flowers and feathers

While the creative juices were flowing - and it rained outside - I put together a new hair accessory.  Three blooms, silver grey fabric leaves and a couple of feathers, attached to felt with an alligator clip on the back.  The central bloom has links from an old silver chain as its centre.   I suppose the whole thing could also be put on a comb, but I've found that these alligator clips (with teeth!) work really really well on all types of hair.

Probably etsy bound once I've mastered the construction details.  Or you can get in touch with me directly.

Return to florals

Spend a few minutes (well probably hours) yesterday, tidying up my craft room.  I bought myself a new piece of furniture to house my various boxes and projects.  And quite honestly it's one of my favorite purchases!  Anyway, I found some little floral blooms I'd made when I was polishing my technique.  So I thought I'd experiment and try out a little idea I had floating in my head.   I do believe it worked MUCH better than I thought it would.  So this morning I had to run on down to Joann's and get myself more fabric in as many colors as possible.

So what do you think?  I think they look great and I'm so thrilled with the result that I'm making up some new bridal hair accessories.  Look for them within the week!  Let's hope I'm on a roll and can get some sweet little additions up on Etsy in time for bridal season!

cute clipboard invites

Assembled with a couple of insert cards

a little dark and camera strap made a special appearance, but you get the idea

the separate pieces

Green tea works wonders for the spirit - and the energy level.  I've just  finished my first prototype for the clipboard invites.  Obviously this calls for a more modern or funky approach to the invitation design, so the wording reflects that.  And of course each finished piece would depend upon the pattern design of the decorative paper used.  There's a bit of tweaking that needs to be done - I think that's obvious!  But so far, I'm liking it because it's just that little bit different.  I've also used a magnetic clip so it can be placed on the refrigerator door.  Although I think a lot of people know have stainless steel and magnets don't work!  So I could always use a regular binder clip.

Another problem I foresee with the magnet is mailing.  The whole card would need special handling - which you should get anyway, regardless of the type of card you use.  Who wants those messy black stamps or computer marks all over your pretty invitations?  And of course there'll be extra postage fees because of the weight.  But that happens with a lot of invitation suites anyway.  And your guests are worth it, right?

a couple more views

Mini clipboard guest card with a modern vibe.  I added the name and wedding date on the back of this one.

This is the larger clipboard (4.5" x 6 "approx).  In keeping with the more traditional look of the paper, I raised the bride and groom info using those little foam pads.  The menu and/or other information would be placed on the other side.  The guest name could go above the bride and groom name on this one, or on the other side.  I think it would look kind of sweet above the b & g name card.  Again it could be raised or just placed under the clip.

Fresh off the press

Yea, I had freshly squeezed orange juice this morning, but I'm actually talking about my latest idea.
Must confess, the original concept came from that handy-dandy wedding craft book I referred to in yesterday's post, but as I had plenty of pre-cut wood in stock and nothing to do with it - well I came up with this idea.  Which, by the way, has a multitude of applications and possibilities for extra adornments and combinations.

I got a 4.5" x 3.5" piece of wood, added some pretty paper and a small binder clip in a matching color.  I added a few sheets of matching paper (you could use plain or maybe a little post-it note pack, along with a guest card.  And voila, escort/table cards and a favor to boot.

As I said, the possibilities are endless with this.  The back side could have an extra piece of paper attached with your names and wedding date.  We could add a ribbon, maybe a little message from you under the clip, a ticket for the photobooth, or even a little pencil and your guests could write a little note for you (make sure you have somewhere for them to put the notes).  What a great favor to keep in the car or with the addition of a magnet clip, in the kitchen, for those quick reminders.

I'm also making a slightly bigger clipboard and although I don't think it will work out as an escort card - you'd probably visually crowd out your escort card table, it would look great as a table card.  You could tuck a menu under the clip too.  (That's the clipboard idea that was posted in the craft book).  I'll post the  image tomorrow.

