{Organic Wednesday} Salt Dough Favors

Salt dough recipe below

click for a salt dough ornaments diy

glitter salt dough

Salt Dough Recipe
Ingredients

1 cup salt
2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup luke warm water 

Directions

1. In a large bowl mix salt and flour.

2. Gradually stir in water. Mix well until it forms a doughy consistency.

3. With your hands form a ball with your dough and kneed it for at least 5 minutes. The longer you kneed your dough the smoother it will be.

Store your salt dough in a air tight container and you will be able to use it for days.

You can use cookie cutters to cut out shapes and stamps to imprint into the clay once they have been rolled out. Experiment with pressure to find the perfect amount you need. Paint your creations with acrylic paints and seal with varnish or polyurethane spray.

You can let your salt dough creations air dry, however salt dough can also be dried in the oven. Bake at 200 F until your creation is dry. The amount of time needed to bake your creations depends on size and thickness; thin flat ornaments may only take 45-60 minutes, thicker creations can take 2-3 hours or more. You can increase your oven temperature to 350 F, your dough will dry faster but it may also brown, which won't matter if you are painting your entire creation (you can also cover your dough in the oven before it turns brown).

There are a few options to color your salt dough: 1. Add powdered tempera paint to your flour, 2. add food coloring or paint to the water before you mix it with the salt/flour, or 3. add natural coloring like instant coffee, cocoa, or curry powder. source

MARLEY & LOCKYER

http://www.etsy.com/shop/marleyandlockyer

These white clay tags are made out of white clay, not salt dough.

{DIY} Pom-Pom Pretty!

 How to Make the Pom-Poms

You'll need tissue paper and 24-gauge white cloth-covered floral wire.

 image via...source.. 

Hanging Pom-Poms
1. Stack eight 20-by-30-inch sheets of tissue. Make 1 1/2-inchwide accordion folds, creasing with each fold.
2. Fold an 18-inch piece of floral wire in half, and slip over center of folded tissue; twist. With scissors, trim ends of tissue into rounded or pointy shapes.
3. Separate layers, pulling away from center one at a time.
4. Tie a length of mono-filament to floral wire for hanging.

Now if you are not the DIY type but still love these tissue paper pom poms for your bridal shower, baby shower, wedding, etc. you can hire me : ) or go the easy route and buy them from either of these Etsy shops:

 SweetandSavvyDesigns

 PartyPoms

Other fun pom pom ideas! 

Napkin Rings

With just a few changes, these follow the same steps as the hanging pom-poms.

1. Stack four sheets of tissue. Cut a 10-by-5-inch rectangle, going through all layers. Make 3/8-inch-wide accordion folds.

2. Fold an 18-inch piece of floral wire in half, slip over center of tissue, and twist to secure. Trim ends of tissue.

3. Separate layers, pulling away from center one at a time.

4. Bend wire into a loop to fit around napkin, and twist end around loop to secure.

Read more at Marthastewartweddings.com: Pom-Poms and Luminarias How-To

 

Let your guests know he/she belongs – and exactly where at the dinner table – with Potter and Butler’s take on the traditional place card, which we affectionately refer to around here as the I Belong Pom. 

The I Belong Pom measures 2” in diameter and is crafted using a soft cotton blend fabric with eco-friendly felt backing. The I Belong Pom includes graphic design and printing of you guests' names - printed on a thick card stock sash (printed in grey on white or ecru card stock). You can buy these adorable pom poms at Potter and Butler's Etsy Shop

 Aisle markers  

Wedding Decor

Bridal Luncheon

{Vendor Spotlight} Make Believe'N

I am super excited to share with you my new Etsy vendor who has been added to my list of FAVORITES! I <3 my Etsy community!

Krissy of Make Believe'N Alternative Weddings LLC located in Atlanta, Georgia hand designs high quality handcrafted keepsake bouquets, boutonnieres and accessories for your wedding day and beyond. She also does custom orders (especially for wedding flowers). Make sure you allow 6-8 weeks between order and expected completion date from the date that you will be needing your order. 

Krissy has been making these amazing accessories for two years now and is also the proud team captain of the Offbeat Weddings Etsy Team: Wedeclectic and team member of the Etsy Weddings Team: Etsy wedding team. To see more of her collection shop her Etsy store: here

She will also be spotlighted in my upcoming Inspiration Wedding Styled Shoot with a local Savannah photographer, invitation designer, and make up artist. More details to come!!!

Her moto: Live your story, Love your life!

