tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54688018181412199012024-03-18T21:10:09.617-07:00Sarah's D.I.Y. WeddingDo-It-Yourself (D.I.Y.) Projects and Cost-Saving Solutions
for the Creative, Frugal BrideSarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01299001185966033970noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468801818141219901.post-10115664858728107672009-11-15T10:58:00.001-08:002009-11-15T11:34:05.779-08:00Card Box - Easy!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2CE1lHvpqRpWEJLdG3aGQozL3UKSsqw1_aLHIykZKwZ-S5Vpw9fQ6Z4CRq8qBp3J-GPrVDfD_8iTdjLgEeoyjcKdH1wHb9HxHEsfaaBiseY0EojXokrlAG42ARvKwIT5c_XN6Dp9TvzE/s1600-h/IMG_6221.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404414878526593378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2CE1lHvpqRpWEJLdG3aGQozL3UKSsqw1_aLHIykZKwZ-S5Vpw9fQ6Z4CRq8qBp3J-GPrVDfD_8iTdjLgEeoyjcKdH1wHb9HxHEsfaaBiseY0EojXokrlAG42ARvKwIT5c_XN6Dp9TvzE/s320/IMG_6221.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><div>Card boxes come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and even themes. Bird cages are popular, but there is the fear that cards can easily be slipped out through the cage bars (although, seriously, who are these people being invited to weddings who would steal from the bride and groom???).</div><div><br /></div><div>I wanted a damask-like box to tie into our wedding's theme. Etsy had some <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/EmmaLeighDesigns">wonderful selections</a>, but they were rather expensive for, well, a box - not to mention that this box would then have to fit in the car at the end of the night with the other gifts. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, with only a few weeks to go, I decided to make my own box. Because we had received many of the wedding gifts prior to the event, there were <em>several</em> box of varying size hanging around the apartment. I decided on the box our new knife set came in (awesome <a href="http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=286886&CategoryID=37824">Calphalon knives</a>, by the way!) and wrapped it in <a href="http://www.containerstore.com/shop/giftPackaging/giftWrap/wedding?productId=10019678">white-on-white paper </a>from The Container Store. I then wrapped a band of <a href="http://www.containerstore.com/shop/giftPackaging/ribbonsBows?productId=10015288">light blue chiffon ribbon </a>(also from the Container Store) around the box about 1/3 of the way down from the top. </div><div> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404414768976960258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUs_-Ut9A-65xO78wQ1BFhDIi8H7PGqVx-3kqfvC9vtoM8vvgYdG5sL8ifwhCEeewhcuDH_E_FsjzIwY5gZ6r-jQTlf76xH8THww4crePSE6FskhblR3-j_YnE9D2jf1ZZInM4soQhZKQ/s320/IMG_6223.JPG" border="0" /> I made the bow following these instructions from, who else, but Martha:</div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404414431948050066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 258px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO8g0p0RUVHBOPiq1L9eM6F8IEZH3PDwOIvbrrLIzdTOw9h7FeXS6kRJHLeb4G-KBkJ5uxJ0-iylVMxBp-KW2kOtJm4otu5vYtmEkhgHrmcqHJNaDEhsCyiFLoItFhk4GifhjftAA7ROE/s320/IMG_5360.JPG" border="0" /> </div><div>Don't forget to cut a slit on the top of the box! (An Exacto knife will help to make this more accurate.)</div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404414293339702050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXjkeIITGrxFcQ8GOdvKXRnNcnzBqNrCgIY8BHVu-r3aH-tJM4Hs7Px0EBhx0l4aLKmeC6MNO00PsA-dQlpwckW1hQ0d-SuPBez5ynfZbty56jK53LqMCpQkiwJUGNyNaeTezGiuGXEJE/s320/IMG_6222.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div><u>TOTAL COST FOR THIS PROJECT:</u></div><div>Box (find a used one): $0.00</div><div>Wrapping paper: $6.99</div><div><u>Chiffon ribbon: $4.99</u></div><div>TOTAL COST: $11.00</div></div></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01299001185966033970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468801818141219901.post-35128070744564461322009-11-09T16:18:00.000-08:002009-11-15T10:55:05.418-08:00The To-Do List<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402263600334778402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 298px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbAZ_17ir9G5NsbncgDaVj7B64Qqrh6quHHahyphenhyphencNbfwHl04sMENUtewOlu4G-yC8A2ntdsJfs8gGy8Cd2LmCtLOTiuQHHYRLgJuiqxnwX1XG_pDDkmAAnavheX3maPo0w_uoDSURa-0fY/s320/check-mark.jpg" border="0" />When Hubby and I got engaged, it is safe to say that he did not have a clear understanding of all the things that needed to be done and made in order for a wedding to take place. About a month into the engagement, he asked, "I am having a hard time visualizing the to do list. Can you print it out and tape it to the wall for me?"<br /><br /><div><div><div>He thought it would be a regular sized piece of paper. Yeah, well, those fantasies were dashed when I brought home this and taped it to the wall:</div><div> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404405295672132450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0OdDOsGFVDWNsZK0om0Pv-Eo7Nzm3lHohf6w3bNmGitj-sEP_NGBd4p3RE-yfyM4sgKbhrsmYY6kX_3TKsE1nomnf4IGIuS6MKQXUo_8o9oKmpPGR_k2FLJkZGtkJGxh-333LijUKW8/s320/IMG_6726.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div>That's right. Good ol' <a href="http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/tools/wedding-checklist">Martha Stewart </a>had provided us with upwards of 100 (way upwards) tasks to complete. And those were just the starters... add in the various handmade items we were making and we had lists for months! </div><br /><div>Needless to say, when Hubby came home from work that day, he exclaimed, "What is THAT?" "The list you requested," I calmly replied. "Um. I can't do anything with that," was his honest answer. </div><br />After that, we had two lists taped to the wall: the giant Martha Stewart list and Hubby's week-by-week (or month-by-month, as it later evolved) list. Two distinct lists for two distinct personalities! <div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404405105841642610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 224px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_8sY6nBVddmmHwIR5PHbhFNl8fx_dQ1Lm5wPYOMoDDldLgxBZ8vJ3yZ17ACnJW0BXbxlGKRtWVPCpgKW2U5GmYCerQsZwx-olMYTEj0ooDSkw8n2pgZ3WTbpeqePGWsfDBSV9g0vsLHE/s320/IMG_6203.JPG" border="0" /></div></div></div><br /><p>What lists have you found that are proving to be helpful (or a hinderance?)</p>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01299001185966033970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468801818141219901.post-49140708941307756452009-11-09T16:16:00.001-08:002009-11-09T16:18:20.045-08:00Back in the SaddleI took a hiatus from blogging for awhile there. My apologies. But now I am post-wedding and rested and ready to go!<br /><br />Sneak Peak for future blogs:<br /><ul><li>Bouquet monogram designs</li><li>Handmade earrings for bridesmaids</li><li>Handmade gifts for groomsmen</li><li>Tissue paper flower posies</li></ul>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01299001185966033970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468801818141219901.post-64399481214017288972009-09-06T17:21:00.000-07:002009-09-06T18:03:29.556-07:00eBay Part II: The Sniper Bid!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLCwI4HMO5iZGK_K6l1CM6heZFlRxSMcKKWVqzhov63-9KQnQAH6zLCOy1kzzeCPJn4_V2wGpWQmvRcl9risb_x6tO6HL_OWL6qerGrsPteTqXLVCF7qSvKihDxH5N6QkhIE6uqAKwuqk/s1600-h/ebaysights.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378519299348449090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLCwI4HMO5iZGK_K6l1CM6heZFlRxSMcKKWVqzhov63-9KQnQAH6zLCOy1kzzeCPJn4_V2wGpWQmvRcl9risb_x6tO6HL_OWL6qerGrsPteTqXLVCF7qSvKihDxH5N6QkhIE6uqAKwuqk/s320/ebaysights.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I am currently waiting to place a sniper bid on eBay. What is a sniper bid, you ask? Just one of the more fun (and sometimes anxiety-causing) aspects of eBay!</div><br /><div align="center"><em>(There are thirty-three minutes left on the auction I am watching.)</em></div><br /><div>Behold: I am looking to purchase at least 7 pint-size, blue Ball canning jars to hold one hydrangea blossom each along the front of the sweetheart table. To buy clear jars is simple (I recommend eBay vendor <a href="http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Denny-and-Kathys-Superstore__W0QQ_armrsZ1">Denny and Kathy's Super Store</a>). But to purchase blue jars is a little more difficult because a blue Mason jar means an old jar, thus an antique and more expensive. Sometimes. However, sometimes you can find the blue jars at a great price on eBay... if you know how to bid properly. *enter evil laugh*</div><br /><div>Here's how it works. Find an item you would like to purchase on eBay. If it has the "Buy it Now" button, then by all means, buy it right then and there. However, some items require bidding. Rather than entering a bid with a few days left, simple click on "Watch this item." Now you can see how high the bidding war goes without actually perpetuating it yourself. Once there are approximately twenty minutes left in the bid, simple keep a window open on your computer and watch the time tick down. </div><br /><div align="center"><em>(There are twenty-seven minutes left on the auction I am watching.)</em></div><br /><div>I won't lie. This waiting can cause anxiety and tempt you to bid too soon. But as Mel Gibson ordered in "Braveheart," HOLD... HOLD... HOLD!!! Depending on your typing speed and eBay ability, enter your bid with five minutes left in the bidding war. That should give you enough time for the bid to process and for you to find out if you have been outbid by a previous bidder's maximum bid. If you have been outbid, <em>quickly</em> consider how high you think the other bidder's maximum bid might be, determine how high you want to bid, and type that new amount in! </div><br /><div align="center"><em>(There are twenty minutes left on the auction I am watching.)</em> </div><br /><div>While waiting, I recommend finding something else to keep your mind entertained. Try checking your email or playing a solitaire game... or doing the dishes or blogging... or... oh, just count down faster!!! See? Fun, isn't it? :-)</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><em>(There are fifteen minutes left on the auction I am watching.)</em></div><br />There are other options, too. <a href="http://www.auctionsniper.com/">AuctionSniper </a>allows you to enter you maximum bid at any point during the auction and the computer automatically enters your bid at the last couple seconds. But what fun is that? Also, you better make sure your maximum bid is high enough to beat out everyone else's. (Another similar website is <a href="https://www.ezsniper.com/join.php3">EZ Sniper</a>.)<br /><br /><div align="center"><em>(There are five minutes left in the auction I am watching.)</em></div><br />I enter a bid. I am outbid. I enter another bid. Again, outbid. Hmmm. Now I have to ask myself, "How much do I really want to pay for these jars?" Plus shipping. After trying one more bid, which fails, I decide to pack away my auction paddle and call it a day. Too rich for my blood. <br /><br />Oh, but look! Another person has listed his/her blue Mason jars. Let the watching begin again...Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01299001185966033970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468801818141219901.post-13540786751853027562009-09-06T10:31:00.000-07:002009-09-06T10:54:59.995-07:00Ring Bearer Gift - Doorknob Hanger<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCTyhjjehc_Zv4AhKwtjA88Gp-S_v908PUlZqybWB_6yMrS3H7j2ZGI9IcGPTCWa5JV2nKVM7H_Aapjc5BlhtmAtKdxDDc-pmcIka_w9EO_xH1RLp8G7HJRN_N1TtxUtCxERWIeZxdYVQ/s1600-h/IMG_6124.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378413688750618114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCTyhjjehc_Zv4AhKwtjA88Gp-S_v908PUlZqybWB_6yMrS3H7j2ZGI9IcGPTCWa5JV2nKVM7H_Aapjc5BlhtmAtKdxDDc-pmcIka_w9EO_xH1RLp8G7HJRN_N1TtxUtCxERWIeZxdYVQ/s320/IMG_6124.JPG" border="0" /></a>Our ring bearer is Future Hubby's little nephew, who will be three at the time of the ceremony. Besides being the cutest little tow-head ever, he is going to be so handsome in a tux! <div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /><div>Being the little brother to two older sisters can be rough, so having his own room is important for Jack - at least it will be when he is old enough to know better! This patriotic door hanger will let everyone know just whose room it is!!!