Unique Guest Books

Oh yes...the infamous wedding guest book. Almost every couple that I work with asks this question: What can we do with our guest book besides just having a list of signatures? Many couples today are deciding to move away from the traditional "autograph book" and are in search of something that will be more fun and entertaining to look back at and that will truly capture memories of their special day. 

There are numerous fun and creative options out there, one being a scrapbook style album from the Guestbook Store. Each guest is given their own page where they can write wishes for the bride and groom, stories about the couple, how they are acquainted, where they traveled from, and even draw their own pictures. After the wedding, you simply place all of your guests' pages into your album. It makes for a great keepsake and will be much more fun to look at down the road than a list of autographs.

The Guestbook Store has over fifty different album designs to choose from and numerous different page layouts (both formal and casual) so that you can create a book to reflect your tastes and personality. Check it out online at www.guestbookstore.com.

Check back for more fun and unique guest book ideas!

Spring Craft: Graduation Gift Box

Graduation is right around the corner! If you have a friend or relative graduating this year, consider making your own unique gift box. This miniature cap has a secret compartment to hold a small gift or money. It is simple and fun to make and is sure to be a big hit at the party!

GRADUATION GIFT BOX

Supplies:

1. 4" square piece of cardboard

2. 2.75" diameter round cardboard box

3. Acrylic paints in red and black (or other desired color combinations)

4. Flat and round paint brushes

5. Paper fastener

6. Thick white craft glue

7. Ice pick

8. Black tassel

9. Fine liner brush

Directions:

Paint the square piece of cardboard and round cardboard box red or other desired color. Let dry. Paint a second coat if needed. Paint the Paint the lid black inside and out. Let dry. Paint the head of the paper fastener black. Let dry.

Glue the top of the lid to the center of the painted cardboard square. Using an ice pick, pierce a small hole in top center of lid, through both the glued square and the lid.

Insert the painted fastener through lid from the outside to inside. Loop a small black tassel around the head of the fastener. Press firmly in place and spread metal fasteners apart to hold in place.

Finish the round box by painting stripes or dots. Paint black stripes with a fine liner brush. Paint dots by dipping the handle end of a paintbrush into paint and dotting onto the surface.

Gown Preservation

Probably one of the last things you are thinking about during your wedding planning process is how to care for your gown AFTER the wedding. Thankfully, Slate NYC is making it easier for brides to make these arrangements. They are offering the first world-wide dress cleaning and preservation service. Simply go online to www.slatenyc.com, enter your location, dress designer, retail value, and description, and you will be given an instant quote (including shipping). Once your order is placed you will receive a prepaid, insured garment box to ship your gown in. It will be returned to you, ready to be stored, in about 2 weeks. You can also track minute-by-minute progress of your order online. At least one thing on your list just got a little bit easier!

Spring Craft: Color Burst Seed Balls

I recently made a trip to Borders and picked up a great new book called "Simple Crafts". It is filled with tons of great crafts for every season. I am super excited to try these out. Of course, finding the free time is somewhat hard to do.

I decided to share these crafts on my blog, so that those of you who are crafty AND have some spare time might be able to enjoy them as well. Many of these crafts can be used as wedding centerpieces or other decor (either as is or maybe altered somewhat), so get creative and think how you might be able to incorporate them. Consider simply changing the colors to match your wedding day scheme or (with the craft below) cover the foam balls with crystals rather than painted seeds. Most of the crafts I am going to share are very simple and are perfect for the DIY bride. So...please enjoy and Happy Crafting!!

COLOR BURST SEED BALLS

Supplies:

1. 2.5" - 3.5" plastic foam balls (such as Styrofoam)

2. Rice, beans, leaves, sunflower seeds, and raffia

3. Paper plate

4. Craft stick

5. Thick white craft glue

6. Straight pins

7. Acrylic paints in hot pink, lavender, yellow, green, and orange

8. Medium size flat paint brush

9. Gold highlighting paint such as Rub'n'Buff

10. Narrow gold ribbon

11. Multicolored beads

To cover a ball with small items:

Fill a paper plate with rice, beans, or seeds. Using a craft stick coat one section of the foam ball at a time with a generous amount of glue. Roll the coated ball in the plate or se our fingers to place the items on the foam ball. Cover the entire ball.

To cover a foam ball with raffia:

Spread glue randomly around the ball. It does not have to be entirely covered. Begin wrapping around the ball in one direction. When an area is covered, continue wrapping in the opposite direction. Continue until the ball is completely covered. Use straight pins to hold the raffia in place until dry.

To cover the ball with leaves:

Use semidry leaves, not too dry or brittle. Spread glue on back of leaves and press onto ball. Continue to glue and overlap the leaves until the ball is covered.

Paint each covered ball a different color using desired colors of paint. Using a medium-size paintbrush, paint with a generous amount of paint, working the paint into the crevices. Let dry.

Use a very small amount of gold paint on your fingertip. Gently rub gold over raised areas to create a highlight.

If desired, wrap balls with gold ribbon threaded with colored beads.

Give the Gift of Flip Books

If you are struggling with a great gift idea for loved ones, consider making your own wedding flip book. Flip books are bound keepsakes created from a 10 - 30 second action sequence from a video recorder or camera phone. Simply visit www.flipclips.com to upload your footage and select your personalized book cover. Prices range from $5 - $20 depending on the size and number of pages. Consider using footage from your first dance, cake cutting, bouquet toss, or your walk down the aisle for a meaningful memento your friends and family will love!