Bling Bridal Shoes - I'm now a Bedazzler.

I've had some recent developments with my purple bridal shoes. Remember, they are these Rocketdog pumps:

As I blogged about previously, I was trying to figure out how exactly to bling them up. I purchased pretty clip-on earrings and plain shoe clips and thought they'd look amazing, but I quickly realized that shoe clips won't even attach my shoes! The knot on the top of the shoe  makes it impossible for the clip to stay on it -- it kept squeezing right off.

I certainly could have left my shoes the way they were, but I wanted to make them something unique and special. I decided to go with option #2: bedazzling.

I had already bought my hot-fix tool, which I would highly recommend if you are planning to do any sort of bedazzling! It makes the process super easy...it's my new favorite tool! I used 3mm clear hot-fix crystals to bling the bottoms of my shoes with the words "I Do". Then I felt they needed just a little more pizzazz so I also put two rows of crystals right on the bottom of the heel. I showed them to Jeff and he was a bit perplexed ("Who's going to see that anyway?") but he was also impressed with my bedazzling prowess.



I apologize for the poor photo quality, I took these with my non-smart phone!


Oh, I forgot to mention that I shopped at Gordman's last week and accidentally ran across the EXACT same pair of shoes as my pumps, except in a ballet-flat version! $10! I will wear the flats during the reception, for sure! I tried desperately to figure out a way to bedazzle these shoes...but alas, I put down my hot-fix tool. For now.

Source

Wedding Card Box

My wedding card box turned out to be a complete DIY success!

1. Box 1: I saw an empty paper box floating around at work and realized that with the lid it would make a perfect box! I measured and cut off the end side/square off the box, then cut the rest of the box down to size so that it would be perfectly square. I used packaging tape to tape the side/square back on to the box. I used the same method with the top, ending up with a perfectly square box with a fitting lid. I made sure the lid didn't fit too tightly as I knew I'd be folding the fabric into the inside, and I wanted to make sure the lid would still fit later. I put Box 2 on the lid of this box and traced the outline. Then I eyeballed about a half an inch inside of that box, then cut away a square with a box cutter knife. There was a lip for Box 2 to sit on.

2. Box 2: For the top box, I was a little more lazy and went to Hobby Lobby to buy it a paper mache pre-made box. Leaving a lip in the bottom of the box, I cut out a square as big as the square I already cut in Box 1. I also cut a rectangular slit for the envelopes into the lid. The paper mache box was easier to cut than I thought it would be!

3. I purchased 2 yards of a black fabric (I honestly don't know what it is called, but I got it at JoAnn Fabrics in the special occassion section) with a velvety black design. It was 6.99/yard but was also on a 30% off sale. I originally thought I wanted to cover the boxes in satin so that it would shine, but I realized that would be a disaster due to the nature of the satin. I didn't want the imperfections in the actual boxes to show through in lumps or bumps, or the hot glued parts to look bumpy under the satin. I opted for this thicker material because it seemed to be somewhat stiff...plus, it is beautiful!

4. I wrapped Box 1 like a present, with the exception that I made sure my folds went vertical along an edge of the box. I didn't want a bunch of seams/folds on two sides of the box. I hot glued around the edges once I determined how the fabric would lay on each side.



5. I placed the lid of Box 1 face down on the material and folded in/hot glued the edges into the inner part of the lid. I then cut an X into the open square and folded each triangle into the lid, gluing in place.

Box 1 Complete!

6. With Box 2 I wrapped the fabric around the outside, glued vertical folds along the back edge, and folded in the edges.

7. Once I had the lid and box complete, I glued the top box onto the bottom box.

8. I cut the ribbon and glued it inside the card slot, then stretched it to the bottom and glued it on the underside of the large box. I repeated this on each side. I made a simple bow tie out of ribbon and hot glued that separately onto the top.

I love my cardbox!!

