DIY Wedding Card Box

Weddings are expensive. It's one thing to say the average wedding costs $35k. It's another to live it. (Tho trust me, my budget is nowhere near that!)

Today we are going to explore an alternative.

Wedding card boxes are expensive. Whether you are looking at a traditional card box, wire bird cage, or something in-between... it's going to be $20 minimum for a 'nice' style. However, you can get something cheap- and cheap looking- for less than $10.

NO MORE I say! If you have a little time to spare and are crafty, you can get something way more unique and cheaper! Because I'm a DIY craft junkie, the only real out of pocket expense for me was the box itself. I could have stopped there, but why?!

Worst case scenario this is going to cost $20, for me it was just over $10 and took maybe an hour to do.

Materials:

-Large fake book storage box: at Michael's 40% off plus an additional 25% off coupon= less than $8!
-Hemp Twine- or string or whatever you have
-Scrapbook paper- if you don't have any laying around, look for alternatives (think of your theme-comic books maybe? or Michael's has specials all the time)
-Template
-Pencil
-Scissors
-Misc. embellishments- optional
-Di-cut Shiny Red Damask letters- previously purchased ~$3 (I've been holding onto these for the perfect wedding craft so I am including the cost here) or if you have a Kricut or something you could make your own

I don't want to spoil too much, so here is the incomplete card box!

The outside- fits our "Adventure theme" and colors.

Nice and roomy on the inside! Dare I say- BIGGER on the inside?

 The materials.

 The layout.- All I did was trace a template on the side of the scrapbook paper I didn't want to use (this way messy lines won't show) and cut 'em out. Then, hole punched two corners on each for my twine to string them up inside the book.

Not done, but you get the idea. The black/gold things in the corners are picture corners. I'm planning on hiding the end of the string with them. I also need to add the di-cut letters to spell out  C A R D S.

BONUS: the fiance loved the idea and picked out the book to use.Teamwork and collaboration.

So tell me- what crafty projects are you up to?! (Doesn't have to be wedding related!)

Hump Day

Hump Day is almost here, it is especially bad when Hump Day = your Sunday and Thursday is your Monday. UGH.

Fair warning, this is going to be a lot of random nothing. But hey, I'm celebrating a mysterious 53 blog hits yesterday (seriously don't know who all of you are but thanks?!)

Aside from working, its been busy busy over here. 2 baby showers, starting the 7 month countdown to I DO day. And today I decided to get my Etsy shop back up and running. Humor me while I take a moment to PLUG myself:

Find me here. And on FB.

Also, can we talk about the Rainbow Sun that could be seen around Central Florida?! How cool was that? If you weren't in the area, you missed out on something truly remarkable.

Jealous? You should be.

 

 

If I disappear again, its likely because we've finished watching all there is to see of Dr. Who on Netfix and I'll be miserably depressed.

 

Finally, we've been busy fully bonding these two. It was a LONG process, that I may tell you about later. But I am happy to report they are living symbiotically. ;)

Time to go find that Zombie that's roaming around (sick men are never fun).

So what's new with all of you?!

Kidnap the Sandy Claws- Er, Holiday Shopping

Its never too early to start holiday shopping! Especially when there are other holidays in-between and stores are offering coupon codes.

So, here are my Go To Etsy shops for presents (because shopping handmade is just more fun and special!):

My dear friend Unique Nique has a shop on Etsy. It is glass jewelry, sun-catchers, spoon rests, candy dishes... One of her drool worthy items include this to-die-for Swarovski Green Pearl ring:



So vibrant in person too

 

 

 

Lets change gears and have some good clean fun! Sunbasil Garden Soaps- I literally shop here every year, sometimes for often when I need a fix. Her soaps range from traditional to very fun shapes, and ever recently soy wax tarts for your warmers! All her scents are divine- I wish computers had a sell feature! (PS Free shipping in the US today! $6 off international orders)

I haven't tried Frankincense, but isn't it pretty?!

 

 

Need something soft and plush? Check out Felt Me Up Designs. Her tweets are adorbs! I admired her work from afar and finally purchased earlier this year. I'm glad I did. SO cute!

 

Look at him!! His eyes say- Take Me Home!

 

I told myself I would try to do all different items, but this lady also has me breaking the bank with her jewelry. Always tempting with her pretty baubles- Miss Eternal Autumn!

 

I've been eyeing this set since the day she listed it!

 

 

To wrap it up, I'll leave you with a few other shops I've had good experiences with and they produce fine handmade products:

 

Real Wood Crafts- hand turned wood items

Hannah Lynn Art- adorable fairy/mermaid/fantasy art

hide n Seek- pretty art/jewelry

A Bit of Imagination- Geeky jewelry/ornaments

 

 

So happy shopping! What are your go-to holiday shops?