Jaime's DIY projects

Glass block Christmas presents

2011-11-27T11:23:00.001-08:00

A few weeks ago I went to a craft fair with my sister and fell in love with these lighted Christmas presents made out of glass blocks. However, I'm kind of cheap and didn't love the price tag. Always being up for a challenge, I decided to make one for myself.

I'm overall pretty happy with how this turned out. However, I really need some practice making bows!

Cupcake Ornaments

2011-11-20T13:43:00.001-08:00

These are only iPhone pictures, so they're not the best. I'll try to get some better shots soon of these adorable (if I do say so myself) cupcake ornaments I made this weekend. I can't wait to make more and send them off to some special people!

Christmas Crafts

2011-11-16T18:23:00.001-08:00

Oh how I wish I had kept up with updating this blog...

It might be a little early, but I am totally in the mood for Christmas. I have big plans for decorating this year and a lot of it involves being crafty!

I came across a picture of a glass ornament covered in glass jewels in my favorite site, Pinterest, and knew I could make them.

I picked up some glass ornaments at the craft store, got out my glue gun and set to work!

Overall I'm happy how it came out and I'll likely make a couple more. However, this is not an ornament for a weak tree branch and the little silver topper isn't very sturdy so I think having these on a shelf is safer!

In the background of the second picture you can partially see another Christmas craft I'm working on!

Too quiet too long

2010-09-12T09:53:00.000-07:00

This blog has been long neglected after our wedding. I am sorry to say that I actually stopped creating for quite some time.

However, I am hoping to finish the remodel of my craft room this week and after that I will be back to creating! (In a much bigger and better space since we have moved!)

I have a lot of projects to share with everyone! In the meantime, I have another blog I update with "regular" stuff that I'm not sure I linked here. www.underwood92708.blogspot.com. Check it out!

A couple more DIY projects

2008-09-01T17:27:00.000-07:00

This is a sign I made for our candy buffet. Pretty self explanatory with some mints and a cheap dollar store frame. I really love it though!

Double sided sign for our hotel suite. One sign will be out for Friday night & Saturday while we're getting ready. Then the other side for Saturday night. Also very easy.

How did you make them?

2008-07-31T16:06:00.000-07:00

I get this question a lot, so here we go. Start to finish, how I made my invitations.

First - I downloaded the 'flourish' from http://www.stockxpert.com/. They have TONS of amazing flourishes. Try searching by flourish, vector, swirl etc. Be creative!

Second - I messed around. I knew I liked the look of right justified writing and it worked well with the flourish. It took me a while to 100% decide on the fonts, but when I put together Edwardian Script and Copperplate Gothic Light.

So there's the basic design. I did it all in PowerPoint and printed it on our color laser printer at work (lucked out there).

I bought Stardream Bronze paper from http://www.anchorpaper.com/ cut to size (14" x 7"). I used a mat and bone folder to fold at 4.5" from each side so they overlapped. I did this instead of having them meet in the middle because I wanted the inserts to fit on the side.

I printed out all the inserts and matted them to a deep red cardstock that I got at both Michael's and A.C.Moore.

After I glued down the main insert panel to the cardstock I had to figure out how to wrap the ribbons around the inserts in order to have them stay in. I tried this a few different ways, but I couldn't make it work. Here's how I finally got it to work:

I cut the ribbon (Merlot - 5/8") to a length of 11.5" so it would wrap around the inserts (two on each side). I lined the ribbon up along the mat so it would be straight, wrapped it around and secured it with my handy DOTTO dot runner (permanent glue).

Next I measured along the sides so they would be glued down in the middle.

Then I glued them on!

Next I closed them and wrapped them with some pre-cut 1 1/2" merlot ribbon. I used the DOTTO dot runner to secure it and then secured the monogram tag on.

Some more pics:

Supplies:

Stardream cardstock - bronze

Ivory cardstock from Staples

Deep red cardstock Michael's & ACMoore

Double faced satin ribbon - Merlot - ACMoore 5/8" and 1 1/2"

DOTTO dot runner - permanent

Bone folder

Mat

Please let me know if you have any questions on them. They have been a HUGE hit with our guests!

An old project

2008-07-03T06:04:00.000-07:00

I made this last summer for my friend's bridal shower. It was a huge hit and some people have been asking, so I wanted to share.

Basically, it is six bottles of wine that correspond to different events. Here are the poems and the tags I did for each bottle of wine, along with the wine I included. I just bought wine with lables I liked for each event.

