Category: DIY

DIY: Monogrammed Lanterns

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lanterns

By now, I am sure you all now that I am absolutely obsessed with candles and lanterns. I love, love, love them! They give off such a gorgeous glow and really set the mood for a wedding. That said, every time I find a beautiful lighting idea I just have to share. This idea is surprise, surprise, a lantern idea! This beautiful design is created by A Field Journal and can be found on Project Wedding. So, check out Project Wedding for more pictures!

 

Materials:
a. Battery operated tea light, do not use conventional tea lights (app. $1 each)
b. 2 brads ($3.00 for 100)
c. Ribbon, several inches in length
d. Strip of vellum 2.5″ by 5.25″; trim one of the long sides with decorative scissors if desired ($10.00 for 50 sheets – each sheet will easily make 5 lanterns)
e. Double stick tape

 

Supplies for optional embellishments:
f. Needle and thread
g. Paper flowers
h. Pin
i. Printed letter

lantern

Directions:
1. Wrap strip of vellum around battery operated tea light, adhering with double stick tape.
2. Using brads attach length of ribbon to “lantern” to form a handle from which to hang.
Optional Embellishments:
Pinhole Monogram: Before assembling lantern, use a pin and a printed letter as a guide to punch a monogram in the vellum strip.
Flowered handle: After the lantern is assembled use a needle and thread to tack paper flowers to ribbon handle.
All instructions and pictures courtesy of Project Wedding.

 

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DIY Hanging Handkerchief Vases

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jar

I found this beautiful DIY wedding idea on Once Wed. This is a design that was created by Laurie over at Etsy and I have to say that it is perfect!This DIY project has everything I love. It is easy, beautiful, and not outrageously expensive. Enjoy!

Materials:
Several Canning Jars (1/2 pint wide mouth with the straight sides)
Several Handkerchiefs (in coordinating colors)
Ribbon
Bailing Wire
Rubber Bands
Flowers
Wire Cutters
Scissors
Iron and Ironing Board
Resources: Canning jars are easy to find at yard sales and thrift stores, so are handkerchiefs. Bailing wire is available at any hardware store.

jar2

Directions:
1. Press all of your handkerchiefs flat. (if you’re going to be use these in a humid location, I would suggest using a little spray starch to help keep them crisp)
2. Fold the bottom of your handkerchief up (see figure 1) and the top of the handkerchief down (see figure 2) to create a band of fabric that is the same height as the jar. Press the folds.
3. Cut a 2 1/2 foot length of bailing wire. Wrap it tightly around the grooves in the top of the jar, then create a hanger. (see figure 3)
4. Wrap the folded handkerchief around the vase and secure it with a rubber band. (see figure 4)
5. Cut a length of ribbon (about 18 inches or so) and tie it around the vase to conceal the rubber band. Tie the tails in a bow. (see figure 5)
6. Add a little water in the bottom of your vase, insert the flowers. ( see figure 6)
7. Create a grouping of coordinating vases and hang from a tree, and arbor, or from the ceiling.
What it Cost:
Handkerchiefs $.25 – $3.00 each
Ribbon $.25 a yard
Bailing wire $3 for a 50 foot spool

 

Jars, if purchased new are about $9 for one dozen (but they are easily found for much less when used)

 

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4th of July Dessert Ideas

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When it comes to holidays, I automatically think dessert! Holidays are the only days of the year that I can justify eating ANYTHING that I want. Holiday equals total cheat day in my book! That is why I was looking at these super yummy dessert options for the 4th of July. Not only are these great for any patriotic party, they would also be super scrumptious at a bridal luncheon.  Just click on the links below to go to the recipes!

patriotic

Berry Bliss Cake,Strawberry Shortcake,Patriotic Pie,Patriotic Pizza

 

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Peach and Chamomille Mousse Cakes

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peach small

I am a sucker for desserts! I LOVE them! That is probably why I am always looking for fun dessert options for weddings. Wedding cake is a given, but…..dessert bars are becoming super popular. Tartelette is always a great site to check out to get super stylish and yummy dessert options. These Peach and Chamomille Mousse Cakes are gorgeous and look soooo yummy! The inspiration was fresh peaches from the farmer’s market. To get the recipe click here!

