Head Table Decoration: DIY Tile Coasters

Looking for a head table decoration?  Maybe a gift for your wedding party?  Check out these DIY coasters from The Kurtz Corner.

Simple to make and if you're a crafty person, you've probably got a lot of these supplies already.  I love that her example uses a picture of the bride, perfect!

By the way, The Kurtz Corner is listed in our directory.  Is your blog?  Click here to enter your blog for free.

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Keepsakes

My husband and I got married a little over a year ago and we were so touched that so many of our
friends and family made the trip to Charleston for the weekend.  Since I grew up outside
of Atlanta and my husband hails from Florida, even though we didn't consider our Lowcountry
shindig a destination wedding many of our guests did.  Those travel expenses can add up
pretty quickly!  So, needless to say, it meant a lot to us that, in addition to just
attending the wedding, they also showered us with gifts.

While most guests stuck to our registries (which my kitchen very much appreciates!),
some veered off and did their own thing...and not always in a good way.  Let's just say I still haven't acquired a liking for a few of the items.  I actually considered taking a picture of some of the "interesting" and cheesy gifts we received but figured that's pretty rude.  Like I said, I am more than thankful for any and ever gift we received, it just made me think that if guests choose to stray from the registry, it should be for something the bride and groom will treasure and not just toss to the side.

I guess you could say I'm a pretty sentimental person and I love any gift that has significant
meaning, so I thought I'd round up some of my favorite wedding day gifts that are absent from your everyday registries.  I can promise you all of these keepsakes will be cherished for years to come.

"Remember the Day" Pillows

I may have a slight obsession with burlap which is why it's probably no surprise that Etsy dealer,

Next Door to Heaven's, "Remember the Day" Pillows are one of my favorites. 

These are the perfect day-to-day reminder of a couple's nuptials.

Venue Prints

Point DeVue is a Chicago based company that is a master of architectural artwork. 

These unique sketches will add that personal touch to your gift.  What could be better than a

constant reminder of the venue that was home to their magical evening.

Custom Heirloom Bowls

Located in Austin, Texas, Paloma's Nest specializes in all things heirloom.  They offer a 

large selection of handmade beauties that are intended to last for generations (just the way we

like 'em!).  One of our favorites is the Large Custom Heirloom Bowls and it will look

perfect displayed  in the bride and groom's home.

   

  

Sweetgrass Baskets

Ahhh, sweetgrass baskets.  The art of sweetgrass weaving is a Charleston staple that takes local palmetto strips and hand stitches them into intricate designs.  These sturdy keepsakes incorporate themselves nicely into any Lowcountry woman's serving ware collection.

Wedding Signs

I just love these.  Chocolate Butterbean makes the most beautiful wedding signs...don't you think?  They  are completely customizable and come in a range of sizes, mediums and the message is up to you.  The newlyweds will welcome this heartfelt addition to their humble abode!

Wedding Art Print

I ran across Jenna Sue Designs on Sparkle & Hay last week and I've been smitten with it ever

since.  This print is perfect for the sentimental bride and groom and can easily be reworked to include the couples own vows or the words their first dance.

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Do you have a gift for the bridesmaids?

Here's a recycled post I found that seems to be relevant this time of year. I'm going to three weddings this summer and I can relate very well to the stress these brides are experiencing. Maybe this article will help.

Recently, one of our facebook friends asked:

Do you have any tips for bridesmaid gifts? I have seven bridesmaids..it gets expensive. Great website!

Thanks!  And of course yes, we've got ideas.  Check out the list here and if there's something you'd like to add from your blog, please post in the comments below.  I tagged a few links in the ideas below after searching through the Internet and other blogs for some good ideas that I hope will help.

 
Careful of the gift bag full of little things that your friends will love.  Even if you fill it with five or six things and they each cost about a dollar or so, that adds up.  Especially with seven brides!  (I had five myself so I feel some of your pain on this.)   Let's break it all into three categories:  Gifts they could use at the ceremony, gifts you can make, and all around fun gifts.