Your wedding night, attached to a bottle of "Jim Jim" wine (the groom's name):

New Year's Eve (attached to champagne):

One Year Anniversary (on a bottle of "Woop Woop"):

Buying your first home (bottle of "Big Red House"):

First Married Fight (bottle of "Mad Dogs"):

First Baby (Sparkling cider for Mom & Hard Cider for Dad):

This was the basket put together:
Here are the poems that go with each tag (along with the originally suggested bottle of wine):

Your Wedding night: (Shelburne Vineyard, Actic White – semi-sweet)The night you have dreamed of is finally here.The future surrounds you with hope and yet fear.You’ve waited so long to find your true mate.Sip your wine and toast to this very special date.The night is meant for you both to share, So enjoy each other – you’re the perfect pair!

New Year’s Eve: (Champagne)With sparklers and hats there will be lots of cheerSo hold up your glasses and celebrate this special yearAs you reflect on the last year and welcome a newPucker up those lips - you know what to do!

First Married Fight: (1.5 L of Shiraz) When fights occur and tempers are steaming hot, Pour a glass, take a sip, and be thankful for what you’ve got.For a marriage without disagreements would be a real bore.When all is said and done, you’ll love each other even more!

New Home: (Cab Sauv)You’ve lived together now for quite some time.In this day and age, that is hardly a crime.But buying a home together is certainly new.It will take money and work, that much is true!So when the closing is done, this bottle of wine is to share.But drink it down fast or those boxes will still be there!

First Anniversary: (Sauv Blanc)You’ve been married a year – one wonders where the time goes.No longer are you newlyweds, but rather old pros!We hope the days have found you both in good health and spirit.Keep saying the “I love you’s” one always needs to hear it.Now toast to this date as the first but certainly not that last.And as you build your future, don’t ever forget the past.

First Baby: ( Sparkling Cider in a pink bow and Hard Cider in a blue bow))There is news that a baby will soon share your life to make Alaina a mother, not only a wife.You’ll experience the good times and sometimes the bad.Alaina, the loving mother and Jim, the dearest Dad.So here’s one for Jim and for Alaina a special glass…Now sit back and relax as the nine months quickly pass!

My invitations....my loves...

2008-06-30T09:12:00.001-07:00

The front of the gatefold. This will have a ribbon and a square tag on the front that says:

"Jaime & Patrick"

That picture really doesn't do the beautiful bronze stardream paper any justice.

The ribbon is double faced satin ribbon in Merlot.

Not a DIY project

2008-06-22T19:19:00.001-07:00

I got to visit my venue yesterday with it put together for a wedding. I liked the look, although it will definitely be a bit crowded. One thing I'm glad we've decided on is that I'm glad we're doing table runners. Hopefully it will add some color and not have these tables be so white.

One of the servers that was there setting up also suggested not having coffee service on the table. She said it just clutters up the table and suggested instead having a coffee station off to the side. Good suggestion - those coffee carafes are ugly!

The new wall colors! I am so glad they re-did the room!

RSVP options

2008-06-11T09:05:00.000-07:00

Help me with my RSVP cards! I can't decide on a few *minor* details!

My issues:
Issue 1: favor or favour? My invitations say honour...do I stick with the french spelling?

Issue 2: accept/accepts - Jaime accepts your invitation, but Jaime and Patrick accept it. The singular/plural thing is bugging me.

Issue 3: being sure of who is attending (names and numbers).

Below are some examples of what I've come up with and a few different ways of doing it. I'm curious to see what you all think.

RSVP #1 - standard, english spelling of favor

RSVP #2 - English spelling of favor, gramatically correct acceptance

RSVP #3 - Same as #2 with a number attending line added
RSVP #4 - French spelling of favour to match the honour on the invitation

RSVP #5 - Same as #4 but with the (s) added

RSVP #6 - same as #5 but with the number attending added

And a few different styles:

RSVP #7 - listing out names, English favor

RSVP #8 - listing out names, number attending line, English favor

(Obviously these can be made with the French favour as well).

MicroPoll : What should I name my blue ball?

2008-05-21T11:06:00.001-07:00

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Envelope Liners

2008-04-22T18:19:00.001-07:00

A lot of people have asked for instructions on lining envelopes. I found some online instructions from Martha Stewart and started my project.

Here are my supplies - paper cutter, pencil, envelopes and a tape runner. I suggest using lightweight paper. You don't want to add weight to your envelope and you want to be able to fold it easily as well as fit the card back in there.

The first thing I did was trace the envelope. If you look close you can see the outline. I should have done this on the white side so you could see it easier!

Then you want to reduce the width by 1/4". This allows it to slide into the envelope easily.

The tricky part is how tall to have the liner. What I did was measure the glue on the envelope and measured down that far. Mine was just over 1/2".

The cutting can also be tricky. I just used my paper cutter for all edges. But you want to mark on the template you're making where the fold will be. This will allow you to figure out the angle of the triangle.

