Dialogue: Doin' DIY Projects Worth it?

DIY projects are a blast to do, inspiring, the perfect way to make your wedding unique and a way to save some dough. However, we leave out the detail that ruins it all. The time it takes. Time is money and time isn't nice enough to give you more so you stress when it runs out.

Source: storkie.com via Jacqueline on Pinterest

Of course if you are fortunate to have people help you, it can be fun and make for some fun girl's nights. So what I want to know in this week's dialogue is how much DIY projects are you doing? How many hours have you put in to those projects? Is it worth it? Or are you one who isn't doing any DIY for your wedding? Stumped on what projects are worth it or not? Check out this post from Every Last Detail: To DIY or Not to DIY? Let's talk!

We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. - 1 John 4:13

Inspiration Week: Carnation and Rose Centerpieces

I didn't want to have some elaborate flower action going on because I wanted to have a simple, spring, easter, picnic vibe to the party table decor. Simple and easy, have a single rose rest on a base of carnations. The good thing is that carnations are very affordable so you won't break the bank using this flower in your party decor!

 

I decided to go with a trellis pattern with the ribbon decor around the mason jar. I recommend sharp scissors and gloss finish tape. My tip on the diagonal pieces, don't get too particular about accuracy. It takes a lot of time if you do and ends up not really being noticeable on the finished product because the pieces will overlap. Cut one piece that you measure from the jar, then use that piece as your pattern for cutting the rest of the ribbon pieces.

Double stick tape will also help to keep the ribbon in place. I didn't use any and realized that I wish I had some! What other ribbon designs can you think of? Do share!

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. - John 15:9

Inspiration Week: DIY Flower Backdrop

A great way to accent a central table or add a bit of personality is to change the backdrop of your setting. Thank goodness for craft punches because cutting out flowers individually would just never happen!

All you need to make this flower backdrop is a craft punch, yarn, colored cardstock and glue.

I used 7 different shades of pink of the square cardstock and as you can see I only needed to punch around the perimeter for each to have enough flowers for the backdrop. A little dab of glue in the middle of each flower pressed on the yarn for just a few seconds does the trick.

Now for the time commitment. When I got the hang of it I was able to make them pretty quick. Have a girlfriend over for a chick-flick and you'll finish quicker than you would think!

What projects are you doing for your wedding that you are having your girlfriends help you with?

Humility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honor and life. - Proverbs 22:4

*DIY* Storybook Theme Table Numbers

Continuing with the Storybook Wedding Theme DIY series. Today I have some simple table numbers for you!

All you need: Cardstock, Pages from a book, Glue, Pencil, Black Marker

Step One: Draw out box pattern on card stock paper and cut out.

 Step Two: Print the numbers to size and transfer the number onto the box.

Step Three: Trace, cut out and glue the squares from the pages onto the box.

Step Four: Assemble the box and repeat until you have all the numbers you need!

To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds. – Daniel 1:17

*DIY* Storybook Bridal Shower Decor

Next up in the Storybook Wedding DIY series is a simple decor piece you can put together really quick and set it up at your bridal shower. You can find the other Storybook Wedding projects HERE.

All you need is a hardcover book, craft glue and pretty paper and card stock.

Step One: Type up and print out what you would like to put on the book.

Step Two: Cut it to size and glue on to the cover of the book.

Step Three: You can make more than one to set up throughout the shower, with the food, with the gifts, etc. Some can have pictures, or just words. I made sure to at least include the line I have been sticking with, "Like the pages out of a love story."

"We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." - John 1:14

*DIY* Storybook Invitations

Continuing with the Storybook wedding theme, I made a wedding invitation.

You may have noticed a line I used on the Storybook Wedding themed Save-the-Dates:

Like the pages out of a love story. . . 

The line will continue:

When two become one. . .

What you need:

Pages from a book

Cardstock

Scissors and Glue

Step One: Set up the invitation wording in your word document.

Step Two: Print and cut out the invitation wording on the cardstock. The line, "When two become one," will be printed on regular copy paper to make it easier for tracing.

Step Three: Assemble with glue.

Step Four: Use the same tracing technique used in the Save-the-Dates to add the words to the invitation.

Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” – Matthew 22:37-40

*DIY* Storybook Wedding: Save-the-Dates

After I did last week's DIY on a ring bearer book (instead of pillow), I ended up with these cute little cut out circles that inspired me to run a series of DIY posts focused on a Storybook themed wedding.

So, without further ado, from the beginning of wedding planning projects to the end, starting with Save-the-Dates.

