How to make a cover for your Kindle

Ok, so I know this blog is dedicated to saving money on your wedding but I did this project on Wednesday and I was super excited that I had accomplished the entire project before I went to bed and it cost me ZERO dollars. Free! I gathered up stuff I already had and I love my new kindle cover.

The back story- I am frugal to a fault. Come on, this can't be a shock to you, I've got a blog bragging up a $500 wedding. I do like to invest in something nice once in awhile and for Christmas this year, I wanted just one thing: An Amazon Kindle. My husband got it for me but because that was a splurge, no cover was included. I didn't care, who needs it? Well, after having it for a few months I realized that a cover is a good idea. For one thing, the amount of dust in our house is scary so if I put my kindle down (which you have to do once in awhile) it would get dusty almost immediately. Second, we have a lot of kids and I was always petrified that someone would spill something on it. Third, I needed a way to travel with it. What about roadtrips, airports, visiting relatives? I needed to keep this thing protected. But, we didn't have the extra bucks to buy the nice leather covers and protectors on Amazon so I winged it.

Supplies you'll need:
  1. Old mouse pad
  2. Some sturdy cardboard
  3. Some material for the outside, stylish stuff! (About 3 yards, 14 inches wide)
  4. Thick fleece (about 2 yards long, 12 inches wide)
  5. A water-resistant material (I used a place mat cut in half, an old cloth shower curtain or table cloth would work here too.)
  6. Needle and thread
  7. A hair band
  8. A button
  9. Basic white glue
  10. Scissors

Ok, I had this stuff around the house. None of it is unusual and if you do any crafts or have kids who have materials left over from a science project or a birthday party, you're probably set.

At first the idea was to cut the two place mats I had in half, sew them together to make a giant pocket, make a latch on the top. Since I can't use my sewing machine right now, I realized quick that this wouldn't work since I couldn't sew the material together by hand (it was way too thick for the needle I had).


So I went back to my original idea, use the place mat but as an inside protector. I only needed one, cut it in half and folded it around each of the mouse pad pieces (I had also cut the mouse pad in half) and the cardboard. Use your kindle or the half pieces of mouse pad as a template for how big the sturdy cardboard should be.

After these pieces were put together, I took the fleece and spread it out, put the two protector bundles on the fleece, folded it over so the fleece covered the protector bundles completely and sewed the fleece around these parts. Kind of like pillow cases except sewn all around the borders. Leave enough space between the two protectors so that it will fold easy, the kindle will slip in here, you don't want to squish it. You're not cutting the fleece either, you're sewing both protector bundles into the fleece. Sorry I don't have a picture of this but I do have a nice drawing for you below.

The pink part is the fleece, the brown squares are the protector bundles and the squiggly lines are where you should sew.  Just make sure you've already folded the fleece over the top of these protectors before you start sewing.
When the protector bundles are sewn inside the fleece, it should look like this.  All one piece that folds in the middle.  Again, that space in between the two bundles is important so that the Kindle isn't squished.

Next, I did something similar with the outer stylish fabric. Sewed up a giant long vertical pillow case, cut off about 6 inches from the top, then slipped the folded fleece protector panel in the long pillow case, then stuffed the extra material down inside the pocket. That 6 inches you cut off is then sewed to the top, folded into a triangle (kind of like you're wrapping a present), and used as the flap to wrap up the cover. I grabbed a hair band, tied it in the middle so it looked like a figure-8 and sewed the bottom loop under the flap and sewed the button to the middle of the cover. To secure the material that had been folded into the fleece protector, I used a little glue on the fleece and re-stuffed the material (this step isn't totally necessary so don't panic).



What's great is that it's a little wider than the kindle so there's plenty of room for the charger cord and owner's manual inside the case. Plus, if I put it in top first, I can still keep it in it's cover and charge it at the same time. I love it!

So again, not necessarily a wedding idea, but I'm all about saving money and do-it-yourself projects so I thought I'd share my tutorial with you. Good luck!

