We Heart Weddings » Do-It-Yourself

DIY Project: Nature-inspired ring pillow

Cynthia — Tue, 04 May 2010 08:59:33 +0000

Eyzel, a crafty bride-to-be who is getting wed to her beau Angelo later this year generously shared with us her idea for a ring pillow. They are having a nature-themed wedding and this creative pillow suits their theme wonderfully, don’t you think?

You will need:

Tools: A ruler, a hot glue gun + sticks, liquid glue, scissors

Materials:

1. a bag of moss
2. a 6”x6”x3” piece of Styrofoam
3. artificial flowers, leaves and birds
4. felt paper: 8”x8” and 25”x2”
5. round-headed corsage pins
6. a 12” strip of ribbon in your color motif

Procedure:

1. Position the styrofoam on the 8”x8” sheet of felt paper. Fold the edges of the felt paper over the sides of the Styrofoam and secure it with pins. Wrap and pin the corners neatly. (see figure 1a)

2. Once you’re happy with the position, glue the felt paper in place with a hot glue gun. Remove the pins. Neatly glue the edges as in figure 2a.

3. Turn the styrofoam over and apply ordinary glue (so you’ll have time to arrange the moss). Take half of your moss and stretch it out across the top of the styrofoam. It doesn’t have to be perfect at this point but make sure that most parts of the styrofoam is covered.

4. Flatten the moss and allow the glue to dry for around 20-30 minutes (this is the main reason why we do not want to use the hot glue gun to secure the moss on the styrofoam.)

5. Affix the 25-inch felt paper on one side of the Styrofoam using a pin. Glue it around all four sides (this time, using the glue gun), covering the edges of the square felt paper and some part of the styrofoam. It should look like in figure 5a.

6. Take the rest of the moss and neatly cover the styrofoam.

7. Arrange the artificial leaves wherever you like it to be. Secure each leaf with a pin.

8. Take the artificial flowers and secure them on top of the leaves using a glue gun.

9. Cut a 12-inch strip of ribbon and place it in the center of the pillow, securing it with a pin. The ribbon will be used to hold the rings in place.

10. Place the birds in the center. Arrange the leaves, birds and flowers so that the rings will be the center of attention.

11. Run the ribbon through your wedding rings (that’s Eyzel’s engagement ring in the picture) and tie a knot.

Thank you for sharing your DIY project with We *Heart* Weddings, Eyzel!

You can follow Eyzel and Angelo’s wedding planning journey (and see more exciting DIY projects like this one!) via her blog, Project Dream Wedding

D-I-Y: Beribboned wrist corsage

Marbee — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 04:18:03 +0000

A wrist corsage made with ribbons is an alternative to fresh flower bouquets or wrist corsages for your bridesmaids.

It is a fashionable floral accessory that will last long after the wedding day, and can even serve as a token for your bridesmaids that they can use as a brooch or an accent. It is easy to make and can be easily customized to suit one’s theme for a wedding.

Ribbons come in a variety of textures, shapes and colors. Handmade wrist corsages add a personal touch to a wedding.

Your bridesmaids and guests will appreciate the effort you put in to creating a token for your bridal party.

Not only is it a conversation piece, you also get bragging rights for being such a crafty bride.

Instructions:

Step 1: You will need a cameo brooch or any brooch that suits your theme. Select a variety ribbons. Create a combination of different widths, colors, embellishment and textures. Keep in mind the color scheme of the wedding, the bridesmaids’ dresses, and the theme of the wedding to achieve consistency.

Step 2: Prepare a milliner’s needle (any sewing needle will do), thread, and glue sticks or any adhesive you prefer to use.

Step 3: Hand-sew or machine-sew basing stitches near the selvage or trim of the ribbon. Pull the thread taut to form a rosette. Use the widest ribbon as the first layer. Create a second and third rosette using another type of ribbon. Sew onto the first rosette. This creates a multi layered and multi-textured rosette that serves as the main wrister.

Step 4: Attach dangling strips of ribbons at the base end of the rosette. It is advisable to use a variety of ribbons in different colors. This will help add a softer look to the wrist corsage. The quantity, colors and length of the ribbon strips depend on your preference. Cut the ends of the ribbon clean either on a diagonal angle or an inverted V-end.

