"Let the clay speak".

A Fine Line now carries ceramic stonewear dishes by Ann Barnes. After 27 years as a Family Practice Doctor she realized the healing force of human touch also translated in to clay. Having had many teachers in ceramics one to note said "Let the clay speak" (MacKenzie).

Barnes' unique dishes come in a variety of shapes, colors and sizes.

Once the pieces are formed from clay they are baked twice, the second time to over 2200 F.

These dishes will add charm and elegance to your table because each is one of a kind.


Stop in today to start your collection!

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And the winner is...

Our Fine Line staff had the opportunity of hosting a booth at the Bridal Expo at the TCC this month. Our own Nancy (we've nicknamed her "Fancy Nancy" because everything she creates is fabulous) put together this wedding dress made entirely of paper. People who stopped by the booth were able to write down their tips, advice and ideas pertaining to weddings and marriage that adorned the skirt of the dress (see ideas below). Three names were drawn to win special wedding day goodies from A Fine Line.

Without further adieu...the winner of our Bridal Expo Drawing is:

1st Place winner is Heather! 3 Boxes of Crane Hand-Bordered Notes with silver or Gold Edging with in-store personalization.

2nd Place winner is Gina! A Pair of Champagne Flutes from Barraveld

3rd place winner is Lindsey! A Bridal Essential Survival Kit

Congratulations winners. And thank you for all that entered and shared your ideas with us. Here are a few of the lovely ideas submitted.

1. Send two waves of invitations. If you know certain are a definite “no”, send theirs first. Every time you get a “No” RSVP, send another invitation to the second wave. - Kirsten

2. Include your groom because he can be very good at the leg work. – Carolyn

3. Massage therapies to calm wedding jitters and celebrate. Maybe a couples massage, or a massage at a pre-wedding party. – Deborah

4. “Pick your battles and you’ll win the war” – Gina

5. Display family wedding pictures (grandparents, parents, etc.) around the cake table. – Melissa
6. Sock Party – Have a tree at the bridal shower and have guests bring a colorful sock filled with candy and one honeymoon idea for the bride. – Sherry

7. Fun in Las Vegas – “I”

8. Let go of the little stuff. – Brittni

9. Do something “fun” that is NOT wedding related two days before your wedding day so you are refreshed for the big day. - Heather

10. For your escort table, create a dress using the place cards and ribbons. Display it on a mannequin. – Amanda

11. For party favors, personalized Frisbees. – Leighton

12. A post-wedding family reunion. It’s a great, casual way for everyone to meet. – Laura

13. “Pot Luck” party – Bring a favorite dish to share with a recipe card to leave with bride and groom. – Toney

14. Go for a trail ride in the mountains. – Shannon

15. San Pedro Chapel for an historic Tucson experience. Feast Catering for the reception! – Sarah

16. Fireworks show outside of reception hall. – Alexandra

17. French vanilla with strawberry champagne mousse for your wedding cake from busy B’s Bakery - Anonymous
18. Create a “Marriage Rules” book with funny stories of how you as a couple handle life together (ex. Money, traveling, shopping, etc.) – Roni

19. For reception centerpieces, use pretty vases with Betta fish swimming in them. – Sarah

20. For centerpieces, use a pretty basin with dry ice. – Mattea

21. Live fire centerpieces – mini basins with black glass sand and a gas fire. – Sarah

22. Train your dog to be your ring bearer. – Veronica

23. For an actual Disney theme wedding, have an Alice in Wonderland tea party and have all bridesmaids dress the part. – Teresa

24. Bachelorette party/Day – enjoy spa treatments and a catered dinner. – Kamie

25. Cupcakes for your wedding cake. - Faybra

26. Instead of tossing the bouquet, do an “Anniversary Dance” to give the bouquet to the longest-married couple. – Monique

27. Celebrate your one-year anniversary with a weekend stay at Acacia Inn Bed and Breakfast for champagne, berries, dinner and breakfast. – Anonymous

28. “Dancing Shoes” – flip flops as party favors. – Rachael

29. Mani/pedi with wine party – Hannah

30. Make a wedding website! Helps family and friends around the country (or world) stay updated on all the details. Theknot.com is a great place to start! – Jacqueline

