book nook. the artful bride.

Here's another wedding themed DIY book. You know, I understand wanting to have some fun...but too much kitsch just isn't pretty. period. 

it's true. I'm a bwitch.

Boring? Perhaps, but I don't like to upset the apple cart...too much. Which means that for 95% of people would see it on the straight & narrow, square, vanilla. But 5% would see the hidden jokes in the details. Does that make any sense? Like a kid's movie with subtle adult jokes in the background. I l-o-v-e puns.

Okay. back from that tangent.  

Here are my picks from the book:

Flower Power jewelry set. Would I want it for a wedding? No. But in different color combos, it would be cute for other outings. This looks like some of the designs that my grandmother & I would work up when I was younger...but that can be for another time.

It's cute...Guest Survival Kit. add in some personal touches to it beyond breath mints & a tooth brush & I agree that it's cute.

Okay. I cracked up when I turned the page on these personal- ized undies. Aren't they great?! You would have to have the right group of gals to get away with this one, but I LOVE IT!

If the wedding is going to be a fun wedding...then I think this photo booth candle is a great idea. But, if the wedding is more serious, perhaps this would be more appropriate at a shower or rehearsal dinner rather than the reception.

How much do I love these monkey place settings?! This could only be pulled off with a more casual wedding. I would have to be separated from them because I'd keep playing with them - hahaha.

Another cute idea is this doll house miniature chair place card holder. The miniature name card is in the seat. I know, the picture didn't come out so well, but I'd think some would still need their glasses to see the name in real life. A miniature table is also pictured with "table two" labeled on it...

All images from book. The Artful Bride: Simple, Handmade Wedding Projects April Paffrath, Laura McFadden
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Okay, next post is going to go back design. I found this FABULOUS tile company...their catalogs have such great shots that I am going to set up a little slide show [fairly sure about that]. 

I'm off to personalize some undies!

♥ - Kat.

book nook. crafty ideas for the bride on a budget.

Most of the projects were a bit too "crafty" in my opinion. A lot of the projects felt more like a creative scrapbooking aisle exploded into wedding projects. I liked the simplistic [but lovely] cake ideas best. And there's a great "how-to" section about working with fondant with loads of step-by-step pictures in the back.

The floral projects were inspiring in aesthetics, however I'd prefer to see higher quality supplies photographed versus the lower priced typical craft store floral stems used. Frayed edges make the bridal bouquets look a bit sloppy. Honestly, I'm just not fond of the bridal bouquet as artificial flowers. I want to smell fresh flowers -- there's just no substitution for that. If you want a keepsake of the bouquet, press some of the flowers to keep in a scrapbook.

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double duty menu / place card.

I must have my snob-nose on today, because this is the only project that I really liked besides the flower & cake ideas. But I'd prefer this with both pieces the same shape/size [floral piece with name on top; menu on bottom]. Then the decorative brad through both at the top so that the two papers "slide". But that's just me....

bridal bouquet.

okay, okay. no, you can't tell that the flowers are fake & frayed from the scanned image. but, dammit, i want to smell the fresh flowers. translate this bouquet of hydrangeas & snowballs into their real counterparts & i'm in heaven.

floral place seating.

here, put the money into the real flower bouquet above & save on fake [err, artificial] flowers here. 

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now! let them eat cake:

this monochromatic, [edible] glitter-dusted cake would translate into so many other great events. lavender & pink dustings for a sweet sixteen... silver or gold dustings for anniversaries [i'm proud to claim that my uncle & aunt will approach their 50th in a couple years--so see, it can still happen]

I would leave off the flowers up top [or, only add a small stem/sprig or two]. and I admit, i'm dyeing [i crack myself up] to see this design with wedgewood blue fondant with the white accents! or, add a light washing of color [edible "paints" of course] to the bows & swags.

I think this is such a simple, yet darling, cake design. It reminds me of my grandmother's old chenille & candlewicking  bedspreads. Most definitely a choice for the romantic.

How simple & fun is this one?! Again, this would translate so well into a impressive birthday cake [diy style no less!].

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Inspired yet?

♥ -Kat.

[all images from book]

diy project: seedling kit favors

This is a darling seedling favor diy project that was featured on Etsy's How-Tuesday series. While it's marketed as a wedding favor, I think it could translate well into other occasions. Perhaps a more substantial version would make a sweet hostess or house warming gift, too?!

The tutorial is posted here on Project Wedding. 

 

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****My two cents: You could also use a cookie tin to store everything in & use as the container for the plant. One of my carpet companies actually handed out our very own organic wheat grass seedlings kits that way. This was a promotional gimmick from them, but a neat one. Durkan ordered the grass tins in bulk from a company like 4imprint.

To build on that idea, wouldn't this turn into a fantastic idea for the pet lovers?! You could easily create a kit based on the tutorial above. And you can purchase organic grass seeds from Olive Barn for dogs...

or cats...

including cat nip! 

And they're only a few bucks each!

Cheap entertainment!

♥-Kat.