So in celebration of the new feature, I thought that I would share some of my favorite DIY projects from our last From Inspiration to Reality Shoot! Starting with these really cute, REALLY easy Penny For Your Thoughts Bags! Oh and all of the GORGEOUS photographs are by Justin and Mary Marantz.

My vision was to have these cute little bags right next to wishing cards that your guests could write messages on for you. It turned out really cute and I was amazed at just how easy these little favors were to create.

Materials

8.5″ x 11″ Full Sheet Label Paper
Color Printer
Paper Cutter
White Paper Bags (3½-inches x 2-inches x 6¾-inches, found at Michaels)
Large Red Brads (found at Michaels)

Instruction

1. Print out this template on 8.5″ x 11″ full page label sheets. Set your printer to the highest print setting to make sure your text is crisp.

2. Using a paper cutter, trim the labels to size.

3. Adhere labels to the center of your white bags, before opening the bags to fill.

4. Fill the bags with your favorite penny candy. We used little gummies that looked just like pennies that we found at CVS.

5. Fold the top portion of the bag over and punch a small hole in the center.

6. Insert your red brads to close the bags and keep them secure.

Next to these cute little bags, scatter a few wishing cards and a tray or a bowl that guests can place them in when they are done.

We’ve made this super cute wishing cards template for you to use. Just print it out on 8.5″ x 11″ white card stock and trim down to size. Voila! Coming up next, the super duper cute pie’s and coordinating tags!

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Post tags: DIY project, Do-It-Yourself, Do-It-Yourself Inspired, Favor Bags, Penny Candy, Wishing Cards
Post categories: DIY Projects, Wedding Favors & Gifts

Here is yet another fabulous DIY project for all of you…custom place cards!

Materials
Color Printer
Paper Cutter
8.5 x 11″ 80lb white card stock
Pre-folded Place Cards 80lb Cardstock (like this from Paper-Source)
Permanent Double Sided Tape

Instructions
1. Download the Wildflower Place Card Template ( or click here for vegetarian, here for chicken, here for fish and here for beef). Print using the highest settings on your color printer to ensure that the image is crisp. There are 10 place cards per sheet.

2. Cut each card on the dashed line, making sure to cut off all of the black ink so that the edge of each card remains white.  The size of the cards should be 1.75” x 3”.

3.  Trim down the pre-folded place cards down to 3.5” x 2.25” using a paper cutter.

4. Secure the card to the pre-folded place card using double sided tape.

5.  Fold the place card along the pre-folded line and Voila!  The wildflower place cards are ready for your handwritten text!

* * *

Up next, we are announcing the Fuzzynk Design Giveaway Winner!

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Post tags: DIY project, Do-It-Yourself Inspired, Place Cards
Post categories: DIY Projects

Materials
Color Printer
Paper Cutter or X-acto Knife with self healing mat
8.5 x 11″ 80lb white card stock
8.5 x 11″ 80lb colored card stock
Permanent Double Sided Tape
Gluestick
Matchbooks

Instructions
1. Download the Matchbook Cover Template. Print using the highest settings on your color printer to ensure that the text is crisp. There are 32 Matchbook Covers per sheet.

2. Cut each Matchbook cover on the dashed line, making sure to cut off all of the black ink so that the edge of each matchbook cover remains white.  The Matchbook cover size should be 1.12” x 1.75”.

3.  Cut the colored card stock into 1.4” x 2” size rectangles.  (note: matchbooks may vary in size)

4.  Glue the matchbook covers to the colored cardstock rectangles.

4. Secure the wrap matchbook covers to the top and bottom of each matchbook using double sided tape.

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 14 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: DIY project, Matchbook DIY, Matchbooks
Post categories: DIY Projects

Materials
Color Printer
Paper Cutter or X-acto Knife with self healing mat
8.5 x 11″ 80lb white card stock (like this from Paper-Source)
8.5 x 11″ 80lb colored card stock (like this from Paper-Source)
Scissors or Wire cutters
Thin Bamboo Skewers
Gluestick
Permanent Double Sided Tape

Instructions
1. Download the “I Do” Stirstick Flag Template.  Print using the highest settings on your color printer to ensure that the text is crisp. There are 36 Flags per sheet.

