Inspiration

Anytime you do or make something new people always ask "what inspired you?" In the world of crafting it is usually one of two things. Either your own imagination or a photo. I am normally of my own imagination but with all this wedding stuff there are several photos I'm using for guidance. It's hard to convey what's in my head, especially since I can't draw at. all. So if I have some photos to show my vendors, I'm more likely to get my "vision" explained.

Here are some of my inspiration photos. Nothing in here is EXACTLY what I want but somehow they convey the colors, shapes, textures, and emotions, I'm aiming for with the wedding theme. (And yes, these are Coach's inspiration photos too, he even knows how to navigate the wedding binder!)

Wedding DIY

I know there is such a thing as too much DIY. I know this yet it doesn't stop me. Why does DIY even happen? Because people are control freaks. People like me know exactly how they want something. We can see it in our minds and know how to make it come to life. We don't trust that someone else can see the exact same image we have envisioned so instead of risking the precious project, we do it ourselves.

My wedding and my personality means the DIY list is already getting long. Here's the list so far:

• Flower/Ribbon Wands for flower girls
• Farewell ribbon wands for exit
• Invitations
• Ceremony Programs
• 1/3 reception centerpieces
• All cocktail hour centerpieces
• Reception Programs
• Out-of-town gift baskets
• Favors
• Escort cards

And I know I'm forgetting something. But I'm not overwhelmed (yet). I have been holding myself back from starting on any of these projects and have decided that with 9 months till the wedding day, I can start. I'm giving myself till November but then crafting is ON. I have a strategy for how I'm going to get it done so that little has to happen in the more stressful days immediately before the wedding.

• The ribbon wands will get made first.
• Then the invitations will be assembled as much as possible.
• Next I will assemble the escort cards (because I have to make life difficult and choose to do something other than a simple tag with name and table number)
• By then I will start putting together the table centerpiece pieces.
• Then I will do as much pre-assembly as possible of the favors.
• By then the details will be hammered out enough to start fully assembling invitations.
• I will also be able to put together the programs.
• Last will be the out-of-town baskets simply because I won't know how many I'll need until people start booking their hotel rooms.

I realize this is all likely to change but I am truly itching to get started on the piece I am certain of (like the ribbon wands). As long as I have a plan then I won't stress about it. Plus there's going to be snow days that will need to be filled now that I don't have homework since I finished my masters! See? It all makes sense. :)

  

Painted Ornaments

I saw this on Pinterest last year and impulsively decided to try it out when Hobby Lobby had the ornaments and paint on sale at the same time. I'll update this post this weekend with more photos and detailed explanations but here's the gist.

I bought plain glass ornaments (got the wrong shape though) and drizzled craft paint inside (plain old craft paint). I did some experimentation to get as close to my desired effect as possible. Combinations of adding water and shaking it like a Polaroid picture were used. At first I was really happy with them, then they dried and I was much less happy. The paint cracked in spots when it dried and I don't like the way it looks. So I will try again and hopefully be more successful.

*Also, the gold paint dried much flatter than desired. This girl wants everything to sparkle!