Heather at 500dollarwedding.blogspot.com





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

What will your Wedding Say about You?

So I got a package in the mail that totally caught my attention, it was a large brown package with "Mab Libs" style fill in the blank everything! And I loved it! I emailed the owner of the company immediately told him that I loved him, his product, and I wanted to marry him. And thus begins my love affair with Write on Riot. Their website is under construction... so be patient, but their product will have you laughing until you pee yourself.



Fair warning, I wrote the below card on a sample I was sent, this is my handwriting, my words, my reeeedikulousness... don't judge a company by my dorkyness.







Now I'll turn my blog over to Rob Dalton, the owner of Write on Riot.



Chances are, if you’re reading this you’re somewhere between dreaming about your future wedding and putting the finishing touches on the smallest details of your big day.





For most brides and couples, personalization is the most important aspect of the planning process. You want your wedding and reception to be creative, special and uniquely… well… you.



So, what if an element of your reception could truly be one-of-a-kind? What if your guests were part of the creativity and fun? And, what if a reception could be a lot more awesomtastic (word used with permission, 2011 Melissa DiStefano) for not a lot more money? That’s what we asked ourselves when we created our fill-in-the-blank Wedding Reception Wish Cards.



Write On Riot™ is a new company dedicated to celebration, belonging and fun. Our Wish Cards are a way for your guests to tell you how much they love you in their own personal (and often hilarious) way. The header of each card says, To the happy couple, on this special day I wish for you… (followed by) enough ___________ to last a lifetime, a love like the song __________, in-laws that never __________, excitement like the movie _______, good health so you can still _________ when you’re 100, and more.



Every completed card is a unique expression of belonging and love. Your college roommate will fill in the blanks in a completely different way than, say, your Aunt Helen will. The answers are sweet, funny, thoughtful and always personal.



How Wish Cards can start your reception on a fun note: Place one Wish Card at each reception table place setting. (It’s a good idea to buy fresh pens and leave one for every two guests at each table as well.) Most of your guests will fill out their Wish Cards right away because they’re fun and they’re great conversation starters.



Your wedding planner (ahem, hire MasterPiece Weddings) or attendant can collect the cards and pens before dinner is served, and store them for you in a safe place. Make it a keepsake. The cards can be inserted into a photo album made for 4" by 6" photos. Some couples place each Wish Card across from a photo of the guest who filled it out.



Skip the Guest Book and find out what your guests really want to tell you on your special day. Wish Cards cost just $7 for a pack of 25. There are four designs to choose from, and three colors of each design. You can buy Wish Cards at writeonriot.com/wedding as well as our fun, fill-in-the-blank shower invitations.



Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!



(PS - Be on the lookout for a giveway and a discount code exclusive to MasterPiece Weddings!!!)



MasterPiece Weddings was in no way compensated for this post, we just love this company and wanted to share the awesomeness with you. Because we like to share cool things with our readers not because we were compensated in anyway.

My Mojuba



I would love to say that I know everything about everything weddings. And I would love to say that I know everything and every vendor that pops up online, every minute of every day, but I would be exaggerating. Slightly.



But, I recently found out about this awesome fun new site called My Mojuba - its' super fun! They specialize in emergency kits for the bride and groom! That are super swank, totally useful!



Now, keep in mind, that on your wedding day, I'll have my Wedding Emergency Bag with everything you could possibly need... but what about your bridal shower, or bachelorette party, or just everyday in general... I mean geez you never know when you'll need tissues stain removal kit, nail files, polish, or shoe shine or a shave kit!



And for a limited time, use the code KISSME at checkout for $25 off your purchase at My Mojuba.



(MasterPiece Weddings was not in any way paid for this post, we wanted to mention this product to you because we think it's cool and it's something you can definitely use, not because we were compensated in anyway)

Real Simple Weddings - Spring 2011



I was sent a copy of Real Simple Weddings to review, in all honestly, they sent me this magazine for free, so that I could tell you my thoughts and opinions of it. Honest. Thoughts and opinions.



