Place names

Today I started the place name cards. I already knew that it would be quite a time consuming project which is why I started. I now know that anyone with a name longer than 6 letters has to be scratched from the invite list.

The tools for my afternoon of crafting:

I cut little bits of bunting from the felt, stamped them with individual letters and then stuck them onto blank place cards.

The 'definites' have been done and I'll wait until the RSVPs come in before I complete anymore.

I have kept them flat for easier storage. I'm quite fond of them!

Tissue pom poms

Making tissue pom poms and watching TV are not compatible activities. The noise from me unruffling each layer made the OH reach for the rewind on the remote. The orange one was my first attempt and it's so large that I've been asked to not to make anymore until nearer the date or they'll take over our house!

I took the polite plea to mean that I couldn't make anymore so I've refrained for the moment.

Pinwheels

An evening spent watching TV and relaxing with a glass of wine has allowed me to create some pinwheels. I took squares of scrapbook card and folded the opposite corners to each other to form a diagonal cross.

I then measured two-thirds from each corner, made a mark and cut to the mark.

I then folded every second corner into the centre and pinned them together.

The most fun bit was hammering the pin into the wooden dowel.

I've placed a pearl bead between the paper and the dowel to allow it more freedom. A smaller bead will look nice between the head of the pin and the paper.

Fly little pinwheel!

Tealight candle holder

Since my last DIY wedding instalment, I've been to Australia and come back and then went straight into a new job, hence the delay. Let's get to some more crafting!

I've been collecting jars for some time and bought some beautiful decopatch paper which fits in perfectly with my colour theme. These were my supplies for the afternoon:

Firstly I put a bit of PVA glue directly on the jar, then a small piece of torn paper and then a little bit more glue to seal the paper and act like a varnish. I did four jars, of all shapes and sizes, this afternoon.

The evening is now upon us so I have put a tealight in my first jar to see how it looks. I really like the effect of the overlapping paper, it reminds me of autumn leaves (and helpful fiance says we could use them at Halloween....).

Ring Pillow

I have another assignment due so I have had time (read: procrastination) to design and cut out the felt pieces for our ring pillow. It's the same felt that has been used for the bouquets/buttonholes.

Here are the felt pieces cut and placed on the 'pillow' before I stitched them:

I was in love with the little felt bunting but not so keen on the shape of my little bird so I cut him out again and added another colour felt for a different dimension. Before sewing the pillow together and stuffing it, a decision has to be made: which is better, the brown or green? This decision has divided the household...

Cupcakes

I had to bake cupcakes today. I had to bake cupcakes for two main reasons:

- I have an assignment due tomorrow
- Trying out cake toppers in anything other than cake doesn't provide quite the same excitement

Carrot and coconut cupcakes with honey cream cheese icing.

Happy days.

Pipe cleaners and straws:

Garden wire with the buttons used in the buttonholes/bouquets:

And, of course, Mr and Mrs C didn't want to be left out:

Projects

I've always been rather crafty. My wedding firstly provided the perfect excuse to buy a glue gun, and now provides a great outlet for crafty endeavours. I wish I had started blogging earlier because although my wedding isn't until April, 2013, I have already started on a number of projects.

My most recently completed project - cake toppers:

These cuties started off their life as plain wooden dolls, I sketched my design on them, gave them two coats of paint, varnished them and then added accessories (bouquet is little bits of felt). Voila!

Another completed project - cake table decoration:

These started off their life as plain cardboard letters (purchased from Hobbycraft). 'L' has been covered in scrunched tissue paper (and held on with lots of glue) and then spraypainted gold. Definitely an outdoor project. 'O' has had many hours of attention as it's wrapped in orange wool. 'V' is covered in layers of glue and gold glitter - another outdoor project while the 'E' has small strips of orange material glued on it. I'm yet to decide whether the 'E' needs a layer of varnish. 

Almost completed project - buttonholes:

There are two buttonholes left to be made so I'm sure I can do a step-by-step guide while I complete them. This will also provide a clue as to how my bouquet is turning out.

With so many DIY weddings, I thought I'd write this blog to help share ideas and to keep track of my progress. I hope you enjoy it!