Gifts they can use for the ceremony

• So instead of a gift bag, what about giving one significant thing, or two at the most.  What about a pair of earrings or a bracelet to wear for the wedding. 

• If you're wedding is during the cooler months of the year, think about providing a wrap for your bridesmaids.

• Think about their feet.  Maybe some slip-on slippers or comfy flip-flops (I'd look in the dollar section at Target or Old Navy for these right now) might be a good gift for later during the reception dance.

• Hair accessories are nice, especially something they can wear after the wedding.  Nice clips, like these found at the Pleated Poppy, are always fun and cute. 

• Know an Avon lady?  Buy something small and easy, like a lip gloss and a lotion for each bridesmaid, and ask her if she can throw in some nice samples for everyone and a brochure.  She'll end up with potential customers and you'll get some freebies that are always appreciated.  FYI, they've got a lot of nice stuff, especially their mark line which is geared towards younger people and it's usually very inexpensive.

Gifts you can make

• You know that wrap we were talking about above?  Make one.  It's so easy and much cheaper, especially with seven bridesmaids because you can buy a larger amount of fabric (think three yards per person) at a smaller price.  Quick math:  Fabric at 2.99 per yard, three yards per person, a width of one foot, seven people = about $21.00 which breaks down to about $3.00 per person.  Here's the tutorial.  I altered the directions on this and used less fabric.

• I love this scarf, especially how cute and easy it is.  A nice option if the wrap seems like too much work.

• How about a $2.00 necklace?  I love this flower petal necklace, add a travel size hand lotion and you're good!

• Have guys and girls you need to thank?  Here's a crowd-pleaser that's quick, easy, and cheap.

• What about making them something nice for their own apartment or home?  Here is a gorgeous wreath or a cute pillow that they can take back to their home and remember how much they love you.  :)

Just Fun Gifts
If you're desperate, you've run out of time, or you can't handle one more detail or run one more errand, maybe one of these ideas would work.

• iTunes gift certificate
• Movie with box of popcorn and Junior Mints
• Bottles of wine
• Flasks with names engraved
• Key chains 
• Lip gloss and finger nail polish
• Boxes of chocolate
• Framed picture of you and each bridesmaid 
• Give each bridesmaid a wine glass with a wine glass charm, fill it with chocolate and a cork screw with a note saying this glass is their membership card to the new girls-night-out club you'll be starting after the honeymoon is over.  
• This easy idea is a good addition to another gift, maybe that iTunes gift certificate.

Always include a personal thank you card with whatever gift you choose and make sure it comes from the heart.  This will likely be the thing that means the most to them, no matter what gift you give them.

Are you listed in our directory? It's free! List your blog and follow us and you could be featured in an upcoming post. Find the link at the top of our page.

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Great cosmetic bag! Get the tutorial here.

I love this cosmetic bag, it's cute and from the instructions listed, not that hard to make yourself.  If you're really ambitious, get started on making these for your bridesmaids, mother, and mother-in-law.  Thanks to Just Another Hang Up for the great design and tutorial.

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Make your own beach tote

How great is this bag?  A few inexpensive materials, a simple tutorial, and a free afternoon is all it takes.  It's from one of our favorite craft blogs, Diary of a Crafty Lady.  Check out here complete bag tutorial here.

By the way, Diary of a Crafty Lady is in our directory.  Is your blog?

Are you listed in our directory? It's free! List your blog and follow us and you could be featured in an upcoming post. Find the link at the top of our page.

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Afternoon project: Bird's Nest Necklace

I love this necklace, so pretty! And you can easily customize it to fit your wedding colors. Make one for each of your bridesmaids and it can be their wedding party gift. Make sure you check out the project from Running With Glitter, they are one of our favorite blogs.

Running With Glitter is in our directory, is your blog?

Are you listed in our directory? It's free! List your blog and follow us and you could be featured in an upcoming post. Find the link at the top of our page.