There is so much decorative paper out there and I love looking for "just the right one", so all I'd need would be your color scheme, wedding theme, and I could find a nice selection of papers to choose from. Or I could even design a customized pattern for you.

Now, I also have square pre-cut wood in a 5" x 5" size.  Because they're square they don't work so well for the mini-clipboard idea.  BUT ...... why not do the same thing paper-wise and make them into funky casual little wedding invites?  So after lunch I'm going to work on a prototype and I'll get back to you with that little idea.

Sorry for the lack of fun posts!

Today didn't work out to be the day I had planned.  Lesson learnt today - never plan.  Just let things happen moment by moment.  I had planned to do a few more floral projects and get them posted here and in my shop.  Obviously that didn't happen.  BUT I did read a brand new crafting book - Handmade Weddings - and been inspired to try out a lot of the projects.  I also got some great new ideas to re-purpose my 4" coaster tiles, and if things work out tomorrow, then I'll get around to sharing.  Have to run to Staples and the local craft shop so I'll post in the afternoon.

Obviously the creative ideas in the above book are copyrighted so I can't sell them on Etsy - but I did get some good ideas to create some of my own stuff.  If, however, you like what you see in the book, but just don't have the time, patience or resources to DIY, then don't forget, IDIFY.

Fabric bouquets finally made it to Etsy

I took the plunge.  I've posted my bouquets in my Etsy shop .  Now, I'd just better be ready to go with nimble fingers if anyone should happen to order one!

Congratulations

Feeling just an inkling - okay, a whole crafting room load -  of pride and joy for Shannon and Vikki over at
All You Need is Love Events.  They've been voted amongst the best of wedding planners on Wedding Wire and, la creme de la creme, The Knot.

Well done ladies, and much deserved success to two of the most loveliest and hard-working people I have the pleasure to know.

I heart crafting

Just remember - if you can't do it yourself, don't want to do it yourself, haven't the time to do it yourself, then I will do it for you.  And my prices are really reasonable - won't cost you much more than if you did it yourself.  (You won't have to drive anywhere to pick up supplies, you won't be worrying about getting stuff done on time).  I love brides, I love weddings and I've rediscovered my love for crafting.  I don't have to craft to pay the mortgage -  I have to craft because I love to do it.

So if you've seen something on my posts here or in my etsy shop, or seen something on another website or blog that you'd like to recreate, then please get in touch with me and I'll see if I can help you out.

On another note, I've convinced myself that I really should put the fabric bouquets up on etsy.  So I'm charging up the camera battery and getting set to take some pretty pictures.  I'll probably put those juicy fruit colored flowers up as well.   You never know - someone somewhere out there might be looking for them!

Oh Cabo, Cabo

I'm baack!  Actually I've been back a few days, but stayed up in Los Angeles for a couple of days and toured the flower mart and fashion district in search of fabrics and buttons and all things crafting.  Looks like I need to head back again - there is SO MUCH I WANT!  Anyways...... its time to get back to crafting and add some items to the Etsy shop.

My button and fabric floral bouts are up there now.  Some interest although not as much as I'd like - but its early in the bridal season - I'm not giving up hope yet!  The worst thing about going somewhere without a decent internet connection is that you lose out on a potential huge order.  I had a possible buyer for 90 of my coaster tiles.  Once I got back home I responded immediately with huge apologies, but I haven't heard back yet.  Perhaps she's gone to Cabo too!  Let's hope I'm still on her list of favorites.

Today I hope to put up the new cheaper coaster tiles.  I'm debating whether or not to finally release my fabric bouquets to the bridal world.  I don't know why I'm not doing it yet - I think perhaps I'm a little scared to put something out there that I'm proud of and then have no-one like them!  I should tell myself to grow up and use the expression chaque'un a son gout!  My french may be a little rusty but the intent is there!

I'm off for breakfast in a minute and I'll post later with some pretty pictures! 

Off to Cabo

Just a quickie post to let you know I'll be absent from the blog world for a few days.  My son is getting married down in Cabo San Lucas, so we're off for the big celebration!  Looking forward to good company, good drinks, fun times with friends and family.  I'll be back posting again next week all fresh and recharged and ready to get crafting again!

