so is her dress fabric. I would love to be entered please, thanks you. Have fun finishing all your projects for the wedding, dee x

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  71. Very fun! And about that speech...good luck...give me butterflies just thinking about it, sorry. :)

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  72. Good luck with the wedding speech! Just remember to have fun and relax.

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  73. Love anything Heather Ross and your coffee filter flowers they are beautiful. Good Luck and thanks for the giveaway. Eve at scott43@bellsouth.net

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  74. I love the eyelet corsage! So precious. I wish my daughter would keep stuff like that on!

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  75. I have been coveting those Mendocino fabrics. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  76. I'm terrible at speeches, but the one thing I remember about my sister giving a speech at my wedding was when she mentioned how valuable I was to her as she was growing up. Sappy, but honest and touching.

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  77. Hi!
    I'm sure you're too busy to answer but what is gum paste???

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  78. I wish I was getting married all over again just so I could ask you to decorate lol..

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  79. thanks for the give a way

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  80. I'm not one for writing speeches. It's always good to include a little humor, something sentimental, a shared memory, etc.
    Lauren

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  81. Yay for scraps! And Heather Ross... drool worthy!
    I've been making a bunch of those hanging poms for my brother-in-law's wedding (in July) too, haha.
    Thank you for the chance to win :)
    zabecc(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ps. i'm a regular loyal reader ;) but yes, I also detest the ones that make you become a follower in order to particpate :P

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  82. the wedding is going to be fabulous! i love all that you've been crafting for it. as for the speech, just share a favorite memory and your hopes for your sister and brother-in-law's future. you'll be golden.

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  83. I have only ever had to write two speeches in my life. Both were incredibly short and to the point and I was nervous. My MofH speech was for my sister and I just recalled memories that really showed her character. I cried. So did she.

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  84. Hey, my daughter, Emily, goes by Emmy. We used to switch back and forth between Emily, Emmy, and Em, but when she was nearly three years old, she said, "Mommy, I prefer to be called Emmy, please." What can you do when courtesy and resolve meet like that? She's been Emmy ever since.

    ginger

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  85. Heather Ross is my favorite! I did a lot for my sister's wedding too: officiant, cook, planner, decor, etc. Good luck. It will mean so much with all of the personal touches and you will look back on it with pride.

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  86. Hi! I love those gnomes from Heather Ross. I also really like those pom-pom garlands. I think I'll have to figure out how to make them myself for my next party! Good luck getting ready for your sister's wedding. I'm sure it will all be wonderful!

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  87. This was me last summer, folding those dang paper pom poms in my living room until the whole room was covered in them. PS: make sure you have time to poof them all, that seems to take as long as making them in the first place! As for the speech, I kept mine short, and just told a funny little anecdote about my sister when she first met her husband that I thought no one else had heard about. It doesn't seem to matter what you say, the bride will cry and so will you. Everyone will think it was lovely. Come on over and check out my giveaway if you get a chance :)

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  88. Oh wow, you sure are busy! I wish I had a sister to do all that stuff for me when I got married! That was 12 years ago and I wasn't nearly as crafty then. I had store bought decor.
    As far as writing a speech... I am not good at things like that. But if you throw a couple of funny anecdotes in there along with something to make dear sis tear up a bit, it will be perfect.

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  89. i agree - anecdotes are always fun in a speech.

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  90. Hmm, I've never written a maid of honor speech, but my best advice would be to just be honest and be yourself. I think people who purposely try to be something--funny, heartfelt, nostalgic, whatever--end up missing the mark because they aren't being themselves. You're her maid of honor, so I'm sure you've got a few stories to share!

    Also, I love those pom poms. I love all pom poms. Aren't they fun?

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  91. Love your giveaway. I recently came accros Heather Ross fabric and I just want them all. Please be mine...merci

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  92. Wow. Just reading this blog post made me exhausted...the part about having to still cut out & sew the flower girl dress, I had to read that twice to make sure I read it right! haha.. good luck pulling everything together.
    Speeches. Well, I think it's important to not rush through it if you're nervous. Pause at the periods. Breathe. And...make it short & sweet if you are likely to sob uncontrollably!