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Make your own wedding jewelry

The Yellow Blackbird blog is one of my all-time favorite blogs.  This lady is seriously talented and can put together the most fun jewelry that are usually knock-offs of the stuff you love but can't afford at the mall.  Why not take the time to make your own jewelry for your wedding day?  Be different!  Check out her Anthropology-inspired necklace below.

By the way, Yellow Blackbird is in our directory.  Is your blog?

Are you listed in our directory? It's free! List your blog and follow us and you could be featured in an upcoming post. Find the link at the top of our page.

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Activity kit for children

I made these bags for my nieces for their flight back home after a recent visit.  Kids think it's fun to get a new bag made must for them full of toys, crayons, and papers.  Even though this bag was an "airplane bag" it would be a perfect for kids at a wedding or reception.  Easy to make!

You'll need
Fabric (a yard will make four small bags)
Some thick yarn
Needle and thread
Toys, crayons, paper, treats, etc.

What to do
Cut the fabric you'll need for the size of bag you'd like to make.
Cut the yarn for handles, make sure they're even and tie a knot on each end.
Sew three sides of the fabric to make the bag.
Sew on the yarn for handles.
Fill the bags and you're done!
Find free coloring pages here.

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Free grocery store checklist

Sure, you could keep using the envelope of a piece of junk mail but wouldn't grocery shopping be a little more fun and fancy if you had this awesome grocery store checklist?  It's from Seed to Sprout and it's 100% free.  Here's what I think I'm going to do, laminate it and reuse it with a wet or dry erase marker.  Maybe use a sharpie for items that I know I'll need every time, like milk and bread.

What about framing this, add that wet or dry erase marker, and give it as a gift to newlyweds for their new kitchen?  Or a Mother's Day gift or for a college kid... the list goes on and on.

Above is just a sample, click here for the free download.

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DIY Message Board

Need a gift for the mother-of-the-bride, your bridesmaids, maybe a holiday idea for newlyweds?  I made these for my mom and mother-in-law and it cost me $10 each and took about 20 minutes.  Easy!

What you need:
12x12 inch square frame
Any piece of 12x12 inch scrapbook paper (lighter colored patterns work best)
Letter stickers
Flower embellishments (optional)
Yarn
Hot glue gun
Wet or dry erase marker (I prefer wet erase)

What I did:
I opened up the frame and added the scrapbook paper right away because I'm a klutz and I knew that if I had it out unprotected for longer than two minutes I was asking for trouble.  Second, picked out the right stickers and added the words "To Do..." at the top of the frame, outside of the frame on the glass, not on the paper.  Third, I hot glue gunned the flowers in the lower right-hand corner.  Fourth, I took a piece of gray yarn and wrapped it around only the cap of the wet erase marker, securing it with hot glue gun.  I glued the other end of the yarn to the back of the frame.  (I glued only the cap because it's nicer to not have the actual pen part connected to the yarn for easier writing and also when that marker dries up you can buy another one but keep the same pen cap.)

That was it!  Message board complete.  I like the paper idea because for about 80 cents you can change the background of your message board to fit the seasons and holidays.  Got an idea?  Share it at our link party this Wednesday!  Don't miss our blog party! Every Wednesday with the highlights showcased on Saturday.

Linking up to:
Craft-O-Maniac

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Friday Fun Day: Mother's Day or Birthday Card

Mother's Day is Sunday, don't forget.  You don't need that kind of guilt.  But this card works for birthdays, anniversaries, get-well cards, or just because.  The idea wasn't mine, I actually got it from my daughter who made it for me at preschool but I thought it was such a cute and easy idea.

You'll need:
Paper (You can print out the download below or write it out yourself)
Cupcake papers
Tissue papers
Markers
Pack of seeds
Tape and glue

"My love for you..."

"... grows and grows and grows!"

If you want to fold the card, print this out, put the flowers on the front and the seeds inside with this message.

There you go!  Easy and fun.  Need some more ideas?  Click here for more great DIY gifts or check out the entries on our Wednesday Blog Party post.  And don't forget to celebrate moms, all kinds of moms, on Sunday.

