Custom Love Potion

You MIGHT hate me for this post. Because I’m going to show you something super cute, but kinda tough to DIY. I’ll be honest, this one’s kind of a toughie; but it’s so great, I couldn’t resist sharing!

Staci over at Sunlight Nights made an amazing six pack of beers with custom labels for her boyfriend’s Valentine’s Day gift. And it got me thinking how killer custom labels might be at a wedding. You might not be able to do a fancy die cut like Staci has done here, but perhaps you could whip something great up and print them on labels like these from Paper Source. The labels come with a template, and if your stationery designer has created something custom for you, like a sort of wedding “logo” then you could easily apply it to the labels. Getting the original labels off your beers is as simple as soaking them in water and peeling them right off.

I know… I’m really really crazy. But I love the idea. They might work for a great custom gift for the groomsmen, or a welcome gift for your out-of-town guests, or perhaps as a favor on some wine at your shower! It’s just a crazy thought, I know… but seriously, if you’ve got a LONG engagement, you might as well tackle a few DIY projects, right?

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Snow Globe Torture!

My sister sent me this link from Well Worn, who featured these Anthropologie snow globes used for featuring jewelry.  Of course I felt immediate regret that I was too late to use this idea for a last minute Christmas gift. Oh Anthropologie. Why must you torment me so? However, I began to imagine how snow globes might make an AMAZING centerpiece for a shower or wedding (or even a favor at a shower?). And I think they’d totally work for a winter wedding. So much potential for customization! What do you think?

DIY instructions for making your own snow globe from Well Worn:

You will need:

All can be found at a craft or haberdashery store.

*A jar of your choice (with a lid)

*Figurines or jewelery

*Anti-rust sealant for metal pieces

*Clear-drying epoxy

*Distilled water

*Dash of glycerin

*Large silver or white glitter (smaller versions will float at the top)

Steps:

1. Use clear-drying epoxy to adhere your piece to the inside of the lid. Let dry per instructions.

2. After the epoxy dries completely, fill your jar with distilled or boiled water (at room temperature, of course).

3. Add just a dash of glycerin so the “snow” falls slowly.

4. Add as much glitter as you like. If you don’t like the look of glitter, you can usually find faux snow at craft and haberdashery stores.

5. Screw your lid on tightly and enjoy your snow globe!

Fall Neutrals

If you’re not a fan of orange and red hues, but still love to embrace the fall season in your decor, find inspiration from fall neutrals. I’m particularly loving Fairyfolk’s felt oak leaf place cards, which double as favors. Heart it!

Images 1 & 2: source unknown. Image 3: Fairyfolk.

*UPDATE: Gorgeous pumpkin set-up on left designed by Kate Holt of Flowerwild Designs. You can see more of the shoot in Sunset Magazine here.

Love this!

Happy Friday! The weekend has descended upon us! How’s bout a little DIY Friday love? This one is from Holly at Decor8 who linked to this adorable cross stitch project (with a free downloadable pattern) from Australia’s Wedding Style Guide.

I know, I know. As IF you have time to figure out how to sew…much less thread a needle. But seriously. While you and your hotness are chillaxin on the couch watching infinity episodes of [insert favorite reality tv show] you can impress him with your homespun skills. Though, don’t send me hate mails if this cute little DIY project turns into DI-WHY in the hell did I think I could do this?!???

Nevertheless, cross stitch is the easiest of all the needle variety crafts, so don’t be afraid to give it a shot.

I Love Our Adventures

My newlywed sister called me a while back asking for inspiration for a blank wall she just couldn’t seem to tackle. We chatted, and did a little surfing and stumbled across this cutie little card from King Popcorn. This baby is HAND EMBROIDERED, which I love. I told her to frame it, and then to add a few other framed pics of her and her new husband’s adventures together: honeymoon, excursions, moving. You name it. A perfect collage.

So, it’s not like you’re gonna do the same thing, but what girl in love can resist a hand embroidered card that says, “I love our adventures”? I know I can’t!

Speaking of embroidered paper… I’d like to introduce you to my newest obsession. Thread+paper! Here are a few more inspirational finds. Eat your heart out!