And I hope you know, by now, that you come to our blog for real, honest, and heart felt advice and opinions on all things weddings.



And frankly, I love Real Simple, I buy (like pay for, with real money) their cookbooks, magazines, love their website and tips, follow them on twitter...but I was left a little, well, underwhelmed with this issue.



The cover is gorgeous, and the shoes are frankly, amazing. I want a pair in all colors. But inside is a lot of the same as last year. In fact, a lot of the same images, and articles. I would think that a new season would bring, new ideas, new cakes, new bouquets and new gowns, but this was just a lot of the same as the issue before. I mean the exact same images. Strange, right.



It was also filled with a ton of new information and new ideas, which I love. But I was left a little sad that they couldn't feature a new cake, or a new table number idea. If you are going to roll an idea over from another season, my feeling is to wait at least a few seasons.



I know there are new brides everyday, people get engaged by the dozens hourly... so this magazine may not look like a re-run to a lot of brides, but some may feel the same way I do.



What do you think?

The Candy Bar: Should you do it?

Now here's another one of my dilemmas, should a person on a strict wedding budget do the new "candy bar" buffet after dinner?  Depending on your budget, it can be done.  And, as one of our sample weddings highlights, you can do a just-desserts kind of party too.  In this case, the candy buffet would be perfect!  
I'm also thinking that this would be so much cheaper and easier if you had your wedding within a month after Valentine's Day.  All of the candy is on sale, stores usually selling it at 75% off, and you can get a wide variety.  If it has hearts on it, so be it!  It's a wedding anyway!
Below is an article from Project Wedding, the link is posted below.  Great ideas!
Create depth and height in your display:  with simple boxes or even phone books, you can sculpt a beautiful landscape on your table.  You can wrap the boxes in decorative paper, or even leave them bare and covered with matching linens for a refined, free-flowing cascade.


Color is key:  as mentioned before, having a specific color scheme can really make your table pop.  Monochromatic palettes can also be striking and elegant.  Make sure to consider different hues and shades – for example, if your colors are red and brown, don’t be afraid of using different shades of reds and pinks.  If using primarily dark colors, try to use trimmings in lighter shades to bring energy to your table. 

Presentation

Use a color scheme that matches your wedding palette:  wedding colors aren’t just for the flowers and bridesmaids dresses!   Taking advantage of the colors you’ve already established can enhance your candy table’s presence, and bring cohesion to your entire reception.
Take advantage of your centerpieces: whether they be flowers, candles, or tiny little goldfish, using an extra centerpiece or two will not only tie into the rest of your reception, but it can also add life and freshness to your candy table.
Don’t be afraid to use trimmings: details like good quality linens, ribbons, and paper can add nice touches to your overall display.

Less is more:  trimmings are definitely your friends, but don’t go overboard!  Too many space fillers can potentially clutter your table and cause sensory overload!
Consider the table: where will it be located?  Will there be a nice backdrop or wall behind it for pictures?  Or will it be open so people can access it from all sides?  Will it even have sides, or will it be round?  These are all good questions to ask yourself before deciding on a set-up design.

Candy

Check the weather:  Will it be hot or sunny?  Will the table be indoors or outdoors?  If indoor, will there be AC?  If you’re worried about warmth, save the stress and avoid candies that could easily melt (unfortunately this includes most chocolates)!

