Archive for the ‘DIY Wednesday’ Category

* DIY Wednesday: Colorful Clay Escort Cards

Posted on February 22nd, 2012 by Kate. Filed under DIY Wednesday, Do It Yourself.


By: Victoria Hudgins

Escort cards that look like bright spring pendants are perfect for showing everyone from your Aunt Kathy to your college pals, to their seats.

To make the pendants you will need to purchase colored bake clay and string from your local craft store. Step One. kneed the clay for 2 minutes to soften it; then use the palm of your hand to lay it out in a thin, even layer.

Step Two. Use a cookie cutter to cut out the shape that you’d like to have your seating cards in. I experimented with a couple shapes before deciding on the small circles. They seemed the perfect shape for spring!

Step Three. Use a toothpick to carefully write the table numbers on each circle. Also use it to poke a hole in the top of each circle (be sure this indention goes all the way through).

Step Four. Bake according to the package directions (15 min at 275 degrees) to set the clay into formation.

Step Five. Attach a thin thread and simple name cards to each clay circle. Lay them out on a table or hang for easy reception seating.

Project and Photos by Victoria Hudgins

Tags: , , , .



* DIY Wednesday: Floral Embellished Sculptures

Posted on February 15th, 2012 by Kate. Filed under DIY Wednesday, Do It Yourself.


By: Victoria Hudgins

Use floral twine and bright spring flowers to make these gorgeously simple, exaggerated heart wreaths for your wedding.  (Of course you can make other shapes too)! The sculptures can be used throughout the space for a creative touch. They would look especially charming hanging from from chairs or in a group as an installation or backdrop.

To make these floral-embellished sculptures:

Step One. Cut a length of floral twine to 24 inches long.

Step Two. Wind the twine around into a heart form. This step does not have to be perfect. Part of the charm in these hearts is their exaggerated, imperfect balance.

Step Three. Snip the ends off of a few bright, spring florals.

Step Four. Using floral wire or thin twine, tie each flower end to the heart wreath. Make a line of 5-7 flower heads for the most substantial form. Snip the extra twine.

Step Five. Use a pretty strand of velvet ribbon, or other embellished finish to hide the thin twine.

DIY Tip* Design the wreath with one bunch of flowers or more and add other details as you’d like. If you hang the sculptures in a group, be sure to vary the size and shape of each one.

Project Design and Photography by Victoria Hudgins

Tags: , , .



* DIY Wednesday: Candy Bowl Escort Cards

Posted on February 8th, 2012 by Kate. Filed under DIY Wednesday, Do It Yourself.


By: Victoria Hudgins

Here’s a fun, colorful way to direct guests to their place settings!  Present them with painted candy dishes and a sweet little note tucked inside for an escort card they will not soon forget.

To make these painted candy bowl escort cards…

Step One:  Purchase one tiny ceramic bowl for each guest or thrift an eclectic selection of bowls

Step Two: Use a ceramic paint marker to print table numbers on each of the bowls, you can do this part pretty far in advance. Bake each bowl on a cookie sheet at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or follow the directions as stated on your pen.

Step Three: Once you have the seating plan created (just before your wedding) place each guest’s name with their painted number bowl and fill with candy.

Step Four: For a special touch, include a little note to each of your guests. This will take a bit of time, especially for a large wedding, but it is a thoughtful gesture that will make your friends and family feel immediately connected to you on your special day. It would be a fun activity to do one evening with your fiancé!

Enjoy!

Project Design and Photography by Victoria Hudgins

Tags: , , .



* DIY Wednesday: Easy Flower Pot Centerpieces

Posted on February 1st, 2012 by Kate. Filed under DIY Wednesday, Do It Yourself, Flowers.


By: Chelsea Fuss for Project Wedding

This centerpiece is high impact, but super easy and inexpensive! The table numbers add a fun, modern touch.

You will Need:
one white flower pot (you can spray paint terra cotta pots if you would like to)
a glass
clippers
water
2 grower’s bunches of seasonal flowers (we used daffodils). It’s about 25 stems.
number stickers
card stock
scissors

Directions:
1. Line the pot with a glass.
2. Fill with water.
3. Trim the flowers so they are at a height that you like. A 2/3 to 1/3 ratio is good!
4. Take a number sticker and attach it to cardstock, cut around the sticker and cut it twice as long. Fold it in the center for a table number. Add another sticker to the back if it needs to be two-sided.

Styling Tip: Add colorful napkins or table linens.

Environmental & Budget Tip: Go with whatever flowers are seasonally available! If you have a color in mind, just tell your florist or grower to surprise you with whatever looks the best.

Project and photos by Chelsea Fuss

.



* DIY Wednesday: Colorful Fortune Cookie Favors

Posted on January 25th, 2012 by Kate. Filed under DIY Wednesday, Do It Yourself, Wedding Favors.


This little DIY favor project is so bright + fun!Why not give your guests colorful fortune cookies, with an auspicious reading inside?

Learn how to make them {here}.

Photographs and Project Styling by Victoria Hudgins.

Tags: , , , .



* DIY Wednesday: Crafty Thank You Notes

Posted on January 18th, 2012 by Kate. Filed under DIY Wednesday, Do It Yourself.


By: Chelsea Fuss

Make guests and helpers feel appreciated with a hand-written thank you note after the wedding. We like the idea of including photos from the wedding too! Give your photographer a list of shots you need, or if you have a photo booth, you can include those photos.  Here’s a quick and crafty how-to:

Materials Needed:
A6 size postcards and envelopes
a white pen
waxed twine
photos of your guests at the wedding (optional)
printed paper
spray adhesive, double stick tape, or a glue stick

Directions:
1. Line the envelope with printed paper by tracing the shape of the envelope and cutting the paper about an inch smaller all around.
2. Adhere the paper with double stick tape, spray adhesive, or a glue stick. Be sure to let it dry if needed.

