CraftPals
ideas for my Wedding
Angela posted in the CraftPals Weddings BB
Dated : January 11, 1999
Subject: Re: Craft Ideas for My Wedding
How about a guestbook cover, Wedding album cover, a wishing well or mailbox or whatever to put the envelopes on the gift table, and one no bride ever thinks of a fancy little purse to put a few things (makeup or whatever you will need on the day).
I can't tell you how many brides I have seen using their regular purse.
I have a pattern for one made out of crochet cotton with little pearl beads crochet right into it with a satin lining that I can share once I find the book.
Let me know if you are interested.
I have seen roses made out of fabric with the birdseed tucked into it used instead of bags and will probably take them longer.
Basically just a square of fabric (find a stiff fabric and don't wash so it will keep its shape) longer than you want the rose to be and the width around the rose plus seam allowances.
Sew the fabric into a tube and turn, gather at bottom and wrap a florists wire around it tightly for the stem.
Wrap the bottom of the rose and down the wire with florists tape and add a leaf part way down.
Into the top of the rose put the birdseed and tuck the extra fabric in to cover the seed.
Looks great to have a big bunch of these roses to give on to the ladies as they enter the church.
And when it gets closer of course there are centerpeices, pew bows, and favors, this should keep them too busy to interfere with your planning!
kallen posted in the CraftPals Weddings BB
Dated : October 02, 1998
Subject: Re: Wedding Crafts
Instead or in addition to a covered photo album for pictures, you could cover a video case [like the rental stores have] to match, using the brides colors...
Lynne posted in the CraftPals Weddings BB
Dated : January 11, 1999
Subject: Re: Craft Ideas for My Wedding
I love the idea of the ribbon roses;
they look so pretty standing in a vase or basket before the ceremony and available for your guests to pick up as they exit the church to greet you!
If the BM's dresses are being made, you may choose to have them made out of that, or a tightly woven lace (curtain fabric on sale goes a long way!).
Tie ribbon loops where the fabric meets the stem after taping, and it makes an elegant presentation.
If a friend is into floral decorating, those stiff floral stems that she usually discards make great stems (they'll be covered!), or old hangers clipped and covered!
If your grandmothers opt for something simpler, try to find the lacy ribbons that have a pocket in them (they're really tubes of ribbon).
Cut desired length, and tie ribbon on one end, leaving some ribbon fluffing out, pour in a little seed, and secure the opposite end with a ribbon bow that can be untied to release the seeds (I've secured this end with a stitch or two or drop of glue in the centre of the ribbon so that it remains attached to the lace and your wedding site isn't a mass of discarded ribbons later!)
Angela's idea of bonbonnieres/favours/centre-pieces should keep them busy for sure!
Just think about those things that are important to you and your FH, and personalize them!
Make this truly your wedding!
Of course, if you have a theme to share with us, please let us know and we'll all be glad to put in our "two cents" worth of ideas!
Lynne posted in the CraftPals Weddings BB
Dated : January 12, 1999
Subject: Re: My daughter doesn't want a bunch of "Frou-Frou"
Yes, that's the technical term, all right: "frou frou"!
And I know exactly what your daughter means.
Firstly, I'm assuming that the parents will be seated in the first row of the centre section of pews with relatives in the next rows back from there, or perhaps in the first rows of the two side sections?
Any rows that are reserved for immediate family have traditionally been festooned with ribbons and tulle.
But that's not the only option available! I wish I knew what month your daughter's wedding will be, as decorations certainly vary with the season.
Here are a few suggestions, however, which may help:
Place potted plants/greenery/flowers beside the designated pews:
a full pot of white mums, glorious yellow tulips, whatever!
Depending on the theme of the wedding, the pots can either be terracotta or painted/glazed/marbled to match the wedding colours!
A fluffy makuba or more tailored bow will give it elegance.
For an evening wedding, place battery-operated white mini lights in the plant: beautiful!
Along the same lines, the altar or ceremony areas can also use the colour of potted plants or simple greenery.
The pots could simply hold a variety of greens!
Or: and, this may sound a little weird here, but I'm accustomed to working with brides who are on budgets (who isn't?), use beautifully shaped branches,in wonderful pots, spray paint or use as is (varnish, perhaps), and attach the lights! Elegant, believe me!