What you will need:

~ Cut-out circles from the pages of a used or throw away book. (Find one laying around or find a cheap bargain book.) You can cut out any shape you like with scissors or a craft punch.
~ Printer, paper, and picture paper or card stock (if you want to put a quality photo on it)
~ Pencil
~ Black marker
~ Glue
~ Scissors

Step One: Open up a document on Word, and type out in the font of your choice what you want to say on your Save-the-Dates. With my circles being about 2in. I had the size of the font at 20 and 22. Print.

 Step Two: Cut out your text. On the back, with the pencil, shade the area behind the letters.

Step Three: Align the letters on the circle and trace the print. You should see the outline of the font on the circle.

Step Four: Fill in the fonts with your black marker. If it bleeds through like mine, you may need to glue a backing behind it, which makes it sturdier.

I used an index card to glue to the back.

Of course, when I dropped the scissors to cut out the backing, my darling baby, Mila, took hold of it!

 Step Five: If you want a picture, print out the picture to glue onto a circle. Assemble the circles how you like. I chose to set mine up to be a magnet. I didn't do this to mine, but you should laminate it to make it have more durability to withstand the mail delivery. Nothing like getting wet mail and your Save-the-Date  being ruined with bled out letters!

Stay tuned next week for DIY Storybook Wedding Invitations

The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. – 1 Corinthians 12:12

*DIY*A Ring Bearer. . . Book?

In the effort to customize our weddings we look for ways to take the traditional and put a twist on it. You don't want to use a traditional ring bearer pillow? Well. . .

Here is how you turn this

into this.

I found this on Martha Stewart Weddings a while ago and when I was planning my wedding, I wanted to do this. However, as working a full time job and having no money, so the way it always goes, I never got around to it. When my mother-in-law came to me with a Marine ring bearer pillow (my husband is a Marine) that she already bought, I figured, "Well, one less expense and I know my husband would like it." So, away the book project went.

Okay, now on to the how-to. Martha Stewart Weddings explains how to make it on their website, but didn't quite get down to the nitty. With only two pictures, you'd be jumping in blind! Also, it is easy to make with things around the house rather than buying fancy craft items.

Step by step, here we go!

What you will need:
~ Hardcover book or journal. You know those cheap hardcover books at the store of the classics? Get that and you got a bargain! Or, maybe you already have some dusty hardcover layin' around the house!
~ Glue Stick
~ Box cutter (even though I used a knife because I couldn't find our box cutter, which I wouldn't recommend)
~ Some ribbon, or lace, or whatever you want to personalize your book!
~ Pencil 

Step One: Use something, I used a drinking glass, to trace a circle, or whatever shape you want on the inside cover page of the book. If you have a book that tugs the first few pages when you open the cover, start your hole a few pages into the book.

Step Two: Use the box cutter, or craft knife to cut out the circle. Press down pretty hard so that you get more pages. I was able to get about 3 pages with each cut. You will see, I used a regular knife and it wasn't fun.

The circles will pretty much punch out.

 

Repeat the process until you get the depth of the hole you want. I did 21 pages and decided it was enough.

Step Three: Glue the pages together. I found you don't have to glue every page because it sits in place just fine.

Step Four: Attach the ribbon for the rings. I used a pencil to poke a hole and punch the ribbon through.

Punch another ribbon through and tape the ribbons down behind the page.

Step Four: Personalize the cover however you like. If you don't like the words on the side of the spine, you can cover it up with ribbon like I did.

Finished shot. (I didn't have my husband's band since he was gone. I used my two rings instead.)

 

I think I am going to do something with the circles and post about them in the future. :)

God Bless!
"... I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me." ~Phillippians 3:12 NIV

*DIY* Centerpiece Glass Art

Here is the first post for the new DIY segment of Wedding Pickle! Like I mentioned at the beginning of the week, I wanted to add this because budget and making your wedding your own are some of the biggest issues brides face. DIY makes you wedding look great while saving you money. My first DIY find features something I thought could be inspiration for a centerpiece. I originally found this project idea at YoungHouseLove (one of my FAVE blogs!)

Here is how you make them:
You will need glasses and a resin based paint pen. (I had an oil-based paint pen on hand, and it still turned out)

Step One: Paint your desired art design onto the glasses. Allow to dry for 24 hours. (You don't have to bake them unless you want the designs to be more durable.)

Silly, Whimsical designs can add a personal touch to your tables.

Step Two: Put them in the oven and set the heat to 325 degrees. (You don't need to pre-heat to avoid cracking the glass from sudden temperature change.)

I only baked one just in case it cracked. It didn't!

Step Three: Leave them in the oven for 40 minutes. After that turn the oven off and leave them in there awhile to cool down. Again to avoid cracking the glass from sudden temperature change.

Then you are done! Now you could just paint the glass and let dry and be done with it. Baking them just makes the paint more durable.

Find some more tips here. The possibilities with painted glass really is endless and really adds that personal touch such as candles, ribbon, flowers, floating candles, and more!