Wednesday, September 11, 2013

DIY- Birch Wood Vase Centerpiece

TOTAL COST:
$4.75


This centerpiece is fun, super simple and very budget friendly! The entire project took me less than 10 minutes to put together.


Supplies:
9" Birch Vase- ($4.50 at Save-On-Crafts)
32" of Jute Twine- ($3 for an entire roll at Wal-Mart)
Wooden Heart Tag (you can get a pack of 25 at Save-On-Crafts for $4.99)
Black Paint Pen (I got mine at Hobby Lobby for $3.50) you can also use a Sharpie or an ink pen!

Let's Get Started!



The picture is pretty self explanatory, but in this step you simply tie your twine around the vase and into a knot. 


I forgot to snap a picture of me writing my last name initial on the heart tag, but you get the idea :) Once you have drawn your initial onto the heart tag, slide it onto the twine. *You don't have to write your last name initial, you can also do a monogram, your wedding date, or a combination! The important thing here is personalization.


Now tie your twine into a bow and adjust your tag! If you're tag doesn't want to stay in place, you can add a little bit of hot glue to the back of the heart and attach it directly on to the vase to ensure it doesn't move.


And you're done!!! If you are using fresh flowers for your centerpieces, you can add those the day of... but Hobby Lobby has a great selection of silk flowers that are marked 50% off every other week. The flowers pictured above are from Hobby Lobby and the arrangement pictured cost me a total of $10.

COST:
Birch Vase- $4.50
32" of Twine- $0.05
1 Heart Tag- $0.20

TOTAL: $4.75


Happy Crafting!

Amanda

DIY- Ring Bearer Box

TOTAL COST*
$6.86


I love the idea of a ring bearer box, as opposed to the traditional ring bearer pillow. Such an adorable, twist on an old tradition!

This project is fairly easy and very budget friendly.

Here is what you'll need! (a few things aren't pictured so please read the list!)


Tools Needed:
Wood Burning Tool* (you can find this at any craft store) You can also use a Sharpie to recreate this look!
Hot Glue Gun

Supplies Needed:
Ink Pen (black)
Old Rag (to use for stain)
Wood Stain (I used Minwax Dark Walnut)
Latex Gloves (optional)
Glue Gun Sticks
Wooden Playing Card Box ($2.99 at Hobby Lobby or here)
'You & Me' Embellishment for outside of box ($2.99 at Joann's or here)
2-2" wooden hearts (you can find these at any craft store or buy them here)

Let's Get Started!


In this step, we are going to be using our ink pen to write out what we want wood burned onto the wooden hearts. I have an easier time wood burning if I write it out first, but if you're feeling brave or have a talent for wood burning, feel free to skip this step! I wrote Mr. and Mrs. but you can do whatever you'd like. I think 'I Do' or the couples' individual initials would be cute.


Now our outline has been drawn and it's time to wood burn! If you've never used a wood burner, I suggest practicing on a scrap piece of wood until you become comfortable with it. It's really nothing complicated, but it does take a little getting used to. *If you don't have a wood burner and aren't sure about investing in one for this project, I seriously encourage you to get one! If you are DIYing a lot of your wedding decor, this tool will come in so handy. It just adds that extra touch! I use mine all the time and have never regretted investing in it.* If you don't have a wood burner, this look can also be recreated with a sharpie!


I like to wear my super stylish gloves during this part, just for protection. I picked these up at Wal-Mart in the gardening section (because I know you are just dying to know where I got them so you can immediately run out and grab you a pair!) They're not cute... but they keep my fingers from getting burned so it's an even trade :)


My 'Mr.' is complete! As you can see, it's not perfect, but I think that just adds to the overall look of the box... it's kind of got that rustic, shabby feel to it, so perfection is not crucial to this project.


So the hardest part is now over! On to the next part (which is optional, but I hope you give it a try!)


Burning the edges is one of my favorite parts of this whole project. It's quick, easy and I think it's adorable! Like I said previously, this part is optional, but I hope you give it a try! I created this look by simply using the tip of my wood burner along the edge of the wooden heart. The longer you leave the tip in one spot, the darker the burn will be. I like to create a dark, dramatic burn.


Now that the hearts are complete, let's move on to the next step!


Now it's time to stain our box! I used Minwax Dark Walnut, but feel free to stain this any color your like. You can also paint the box, or just leave it natural. Whatever floats your boat :)


*Gloves are optional here, but I HIGHLY recommend using them if you are staining your box. The stain is very difficult to get off of your skin.*

In this step, we are staining (or painting) our box, inside and out!



So, at this point, your box should look similar to the above picture. And now it's time to add some finishing touches!


Now it's time to add our hearts to the inside of the box. *Please excuse my pitiful, awful lookin' glue gun. She's seen better days!*

Just add a few dots of hot glue on to the back of the wooden heart and then quickly place the heart inside the box.


Keep in mind who will be standing where at the alter when adding the hearts. The groom will be standing on the right, so I added the 'Mr.' to the left of the box.


You will add the other heart the same way, just a little bit of hot glue on the back and then quickly put the heart in its place before the glue begins to dry.


Now time to add the outside embellishment! I picked this one up at Joann's (the link is in the supply list at the beginning of this post.) Joann's offered several other wood cutouts that could be used in place of this one, and they can all be found on their website.


Once again, just add a few dots of hot glue on to the back of the embellishment (add the glue dots in various places to ensure it's evenly attached.) And you are DONE!


You now have an adorable ring bearer box for your wedding, as well as a great keepsake!

TOTAL COST:
Wooden Box: $2.99
Wooden Hearts: $0.88
You & Me wood cutout: $2.99

Total: $6.86



Happy Crafting!!!

-Amanda


*The total cost is based on basic supplies needed to recreate this box. It is not based on tools or supplies that can be reused or that you may already have.

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Welcome!

Hey ya'll!

    My name is Amanda, I'm a 24 year old wife and mother of two boys. I also run and own a wedding decor boutique (kinda got my hands full!) I love weddings and everything wedding related... I also happen to be kind of crafty. My goal for this site is to simply help brides save a little cash with some DIY wedding crafts.

     Weddings can be expensive... but beautiful weddings do NOT have to cost a fortune. With the help of a few tools, you can stylishly decorate your wedding and save some money for the honeymoon :)

Thanks so much for stopping by, now let's get crafty!

-Amanda