</div><br /><div>From Michael's, I purchased a door hanger, mini stars, and alphabet tiles by Lara's Crafts in unfinished wood. </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju65Ayp-WoPTgKfdKx5PaJFcG4zDLMbr69yPaW7a0_57JpNZwqudW8PtMyY6um1myW7JYuRWZprvlqGaL-JyiXBCVXPKhvdHgUQeNIgmDO2zkyqy0MNFlH2s0WzhE2JBwRRlxRNx-jzHQ/s1600-h/aDoorable+Arch.jpg"></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378412776394653698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 81px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkIqfVYmU1jMtsH2hpUSEBJVYQTCH_vFPbDyVgFyw1i4-mSWRR4rgXZz09LP3eSsU9GG98zSSsTd7N5JzU0PaYVBCbIIxW90IWoODVdF88Qm0NX43HPcfbOoFKzurTFF5cUC8vpu4PQ1Q/s200/aDoorable+Arch.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378412838863422162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkFUNkziLXYg-s6IPmzVdUE3zuQ4XU1E0-nylawwFvjHPHhAmDIsnpWhUOz8-Te_asepheHqVAR-ZYP7tVSUkbuCj1QmLk4T_UhoOTHnZBrP6MSGteqGj4Q0KaRPxWty9c_2b3mqghoeA/s320/Alphabet+Tiles.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUtsu-dsJZ4jTEg7W5QjJ9AIB4xHHGPscRTlEBOMv1u0ATjC7zamgH7i6DCzPT-DjLpE7nm3792nJjXxMqD8l8e-pGuc7O1GqnSatBwBWNR-MS73LMTu_3rY1iPISKoBC2zh2XbAjAEo4/s1600-h/Alphabet+Tiles.jpg"></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378412395971048386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE3kHiiBxlB-oHuI789R1ferbLLMNOxM5WXE_5fMVF0eJLYqZEkQ_Ot82xbdzS6wWNSSzL-MVPlIPCFObcDpqPEFWalHefsC2Ss8FQjl_M-j29xYpNOT-qb7u_ol8ci5_AD-iWkp6EwSs/s320/Wood+stars.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>I then planned where I would place the paint, stars, and letters.</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378413024601944802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy9lq83R7pFVGe-PqzWWB1yPLH9EaluPDrx29QVFyBdwskEb7ddA33g9jF2aihAtBE_WdFAbQZq5FyYKV5juRFx2SVw-z4odH_44Twzqx3SRyChU2Gp_KCmwXJjBUCoGQd8d2NYETEeO4/s320/IMG_6118.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div>I taped off different sections for the field of blue and red and white stripes. The small stars just needed a quick layer of white paint. (I used some old tubes of Utrecht paint I had left over from another project.)</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378413198843601378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2z6oWvJBsaHuLL0YIzBC3Yn-hWzo_MNLNUiwYZwdlwWKwvzuIDH0buW7dvgqs7OClC4O4FT6D5sTT1xGBFKd79jHMwTZKzRyvKI6Jzu89fU983eFZIpD9L9uH40fe-oQcygzyvUFQVLU/s320/IMG_6120.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378413548570416530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 166px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6nRx-a03vJE7y4nmYCKhRpn8jLBFXpZrFREkdoveALiJRhkfV9U2pVoflwTSHz_jA_Dtfkg0zH1U883Lo8JAW2zE5KofwQTAxdgrBJFqMvb68-x8Se8WIcXDI-oj0p55y7UOyR8n8e2s/s320/IMG_6121.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div>Finish by gluing on the stars and letters using a hot glue gun. (Note: If you tend to use too much glue - like me - let the glue dry and use an Exacto knife to CAREFULLY cut and remove the excess glue bulges.)</div><br /><div><u>TOTAL COST FOR THIS PROJECT:</u></div><div>Door hanger: $0.89</div><div>Mini stars: $2.99</div><div>Alphabet tiles: $3.99</div><div><u>Paint: free (left over)</u></div><div>TOTAL: $7.87</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01299001185966033970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468801818141219901.post-11296926309863287252009-08-23T15:23:00.000-07:002009-08-23T15:55:18.794-07:00Thank You Notes for Each Guest<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd9Erx5JCm4oHDPusrRYdbyUQUoY4oxufmWUvYRwbSze07UIPaQNCfmdhuMja2Leb0PhELU6o-wexGZZ5VrxKboF18dFr5MBhI_R0cxwvykSD__8UNoJu3MAVV9HSIELSOCCWNXMcCaoc/s1600-h/IMG_6034.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373295657792487394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd9Erx5JCm4oHDPusrRYdbyUQUoY4oxufmWUvYRwbSze07UIPaQNCfmdhuMja2Leb0PhELU6o-wexGZZ5VrxKboF18dFr5MBhI_R0cxwvykSD__8UNoJu3MAVV9HSIELSOCCWNXMcCaoc/s400/IMG_6034.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>So many people have helped, offered to help, and provided such support to Future Hubby and I during all this planning, that we wanted to let each wedding guest know how much we appreciate them and their presence at our wedding. </div><br /><div>The easiest way we could think we doing this, in addition to going from table to table and greeting our guests, was to tuck a thank you note into the napkin at each place setting. The message also thanks those who traveled to join us, including both sets of my parents and the groom's grandpa. </div><br /><br />To see how to assemble these notes, <a href="http://sarahsdiywedding.blogspot.com/2009/08/do-it-yourself-invitations-final.html">click here</a>. And since we already a ton of paper left over from making the invitations and inserts, this project only cost us the price of three roller adhesives: $6.00!<br /><br /><div>What other methods of "thank you" have you seen at weddings (or that you used at your wedding)?</div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01299001185966033970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468801818141219901.post-5902885525242213542009-08-23T15:21:00.000-07:002009-09-06T12:20:17.438-07:00Fabulous, D.I.Y. Cupcake Stands!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378432001229400050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 316px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrC3ofJ9JCwHq-p9jAIg8AonufdJoIXGvzKb2Bk64qyY4Fu2whXWbF38P7vuit6nJjyIfJ-JDeB_wWOWS0MT8LQHdLFiUAQFk6OeHaYC7yzfPnGrEvw5mQVcHp4yKf830m2IFkJEVTbZc/s320/IMG_6129.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div> Good riddance to a traditional cake - let them eat cupcakes! That's right, our guests will be able to choose from three delicious cupcake flavors: chocolate raspberry, <em>chocolate abuelita </em>(like a cinnamon chocolate), and lemon raspberry. <div><div><br /><div>We are expecting approximately 160 guests. Well, if you have researched cupcake stands, then you know most stands don't hold that many. The reception venue usually puts some of the cupcakes out at the beginning of the reception and continues to fill the stand as guests help themselves. Furthermore, to rent a stand can be expensive ($80-$150 per stand). So, we asked ourselves, why not make cupcake stands able to hold ALL of the cupcakes and then sell them after the wedding? </div><br /><div>Future Hubby has a friend who owns his own woodworking studio, and the two of them cut long planks of paint-grade plywood (purchased from Lowe's) into smaller squares. They then used a special woodworking tool (that's the technical term - ha ha ha!) to add a decorative edge that resembles crown moulding. After getting the measurements of one cupcake from our cupcake vendor (<a href="http://www.bettyssweetdreams.com/">Betty's Sweet Dreams</a>), we determined how many cupcakes would be able to fit on each layer. Here is the schematic we designed:<br /></div><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378427272428858402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 129px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4t1zjBoFQvS03QIFgtsjDn9q220eauMpXducmccsicjezdl1LiGG9eBtXqUSsCWAT9K-qHNI80RwJoTpqlbepkpKj203kihQY08p8q7XMcu923_e0aCWFH3ow9S38uVqRJjT-XIcOI70/s400/Cupcake+schematic.JPG" border="0" /> Each stand can hold seventy-six cupcakes, times two stands, that's 152 cupcakes. That leaves eight cupcakes leftover, plus the six-inch cake we ordered to have something to cut during the reception. Solution: a two-tiered stand for the cake and remaining cupcakes! </div><br /><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378427521437457842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 306px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzug077m1xBs0YU0ZclF-2_EZTv0qL4yLc8oA2vIGD_ym-SH4A1L931-w5D7UjD2I7Cnf86alfz6qAeAliEg5aprsNHWVRDqhMQ3wRPnB_X07l-YgS1SY7j10ZOP1_M0cUZ-8cCHSeLvg/s320/IMG_6126.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div>A trip to Home Depot resulted in three lengths of wood dowel used to hang clothing in a closet. These poles would serve as the center posts in the middle of each stand. But how to attach each layer of the stand to the pole? Just use the brass caps that normally attach to the closet wall and hold the pole in place! After many frustrating attempts to keep each layer level (seriously, this was not as easy as you might think!), Future Hubby was able to attach a brass cap under each layer and screw them into the center pole for support. (He discovered that assembling them upside down was easier.)</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378428054576317570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG4c6gDbuhI6RLAgLu2EmnBmTBZCqQxVzqthhto89HrecYnTD5b_JqisbGV0rZTkrG_5fiAvKGnZhuj0AtODCKiJPexXJtpnlRaXYCDQCg3QPtAMgq_bqYz7S3dJZtNRa2QGEICVULoaY/s320/IMG_6112-1.JPG" border="0" /><br />And here are all three stands ready to paint!</div><div><br /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378428433454716306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYYyOkz5u3_OZXcetN7VEsHmxd1g_GK9wC0U1O4lCbW-HPkSmvaltDMjeBN-J8Xh_Ot-lu2CStL8sv84WT9io_nuVIAVnYE-lgScvaRq_OlgWnN72b5CFNu98sUINy46Hywv1Nv4zkZmQ/s320/IMG_6113.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div>But wait! What are those cute little feet holding the stands off the floor? Michael's has an entire row of unfinished wood products, including little hexagonal boxes. After digging through all miniature boxes (the Michael's staff must think I'm a pain in the butt!), I purchased twelve boxes, ditched their lids, and Future Hubby attached them to the bottom of the stands using short screws.<br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378429745176776754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5QjcNt9s0yOLPdWmd649AzmfiqSouipe4IwdYYDn1xjDahCHDWs2NP2vCrfVwcO8UsjFQM5GCWyFY2ftd_HHFcDAhu2b4T2Vc4ck5AufAdevyl4u2CqRsslXiAuFW4PdD8oCIE26EdhU/s200/Hexagonal+Box.jpg" border="0" />We used semi-gloss white paint (there is a new line that is a combination of primer and paint) purchased from the Home Depot to paint the stands. Since these would sit on a table at the reception, we also painted the undersides for when short people (like me!) came forward for a cupcake.<br /><br /><div></div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378436019970606018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCTJHPCT4IFnrTfE5K4N_zBijuWs9zCQ6QNQ-_AWdfDz4IWLXAsMFL-xRueRYomEkTlycRwQNvleZvrgXoFWm9hIqOBF1XVBFoF_vGIXu7WUJB9Lyjti2L9bYEHNhdERqgeM_54xXY9QU/s320/IMG_6114.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div><div>If you are interested in purchasing these after mid-October (and live in the Los Angeles area), leave a comment on this posting and let me know!<br /><br /><u>TOTAL COST FOR ALL THREE STANDS:</u></div><div>Paint-grade plywood (2 pieces of 16"x72"x21/32"): $28.48</div><div>Paint-grade plywood (1 piece of 16"x36"x21/32"): $7.23</div><div>8' of closet dowel/pole: $10.80</div><div>14 brass closet pole holders: $23.66</div><div>12 mini boxes made into feet: $12.00</div><div><u>1 quart of white paint: $14.98</u></div><div>TOTAL COST: $96.15</div></div></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01299001185966033970noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468801818141219901.post-56474378061489444822009-08-23T15:17:00.001-07:002009-08-23T15:49:08.072-07:00Wedding Favors: Mint Tins<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6BDYEKtTcS6RIxZ2bKwgjkQlcczeH49N4dXPVa6d7rnathoOKbGO7_mKe81YwZTtTUnpcx-oauhttPIV_5X1HcB7ZiaRAq-dZCb7DMoMI1PrBYxLmOHpQcAV6j7CiFSUzsUbQs1cJTps/s1600-h/IMG_6028.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373290402098962594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6BDYEKtTcS6RIxZ2bKwgjkQlcczeH49N4dXPVa6d7rnathoOKbGO7_mKe81YwZTtTUnpcx-oauhttPIV_5X1HcB7ZiaRAq-dZCb7DMoMI1PrBYxLmOHpQcAV6j7CiFSUzsUbQs1cJTps/s320/IMG_6028.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div>Wedding favors come in all shapes and sizes, but they all have one purpose: to give your guests a small, personalized token of appreciation that they can take away from the wedding. Future Hubby wanted to give jordan almonds, I wanted mini breath mints, and we both liked M&Ms. In the end, mini mints won out!