 

peach

 

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DIY Tin Can Table Numbers

natasha 1 Comment

tin cans

Here is a super cute and cost effective idea for table numbers. These tin can table numbers are courtesy of the 100 Layer Cake blog and they are too cute for words! I love how they are inexpensive and eco-freindly.

 

Materials:

 

drill (with an appropriately sized bit)
gold spray paint
tape
candles
a ruler
letter size colored paper
spray mount
exacto knife
cutting mat
and your number stencils, which you can download here.

 

tin can2

Instructions:

Step 1: Tape off the inside of your cans so no spray paint gets inside. Spray the outside of each can with the gold spray paint (or any color you like). Be sure you don’t hold the spray can nozzle too close to the tin can, which can make for drippy, runny lines down your pretty table numbers and no one wants that.

 

You may need to do two or three coats depending on how opaque you want to the color to be.

 

Step 2: Once your cans are dry, wrap your printed number stencil around each tin can.

 

Step 3: Drill. Yay! Start by drilling the outline of the number first (following the stencil line), and then work your way in. It certainly doesn’t have to be perfect, but the more holes you can drill, the more light your can will give off.

 

Step 4: Slide your colored paper into the can on the opposite side as the number. Mark the paper with the appropriate height and width (you don’t want it to cover your numbers. Next trim the paper to the correct size using your cutting mat and exacto.

 

Step 5: Spray mount the trimmed paper to the inside of your can (opposite the number). And you’re done! We used red paper but you can of course use whatever color you like. If you’re using a color you’re not sure about, consider doing a test can first and lighting it that night to make sure you like the look before you finish the rest of your numbers.

 

Click here for more pics and source.

 

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Cherry Smash Cocktail Drink Menu Option

natasha 1 Comment

 

Cherry Smash

(photo by: Pornchai Mittongtare)

Here is a beautiful and yummy drink option for your cocktail menu. This is a Cherry Smash from Epicurious. Enjoy!

Ingredients
* 1 cup fresh pitted Bing cherries
* 1/4 cup kirsch (clear cherry brandy)
* 1/4 cup sugar

 

* 1 cup ice cubes
* 6 tablespoons Courvoisier or other premium Cognac
* 1/4 cup orange curaçao
* 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
* 1 tablespoon Cherry Heering liqueur or other cherry liqueur

 

Preparation
Combine cherries, kirsch, and sugar in medium bowl; stir to blend. Let stand at room temperature 24 hours, stirring occasionally. (Brandied cherries can be made 2 weeks ahead. Cover and chill.)

 

Place 2 Martini glasses in freezer and chill at least 2 hours.

 

Place 3 brandied cherries in each of 2 chilled glasses; crush cherries with back of spoon. Combine ice cubes, Cognac, orange curaçao, lemon juice, and cherry liqueur in cocktail shaker. Shake well, strain into Martini glasses with cherries, and serve.

 

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Yummy Cupcake Recipes

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Cupcakes have quickly taken their spot in the wedding sphere. The childhood treat has been transformed into an elegant display at weddings world wide. I love the idea of cupcakes because of the  ease of them. There is no cake cutting necessary. Simply grab and eat! Plus they are agreat way to cut the cost of a wedding! Here are some super yummy and unique cupcake recipes. They are listed from left to right. Simply click on the name and you will be taken to the recipe. Enjoy!

cupcakes

Devil’s Food, Carrot Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Icing , Banana Cupcakes with Caramel Buttercream, Peanut-Butter and Chocolate Frosted Cupcakes

 

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DIY Paper Vase Favor Bags from Once Wed