See you soon, and have a great weekend!

Fresh and oh so chic!

Isn't the combination of blue and green just so gloriously refreshing?  They just scream natural, country, spring and "shabby" chic - especially the little blooms in multi-hued and patterned cotton.

The carnation blooms are adapted from a tutorial I found in an old out-of-print book and seemed the easiest one to start with.  As I didn't want it to look "exactly" like the real thing, I was free to use whatever materials I had on hand.  They are made with about 9 layers of chiffon that has been fringed around the edge - so light, ethereal and fluttery.  At the moment I think they'll only work as a stemmed bloom - put it in a vintage medicine bottle or a bundle of them in a mason jar.  Perfect for a fun look if you can't find or don't want to use the real thing!

I've done some of the rosettes in the blue/green cotton fabric I was so excited about a few posts back.   I thought the table card in the shape of one of those garden planting sticks was a sweet finishing touch.     You can always add a table number if you want to use it as an escort card.

blooms in little vintage bottles

blooms in bottles and cotton rosettes

Cotton rosettes - add to a ribbon for your favor box, or as a napkin ring.
Or, of course, as an adornment to the guest/escort cards.  Add a pin to use as a corsage.

I'm behind on getting new products up on the Etsy shop, so I think I'll wait until I get back from the wedding in  Cabo - and perhaps sitting by the infinity pool with a cocktail in hand will inspire me to think of more DIY goodies for all those wonderful brides out there!

See you soon!

First look at boutonnieres

Well, my loyal readers, you got lucky.  I decided that this blog was sad and empty without at least one image per day, so I put together my first run of boutonnieres and lined them up for a photograph session.

With some minor tweaking, I think these babies are ready to be released onto Etsy.  The leaf is made of wool felt I found at Joanns fabric store.  I added either a twig (real) or a feather (real too) in either white or brown - because they're the only colors I have right now - and finished it off with either a small silk cabbage rose or a small chiffon bud.  I actually prefer the cabbage rose at the moment but I think some minor work will make the chiffon buds look a little better.  I've left the stems au natural - with a ropey stem wire, but I could always twist a matching ribbon around the stem if preferred.  I think they turned out better than I had anticipated, so for the moment, I'm happy.

Along with the more stylized button bouts I blogged about yesterday, I think I'm going to put these up on the Etsy site within the next couple of days.  But email me from this site if you're interested in finding out more.

I do love comments but no-one has left me any.  Good, bad (well maybe) - I'd love to hear from you!

A paper lover's delight!

Oh my, just had to write another post.  The UPS delivery truck just left me the most beautiful parcel.  Let me say, if I lived in New York I might just spend my entire day in this store.

Paper Presentation

Some of the most beautiful paper and paper products you are ever likely to encounter in one place.  A few days ago I ordered their sample paper kit - basically a very professional looking folder with samples of all their papers and paper products.  I was in heaven as I ran my fingers over all these beautiful papers in really what amounts to my own personal store.

This will be a great way for the bride who decides to work with me on her wedding stationery.  We can sit there all day long and come up with the perfect invitation or the perfect finishing touches for her special day - in fact the bride may be just too overwhelmed to know exactly what to do!

Obviously, this option of a face to face meeting is only going to work if you're a bride in the Los Angeles/Orange County area, BUT the next best thing for the non-locals is to go and take a virtual tour at the paper presentation online store.  You might just get some more great ideas to add to your growing list of wants and needs!

Going back to acquaint myself with some more of their products!  Bye for now!

Quiet day today

I feel bad if I don't post - this blog is like my baby that needs some TLC and attention every day.  So even though I haven't got any new stuff to show you just yet, rest assured I'm still busy - today I'm still working on those boutonnieres, so expect pictures soon.

