Lovely Diy Pew ends for your wedding

With their whispery petals and luminous silver centers, the tissue-paper flowers that bloom on this wintry wreath look as if they were plucked from a fairy tale. Perhaps more magical is the fact that this inexpensive pew decoration won't wilt or fade, so you can make as many as you need well ahead of time.
Tools and Materials:

Low-temperature hot-glue gun,

About 51/2 feet of 1-inch-wide silver double-faced satin ribbon

6-inchStyrofoam disk (1 inch thick)

White tissue paper 20mm and 30mm silver-ball floral ornaments

White floral tape
Wreath How To 1. Cut out center of disk, leaving 11/2-inch-wide ring. Hot-glue ribbon to inner and outer edges of ring.

2. Make flowers; you'll need about twenty for one wreath: For one flower, trace a round object on tissue paper to create three 3-inch circles; cut out. Stack circles; poke wire end of one or two floral ball ornaments through center. Slide circles up wire, ruffling them as you go, to shape petals. Wrap base of flower and wire with floral tape; trim stem to 11/2 inches.

3. To secure each flower to wreath, apply a dab of hot glue on ring, insert stem through glue into foam, and press flower base onto glue. Leave a 1-inch gap bare for hanging ribbon. Loop a 24-inch length of ribbon around wreath at gap; spread petals of adjacent flowers to cover (add flowers if needed). To hang, tie ribbon ends, and slip over removable self-adhesive hook placed upside down inside pew (check with church about restrictions first).

Ta Da!

all credits go to Martha Stewart which is where I found this great tutorial you can find it here:

http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/portal/site/ww/menuitem.460039687ea4fc3df8aeef105173a0a0/?vgnextoid=b1dd74d30f783110VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&vgnextfmt=default&backto=true
And of course as always if you love this idea but dont think that you could do it we would be happy to make them for you!

We are also adding a new online shop to our website at the moment where you will be able to purchase all of the things needed to make our Diy projects so check back in the new year!

D.I.Y Personalised Matchboxes

This is a really great idea on how to make your own personalised match boxes that I saw on Style me pretty, So I had to share it with you, its so easy to make them and you could pretty them up with some really nice paper etc anyway here are the instructions:

Materials:
matchboxes,

kraft paper (or any color or decorative paper you plan to use)computer/printer (if you plan to print out your design),

ruler, Cutting Matscissors/razor, bladeglue stick such as pritt stick etc., (or tacky glue) pencil, cardstock

Step1:Design the front and back images and insert the images into a Word document and create a template. This takes some trial and error to make sure everything is aligned properly. You can use my Word template as a starting point.
Step 2: After the images are printed, use a ruler and razor blade to cut out the strips (leave a little more room width-wise to make sure there’s enough paper to cover the original matchbox cover). I also made a simple window template out of cardstock so I can measure the length of each strip. You may be able to create gridlines in your Word template but this is how we made ours.
Step 3: After your personalized matchbox cover is cut out, unfold the original matchbox cover (a hairdryer does help this process).
Step 4: Use a glue stick to apply adhesive to the original matchbox cover. Then, line up your personalized cover with the original cover (making sure to line up the top edge as close as you can).
Step 5: As each matchbox slightly varies in width, it’s important to leave a little more room when cutting out the strips. At this stage you can go back and cut out any additional paper visible.
Step 6: Apply glue using a glue stick or tacky glue to the bottom of the strip and glue back together the matchbox cover. (I used bobby pins to enforce the glue and let it sit over night.)
Step 7: After the glue has dried, insert the box of matches back into the cover and ta-da! Your very own personalized matchboxes!!

(I do love those Ta Da moments!!)

Easy Christmas Centerpiece and Place cards

Here's another quick and easy centerpiece for all of you christmas brides out there

Buy some boxes of christmas baubles and use them for your christmas centerpieces,

you can get a colour to match your theme,

Or if you have a bigger budget get some clear baubles and some battery operated fairy lights,

and layer them in a bowl together for a great effect!

You could also add stars, pine cones or christmas sweets to the bowl,

or add a couple of small seasonal flowers or some mini roses,

and perhaps layer a little christmas pine underneath for a lovely christmas scent

First place some baubles in a pretty glass bowl.........
(they don't all have to be the same you could use "fishbowls"," brandy glasses", "Martini glasses" or "sweet dishes" Vary the heights

Layer the fairlights in between.......

add a couple of stars and ........Voila!

Of course you need place cards to match so why not liven up some plain baubles in contrasting colours(see instructions below!) and add a little tag with each persons name
Or if you have added pine cones to your display,

Glittery pinecones make wonderful wedding favours and/or place card holders at a christmas wedding or winter wedding.
This pinecone painted in icy winter colors with sparkling glitter accents is perfect for a wonderful favour for your holiday guests. Create one for each place setting at your holiday table, then insert a slip of paper with the guest's name in the leaves of the pinecone. At the end of the evening, everyone will have new ornaments to bring home and hang on their own trees. What a wonderful way to create long lasting memories of your wedding. (instructions also below)

For the bauble place card you will need:

• A baking sheet
• Kitchen aluminum foil
• 3-inch-diameter glass ball christmas ornamentwith removable metal cap
• 6-inch square Styrofoam block
• Drinking straw
• High-tack white glue
• Micro glitter in coordinating color

Directions
1. Cover baking sheet with aluminum foil. Remove cap from glass christmas ball and set aside.
2. To facilitate decorating, place Styrofoam block on cookie sheet and stick straw in center. Insert cap end of glass christmas ball on straw.
3. Make swirl design or other desired design on surface of christmas ball with nozzle of glue bottle.
4. Sprinkle glitter over glued areas. Let dry completely. Shake off excess glitter. Replace cap.
You've now got customized Christmas Wedding place cards that double as wedding Favors!