Once you get the angle, you'll end up with your template. This might take a couple of tries to get it right. Don't get discouraged! I marked the tip of the triangle and the two sides and used the paper cutter to line them up. Try putting it in the envelope and make sure it looks right.

I then used that template to trace all the other ones I needed. I had 8.5x11 paper and I was able to get two to the page, hopefully you can see the tracings.

Next you'll slide the cut out into the envelope. I like to make sure the corner of the liner lines up with the fold of the card.

Fold down the flap and make a crease. Then lift up the envelope flap, leaving the liner laying down.

I used a tape runner to add adhesive to the liner. Then simply fold over the envelope and rub it a few times to make sure it will lay flat.

The instructions might sound a little confusing, but I assure you, it's quite easy. Let me know if you have any questions!

Shower thank you notes

2008-04-18T06:47:00.000-07:00

My first family shower is tomorrow so I wanted to get working on some thank you notes!

My first attempt was a failure. I had intended to use my gocco for everything, but for some reason it wasn't liking the text I had the "thank you" written in.

So that night I was in a crafty mood, but I was very frustrated. So I decided to line the envelopes for the cards. This was not a project I had intended to do, but I'm very glad I did. I love how it looks!

My next attempt at the cards went much better. I decided to just gocco the flower pattern and use a stamp for the "thank you" part. It looked so good that I decided to carry the design onto the envelopes as well. I'm glad I did!

I get nervous stamping directly on a finished card because my stamping skills aren't that great. So I decided to cut out ovals using my trusty Cricut and stamp on them. (With some eat, drink & be married coasters in the background!)

I used blue and purple paper, since I didn't have enough of either color. No big deal, nobody will know or care!
And here is the finished product. I really love how they came out and I hope people notice that I took the time not only to hand write them, but to hand make them as well.

Envelope Liners!

2008-04-03T13:00:00.001-07:00

One night when I was frustrated with my Gocco (that's a post for another day) I decided to line my envelopes for the thank you cards for the upcoming showers.

I had a good idea on how to do this, but Martha Stewart gave me some tips I didn't think of. Check her site out for some great directions.

First I drew my template.

Then I cut them all out with my paper trimmer.

Next, put a liner in each envelope. Fold over the flap and crease the liner.

Then, lift up the envelope flap leaving the liner folded over.

Put glue on the backside of the liner.

Fold over the envelope flap to seal.

Here is my finished product.

I am actually going to be doing a few more very soon (maybe tonight) so I will remember to take pictures along the way to update this post with.

Some table runner questions answered!

2008-04-03T07:05:00.000-07:00

I realize now that in my head it all makes sense, but I wasn't really clear on a lot of things.

First - What type of paint did you use? I used regular acrylic paint. I didn't even think of fabric paint, and it worked great.

Second - How are you going to display it? I am going to have it hanging down off the side of the cake table, facing the guests. The cake will sit on top of the table and the runner will run across, hanging down on both sides.

Third - How did I get the print so large and to print on multiple sheets? I opened the picture up in Microsoft Publisher and changed the print dimensions to 30"x30". It then printed out on multiple sheets and I was able to tape them together.

In Publisher - go under File, Page Setup. Under Layout, choose Custom and type in your dimensions.

Fourth - How did I determine how big I needed the monogram to be? This was total guess work. I actually now wish that I had made it a little smaller. Maybe 25" or something, but it wasn't worth doing over again.

But, to really determine, you can measure how wide you want your runner to be and use the dimensions that will fit inside that width.

Hope this helps explain some things - let me know if there are any more questions!

Gocco Coasters

2008-04-02T17:41:00.001-07:00

After seeing a post on http://www.weddingbee.com/ about gocco'd coasters, I knew I had to give this a try.

Once again, I had knottie Kendra Rose design the words "Eat, Drink & be Married" as a 4"x4" design that can be used both for a round and square coaster.

Here is the design that will work best with the gocco:

Here is the finished product on a coaster:

I have a gocco tutorial coming in a later post! Until then, if you have any questions, leave a comment!

Monogram table runner

2008-04-02T17:19:00.000-07:00

Last night I created a monogrammed table runner for our cake table. It was so easy and I think it's a really nice personal touch! Here's how I did it:

1. I bought white fabric that is kind of a linen at the craft store.
2. I printed out the monogram to size 30"x30".

3. I taped them all together and taped them to our kitchen table.

4. I put the fabric evenly over the monogram and started painting!

The colors are much more distinct in person. Huge credit goes to knottie Kendra Rose for the beautiful monogram.

I still have to figure out how long the runner needs to be (it's on 4 yards of fabric right now). Then I will cut it and finish it to length for the table.

If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment!

First Post

2008-04-02T17:10:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone! I figured it was easier to blog about my DIY projects instead of creating a separate page for them. I love a good blog!