Also: why do pew bows have to be "bows"? For the last wedding I did, I found stiff Battenburg-type lace hearts and simply placed ivy and narrow ribbons/pearl/crystal strands on the top and one side of the heart with some ends draping down, and attaching these to the pews.
Talk about sparkle! If you can find pew clips with foam, these can be lovely with greenery inserted (ivy, fern, springheri (very fluffy), or whatever you choose!) Vary the colour tones, and perhaps tuck in some gold (eucalyptus?) or whatever matches the bridal party!
Small potted plants (forget-me-nots are lovely, pansies etc) in decorative containers can also be fitted in some pew holders or placed in a coat-hanger formed to fit over the pews (not noticeable).
As for the reception site:
the style brings to mind mounds of frosted fruits with fresh flowers tucked in!
If you want instructions on how to make these frosted fruit/flower topiaries here, just let me know and I'll post them! Frost some of the fruit, leave others shining!
Depending on the glaze and frosting used, these can also serve as small centrepieces on the tables as edible nibblies!
Luxurious wired ribbons cascading down these topiaries or "trees" at the entrance would be a "mouth-watering" greeting for your guests!
Or, simply large silver urns overflowing with fruit would be inviting! How about cornicopulas (sp?) filled to spilling out with fruit?
If you need other ideas or could give me more information about the colours, season, just let me know! Sometimes it takes a while to get my juices flowing (it's early: I need by more coffee!), so I hope these help for now!, Lynne
Lynne posted in the CraftPals Weddings BB
Dated : January 12, 1999
Subject: Glad you liked some of the ideas!(long)
But, not brilliant, Carolyn: just been around the block a few times! ;-)
First of all, I use the word makuba to describe that ribbon which is of a chiffon-type material, or a georgette, tho' it can also be wired.
Although you need quite a lot to make a tight ball of fluff (don't make the loops too long, as they'll flop instead of fluff), it compliments a moire or satin ribbon beautifully when used within the bow (ie: added to the centre).
This would be beautiful in your case: purple wired satin, lavender chiffon (makuba)! How soft that would look! And unless you're doing the bouquets, use a "flora" satin for decorative alter/reception bows; it's usually pennies per yard!
I would love it if you could find potted purple/mauve hyacinths for the church!
Can you imagine the perfume; something you'd all remember, I'll bet! Of course, you can remove most of them to the reception site for the entrance of head/relatives' tables!
As for the frosted fruit topiaries! There are a number of ways this can be done.
First you must decide if you want the rounded topiaries or the "tree" shaped ones.
The rounded, I find are less formal than the tree shape; don't know why, maybe it's a personal observation.
The tree shape also lends itself better to
grape clusters hanging down, as it can be make to look just like a tree.
Let's face it: I'm partial to the shape: more surface area for larger fruit, also.
But if you're using small fruits and grape clusters, a round shape can be beautiful!
Also, consider three topiaries: one med. height>one large
The centre one can have larger fruit/florals than the medium ones, but their ribbons can drape from the taller one to the smaller ones to each side of it.
Again, purple/lavender (two colours of your choice)
On to the construction:
Because this unit becomes top-heavy, it's best to give it a firm base.
Choose your foam form: either cone or ball. Don't skimp on size here: you're wanting to make a statement, right? If you choose to make smaller table centrepieces, we can cut this down, of course.
You'll need containers.
Terracotta can be used as is, or can be base-coated then sponge painted.
One I did was base-coated black and sponged with silver. Wow.
You have a spring wedding, however, and it should remain in your theme, but still make a good foundation. That sage colour you have would, I think, make a nice container colour.
You could give it a matte or satin finish; whatever you prefer.
You'll need a wooden dowel, at least 1/4" in diameter, trimmed to poke 2/3 of the way up the cone shape, and the depth of the container.
The process is this: make up craft "Faster Plaster" or any concrete (cheaper) product your craft/hardware stores stock. I always give jobs like this to my DH! ;-) Make sure there are no holes in the containers (if there are, plug with florist's stuckum).
Mix the plaster and pour into the container; insert the cut dowel;
you can wait a while for the crete to set up, but don't forget about it!
