Whether your tastes are simple or off-beat, it is difficult to resist the lure of a wedding dress as an expression of your true self, your dream self or some wonderful combination of both.  Your wedding day is one of the few times in your life when you can give your imagination free rein – and find everyone will applaud your efforts.

Personal tastes aside, Your wedding gown should also reflect the style of your wedding.  Day or evening, formal or casual beach-side, should be taken into consideration.

Above all, choose something that is becoming to you.  Wedding portraits are probably the most looked-at photographs during any one’s lifetime.  Your bridal gown should make you look lovely and feel absolutely radiant on your special day.

Supplies Needed

- Plain / unembellished nylon dog collar

- Satin ribbon the same width as the collar and slightly longer than the length

- Flat-back rhinestones (5ss to 10ss in size)

- Gem-Tac rhinestone glue

- Flexible fabric glue

- Tweezers

- Upholstery Needle

- Toothpick or bamboo skewer

Directions

1)  Apply a thin layer of fabric glue onto the outward facing of the collar.

2)  Lay the satin ribbon over the glue (good side up) and smooth it with your finger to remove any air bubbles.  Fold over the edges of the ribbon to the back-side of the collar.  Be sure to allow the glue to dry completely.

3)  Draw the wording or design of the rhinestones on a piece of paper.  (Suggestions – ‘Best Dog’, pet’s name, husband’s last name, or ‘I Do’.)  Place your stones on the design to determine spacing and number you will need.  Use your tweezers to pick up the stones.

4)  Use a pencil to draw the design on the ribbon.  Pour a small pool of glue onto the scrap paper.  Dip the toothpick into the glue and dab the glue onto the satin ribbon.

5)  using your tweezers, pick up a rhinestone, top-side up, and gently place on the glue.  Repeat the steps of dipping the toothpick into the glue and placing the rhinestones until your design is complete.

6)  Allow to dry for approximately 3-4 hours.

Before your big day, take the collar for a test run.  Your nearest and dearest buddy will be walking down the aisle with extra sparkle!

Why not gather the treasured mementos from your ceremony and reception and place them into a keepsake shadow box?  Enjoy them everyday as a constant reminder of your wonderful and beautiful wedding.

Supplies – Shadow box (available at your local craft store in all sizes to best fit your treasures), a collection of memorabilia and trinkets from your wedding, straight-pins and adhesives for mounting you items, background paper of fabric in the colors of your choice (maybe you would like to match the colors of your wedding or coordinate with the colors of the room which the shadow box will be on display), and you will need various embellishments such as ribbon, glitter, buttons, matchbooks or flowers (dried or silk only).

Ready?  Let’s get started…

1) Select your keepsake items.  Suggestions – wedding invite, favors, bride’s garter, fabric from the bride’s gown, ribbon from the groom’s boutonniere or the bride’s flowers, place card from the reception, stamps or tickets from honeymoon, feathers, and photos of you and your groom.

2)  Remove the back panel from the shadow box to cover it for your background.  The panel can be altered with paper, paint or fabric.  I used a vintage-inspired scrapbook paper.  (Suggestion – check out Graphic 45 on the web – http://www.g45papers.com/)

3)  Attach your keepsake items to the back panel.  How do you attach?  It depends on the item and how you would like to display them.

Straight-pins – are excellent for items which you like to display temporarily in the box or items which you do not want to use adhesives on.

Double-sided foam – the foam is more adhesive than double-stick tape.  The foam creates a permanent bond with paper items, lightweight items, fragile items or items such as lace or flowers.

Liquid adhesives (i.e. glue, rubber cement, or epoxy) – they create a permanent bond and need some time to set / dry.

Museum putty – this is perfect for holding glass or ceramic pieces in place.

4) Create dimension inside the box.  Remember to take advantage of the box’s three-dimensional space.  Create layers by placing smaller items on top of larger ones.  Use the inside rims by hanging items from the top inside ledge of the box and place items on the inner bottom ledge.  Consider the edges as the ‘ceiling’ and the ‘floor’ of your box space.

5) Be sure to add some embellishment to the keepsakes on display.  Add ribbon, lace, rhinestones, glitter, buttons and fabric add extra pizazz and texture.

6) Once you have your times in place, double check the payout for any missing items, or items which need extra support or adhesives.  Before you replace your panel back, check for lint or dust which you don’t want displayed.  When everything is Okay, replace the back panel and enjoy your beautiful display of your wedding treasures!  (see some of these finished products for inspiration -http://custom.g45papers.com/idea-details.php?ProID=895 ,and check out http://www.customshadowbox.com/gallery.htm)

Any theme and style works for your shadow box.  Try to keep them out of direct sunlight since the sun will fade your items and also deterirate the adhesives and fragile items.

Enjoy your beautiful reminder of your wonderful wedding every day!