Step 5: Sew a ribbon at the back of the rosette approximately 1 yard long. Cut the ends of the ribbon. This serves as the strap. Tie this ribbon around the wrist of your bridesmaid.

Step 6: Pin the brooch right at the center of the main rosette. Attach with glue gun if necessary. Make sure that all ends are tucked under the brooch.

Total cost for the wrister:

Cameo brooch: P250

Assortment of ribbons: P150

Cheaper alternatives are also available to fit any budget.

It takes approximately 30 minutes to create one wrist corsage. The length of time depends on one’s skill. Anyone even with no experience can create a wrist corsage. All it takes is effort and the willingness to experiment and learn along the way.

Special thanks to April Yu for this unique D-I-Y project, =)

D-I-Y: Vintage Boutonniere

Marbee — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 16:12:09 +0000

This vintage hand-crafted boutonniere for the groom and groomsmen is a pretty and practical alternative to using fresh flowers.

Boutonnieres can be prepared in advance and make a lovely keepsake of the wedding day. You have endless options when making boutonnieres out of ribbons.

Create boutonnieres with materials and colors that match the female entourage party. Just remember not to make it too feminine so we won’t have to twist the groom`s and groomsmen`s arms come the wedding day. Then again, most of them don’t really have a choice do they? =P

Instructions:

Step 1: You will need a fabric floral patch. Select a variety of accents to match with the floral patch. Some of the options are fancy buttons, small floral rosettes, beads, and fabric leaves.

Step 2: Sew the accents onto the floral patch. Keep in mind the composition you want to create. Take note of balance and proportion. If sewing proves to be too much for you, opt instead for using glue gun as an easier alternative.

Step 3: You may sew beads and crystals for an added shimmer and texture.

Step 4: Attach a ribbon at the bottom of the boutonniere.

Step 5: Secure the boutonniere onto the groomsman’s lapel with a pearl-head pin.

You may also use small brooches, feathers, twigs, shells, and any material that inspire you. The possibilities are endless.

Total cost for the boutonniere:

Floral patch: P20

Assortment of rosettes and accents: P10

Cheaper alternatives are also available to fit any budget.

It takes approximately 15 minutes to create one boutonniere. The length of time depends on one’s skill.

Special thanks to April Yu for helping us with this D-I-Y project, =)

D-I-Y: Beribboned wrist corsage

D-I-Y with a Moleskine

Marbee — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 18:21:29 +0000

I found this very interesting use of a Moleskine in a real wedding…

To those who think it`s more than just a table number, you`re good!
It is more than just a table number.

The real idea here is for guests at each table to:
A. Scibble down wishes for the newlyweds
or
B. Give the bride & groom interesting wedding advice
or
C. Share tips for romantic spots/destinations

…then compile it as a wedding album/memento

If you`ve used a Moleskine, you know how different it is from a regular notebook. Somehow the pen seems to glide smoother…no wonder it`s synonymous with centuries of culture, imagination, memory and personal identity. Famous users of the Moleskine include Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso and Ernest Hemingway.

Below are specific instructions by the creator of this D-I-Y project, Laurie Cinotto, from www.oncewed.com, on how to do this project yourself-

Supplies and tools

3 ½ x 5 ½ inch Moleskine Notebooks (one for each table, they are sold in packs of 3 *at select National Bookstores)

Decorative paper (an assortment of coordinating colors, one half sheet per notebook* try A Perfect Creation paper shop at U.P. Village)

Glue (appropriate for paper and ribbon)

Ribbon 1/8” wide ( 8.5” per notebook)

2” Gold sign makers “Stick-On” numbers ( enough for all your tables)

Double-stick tape

Scissors

Make Your Own Stamp Kit
Available at office supply stores and online at Fedex Kinkos

http://officeproducts.fedexkinkos.com/ce/shop/smart_search.p_load_page_s?item_search_in=make+your+own

Bone folder

Directions:

These little the notebooks function as table numbers, but also provide your guests with a place to record “love” notes for the bride and groom.

