dip dyed
Loving these dip dyed table cloths. Such an easy and affordable way to dress up a basic cotton linen and to have something unique and custom for an event!
images: 1 + 3 photographed by Polly Wreford for Red Magazine first spotted here and here at Bright Bazaar; 2 photographed by Emma Lee via House to Home
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.
