Simple and Versatile Paper Flower Garland

in , , ,
One of the biggest wedding budget-savers is to do some of the decorations yourself. Here is a very simple and versatile paper flower garland you can make that looks great without breaking the bank. And because you choose the colors, length and look of this garland, it is perfect for all types of gatherings such as receptions and bridal showers.

You will need:
  • Colored paper, card stock (any type of paper that is bendable)
  • Flower punch
  • Hole punch
  • Ribbon
  • Scissors
You can find all of these materials at your local crafts store. For this particular project I used 1 sheet of vellum, and a flower punch I had on hand.
Each 8.5" x 11" size sheet can more or less fit about 20 flowers. Punch a row of flowers along a side, then just use scissors to remove the punched portion.

Once you have enough flowers punched out, punch a hole in the center of the flowers.

Thread a ribbon into the centers of the flowers and keep it in groups of two.
Once you've threaded all your paper flowers through the ribbon, you can determine the length and look of your garland.
Fold each paper flower in half. This will give it dimension.
Once you've folded all the paper flowers, you can spread out each cluster as you like.

By pushing all the clusters close, you can create a lei effect!

The great thing about this project is that it's really fool-proof and inexpensive. It softens up a space instantly without costing a lot. And since it's paper and ribbon, it's definitely a lot more environmentally friendly than using cut flowers.

By Lisa
-Pretty Stationery for Beautiful Souls
http://www.lisafudesignstudio.com

Alternative Cake Toppers by the NewNew

in , , , , , , ,
The old plastic-cast figurines have largely been tossed aside for cake toppers that better capture the unique nature of the wedding couple's personalities. Here are a few ideas from the NewNew for fresh and personal looks to dress up your cake.

What could be more sweet than the beloveds' names stitched out simply together? MiniatureRhino offers custom embroidery that brings your names and hearts into one that could go on top of your cake, and then into your home.

So many couples are brought together by a shared interest, and I picture this as adorning a cake for beer aficionados. DeafDog's bottle caps saying "I {heart} U" will highlight both your love for each other and your enthusiasm for life's pleasures.
Whatever animals you might choose to represent yourselves, Smallest Friend can make adorable felted creatures to your specifications. Your pets together, creatures based on your nicknames or favorite pairings (I'm partial to unicorn + narwhal) are all wonderful ways to bring charm to your cake display.
For something a little more symbolic, a tree is a great representation of the growth of your relationship and looks forward to the marriage together. There are a few different varieties by winsome hollow. Choose which is most like you.

There has been a lot of attention to choosing cupcakes instead of a more formal cake for weddings. Consider an arrangement with all of the cupcakes displayed on a charming plate by May Luk.

Once you've picked out your perfect cake topper (or cupcake decor), on your special day the only thing you'll have to worry about the cake is to smoosh or not to smoosh.


~Kari
http://ikyoto.etsy.com

How to Make an Easy Cone Toss

in , , , ,

February is National Wedding Month. According to the Wedding Report, the current average cost for a wedding is well over $28,000. With the current economic downturn, it's easy for couples to entertain the idea of going the DIY route wherever possible. As a wedding designer, I'm often asked for tips and ideas on how to do take on some portions of the ceremony or reception to cut cost. Using a cone toss is a very simple way to create something that you can use for your event. All you need is a sheet of paper, some ribbon, tape and a hole punch.


Start by laying the piece of paper lengthwise, and folding the top two corners down until they meet in the middle.

Take one of the lower corners and twist until it forms a cone shape.

Secure the end with tape. (Double-sided tape works well here.)

Measure out ribbon the length of the cone and add enough to include a handle.

Punch a hole on the top of the cone.

Thread the ribbon ends through the bottom of the cone and tie the end. Then feed the loop end through the hole on top of the cone.


Punch two more holes on the front side of the cone and thread a second piece of ribbon to tie a bow. That's it!

You can use these cone tosses for a variety of things at your wedding. Create it to hold confetti or petals for your guests to toss when you come down the aisle. Or use it at your reception to hold candy for your guests.

The beauty of this is that you can use whatever color paper and ribbon to create any number of different styles to match. In any case, this is a simple DIY project anyone can do to add a little personalization without breaking the bank!

Post by Lisa Fu
Pretty Stationery for Beautiful Souls
http://www.prettystationeryshop.com