Fruit seasons:  if you’re planning to use fresh fruit on your table (e.g. chocolate dipped strawberries), make sure you consider if they are even in season.  Strawberries in the winter might not be as sweet as when they’re at their peak in the summer!
Not just candy:  if you’re open to treats in other forms, consider mini cookies, kettle corn, or spiced nuts as sweet additions.  Placing the wedding cake or groom's cake on the same table can add visual diversity.
Be creative:  candy isn’t just made to be eaten, but also to play with!  Bundle large lollipops together like a bouquet of flowers, or skewer some marshmallows to simulate kabobs – the possibilities are endless.
Keep it simple: having a variety of flavors and different types of candy can be satisfying to everyone, but don’t be afraid to go with a specific flavor profile.  Whether it be a gummy bear bar or a chocolate truffle tribute, your guests will definitely enjoy the sugar rush!
Don’t buy too much!  It’s easy to worry about not having enough for everyone, but if you’re planning to include a meal and cake in your reception, guests probably won’t be stuffing themselves with extra sugar.  A small portion of ½ cup (4 oz) or less is a good estimate per person.  If you want to buy in bulk for a visual effect, save large containers for popular candies so you won’t have too many leftovers.

Containers and Supplies

More than jars:  apothecary jars and similar containers tend to be the standard, but don’t miss out on other shapes and sizes you can find elsewhere!  Vases are fabulously inexpensive alternatives, and are easy to find.  If you’re going for opaque containers, small pails can give a rustic vibe, and wicker baskets can be cute and lighthearted.   Don’t be afraid to use cake stands, flat platters, and other serving ware to give your guests a variety of ways to choose their sweets!
Scoops and things:  when choosing containers, make sure you keep in mind how your guests are going to get the candy out!  Scoops, tongs, and other serving ware should be small enough to get the goods!
Individual containers:  if your table is set up as a DIY favor station, little bags or mini boxes can be great take-homes.  Dress them up with a little label and ribbon and your guests have a tasty treat for later.  Small, clear plastic cups or even napkins are also cheap ideas if you prefer the candy to be eaten on the spot.

Where to Look

 

Project Wedding – the forums have a great “for sale” section where you can buy from past brides like you!
http://www.projectwedding.com/topic/list?message_board_id=26

Online Candy Stores:

-    http://www.candywarehouse.com/
-    http://www.candyfavorites.com/
-    http://www.bulkcandystore.com/
-    http://www.metrocandy.com/home.asp
-    http://www.candydirect.com/
-    http://www.blaircandy.com/
-    http://www.hometownfavorites.com/shop/candy_store.asp
-    http://www.oldtimecandy.com/
-    http://www.groovycandies.com/
-    http://www.sweetnostalgia.com/
-    http://www.nutsonline.com/gifts/weddingfavors/

Local stores for candy:

-    Your neighborhood grocery store: Safeway, Lucky, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, etc.
-    Bulk stores like Costco
-    Michael’s: they have a special selection of wedding candies
-    Ethnic grocers like Ranch 99 may also carry some unique treats that can give your table a broader range of tastes.

Containers and things:

-    Restaurant supply stores, like Kamei or East Bay Restaurant Supply
-    Save On Crafts: http://save-on-crafts.com/
-    CB2: http://www.cb2.com/
-    Michael’s
-    Furniture stores like Ikea, Crate & Barrel
-    Thrift or second-hand shops
-    Cost-saving stores like Target, Ross, or the Dollar Store
-    Scoops: http://www.lionsdeal.com/wi-as-5.html
-    More scoops: http://store.primaryshopping.net/30002413.html

From the article, Candy Buffet Table 101.
Have an idea? Share it here by posting a comment below. Let's all help each other out.

If you absolutely must do a Save-the-date, do this

Another great Save The Date idea. I love fun stuff that's clever and different. I'm not a fan of save-the-dates usually because when you're on a tight budget, it's an unnecessary expense. Chances are your wedding will be small and if it's small then the people on the list are people you know very well and likely know the date already. Printing postcards and spending additional money on stamps (that you'll need to buy again when you send out invites) seems excessive. However, they do serve a purpose and if you're determined to do it, let's make it less expensive!


Below is a link for a free download for people interested in a wacky Save-the-date idea. I think it's cute and if the download is free, it will definitely cut down on your costs. Always remember to check facebook and twitter for graphic designers who are working from home and freelance their designs. It's likely cheaper, they will customize everything for you, and they do really unique and fun designs. Support your local stay home parent!