</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373292900594532034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguYHmlL-B4q_VIJ2I1dgdDT3Xq9oM2z2OcA0zkWUNiUE9ImYTZeFkD9DzugM5grx60xk-ZcbxwanivoHeNoex0PdUVraoA1JvUN5gqN_WmQTzfGQFaTgqA9DSxOMVrl81pffNRIEMy6s0/s320/IMG_6023.JPG" border="0" /><br />Here's how to make these favors in a cost-conscious way. We purchased the white, 1.75"x1.25" hinged tins online from <a href="http://www.clayalley.com/">Clay Alley</a>. Most online candy stores sell various mints by the 5-pound bag. We purchased one bag of Mighty Mini Mints (I didn't make up that name) from <a href="http://www.acandystore.com/">A Candy Store</a>. Turns out, the mints are smaller than I expected, so we ended by purchasing a second bag. The stickers were designed using Avery I.D. permanent labels model 6570 from Buy.com (I used the rest of the labels - 480 come in one pack - for the stickers on the back of the invitation envelopes). I cut and pasted part of our dandy damask design onto each square on the Word template (all Avery product template can be downloaded <a href="http://www.avery.com/avery/en_us/Products/Labels/Identification-Labels/Permanent-I.D.-Labels_06570.htm">here</a>.) It took me an evening to stick on all those stickers, but with the TV on in the background, the time flew!<br /><br />After the wedding, guests can reuse the mini tins for things like carrying vitamins or other pills, or storing little desktop items like pins or paperclips.</div><br /><div><u>COST FOR THIS PROJECT:</u></div><div>175 white, hinged tins: $182.00</div><div>mighty mini mints (two 5-pound bags): $53.88</div><div><u>Avery labels: $15.44</u></div><div>TOTAL COST: $251.32</div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01299001185966033970noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468801818141219901.post-34694926652026611252009-08-14T12:23:00.000-07:002009-08-14T13:11:31.634-07:00eBay (A.K.A. One Woman's Trash is Another Woman's Treasure)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNY7N0cpAOoatDutxiXJESmaiBFA0Zr9n2DQejzQeJqxxhpq6yf7qa1vKIPuQDcIn-6rtGvMhUAUOiNCxvz68ibv2aBFNhekYiVKYgtbq4FFuXb_uQvGNOKfd9VJwtGk9Z-oJk16_O_6s/s1600-h/I+Heart+eBay.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369914536076194498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNY7N0cpAOoatDutxiXJESmaiBFA0Zr9n2DQejzQeJqxxhpq6yf7qa1vKIPuQDcIn-6rtGvMhUAUOiNCxvz68ibv2aBFNhekYiVKYgtbq4FFuXb_uQvGNOKfd9VJwtGk9Z-oJk16_O_6s/s320/I+Heart+eBay.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Let me just tell you how much I love eBay. Seriously. And let me tell you how much I love eBay now that I am planning for a wedding on a budget! </div><br /><div></div><div>Early summer is a peak time for weddings, which means late summer/early autumn is a peak time for eBay deals on previously-owned wedding stuff. Now is the time to find great deals on all those items that only get used for a little bit, never to be seen again. Here are some items I highly recommend you buy on eBay, rather than buying new:</div><br /><div></div><div>Card box</div><div>Cake knife set</div><div>Ring bearer pillow</div><div>Flower girl baskets</div><div>Archway/arbor (or rent one)</div><div>Table linens (custom-made overlays that the venue doesn't provide)</div><div>Unity candle holders</div><div>Cake/cupcake stands (mine will be on sale on eBay following our wedding)</div><div>Bubbles</div><div>Ribbon, tulle, and all that swag</div><div>Favors boxes</div><div>Artificial flowers</div><div>Easels (for displaying photos and seating charts)</div><div>Unused guest book</div><div>Guest book pen sets</div><div>Paper lanterns</div><div>Cake toppers</div><div>Shoes (I always buy my Steve Maddens off eBay)</div><br /><div></div><div>Think of all the savings! For those of you who are extremely practical, you can buy wedding dresses and bridesmaid dresses on eBay or other online stores, too. Part of me wants to sell my wedding dress on eBay after the wedding - that's the part of me that resembles Steve Martin's character in <u>Father of the Bride</u> (recall the hotdog/hotdog bun scene). I most likely won't, but it's tempting, especially when one considers the cost to have the thing cleaned and stored after the wedding. </div><br /><div></div><div>Happy bargain shopping!</div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01299001185966033970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468801818141219901.post-86809377945889612672009-08-09T23:47:00.001-07:002009-08-11T17:43:25.988-07:00Do-It-Yourself Invitations - Final Product (Some Assembly Required)<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368867407382087090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 368px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZgYToJjY7L1m-d8sHeKEBAztwFG_NdSIcOnPKKVcFNqPZWsjqMVOTmgxsBf_nmjZrQAao25TEjECxo9nZqcnveA3FlTPzC4yaUHsqqIOGOrygNbJCBGEqFv-HFnl7YAuzVdQ2Wkwx_Fk/s400/IMG_6007.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div>Here they are! Our wedding invitations. I just LOVE saying that! (Fun fact: If you send an invite to the White House, you will receive a congratulations from the President! For a list of VIPs to invite, <a href="http://www.weddingbee.com/2007/04/18/vip-guest-list/">click here</a>.)<br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div>After much <a href="http://sarahsdiywedding.blogspot.com/2009/07/do-it-yourself-invitations-research_29.html">research </a>and falling in love with so many different invitation designs, weeks of <a href="http://sarahsdiywedding.blogspot.com/2009/07/do-it-yourself-invitations-design.html">designing </a>on our own, and finding <a href="http://sarahsdiywedding.blogspot.com/2009/08/do-it-yourself-invitations-paper_09.html">paper </a>at a <em>bargain</em>, we were ready to print and assemble. Our goal in making our own invitations was two-fold: save money and use as little paper as possible. As a means of saving money, we designed all the printing to be in black ink, and used our own printer on high quality. It actually ended up using less ink than I had originally expected. In order to save paper, we ditched the traditional inner envelope and number of inserts used. Rather than have our guests mail an RSVP card back to us (which uses more paper and costs more in postage), we included a small insert that read, </div><div><br /><blockquote>"The favor of your response is requested by [date]. In order to RSVP and<br />read more about the details of the wedding and reception, please visit our<br />website: [URL address]."<br /></blockquote></div><br /><div>Because the wedding venue is a down a country road, we included an insert that had a map on one side and the venue's address with driving directions on the other. I was able to print two invitations on one 8.5"x11" piece of paper, eight RSVP inserts on one piece, and four maps on one piece of paper. That meant just under 100 sheets of blue paper for all invitations and inserts. Using my nifty <a href="http://www.michaels.com/art/online/displayProductPage?productNum=ms0018">Martha Stewart paper trimmer </a>($24.99 at Michaels), I sliced all the pieces apart in one evening.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZyzsn_3rpbiJtYhy74xkNo7UiwnXQU_fYhL2cT1fLo81wCpmy9uRJ0lpwKZUC77x5l1sxr5EyRjqd0i2KR8a5krLG1rirDmUvxji-8E6MqqczMKbHKEuBE-MoBGWKuvxn0Kz6YQLcU5c/s1600-h/Martha+Stewart+Paper+Trimmer.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368231353990077762" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZyzsn_3rpbiJtYhy74xkNo7UiwnXQU_fYhL2cT1fLo81wCpmy9uRJ0lpwKZUC77x5l1sxr5EyRjqd0i2KR8a5krLG1rirDmUvxji-8E6MqqczMKbHKEuBE-MoBGWKuvxn0Kz6YQLcU5c/s320/Martha+Stewart+Paper+Trimmer.jpg" border="0" /></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368230662585010978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOeXCSPqUh0EuAjfnFeMQL-dWSOskmW5yvboGWTfimrDetxP9q9THbTSeCW7p8PmwK_ohXfDnzFylgvgd_9en2LvjoezTn0hIP-CweLIUSIAonal8hYR5qWDTEL-CINnoGT9TykUry7Ig/s320/Invitation+Cutting.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div>I used permanent adhesive tape designed for scrap booking to attach the blue paper to the black. eBay comes in handy for buying this adhesive tape in bulk. I bought six Darice Permanent Adhesive Rollers from eBay store <a href="http://stores.shop.ebay.com/WHOLESALE-CRAFT-OUTLET__W0QQ_armrsZ1">Wholesale Craft Outlet </a>for $11.98 plus $4.92 in shipping. These rollers are like those correction tape rollers, only larger. They take some practice getting used to, though.</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368229118586356546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 145px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 145px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTTWMnjBOk9iFfPEjcMhOUg1pNDJLyKhtuefy94aRnq6QIZVz-fCzZY7BtRG73bh0SJA5s1KXtduoh1EfOJjEQHYhWEssg91YrxBV5ge7NLQa4MICefXRGzzDXSAKALgMOsbBPAbn7lMw/s320/darice+adhesive+roller.jpg" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368870520510280114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNJVS63zZN4ACostvJrLQKPiMJNJ_40Yq311xymtW3BnJMPMRhXnCEpFNDziKFvQylTAC8W9GHOSWDJEkQDMyDJWR_uqqJrIpVY-FtvCQ3Ie-tcDGKSv3PB_pu4nOVVYD7uAVblTM17dQ/s320/IMG_6012.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div>I was stumped, though, when it came to putting all three pieces in the envelope. Do I just toss them in the envelope in descending size order? That seems a little too unceremonious. Do I tie a ribbon around all three? Eh. That's when Future Hubby came up with a brilliant idea: cut two slits in the back of the invitation's black backing and tuck the inserts into the slits! </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368867587968588242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVehvl1lr2sHnlMrK6TVeEkFx91fjvHfDJB9S7LsbUTJjZOUpVGgVf3zkVBCpNeufDFHGtUyOyG6W8r-2-bYwMzzHI0O5n8KNmMU5vQlN0KTLBQCWmeoBif9jEIAoGNdTTZ2uBj8ApR_4/s320/IMG_6009.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div>What a neat little package! I purchased <a href="http://www.avery.com/avery/en_us/Products/Labels/Identification-Labels/Permanent-I.D.-Labels_06570.htm">Avery labels (model #6570) </a>from eBay store <a href="http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Buys-Internet-Superstore__W0QQ_armrsZ1">Buy </a>for $9.14 plus $6.30 shipping and used our damask design to create fancy stickers to seal the envelopes.</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368867905202223314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjS5j0h8D5iY4Cfu8eAKkIyLYkq4x-9c9Hu7q7n0YNGoCzubljCo0JqkCp4t6zM9Q8dnrLlCaSpkuhIoPxEeHkkranszR0kmgX9uVJ7u9el_qKvTxBoCMfbI-MnNLDj06pfJY8fv1-2g8/s320/IMG_6011.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div>Now all I have to do is monitor our website for RSVPs! (Fun fact: Some of our friends RSVPed online weeks before the invites were sent out. Yep, those are my peeps!)</div><br /><div><u>COST FOR D.I.Y. INVITATIONS:</u></div><div>Aspire Petallic Juniper Berry paper (350 sheets): $37.97</div><div>Aspire Petallic Juniper Berry envelopes (250): $45.97</div><div>Shipping for Petallic paper: $12.73</div><div>Wausau Astrobright Eclipse paper (250 sheets): $24.57</div><div>Martha Stewart paper trimmer: $24.99</div><div>Darice Permanent Adhesive Rollers (6): $16.90</div><div>Avery I.D. Labels (#6570): $15.44<br />Printing (used own printer and black cartridge): free</div><div>Calligraphy on envelopes: $14</div><div><u>Postage for 100 envelopes: $44.00</u></div><div>TOTAL COST: $236.57</div><br /><div>When you consider that it would have cost at least $600 for 105 invitations (without postage), that's a great savings! </div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01299001185966033970noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468801818141219901.post-13026633968272830172009-08-09T22:56:00.000-07:002009-08-10T09:25:18.756-07:00Do-It-Yourself Invitations - PaperLooking to save money on your invitations? Make them yourself! But beware: paper can cost a pretty penny and before you know it, you have spent almost as much as if you had purchased invitations from a vendor.<br /><br /><div></div><div>In my quest to stay within our wedding budget, I did what any good sleuth would: I perused the aisles of a local fine paper store, wrote down the names of papers I liked, and then went online to find them for a cheaper price! (What did we do before the Internet???)