Oh me! Oh my!

Oh what to do, what to do.  There are so many projects stretching out in front of me for miles and miles and miles it seems that I scarcely know where to begin.  Got the first project, our Save The Date cards, out of the way and off to the printers.  But there is still so much more to do.  I have to learn how to print on Burlap so I can make runners for the tables and the aisle runner for the ceremony.  Found a neat technique that involves Freezer Paper believe it or not.  So, I will be giving it a try soon.

You can find a tutorial for making these beautiful burlap runners here: Ruffled burlap table runners

I have these beautiful paper rosette pomanders, aka Kissing Balls to make.  (Check out Amy Huntley's Blog for the tutorial:  The Idea Room)  Another really good tutorial can be found at Shindig Parties to Go.  You can find it here:  Hanging Pomanders. The top picture is from the Idea Rooms Blog.  I love  these pretty little balls.  The bottom picture is from Trisha at Sweet Survival to give you another idea of what these look like and what you can do with them.  Her tutorial for a Rosette Topiary is found here: Tissue Paper Rosette Topiary.  Besides Pomanders and topiaries, I have seen some really beautiful wreaths made with these.

I need lots of these for the ceremony and the reception.
I have to get a map made to put in all the invitations still and this is not going to be an easy fete.  Drawing is not my strong suit.  Stick figures, yes.  Maps, not so much.
There are still lots of signs to make using the Glue/Mod Podge Technique.  I hope to have more than a few for the Ceremony and Reception.  They are going to take lots of work if I want to achieve the results Cheryl Westerkamp does with her signs on Etsy.  You can find all of her beautiful creations here: My Primitive Boutique.  I absolutely adore her work but I cannot hand paint decorative Victorian Lettering.  I have to use a transfer method instead.  My initial results with the Elmer's Glue/Mod Podge method has been wonderful so I have high hopes I will be able to make signs that look nice, and almost as good as Cheryl's do.  The photo below is of one of Cheryl's wood sign creations.

I have more than a couple hanging banners to make.  I just love the look of them.  They will dress up my tables nicely I think and add a bit of whimsy to the whole occasion.  Here is one of the banners I am currently working on.

Ok, so on top of all this, I still have centerpieces to make. Pieces that I will paint black that I've picked up at Goodwill and the like so these pieces will match the rest of what I have.  It is never-ending it seems but I am enjoying creating all these little pieces to make our wedding highly personal.  Everyone, including the kids are chipping in and next weekend my cousin and dear friend Danielle is going to come and help me with a bit of it.  I can't express how thankful I am for the help.  Trying to do this on my own is so much work, that any help is appreciated.  I especially love that my children and my Husband-To-Be are actively participating in creating all these wonderful things.  It makes for great family time and it lets the kids feel like a part of the whole process.  When something they have done turns out so wonderful, they can smile and say, "I made that!'  Well, it looks like to me another trip to Michael's and Hobby Lobby are on my list for the weekend.  :)  I am looking forward to it!

Inkjet Transfers Onto Painted Wood Surfaces

For all you fellow crafter's out there I thought I would share my success with you in using the regular glue and Mod Podge method to transfer images onto painted wood.  I have never attempted to do this, so I scoured the internet looking for tips on the best way to transfer an inkjet printed image to a wooden surface.  I found this very simple tutorial here: How To Transfer Inkjet Images To Wood and I thought why not, so I drifted on over to Hobby Lobby and bought myself some Mod Podge.  I already had the cardstock and I had clear Elmer's glue on hand.  A quick note here...do not try this with regular copy paper.  It is next to impossible to get the paper off the wood without ruining the image.  Believe me I tried. :)  Another tip I would like to share is to cut the cardstock larger than the wood so a bit of it hangs off the edges, as it gives you a starting place to work with.  Above all, be patient.  If the cardstock is hard to remove, it isn't wet enough.  Once the cardstock is wet enough, it comes off easily.  Be gentle when you remove the cardstock, your fingers can ruin the image.  (Yep, been there, done that too!)  One last tip, when you paint your cardstock with glue, don't coat the entire page, it tends to jam in the printer if the edges are painted because it has a tendency to curl and do not forget to mirror reverse your image.  (I have ruined more than one piece, simply by forgetting to mirror reverse!)  If you don't and you are using wording, everything will be backwards. Be sure to seal your wood with a good spray.  Do not brush it on as this can ruin your transferred image as well.  I have one picture to share.  There are a couple of blemishes but these were caused by my printer and are easily touched up with paint. Once this little piece is trimmed out it will be beautiful.  Craft on ladies!  :)

Busy as a bee

The time is drawing nearer and I have gone from my every day routine into a frenzied mode of creating.  In order to say money and to have very personalized wedding, I am doing a great many things myself.  From designing and hand distressing the invitations, reception, RSVP, and Save the Date cards to making banners and signs, I am doing it all with a bit of help from the kids and from my dear SO.  I never dreamed it would all involve so much work, but I wouldn't trade it.  This is our day and it should be about US! and it is.  This wedding speaks volumes about our love and who we are as individuals in every tiny little detail.  Here are a few of my creations.  I hope you like them!

Reception Cards hand distressed and Created by Me :)

Tags for the Wish Tree

Part of one Banner

Save the Date cards designed and distressed by Yours Truly

Unfinished Mr & Mrs Signs...these will be awesome all trimmed out.