Have a look at some of her gorgeous work: 

Her fabric flower bouquets are completely personal and customized. Each one is made with the style of the bride and groom in mind. Traditional or contemporary. Vegan or gothic. All styles are beautiful in their way and Krissy will do her best to make your flowers the very best representation of your personalities.

Each flower is individually handcrafted with high quality satin, organza, chiffon, tulle, crepe and/or veiling. 
The flowers are then centered with your choice of photographs, pearls, beads, buttons, vintage buttons, charms, rhinestones, rhinestone buttons etc. A typical nosegay style bridal bouquet measures 9 inches wide by 12 inches long. Larger and smaller sizes are available.

Packages including boutonnieres, corsages, boo hoo bouquets (matching tissue cases) flower girl wands, hair accessories, pomanders, centerpieces, pew décor, and loose petals are available.

Aren't these AMAZING!!!???

Detailed wedding dress sash on a long taffeta belt. Each flower is handcrafted and every petal is deliberately formed into delicate layers. Flowers are crafted to resemble peonies, hydrangea, and poppies.

Perfect for a stylish bride! You can also add an authentic vintage brooch to the center to add some sparkle!!

The belt are 7 feet long so you have plenty of room to tie a bow or knot it and allow it to trail down the back of your dress.

Wear this belt on your wedding day and then dress up your LBD (little black dress) for your first anniversary night out.

Many thanks to the following for the wonderful images provided: http://darlingstudios.biz/ and http://www.cheyphotography.com

Banners and Bunting!

Whether you want banners or bunting using triangles, squares, circles, fabric, paper, they are so simple and quick to make! Plus you can always buy pre-made strands from an Etsy artist too! 

Here are a few inspirational ideas for you and a selection of my favorite Etsy shop creations:

Sources:
 

Baby shower bunting cake  

Add mini triangle fabric bunting to your cake 

Summer bunting wedding invitations 

Wedding save-the-date letterpress bunting theme designed vintage and summer pattern invitation 

Birthday bunting invitation for a nautical beach party 

DIY invitations that stand out with pop up bunting.

Custom circle banner

Banners and bunting don't have to be squares or triangles...consider using circles for your Mr. & Mrs. sign.

Brilliant bunting

Whether you're planning a baby shower, bridal shower or wedding, draping bunting can add a nice flair to your event plus give a different feel then hanging tissue poms, lanterns or twinkle lights.

Lovely Day Cake Banner with Poms 

One of my FAVORITE Etsy shops is Potter and Butler! Check out their unique cake banner that happily and effortlessly proclaims the significance of the moment - joyfully shouting for all to hear (in its own subtle way) exactly for whom or why it is that all are gathered to celebrate.  

Mr & Mrs banners 

Jennie Speakman's Etsy shop Studio1621 creates personalized banners (she is making me one for my business!!) You can buy a Mr. & Mrs. banner made of 4x4 white chipboard. Paint stamped black letters, black ink distressed edges all on black feathered ribbon. Connect ribbon for one large banner or keep separate. Lightweight and durable, but can be hung with tape. 

Just married banner 

Another great Etsy shop is Victorianstation's. This creamy vanilla burlap with chocolate brown font and blush fabric hearts creates a nice getaway car Just Married banner. 

Vintage ribbon cake bunting 

Similar to Potter and Butler's cake banner, this Etsy shop makes cute cake bunting for any special occasion! This one is made from vintage ribbon sewn together then strung onto gray thread and attached to food safe bamboo skewers.

Coloring page of bunting

Keep children occupied at your wedding reception or a birthday party with banner and bunting coloring sheets that they can also cut out.

Just married wedding banner  

Inspirationalbanners Etsy shop also creates handmade square banners connected with ribbon that can be made in the colors of your choice.

{Bright Idea Thursday} Signature Drinks

Having an open bar can be costly to your budget!! If you choose some signature drinks for your big day you could save some $$$ Here are a few ways to save, some nice ideas for presentation, a couple recipes, as well as, two Etsy shops to buy personalized accessories for your drinks that won't break the bank! 

5 Ways to Minimize Your Reception and Catering Budget Offer Cocktail Flight Samples During the First Hour from Getmarried.com
Here is 1 of those 5 ways-While you're getting your pictures snapped after the ceremony, have your serving staff prepare "flights" or small samples from your cocktail menu to try. Whether it's five microbrews, a trio of cocktails, or even a few different wine varieties, this allows your guests to taste-test each one and then settle of a specific beverage that they like. This should cut down on your costs (since most stores or outlets will let you return opened bottles or cases) AND make that post-wedding hour fly by for your friends as they learn more about each drink on the menu.