Have an idea? Share it here by posting a comment below. Let's all help each other out.

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Gift idea: Asking your friends to be in your wedding

This is a fun and cheap way to ask your friends and family to be a bridesmaid at your wedding.  The little message is really cute and I'm all about candy so I'd probably say yes even before I got to the question.  Get the free download and project idea here at Practically Living.

Have an idea? Share it here by posting a comment below. Let's all help each other out.
Don't miss our blog party! Every Wednesday with the highlights showcased on Saturday.

Read More

Gifts for bridesmaids

Recently, one of our facebook friends asked:

Do you have any tips for bridesmaid gifts? I have seven bridesmaids..it gets expensive. Great website!

Thanks!  And of course yes, we've got ideas.  Check out the list here and if there's something you'd like to add from your blog, please post in the comments below.  I tagged a few links in the ideas below after searching through the Internet and other blogs for some good ideas that I hope will help.

 
Careful of the gift bag full of little things that your friends will love.  Even if you fill it with five or six things and they each cost about a dollar or so, that adds up.  Especially with seven brides!  (I had five myself so I feel some of your pain on this.)   Let's break it all into three categories:  Gifts they could use at the ceremony, gifts you can make, and all around fun gifts.

Gifts they can use for the ceremony

• So instead of a gift bag, what about giving one significant thing, or two at the most.  What about a pair of earrings or a bracelet to wear for the wedding. 

• If you're wedding is during the cooler months of the year, think about providing a wrap for your bridesmaids.

• Think about their feet.  Maybe some slip-on slippers or comfy flip-flops (I'd look in the dollar section at Target or Old Navy for these right now) might be a good gift for later during the reception dance.

• Hair accessories are nice, especially something they can wear after the wedding.  Nice clips, like these found at the Pleated Poppy, are always fun and cute. 

• Know an Avon lady?  Buy something small and easy, like a lip gloss and a lotion for each bridesmaid, and ask her if she can throw in some nice samples for everyone and a brochure.  She'll end up with potential customers and you'll get some freebies that are always appreciated.  FYI, they've got a lot of nice stuff, especially their mark line which is geared towards younger people and it's usually very inexpensive.

Gifts you can make

• You know that wrap we were talking about above?  Make one.  It's so easy and much cheaper, especially with seven bridesmaids because you can buy a larger amount of fabric (think three yards per person) at a smaller price.  Quick math:  Fabric at 2.99 per yard, three yards per person, a width of one foot, seven people = about $21.00 which breaks down to about $3.00 per person.  Here's the tutorial.  I altered the directions on this and used less fabric.

• I love this scarf, especially how cute and easy it is.  A nice option if the wrap seems like too much work.

• How about a $2.00 necklace?  I love this flower petal necklace, add a travel size hand lotion and you're good!

• Have guys and girls you need to thank?  Here's a crowd-pleaser that's quick, easy, and cheap.

• What about making them something nice for their own apartment or home?  Here is a gorgeous wreath or a cute pillow that they can take back to their home and remember how much they love you.  :)

Just Fun Gifts
If you're desperate, you've run out of time, or you can't handle one more detail or run one more errand, maybe one of these ideas would work.

• iTunes gift certificate
• Movie with box of popcorn and Junior Mints
• Bottles of wine
• Flasks with names engraved
• Key chains 
• Lip gloss and finger nail polish
• Boxes of chocolate
• Framed picture of you and each bridesmaid 
• Give each bridesmaid a wine glass with a wine glass charm, fill it with chocolate and a cork screw with a note saying this glass is their membership card to the new girls-night-out club you'll be starting after the honeymoon is over.  
• This easy idea is a good addition to another gift, maybe that iTunes gift certificate.

Always include a personal thank you card with whatever gift you choose and make sure it comes from the heart.  This will likely be the thing that means the most to them, no matter what gift you give them.

Have an idea? Share it here by posting a comment below. Let's all help each other out.
Don't miss our blog party! Every Wednesday with the highlights showcased on Saturday.

Read More