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  93. I love your Hello Kitty cupcakes, but they would be sooooo much cuter if they were MSU cheerleaders! ;)

    I think I'll have to peruse your blog for a bit!

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  94. I would love to win that fabric!

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  95. Such a pretty wedding it looks to be!

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  96. Wow. I am sooo impressed by all the things you've done for your sister's wedding. It all looks so fantastic! As my boy and I are getting close to deciding all of our wedding details...We know we want a crafty DIY wedding. We are hoping a lot of our friends will help us make it work out. We are into the whole community thing and hope people will help us make it happen! I, of course, am the craftest (duh!) so I'll probably be making patterns, party favors, etc. I am hoping my mom will make my dress. ANYWAY!!! G'luck! Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!

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  97. Whooooa seriously I need to send this link to my bridesmaids. So they will get into gear.

    I think that for your speech, just talk about your sister and what you love about her, or something else sweet, and then order/threaten the groom to take good care of her. :)

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  98. The wedding stuff all looks great. My mom and I made most of the things for my wedding as well. One of my favorite touches were the favors which were little boxes filled with a note and some candy but they stacked together to make a cake. We just blew the pattern up for the largest layer and shrunk it for the top tier. The we decorated it with ribbon and beads. It was so pretty, probably one of my favorite touches of the whole thing. Your sister is very lucky to have you doing all of this for her. Thanks for the chance to win a great prize in the midst of all your business.

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  99. Thanks for the opportunity! For your speech...make it sappy and make it funny!

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  100. Awesome wedding preps. I, too, am in the midst of MOH speech. History+laughter is what I'm going for.
    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  101. Great job on all of the decorations! Your sister will be so happy with them.

    tarapage22(at)gmail(dot)com

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  102. Love this giveaway - thanks for the chance! Hmmmm, about the speech...I say just wing it!

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  103. Have you seen the movie Bridesmaids? I'd say do the opposite of what the maid of honor does in that movie :)

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  104. wow, good luck with the wedding. Love the fabrics you're gibing away. (That was a typo originally, but I kept it in b/c that's what I really would sound like in person. Stuffy nose.) Thanks!

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  105. Beautiful fabrics.
    Love the Hello Kitty cupcakes in your previous post.
    Thanks for the giveaway.

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  106. I love Heather Ross's fabric! Thanks for the chance! thurbs8(at)yahoo(dot)com.

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  107. Hrm...I wish I had your problem of, "the Heather Ross scraps don't seem to end." roflmao!! :-)

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  108. I don't have any speech writing advice. I am new to sewing and just finished my FIRST EASY blanket. I bought the fabric thinking it would be for my daughter, but after the craziness that went down getting it its now for my niece. The fabric says "Angel" all over it & she was no angel that day. lol

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  109. lovely giveaway! speak from your heart is my advice. : )

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  110. Wow. You are kindof an amazing MOH! Just watched Bridesmaids last night... might be a good one for you after the wedding!!!

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  111. Thanks for the giveaway. I'm the maid of honour for my best friend's wedding next year, and I'm now going to shamelessly steal several of your ideas, everthing looks great!

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  112. fabulous giveaway!! today i'm potty-training my 3 yr old. good times.... :) speech advice: keep it short, simple, and heart-felt. :)

    bess
    jbknav at hotmail dot com

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  113. Omg OMg OMG I saw gnomes!!! I would love love love to win this. My brother (his name is David) is obsessed with David the Gnome!

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  114. Beautiful pics especially that little gem of a girl toward the end;) TY for offering up some sweet fabric!

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  115. these are great!
    good luck at the wedding :)

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  116. LOL! Sorry...I'm just not a speech writer, but I'm sure you will come up with something loving and heartfelt with some laughs thrown in for good measure! Thanks for the fun fabric giveaway!
    jinglesells at gmail dot com

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  117. Great giveaway, thanks! The wedding decor looks lovely!
    mindfulhome at gmail dot com

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  118. Oooh, this is a fabulous giveaway -- thanks so much for making it easy to enter!:)

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  119. I love pom poms!

    alisonDblanchard [at] yahoo [dot] com

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  120. Wow, and I thought I was the queen of taking on too much! Good luck.

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  121. What a wonderful giveaway! I love your obsession with garlands :) Yours look fabulous.