</div><br /><div>Future Hubby and I decided that the invitations should be light blue and black to match the wedding colors. I also had a few other criteria when picking out paper:<br />1) affordable</div><div>2) made from 30% recycled material</div><div>3) recyclable</div><div>4) awesome looking</div><br /><div>During my hunt in the local paper warehouse, I found the following potential papers: </div><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://www.neenahpaper.com/CLASSICCRESTColorChart/index.asp?ft=Home">Classic Crest, 80 lb. cover, 8.5"x11" with matching envelopes by Neenah in Welsh Blue</a><br /><a href="http://www.wausaupaper.com/Consumer/Products/5608.aspx">Exact Index, 80 lb., 8.5"x11" with matching envelopes by Wausau in Blue (Azul)</a></p><p>But then I stumbled upon this beauty. It's made by ASPIRE and is called Petallics in Juniper Berry. (Petallics is ASPIRE's metallic-looking paper. Get it? Metallic+Paper=Petallic.) The color isn't an exact match to the light blue of the wedding, but it's close enough and looks FABULOUS with black damask and wording printed on it. Don't forget the matching envelopes! </p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368213666235068418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlRZH27htDKAZGj62h37Ner-W54GGN446mgljJboubgfT5A-NWbFVMZxLNyK4fc_8g3fH-_UM_0FrFSTPtUaplDVQc4AU-h-V1GB7f58AbNj-73UyyOBsc85Nlval4QDvsPbNqEeBhj6c/s320/Petallics+Paper.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368214225036423410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 305px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_G9w8eE7dZaBxJeHF6gvdlJEthJMfQl1zDAYFDmryAlhPV7il0RruQcyshOBie1-MlthwnJ1HVVaw4vqOJW25K0Q6D_qcv1Xb53jbgFKTikZ-YqDfBKzvEE_ogUILe4btUhHppyuhpKE/s320/Petallics+Envelopes.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><div></div>Now to find this paper online for cheaper. I compared prices among <a href="http://www.thepapermillstore.com/">The Papermill Store</a>, <a href="http://www.kellypaper.com/">Kelly Paper</a>, and <a href="http://www.paperworks.com/">Paper Works</a>. For the quantity and shipping costs, The Papermill Store was the clear winner! For 350 sheets of 8.5"x11" paper in 80 lb. text cardstock, I paid $37.97. (To read more about paper weight, <a href="http://www.thepapermillstore.com/cardstock-weights/">click here</a>.) I paid $45.97 for 250 matching envelopes.<br /><br />Future Hubby thought the 4.5"x6.5" invitation would look awesome on a 5"x7" black background (he was right, of course!). Waussau makes a black cardstock (Astrobright in Eclipse color, 80 lb. cover weight) that, like the blue paper, is made from 30% recycled material. A paper distributor called <a href="http://www.xpedx.com/">epedx </a>had the best prices and, as luck would have it, has a physical store located near Future Hubby's work. (FYI: <a href="http://www.thepapermillstore.com/">The Papermill Store </a>had the best online price for the black cardstock.) For 250 sheets, we paid $22.39 + tax = $24.57.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368222257970822338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 220px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 205px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83N1Ro9awyilqMS2o6Jo2_5aKtKtTDuTRLeXz_2HrnZVLlUps_RZdKs0_UwxhJ5GvfpTHXXLbQHxyHysuyBpzzsO-EfWcg4lk89_oJmkppkIJVFzRNairbgK8BoppJjLhXtiM9Gx9URM/s320/Asatrobright+Eclipse.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div><div>With this much blue and black cardstock and blue envelopes, we now have enough for all the invitations, thank you notes at each place setting at the reception, and thank you cards for gifts received. Woo hoo!</div><br /><div><u>Cost for all the paper (invitations, thank you notes, thank you cards):</u></div><div>350 sheets, metallic blue: $37.97</div><div>250 envelopes, metallic blue: $45.97</div><div>Shipping for metallic paper: $12.73</div><div><u>250 sheets, black cardstock: $24.57</u></div><div>TOTAL for paper: $121.24</div><br /><div>Check out the next blog to see how to assemble the invitations and check out how much we saved on this Do-It-Yourself invitation project!</div></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01299001185966033970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468801818141219901.post-36014906353129498022009-08-09T22:31:00.000-07:002009-08-09T22:47:25.200-07:00Invitation Envelopes - Handwritten Calligraphy<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2IC0MEc0WNhgECNYyNAiPtXt8hyphenhyphenYFyoyB5iv1TIjY_ycaoDljMXvFuGt7zv7hOvcXC3kl1T-AL9yhpzZrMYajHHF5PoaHKoc0q98kDzeslJ9OblqsL2OLZ5qkVsNv-XWdEbnkAR1oJFo/s1600-h/Calligraphy_Writing.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368205543486176818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 228px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2IC0MEc0WNhgECNYyNAiPtXt8hyphenhyphenYFyoyB5iv1TIjY_ycaoDljMXvFuGt7zv7hOvcXC3kl1T-AL9yhpzZrMYajHHF5PoaHKoc0q98kDzeslJ9OblqsL2OLZ5qkVsNv-XWdEbnkAR1oJFo/s320/Calligraphy_Writing.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div>While printed mailing labels provide a uniform appearance to your invitation envelopes, nothing is more personal than receiving a hand-addressed envelope. Many brides often hire someone to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">handwrite</span> all those hundreds of names and addresses in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">fance</span> calligraphy. Depending on who you hire and how many envelopes you have, this can be costly, ranging anywhere from $3.25 to $5.25 and on up for each envelope set (outer and inner envelope). Wow.</div><br /><div>If you're anything like me, the Do-It-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Yourselfer</span> in you is shouting, "For that price, I'm doing it myself!" Now, not everyone knows how to write in calligraphy. Have no fear - there are many styles of fancy writing, some of which are simpler and easier to learn than others. Think you have poor handwriting skills? Irrelevant! <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calligraphy">Calligraphy is more art than writing</a>. And even if you doubt your artistic skills, you can still learn to produce fancy letters. They are lines, shapes, images. Once you learn how to deconstruct and apply the various lines, you can create many types of calligraphy. </div><br /><div>Now, with that said, I learned how to write in calligraphy in elementary school. Since then, I have tried different fonts and pens. I have become rather comfortable using a <a href="http://www.sheaffer.com/calligraphy/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Sheaffer</span> </a>cartridge pen and writing in a modified version of Old English. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Sheaffer</span> pens are good for beginners and experts, comfortable to hold, and the cartridge style pen uses inexpensive refill cartridges.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXXcr6VLKW2cP2_WmBc3hiqr1J4pIkMBdE9zneX4ts0CfQoObAPSGkmb7Xo1kqNb85zf-FN6SqgSJNs65i6BJ-FGO50EZan553gz5QiyNGwYi29rKguyzbRGF0ST1VA9JR62z2hZanyEk/s1600-h/Sheaffer+Calligraphy+Pen.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtqS2-SNEW6LLsEff2ryG75XPnL7gGEtaX2jbvVDTRYXOpCjzZovY16QPNM0kk9Q7Dxq3TDcoY5cgwlC41fSo9yO9mfxL-_UGa_SiWmuyrfSgZT_TT8_mpDQBUGsfjWMwdZjyCmPJWfM0/s1600-h/Sheaffer+Calligraphy+Pen.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTbrNTpIruhTS5F0VNwBXbHZYgVmzDzfSSoJ0QsPLF53tjgVjz5vVlkqbl-7JkNtu8UWU3LQnyD2dbdhZvcM8MHQpaEo8iaVaVHvfKcQO8t1F8iPa3a-trXTKlw8U-_smgGzEHIoFXKj0/s1600-h/Sheaffer_Calligraphy_Pen.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368205401802498914" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTbrNTpIruhTS5F0VNwBXbHZYgVmzDzfSSoJ0QsPLF53tjgVjz5vVlkqbl-7JkNtu8UWU3LQnyD2dbdhZvcM8MHQpaEo8iaVaVHvfKcQO8t1F8iPa3a-trXTKlw8U-_smgGzEHIoFXKj0/s200/Sheaffer_Calligraphy_Pen.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368204509529609266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 170px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF5jU3HEkSW8X7xxjAdj6J_5ckmu15vzM1LEu5E8gafvBywWEC9iG-N7PEHHEHn9z-UA-dkZeC-4R71gmfjWBAr_miEih9Wds5mGB7Je2X8CMN8dlBu_O48ifA63J2XuPLQ9LRUjZaid0/s320/Old+English.jpg" border="0" /><br /></div><div> </div><div>Now that my envelopes have arrived (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">YAY</span>!), I have begun the long process of handwriting each name and address. Thankfully, I have ditched the tradition of having an inner envelope in order to save money and reduce the amount of paper we are using. Since my envelopes are opaque and not white, I cannot simply slip a paper with dark lines inside the envelope to guide me. Instead, I have to draw very faint lines on the paper, which I will later erase using a <a href="http://www.staedtler.com/Mars_plastic_gb.Staedtler">plastic eraser</a> after the ink has dried.<br /><br /><div>It takes about eight to ten minutes to measure the lines on the envelope using my template, draw the lines (again, lightly), and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">hand write</span> the guest information. I am able to address ten to twelve envelopes in one sitting; after that, my hand and wrist cramp into a wicked witch position. Let's see... I will need to address 105 envelopes total... that's about ten sittings to get them all done! And if I don't have arthritis before I am done, I might be able to make some decorations (and type)! </div><br /><div>Here is an example of one of my envelopes. I am sending a couple out to <a href="http://www.bridethings.com/forum/vancouver-wedding-forum/wedding-planning/planning-management/411-invite-queen-pope-president-mickey-mouse.html">VIPs</a>, such as the President (<em>long</em> address!), the CA Governor, Mickey and Minnie, and possibly Harry Potter. </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368207120816599890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqIyUVSc4vfPH9eoTDOWUAuE9yPTzpNw-AjCAtYHsDQFVQxhyphenhyphen49Z0wRMo2yhZGdqXPDi2pehyphenhyphenx572Tx_6adRAy13-InGsnm3dJLKkoMkBiiq3Zdf8OnX1jmOTxaNQG85icmFuC5lbZwKE/s400/IMG_6006.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div>If you are still interested in hiring someone to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">hand write</span> your invitations and/or envelopes, here are some links: <a href="http://www.calligraphylady.com/">Calligraphy Lady</a>, <a href="http://www.craigslist.org/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Craigslist</span></a>, <a href="http://www.letteringelegance.com/index.html">Lettering Elegance Calligraphy</a>. You can find many more sources by typing, "handwritten calligraphy envelopes," into Google.</div><div><br /><u>Cost for handwriting your own calligraphy:<br /></u>1 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Sheaffer</span> Calligraphy Mini Kit (from Amazon.com): $14<br />Online calligraphy font instructions and templates: free<br /><u>Time to learn and practice: name your own rate</u><br />TOTAL: $14 + your time and energy</div></div></div></div></div></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01299001185966033970noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468801818141219901.post-18089093467788352132009-07-29T13:27:00.000-07:002009-08-10T09:06:02.713-07:00Do-It-Yourself Invitations - Design ProcessIn a <a href="http://sarahsdiywedding.blogspot.com/2009/07/do-it-yourself-invitations-research_29.html">previous post</a>, I walked through the research process I underwent before deciding on the wording, font, and layout for our invitations. It was now time to design the darn things.<br /><br />Prior to getting engaged, I had already started following the awesome <a href="http://katystardust.blogspot.com/">wedding blog of Kate Miller</a> (do-it-yourself bride extraordinaire!). (Fun fact: Since her wedding, Kate has become a full-time event planner in Northern California! Check out her site: <a href="http://www.katemillerevents.com/">http://www.katemillerevents.com/</a>.) These were her invitation sets:<br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div align="center"></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363981679187689282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicz5NnJO5cbxYMNPymHFufe1PbZJiP0mzV43jKKJ1AulR_H9EJF0MBpuPb1dGbkhY_RMorK5uFXZhdG3FotMOAesZQImqUeG7646YkZy3hMcFD6RFHmifFxpfEZQVNFZECc2ExSKoU3BE/s320/Katy+Miller+Invitations.