31. Party gift/favor – Soap in a cone. Place hand-made soaps in a paper cone, fill and stuff with raffia. – Jan

32. Yummm … Frost mobile catering. – Lindsey

33. If you are stuck on ideas for your wedding, have a “brainstorming” party with your bridal party over wine and cheese. – Anna

34. Bachelorette party – wine tour and tasting in southern AZ. – Connie

35. Dallas Cowboys themed wedding – Go Cowboys! “rlu”

36. Karaoke competition – Anna

37. Have a brother/sister dance as well as the Father/Bride dance. – Jetzabel

38. The best gift a man can give his children is to love their mother. – Marcie

39. The husband always answers “Yes, Dear”. – Danielle

40. Carry a fan with your bouquet. – Alaina

41. Bridesmaid nail/spa party with mobile salon services. – Amanda

42. Create small signs in your theme colors to put on the tables – “thank you”, “smile”, other wishes for the guest and/or the bride and groom. Be sure to use fine papers. – Jeanne

43. Place a silk flower monogram behind your wedding cake. – Becky

44. Passion Party. – Anonymous

45. The three magic words for my husband – “Yes, My Dear” – Connie

46. Make a checklist and mark things off as you. – Tori

47. Bachelorette sleep-over or Bridesmaid luncheon at Acacia B&B. – Anonymous

48. Beautiful views, gorgeous pictures, golf and a perfect wedding at Hacienda Del Lago. - Anonymous

Got a great wedding day tip or idea? Leave us a comment on this post. We'd love to hear it!

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Tucson Bridal Expo

This beautiful wedding gown made from PAPER was designed by our own Nancy Cox. It was a show-stopper! We asked attendees to embellish our dress with their favorite wedding ideas. Everyone that shared an idea had their names go in for a drawing. Stay tuned for the winners! We'll also be posting a list of their ideas.

Kristi Erceg is an amazing consultant and we are blessed to have her on our team. Our brides love working with her as she assists them in finding just the right invitation to set the tone for their celebration.

Cherie Murphy also works on our invitation team as a consultant. Her expertise and keen eye for design helps streamline what can otherwise be a lengthy process for a bride.

We also carry a fabulous assortment of distinctive cards and gifts. The brides essential survival kits are a favorite! The kit is prettily packaged for the bride, bridesmaid, mother of the bride, or mother of the groom. It is a thoughful gift and contains practical things like extra bobby pins, earring backings, asprin, and other essentials for "just in case" on the day of the event.

We also carry treat boxes, glittered vintage-style cake toppers, handkercheifs embroidered with "grandmother" and "mother", gift bags for bridesmaids, toasting glasses, L-O-V-E Sparklers to top a cake and letterpressed notes to thank the wedding party for their participation in your big day.

Jewelry is a thoughtful gift for the bride or attendants. Two of my favorites are displayed here. A sterling silver envelope that opens and inside is a little silver note that says "I Love You". And a sterling silver charm that says "To Have" and then flips over and says "To Hold". We also carry custom-made pearl and crystal wedding jewelry. Our little freshwater pearl pendants and bracelet are a popular bridesmaid gift.

Elaine Taylor provides some of the most exquisite floral designs in Tucson! We are proud to have her featured in our store. Every arrangement she does continue to wow me. Check out her website here.

Winners and Wedding Ideas will be posted soon. Be sure to click on "Subscribe by email" so you will automatically get blog updates.

It was a treat for us to meet so many beautiful brides with creative, beautiful ideas! Thank you for letting us be a part of the process.

Warmly,

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Dorm room living in style.

It's that time again for students to head back to school. For some college students it will be their first time leaving home. One way to help alleviate the homesick blues is to help them make their dorm room feel a little bit like home. Warm up their space with colors, texture and personality. Here are some fantastic ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

We found this great before and after makeover on My Home Ideas.

What college student wouldn't be proud to call this their home away from home?

This room features a D.I.Y. headboard made out of an old grain sack.

Before, typical cork board:

After, message board loaded with style:

The top of a standard dresser is the perfect place to personalize with great accessories.