When all's firm, poke a hole up the cone: now this may sound simple, but it's not always;
I've cracked my share of balls and cones just trying to push them onto the sticks.
A hot metal knitting needle works well, or use another
dowel and insert VERY carefully, staying straight up the cone.
When the hole is done, spread some white glue on the dowel and insert it into the cone.
Great: the yucky stuff's done! Well, almost. Now you have to cover the mechanics (the foam cone). Using white glue and a sponge "brush" (cheap, disposable), spread glue to a small area at a time and press sheet or spanish moss all over it.
This forms a grassy base that can show thru the fruit.
Sheet moss is quiet expensive, so a bag of spanish moss (looks like dried grass) works just as well, is cheaper, and goes a long way.
Now for the fruit: almost any fresh fruit can be used (strawberries, grapes (mix colours: the darker/red shades look really nice sugared), kiwi, even dried fruit slices interspersed look great)Now: if the fruit won't be eaten, our "glue" is Modge Podge (any decoupage glue or whatever dries clear: test!); if the fruit will be eaten, use stirred (don't whip: causes bubbles) egg whites, or egg white substitute (I believe Wilton makes such a product, but any cake supply shop should carry a meringue substitute).
Clean the fruit with water and, for such things as apples/pears etc, a little vinegar in the rinse water removes any grease.
Dry. Sugars: if it won't be eaten, use glitter: irredescent is great!; if it will be eaten, use either a fine or granulated sugar or both (not mixed together).
Brush the glue/meringue onto the fruit and roll in the sugar.
Place on parchment paper or wire racks to dry (at least 24hr).
Do all the fruit on this way. Oh: there's also edible glitter: usually cake suppliers carry this!
For the tree: I start on the bottom of the tree and attach clusters of grapes.
Use florist wired sticks (4" or so sticks, usually green, with wires attached to each) to attach.
Clip the long stems from the clusters and wire the stick onto the cluster end, and insert into the foam.
A little glue on the stem will hold better, but doesn't pull out nicely if the fruit is to be eaten.
If the cone is to be all grapes (2 short green, 1 large purple, perhaps?), continue in this manner up the cone, placing the next row in the centre space of the previous row (like brick-laying).
Don't worry about any little spaces, these will be filled in later.
Make the clusters smaller, also as you proceed up to the top, as you only want perhaps individual grapes neat the top.
These little fruits can be attached by poking a toothpick (a larger one) into the fruit, then into the foam.
When completed, stand back and congratulate yourself! It's a work of art! If you want to decorate it a little, make a looped bow with 4 streamers and place it on top. If wired ribbon, gracefully curve the streamers down over the cone (the streamers should at least be as long as the cone is tall). Narrower ribbon bows can be sprinkled in amone the grapes. I'd probably use lavender/purple/sage ribbons in each little bow and scatter them over the cone, their streamers hanging! Looking good!! Now. If you wish, small fresh flowers can also be tucked in among the grapes (spring: crocus, daffodils, small hyacinth clusters?)
(Didn't know I'd write a book about this, hm...?:-)
Now: if using heavier fruit: apples, pears etc: use the same method of frosting, but for securing the fruit, use shiskabob skewers (grocery store), cut to size, inserted into the fruit, then the cone. Don't skimp on the length of the stick: they need to feel secure. Try running the pears from top to bottom in a spiral, then little apples following the line, then kiwi, mini whatevers (can't remember the name of the small orange fruit), then strawberries. This would form a spiral topiary: classy! I wouldn't adorn this one much, perhaps a single perfect flower perched on top.
Cover the plaster base with more moss, and voila! Done and beautiful! This will keep several days in a cool, DRY place. "Dry" being the operative word, otherwise the sugar gets melty and sad looking. The fruit can be done ahead, refrigerated for a day or two, then made up.
I know this may sound like a lot of work, but it's really not: just takes some explaining, that's all! It's a nice evening-with-the-girls-and-wine project to put together once the fruit's done!
If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to ask! If I find a picture somewhere on the net I'll post the address for you!
I'll continue to ponder your wedding; BTW: what flowers will be used in the bouquets? Are you doing them? (or are you exhausted just reading this.....hehehe!)
HTH, Lynne!