Jennifer Carroll Events Blog

Clifton Inn Wedding :: Kim & Ed

I thought that sharing this glorious wedding with you today would be a lovely escape from all of the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. This past October I had the wonderful opportunity to work with Kim & Ed, designing their dream wedding at the Clifton Inn. Their color palette of pink and chocolate is a soothing sight with Christmas looming a little less than 2 weeks away!!

One of the many details that I love are the masses of pink carnations shown in the top photo of the 2nd group of photos. These were the base to our manzenita trees with escort card "leaves". So charming!!

Do you see the glorious cakes shown in the center of this 3rd group? Richard Lasher with Cakes of Art made these beauties! The left is the wedding cake adorned with edible cherry blossom branches and the groom's cake on the right is a 100% edible bald eagle cake! Doesn't he look like he'll fly off any minute? Amazing!!

 

Another delightful treat was the late-night donut cart from my friend Matt with Carpe Donut - in a word? YUM!

The bubble send-off at the end of the night was the perfect ending to a truly perfect day! Thank you Kim & Ed for allowing me to be a part of your story! :-)

Thank you also to all the fab vendors! They include:

Venue & Catering: Clifton Inn
Photographer: Sarah Cramer
Wedding Planner: Jennifer Carroll Events
Florist: Pat's Floral Designs
Tent: Skyline Tent Co.
Baker: Richard Lasher with Cakes of Art
Makeup Artist: Lucinda with Face Value Salon
Hair Stylist: Moxie Hair Lounge
Horse Drawn Carriage: Harmon's Carriages
Donuts: Carpe Donut
Invitations & Programs: Bella Figura
Reception Papers: Jennifer Carroll Events

Happy Tuesday!

Jennifer

Gingerbread House Inspirations

photos courtesy: Martha Stewart.com

A favorite holiday tradition of mine is making gingerbread houses but it's amazing how often I don't make them because I just can't seem to find the time. So imagine my delight when I saw these darling no-bake, mini cottages from the creative geniuses at Martha Stewart! Because of their small size I know that I won't spend hours obsessing about decor - there just isn't enough square footage for that!

Now, if I had a little more time... these houses are definitely dreamy! In this group the top left and bottom right are from Martha and the top right and bottom left are from the editors of Country Living. Gorgeous!!

Happy Monday!

Jennifer

And the winner is.....

Lori Ferguson! She selected the Reindeer & Christmas Tree designs. Congratulations Lori!!!

Thanks so much to all who participated!!!! Your excitement over the designs is very encouraging! Especially as I prepare to head off to the Atlanta International Gift Show in just a few weeks...!!

Still want to buy your own cards? If you are in the Charlottesville area, the Christmas designs are available at Chimney Corner in Barracks Road, Zesstivities & Face Value Salon in the Old Trail Shopping Center (in Crozet) and at the Rockfish Gap Store in Afton.

Congratulations again to Lori!!

Happy Thursday!

Jennifer

Holiday DIY :: Ribbon Bookmarks - part 2

Here is part 2 of the super-easy ribbon bookmark project! This one includes Twinkle Type - one of my most favorite embellishments - it's sparkly - need I say more?!

Supplies:
Ribbon
Twinkle Type letters
Fabric Glue
Scissors

Instructions:
Step 1 :: Select a ribbon of your choice. Again, almost any type of ribbon will work as long as it's flat. Today I used a velvet ribbon (love the texture!) and a two-toned ribbon - fun!

Step 2 :: Measure desired length and cut. If you read mostly paper backs cut your ribbon shorter than if you lean towards hardcovers. When cutting the tail, fold the end of the ribbon in half lengthwise and holding the scissors at an angle with scissor tips facing opposite the end of the ribbon - snip! This creates the lovely "v" end giving your tail a finished look.

Step 3 :: Using the other end of the ribbon, determine where you want to place the piece of twinkle type on the ribbon. Now, put a few small dots of fabric glue on the back of your letter and press on to ribbon to adhere. Note: don't put too much glue on the back of the letter because when you press it on to the ribbon it will come gushing out - I speak from experience!! Allow to dry.

Voila! Remember, you could add a book or a magazine (if you make your tail long enough) with a year-long subscription to make this a perfectly pretty present!

Enjoy your holiday crafting!

Happy Wednesday!