    Share a really special favorite moment/memory with your sister :)

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  122. I would love to win some Heather Ross!!! :-D

    p.s. have to agree with you on the requirement to follow for entering give aways. sure I understand the thought behind it, but grrrrr!

    {megan.a.wenger@gmail.com}

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  123. What beautiful wedding decorations, you are doing a beautiful job on making it special for her. I love your scraps, they are so fun and I want to start collecting fun prints to do charity quilts.

    Debbie

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  124. What a fun wedding set up. I love the tissue balls, I made a bunch for a V-day party and they were so easy.

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  125. Wowza! You've been one crafty girl--such cool stuff. Good luck with the speech--I have no advice to give, as I have a mortal fear of public speaking!

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  126. I love all the garlands! Peach suckers sound yummy.
    I'm in the middle of making a bunch of fabric flowers for my SIL. Should be done today if I can drag myself from the computer :)

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  127. I think the most important thing is to be prepared - I know it sounds silly, but I decided to wing it on my wedding day as I'm used to public speaking but it's a very different feeling when it's a (very!) special day. Good luck! I follow with Google Reader, thanks for the chance to win.

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  128. Today, I am cleaning and chasing my 1-year-old away from everything he shouldn't have. He's 1, he's a climber, and I feel like fully three-quarters of all the words I say all day are, "No, don't touch!"

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  129. I know where you are at, for the past 4 years I have taken on those big events, made decorations, food, florals, and cakes... lot of work but so worth it when it all comes together and after all we just want to make that special happy...

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  130. thanks for the giveaway! i'll follow you, cause i'm dying to see the final product of your sisters wedding, now that you've given some sneek peaks!!

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  131. To bad I am already married!! Everything is beautiful!! Even the naked baby with the scraped knee! I have a 15 month old daughter and she is also scrapped up and bruised from running around and climbing everything in sight!!

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  132. I don't really have any maid of honor speech advice, except telling a slightly embarrassing (in a cute way) story is totally acceptable. And definitely from the heart! I'm sure you'll do great! Your suckers look fantastic. I'm intrigued by the peach flavor.

    Thanks for the giveaway and I hope the wedding goes off without a hitch!

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  133. Good luck with the wedding prep! I love all of the handmade touches you've added. Thanks for the giveaway :)

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  134. Keep the speech short and sweet :) You can always write a longer, more personal note in the card for the couple to read later.

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  135. AH! These are gorgeous. I love Heather Ross. And Flea Market Fancy. I can't believe you are parting with those.

    And I'm going to become a follower anyway because I am excited to discover your blog!

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  136. I love the garlands - how fabulous! Pssst....I also just LOVE your sweet child!

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  137. I have never had any Heather Ross fabric before. It looks so sweet. I just finished a quilt top with Soul Blossoms :) Thanks for the giveaway!

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  138. I don't need more fabric, but I do want some. Today I am up to... SMS giveaway day. I shoud be cleaning/vacuuming/shampooing the floor because of child projectile vomitings but I don't want to. Let Febreeze do the work.

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  139. WOW, you are a busy girl! I love all of the wedding decorations you made so far. Your sister is lucky to have you-- I'm sure it will be a beautiful wedding. Thanks so much for the fun giveaway!!!

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  140. love your garlands :))
    thanks for the giveaway!!

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  141. Speak from the heart and save your embarrassing stories for another time. :)

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  142. Ha! A maid of honor speech? Where does one even begin? This looks like it will be a gorgeous wedding, thanks to your hard work.

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  143. Had planned to finish some quilts today but have been stuck at the computer looking at all the wonderful blogs. The wedding is going to be fantastic, love your cupcakes, can't wait to see the cakes.

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  144. Your model is gorgeous and looks exaclty how one should after a day spent playing outside, scraped knees and all.

    Good luck with the whole wedding thing.

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  145. Crafting deadlines give me bellyaches! Good luck lady. I'd take anything Heather Ross, including scraps. Thanks for the giveaway.

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  146. How lucky your sister is to have you!
    I am sure it will be a beautiful day you will all remember.
    I am so emotional I could never give a speech, I would just bawl into the microphone like a huge dork. SO i am no good in that department:)
    Thanks for the chance! I just love Heather Ross's work so much!