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div>Wow. Now <em>that's</em> some crazily impressive handy work! Inspired by her abilities (she learned as she went), Future Hubby and I downloaded a trial version of Photoshop and Illustrator, which ended up confusing us more than anything. (He did, however, figure out how to alter the <a href="http://sarahsdiywedding.blogspot.com/2009/06/after-searching-for-wedding-and.html">Save-the-Date photo</a>, which was useful considering my hair in that picture.) After the subscription for our trial version for Photoshop and Illustrator expired, I turned to PowerPoint just to see if I could even attempt to design an invitation. PowerPoint can be limited in spacing objects on the page, but with some persistence and the magic of cropping, I was able to design the invitation and inserts. </div><br /><div>You may remember that I love <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toile">toile </a>patterns, but they are a little too feminine and flowery for Future Hubby's taste. So, I introduced him to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damask">damask</a>. </div><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363989459784590050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 120px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbth1WcEgviuq9EBQcPc0-pUpE-utfPDSQjmqq0pbjaAaOH8eSk1dHXztfFhg2j8mMtcSOASJ8CKfnh6qUA1MO_xCxqFfhOzdac6lFRlSFzAR2kZDERjWb4CdzgJZZ-iYuccd2BzZIJ1A/s320/Madison+Damask.jpg" border="0" /></p><span style="font-size:85%;color:#ffcc00;"><blockquote><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#ffcc00;">Madison Damask</span></span><br /></p><p align="center"> </p></blockquote><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363997521446755458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4cEILq0PcDyYMBVZyic_Z9TD_Hjyty0JGRKmk090UNbW6P7EfzPEWQHB4kVmsEQ2qrJA9pW69YqByXZhdUqvXccdi7ygIWaPwKtYiGwIr3p0zOA43NH7WKCNT17LSWK3VxTGjKmXKx2A/s320/Waverly+Damask.jpg" border="0" /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#ffcc00;"><br /><blockquote><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#ffcc00;">Waverly Damask</span></p></blockquote><br /><p align="left"></span>We finally agreed on dandy damask, which has just the right balance of floral and swirl without being too girly. It is bold, to match the Copperplate font we are using, but also delicate enough for a wedding and the Edwardian font we are also incorporating. </p><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363998467176233346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvt3OkyEoczkTQ26J73gyR22rljWRAwpurbThlYtCKgH2ughCElPitf__ziJg5DEwLUUiKv6cwN39rAFBbRp-HUss4-eZZIOqP0t5joB7cLnrR0BQjyeQfQsX3AN1Owjo5x3wa-sErPC4/s320/Dandy+Damask.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363998524831529154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 290px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 299px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmoPut8L_by8ioJcQb3ePYlJIo8fBndqO-dH7teiP85ovc35hERy3hM04BuY56donfRKBAHZ9vpoeJYKEgJ5N1wco0cLtfSOfx8CMlcpqPD4-EkwWlRQRIQzHhtbxETpJjK97rT0Rr80o/s320/Dandy+Damask_reverse.jpg" border="0" /><br /><blockquote><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#ffcc00;">Dandy Damask</span></p></blockquote><br /><p>A graphic designer friend of Future Hubby's from college cleaned up the image for us so it prints super clean and crisp. Using several sources of inspiration and after many conversations with the Future Hubby, here is the final design of the invitations and inserts (a link to our wedding website for RSVP as well as a double-sided insert with map and directions).</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368364677356010178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 274px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS0fahzDjieqIav6bpiR0N-zATNoomH1mdfvobJVSVRsoY0QHH_G0CfChdj9N2Vy0XNCdCpN4fDB77FjbM655jEni-mbWXaY9_jf9b8AYfWqat_0sFkvlWgqkOiLCFnJ7V9JnvR-Rb3u4/s400/Our+Wedding+Print.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368364531059676706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 196px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho5DI9tLuqHRpwTY77bt7fqSY_pf_QLEnp0aZ-aRpHtkv5xohgt7oJUy4R0KWA1YE4ZS6z0g-MswW_2xqfnYDjP-7jy21W-HBShXk59TaA-VuM2MkYGpeRxTxKf2vrP5LY5TxzoTp9XI0/s320/RSVP+print.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368364826282060466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 284px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0k8etf4l2WI-wqjJtKa5nVzvXasvYbkXkfDOGtlEBn65IdhgoOOoO13Op_aFz0QMT5EMpXvjPiT4cuLiAjmIhCxJd58JrVkaaAkIXxDsg-KPFzJD4FTnWJv935dt-O25sMu4_pP7KP0/s320/Map+print.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><p>Check out my next posting to read about where to find GREAT deals on high quality, recycled, and beautiful paper!</p></div></div></div></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01299001185966033970noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468801818141219901.post-61028800969440895772009-07-29T12:39:00.000-07:002009-07-29T12:45:56.507-07:00Do-It-Yourself Invitations - Research & EtiquetteAs stated in <a href="http://sarahsdiywedding.blogspot.com/2009/07/wedding-invitations-inspiration-and-all.html">a previous post</a>, wedding invitations should represent your best foot forward as the first impression to your guests. The invitation informs the guests of your colors, theme, the atmosphere of the event, and a glimpse into you and your future hubby's personalities. <div><div><div><br /><div>That's a tall order for a little piece of paper. </div><br /><div>But once you have found the perfect match, it's love at first sight. This is my inspiration (from Wedding Paper Divas): </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363969496184716498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXHuATKuBBsFxugAOZFU_nv0whB3QCjgSyvGGRpLUrZavBf7AIi2KSNAINTnKBlVtGipsPnvGmgnWKK41QbeEFvg7zHd2Qbt16ABRj4G4O66y5DWunwBu1Oq-ILKSQH53o37_1d1UbZAI/s320/Paper+Divas_modern+toile.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>Alas, a bride on a budget can find herself in a quandary. How does one get a fabulous invite and still stay within budget? If you have ever priced wedding invitations, then you will understand. Each pretty little invite can run upwards of $5.00, which doesn't sound so bad until you consider quantity. We have 105 parties to invite, plus a couple extra invitations for the keepsake box. Without postage, thank you notes, or programs, we were looking at over $500. Hmmm. Looks like a job for the D.I.Y. Bride! </div><br /><div>I began by researching various wording and layout options for the invitations. If you Google, "wedding invitation etiquette," you will find a host of useful websites, including <a href="http://www.weddinginvitationetiquette.net/">Wedding Invitation Etiquette</a>, <a href="http://www.realsimple.com/holidays-entertaining/wedding-invitation-etiquette-00000000009458/">Real Simple</a>, and, of course, <a href="http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/article/invitation-wording?autonomy_kw=etiquette&rsc=header_3">Martha Stewart</a>. My parents are divorced and both have remarried. Future Hubby's father passed away a very long time ago, and so only his mother's name would appear. We are paying for most of the wedding ourselves (we aren't spring chickens and both have steady jobs), but our families are contributing. All of this needs to be taken into consideration when wording the invitation. We finally decided on, "Together with their parents," as the host line. It works quite nicely. You may find this to be a good solution for your invitations, too. </div><br /><div>Depending on who you ask (and wow, there is a lot of information out there!), most traditional opinions say you should spell out every word on the invite, including numbers. For example:<br /></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffff66;">The first of January two thousand and nine<br />January 1, 2009<br />01 January 2009<br />01/01/2009<br />01. 01.09<br /></span></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#ffff66;">five o'clock in the evening<br />half-past five o'clock in the evening<br />5:00 p.m.</span></div><br /><div>But don't feel too constricted by tradition. Choose a style that fits the atmosphere of your event. We, for example, have decided to use numerals for our venue address and the date of our event. If yours is the church wedding with cathedral-length dress, you will most likely want to spell out the numbers. </div><br /><div>Now that the wording was settled, I began researching patterns online. We found this lovely damask print online at <a href="http://www.colourlovers.com/">Colour Lovers</a>, where visitors can find and download tons of awesome, electronic color swatches and patterns. It's not the perfect pattern for us, but it's a start. </div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363969874818911394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHKY2cWIQNAtgZQXs1CiJhJUe7ycrjuCPhontTkNhyphenhyphenLA6-MK8UmY6f7M7jrHYwvPJq5fZf63jJiqs2oWx7oiYGTnVCU1bwh9eK_uhagjNTmINsMgLj93GPjCByf1ipSJ-tgcavhWm3bas/s320/COLOURlovers_com-Toile.png" border="0" /><br /><br /><div>During my research, I discovered that nowadays many initiations are using a block, easy-to-read font called Copperplate, which I downloaded for free from <a href="http://www.font-zone.com/">Font Zone</a>. </div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363969634689516674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 21px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEej31icUUB5Ns2bmbKfSQuLtlsT0T1R3_5EPUyT-vIy7RT6fvSPbCEaYJj9p4BsYK7Iu7SaomclYAkndvk1OhYqBEyZdCaWaCHC1p6vAgfJUE6MOAvPWBgbgm7fphprmAwZbrLZ-unqI/s400/Copperplate+Font.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><div>I wanted our names, however, to appear more formal, so I chose a traditional wedding script, Edwardian, from <a href="http://www.2-free.net/">2-Free</a>. </div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363969749817925202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 207px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprcLwJH7I0AWmgElkM28pRTAbAM_eaW9ltK0ml_jYulEOtnOMwPn3S_OORAMbZ10wRQi8-JKX22awQr-Nf1sR_mx-j6hdANWLLdU0Okv3HWqFEyrypGHwmGaJ2-CBX6qB-9w_IvHL40w/s320/Edwardian+Font.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><div>Now that we have these decisions made, it's time to experiment in invitation design. Check back to read more about how we fumbled around with Photoshop and Illustrator before settling on PowerPoint and Excel to design our invitations and inserts.</div></div></div></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01299001185966033970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468801818141219901.post-23241406597971280082009-07-23T12:46:00.000-07:002009-07-23T14:37:06.414-07:00Wedding Invitations - Inspiration and All Things GoodWedding invitations set the mood for your wedding. Besides the Save-the-Dates, which are sent months in advance, the invitation is the first glimpse into your wedding the guests will have. Ah, first impressions...<br /><br />Needless to say, the pressure is on. I don't know how professionals in the fine paper field do it. I wouldn't be able to make up my mind surrounded by so many options! Here are some fabulous producers of paper: <a href="http://www.staedtler.com/Mars_plastic_gb.Staedtler">Wedding Paper Divas</a>, <a href="http://www.dauphinepress.com/">Dauphine Press</a>, <a href="http://albertinepress.com/index.html">Albertine Press</a>, <a href="http://www.hellolucky.com/">Hello Lucky</a>, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5916903">Freshly Skweezed</a>, <a href="http://www.bellafigura.com/">Bella Figura</a>, <a href="http://www.kireinapaper.com/">Kiriena Paper</a>, <a href="http://www.papeteriestore.com/store/">Papeterie Store</a>, <a href="http://www.theamericanwedding.com/">The American Wedding</a>. Do you see how difficult this decision was going to be?<br /><br />Do we want something simple and sweet like this from Papeterie:<br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361767364907067682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 231px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhanZlSwB8QMSSEdeZqdKkWL-Pzi9YZE9fQ5GWMq4i80iSfIli5f_63LOf2LZ0O7zqpcSYUfI3hfD1I4CRBHNbwV1UIxlbnTUPS6-tCawujLnHqAPHsUgq8dC1KdmY5T7r1sJm28-eWbO0/s320/Papeterie_pink+flowers.