Inspired by PAX - Stuck Inside Project EP

During the winter storm PAX this past week, my brother, Evan Blackerby with The Roads & Boroughs, came up with the idea to use this "Stuck Inside" time wisely and create an interactive semi-live music project with his friends.

Evan had a few friends from all over the country record and upload their additions to songs with their instruments, beats and harmonies. The challenge given to them was that they only had 48 hours to send material in.  Of course a few ran over, but it was close. I am excited to have added harmony in to a few of these songs as well!
 
This project called, "Stuck Inside" is now an EP on Noisetrade for your listening pleasure! Recorded by the brave few that sent in material recorded in their living rooms, bathrooms and bedrooms. We will never forget winter storm PAX.

Here are four collaborative songs that you can download and share with others for free!

www.noisetrade.com/roadsboroughs/stuck-inside-project-ep

My Brother is Beyond Talented!

Evan Shaw Blackerby is my older brother. But he's also a Father, a husband, a friend, a musician, an artist, an idea guy, a coffee drinker, a Jesus lover, a dreamer, someone who inspires others, he is compassionate and he is without a doubt BEYOND TALENTED!

But on January 1st Evan became something he has never been before... an AUTHOR!

Evan has always been a talented song writer and communicator. It comes natural to him. He's able to articulate emotions, tell a story and describe a situation with very little words, which I find fascinating. He is funny without trying because that's who he is. Also, he has always had wise things to say (another thing I find fascinating.)

On New Year's Day Evan released a book on Amazon and to add a cherry on top, he also released an  EP on Noisetrade the same day... craziness! I am thrilled to be able to be a part and witness the journey God has him on!  

 

IN THE BOOK: Evan has something to say/share and it is hilarious as well as inspirational. It's a quick read, simple, but so profound. While reading it I laughed out loud and when finished I was touched by the realization that we have a short time to live out our dreams and change a little part of the world. I was inspired. I know others will be inspired as well.

Download the kindle version of How to Write A Book, by Evan Blackerby

 
ON THE EP: Evan experiments with sounds, layers of harmony and instruments while taking you along the rough cut journey. It's honest and it's awesome.

Download the EP through Noisetrade  of The Roads & Boroughs, "Rough Cuts EP" 

WORTHY OLD NEWS : Also, Evan has an EP on iTunes that came out in January of 2013. Definitely some of my favorite work of his thus far called, Before it's Too Cold. 

Download on the EP on iTunes - Before it's Too Cold, Evan Blackerby

Follow Evan's blog at: http://evanblackerby.com/

Courtyards & Cobblestones 2014

 www.courtyardsandcobblestones.com

I can't believe it's that time of year again! We are less than a month away from Courtyards & Cobblestones 2014 taking place downtown Wilmington, NC. If you are a bride looking to plan your wedding in Wilmington, you won't want to miss this creative bridal event. Bring your husband-to-be and tour six historical venues while meeting and greeting our areas top wedding professionals. I hope to see you there!

MORE INFO ABOUT C&C

Courtyards & Cobblestones is an event designed to showcase historic wedding venues and wedding professionals on a downtown Wilmington self-guided tour. We aim to provide an inspirational and transitional atmosphere for Brides to tour and plan their wedding day.

On your SELF-GUIDED TOUR  you will experience six themed reception and ceremony sites in our city's oldest landmarks. Let Wilmington's history be a part of your future!

MINGLE with Wilmington’s top wedding professionals as they showcase their products and services.

ENJOY music from local artists as you sample scrumptious appetizers, lite bites and tasty treats!

HAPPY BRIDES could walk away winning fantastic jewelry giveaways from Reeds' Jewelers and other fantastic giveaways from Pressed Cotton. Attend for your chance to win!


ADMISSION & TICKETS:

www.courtyardsandcobblestones.com
Online - $18
Door - $25

TIME:
4:00 pm to 8:00 pm

CHECK IN LOCATION:
The Atrium - 15 South 2nd Street - Downtown Wilmington
Check in will be from 3:30 to 6:oo 

Merry Christmas! Love, The Mattis Family

 

  

May the Lord bless you and keep you.

May the Lord make his face to shine upon you,
and be gracious to you.

May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
and give you peace.

Merry Christmas to you and yours this holiday season!

With Love, 

The Mattis Family

Salt Dough Ornaments

I remember making salt dough figures and shapes when I was a little one in pre-school and even some in elementary school. It was a fun craft. I remember the way it felt in my hands and even the way it tasted. :) But what all of the Moms in pre-school loved and remembered was the little hand print shapes in the dough, knowing their kids would grow and if it didn't break a hand print was stuck in time and a treasured keep sake. I am now on the opposite end of this craft and one who wants to freeze these little hand prints in time and keep them on my Christmas tree... sighs.

I live for moments, crafts and adventures that take me right back to sweet memories I had as a child but what a true blessing it is to be an adult and have an opportunity to experience it all over again from a different view point and with new eyes.  I love sharing moments like this with SM & E.

Excited to pass this craft on and make some keep sakes for our 2013 Christmas tree we had to do this! In a small window of time my kids and I were able prepare the salt dough and make our shapes. We then left the shapes out to dry for several hours and then baked them for about 3 hours at a low temperature. We then painted, decorated and hung them on our tree! I hope you can pass this along to your kids this holiday!

