I've been slacking on posting lately... I promise I've been working on stuff! I've also come up with a possible centerpiece that doubles as favors. We sh

Ring Bearer Bird Nest

Alright, so I have another project done!

I got the idea from reading the DIY Bride Countdown. It's a really good book, and if you're stuck for ideas I highly suggest flipping through it. (Check out the DIY Bride link on the left.)

For this project, you'll need

• wire - silver, gold, black, bronze, whatever color you want
• wire cutters
• jewelry pliers (very handy for making the perfect size loops)
• beads (make sure the holes in the beads are large enough to slip on the wire)
• small scrap of fabric (to sew a little pillow for the middle)
• patience!

I ended up using about 10 yards of 22 guage silver wire I bought at the local craft store. It's pretty difficult to work with such a large amount of wire. The first thing to do is wrap the wire in a little circle for the base of the nest. Then, you start bending the wire in a way to work the nest larger - being sure to weave in and out of the base so you don't end up making just a giant wire coil. Every so often, slip a bead on to add some bling to your nest. My hands ended up getting pretty dirty from working with the wire, so don'twear your fav clothes when making this! I used red and black beads, so it would go with my wedding colors.

Once you're finished making the nest as large or as small as you want, pick out some fabric and sew a little pillow for your rings to 'nest' in. ;) I haven't decided if I want to add some black ribbons to mine so the rings will be secured to the nest itself.

I also added a dangle to the very bottom using a headpin with a few beads on it. This is wear the jewelry pliers come in handy.

Rating
Difficulty: 8 out of 10 - The length of the wire really frustrated me at times!
Cost: very cheap to make

Here's a super helpful video I found on YouTube showing how to use a headpin.

Engagement pics

So J and I are having our engagement pics done today! Yay! We decided to have them done at Newport Beach, CA. Thank goodness for 80 degree beach weather in November. ;)

One of my photog friends - Fernando Guiterrez, will be taking them for us. I'm pretty excited!

Monogram Wall Decorations

I've decided on our wedding colors - white & black damask, with a burgundy accent. Classy? I'd like to think so. ;)

Our venue is outdoors, so that'll be something to keep in mind.

So our engagement party was last month. I really liked this door monogram idea from Martha Stewart Weddings. Another version I found (below) hung the letters from the back of the bride and groom's chair.

I went down to Michaels Craft store, and picked up our initials. (awww, <3)>

At first I was going to hang both letters from 1 hook on the front door of my parent's house for the E-party, but then thought better of it when my mom pointed out they would flop and bang against the door.

Here's a pic of the finished project...

I painted the letters black, and used a heart cut-out and painted it burgundy. I thought the middle was pretty plain looking, so I used black puff paint to do a swirly design in the middle.

Fiance used his extra strength carpenter's glue to stick the letters together using the heart in the middle. I ended up just using double sided tape on the back of it all and sticking it on the wall above our guest book. I love the way the black letters popped out on the wall.

You can customize the colors on the letters to match your wedding colors and you can be sure no one will have the same decoration as you do. ;)

For the wedding, I might glue a ribbon to the back of the letters so I can hang it in front of our sweetheart table. haven't decided yet! Ideas on the color ribbon are welcome! Leave a comment telling me what I should do. :)

Rating

Difficulty: Very easy - just grab a paintbrush, some glue and puffpaint and you're set!

Cost: Fairly inexpensive. Wood letters depend on the size and thickness you want.

Hello crafty crafters!

Hello! My name is Brittanie. I'm engaged to a most wonderful man as of 9/21/10, and we're planning on tying the knot on September 10th, 2011. (9/10/11)

So excited! There is so much for me to plan and design! As I was researching stuff for my wedding I was shocked at the sticker prices of so many things! So being the penny pincher I am - fiance can attest - I'm setting out to make as much of the stuff for my wedding as I can.

I've had some people ask me how I made some of the things already, so this blog was born. I'm going to try and post pictures and updates on the things as I make them. (emphasis on try!)
If you have any suggestions or questions, they are more than welcome! There is no wedding on God's green earth that has been done without help from friends and family. :) Go ahead and email me at
jnb.tucker2011[at]hotmail.com

Wish me luck!