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  147. i love the cake in your banner and the hello kitty cupcakes! i used to be a wedding cake designer so i can't wait to go through the blog and see more of your work.

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  148. The pompoms are great, don't forget to enjoy the wedding too :-)
    Thanks for the giveaway...

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  149. great fabric! My advice for speeches (been a maid of honor a few times) is to keep it short and sweet. 1 fun story that everyone can laugh at, no inside jokes, and end it on a sweet note. under 3mins is best. Hate sitting through long speeches filled with inside jokes!

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  150. At my wedding last year my sister/MOH (who is not a crier AT ALL), only got through "I love my sister" and then burst into tears! She mumbled a few more words but at that point everyone else was already crying so she didn't really have to say anything, ha! Maybe you could go that route! ;) I'm impressed by all your hard work, I'm sure the wedding will be gorgeous!

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  151. Looks fabulous Em! I am impressed. What a lucky sister. As for the speech, my MOH shared some fun memories from growing up together, and also talked about what our friendship meant to her. I cried. :) I agree with Kacey above.

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  152. I've been a maid/matron of honor twice - both for my (only!) sister. Never once gave a speech (nor did she at mine) 'cause we had really simple weddings. So that would be my totally useless advice - just don't give one! ;)

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  153. You make me want to get married all over again. Such awesome ideas.

    limor477 at aol dot com

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  154. Nice giveaway! Have fun at the wedding.

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  155. oh my... this is the best giveaway I've seen yet!

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  156. Fabulous giveaway!!! I love Heather Ross!!!
    Great looking blog too, I will be checking it out in the future. I love the wedding details you have been working on! We had a real DIY wedding, so I can appreciate the work that goes into it! Speech tips? Share some sappy stories - make people laugh, and cry. The best Maid of Honour speech I ever heard expressed love for sister and feelings/duty of protectiveness that the MOH (sister) now "handed over" to the husband, it was well written too, but I remember how beautiful the sentiment was. MOH speech that couldn't end fast enough - one that sounded like a yearbook signing - ie - remember the time when we did this, it was hilarious (it went on like that for over 10 minutes, and most guests are not in on the jokes). My MOH did a top ten - cute and sweet! Good luck, I'm sure you'll do fine!

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  157. good luck with all the wedding prep! You are so kind to help out so much! I made the pom poms for my daughter's bday and they were a big hit :) Thanks for the giveaway!

    bruinbr at gmail dot com

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  158. Advice---keep it short. :)

    Thanks for a chance to win!
    zucchinisummer at gmail dot com

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  159. LOL you wouldnt date read someone else's speech now would you? I do think you should add some humor in there, thats always nice. Thanks!

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  160. So I am so not busy compared to you. I do hope the wedding is lovely. You speech will be grand. I would adore to win this. Can't wait to hear how it all turns out.

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  161. I love this fabric, sogeorgeous!

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  162. I'm sure you'll give an awesome speech.....thanks for a chance to win

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  163. I really love your pom-poms! Mine always come out flat or wonky. Nice work!

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  164. i can't believe that wedding and your involvement. it reminds me of my sister's wedding where i was involved and making things every step of the way. my favorite was the cake tasting.

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  165. I would have such a hard time giving away Heather Ross.......thanks

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  166. You are doing so much amazing work for the wedding, my suggestion is that you use your speech to talk about just yourself. It would be memorable!

    Also, don't listen to my advice, I'm drunk on little sea horses.

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  167. The wedding will be beautiful !! For your speech make sure to include some heartfelt serious stuff and some humor too (something about when you were little kids would be great).
    Thanks for the giveaway !

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  168. Without wanting to sound disheartening - be prepared in case people don't laugh at the right moments!
    Gem
    x

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  169. WOW! What great wedding ideas! How do you make the lollipops? AND, how do you have time to do all of that wedding prep AND pinterest? :) Lately, I've been pinning away and getting some great craft ideas. I'm gonna be working on those some once school gets out for the summer.

    I don't have any speech ideas other than to just speak from the heart and try not to be nervous.

    Thanks for the great giveaway!

