Hand Painted Signs

I wanted to come up with a fun/cute way to direct people around the farm and thought these kind of signs would be cute.  Chris' dad found me some barn wood and cut it into pieces then I started painting.  I decided to do it free handed.  They are not perfect nor identical, but they get the job done.  I'll add arrows when I know for sure where they will go.  This project was pretty cheap since I already had off while paint and the wood was free!

Burlap Boutonnieres

It took me a long time to make a decision on what I wanted to do for the boutonnieres.  I wanted to include a burlap rose, but nothing was working quite right.  So I decided to keep it simple.  After a few rounds at JoAnn Fabrics, Hobby Lobby, and Michaels I found the right pieces and got to work.  I got most of my inspiration from this website: http://petitejoy.blogspot.com/2012/04/burlap-boutonnieres.html

The base of the creation was a sucker stick (found at JoAnn's) cut in half (3") and burlap leaves.  I cut the shape from a frozen waffle box then cut 3 more from cream burlap.  I used Elmer's glue to glue them on...two to the front and one on the back.

I covered the stick with blue jute found at saveoncrafts.com.  Attaching it with hot glue wasn't easy.  I attached it to the front of the leaf with more hot glue.

This was the fun part.  I attached two feathers with more hot glue.  I got the feathers at JoAnn's.  I put a brown button at the base of the feathers then finished it off with a small navy blue ribbon that I had leftover from another project.

All together they were so cheap and are so cute!  I made a miniature verson for the ring bearer (not pictured) and attached a pin on the back with more hot glue.

Fan Programs

I got the idea for this program from someone else (http://www.athomealterations.com/2010/09/diy-fan-wedding-programs.html), but we tailored to our own theme and I think they turned out great!  The cutting was a lot of work, but Chris helped put them all together.  Now if we can just get that sunny hot day we're planning on these will come in very handy!

The site I linked above has a free template to make the shapes.  I typed in all the info with coordinating fonts & ink colors.  I printed them on white cardstock.  I bought blue & green brads at Scrap Scribble 'N' Stick to attached them at the bottom and voila!

The 4 pieces separate



Page 1



Page 2 - Ceremony Outline

Page 3 - Wedding Party

Page 4 - A Thank you to our parents & guests

Not quite sure why this is upside down, but here is the whole thing all together as they will be passed out.

Here it is fanned out

All Done!

DIY Birdseed Bags

My focus lately has been on the larger quantity projects that I have to do.  The programs are in the works, along with burlap bags for favors, but I'm almost done with the birdseed bags.  We decided to have our guests toss that at us since we'll be out in a field and the birds can enjoy it later.  We're planning to have them throw it as we leave the ceremony.

I used white tulle.  I've needed between 5-6 yards total to make around 220 bags.  I got most of it for $.77 at Hobby Lobby.  Some I used for a practice veil then cut it up.  The squares are 6"x6" cut with a rotary cutter.  I bought birdseed at a local pet store for $1.18 a pound.  I think I spent around $8 and I probably could've gotten away with $5-$6 worth.  Lastly, I bought navy and green 1/8" ribbon at JoAnn Fabrics for $.50 a spool.  I used 1.5 spools of each color.  Each bag gets 1 T. of birdseed.  I only tied the ribbon once to keep it easy for the guests to untie or just slip off.

Here's the final product:

All for about $.05 a bag! :)

Burlap Ringbearer Pillow

I'm almost finished with a project for our ringbearer, who is Chance, Chris' nephew.  He's almost 3, but we think he'll do great!  I'm trying to make as many things myself as possible, incorporating our rustic theme.  When I found this tutorial, I knew it was perfect!  I'm almost done (just need to glue on the flower and find fake rings to attach).  Here's what it looks like:

Here's where I found the tutorial: http://www.loveoffamilyandhome.net/2011/08/burlap-ring-bearer-pillowa-tutorial.html.  I used some dark brown burlap in the flower too.

It'll go well with the flower girl basket that arrived last week!

Helpers

I've been working upstairs in our guest room/craft room a lot lately.  The cats spend a lot of time up there, too, so they think I'm visiting.  They love to investigate what I'm working on.  My mom also visited soon and got to help with some of the wedding projects.  Here's a few pics of my "helpers."

Chris has been very helpful! :)

Phoebe loves all the different fabrics I've had around!

Mom make good work on the birdseed bags

Burlap Banner

I am really getting busy on projects and this is the first one I've completed all the way.  There will be many more to come! 

There is a large corn crib in the front yard near our ceremony site.  I wanted to decorate it a little and have a welcome sign when people come.  So I made this banner to hang up there.  Each rectangle is about 12" x 18".  I finally got a rotary cutter and cutting mat so cutting them out was easy.  I'm still using the first roll of burlap that I bought from Home Depot for about $11!

The other supplies I got here navy and ivory paint.  Stencil paper, sponge spouncers, and jute.  I already have navy thread.  I folder over 3" at the top and sewed it down.  I printed out letters and then cut/traced them on the stencil paper with a sharp hand tool.  Then I sponged the letters on and let them dry.  Then I threaded the jute through.  It didn't take long at all!

I got some helpful tips for the project at this site: http://offbeatbride.com/2011/08/burlap-sack-banners.