2. Cut each flag along the dashed line, making sure to cut off all of the black ink so that the edge of each flag remains white.  Make sure the strips are 1/2” x 1-1/2” in size.

3.  Cut the colored cardstock into 1.75” x 3.5” strips using a paper cutter or an X-acto knife and set aside.

4.  Using your scissors or wire cutters, cut the bamboo skewers into 6” length pieces.  Note:  I found it cleaner to score the skewers first by pinching the scissors or wire cutters around the skewers and then snapping them.

4.  Glue the trimmed white card strips to the colored cardstock strips and fold the flags in half.

5. Secure the flag around the top of the bamboo skewer using double sided tape. Please note, there is only a small amount of room for the tape inside the flag, so make sure you make small enough pieces so the tape isn’t sticking out of the flag.  Make sure the flag is snug against the skewer by pinching it with your fingers.

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Post tags: Cocktail Flags, DIY project, Do-It-Yourself Inspired, I Do Stirstick Flag, Stir Sticks
Post categories: DIY Projects

The prize for the winner, which will be chosen by myself and a small panel of blogging judges, will be $500 to the store where you are registered. If your wedding has passed, this is a great way to complete your registry!

Here is one of my favorite projects from our last contest that we held…

For complete instructions on how to make these adorable coat check tags, click right here. And, if you’d like the free template, just shoot me an email!

As for the contest, just email your DIY entry to abby@stylemepretty.com by October 15th, with a step-by-step instruction guide and at least one image of the final product. Can’t wait to see what you guys have come up with! If you are in need of a little inspiration, I found some great DIY products done by other bloggers, like this one from Design*Sponge…

Check out the complete instructions for these little gems, right here! I also love these amazingly cute little birds that were designed for a baby mobile, though would be absolutely adorable hanging at different lengths from trees at your reception…

You can get the full instructions, as well as the pattern right here on Spool. They also feature these adorable aprons that would make great favors for your guests!

Okay, I’ll be back in a bit with the real weddings that I mentioned earlier! I hope that you are inspired to create a fun DIY project for our upcoming contest!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2008. | Permalink | 4 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Aprons, Birds, Coat Check Tags, Design*Sponge, DIY project, Paper Lanterns, Spool, Wedding Favors & Gifts
Post categories: Contests, DIY Projects, Do-It-Yourself Inspired, Wedding Favors & Gifts

Ringbearer Book Sling

Materials:

3 Hardbound books of varying sizes

(Mine were: 4.5″ x 6.5″ ,4″ x 5.5″ ,3″ x 5″)

The books can be of any size, but don’t make them too big. Remember: little hands, little books.

Decorative Papers and/or Book Cloth

2 kinds of Ribbons (1.5″ wide; 0.25″ wide)

PVA glue (also known as bookbinding glue) 

1. Lay books wide open and measure lengthwise from one end of the cover to the other, including spine thickness.

2. Cut decorative papers so there is an excess of 1/8″ all around (except top and bottom of spine).Apply a light coat of PVA on the back of papers.

3. Position book covers on papers and smooth.

4. Fold over the excess 1/8″ on all sides. Smooth.

5. Place a phonebook/heavy objects over the closed books and let dry.

6. Stack covered books so the smallest book is on top. To secure the position of the stack, you can add glue/double-stick tape the books to each other.

7. Tie stack using the wide ribbon first, then layering with the narrow ribbon.

8. Slip rings on the narrow ribbon and make a loose loop. (Or if you have a young ringbearer like we did, use fake rings and give the real ones to your best man) 

We used plain book cloth for the base book and a plain wide ribbon so the textures wouldn’t be overwhelming. But don’t be afraid to experiment! Think patterned book cloth, rubber stamps, fabric pens, leather books, personalized ribbons with your names, initials… have fun! Make it yours!

Here is another adorable picture of these great ringbearer bookslings…

Thank you SO much to Viola for sharing these great projects with us!!! And if you haven’t already, you HAVE to check out the Chewing the Cud wedding line. Her invitations are absolutely gorgeous.

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Post tags: Chewing The Cud, DIY project, ring bearer
Post categories: DIY Projects