I'm planning to get a few chipboard letters that say "Cards" and paint them silver or white, and glue them on the front lid of the top box. Then I might play around with a small "Thank You" sign that I could hang somewhere from the box.

Total Time: About 2 Hours

Total Cost: About $15 (top box and fabric, I already had the ribbon and glue gun/sticks)

I will use this for both my bridal shower and the wedding.

My DIY Wedding Projects (I Love Lists!)

I have 10 months until my wedding, and under 4 months until my first baby is born (yes! I'm pregnant!). I'm going to attempt to have as much of this list done as possible before my baby boy comes into the world. I want to be able to live those first months with my child as stress-free as possible while still planning a wedding.

Here's my tentative list of DIY wedding projects, which will also give you a hint of what's to come:
1. Will you be my bridesmaid? Cards: simple cardmaking, glittering
2. Blinging my bridal shoes: rhinestones and glue
3. Pocketfold Invitations: vellum over a photo, insert cards, belly band
4. Branch and Crystal Centerpieces:  plaster of paris, spray painting, hot glue, tulle and ribbon
5. Cardbox: fabric, ribbon, chip board, hot glue
6. Bridal Earrings: sterling silver findings and pearl
7. Bridesmaid Earrings: sterling silver findings and pearl
8. Silk Bouquets: roses and cala lilies
9. Silk Boutonnieres: cala lilies
10. Unity Candle: rhinestones and ribbon
11. Flower Girl Basket: ribbon and paint?
12. Ring Bearer Pillow: sewing, satin
13. Tissue Paper Pomanders: cutting, folding, and fluffing
14. Cake Topper: rhinestones on a chipboard letter monogram?
15. Head Table Backdrop Garland/Banner: Cardstock, silk flowers, ribbon
16. Slideshow: Scanning Photos, Powerpoint
17. Ceremony Programs: Cardstock, Ribbon
18. Monogram Signs: Large letters, wrapped in ribbon?

A List of To-Be-Determined-If-Needed DIY items:
19. Veil: Buy a simple veil and bead the ends?
20. Decorating a Wagon: White satin/padding for wagon, ring bearer will pull 6 month old baby down the aisle?
21. Entree Selection Place Cards

For any other do-it-yourself brides out there, you can check out the WeddingBee blogger Miss Cinnamon Bun's tips for DIY weddings. She stresses the importance of starting early, which I'm attempting to emulate.

If I can do it myself AND save money, why not give it a try?

I'd wish to begin this blog by stating that I am not a creative person. My friends and family may disagree with that statement, but alas, they are not involved in the inner workings of my mind. Most of my creativity is not self-derived, but rather, it is inspired by the creativity of those around me. Without search engines, stores like Michaels and Hobby Lobby, and my ability to follow directions, my creative endeavors would be greatly limited.

That being said, I try my best. I am one of those crafty types who has dabbled in almost everything: painting, drawing, architectural/interior design, jewelry-making, scrapbooking, sewing, knitting, and generally anything that involves gluing, glitter, and decorating. The word dabble truly defines my crafting experience; I have never fully given myself toward one single hobby, and have never truly excelled at anything. I simply get by. I seem to purchase all the necessary items to complete an inspired idea, go all-out creating things for months, then move on to a new enterprise. I am the customer of Hobby Lobby's dreams.

But what brought me to creating this blog was my primary life-and-crafting motto: "If I can do it myself and save money, why not give it a try?" I am perpetually inspecting items that I find in stores to see if there is a way that I can re-create it on my own.

I have been engaged to Jeff since July 2010, but admit that I started brainstorming (ahem, Googling) DIY wedding projects for a few months prior. The one thing I know is that we are trying to pull off a $10,000 or less wedding, which means that every project I do will need to be as cost-effective as possible. Our wedding date is set for September 17, 2011 (10 months away!) and I already feel like I have everything complete...atleast in my own mind. Now it's down to the creating phase.

Follow along for my DIY wedding projects, but keep in mind, I'm really just a wannabe!