I love the idea of hanging garden markers.  These are sweet, earthy, gardens-in-a-jar which hang from shepherds’ hooks throughout your ceremony location.  Afterward, the hangers are removed and the jars can be used a centerpieces at the guests’ tables.  The materials for these can be found at home, flea markets, craft stores or garden centers.  Since this is a small garden, you can make these days or weeks in advance.

To Do:

- Step 1 – Make sure the jars are clean – suggest to stay in the 4.5″ high and 4″ wide size so it does not get too heavy for wire and hooks.  (If you use larger jars, make sure to use a heavier gauge wire and possibly a heavy hook is also needed depending on the final size of your garden jar.)

- Step 2 – Wrap a piece of wire (suggest to use silver floral wire) around the circumference of the mouth of the jar – twist to tightly secure.  Make a handle out of wire by cutting a piece of wire 9″ long.  Slip one end under the wire which you secured around the mouth of the jar.  Pull through about 1″ and twist this loose end to secure.  Repeat on the other side of the jar.

- Step 3 – Place about .75″-1″ layer of small stones / pea gravel in the bottom of the jar.  Add 1/2″ layer of charcoal.  On top of the charcoal, add 2″ of potting soil.  Make sure the soil is slightly damp since it is easier to work with and will keep your plants hydrated.

- Step 4 – Dig small hols in the soil for the roots of your plants.  Chose plants with similar water and light requirements.  Some good choices for these small gardens are succulents, small ferns, African violets, baby’s tears, begonias and spider plants.  Place the plants in the holes and pat the extra soil over the roots and around the plant.  Make sure the plants are firmly packed in the soil or they will fall over.

- Step 5 – Water the soil until damp but not soaking the plants.  The charcoal and the stones will help with drainage.

- Step 6 – At the ceremony location, insert the shepherd’s hook into the ground.  Hang the mini garden on the hook.  Be sure ask someone (not in the wedding party) to move these jars from the hooks and place on the tables in the reception.

If creating a mini-garden isn’t your style, fill the jars with sand and candles or with cut flowers to fit into your theme.

The great thing about the mini-garden is you can also move these to your new home and enjoy them for months after your wedding!

Whatever your party theme and location, you will want to plan a budget to help keep you on track.  Try a few of these tips to help you stay within budget and also re-use resources …

Transform things you have around the house… Try using mirrors or glass picture frames as serving trays… place a few single flower buds on the table and turn an assortment of large wine glasses upside down over each bud – use the flat bottom of the glass to place a small candles on top…turn an old vase into hurricane candle holder…use scraps of paper or ribbon to adorn invitations or menu cards…hand sew or hot glue old ties (in similar shades of the wedding color) together to create a one-of-a-kind table runner…use potted plants as centerpieces – add a ribbon tie in the wedding colors…or use a small storage basket to hold chips or dinner rolls (be sure to line with clean cloth napkin).

Your home can be a great source when you’re seeking creative ways to spruce up a party without spending a small fortune and keeping in the theme of reduce, reuse and recycle for your special occasion!

Recreate the old Hollywood in your dress by keeping your dress simple.  Try a dress in a gorgeous fabric – especially silk and satin.  The style should drape softly and simply to allow the focus to be on your face.  Add a statement piece such as a vintage brooch or family heirloom.  Check out the classic Dior look – a ball gown with a cinched waist and big, full skirt.

You’ll be the most beautiful bride on this, your most beautiful day.

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue …

But few of us have heard the last line which goes: 

…And a silver sixpence in your shoe.

Each phrase is traditionally represented by an item of clothing or jewelry.  ‘Something old‘ represents the brides past, ‘something new’ represents the brides future, ‘something borrowed’ is to remind the bride of all the supports from family and friends, ‘something blue’ stands as a sign of the brides faithfulness.  And what does the ‘silver sixpence’ represent?  This represents a wish for the couples prosperity!

Incorporate some sweet traditions into your wedding.  Have fun and enjoy your special day!

Why not gift a canvas bag to take shopping or to the local market?  Take some time and personalize the bag  – for the classic sole, try painting their initials or ironing on some letters (find pre-made letters at craft stores), for the ‘girly-girl’, add a fabric or plastic flower (or two) or tie on a bright colored scarf, or try making a big statement with sewing a bright colored bag in your friend’s favorite colors.

Chances are there won’t be any awkward duplicates with these unique and personalized gifts from the heart!

You will need – shirt, iron, round pillow form or batting, pen, needle and thread.

Steps

1)  Place pillow form on an ironed, buttoned shirt.  (If you are using batting as filler, use a round pizza pan to get a nice circle.)  Trace the shape with a pen and cut the fabric 1/2 inch outside your line.

2)  With the outer panels facing each other (right side facing each other), stitch all the way around the edge – about 1/2″ inside the fabric edge.

3)  Turn right-side out and unbutton to insert your pillow form or stuff with batting.  Then button back up.

Your new pillowcase can be machine washed using the gentle cycle.

Now that is a ‘Smart’ Looking Pillow!