3. Write your note on the postcard, and tie up the postcard and photo in waxed twine.

Everyone loves a handwritten note! Your friends and family will just adore your thoughtful gesture!

Photos and Project Idea by Chelsea Fuss

Tags: , , .



* DIY Wednesday: Wooden Spoon Flags

Posted on January 11th, 2012 by Kate. Filed under DIY Wednesday, Do It Yourself.


By: Jordan Ferney

Wooden utensils are a pretty detail when you need disposable flatware. They have a look that is a little more substantial than plastic. In this easy project we added a fun detail by drilling a small hole at the end of the utensil and adding a ribbon flag. This would be perfect for a shower or even for a casual wedding or dessert bar. It is a very easy project, we did the whole thing in about 25 minutes.

Materials Needed: Power Drill, Wooden Flatware, Ribbon

Holding a stack of wooden flatware tightly together, drill a hole at the end.
Tie short ribbons on the ends to make them a little more festive.

Voilá!

Happy DIY Wednesday

Photos & Project Styling by Jordan Ferney

Tags: , , , , , , .



* DIY Wednesday: Leather Keychain Favors

Posted on December 28th, 2011 by Kate. Filed under DIY Wednesday, Do It Yourself.


By: Victoria Hudgins

These leather key chains are easy to make, affordable and fun! We recommend creating heart shapes for the ladies, while stylish leather tabs will have the guys loving this simple thank you gift.

One. To create the leather key chains you will need to find scrap leather to work with. Craft stores sell scrap leather very cheap (plan to pay about $2 for 3-4 strips of it), or perhaps you could find an out-of- date leather jacket to cut apart?!

Two. Use an exacto knife to design the leather. Give medium pressure to it to create indentions in the leather, like the heart on our tab. This is a nice way to mark the key chains with a heart, monogram or the date. Three. Use a pair of good fabric scissors to cut out your keychains. Hearts for the gals and a simple tab design for the guys is a great combo. You can use a template or just freehand it for an organic look.
Four. Attach the leather pieces to key chain rings (another craft store staple). You can bend the tabs right over and glue into place using hot glue or fabric glue. For the hearts, a small strip of velvet ribbon adds a burst of color.

Make simple tags for the key chains by printing out our merry thank you version, or handwriting your own. Punch a small hole at the top and thread a string to attach your key chain rings.

Project concept and photography by Victoria Hudgins

Tags: , .



* DIY Wednesday: Simple Candle Holders

Posted on December 21st, 2011 by Kate. Filed under DIY Wednesday, Do It Yourself.


By: Victoria Hudgins

This project is really very simple…but picture the wood stained to a rich dark color… the nighttime… and the candlelight, and it’s a very inexpensive way to create instant ambiance at your reception! Five or so candles of varying heights will make a romantic centerpiece at a circular table. A huge set would look amazing interspersed with gorgeous flowers centering a long banquet table. They add that perfect natural and organic feel; here’s the simple how-to!


You’ll need 4 x 4 x 8 pieces of wood, purchased at your local hardware store. While you are in the store you can ask them to cut down the pieces (many stores will do it for free). Cut your pieces in varying sizes from 4-7 inches long. You’ll also need a very large drill bit to center out the candles (purchase one for about $10 at the hardware store). As an added bonus, you will get a great bicep workout making these candles!Start by drilling four separate holes next to each other at the center of one end of the wood. Then drill down the middle to center out the wood. You only need to drill about an inch or so into the wood- just enough for the candle to twist in. Make sure all the tapers fit into the holes. If needed, trim the ends in, using a sharp kitchen knife.

The candles should fit snugly and securely into the wood to ensure they stay upright and safe.  At this point you can remove the candles and stain or paint the wood to get the desired coloring.

Tip* If you have any concern that the candles might tip- simply dab a bit of hot glue to the bottoms for added stability, before placing inside the holder.

Light and enjoy!

Photos and Project Styling by Victoria Hudgins

Tags: , , , .



* DIY Wednesday: Whimsical Cake Stand

Posted on December 14th, 2011 by Kate. Filed under DIY Wednesday, Do It Yourself, Wedding Cakes.


By: Victoria Hudgins

When painted pretty, a humble wooden ball craft supply becomes a show stopper ready to brighten up any reception! Here’s how to make this simple, crafty cake stand.

Materials needed: Wooden balls available at any local craft store (we used 2 inch balls), acrylic paint colors, foam brushes (one per color), wood glue, glass plates.

Step One: Paint each of balls with wood craft paint. Be sure to wear gloves- it’ll get messy!

Step Two: Allow balls to dry overnight and give yourself an extra day to touch up the side that each ball rested on.

Step Three: Combine the balls in formations of your choosing to showcase your desserts. Once you have your formations, use wood glue to adhere. Let dry according to glue directions. We combined five as a base for each cake stand, the second layer had four and the top layer had three. Vary your heights and colors for an appealing display.

Step Four: Top each stand with a glass plate and your dessert! Since our cakes were monochromatic the brightly colored balls looked splendid. If your desserts will be of varied in color, you could easily substitute for a more neutral paint palette.

Step Five: As your desserts are enjoyed, more of the color will show through the plates and the sweet table will look even more whimsical and fun as the night wears on.

Photos and Project Styling by Victoria Hudgins

Tags: , , .