If any of you brides out there have blue/green or orangey coral/blue/brown color schemes in mind, I've found the most adorable bundles of cotton fabrics.   So if  you're looking for cottagey, country, shabby chic, and maybe even natural beachy themes in mind, there might just be something for you to peruse in a few days.

 In a couple of weeks,  I'm going to be treading the streets of the garment district in Los Angeles, searching for more fabrics - hopefully I'll be pleasantly surprised by the choice as well as the price!  And if anyone out there offers free foot massages, I'll trade for a fabric flower or two!

Oh, and I found a great use for some broken silver necklace chains.

Don't go away!  I'll be baaack

Bout as a button!

That really should be "button as part of a bout", but that wasn't as catchy.

Quick post today - I really have to stop making flowers and tidy up the house.  Sunshine really shows up all the dust and smudges!

So here's some more ideas for boutonnieres, corsages, table/escort cards.  You might have seen the cabbage rose before, but I thought I'd throw it in there again.  Buttons seem to be gaining in popularity and I added a contrasting button to the bout in the middle.  Color choice could be yours - or even one of those buttons with a logo or a shape or something that represents "you" could be added.

All these items will be up for sale in my Etsy shop, some time at the end of January.  But I wanted to give you all a sneak peek.

cabbage rose flower - can be added anywhere - your hair, lapel, favors,  table card

Alligator clip on back.  These clips work great on hair   and can be clipped to  a card, napkin.
Can be changed out to a pin or haircomb or barette

Here's the same rose as a table card

pin on back of bout.

The groom and his men are just as important ..........

There's a lot of interest being shown in having something a little different than the flowery boutonniere for your groom and his groomsmen.  In keeping with  my love of fabric, I've started work on fabric bouts for the guys in your life.

Now bear in mind these are absolute prototypes using silk flowers and leaves - I need some sturdier fabric for these newborn babies - but you can go with a fabric leaf (any color to suit, doesn't need to be green), a single flower or berry stem, and a nice natural twig (the ones in the image are real!), maybe a feather as well as, or instead, of the leaf.  And voila, something a little less feminine.

You know, something like this could even work on those table cards, or even as a nice little addition to your favors.   Check back in a few days and I'll have some completed fabric bouts available for your viewing pleasure.

flowers and feathers, and fresh colors - oh my.

Well, finally I have completed my second and larger bridal bouquet.  This took a bit more work than I expected because I virtually doubled the number of blooms that were in my original bouquet. There's several types of stylized flowers made from silk chiffon and silk dupioni.   I love the fresh, cheerful colors and I originally planned to finish it off with white feathers but then thought the brown feathers added a little extra interest and texture and will provide a subtle contrast between the bride's dress and the bouquet.

I certainly learnt a lot about techniques that work and don't work for me, and I still have to get the final ribbon stem wrap perfected - I'm not there yet, but I have an idea.  As I haven't wrapped the stem on the first bouquet, I'll try it there.

If you like the direction I'm heading in with these bouquets, I'd love to know.  Comments, criticism - and maybe a word or two of adoration (!!) - will be greatly appreciated!

Etsy shop

Just a quick post to let you know I've provided a link to my Etsy shop. I'm in the process of "restocking" so there's only one item up there right now. But you can always contact me through the shop and ask me any question you want.

I'm planning on getting some more items up for sale before the end of January - got a family wedding coming up. So keep checking back as often as you can.

Thanks!

For the male guests

So after my last post talking about vintage cabbage rose table cards, I got to thinking about the male wedding guest. Now, he may be very enlightened or he may care diddly squat about the fact that he has a flower on his guest card - if he's a real gentleman he'll give it to his female friend/wife or, you know, whatever. But I just thought it might be interesting if the guys on your guest list had something a little more manly for their table/escort card, yet something that was fitting in with your vintage-y theme. How about a more stylized flower in a more sturdy fabric? Or how about a bow-tie - something old-fashioned yet sophisticated.

I've made up a couple of prototype table/guest cards as you can see below( the silky flower for the ladies is in the middle). These are made out of eco-friendly felt, and fastened with a yellow tack. I'm sure I could fashion them out of any material that's a little sturdier - such as a cotton twill or linen. And they could be attached differently - either with glue, or some kind of pin.

