ethereal ombre
Loving all of the delicate watercolor-inspired ombre details I’ve been seeing lately, from pretty hanging pendants, to cakes, to this brilliant d.i.y. project designed by Joy Thigpen for Once Wed.
photos: Pendant lampshade, place setting and cake via Martha Stewart; Napkins via Once Wed
clothespin pinwheels & garlands
I find so much inspiration from interesting merchandising and store displays. Today I’m loving these clothespin creations from Anthropologie. Not only are the clothespin pinwheels & garlands really interesting visually, the shade of orange is stunning!
{all images via anthropologie}
craft crush
This post is for Susan*, who asks, “where do you get that stuff?” in regards to the projects I’m always working on for clients. I spend a lot of time shopping the usual suspects…michael’s, ben franklin, paper source, but I just discovered Olive Manna and Cute Tape and crush…major crush.
So many cool things you can do with decorative tape from cute tape. Like this…brilliant. Also love this cotton tape, perfect for stamping.
I’m a big fan of tags…so many uses from escort cards to labels, but wooden tags? Takes it to an entirely new level. Will be stocking up on these beauties for Christmas gift wrapping.
{from the top: clothespins, tags on top right, tags on bottom left, bunting; tape; wooden tags, twist ties}
*Susan promises me that I’m going to get to work on a marthable craft project sometime this fall, and I’m holding her to it. ; )
how-to: table card display
I made this project for Jon and Lauren’s wedding last year at Veritas (photograph above by Elizabeth Messina). Before we get started, if you need a refresher on the difference between place cards and table cards, you can revisit this post.
The first image in the post shows you the final product. The image above shows you the materials…
1. Wooden crate I found the wooden crate used here at Smith & Hawken’s very sad but very rewarding store closing sale. You could craft something similar or use a vintage wooden crate.
2. Heavy gauge copper wire. Look for it at craft stores.
3. Needle nose pliers.
4. Green styrofoam. Also at craft stores, my dears.
5. Reindeer moss. Ditto on the craft stores.
6. Small hand saw. Good for carving pumpkins when not carving foam. Available at Lowe’s.
7. Acorns, pine cones, etc. Not pictured in the materials shot. Good to nest around the crate when it’s displayed.
8. Tented escort cards. Not pictured, but available at paper source.
First step: Cut foam to the width and depth of your wooden crate, creating an even surface that’s almost flush with the top of the crate.
Second step: Cover foam with reindeer moss.
Third step: The copper wire will become the table card holder. You’ll need about 5″ per holder. Cut a piece to size now, and pick up your needle nose pliers.
Fourth step: Griping the wire with needle nose pliers, gently turn one end of the wire around and around again, clockwise, until you have two circles.
Fifth step: Release your needle nose pliers from the grip of the wire. Smooth the rough edge of the wire, and gently pry your two circles apart. You’ll see you have a place where you can insert the card.
Last step: Count the number of cards and plot out your rows.
Voila! You’re finished. Place your cards alphabetically in the crate. When you’re ready to display, nestle the crate in spanish moss with acorns and pine cones.
{first image courtesy elizabeth messina; how-to photos courtesy katie stoops photography}
d.i.y. wedding favors
Tess is visiting today with a d.i.y. wedding favor she made for her own wedding last year. It’s super simple to assemble but full of personality, and especially perfect for Tess and Dan who have a love of all things old and unique…take it away Tess!
Thaumatropes are optical toys, early precursors to later toys like phenakistoscopes and zoetropes, and of course, moving pictures. Being a lover of arcane trinkets, I wanted something old-timey and completely unique for wedding favors. I already had some thaumatropes around the house, and had been a fan of them for years, so using them in the wedding seemed natural. Here’s the how-to.
Supplies:
- Pulpboard coasters from ForYourParty.com, printed with our names and the date of the wedding on one side. On their web site you see a lot of pre-made designs, but the folks at ForYourParty.com will work with you to accommodate your custom look. Ours turned out perfectly. Cost: $74.00 for 200 coasters
- Custom bird stamp from Babyjewels. I sent the shop owner an image of a bird, which she adapted into a lovely little rubber stamp. Cost: $16.00.
- Birdcage stamp from MJDesigns. Cost: about $6.00.
- Blue and black stamp pads from MJDesigns. Cost: about $6.00.
- Ball of twine. Cost: $2.00.
Total cost: $104.00 for 200 wedding favors.
Assembling the thaumatropes can be done in the space of an afternoon, and while a period piece is flickering on your TV screen.
Assembly:
- Stamp the little bird in the middle of each coaster, on the side with the printed names.
- Stamp the birdcage upside down on the back of each coaster.
- Using an embroidery needle, poke two holes in each coaster, next to the edge on either side of the bird.
- Cut enough 8″ pieces of twine so that there are two for each thaumatrope.
- Thread a piece of twine through each of the holes you made, knotting them securely.
Play:
- Hold the thaumatrope with its two strings between your thumb and index fingers, about 2″ away from the coaster part.
- Roll the strings between your fingers, and watch the disc twirl. When it’s twirling slowly, the pictures appear separate. But as the twirling speeds up, it looks like the bird has returned to his home.
Nonpareil
Big congratulations to Maddy, of the Inspired Bride, and Kristen, of Paper Crave, who launched Nonpareil today. Nonpareil is an online magazine that approaches weddings and other occasions with a focus on hip, stylish, do-it-yourself projects and inspiration. Maddy & Kristen have outdone themselves. Be sure to check it out!
Sweet as Pie
Be sure to check out our D.I.Y. up on The Brides Cafe today!
Security Envelope Rosettes
Janice here from scissor variations to share one of my blog “makes” with you. These paper rosettes have been around for a long time: think prize ribbons. I recently tried making them with some security envelopes that normally would have ended up in the recycle bin and loved the end result. These are so easy to make, any found papers can be used. For the decorative centers you can cut out fabric circles or perhaps photocopy a special photo and punch it out with a circle punch. If you have a button making machine, a unique button center would look great too (see our blog tutorial on making buttons). I think these would be fun as “boutonnieres” – a mini prize ribbon for your “Best Man”—why not? Have everyone you know start collecting the security envelopes for you if you want to make these for your special event. Feel free to drop by the blog for more “making” –just click on the scissors! Thanks for inviting me Courtney!
To begin, gather bank statements, car statements, investment statements.
Of course, we all know it’s what on the inside that counts. In this case, tiny little patterns. This one has tiny little envelopes!
Maybe this one needs some color…
Folding under, folding over…
Directions for making security envelope rosettes.
Cut strips from your security envelopes. (Depending on how excited you were when you opened the envelope, you may need to cut smaller strips and piece them together to create longer strips if your envelope has tears in it.)
Accordion fold your paper strips. (My rosettes used two longer strips, accordion folded then glued together end to end to create the rosette. The smaller rosettes used strips that were 1 1/4″ wide.)
Secure the center with glue. (This can be tricky as it will want to pop out and be a lampshade instead. I used extra strength glue dots, but a glue gun is best.)
I glued labels to the center of my strips for the pattern on the smaller rosette. I added some centers + ribbon onto the larger rosette.
A big, big thank you to Janice for stopping by little white book to share her security envelope project with us! I’d love to hear from readers who try this project and showcase your craftiness!
