Favorite DIY Projects
Here are a few of my favorite DIY wedding projects right now….
{Image Credits (clockwise from top left): Matthew Mead, Eclectic Images, Absolutely Beautiful Things, Eclectic Images}
Treats for out of town guest or the new bride and groom: Who wouldn’t want this?
Clothespin and mason jar escort cards: Um, mason jars? Clothespins? Check and Check!
More than just floral centerpieces: Love anything that doesn’t consist of a round table with a simple centerpiece in the middle.
Garden in a box centerpieces: I’m going to have to try this at home.
Enjoy!
A.
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I love the lucite trays that the welcome boxes are in…any idea where they came from? A couple of years ago, there was a wedding at Bottega (in Birmingham for all you non-Ham readers) and the florist (Sybil at Wildflower Designs) used those to put the cake on and under each box were flower petals. It was so cool looking. Not to mention how great it would be to have your reception at Bottega. I’m still working on my husband to let me do our vow renewal there, but I’ve been met with deaf ears and a closed checkbook so far.
Those are totally the centerpieces I’m trying to make! Problem is, I have a black thumb.
But I’m determined! Any idea where to buy wood boxes like that in bulk, rather than trying to make them myself? Or if I buy plywood ones from Michaels, how can I stain them to make them look weathered and antiqued? Thanks!
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If you buy premade ones, staining them is really easy. Just pick the color stain you like, sand down the boxes if they have any sort of sealer on them, then stain away. If you want a weathered look, you can always sand a second time after the first coat and add a 2nd color. You mainly just have to play around with it to get the look you want. Now, if you want to make them yourself, I think you’re nuts.
Woodworking is NEVER as easy as you think it’s going to be. Nice straight wood is also hard to find and not as cheap as you think it is. I had this bright idea to make a bunch on benches that I could use for parties and it just didn’t work out. Don’t get me started.
Hi Wendy!
In my experience (and I just did a project recently involving wood, so it’s recent experience… HA) the sanding is the worst part. Probably anywhere you purchase them from (whether it’s Michael’s/JoAnn’s/Hobby Lobby/etc, which is where I purchased mine, or from a garden supply store) is going to give you unsanded wood. So unless you want splinters you’ll have to take a sanding block to them for a while. This was NOT fun, but it was completely necessary. If you can handle that, the staining is going to be a cinch! Kate has a great idea - stain with two coats of two different but complementary colors and you’ll get a great vintage-y look.
Hi Kate!
I’ve seen acrylic boxes on sites like uline and even at the container store! I think the problem would be finding one without a hinged lid…
I love your blog! This post is wonderful as well!! Love the ideas.
Feel free to take a peak at my new blog if you’d like — I’d love your feedback. Thanx!
I’m about 95% sure they used these $3.99 pots from Ikea. http://tinyurl.com/59p7ll. So no sanding or building necessary!
Thanks so much for your wonderful help and advice, everyone! I’m on the hunt for something (wood) about 12″w x 12″l x 4″d. They don’t have to be exactly those dimensions, but relatively large and shallow. I live in upstate NY, so chain stores like Michaels, AC Moore, Lowe’s, and Home Depot are my best bets. If anyone spies anything like that at any of these stores, please let me know! Thanks so much.
You’re right…those do look like the Ikea ones. For 3.99 and no work, those are worth the trip IMO.
I have seen ones with tops, but never just a box. I learned how to make them when I worked at a local ad agency, but it’s a pain. There used to be a guy here in Bham that made stuff like that, but I’ve lost touch with him. He made the most beautiful wooden boxes for the agencies RFP to go in for a job. It was so cool. It looked just like the boxes that Wiley Valentine’s line of invitations come in.
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