10 Easy Ways to Save on Wedding Catering Costs from Nadia Digilov of Celebrating in Style. One idea is to close the open bar an hour earlier.  Begin serving coffee and tea approximately one hour before you party will end.  This will save you money, give closure to the party and give guests a chance to "sober up."

From Budget Wedding Woman’s Day Specials:

For an informal wedding consider a brunch with signature drinks. It can be classy, unique with style. 

You could save 40%-50% of what a dinner could cost. 

Or consider 3-5pm cake and champagne or signature cocktails maybe Sunday afternoon

I always look forward to Jacin's Mason Jar Sunday on her blog Lovely Little Details because she comes up with so many great ideas! Be sure to check out her blog and these others...

Grab a jar and make it your own! Have your guests write their names on their mason jars so they know which drink belongs to them.  Or you can also make them using pink lemonade… in mason jars! Pretty + perfect for girly bridal showers. Love the fabric ribbon tied around the top. If you are having a fall wedding consider a nice leaf tag.

If you plan to have a country style wedding these 2 ideas are very casual and fun. Having non alcoholic options mixed in with signature drinks is a nice option for the D.D. Designated Drivers, non-drinkers, and underage guests. Or if you have access to an old truck, why not have your drink station on the truck bed!

Are you having a nautical wedding near the ocean? Instead of having a truck, have a BOAT! You could borrow a boat or Rent a boat. One-of-a-kind details are the key to a smashing DIY wedding. Carrie + Alan turned a row boat into a drink cooler at their coastal Maine wedding. Clever, practical and incorporated their location/theme so perfectly. Photography by JAGstudios.

If you are planning a romantic, elegant, classic bridal shower or wedding these beautiful drink tables are for you! Strawberry spiked punch with sugar coated glasses. Infused water: Lemon- and-cucumber-infused water, strawberry lemonade, and lime-and-mint-infused water were set out for guests to drink as refreshment from the warm summer heat. I also loved this infused water set up with the twine and simple drink labels.

Perfect idea for a bridal shower party, informal wedding brunch, cake and champagne wedding, or your cocktail hour- Champagne cocktail with raspberries! 

Jane Royale

2 ounces dry gin
1 ounce fresh squeezed lemon juice
1/2 ounce agave nectar
Pink Champagne
2 raspberries

Shake hard the first three ingredients in an ice-filled cocktail shaker and strain into two chilled Champagne flutes. Top each with Champagne and drop a raspberry into each flute.

The Love Cocktail


½ ounce of pineapple gomme syrup

½ ounce of Chambord Raspberry Liqueur

Dom Ruinart Brut Champagne or your favorite Sparkling Wine

One fresh raspberry

In a cocktail shaker, mix the pineapple syrup and the raspberry liqueur until well blended. Pour into a Champagne flute, then top off the glass with Champagne. Garnish with the raspberry.

 

Isa Kay's Etsy Shop 

Their Paper Straws will add the perfect touch to any Party Table, Candy Buffet, Wedding, Birthday, Baby Shower, graduation, holiday, everyday celebrations, and the list goes on….!! Plus these straws are EARTH FRIENDLY….bio-degradable and compost in 3 months making them the Friendliest Straws on Earth. Made in the USA of FDA-approved ink. So Retro and Fun…!!! and yes...they are drinking straws and do not get soggy! Plus check out their personalized drink flags! 

Peach and Pearl Etsy Shop

These beribboned drink stirrers are perfect for your next wedding or party! They would also work wonderfully for festively decorating food (sliders, perhaps?). The stirrers measure approximately 5 inches tall and are food-safe. Ribbon colors are completely customizable! 

{Bright Idea Thursday} Plaid-Checkers-Gingham-Stripes

What is the difference between plaid, gingham and checkered? 

And what is a Tartan?

Well, we must refer to Wikipedia on this one : )

•  Plaid (pattern) is also used as a synonym for tartan or, in the USA, any checked cloth pattern.


•  Gingham is a medium-weight balanced plain-woven fabric made from dyed cotton or cotton-blend yarn.^[1] The name originates from an adjective in the Malay language, ging-gang, meaning striped.^[2]


•  A check is a pattern consisting of crossed horizontal and vertical bands in two or more colors in woven cloth.


•  Tartan is a pattern consisting of criss-crossed horizontal and vertical bands in multiple colours.


•  Pin stripes are a pattern of very thin stripes running in parallel found in cloth.

I love the idea of combing stripes with checkers, but you have to make sure not to go overboard with all the patterns. Plus you should stick with a color scheme: Black and white is very popular. Also navy or green are good choices. Make sure if you choose one color, that you keep it monochromatic (Monochromatic colors are all the colors (tints, tones, and shades) of a single hue) or if you choose two colors, that they go well together.

