Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Easy-Peasy Centerpieces

A few weeks ago I created this installation piece at our neighborhood Starbucks, and the posted photo got so many comments I thought I'd share how easy it is to make this fun, springy four-step centerpiece for your table.


This is the finished one on display with 11 pieces...in the tutorial below, I'll be creating one with 7 peices to show you. (But somehow didn't get a finished photo!)

To create this display, you'll need a collection of small vases, some long stems of grass or straw, and flowers.

How-To:

Step 1- Gather a collection of small-ish vases with narrower openings. I'm using an assortment of votive vases, but things like recycled wine bottles, shot glasses, bud vases, and such that you may have around the house are perfect!

Because of the "installation" nature of this centerpeice, you'll want to create it wherever you're going to display it, or set it up on a mirror that you feel comfortable picking up and moving within your house. Vary the levels of the vases so the flowers will hit at seperate heights & fill with water.



Step 2- Using some of the long stems of grass or straw, wrap them around your fingers to create "swirls". Put these swirls into the larger of the clear vases to add additional interest to your piece.









Step 3 - Add your flowers! Large, single blooms in each container are the best for this display. You can also use two or three large single blooms together for tall or wide-mouthed vases. Medium and small flowers, such as carnations or mums, can also be used to create masses in smaller vases.







Your centerpiece with the blooms will look something like this:



From above:




Step 4 - Add the finishing touches to your vases by connecting them with strands of grass or straw. The loops create interest and unify the piece. Just make sure the cut end is under water before you tuck the top in somewhere else!




And there you have it- a lovely spring centerpiece to add to your table!





Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Wedding DIY

Hey crafters!!

I need your favorite ideas, patterns, thoughts and creative energies- because it's time for some serious Wedding DIY!!

Here's the scoop:

I am having a destination wedding next April in sunny Florida! We're excited to bring our families and closest friends down to celebrate with us, but as you can imagine, destination weddings = slightly higher costs = some areas need to be cut back.

Add that equation to the budget of a connsumate DIY-er, and you've got CRAFT PROJECTS!

I plan to tackle:

Save-the-Dates and Invites (I'm getting quotes as well, but there will likely be some aspect of DIY here)

Menu Cards, Escort Cards, Placecards (same as above)

Vintage bunting banners- or something like them- to hang around the reception site

My own centerpieces and bouquets (but that's just a given, because, ummmmmm....that's what I do for a living).

My birdcage veil??? If I can find a good pattern???

Decor details- we are thinking of a lovebirds theme, and I want to make tons of tiny little felt-and-fabric birds to adorn cake toppers, table numbers, ribbon wrapped around vases, and so forth. But I don't want them to be too childish. Thoughts?!?

Send me your ideas and let's get Wedding DIY-ing!