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>Or something floral like this from Bella Figura:</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361767822585366338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrpwKpeeF0hkI2TiZ2YQFE3FEE8lQMUfXgjOrlWEJI_h44izi1b4pdwXqDiyquy99fsuaehSCHYNQSad2ogwokp2wTykp6A4ml__zDvyTlbJMl3oWZQZMWbi-C5s-A08RtHDKqzay86pI/s320/Bella+Figura_Blue+and+Green.jpg" border="0" /><br />Or fun swirls and birds like this from Hello Lucky:</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361768111296018914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 296px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvbNsPMk66jVo2S9silVWjcCQVvIxBtNYC-ma-xHn3N46_LcKImCx49Ab5FG_BpbNnRJIAymr8PnbpGvlyWge8dQmx1gf4u9waTa-APs3RE_e56DfD5hu3oDJBbckiTmFDXECd_ck1DAk/s320/Hello+Lucky_Birds.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>I have always loved <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toile">toile</a>, and so I Googled, "toile invitations," and found this magnificence from Wedding Paper Divas:</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361768526863142802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-V5AI6XUoSMCb7d1WW9Z8eBr6MGcPz3Nhk7Qb4f_TpduEGoS0q5Ap-y-YNTL1MKiKd9Vi24dbz5vPeTKDuAQJHR-sBXXqt9z6llhBZThE458rMpi73f2CR-E3FryeHskrY8WQGrjoLys/s320/Paper+Divas_modern+toile.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>It's official: I'm in love! The blue is too dark, but this invitation design is fabuous! I am definitely going to save this one to the files for inspiration.</div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01299001185966033970noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468801818141219901.post-14316674520120461032009-07-20T13:47:00.000-07:002009-07-20T14:43:11.946-07:00Handmade Guest Book<div align="left">The wedding guest book. Guests sign it (if they rememeber) and then it disappears into a box never to be seen again. But that doesn't mean it can't be cute! </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">When searching for a guest book for our wedding, I was astonished at how expensive these little books could be - especially when one realizes just how much alike they all look! To add to this frustration, each time I sent a link of a possible guest book to the future hubby, he would say, "It's so wedding-y." Hmmm. </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">I would have made my own guest book, but I have no idea how to work with paper or book bindings. Well, there's only one place to go when looking for a unique take on the traditional: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/">http://www.etsy.com/</a>. If you are not familiar with Etsy (and everyone really ought to be!), it is a website for people to buy and sell handmade items. It rocks. You have no idea how creative people can be until you have looked through this site.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="left">After a couple hours of searching, I found this treasure:</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360650555036126130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvM8_VADd00chPGptQgyWDEKUlRan61jPu0rQ2C4HpDyhcN7iboFJCf4QJ29i7FOE33BB59Vt_qs2JAofn4WCmv06DzcTa_XTK0z5yD9CvBJ6gPxNlyCEyXk26cAXMmIl7BLMe6eWmA4o/s320/Guest+Book.jpg" border="0" /><br />The flower design resembles hydrangeas (perfect!), it's affordable, and the binding just screams, "I am handmade, beautiful, and awesome!" It was made by Etsy seller <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7218942&section_id=6105891">MadeByMatchGirl</a>, whose books are professionally made, unique, and whimsical. The book's 108 pages are perfectly blank, allowing each party attending our wedding to sign on one whole page. I am going to buy several pens in varying dark colors so that guests can not only sign their names, but also doodle a little something special to make their messages to us more personal.<br /><br />Here are some other lovely guest books from Etsy that caught my eye, although they are a little more expensive.<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360658543924292962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhsXlTcz-L4RECmUd1vHlz_2No6jLzP1k6NkmcUpg4WUtYx3aZ0h392P2ShveGU4KBNyFlP1B7aLqYh54Z2rYdUI_U1CjzIyfJ60rrH_FceeeUyVY1eH9JRa9FKrW3Cs2gX045HxVAsUM/s320/Guest+Book+Damask.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">This one is by Etsy seller </span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5666669"><span style="font-size:85%;">lilyelle</span></a>. (<span style="font-size:85%;">The fabric pattern is called Dandy Damask</span>.)</p><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360658961164134098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp5r51RHvHN5smMcx0xrIPi4BYStpOOwniiLwycXgqYpYgjOlbn9PJuafLFLBGEaMopi3PzWdEvM69vynKivStfbQ7ccmpffqoiULJhh09eFGKt5qYk9MmHgDguhS_ltsgjeOo8uQNy8Y/s320/Damask+book+pillow.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">This one is by Etsy seller </span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5637927"><span style="font-size:85%;">CreativeBridal</span></a>.<br /></p>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01299001185966033970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468801818141219901.post-39122308704549809432009-07-06T12:10:00.000-07:002009-07-13T18:42:57.864-07:00Monogram Banners Part II: Decoration<div align="left">In my <a href="http://sarahsdiywedding.blogspot.com/2009/07/monogram-banners-part-1-assembly.html">last post</a>, I showed how to sew the banners and paint the dowels. Now comes the fun part: creating the initials and decorating the banners on a budget!<br /><br />I began by printing out our initials on the computer. This required a trial and error period during which I messed around with fonts and sizes. I wanted a simple font in order to allow for easy decorating and readability. </div><div align="left"><br /><a href="http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/pub/weddings/2004Q4/a100448_win04_flag_xl.jpg">Martha's banner</a> showed the letters spelled out in silk flowers. Considering I had ten mini and three large banners to make, silk flowers were going to be <em>way </em>too expensive. What could I use that would be inexpensive, and yet provide a three-dimensional aspect to add interest? Ah-ha! Buttons! And what better place to find buttons than that virtual superstore eBay? I purchased 575 half-inch (13 mm), plain white, two-hole buttons for the mini banners from eBay seller <a href="http://myworld.ebay.com/good*folk/">good*folk</a> from Mason, NC, for $13.20 (including s/h). I then purchased 120 one-inch (25 mm), plain white, four-hole jacket buttons from eBay seller <a href="http://stores.shop.ebay.com/sweeting-store__W0QQ_armrsZ1">sweeting_hk</a> for $33.20 (including s/h). (Fun fact: sweeting_hk is from Hong Kong!) I then arranged the buttons to determine the pattern and number. </div><span style="color:#ff0000;"><div align="left"><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358109963215665170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbq0Odr3XJEm81wZMQTQie133gSyChR3hlAFuxC61qidFe9JrzeK7Ljab7MBryIJEi7mFXucHT96ph1DQG3dgD04rBe3rZmATu4c8r3B43o4JxU_mFPbMQFQ2CWMcwIC51tDCkE1Z2gjE/s320/IMG_5629.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div align="center"><br /></div></span>I glued the buttons on one at a time using hot glue. And because I'm <em>slightly</em> particular, I made sure the holes on the small buttons lined up in the direction of the lines on the letters.<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358110393472265682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfy21bkRFAgilRp3zQ8_IFNWngaP7WZJ_VINtH_2_JJJTc78DWG1vUWAjPL0fEzcvwL57u39haA6YTr5TtiEibKKlaXk6UYWEtbeiwnDfSMS9RXHItBcJOAsPFg0lq10eeO4menkNPhro/s320/IMG_5624.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br />Once all the buttons had been glued on (and seriously, this took a while - I listened to many movies in the background), I realized the banners looked a little too plain. Future hubby suggested flowers. <a href="http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/pub/weddings/2004Q4/a100448_win04_flag_xl.jpg">Martha's banner </a>had little flowers in each corner. Considering scale would be an important factor to balance the letters, I decided on larger flowers or clumps of flowers. Michaels, here I come!<br /><br />After an hour of perusing aisles of silk flowers and debating colors and styles, I decided on some ecru and light yellow flowers and some green plant (I'm such the botanist, aren't I?). As I was walking to the register, I noticed flowers in the scrapbooking aisle that came in fantastic colors with bejeweled centers. Also, they would be easy to glue onto the banners - perfect! I quickly dropped my silk flower "bouquet" and snatched up several packages of scrapbooking flowers in various shades of white, pale yellow, and vibrant green.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358113653411960930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5KpkdA13xUH3vHMQv02tMi-UbJxHkV4aAavXPv-ue7t8mHXuACgqQGjwVaPkycKvuWHs2xO8hoJLhgMUwzDSX20h1eevQGsK2biVk-_3xawAwW2THu9n91f6C8zdHXntA1SzogNyXkFI/s320/IMG_5650.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;color:#ffcc33;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Making Memories Jumbo Blossoms White Daisy w/ Crystal Brad</span><br /></span></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355438482633598226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 177px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_gRsSjkhQIS0AtMcxHDWsn995WhKSygnFoAWbJcExHXvAoVz5kVDaSYgpGG96ivE9MtWzhiZrQmfqDc2gKgCze8DWZFzAsxZl_ObO_V0mVq4k9gRsnputUJySJiP9boNzI28cQarpc98/s200/Prima+Daisy+Doodles+green+apple.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#ffcc33;">Prima Daisy Doodles in Apple Green</span><br /><br /></p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358113427997459650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN6NEHhQ-pvu-PCGUaE01XE6Z8nye1J776BxNaTGD9BHigDplBlWoSyeGjS7l9mPCsto14P52K1DrUxF95taV3GH8AxdqBO1He_aHygTmlQTBsv6orkW7TwwdSBb3ruVEGsDIrc71WK_8/s320/White+Paper+Blossoms.jpg" border="0" /> <span style="font-size:85%;color:#ffcc33;">Making Memories Blossoms Spotlight Daisy w/ Yellow Brads</span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#ffcc33;"></span></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358115965442332002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 94px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRpss-ddguTAiXZrO_1taOr9gWQP7mNdtCBGBX5o5HYbU442TDYrwPd7CVu13cMYQisOfryIDP21W7ji4VHowq3RzEDdSmQmzp-ncc_rBv1ZWEbrpsPesocZ8Uj6U9CxQIDSv9rLdcjZk/s200/White+Mini+Blossoms.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;color:#ffcc33;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Making Memories Mini Blossoms White w/ Silver Brads</span><br /></span></p><p align="left">When I arrived at home, I spread out a mini and a large banner on the floor and began experimenting with various possibilities. There weren't even numbers of each type of flower, so I designed some options that provided balance while allowing for slight variation among the banners. Once I had determined the patterns I liked, I arranged the flowers into groups to later be glued on each banner. It was like a garden in my apartment!<br /><br /></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358118382990286882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC2W05YRU7dvyhkZm896pPyHpa3SuSCyx2lwfE4MjmG6KnZsyNPX9UeCWk60OdlprALkwN0LMRKwq_C83PDsgqUXl32uQrFKvH8y3OK5NXWgwv2YTEKtc5Yy9TBD3kGT-LRt6lVPM1HoA/s320/IMG_5663.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br />I used hot glue to attach each flower to its banner. Using white and black ribbon, I quickly sewed a handle on each banner to allow it to hang from the center aisle chairs during the ceremony. I think they came out splendid! What do you think?</p><p><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358118988355836946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzEuxjtrsU4hRI_9FEu5j2dcM7eOswwAYK7maQyyKn0VWdEO1e3ChCA2fkemGP2VdLGhnydOc_0WwABXhw9UwanF52JBZxvK5E8dv0oaU6QIt4po1fBaTY6mrYlOX_4PQgm6DxQlWeV8A/s320/IMG_5658.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#ffcc33;">9" x 12" banner to decorate the center aisle</span></p><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358118788804891682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 233px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkzFkmFOuGEKSMmUZZ-m1tKxuH5xREGxWS1KkFV4smA1OaJ9mquwuWTDISpkGwcOr5KW8mNdvGrIYFD9akbuKRBE1L6Vu9lLOFPJ5WOTNSerqYs5rfD2kh5t3oh9EFTTJvMp2T1xLZD3Q/s320/IMG_5662.