WHAT YOU NEED: 

1 cup salt
2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup warm water

Eve adding in the salt

This does get messy :)

DIRECTIONS:
1. Mix salt and flour in a large bowl.
2. Stir in the warm water and mix well until it forms a doughy consistency.
3. With your hands form a ball with your dough and kneed it for at least 5 minutes. As you need the dough it will get smoother. 
4. Shape and press your dough onto a flat surface and either cut shapes out with a cookie cutter or shape them as you wish. We decided to shape our own circle and put a handprint in the dough and cut around the hand.
5. To add a hole in the dough use a straw to remove a small circle from the dough.

I used a knife and cut around the hand print after the impression was made.

You can paint your ornaments or shapes with acrylic paints and seal them with a varnish or polyurethane spray. The kids loved being a part of all of the salt dough ornaments steps the making, the baking and the painting.

Reindeer Hand print

Cookie Ornament for Santa

Eve's hand print Santa process

Stephen Michael with his cookie, snowman and reindeer!

Our Real Wedding in Martha Stewart Weddings Magazine!

 

 

 We were undone and very honored to be featured as a Martha Stewart Real Wedding this past spring in a two page spread in Martha Stewart Weddings Magazine. The article couldn't have been more perfect and captured the very essence of who Michael and I are as a couple and family. The magazine also featured our wedding online which you can read in my post or click the link below.

Real Wedding: Abigail & Michael, Wilmington, North Carolina

We were so blessed to work with some of the most incredible wedding professionals in our area to create this special wedding day in July of 2011. A huge thank you to everyone who loved us, our story and were a part of officially bringing together our family.

Abigail and Michael

In December 2010, Michael proposed to Abigail with a silver cuff engraved with the French words Epouse-moi fee Abilene. Translation? "Marry me fairy Abilene" (his nickname for her). Their nuptials at The Atrium, an urban garden in their hometown of Wilmington, North Carolina, was all about family. Michael's pastor-father officiated (and made the wine served at dinner), his brother played the keyboard, and halfway through the couple's first dance, Michael's daughter, Eve, 7, and son, Stephen Michael, 6, cut in.

 The Invitations

Cream cards were printed with charcoal ink and tucked in pastel envelopes.

 The Fashions

The bride, in Watters, and groom, in Ralph Lauren.

The Boutonnieres

Hemp twine held together clusters of white flowers and green foliage.

 Mommy and Me
 Abigail's new daughter, Eve, drew a picture of the couple on their wedding day -- it now hangs framed in the family’s hallway.

 The Vows

The couple exchanged teary vows under vintage Edison light bulbs.

 DIY Family Tree
The couple hung old photographs of relatives to create a real-life family tree. (top left)
 Escort Cards
Wooden escort cards stuck out of fern boxes and supported the day's garden-party theme. (top right)
 The Ring Master
The wedding bands were tied to a succulent with twine and placed in a nest. (bottom left)
 Family Guys
Michael and his younger brother, a groomsman, and his officiant father chat before the ceremony. (bottom right)

The Tables
Atop tables covered in pale blue linen, the 80 guests dug into fried chicken, barbecued pork, corn bread, and pimento cheese before boogeying to a bluegrass band. Porcelain vases and ivory tapers in glass candlesticks sat on reclaimed-wood boards

 Wedding Cake Trio
Almond, coconut, and banana-nut cakes were iced with pastel fondant and topped with sugar flowers.

 

  Monogrammed Treats
Key-lime crisps were pressed with the initial of the newlyweds' last name.

 

Friendly Favors

 Guests took home make-your-own packets of wildflower, sunflower, and garden vegetable seeds scooped from turquoise mason jars. (left)

 The Guest Book

In lieu of a traditional guest book, the green-thumbed couple invited their friends and family to make colorful leaf rubbings. (right)

 The Dancing Duo
Ring bearer Stephen Michael shows his sister, flower girl Eve, how to cut a rug.

The Getaway
The bride, in Shoshanna, worked her bouquet into her getaway bike's basket.

 

 Sources

Location: The Atrium
Event Design and Flowers: Salt Harbor Designs
Stationery: Minted
Catering: A Southern Thyme
Cakes and Cookies: Flower & Flour
Photography: Millie Holloman Photography
Videography: Life Stage Films
Officiant: Pastor Steve Mattis, Myrtle Grove Presbyterian Church
Music: Jordan K. McLamb
Rentals: Party Suppliers & Rentals and Harborside Event Rentals
Lighting: High Performance Lighting
Hair: Salon Fringe
Bride's veil: aMuse Artisanal Finery
Bride's wedding band: Perry's Emporium
Bride's dress:  Watters
Bride's Getaway dress: Shoshanna
Brides's shoes: Kate Spade
Groom & Groomsmen suits: Ralph Lauren
Groom & Groomsmen ties: Brooks Brothers
Bridesmaid dresses: J.Crew
Flower-girl dress: Crewcuts
Ring-Bearer's attire: Izod

WE LOVE YOU!

One of my favorite days of the year for so many reasons is, Valentine's Day! Approximately one billion Valentines are sent out worldwide each year according to estimates by the U.S. Greeting Card Association. That's second only to Christmas! Every year we are a part of that statistic and send out our handmade love notes to our family all over the country. Here are the cards we made this year.

This project was quick, easy for the entire family and ended up being quite cute! 

Here's what you need:

Gray construction Paper

Red Acrylic Paint

White Acrylic Paint

Shelf Liner or Sponge 

Paper Cutter

Scissors

Black Sharpie

Using shelf liner (I didn't have sponges) I cut out small hearts to use as stamps

Stamped hearts on cut and folded gray construction paper

I cut the paper down to 7"x 5" to be folded into a 3 1/2"x5" card

Stamped a banner in white and outlined with black sharpie.

Final - We Love You Valentine's Day Cards!