As you see, I also added a table number to one of the tags just in case you were using them as escort cards, not just table cards. What's the difference, you might ask? An escort card is something you pick up before you go to your table and will let you know what table a person is sitting at - sort of "escorts" you to your table. Your wedding co-ordinator - such as the lovely ladies at AYNIL - will lay them out in alphabetical order all nicely for your guests, on a special table.

If it's a "table card", it usually just has the guest name and is already placed at the table. You'll probably have a sign or a chart at the cocktail hour where the guests will find their name and their table assignment.

Summertime Citrus

Allyouneedisloveevents.com just posted some deliciously juicy looking centerpieces over on their blog - just perfect to peruse on this rainy SoCal morning. Funny they should do that because I am in the process of creating a fabric floral bouquet with some citrus-colored fabric. It's not complete yet but here's a sneak peek

I have flowers, and stems all over my craft room floor, and this morning I just added feathers - you'll love it for a modern vintage vibe.

Talking of vintage, I've also been lucky enough not to burn the house down with another of my projects - vintage cabbage roses. Lots of ways these can be utilized - a flower for your hair, a pretty little place card, a flower on a bridesmaid's sash - let your imagination soar!

I've added a little peek-a-boo yellow flower and feathers to this one. It's currently on a sidecomb, but could just as easily be attached to an alligator clip for your hair, or on a sash.

Back to the assorted flowers in the first image. I've actually completed a fabric and feathers bouquet in a different color theme. These are so much fun to make - if you have about 4 days and a high tolerance for burnt fingers. When the design and construction process is finalized I'll be offering these bouquets as custom designs. If you're interested, or have any constructive criticism, please leave a comment! I still have to add some ribbon to the stem so it looks all prettified!

Back to the beach....

....for today's selection. The Save the Dates are in the style of old-fashioned paper flight tickets. The bride had seen a couple of designs she liked, so we combined the two styles and made a two part ticket. The top ticket had a map of the destination, the second ticket had the necessary information. I scored the tickets so the right hand side of the ticket with the round information button could be detached and placed on a calendar - a nice little reminder for the recipient. (sorry, no image available for the second part of the ticket)

The invitation suite is for the same couple. The bride loves turtles. I designed a turtle motif for them (the motif was background on the second half of the STD ticket), and incorporated it into the invitation suite, not only as a graphic - I managed to locate turtle shaped paperclips, and also had tiny wooden turtles laser-printed with their initials and the date of marriage. I attached a little strip of magnet to the back and it attached itself nicely to the turtle paper clip. The whole suite was then wrapped in tissue paper to match the fushchia and golden yellow colors and placed in a box. Wedding guests felt like they were opening a very special package. And they got a little lucky turtle gift too!

Oh, and just so you know, Pantone's Color of the Year for 2011 is the vibrant Honeysuckle. I wonder if soon-to-be Princess Kate will choose this as part of her color scheme?

Today's blog let's you take a look at a few items I've done for some wonderful brides.

First of, allyouneedisloveevents.com jetted half way across the Pacific to a beautiful destination wedding in one of my most favorite places on Earth - the island of Maui. Of course, Maui's got sunshine and Maui's got heat. What better way to help keep the wedding guests cool - and informed - than a ceremony program fan. The bride found some fans she liked on a couple of blogs, and together we decided on what she wanted on her

program, her color scheme and her graphics. Simple, sweet, cheap and functional, and very much appreciated, as the day turned out hot and sunny with absolutely no wind.

Next up, another wedding on the beach. I did the whole invitation suite for this one, based on a couple of designs the bride had found. Normally I don't like to replicate an invitation but the graphics were easy to find and adjust to the bride's requirements. The invite is at the bottom of the package, together with an RSVP card and Directions card, wrapped in a co-ordinating belly band and raffia.

Stay tuned - more to come in my next post.