Our ST— Ack! | Weddingbee

Another great resource is Seed to Sprout, click here to see their designs.

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

Ashley and Jordan - Again



Jordan and Ashley Wedding from Parallel Media on Vimeo.



There were so many amazing details from this wedding, and Drew from Parallel Media did such a great a job capturing the emotion of the day.



So many brides these days are opting out of video because they feel the photographs can capture the emotions, and frankly they can capture some of it. But that hug your Grandfather gives you and whispers in your ear how much he loves you and how proud he is of you... isn't caught in still images the same way.



Take a peek and let me know what you think.

The easiest and cheapest idea I've seen in awhile!

This is the easiest, cheapest, and cutest idea I've seen in awhile. I mean, talk about free!  I know you have a picture frame somewhere in your house right?  The biggest and nicest one you can find, grab it, take out the picture or poster, replace it with a cute fabric or scrap book paper.  Make sure to use a light colored pattern and color.
45'' Wide Amy Butler Midwest Modern Optic Blossom Linen By The YardUmbra Document Series 11-Inch-by-14-Inch Frame, Black

Now, decide where the best place to put this at your reception.  Find some dry erase markers or better yet, wet erase markers.  Write out your welcome message or menu and you're done.  If you have an easel, use that to prop up the message for guests to see when they arrive.  If not, set it up against a wall on a table close to the entrance.  Easy, cheap (or probably free), cute, and unique to your wedding.

  

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

Another great centerpiece idea!

Rules for centerpieces:
Simple, nothing too complicated.  Remember, people will be talking over and across them and not focusing on a lot of detail in a centerpiece.

See the details here.
This brings me to the centerpiece, make sure people can talk over and across it.  Nothing too tall where people have to dodge and duck to tell someone across the table a story.

Here's a great and cheap idea.  I priced these out at about $10 but this could be someone that you could borrow too.  Add some tea lights (preferably the fake ones that don't require an actual flame.)  Some simple pieces of lace or netting around the bottom of the base, a ribbon to tie around the outside, and voila- an easy cheap centerpiece.

I did something similar to this at my wedding but used actual candles which didn't last long and the flames burned some of the glass and it was just a pain.  Now that they have those battery operated tea lights that dance like an actual flame and are about the same price as a candle, buy those instead.  It's worth it.

Want more centerpiece ideas?  Click here.

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

Pink and Brown Wedding

Ashley and Jordan were just one of those couples that I knew instantly I would love. And I had the honor and privledge of writing a ceremony for them, and officiating their beautiful Gainesville Wedding.



Caroline Johnson photographed this beautiful wedding, that would make any gal swoon! Ashley tied in modern elegance with a classic twist. And it turned out beautiful!



And a huge Thank You to Every Last Detail for featuring our wedding!!!!



What do you think?





























Wedding Planner: MasterPiece Weddings

Florals and Linens: The Unforgettable Event

Ceremony Venue: The Baughman Center

Reception Venue:Plantation Hall at Haile

Photography: Caroline Johnson

Video: Parallel Media, CO

Catering: Dragonfly

Cake: KB Kakes

Create a Wedding Cookie Table

Are you bored with wedding cakes? Try the Wedding Cookie table! On a budget, you could ask a few family members to make two dozen of their favorite kind of cookies and bring them to the reception. Have platters and napkins set aside for a nice presentation, some big bowls with bows or tiered platters would be perfect. Ahead of time, print the recipes on paper that matches your wedding colors and set them next to the cookies. People can grab a cookie and the recipe too!

Create a Wedding Cookie Table

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

Save money on gifts

Even though these are geared more for Christmas gifts, I think most can be altered to work for wedding gifts, party favors, DIY decorations, etc.  Read on and tell me what you think!



A mom on one of the iVillage boards sent out an SOS recently: "I'm looking for tips on how to swing Christmas gifts for as little money as possible!" As usual, her fellow iVillagers were there to answer the call, with creative ideas for thoughtful, personal gifts on the cheap. Looking for unique gifts to give that won't cost a bundle? Read on.