You can also try getting glue "pens" and writing the name of the person on the bauble, sprinkle glitter over, leave to dry completly, then put the date on the other side, thus creating a lovely keepsake for your special day, (this would be very time consuming so may be a good idea to do for just the top table?)

For the Snowy pine cones

You need:
• Kraft paper
• Small pinecone
• Rubber gloves
• Spray primer in white
• Gloss spray paint in mint blue or green
• Spray adhesive
• Plastic winter snow
• Fine glitter in warm highlight
• 1/3 yard of thin silver twisted cording
• Scissors

Note: Always work in a well-ventilated area when using spray paint.
To make:
1. Cover clean, flat work surface with kraft paper. Place pinecone on paper.
2. Put on rubber gloves. Apply thin coat of spray primer to pinecone. Let dry completely. Apply one or two more coats of primer, as necessary. Let dry completely.
3. Apply thin coat of spray paint to pinecone. Let dry completely. Apply one to two more coats of paint, as necessary. Let dry completely.
4. Apply fine mist of spray adhesive to painted pinecone. Wait 5 minutes or until cone is tacky.
5. Lightly sprinkle plastic snow on pinecone until it sticks and desired effect is achieved. Take a pinch of glitter and sprinkle over pinecone. Let dry completely.
6. Make loop with silver cording and tie in double knot around top prong of pinecone. Trim ends.

These would look beautiful on top of crisp white or red napkins with
a little sprig of christmas holly or ivy.

(and don't forget the christmas crackers!!!)

Centerpiece Idea

The Painted PotsCovered Toilet Rolls!

The Finished Product!

Here's a quick and easy project for all of you D.I.Y. Brides!

It's also great when you consider that it is virtually free to make and using mostly recycled things thus helping the environment!

So What you will need is the following:

1 x Pot for each centerpiece,

Some Large Twigs From the Garden or ask for Mitsumata or contorted willow at your local florist

lots of old toilet rolls,

Some fabric or wallpaper to match your theme,

Some fringe, ribbon, feathers, boa, or beaded fringe (try hickeys)

Some crystals or Glass beads with holes in top,

Some Moss

Thin wire or see through thread(fisherman's thread)

Some Plaster of Paris (or a small bag of cement)

& Some Small Flowers to decorate (silk will work best here but you can use real if you have time the morning of the wedding!)

and a glue gun is also a great help!

Begin by painting your pots in colours to match your chosen theme,

You could spray paint the bottoms and just paint the collar by hand if wished
Pick out one two or three branches per pot depending on size of pot and size of branches,

Make up plaster of Paris (or cement) following the instructions on the packet,

And add to the pots, with the stick(s) inside, holding them in place until they set

Cover the old toilet rolls with the fabric or wallpaper, using the glue gun

(or failing that double sided sticky tape!)

& don't worry if it doesn't quite cover the ends as your ribbons etc will cover them anyway

When they are dry have fun sticking on your embellishments either end of the tubes, you could just put a simple strip of satin ribbon in a complimenting shade either side or whatever you wish

Make a couple of small holes in one end of the tubes and thread them with the invisible thread or wire which will be used to hang them

Hang them on your tree, along with the crystals or glass beads

Use the Moss to Cover the bottom bit where the plaster of Paris is and randomly glue on some small flowers to the tree

Stand Back and admire your work!

(Use your imagination for these trees, they can look so Fab, you can also try these ideas,

if you are having a Christmas wedding, how about adding a set of battery operated fairy lights to each tree (Dunne's have some fabulous one's at the moment with little stars on) Or buy them now and save them for your summer wedding if you just love the fairy light effect!

Use strings of Pearls if you are having a pearl themed wedding (you can also pick these up very easily at the moment look out for tree garlands)

You could hang small Christmas decorations from the branches

If you are having a spring or Summer wedding why not try adding butterfly's, lady birds or small birds to the branches

Hang strips of organza ribbons with diamante hearts or ovals from the branches

O.K that's enough from me, I hope I have helped, If you make one of these please e mail me a picture, & I will "showcase it here on my blog, I would love to hear your ideas too, or if you have something that you would like to share please e mail me!

Have Fun!

Maureen

Save Money on your Dream Dress while helping someone else

If you are still searching for your dream dress do you know that some of the better known charity shops sell new and almost new Wedding dresses and actually have specialised Bridal shops of their own? Many of these dresses are sample dresses donated by designers or bridal shops at the end of the season to enable them to make way for new stock, dresses start from €70! You can check out Oxfams Wedding Boutiques here: http://www.oxfamireland.org/oxfambridal/contact.htm and also Barnardos here: http://www.barnardos.ie/our_shops/our-wedding-boutique.html
Happy Hunting!!!