Wednesday, August 19, 2009

HURRICANE TEALIGHT HOLDERS TAKE 2

ok so i really didnt like the color of the first batch so i decided to make them with no dye and thicker. The first batch started to crack. So here we are again. I think the outcome is much better.

I wont go through the steps since that is on the last blog, but here are the pics from our 2nd try.

No Dye!! (there was some left over in the pot that we couldnt get out tho)
DSC_1374
DSC_1375
DSC_1385
DSC_1384
DSC_1377
DSC_1383
DSC_1386
With the Tealight!!
DSC_1381YAYYY!!!

Monday, August 17, 2009

Table #'s

Yay Im sooo excited, We (ME, Dana, and Maria) finished these in one evening. And I like how they turned out. Now I just need to put some pictures in them. We take engagement pics in 2 weeks, so maybe some of them will go in these frames.

I got this idea off of a DIY wedding site. soooo helpful.

STEP # 1

Buy inexpensive frames from Michaels. ME and the cousin-to-be Michelle went downtown to the Michaels outlet and bought the frames, wooden #s and letters, brown spray paint, orange paint, tacky glue, and brushes.

STEP # 2

We cut open a cardboard box outside and laid out all the frames. We sprayed painted the backs of all the frames and backs of the stands first.
DSC_1360
DSC_1362
STEP # 3

Once they dry, flip them over and do 2 coats of spray paint on the front. Also spray paint the rest of the stand.DSC_1364


STEP # 4

I had the job of finding all and matching up the letters and numbers, while Dana and Maria started painting them all. They painted 2 coats on each wooden letter or number.
DSC_1365

HINT: Make sure the letters are facing the right way!!

DSC_1367

STEP # 5

Maria was in charge of the layout of the letters and numbers since the lil sis had to go home. Once we agreed on the placement, she glued them on and I think they turned out pretty well, The only thing I would change is that I wanted to have a darker orange but this was the darkest I could find. I hope all the accents of orange end up matching each other in shade. FINGERS CROSSED....
DSC_1368

LAST STEP

Wash all the orange and brown fingers from the paint. lol

CSC_1372



Hope You Like Them!!

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Save the Date Postcards

Ok so I started this project about 2 weeks ago. I used photoshop to design postcards to send out as save the dates. I got this idea from bloggers on www.weddingbee.com I thought it was a great idea since I didnt have to worry about envelopes.

So first I went to www.nextdayflyers.com and downloaded their template for a 4x6 postcard in photoshop format.

Picture 5


For the front page I created a layer for the background in orange, then a layer for the picture, and a layer for the text. Dom took the picture after his proposal, I loved how the picture came out so I had to use it.

Picture 1

For the back, I made a text layer with the words "save the date" many times and rotated it so that it would serve as the divide between the message and the address.
Picture 2
I added a text layer for each part of the left side message, so that I could change the layout of the paragraphs to my liking. I switched font colors as well so that it would break up the text visually.
Picture 3

Then on the right side I put the "to" and "from" on separate layers and added my address. Postage will go on this side as well.
Picture 4

For printing purposes you might want to make sure the printers not put the uv gloss on the back so that you can write on the postcard. I got the uv coating since I plan to use labels for the addresses, I dont want to write out 80 invites, especially with my sloppy writing. Overall I like the save the dates because they are personal without having our faces plastered on there for everyone to see since im planning on mailing them as it, with no envelopes.


What do you think?

Friday, August 14, 2009

Hurricane Tealight Holders


So I've started several projects but this is the first one I have documented. The venue will not allow real candles so I found some flameless tealights in downtown LA. I dont mind this, but i want something that is gonna cover up the fakeness of the candles. The cheap clear glass votive holders wont do that, so i thought PROJECT TIME.

So me and the lil sis went to Michael's Craft store and bought a few things.

I got this idea from www.candletech.com Thanks a lot. I love the internet.

You Will Need:
High-Melt Paraffin Wax (IGI 1260) or another high melt wax
Balloons
Double Boiler
Cookie Sheet

Here are the steps

1. Fill a water balloon with lukewarm water.

DSC_1340


2. Break up your wax if you have a slab of it. We used a huge screw driver for this job. DSC_1334Melt your wax. DSC_1338DSC_1339Depending on the type of wax, the best temperature for this project is between 150-180 degrees Fahrenheit. Try to maintain this temperature by keeping it on a double boiler and monitoring the wax with a thermometer.

3. If you want to dye your wax, then put a little at a time. We put red and yellow dye until we got the color of orange.
DSC_1342<> 4. Slowly dip your balloon into the wax to just below the water level in the balloon. Warning: Do not dip the balloon into the wax past the water level. This could cause the balloon to pop.

DSC_1349

5. Hold the balloon in the wax for a few seconds, and then slowly lift it out of the wax. Dip the balloon a few more times, allowing some time between dips to let the wax cool.

6. While it is still quite warm, carefully set the balloon down onto a piece of paper or a cookie sheet, making sure it is level. This will create a flat bottom for the luminary.

7. Dip your balloon a few more times until it is the desired thickness. A good target thickness is 1/4 to 1/2 of an inch.

8. Set the balloon on the paper or cookie sheet again and let it cool.

9. When the wax is completely cooled, hold the balloon over a sink or bucket, facing away from you. Carefully pop the balloon with a skewer or knife and let the water drain out. Throw away the balloon shards.

10. To level the top of the luminary, heat a cookie sheet on the stove and place the luminary top-down onto the hot sheet and carefully melt the edges until it is level.


DSC_134611. If some crack, its ok just throw them back into the pot to melt and start again.
DSC_1348

12. So as you see they didnt turn out ORANGE but rather peach. So yeah now I will need to paint them. Maybe i will paint them brown, that seems easier than painting them orange. hmmm gotta think about that.