Wedding Window Frame

There are loads of window frame pictures around, so I decided to jump on the band wagon and create a wedding craft for our home. (The dining room was turquoise when we moved in, pure coincidence!)

1. Get the materials together
- Window frame (I found mine at the flea market - I then found two more in the shed in our garden, they must have been saved after the windows were replaced a few years ago!) 
- Paint and brushes
- Tape
- Photo (Engineer print) 
- Cardboard (for the back of the picture)  
- Little nails
- Hooks and rope (to hang) 

2. Paint the window frame
Tape off the glass, and paint the frame.

2. Get the picture printed and cut to size
Staples does a great engineer print for about $7.29. The image is not as sharp as a photograph, but it still looks great, and is a fraction of the price. 

Zoom of the engineer print 

Place the window frame over the print to ensure the print is in the correct place. Then trim half an inch from each of the edges (change according the the depth of the frame). 

3. Attach the picture to the window frame

Use glue or tape. 

I used some left over painting tape. 

4. Back the frame

To avoid the print getting damaged, attach cardboard to the back. 

(I had a tri-fold display board left over from another project, I cut off one of the flaps, and attached it with little nails) 

5. Add the hardware to hang the frame

You can hang the picture how ever you want, I went with eye hook and Sasil rope. We used a sturdy hook to hang the frame as it is heavier than a standard picture frame. 

First Craft for our First Home!!

So, we recently moved into our first home!! I wanted to make the entrance more personal, so I set about making a wreath.

1. Get the materials together
- Foam pipe insulation
- Duct tape
- Twine
- Burlap
- Stanley knife
- Large sewing needle

 2. Create the loop
Cut the pipe insulation to the desired length, then use the duct tape to secure the ends of the pipe insulation (I didn't want a typical circle, so I made a teardrop)

3. Cover in twine 
I started by tying a knot and just kept going until I had gone all the way around. This is a great job to do while watching TV or a film. 

4. Create the flowers

I did some (YouTube) research and found out how to make burlap/material flowers. 

This is a great tutorial: http://craftingmom.com/burlap-flowers/

I didn't have a glue gun, so took a thread from the burlap and sewed the flower together on the back as I went. 

5. Attach the flowers

Attach more thread on the back of the flowers and tie on the wreath.

(If I had a glue gun, I would have just glued these in place) 

6. Add a hanging loop

Attach a loop of thread at the top of the wreath. 

There was a nail in the door when we moved in, so I just used that to hang the wreath. 

Wedding Invitation

So, the wedding invites... this was a big deal for me, not only were these going to be sent to everyone we know and love, but my granddad was a printer and I had always thought that he would be the one to do my wedding invites. Unfortunately, my granddad had passed away a number of years prior and I could not bring myself to have someone else do them for me.

We knew the colour theme of our wedding, and I had some A4 card, ribbon and A4 paper. I had no idea what I wanted to achieve and no idea what was supposed to be included in the invite, so I went on the (Google) hunt, and finally figured out what we needed to do. I knew that we didn't want a simple 'card' design, so sent with a tri-fold.

It look me way longer than it should have, but I was in no rush and it helped pass the days while I was not able to work.

1. Create the wording
I figured I needed the following information in the invite:

- Standard invite wording
- Registry information 
- Information sheet - local hotels, taxi numbers, etc. 
- RSVP - This also included the dinner selection

We found a heart stamp that we incorporated throughout the wedding, we also included it on the invite wording. 

2. Cut the card
Take a piece of A4 card (or 11X17 in the US) and cut exactly down the middle, I used a guillotine to ensure a straight edge. 

Cut the paper 

3. Fold the card
I decided on the right flap being larger than the left and set about folding all of the cards. Once I knew how much space I would have inside the cards (for the invite wording) I knew how large to print things.

4. Print everything
I printed the invite wording, guest information, RSVP and registry info on the turquoise paper. 

5. Add some personal details
I used some left over card and created the detail for the front of the card, printed "Wedding Invitation" on turquoise paper (I also printed some "Evening Invitation" for the evening guests). 

I glued together the wording and cards, added a bow and stuck it to the front of the invites. 

6. Put the invites together
I folded the guest information (I designed this to be 4 times bigger than the RSVP and Registry information). These were then placed together, held in together with a ribbon and glued to the inside of the right flap, and added the invite wording. 

7. Putting everything in the envelope
I decided that I wanted to make the envelopes a little more personal. 
I used the stamp and cut hearts into the envelope flap, and then glued a turquoise triangle on the back. 

(Sorry for the lack of pics, I guess I never expected to document the process)

My First Wedding Craft - Favour Boxes

Here is where it all started! The favour boxes!!

Before moving to the US, I had to wait for my Fiance Visa. I decided that the time would be best spent at home with my family and friends in England. It ended up being a long six months, but it allowed me plenty of time to get wedding plans together and some much needed quality time with some amazing people! 

I loved the idea of the personalized M&Ms and just needed a way to get them to our guests. So I got to Googling some images and came up with a simple 'box and bow' combo. I borrowed my brother's craft knife and cutting board, got some card and ribbon, and got to work! I bought the cream card from WH Smith in the UK and the ribbon from Hobby Craft, I am sure that there is something similar available in Hobby Lobby or Michael's in the US.

1. Find a template online, I can send you the template that I used if you need it.

 I printed it on paper and cut out a master template on a thick piece of card (I think I used the back of a pad of paper!) 

If you would like a copy of this template, please let me know and I will email you the PDF

2. Cut out the box bases and lids

I made a test box to make sure that it was what I was expecting and to ensure that the lid fitted. 

Then, I cut out all of the box bases and all of the lids, I then scored along the folds to make the creases sharp.

3. Putting the boxes together

I used PVA glue, Elmers will work fine. I would advise leaving the glue to become tacky before folding the flaps to create the box. I also held the flaps in place using paper clips, it was better than holding them in place myself. 

4. Add decoration

I wanted to have bows on my boxes but was not prepared to tie the bows in the days leading up to the wedding, so I bypassed the base of the box and just put the bows on the lids. 

5. Fill the boxes

I found some theme coloured tissue paper and shredded it (well, mum did that!), I put the M&Ms in netting and tied it up with ribbon, and then they were done!