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  170. Love the wedding decor - and just be honest and tell a funny story!

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  171. You are one very busy and talented lady! Thanks for the giveaway! You might mention something about how the wedding couple met or how you felt about your b-i-l when you met him.

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  172. I wish you good luck for the wedding speech. I can´t help you at this, because I´m not good in english. But you will make it.

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  173. just speak from your heart. keep it loving, short and respectful.

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  174. Those decorations are beautiful! Great job! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  175. I thought I had a lot going on lately! It looks like you've got us all beat. Thanks for the chance for some great goodies!

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  176. Would you laugh if I told you I thought the giveaway was going to be a garland and I about squeed. My baby's birthday is next month and I could totally use those. But I squeed again when I saw the fabrics you're giving away. =]

    I am amazed at four cakes. Like four tiered cakes? Wow. I would love to write your MOH speech for you, so go ahead and close this up and I'll message you my address. ;)

    Thanks for the chance to win!
    searchingoutsimple at comcast dot net

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  177. love love love those fabrics! and my girls are tickled with the UofM hello kitty--very nice!

    your blog is lovely!

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  178. Today I made some flourless peanut butter cookies with lemon extract instead of vanilla extract. Watched Dr. Oz and looked up some mexican recipes online.

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  179. Great give away! As for the MoH speech, I saw keep it short and funny with a little sentimental memory thrown in at the end.

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  180. Your sister is so lucky to have you helping her! I don't have much advice for the MoH speech, but here's a little for everyone to keep things in perspective:
    If the proposed bride and groom show up single and leave married, it's a successful wedding. Mess up either of those, and you're in a world of trouble! :)

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  181. I'll tell you what I'm up to, I'd be hopeless helping with the speech! I'm going back and forth between my sewing machine (quilting a runner), the computer (giveaways!) and the washer and dryer (stinky clothes, what else??). That's my exciting Monday!
    Thank you for participating in Giveaway Day!

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  182. I thought this one might be popular :) What a lovely bundle to fun to win!

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  183. Here's your speech

    1. Say something about when you first met the person your sister is marrying
    2. Tell a funny story about your sister from childhood
    3. Say something heartfelt about your sister today
    4. Tell a story or say something about your sister and her partner as a couple.
    5. Wish them the best in their marriage, ask everyone to raise glass, and say, "To Glenda and Frank*. In all the days from here on out, may today be the day you love each other least."

    *Only use those names if their names are ACTUALLY GLENDA and FRANK. Otherwise, fill in their names. Or else that would be weird.

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  184. Lovely giveaway! Thanks for the chance! Good luck with the speech!

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  185. Such a good giveaway! Can't give you speech advice, I always just wing it. Sometimes it turns out good and sometimes not so much.

    chancyf (at) gmail (d0t) com

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  186. i cant wait to look around your blog more! Are those gnomes I see in this wunderful stash of fabrics! Thanks for the chance!
    streetheartsandiego@yahoo.com
    streetheart art and boutique/facebook

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  187. What a great giveaway! Thanks for the chance to win! I look forward to seeing some pics from your sisters wedding!

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  188. Your little one is ADORABLE with her scraped knees and corsage! I love it. Just like my three!

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  189. Oh, what a great giveaway! I'm currently scrounging for more HR scraps to make a tribute quilt. So hard to find when you're late to the game!

    Hmm, my only maid of honor speech I made up completely on the spot b/c I'm not one to prepare. I just talked about our tight friendship, and then how I started hearing cute stories about "this guy" and then how things got serious.

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  190. Speech advice: make it short and sweet. Don't put the pressure on yourself to write a book. Just let it come from the heart. :)

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  191. Wow on the wedding and giveaway! Thx

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  192. Ooo, this is a great giveaway! Thanks for the opportunity to win!

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  193. It's rainy afternoon here in Washington state...so I'm baking chocolate chip cookies and snuggling on the couch w/my hubby...I love the garlands you've made (perhaps there will be a tutorial later...hint, hint?)and looking forward to pics of the wedding...good luck on your speech, I'm sure it will be heartfelt and touching!

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  194. What a nice sister you are! And a nice giveaway hostess! Thanks for the chance to win. Sorry, I'm no good at speeches--writing or giving.

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