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#ffcc33;">18" x 24" banner to decorate the sweetheart table and counter in the reception hall</span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#ffcc33;"></span></p><p align="left"><span style="color:#000000;"><br /></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><u>COST FOR BANNER PROJECT (10 mini and 3 large):<br /></u>4 yards of fabric: $15.96<br />7/16" dowel ($1.29x5): $6.49<br />1/2" dowel (1.49x 2): $2.98<br />Thread: $5.00 (approx.)<br />White spray paint: $2.09<br />White/black ribbon (2.49x2): $4.98<br />1/2" buttons: $13.20<br />1" buttons: $33.20<br />Making Memories Jumbo Blossoms White Daisies ($3.99x3): $11.97<br />Making Memories Blossoms Spotlight Daisies ($2.99x2): $5.98<br /></span><span style="color:#ccffff;"><u>Daisy Doodles in Green Apple: $4.99<br /></u>TOTAL COST: $106.84 (plus tax for items purchased in-store)</span></p>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01299001185966033970noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468801818141219901.post-10131179928186921682009-07-06T10:49:00.000-07:002009-07-13T18:44:20.217-07:00Monogram Banners Part I: AssemblyBefore Brian even proposed, I had purchased the <a href="http://photos.weddingbycolor.com/p/000/003/408/m/27350/p/thumbnail/80752.jpg">Martha Stewart Wedding Collector's Edition 2008 magazine</a>. Seriously, I hid the thing in one of my dresser drawers and would bring it out when Brian wasn't home - like a prepubescent boy and a copy of a dirty mag. Now that he has proposed, that poor Martha Stewart magazine has been opened and closed so many times, the spine is weakening.<br /><br />One of the decorations in the magazine that instantly caught my eye was this adorable monogram banner. I think the blue was the initial (no pun intended) attraction, but then I thought, "I can make that!"<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355413493844992242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 160px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSnqxWSwoHJbG8oKbHLc129E30VBr7UH6MwXxv7IKpFRBCHRk90tPg4D6Izbr8xtT5yiQqRELkaLS07djjj4hN6nsjqcoYC0xP5A4iIgtM0Px5Sw_TA-Dxr_KVZB6Kv0YThyphenhyphenq9mLugHC0/s200/MSW+Monogram+Banner.jpg" border="0" /> Martha's banners are very large, and she suggested hanging them from trees at an outdoor wedding. I decided to make mini banners (9"x12") and hang them from the center aisle chairs for the ceremony and a couple larger banners (18"x24") to decorate the front of the sweetheart table and the long counter in the reception hall.<br /><br /><p>An important thing to understand about me, however, is that I can't sew. I can crochet and cross stitch, but if you put a sewing machine in front of me, I'm all thumbs and no brains. How am I going to make these? Enter Mom and Mom #2 (my mom's best friend who is like a second mom to me). OK, I had my workers lined up, but they're in Arizona. Looks like we're making a trip to AZ with some blue fabric and dowels!<br /><br />I purchased four yards of a beautiful light blue, cotton fabric from JoAnn's for $15.96 and thread for approx. $5.00. I then purchased four 48" wood dowels (7/16" and 1/2" diameter) from OSH for $9.43 and white spray paint for $2.09.<br /><br />After a few fits and starts to get the tension of the sewing machines correct (during which I stood by looking like a puzzled monkey), Mom and Mom #2 were ready to commence Operation Banner Sweatshop! I first measured, cut, and ironed 10"x13" (9"x12" when complete) rectangles. After expert tutelage from Mom, I then folded over, pinned, and ironed 1/4" then another 1/4" of fabric on both sides for the hem. </p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358105610121372642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEnda0b2ay8rCi5u6SOf-FxP4yL6greLJRj51ITSK3-BI5GWmD977afZnMxKIu8bXneOWkeDU2S4zgr4P0IP-HziIHYN_-AqWo5Y3eMt4ydw3cVFPlv3H4r_8fFaapaZwSEBIu-FUP4Do/s320/IMG_5481.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p>Mom and Mom #2 neatly sewed those and returned them to me so I could then make the slots for the dowels across the top and bottom. I folded over, pinned, and ironed 1/4" and then approx. 1 1/2" to make the slot. </p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358105942674645122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ05Zb3zdqFgTUCSbI7Rp0IT0QWeRkj6OPpb81NqTQ83h_lwOfEoh8mGv9ecxZhWiIkw1Q_FjeDcuL0wmFzkJd3qyIYEs-nW53xfNBPhefw_eiaaEhm6I-HF_IqAw1RQdAV0bXgGNYIKc/s320/IMG_5480.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><p>After a couple hours, we had our ten mini banners! On to the larger banners... </p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358106331151545874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 293px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYDry2B3htJ8pRc25p1mTpcKfQrl3LD1o4yzh304445C7CuKBUVZO-oUlhjSdwEgsf1f0Vk3Kwy2jrbBwYY26h1D_dhiAr_NTniK7hE21WPY4rcWnwMu4Qm0JedcnJLXenheEu2Keh0Ck/s320/IMG_5478.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><p>I measured, cut, and ironed 19"x25.5" (18"x24") rectangles. We repeated the pinning, ironing, sewing assembly line until we had three large banners. Here's one of them. </p><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358106541246195010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcnIWWh6nNbcP8JpcsKW0-TSGU3jAW-Kt4hFWwp3o_mhy_OcDueapQ9sQlVFBvNEdgnO-2e_I3QO3PUKS96TUuMpM7rCjHeByZaetVcvpJaYb5_UZ1taezyQyBWp8RjRK8AMfm4MrdAXk/s320/IMG_5479.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><p>Once those were done, we started working on the dowels. Brian's oldest brother had previously cut the dowels to length and even bevelled the edges to look more finished. Mom and I tapped nails into the ends with string in order to spray them and later hang for drying, which took about three seconds in the AZ heat. </p><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358106854511905554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS1Md3diyjrad2sEaUsd3kV85VwotnDfkYyNzGWdlBJu3RHvsNs3xVLm1xY5RY4aX5yKWhd9n8vlrWY_dxnFE6TJAX91ZZ3aw5HXjN4ZyIC02Brp4h_cwqRfV3AllpOmHsTFLluYXyinM/s320/IMG_5483.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358107000805715858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 244px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC-sqsDmucOfjxRcisPvUpYSACf2mjf6UEdHoBoV7xvQ5tVszzgnFp53ASH42rbCOYWh2oyAl6nekbdiRdte0ii2xFOWcHJuKABh_rss2pZ2OlS-2lxfhxykw-EtwS6lT1M_WTjlA_hyphenhyphenw/s320/IMG_5484.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358107153006298802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 295px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7G1Fjw_JmCPMbrhD44bJGyEoJW-a-upM-wjrP6JLBvvgLcD0UUHckk9lSOmixgT6Gzn7sVTXk5owqb6CxgSWfGZAKmLr2zgb7-IZhpxTqTFJ1h5Zlfy-xGTRf-ggItWGWvJ5rJoNz_cQ/s320/IMG_5486.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><p>In my next blog (Part Deux), I will discuss how I devised a less expensive solution to spell out our monograms without spending a fortune on silk flowers.</p>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01299001185966033970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468801818141219901.post-55283994560432245102009-07-06T10:24:00.000-07:002009-07-06T10:47:44.262-07:00Black Cupcake Liners: The Ultimate FindThe future hubby and I are bypassing the traditional wedding cake and opting for fun and trendy (and less expensive!) cupcakes. Our cupcake vendor, <a href="http://bettyssweetdreams.com/">Betty's Sweet Dreams</a>, is awesome. Betty is very creative and WOW are her cupcakes tasty! <div><br /><div>During our second tasting (that's right, we went back for more), we discussed designs and stands. We have chosen three delicious flavors: chocolate raspberry, <em>chocolate abuelita</em> (cinnamon-y chocolate), and lemon raspberry. One problem: Brian didn't like how informal the cupcake bases looked compared to how intricate the tops looked once decorated. We asked if she had black cupcake liners, allowing all the bases to appear uniform and more formal. Believe it or not, black cupcake liners are near to impossible to find - unless you want them to have little bats and pumpkins sprinkled across them. Um, no thanks. </div><br /><div>That evening, Brian (A.K.A. Internet Master) searched online and finally found what appears to be the one of the few places that sells <a href="http://www.confectioneryhouse.com/product.php?productid=9203&cat=0&page=1&featured">black cupcake/baking liners</a>. Eureka! </div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355404946389668482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY0rfLAM0jbjKkesAHGiSYT8l97JZLa6dio5UKLVI15VpjZGPAx7H-FmKr2zaR7aJu_22cPpEupE-SBzlJR8MyhWgphnJFTG7jmXw2Um-TNjtq-u7DYsKHwZGoG3OocnWIK843rPX8otM/s200/Black+Cupcake+Liners.jpg" border="0" />And so, boys and girls, the black cupcake liners will make an appearance, our cupcake vendor is THRILLED to now be able to offer black baking liners to her clients, and Brian has once again proved his Internet abilities.</div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01299001185966033970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468801818141219901.post-7614044423432263312009-07-01T14:02:00.000-07:002009-07-01T23:49:03.177-07:00Centerpieces: Hydrangeas and Ball Jars<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Centerpieces</span> help to define a reception and tie in themes used during the ceremony. In my <a href="http://sarahsdiywedding.blogspot.com/2009/06/my-bouquets-hydrangeas-white-light-blue.html">previous post </a>about the choice of flowers, I mentioned that mine will be a hydrangea wedding. My mom has always been a collector of Ball mason jars, those timeless canning and storage jars that conjure images of summer preserves and retro kitchens. Her love of glassware must be genetic because when I began to think about <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">centerpieces</span>, I instantly pictured Ball jars as the vases. Since the wedding and reception will be in a deep valley next to a quaint lake, I am aiming for a modern, updated, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">sophisticated</span> country theme. Some quick research resulted in this adorably simple and petite centerpiece from <a href="http://thepreppywedding.blogspot.com/">The Preppy Wedding blog</a>: <div><div><div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353603812294489410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 143px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6weqS2t9FjBxFlMy5juJKVQBtwQ5uNT9VsknJmkKdwZChyphenhyphen-CmijR5YNB2f57V-2rtAlst6AiXkRwnmMJ-1ShnDbKRy4qS9K1Xg59PvQUC3tuqK3yfnvYHT4EBB1jgGfWLT1ZPT-SUXOw/s200/Centerpieces_Hydrangeas+in+Jars.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>Okay, so how to do these <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">centerpieces</span> on a budget... Depending on the number of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">RSVPs</span>, I will have either fifteen or sixteen reception tables, a guest book table, a seating card table, and a 29' counter along one side of the reception room. Twenty-four bunches of hydrangeas in Ball jars should do the trick! First and foremost: <strong>eBay is your friend</strong>. I found twenty-four clear, quart-size, wide-mouth Ball jars for $33.98 (free shipping!) from eBay vendor <a href="http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Denny-and-Kathys-Superstore__W0QQ_armrsZ1">Denny and Kathy's Superstore</a>.<br /></div><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353748089625581074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 254px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy1UCSUm3JhD5UgEVbJsstBvAaqmB0Si7I_vlThDRmGNlcabwIpQJ-hVePp8oqgFSFixX3u90FQa48iSHtoIVobu2lfq5igK8XTmOMLNruqf6eQ50XVV6Nj8IsB3FreGaKvCQ6DnxXb7Y/s320/Centerpiece+Jars+1.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div>For $1.50 each, I purchased two light blue ribbon spools with a white center accent at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Michaels</span>. I wrapped this ribbon around the opening of the jars to add a little color to the jars and tie in the country theme. (Don't worry about the overlapping edges - a bow will cover this in the next step.)</div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353748229585122658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAwa3w7y1lqVXgZ2PICD0rge-2BcdJzEun5bqEmL-Uy0orOQV759ZsG1L0E-385fhsuCxYK4-k8bgiyUTwMva7jCz0IHw39ut2JO7fhxHHE1GWR_vU_0zajuAzegiof26KYw5fij05gPc/s320/Centerpiece+Jars+2.