Start by making a list of possible headings for the pages of your books.

A wish for the bride and groom.

A romantic city you have visited.

The best love story you have read.

Your favorite romantic comedy.

A secret to a long and loving life.

Your favorite love song.

A cozy place for a couple to dine.

Use your stamp kit to lay out the type, then stamp the headings in the pages of each of your notebooks. Allow the ink to dry before turning the pages. (see figure one and two)

Cut a length of ribbon approximately 3 inches longer than the height of the book.

Run a one inch line of glue along the spine, starting at the top of the notebook. Place ribbon on glue line, and allow to dry. (see figure three)

Open the notebook, lay it flat and measure the height and width of the open book.

Cut a sheet of paper that is the same height, and two inches wider than the open notebook.

Turn the paper over, so the printed side is down and lay the open notebook in the center, leaving an inch of paper on each side.

Fold the left hand edge of the paper over the left edge of the cover and use your bone folding tool to make a nice crease. (see figure four) Fold the book closed and make a crease on the spine, open the book and fold the right edge of the paper over the right edge of the cover. Use your bone folder again to make a crease.

Run a length of double-sided tape under the flaps you’ve created to secure the cover.

Close the book with your ribbon bookmark inside.

Stick a gold number on the front and back of each book. (see figure 5)

Display the notebook vertically on each table so the numbers clearly show. Be sure to place coordinating pens on the table so the guests can record their notes to you.
————–
Top photo grabbed from this very cool wedsite.

Other photos from Laurie Cinotto`s project at www.oncewed.com

Check out the National Book Store for Moleskine notebooks in yummy colors

Pursuing our passions + DIY-printing with a Gocco

Cynthia — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 15:37:00 +0000

Hello dear We?Weddings readers, this is Cynthia signing in for the first time in a month, I think? Eep! Sorry for the lack of updates from my end, I’ve actually had my hands full working on the layouts for the upcoming Beautiful Weddings issue (abangan), among other things.

***
Anyway, in Wedding Essentials‘ current issue’s We to You letter, we mentioned that we’ve both been pursuing our passions on the side – Marbs with travel and me with other artistic diversions.

I’m happy to report that we are still very much at it. As of this writing, jetsetter Marbee is halfway across the globe travelling through Russia and Paris! I’m sure she’ll have lots of stories to share with us soon.

In my case, I recently took part in Frailty, a group show featuring the works of 33 female artists in the fields of art and design. Please see this article for a complete listing of all the chickas.

The photo below features a detailed portion of my piece, Sleeping Like A Marble Girl. (Photo by Karlo Samson):

We had the opening night last Saturday and it turned out be quite a party since it also coincided with Pablo Gallery’s 3rd anniversary. [photos]

The exhibit will run until October so please feel free to drop by Pablo Gallery at Cubao X to take a peek at all the lovely artworks made by my colleagues in the art/design industry.

***
And because I’m still on diversion mode, my Print Gocco is something I’ve been putting to good use lately.

From Wikipedia:

Gocco (???????, Purinto Gokko?, “Print Gocco”) is a self-contained compact color printing system invented in 1977 by Noboru Hayama.

The Gocco is such a neat contraption – I kinda liken it to having your own mini printing press. Brides-to-be all over the world have been going crazy making d-i-y invites, favor tags and personalized bridal stationery with it. (And then after you get married, you can use it for your thank you cards, your first born’s baptismal cards, your daughter’s debut inv… alright, you get my drift.)

It’s really fun and easy to use too. There’s a step-by-step tutorial and guide on my blog that I posted some months ago [go]

Here are some photos of cute printed things others have made using the Gocco:

After seeing all that eye candy you’re now probably thinking “…but where can I buy a Print Gocco and its supplies in the Philippines?”

A quick Google search led me to One Tiny Party‘s website. Tin, the shopkeeper is an Iloilo-based stay-at-home mom who decided to start the business while planning for her son’s first birthday (isn’t that sweet?). She sells Gocco kits, inks, bulbs, and other paraphernalia you will need to lead the Gocco life. [go]