{print}ables

Happy Labor Day!

wow, it has been a crazy week, and I cannot believe how long it has been since my last blog post. my day job required a lot out of me this past week, and all my brain power was dedicated to business things, instead of bloggy things :( I did manage to get a few projects accomplished on my wedding list including bridesmaid's jewelry, a personalized necklace and "love" letters for our engagement shots. as summer is coming to an end, i have been in "nesting" mode preparing for the fall that will surely be filled with many, many wedding tasks to accomplish.

 i'm hoping that I can make up for it this week with a few extra posts, but we will see! this week will be a busy one as we have friends coming into town, the first home Michigan game [go blue!], and our engagement pictures! a very exciting week ahead!

as I was browsing through some of my favorite blogs, I came across some really cute ideas that I have seen that should inspire you to use for your next homemade crafting project! the best part about all of these goods is that they are free! that is a price anyone can afford :)

even though summer is coming to an end, this can be stored away for next summer. consider it an opportunity to spend the next several months planning your awesome "summer sip" party!

as the weather cools, comfort food is sure to be flowing out of your kitchen. capture those tasty recipes on these adorable recipe cards. this PDF download comes with instructions and can be edited before printing.

these cute little tags would be perfect to accompany your next gift! simply download this file, and open the picture in a photo editing program (try ipiccy) and add in text. or, use your own handwriting for an even more personal touch!

this is a great money saving trick! all you need is a clear case, and the possibilities are endless! simply print out these templates and place then in the case, and voila! a new case! google for more templates and designs! here are a few more designs, as an added bonus!

i am a huge fan of baker's twine. i love how it adds some a great vintage touch to anything! these labels come in pink and blue. use these for any handmade project made with love.

this cute graphic can be added to just about anything for your wedding festivities. it could also just be printed on a wondering printed card stock and placed in a frame for lovely artwork!  click the picture or go here for the link to download the file.

this site has many cute printables for you and your family. check these out and i'm sure you will find something that will inspire you!

Hey Look has these great designs that you can use for your next gift! I love the patterns and colors and these could be used for a variety of things!

while this picture does not do it justice, Hand-Made Weddings has some absolutely fabulous downloads for you to check out! there is so much more than invitations, so please give it a look!

 

 

 

{flower} power

as i've been looking through websites for various things, I came across the most adorable idea for an edible decoration.... 
the cupcake bouquet.

this would make for the perfect centerpiece to any table for a baby shower, wedding shower, holiday party, or any social gathering. I know that if I went to a party and there was this marvelous creation adorning the middle of the table, I would immediately compliment the host for the their creativity!

i'm thinking of doing this for some event, but I'm just not sure of what yet. now, onto how to accomplish this lovely baking craft. for the novice baker, this looks pretty easy to me. I think the hardest part will be the icing technique to make the cupcakes look like roses, or a flower at all. if all fails, you could use other techniques (which i'll show picture of later in the post) to give the feel of a "flower".

THINGS YOU MAY NEED:

In many different tutorials, the shape of the Styrofoam may change. Use whatever you feel will work the best for the container you are putting the cupcakes into.


Below is a tutorial that might help you along in your quest for the perfect cupcake bouquet!



IF ATTEMPTING THE ROSE ICING TECHNIQUE IS NOT WORKING, TRY SOME OF THESE IDEAS:

here is a tutorial on how to make hydrangea cupcakes - quick & easy!!

 



{DIY} Calligraphy

calligraphy is a beautiful skill that I should try to acquire. however, i'm sure my perfectionism would cause me great heartache when I saw my finished product. as promised, I have a very nice, elegant solution to using a calligraphy and creating the looks below for your wedding invitations or your next event.

not only do I have one, but THREE solutions for you! any of these could be accomplished my anyone.

1. Fake Calligraphy


this fantastic step by step tutorial shows you how to do calligraphy the old fashioned way. it seems so easy, and at first I didn't believe it could be that easy. I grabbed a gel pen and gave it a go, and wouldn't you know, I had a decent looking product!

 2. Trace your heart out!


if only I had an old Lite-Brite, I could just start zipping through these envelopes. this great tutorial shows your how to use a trace table, and a computer print out to create your look. this project lends itself to using so many different fonts, and definitely offers consistency of the lettering and sizing that may not be accomplished with free-hand calligraphy.


3. Print & Trace


hopefully your screen can allow you to see the clever way to achieve that calligraphy look, without needing the tracing table. by printing onto the envelope, or other paper, in a color just slightly lighter, you can see the font, and trace. this even works on white/ivory paper. choose a really light version of the ink color that you are going to use. since this requires you to use a printer, it is very similar to the option above, but cuts out a step.



-OR-
if your are still feeling like calligraphy is more than  you can tackle

as I mentioned in my last blog post, I had dreamed of having a wrap around address label for my wedding invitations. there were so many beautiful examples that I had seen, and I was really hoping to pull this off for my own invitations. this solution is a great way to step away from the look of a simple Avery address label, and into a more classy way of easily address so many envelopes. of course Martha has a great tutorial on how to accomplish this on your own! even as I write this blog, i'm drawn back into the loveliness of these designs.


photo courtesy of Etsy Shop: DigitalBunnyDesigns



Belletristics



photo: Seeing Designs  from  Blush Printables





{tie}d with love

one of my favorite things is baker's twine. this simple twine with white & an alternating color really spice up a craft project, gift, card, etc.

as with the colors, the possibilities are endless. head over to Etsy to find some great supplies or inspiration. or if you would like, here are a few items to get your project started:

{uncommon}ly fab baby gifts

so, it must be ADD, because he is another post. I guess I’m already in vacation mode!

my boss would be thrilled to know that he sparked this posting. he came in today with a catalog from a place called Uncommon Goods. this might be one of the best places to find a gift for someone who may have everything. it has quirky items that kind of remind me of some things you might find in SkyMall, but much cooler.

I have so many friends/family who have had babies, or are having babies, I think 5 right now. I am always on the lookout for something cute & different to gift to the baby and mom-to-be.Please keep in mind that some of these items are pricey, but that shouldn’t stop you. Take these idea and start Googling, or go to Etsy, there is sure to be something out there similar. Here are a few cutesy things that I will definitely be picking up in the future:

ride ‘em, cowbaby

for all of my college friends

for every little princess

young & edgy

a beautiful box to hold wonderful treasures

born with class

little baby girl sandals

perfect for any prince or princess

carry those little prints next to your heart

a nice personal touch

a manly diaper bag

porn for new moms :)

there will surely be more posts from this website! if you have a couple of minutes, definitely check it out. I can’t wait to see what else I fall in love with!