Jennifer

Holiday DIY :: Ribbon Bookmarks - part 1

I love Christmas and I love reading so for me this is a gift that I couldn't resist making extras of so I could have a few myself!

This craft is soooo easy that truly anyone can do it!!

Supplies:
Ribbon
Stickers - 2 identical ones*
Scissors

*I used puffy snowflake stickers that I bought at Michael's Crafts.

Instructions:
Step 1 :: Select a ribbon of your choice. Almost any type of ribbon will work as long as it's flat.

Step 2 :: Measure desired length and cut. If you read mostly paper backs cut your ribbon shorter than if you lean towards hardcovers. When cutting the tail, fold the end of the ribbon in half lengthwise and holding the scissors at an angle with scissor tips facing opposite the end of the ribbon - snip! This creates the lovely "v" end giving your tail a finished look.

Step 3 :: Using the other end of the ribbon, center one of your stickers on the ribbon and press to adhere. Flip ribbon and apply identical 2nd sticker. Be careful to match up stickers.

That's it! If desired you could add a book to make this gift complete!

Tomorrow I'll be sharing another nifty bookmark craft with one of my favorite embellishments: Twinkle Type!

Happy Tuesday!

Jennifer

Win 2 sets of cards from the Jennifer Carroll Designs Christmas collection!!

 

The Holiday season has officially arrived and to kick things off I am offering you the chance to win two sets of cards from my Jennifer Carroll Designs Christmas collection! Each set comes with 10 cards and 10 envelopes. 

 

The design shown in the top photo is "Santa". The second and third photos are of the "Christmas Tree" design. There are 8 designs total in the Christmas collection (click here to see them all). The winner can choose any design they like - it can be 2 different ones or 2 of the same!

To enter post your name, email address and the design(s) you'd like to win in the comment section by midnight on Wednesday, December 9th. I'll randomly choose a winner and announce them on Thursday, December 10th.

Good luck!

Jennifer

Decorate with coffee filters!

 

 
 I recently saw this project on Elizabeth Anne Designs blog and did a little digging to find this gem of a craft from Pam Garrison! I love the creamy colors and can imagine so many uses for it - from vintage inspired Christmas decor to swags for a wedding! Here is a link to Pam's site with instructions. 

  

She also made some small pompom garlands that are super fab! Wouldn't they be an adorable embellishment on a gift? Read more about them here.

 

I plan to make some of the little ones for sure - they're too cute to pass up! Please let me know if you make them and how it goes!

Thank you so much Pam for sharing this awesome creation!

Happy Wednesday!

Jennifer 

Plaid Holiday Inspirations

I love plaid - and I had fun creating this inspiration board filled with items simple and spectacular for a very British holiday celebration. I added a touch of Team Edward into the mix - I just couldn't resist!

Did you spot the Happy Christmas note cards from my Jennifer Carroll Designs Christmas collection?

Do you have a favorite item in this group? Tell me!

Happy Tuesday!

Jennifer

Preparing for Overnight Guests

'Tis the season for overnight guests! To help you get ready I've pulled together some favorite ideas from the editors of Martha Stewart Living, Country Living, Real Simple & the UK Country Homes & Interiors magazines. I love the mini tree in the above photo - what a great way to show off a small collection of prized ornaments or other items. (Remember postcards, vintage buttons, and so much more can hang from those lovely branches!)

Short on space? Group essentials like towels and an alarm clock with little luxuries like bottles of water, foil-wrapped chocolates, and a few cut blooms in a vase on a chair turned nightstand!

Help guests who might want to venture out on their own by setting out maps, brochures for area attractions and local papers which list movie times to make their excursions fun!

A stack of vintage suitcases topped with a makeup case creates a charming vanity table for guests! Don't have a makeup case with a mirror in it? You could always prop an inexpensive dollar store mirror in a case to recreate this look - design on a dime style!

What are your favorite items to have on hand for overnight guests? I'd love to hear about them!

Happy Monday!

Jennifer

I ♥ Ruche!

I have just recently discovered this most lovely shop and am so happy to share it with you! Ruche's online boutique is filled with modern vintage inspired finds at very reasonable prices! As the Christmas shopping season begins check out some of my favorites and maybe you'll find something for someone on your list!

 

 

Happy Friday!

Jennifer