For grandparents, a baby handprint in plaster of Paris packaged with some cute ribbon is about all you need!

In my family, we don't buy gifts for aunts, uncles, cousins and so on. Instead, we put in $20 (maximum) per person, and we donate it to a charity. Last year we donated it to the Humane Society, and a few years ago we took all the money and bought non-perishable food for a local food pantry.

I make candles, some to keep, some to share. It keeps my house smelling great (think cinnamon, cookies, pine) without any calories!

I'm the family genealogist, and I update family members with scanned photos and family tree information every year. This year, after my mom passed, I discovered a stack of old scrapbooks and photo albums in the back of a closet; I'm scanning those and burning CDs for my cousins.

Look for photo coasters or a pretty picture frame, and slide in a nice shot of yourself or your kids with your parents or grandparents. They'll love it.

I love giving themed gift baskets. I spruce up garage sale baskets with fabric, then fill with homemade goodies and sample-size products. And there's no limit to what you can put in a gift basket: Bath and body stuff; tea and cookies; chocolate; a movie lovers' basket with popcorn, candy and a DVD; a pasta night basket with spaghetti, sauce, baguettes and a cookbook; and on and on. The simplest gift basket is my favorite: All the dry ingredients for your favorite cookie recipe, a couple of cookie cutters, and the recipe itself. Makes a great gift and it won't cost you an arm and a leg.


Nothing says holiday like bread, brownie or candy mixes in a large mason jar; soups, cookies, chili and even spice mixes are welcome gifts too.

I give gift certificates. Most of our family is out of town, so people can buy what they want and need, and I save on postage for parcels.

I like to bake, and I usually buy some cute little containers at the dollar store and fill them up with goodies. Last year we bought a bunch of Christmas tins from the dollar store and filled them with homemade caramel corn and peanut brittle.

A good gift for little ones: You can get them their own ornaments — either personalized with their names or with their favorite cartoon character. They'll hang them on the tree every year.


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

Love Wedd Party!




Are you going to be there? The Love Wedd:: A Love Affair party is Thursday!


I can't wait, it's going to be so much fun, come, drink,eat, and dance with us!

Run out of Food

Worst case scenario, you run out of food at your reception. Whether you are serving cake and champagne, small plates, stations, full sit down dinner, or a buffet, the last thing you want is for your guests to leave hungry.



One way to avoid this is to be clear with your caterer as to your expectations, "Hey, Mr. or Mrs. Caterer, our guests are expecting a full meal, and they eat, so make sure we don't run out of food!"



Sometimes you look a quote for a caterer and notice the prices are pretty low, sometimes too good to be true. And that's because you are expecting a full dinner and they are pricing the meal out as light hors devours.



This would not a good scenario for anyone. So remember to be clear. 50% of your budget will be spent on food, you should get what you are paying for.

Valentine's Day Wedding!

Don't judge, my husband and I did this.  Here's why it worked, we needed to bump up our wedding date and everything was booked.  Looking at the calendar, we noticed Valentine's Day was a Saturday and we thought it would be booked for sure at the church and hotel we were looking at.  Turns out, everything was wide open.  I'm guessing it was because everyone thought it would be way too cheesy to get married on Valentine's Day.  Hey, maybe so, but my husband never forgets our anniversary!


Here's an example of a $500 Valentine's Day wedding:

Location: Anywhere with a cozy romantic atmosphere. A party room at a nice restaurant, a rooftop, someone's home- just some place out in the open where the stars can be seen in all their glory.

Bride and bridal party: The bride in a simple evening dress and if the weather is cold, add a velvet or silk wrap. I think a formal gown (think prom) would be better than a traditional wedding dress although traditional would be beautiful too.

Groom and groomsmen: The groom in a classic black suit would be perfect and the groomsmen in formal white button down shirts with black pants. If it’s cold, have hem throw on the matching jackets.