Recently bloggers came together for a "Dorm Room Design Day" where they each put together a design board featuring design elements perfect for a dorm room. Get inspired by their ideas.

(For resources click on the designer name highlighted.)

Design by Caitlin Creer:

Design by Aesthic Oiseau:

Design by Diva Style:

Design by 6th Street Design School:

Design by Loft and Cottage:

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Casual and Elegant Entertaining.

Summer means backyard barbeques and picnics at the park.
We now carry a fun and wide assortment of paper napkins & plastic cups perfect for your gathering.

Dress up your table setting with our fun paper napkins.
Choose from "Weekend Linen", "Coastal Cotton" or "Beach Towel".
We also have a popular faux hemstitch pattern and many colorful graphics.

Our tumblers will add a touch of whimsy and are the perfect size for cocktails.
We carry three designs that read,
"Weekend Waterford", "Beach Bucket" or "Coastal Crystal".

Our napkins and tumblers pair nicely with our new
Stoneware Collection by Ann Barnes (feature coming soon).

Are you spending your summer away from Tucson and wish you had some of these at your summer home? Give us a call and we'll ship some to you!
Contact us at A Fine Line, 520-721-2500.

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From Boring to Stunning!

Disposable paper products make for easy entertaining and clean up.

However, just because you use paper it doesn't mean that your table setting can't be festive.

Follow these tips to take your table FROM BORING TO STUNNING!

Paper products actually INSPIRE me when I am entertaining. I often start with a pattern or color scheme found on a paper plate, napkin, wrapping paper, stationery design or invitation. Rather than trying to find paper to match my theme, I start with paper - just as I start with fabric when decorating.

Decorating you table according to the event means having a lot of settings that you must store and purchase, which is not always feasible. On the other hand, everyone has a budget and storage space for paper products.

Next time you come accross a set of printed paper plates or napkins that you love,
SAVE THEM.


Also, keep clear glass and/or clear plastic plates on hand. I found mine at Linens & Things.

(Tidbit: Most stores have mailing lists that will regularly send you coupons just by signing up on their website. I used my 20% off coupon. Bed, Bath & Beyond has similar plates and they take competitors coupons - even expired ones.)

The small salad or dessert plates are "objets trouvés" (translation: found objects) which are flea market or estate sale finds. These particular ones were given to me by a sweet girlfriend that embraces my love for pretty things! They have a sweet etched floral design.

Start with a charger and layer a patterned paper plate with clear glass plate on top.
The paper creates the mood, adding color and pattern.
The glass makes the surface sturdy and protects the paper products for use again.

In this photo I used a paper napkin and cut it into a decorative shape using a template that I created to add interest to my place setting. The same thing can be done using tissue paper and wrapping paper - other great sources of pattern & color.

While everyone else brings out their china for the holidays, I commonly use paper.
Tacky? Perhaps. But I also don't have to limit my invitation list to the number of place settings I own. Also, clean-up is a breeze - even when the guest count is huge. Isn't it great that we live in Arizona where at Thanksgiving we can cook the turkey outside on the grill and set up tables on the patio to accommodate everyone?

Here, I found inspiration with all things gold.
Paper napkin, paper plate with a plain gold border (hard to see in this photo but it actually is sitting on top of a glass charger with a clear glass dinner plate on top of it).
An elegant dinner party just waiting to happen!

Or make your party SUPER SIMPLE. Use plain white cocktail plates, a black tablecloth or place mat, and "Weekend Waterford" & "Weekend Linen" from A Fine Line for a totally whimsical and elegant look! A Fine Line also carries Caspari, my favorite line of paper napkins. Come in today to take a look and enjoy festive, casual entertaining.

PS - We are going to be adding a customer's corner to our blog. If you have great ideas that you'd like to share with our blog readers, please email us your photos and story.
Please note: We want to give your idea the attention it needs so we encourage you to send your ideas by email rather than sharing the with us while you shop or by telephone. Our email address is inquiries@afineline-tucson.com

PSS - Thanks to my daughter, Kara, an aspiring photographer for these photos. She just got her new camera yesterday and is already taking photos like a professional. I appreciate you!

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