: : Misty Bliss via Mint : :

: : How-to Valentines from Purl Bee : :  Click on the link for a DIY tutorial on this card…and it’s made with a sewing machine! Quick, easy and painless. (That is if you know your way around one of those confusing contraptions!)

: : Denki Ai : :

And CUSTOM hand embroidered initial notecards from Old Fashioned But Good. Excuse me??? Could these not be the BEST place cards/favors at a bridal shower? Stop the train! And… Doth my eyes deceive me??? Five for $5? This can’t be true!

I think the last time I attempted to cross stitch, I was in 5th grade and my teacher was forcing arts and crafts upon our entire class. Oh the horror! So that experience may not translate into making one of these myself. Neverthless, by your own needle or credit card, I can’t see how you’ll want to miss out on acquiring a pretty treat like these. Whether it is gift wrap, cards or *gasp* place cards, thread can only make it better!

Favors: Chocolate

Meet the Mast Brothers, Rick and Michael, self-proclaimed leaders of the chocolate revolution:

I found the Mast Brothers via Weddingbee PRO and just HAD to find out more. I’ve now spent the morning perusing their delightful blog and wishing I could taste their spectacular chocolate, which is made by hand, bean to bar (and one of only a handful of places in the states that does it this way).

At first, I cared more about the gorgeous wrapping, but as it turns out, the bars of chocolate are so good, they have been known to act as currency. Well, it looks like I may need to make room in the future wedding budget for these tidbits of perfection.

DIY: Cupcake Flags

If you’re looking for a way to add some shaBANG to your cupcakes, the always lovely flag technique can add a touch of detail that is so over-the-top, it’ll have your guests declaring your panache for years to come. Martha Stewart has a cupcake flag template download and how-to here, which is a fabulous option if you want to do it yourself, but don’t have quite the artistic chops. Here are some other flags (most of which are available for purchase) to help juice your creative inklings…or to make it that much easier to accomplish such decorative perfection; just click, add to cart and purchase. Done deal.

Martha Stewart

Buttercream’s Custom Cupcake Flags

Calligraphy Cupcake Flags via Elizabeth Anne Designs

Cupcake Girls mix it up with grosgrain ribbon and felt:

And while you’re at it, why not filigree cupcake liners?

Chocolate & Pictures

Happy Monday!!! Wow. What a weekend. We had a fabulous photo shoot yesterday with Stephanie Williams, Eva from Red Velvet Occasions and the absolutely LOVELY gals, Lucia and Henny from D*LSH Design. The girls are releasing a new e-zine project called Utterly Engaged and I promise you, it will be fabulous. I had the absolute pleasure and privilege to design the florals and help style yesterday’s shoot, which will be featured in their first issue! YAY! As soon as Utterly Engaged comes out, I will most definitely share all the goods with you. So that’s what Grey has been up to. Now let’s get this week started.

When photographer Elizabeth Messina celebrated her wedding at the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa, among all the fabulous details (which you can check out here) she offered her guests personalized candy bars with photos of her, her new husband Lee, their children, and their travels. I am always looking for ways a bride and groom can share their story with their guests, and I think this is a great way to do it. For links to creating your own custom wrappers, click here.

Gift Tag for Favors? Perhaps.

These tags from Erin Zam are SO cute. I love this idea. Put them on wedding gifts. Put them on gifts for your bridal party. OR, if you can swing it, put them on the favors at your wedding. I love how quirky and different these are. 

Found: Custom Clay

Whenever I find the actual place to PURCHASE something I’ve found while perusing pictures of real weddings, I’m always overjoyed at the opportunity for me to share a new resource with you. I used the left picture from Birch a while back on the Aqua and Poppy Inspiration Palette.

That little clay egg is SO cute, right? Hmmm…where would one find such a darling little detail? Well, folks. I’ve got good news and bad news. The good news is, you can find them from uber fab designer Rae Dunn, who sells them right here. The bad news is, they are a little pricey if you were hoping to purchase one for each of your guests. But they are oh so cute… And you get to customize the words!