Ceremony: For seating arrangements, rent or borrow folding chairs and set them up in two blocks thus forming a center isle. Arrange for white Christmas lights to be strung around any bushes or pillars and dig out the artificial green Christmas trees, keep them plain green with only white lights. Using lots of candles will also add atmosphere, use as many red/pink/purple accents as possible. The bride should carry a small bouquet of flowers and find someone to serenade you with a saxophone. Depending where you're putting most of your money- maybe some standards and jazz on the iPod speakers would be perfect!

Reception: Visualize candles on all of the tables with cake, bottles of champagne, fruit, and crackers and cheese. Some jazz music in the background and your set.

Final thoughts: Music is a very inexpensive way to set the mood, especially being outside, you’re also going to want to drown out any traffic or other outdoor noises. Have CD players placed all over your reception area, some suggestions: Anything by Norah Jones, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, and Tony Bennett.

Budget

The dress $60 - Prom dress bought on sale, borrowed a wrap from aunt

Groom’s attire $30 - Bought white dress shirt, used own tie and suit

Accessories $10 - No necklace, bought earrings on sale

Flowers $10 - Bride walked down the aisle with single red rose, groom had rose boutonniere (flowers bought that afternoon)

Pictures $50 - Hired college student, used three friends as well, uncle taped wedding

Music $10 - Recorded jazz music playing during dinner and reception

Food and drinks $250 (this is a perfect reception for Italian food!)  It’s a late night wedding so just desserts, wine, crackers, cheese and wedding cake are served

Decorations $30 - Rose petals scattered on tables, tea light candles and silver dessert platters on all the tables, tables had white tablecloths, chairs each had a red ribbon tied to them

Invitations $30 Made on groom’s computer

Miscellaneous $20 Always a good idea to have a little left over for the unexpected expense


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

Is it ok for the woman to propose to the man?

Click here, 8 ways not to ruin his marriage proposal
I was just watching "The Rock" on television a few weeks ago and in the movie, Nicholas Cage's girlfriend finds out she's pregnant and she gets down on one knee and proposes to him.  He says no because he wants to be the one who asks, and he says he will, just not right now because he's busy.  Sure.

Now, in real life, do you know of any woman who would propose to her boyfriend?  I'm 100% behind women's equality advancements and believe firmly that relationships should be 50/50 but since it's a long held tradition to have the man propose to the woman- is asking him a modern take on old traditions or a sign that he's just not ready to be married.

Another thing to consider is if he was on the fence about when to do it and he had a plan and you jumped in and did it first, have you ruined the moment?  Ruined his engagement plan.  While most women fantasize about the wedding day, I know a lot of men who daydream about the perfect way to ask their girlfriend to marry them.  Be careful!

I think most people will tell you that you'll know when it's going to happen.  You've talked about it, your relationship is ready for it, and the time seems right.

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

Get-a-Way Wedding!

Um,mmmmmm! Helllllooooo, I wanna go! What a deal!



Or if you want to get married, an all inclusive deal:



MasterPiece Weddings was not paid or endorsed in anyway for this promotion - but for the record, I'd love to go on a trip to Bimini Bay.

You'll never guess what these roses are made of

I love Martha Stewart.  Sure, her standards are high, her expectations are unattainable, her need to do EVERYTHING homemade is a little nuts, but she has great craft ideas!  A lot of them are really clever and easy too.

How about these roses?  You'll never guess what they are made from- coffee filters.  I'm telling you, I wouldn't believe it but it's true.  Thinking about it though, this would make an excellent centerpiece or head table decoration.  Softer and more realistic than plastic silk flowers, and a lot easier to customize to your exact colors.

I get the feeling that with these, the first one is the one that's going to take the most time.  After rose three, you'll be whipping these things out no problem.  Doing a little guesstimating in my head, it looks like all of the materials needed (assuming you have a scissors already) would cost you about 20 bucks and that money would probably be enough to make a dozen of these roses.  Not too bad!  Give this a try!