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div>Want the perfect bow? Look no further than <a href="http://www.marthastewartcrafts.com/?v=msc_proj_favoritebow">Martha Stewart's Favorite Bow</a>. I wanted to make sure the bows would not untie or unravel, so I sewed a couple stitches (using light blue thread) into the center of each bow and dabbed fray check onto the trimmed ends. Time consuming: yes; the guarantee that the bows will stay perfect and pretty: priceless. </div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353748397148486754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 275px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr3jamBxhU2Patc_4u-vNZ_O9m0jbju4SOPPjSzHcujWTIGXHFLia03fmuGcCCrttjbLeODznLjPPkVvFdV8-6PoC4m4yIVHkm6BZotTgoaNA0St9mRfo_2IKrDAZsaijE6XG7AX2gld8/s320/Centerpiece+Jars+3.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div>After sewing each bow, I hot glued them over the band of ribbon on each jar. And here is the final project: twenty-four identical jars all dressed up and nowhere to go... yet.</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353748630595475666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisYNN7VKT9Y69RqBzQFkLsrOoEx-jBnFHmRxgdsDpd2k0BCkyeUlKHDuFgR7jZIU39oYiN7PQ2cQ3sKwkY4Hnk1-aUhONWUXspbsFwk7g5Xi8xF9PK6OAePkIRdGPf5taRQtV4prbkAFY/s320/IMG_5436.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div></div><div>Remember, these are still functioning canning jars (once you wash the flower gunk out). So, sitting next to each jar will be its lid, with a note inside that reads, "Whoever is chosen to take home the centerpiece (we suggest <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Ro</span>-Sham-Bo) can also take this lid and reuse the jar at home!" (FYI: <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Ro</span>-Sham-Bo = Rock, Paper, Scissors)</div></div><div><br /><div><u><strong>Cost for this project (minus the flowers):</strong></u></div><div>12 one-quart, wide mouth Ball jars: $16.99 (free shipping) x 2 = $33.98</div><div>1 spool of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Michaels</span> 'Dashes, Dots, & Checks' 3/8" ribbon: $1.50 x 2 = $3.00</div><div><u>Thread and hot glue sticks: minimal cost (free if you already have them laying around)</u></div><div>TOTAL: $36.98</div><div> </div></div></div></div></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01299001185966033970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468801818141219901.post-61345767623732210092009-06-29T13:29:00.000-07:002009-06-29T14:24:31.149-07:00My Bouquets: Hydrangeas - white, light blue, and green!The flowers at my wedding will be hydrangeas, which are basically a large clump of beautiful blooms at the end of a woody stem. They come in a huge variety of colors and species. They don't have the austerity of roses, nor the daintiness of a daffodil (although there are some rather paper-thin, petite-looking hydrangea varieties out there). What hydrangeas DO have working for them is size... it only takes a few stems to create a big, beautiful ball of color and texture. Perfect! <div><div><div><br />If you are considering making your own bouquets I recommend two things: 1) this website <a href="http://www.bridecraft.com/hydrangea-bridal-bouquet.html">http://www.bridecraft.com/hydrangea-bridal-bouquet.html</a> and 2) Xanax (you're gonna need it if you're doing your own flowers). :-)<br /><br /><div></div><div>I am obsessed with light blue hydrangeas (achieved by increasing the acidity of the soil in which they are planted), whose centers often melt into a pale green, a combination which soothes me. My bridesmaids will be carrying bouquets made of 4 or 5 stems of light blue hydrangeas. The flowers will look fabulous against their black dresses. I am using this as inspiration:</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352858701410111794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 310px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiMTA5cbnVBXsvW9B0e0fnkzumjcYYXuuMnyoTBvCKUFIts2koN5JgwvGGNfqMkdlqLBo8Qe16ygE0MXdzOZW2bAqg0CGCzwW5XlypHeoD9YRz8UFBdoodHxhHK6J9wmvdxUklQPsoeOE/s320/Blue+Hydrangea+Bouquet_The+Knot.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div>I have two junior bridesmaids, who will be carrying the light green variety. This distinction between bridesmaid and junior bridesmaid bouquets serves two purposes: 1) to add another subtle color to the mix in order to please the husband-to-be (who does not hold a lot of stock in the colorfulness of the light blue), and 2) to visually create a special role just for the junior bridesmaids. </div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352859841240431042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 308px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsMSGqIsOHKKf154GGutlCRInvLuFEOMbFo4E_XXNY3ZEBuOyrfPhSii8XFlSN71dtTrzH_H7l0x-qnrsoGS8Vzad0IZoNmf1oIrvwODTBJNnV4d1KQO1t7nUSvVcPxbiAnkucOspC8lk/s320/Green+hydrangea+arrangement.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><div>My bouquet will be a gathering of white hydrangeas and dusty miller accents. Something like this (although leaving the stems exposed to allow for watering in between photos and the ceremony):</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352861440995677586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 225px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 281px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKLj4ke01Ry-exZC6GDWxL1VVArJZFRu_G9qkdrL21GgJxeiGcQqcfD7ZbP3zzJ5s1klVFfqMNeAZqbpDzR_E5Mpw-9q8lNhWcdEr8DjSDqLotqsTyMMMTEuDkKBmXBOac8xkkndYC6AA/s320/White+hydrangea+%26+dusty+miller+bouquet.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><div>When the bouquets are put together, it will look something like this:</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352858304659687538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 310px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-WY_HPR-yLHWK2KI5zEXTaOuyTi1CZ8AzlAZLV1ZmiKpApcL1YLABHFkp7HNDERWtoE4QciujlKCzSXZwq-bWdcdvRNMR5aZfJwzmeiN7xU1nywEKWKxouStRN7PuuVmWYYqXKcnEvSM/s320/Blue+and+white+hydrangea+bouquets.jpg" border="0" /><br />If using hydrangeas, keep in mind the time of year you are getting married. The growing season is typically in the summer, but can last as long as October if you live in a good climate - like Los Angeles!<br /><div> </div></div></div></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01299001185966033970noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468801818141219901.post-69077125256166184642009-06-24T16:28:00.000-07:002009-06-24T16:43:28.004-07:00Save-the-Date PostcardsAfter searching for a wedding and reception venue, and confirming it was free on the date we had chosen, it was time to think about Save-the-Dates.<br /><br />A photo had been taken of us at the dinner following our engagement in Las Vegas that we both really liked. One problem: during the hugs and congratulations we received upon arriving at the dinner (everyone knew Brian was going to propose and impressively kept it a secret from me!), a front section of my overly-sprayed hair was pushed up like a sun flare. NO ONE informed me of this. Unfortunately, the Sun Flare Hair was not only visible in the photo, but it bridged over to Brian’s head, causing a strange comb over look for Brian. Hmmm. Brian, in his ingenuity, downloaded a free trial version of Adobe Illustrator (or was it Photo Shop?) and was able to erase the Sun Flare Hair/Comb Over. Phew! (He also changed the background to a tropical getaway, but I thought the original setting was more suitable.)<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351041617540689618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 155px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3G0XJ9pDQpK1g9wncmp_VeUgfsJJt1O-iHtAegKv1qqe6vISUk0vMVZG_RmIqvwpuf44I6WM7JL2q4dAvt0otMRjMIN1i9tPr9u4o716YoBAI3AhAT7pGCrn193ADGZK33LxskPQ6_QY/s200/Save+the+Date_front.jpg" border="0" /><br /><blockquote><p align="center"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;color:#ffffcc;">The fixed version of the photo - minus Sun Flare Hair/Comb Over</span></p></blockquote><br />Brian, who is a master at finding deals online, showed me this <a href="http://www.vistaprint.com/full-color-postcards.aspx?xnav=LeftItem&xnid=MarketingSignage&dng=1141720">link from Vistaprint</a>, which allows you to design a postcard with your own image. We were able to order 100 postcards for $14.98 (plus s/h), with a promotional discount! I printed out the address labels using Avery 5160 labels, ordered the stamps online, and sent out our Save-the-Dates!<br /><br />Our guests have told us that they put the postcards on their fridges – even our friends who refuse to put anything on their fridges! Yes! An honorary place on the fridge. :-)<br /><br /><u>Costs for Project:<br /></u>Trial version of photo enhancing software: Free<br />100 postcards from Vistaprint (with promo): $25.17<br /><u>100 postcard stamps from USPS: $27.00<br /></u>TOTAL: $52.17Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01299001185966033970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468801818141219901.post-54524339525016081782009-06-24T15:45:00.000-07:002009-06-24T15:57:11.673-07:00Choosing the Date<div align="left">When Brian and I got engaged in March 2009, I think we had slightly different timelines in mind regarding how soon the wedding would take place. He was most likely leaning toward the traditional twelve-month mark. I, on the other hand, was a little more anxious than that.<br /><br /></div><span style="font-size:85%;color:#ccffff;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351030960919697474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 207px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM6DZ28kelJapeBHD0jaEw69mMPWtdN__OyFZixJfzUyi3Iuoi_1wRIjKBa8v7uv4mTJmbMFVOCIhhswh41nrqz7z57DOnjW4LRgXdak52D0DkywXf-twZBOgSeMr548kRt6VrCH9IBtc/s320/The+Ring.jpg" border="0" /><span style="font-family:arial;"> <blockquote><p align="center"><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><span style="font-family:arial;">This is my engagement ring! Brian bought it online after much<br />consultation with close friends (girls who KNOW their diamonds).<br /></span><span style="font-family:arial;">I LOVE IT!</span></span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><br /></span></p></span></blockquote></span></span>We had been dating for almost seven years and living together for over a year by the time Brian proposed, so I wasn’t terribly interested in a long engagement. I knew we could put the wedding together relatively quickly, considering my organizational skills (and the fact that I had been looking at wedding magazines and websites for quite a while). I was aiming for 2009 before the winter holidays. That meant October. Brian’s birthday is early- to mid-October, and we didn’t want to interfere with that. What would be a date that would be easy to remember? Sixteen… Brian’s hockey number. October 16, 2009, it is! It’s a Friday, so the venue and catering will be less expensive – always a plus! Also, out-of-town wedding guests will have Saturday and Sunday to continue the party and rest before traveling back home.<br /><br />That meant we had 195 days to schedule, plan, and finalize everything. Let the games begin!Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01299001185966033970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5468801818141219901.post-58385391056059047792009-06-24T09:05:00.001-07:002009-06-24T09:34:33.847-07:00114 Days to Go! (A.K.A. My First Posting)Welcome to my blog! I was going to wait to start the blog until <em>after</em> the wedding, but I am feeling a little restless, so let the blogging begin!<br /><br />The purpose of this blog is to post the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) projects I am creating for my wedding. I have found inspiration from many sources, but especially from <a href="http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/">Martha Stewart's website.</a> The lady may be too much of an overachiever, but she (and her staff) have fabulous ideas! My motto: why pay more for something I can make or do myself? I also LOVE <a href="http://katystardust.blogspot.com/">Kate's Wedding </a>blog.<br /><br />I think my posts will focus on the projects I have made along with the costs (and possible headaches) associated with each project. Hopefully, other DIY brides can find some inspiration here! I predict my biggest challenge will be to fight laziness and keep up with the blogging.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01299001185966033970noreply@blogger.com0