I've put together a few collages of different ideas and styles. You could go for a retro look, classic, or preppy depending on which style fits you the best.

Choosing your style invitations is a very important decision since it sets the stage for your wedding. If you going for a formal event consider this nice plaid design. Or if you are planning a whimsical informal event check out this wonderful company Tear Drop Weddings.

What should you wear for your rehearsal dinner? These are a few fun ideas:

Flounced Gingham Dress - Anthropologie

Gingham pleated skirt

Euro style gingham dress

This must have gingham print dress features the ultimate giant bow, and pouffy tiered layers.

Nouveau Cloudscape Headband - Anthropologie

Studded Scarf - Anthropologie

Now the fun part choosing your wedding details!

Make a Checkers Cake

Checkered inside cake for a surprise WOW factor! 

 Use striped ribbon for a preppy or more classic style event.

Modern table design

Whimiscal pattern cake

Beautiful bridal bouquets of white anemones

Striped chair decor 

Gingham linen napkins

How should you style the men?

 Alfani RED Dress Shirt, Fitted Black White Check Reg. $45.00

Will Chalker Lubiam's Fall/Winter 2010-2011 collection 

Gingham and checkers 

Whimsical checker tie 

Formal striped black and white tie 

Black & White Stripe Tie

For an informal wedding during the daytime consider:

Laura Plouzek's Etsy shop of bow ties that are smartly re-purposed from unloved clothing. Ties feature adjustable bands and are freestyle (self-tying), allowing the anything-but-ordinary-man to impress with his bow tying skills.  

This preppy bow tie is light grass green with thin white stripes. 

Or choose a two toned striped tie with a plaid shirt:

Checkered and striped

 Maybe you fancy navy?

The Knot Georgia Fall/Winter 2011 magazine

Formal evening wedding try a Vita Di Lusso Bespoke Blue Navy Pinstripe 

Informal daytime wedding Hugo Boss checked dress shirt light pastel blue 

Laura Plouzek's Etsy shop 

Navy plaid bowtie

Polo's navy blue check mens dress shirt 

J.CREW gingham 

Now off to your honeymoon and relax in the sun!

For the Timeless: Black and White Mens Swim Trunks 
The most important rule of summer fashion: don't get complicated. And the simplest way to swim is in black and white — checkers, stripes, polka dots, solids, whatever.

For the ladies: a striped one piece swim suit from Old Navy

But how could I resist this adorable Cavalier King Charles Spaniel!!

Having your pet as the ring bearer is a fun idea, but not for everyone. You must have a well trained dog for this task. This shirt collar features a double rounded corner and closes at the front with a snap button.The ribbon bow tie is attached to a fully adjustable elastic band. Wear over the pet's neck and hide it underneath the collar fold just as the humans do : ) This collar is meant for the pet fashionistas. Black Checkered Ribbon Bow Tie White Shirt Collar by furkidscloset.

{Bright Idea Thursday} Button Button - Who’s Got the Button?

I love collecting buttons! 

Whenever you buy clothes and there is a little bag attached with spare buttons I always keep them and add to my collection. You can never have too many buttons!!! Here are some great wedding ideas that use buttons in unique ways.

1. Linen napkins 2. Table escort cards 3. Napkin rings 4. Etsy fabric boutonniere

5. Table escort cards 6. Handmade wooden buttons 7. Cake 8. Table escort cards

One of my favorite blogs to follow is Bow Ties & Bliss and they did this adorable blog post back in 2010.

So I had to give credit to their lovely ideas. 

They are also a fellow TWIPS member!

Sources:

first row: 1. Miss Jennifer Rae 2. Jagger Photography

second row: 3 ,4, 5. Jackie Wonders 6. Ruffled

third row: 7. Love & Lavender 8. Style Me Pretty 9. Green Wedding Shoes

fourth row: 10. Sarah Rhoads 11. Jessica Claire

Also check out this great DIY on how to make a button boutonniere
http://howto.getmarried.com/how-to-make-a-button-boutonniere/
http://annaleeco.com/2011/10/14/weekly-round-up-buttons/
DIY on how to make button cupcake toppers
http://bridalmusings.com/2011/10/unique-diy-button-cupcake-toppers-by-anna-lee-company/
 

One of my favorite types of art is collage. You can create collages out of recycled buttons, magazines, newspapers, cards, wrapping paper, etc. So whenever I get the creative spark to make something it's usually a collage. They definitely required a lot of patience and fine motor skills! This little collage was made for the Hospice Savannah 5" X 7" Art Show