Tools and Materials
Box of disposable cone coffee filters (8 filters will make one full bloom rose)
Scissors
Coffee filter rose templates
16-gauge floral wire
Floral tape
Water color paint
Flat brush
Bamboo skewer
Glue stick

Coffee Filter Roses How-To

1. Trace and cut petal shapes through both layers of filters, as per templates.

2. Form rose. With coffee filter No. 1, take four connected petals and poke an 18-inch length of 16-gauge floral wire down through the center of the bottom of one end petal so 1/2 inch of the wire remains sandwiched between two opposite petals.

3. Wrap adjacent two petals tightly around first two petals; wrap with floral tape around base, then 1/2 inch down wire, to secure.

4. When working with floral tape, pull it as you work to expose the sticky part of the tape.

5. With coffee filter No. 2, take four connected petals and sandwich "flower bud" between two opposite petals. On the adjacent petal pair, gently tear the perforation of the base so that you have a strip of 2 side-by-side petals. Wrap this petal strip around the other two petals and secure with tape.

6. With coffee filter No. 3, take four connected petals and gently tear the perforation at the base to create a strip of four petals. Wrap this petal strip around flower bud and secure with tape.

7. With coffee filter No. 4, gently tear the perforation at the base of petal shapes to create a strip of five petals. Wrap this petal strip around flower bud and secure with tape. (The folded petal gives rose stability and a more rounded form.)
8. With coffee filter No. 5, place three petals, overlapping slightly on rose and wrap just once (to avoid bulk) with floral tape to secure.

9. Wrap remaining three petals opposite the first three. Repeat for shapes cut from filters Nos. 6, 7, and 8. Use finger and thumb to separate petals, creating air pockets and making petals curve outward from the base. Use 3 or 4 extra single petals to fill in holes and give a rounded shape.

10. To paint the roses, use watercolor paints, mixed with a bit of water. Paint the base color, first doing the bottom, then the top, working from the inside out. Accentuate with a darker color on the tips. Use a flat brush to apply a third color of undiluted watercolor to edges. Let dry overnight.

11. Once painted roses are dry, curl left and right sides of outer petals around a bamboo skewer to create a point. Work your way from the outside to the inside of rose. Curl inner petals just slightly by wrapping top straight down around bamboo skewer.

12. Add five paper sepals secured with floral tape to short stem. Wrap floral tape in a spiral down wire stem several times to create a thick roselike stem. Burnish stem with skewer to smooth tape. Cut 6 paper leaves and sandwich a 4-inch wire between. Use a glue stick to stick 6 leaves together with a 4-inch wire stem.
13. Secure leaves to stem with floral tape.

Resources"Van Gogh" brand water color paint. Green fibrous paper used to make sepals and leaves is from paper zone, paperzone.com. For the Princess Diana rose base color, we used a diluted cream (a mix of "white" and "yellow ochre"); for the tips and edges, use diluted "permanent rose." for the Peace Rose base color, use diluted "cadmium lemon yellow" and "titanium white"; for the tips and edges, use diluted "permanent rose." Recommended filter brands include Connaisseur and Western Family.

Read more at Marthastewart.com: Paper Roses - Martha Stewart Crafts


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

Valentines Sweets!

The perfect sweets for your sweetie! KB's now famous Kake Truffles are being offered when you order flowers from Prange's Florist and The Plant Shoppe!



And as always you can order these amazing confections from Dorn's Wine Warehouse. Or KB can ship them anywhere in the United States!



So, now there are no excuses as to why you can't have these yummylicious treats for your yummylicious valentine!

Attention night owls!

This is an idea from a child's birthday party but you could adjust this for a cool late night dinner reception.  You'll notice that some of the ideas are cheap but fit perfectly with the theme.  For example, the tablecloth is a bed sheet, and people are wearing pajamas!  The invitations are owl-themed (get it?  night owls?) and stars are in the decor.



Check out the picture and the link for more cute ideas.

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