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favor bags

I think that this favor idea from Once Wed is simply precious. Plus, it looks so easy! That is always a BIG plus. I love the little vase on the bags and how there is room for a personalized message from the bride and groom. I think anyway you can make your favors more personalized the better!

paper favors2

Materials:

 

• pliers
• mini artificial flowers – $1.99/bundle of 18 available at Tinsel Trading Company or your local Michaels
• masking tape
• paper favor bags 3.5? x 2? x 6.75? – $2.99/16
available at Michaels
• patterned paper of your choice
• white glue – my personal favorite is made by Tombow and is available here.
• solid color cardstock
• paper scissors
• white gel pen – $1.24 available at Create For Less
• mini clothespins – $1.87/50 available at California Paper Goods

 

Instructions
1. Using a pair of nice sharp pliers, cut the tops off of 4 or 5 miniature artificial flowers so that they are approximately 1.5? long.

 

2. Bundle flowers together and wrap with a small piece of tape. I got this cute plum roll of masking tape
here, but floral tape or any old masking tape will work well for this.

 

3. Tape flower bundle down to paper bag, centered and approximately 1? from the bottom

 

4. Using template, trace shape for vase onto backside of the patterned decorative paper and cut out

 

5. Fold under edges approximately 1/8? and run a bead of glue along both tabs.

 

6. Press firmly in place onto bag over flowers. I found it easiest to hold and secure one side for a few seconds and to then press the other side down.

 

7. Cut a piece of 8.5? x 11? solid color cardstock into 1? strips. Fold strips in half and using scissors, snip a notch at the folded end to form two paper flags. Write your message onto the flag, fill bag with contents, fold top of bag down 1/2? onto itself 3 times and clip flag onto the front using a miniature clothespin.

 

Your cost will vary depending on how many of the supplies you already have on hand, and how many bridesmaids you have, but these favor bags shouldn’t run you more than $10-$15 total.

 

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Drink Option French 75

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75

Ingredients
* 1 lemon
* 3 tablespoons (1 1/2 ounces) gin
* 1 1/2 tablespoons (3/4 ounce) fresh lemon juice
* 1 tablespoon (1/2 ounce) simple syrup
* 1 cup ice cubes
* 1/4 cup (2 ounces) dry sparkling wine, such as brut Champagne, chilled

 

Preparation
Using zester or paring knife, slice peel from lemon in long, thin spiral. Reserve lemon for another use and set peel aside.

 

In cocktail shaker, combine gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Add ice and shake vigorously for 20 seconds. Strain into chilled Champagne flute and top with sparkling wine.

 

Curl lemon peel around finger to create twist at least 6 inches long. Garnish drink with twist and serve immediately.
Source

 

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DIY Cookie and Tea Favor

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tea and cookies

Martha Stewart is always a great resource for finding quality DIY projects. That is were I found this cute favor idea. If you love tea and cookies then this project is a must for you. I am not a big tea fan. I would probably switch out the tea for coffee, but the favor is still really cute!

 

How to Make the Tea Favor
1. Cut and Fold the Liner
Cut corrugated paper to line sides (ridges running vertically). For divider, cut strip as wide as box, and long enough to go across bottom and up and down one side (ridges running crossways). Fold divider in middle as shown (left); secure fold with double-sided tape.

 

2. Punch and Staple the Tags
Print your labels onto card stock(below) Using a craft punch (turn it upside down so you can center the words), punch out tags. Attach the tags to the tails of a ribbon bow with a 1/4-inch stapler.

 

How to Make the Favor Tag
1. Use scrapbook paper with a design on one side and a solid color on the other, or download our striped paper and print design onto white card stock. You will use the backside of this printed card stock for the tag template. Download either our pink tag template or white tag template, and print onto the blank side of the card stock.

 

2. Following guidelines, cut out each tag with utility knife and ruler. With a 1-inch scalloped oval craft punch (turn it upside down so you can see positioning), punch out window. Fold tag and stamp initial. Use a diamond-shaped hole punch to make a hole for the ribbon.

 

Click here for step by step pics and source!

 

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