-- Cards and Pockets --

I'm supplementing my clearance Martha Stewart inviations with mats and pocket folds from Cards and Pockets.  Today I think I placed my last order...for the wedding that is. 

(source)

Well, they have this lovely blog, found here, where they tell you what you need to make the lovely invitations that they show.  They make some pretty neat invitations!  Here are a few and they also on most of them give the breakdown of the price per invite too!  How great?!  Right??? 

Here are just a few of the lovely ideas from the Cards and Pockets Blog:
(source for all below pictures)

You can also have the custom printing done through cards and pockets as well!  Just email them for a quote!  :)  Happy Invites!

-- DIY Letterpress --

Well, the invitations are in the making! I still need order one piece to on the backing. But I do have to say that these invites were a steal. Thanks Martha!

I bought them at Michael's with one of my Bridesmaids, Whitney, on a semi-whim.  They are just a Martha Stewart kit that I'm hoping to take to a higher level by placing on a mocha pocket fold from cards and pockets.

and then backing the invitation on the pocket fold with a chartreuse piece of card stock. Then I'll add a little sass with these flowers from Brides. I think they'll turn out nicely. I'll post them once they're finished.

Until then, I've decided to post on some lovely DIY Letterpress options. The first comes from Lifestyle Craft. It's the L Letterpress kit that is used in conjunction with the Epic Sic Tool. Below is the entire kit.

Another option is this Cuttlebug. Right now there are tons of them for sale on eBay for less than market value (just type in cuttlebug machine). You can use them to emboss the background of your invitations or just an area of the invitation or use them for other crafts! It's mostly used for scrapbooks, but can be adapted to do some DIY embossing and letter pressing!

I think I might try this little cuttlebug out. I'm not sure if the boards that come with it will work for me, but I'm sure there is something you can buy that will work with what I've got.

Any thoughts on the DIY letterpress? I just think Letterpress is so gorgeous and needs to be more accessible and affordable for the average human being! Wouldn't you agree???

Checklists will never go away!

I feel like I'm getting nothing done when I look at my knot.com checklist.  It's got so many things with ticking timebombs and undone items!  Then I go through the items. 

• Start taking better care of yourself. Get in wedding day shape by eating right, joining a gym, and/or even hiring a personal trainer.  -- Started.  I think the Mini Marathon Training should work on this...now if we could only get Mike on board. 
• Sign your catering contract and send in a deposit.  -- You have to use the caterer that goes with the reception hall and we've already talked to them.  Probably need to discuss deposits with them soon. 
• Envision your wedding flowers and set up appointments with wedding florists in the area to discuss options. -- I think I'm going to tackle this myself with a mix of silk and fresh and the inspriation of JL designs. 
• Start looking for and auditioning local reception bands or DJs. -- This is all in Mike's hands.  He was supposed to call the DJ 2 weeks ago.  I'd better lay down the law soon. 
• Set up appointments with various florists to discuss options.  -- Maybe we'll call for a bouquet.  I love the bouquet seen here. 
• Decide on your officiant and set up a meeting to plan the wedding ceremony and talk about any religious requirements (such as premarital counseling).  -- We are doing the Catholic Ceremony (so far).  I'm hoping for no more glitches, but we'll see.  I feel like they are all over along the way.  Ugh.  Next step is meeting with the big priest to go over our FOCUS results...hopefully we are semi-compatible. 
• Choose your florist and send a deposit to reserve their services. -- I choose me, ikea, some rentals, some ti leaves, some orchids, some succulents, some manzanita trees, and some other green flowers.
• Have engagement photos taken (if you want). This is a great opportunity to get comfortable with your photographer before the wedding day.  -- Going to get another set done.  It came with our "package" through Amanda Wilcher Photoghraphers.  I can't wait to get to see Amanda and Kyle again before the big day and get some AMAZING pictures taken!
• Start researching ceremony musicians in your area and listening to demos. Also start forming an idea of what style of ceremony music you want, and any specific songs you’re looking for.  -- I think this comes with the church, but it's on a list of questions to ask next Friday!
• Book your reception band or DJ, sign the reception music contract, and send a deposit. -- MIKE!!!
• Set aside blocks of hotel rooms for out-of-town guests.  -- Another Mike Task since I have no negotiating skills whatsoever!
• Fill out your wedding registry, and don't forget to include some choices appropriate for your upcoming bridal shower. -- I filled out some Crate and Barrel items last week as you can see from recent postings!  I heart that store.  Next up Bed Bath and Beyond and Macy's.  :)
• Start planning the rehearsal dinner. Look for rehearsal dinner sites in your area and provide the host with contact information for your attendants and any other guests. -- Darla is going to do this although I have some great ideas.  Maybe those will be in some upcoming posts! 
• Start working on your invitation wording and design. -- The invitations are done they just need to be printed and put together!  And some of the extra pieces need to be ordred, but this could be checked off. 
• Finalize your invitation wording. -- goes with above.
• Finalize the reception menu and service details with the caterer. -- The menu is about finished...I think we just need to sit down with the Caterers and decide what is best and taste everything a bit.  I can't wait for that part.  :) 

So basically everything is checked or at least halfway checked off. I feel like there is so much more to do than this list though and I can't even begin to fathom how it will all come together, but hopefully it will.  I feel like i'm doing a really good job on my own.  I think the next things to order are going to be the flower girl dresses and the bridesmaid shoes!  I'll post on those soon! 

Until next time! 

I Think I'll Learn Calligraphy

So...I'm thinking about learning Calligraphy to help cut costs of one thing I want for the wedding -- Calligraphy! I know I'm capable! Everyone always compliments me on my handwriting - neatest and sloppiest. So why not? Why not take on one more challenge while planning a wedding and trying to do so many things? It'll be fun. (above picture from Laura Hooper Calligraphy)

I've asked for calligraphy sets on my Christmas lists. I read them to Santa last night -- you probably know him. He sits in this great leather chair I got him this past summer. He's got a jolly tummy that's making him start to resemble Santa and he even has some salt and pepper hair starting to come in.... Oh wait, that's just Mike. I get easily confused. Sorry. But I did tell him where to find these sets -- Men must be directed.

(above picture from Ariel Yve Design)

Anyways, I think it's a good idea AND it's something I can do after the wedding to and offer to friends! :)
(above picture from Flickr)
http://www.pennedandpretty.blogspot.com/

Here are a few other Calligraphers that I love.

http://www.lovelyscribbles.com/

http://www.lhcalligraphy.com/

http://www.graceedmands.com/

Featuring Penned and Pretty – A Wonderful Caligraphy Option

I just love the Penned and Pretty website! It does happen to be a childhood friend of mine, but who’s being partial. Jessica lived in a house down the street from me growing up and never did I know she’d grow up to be this wonderful blogger!

She blogs on

http://www.pennedandpretty.blogspot.com/ and also http://www.tyingtheknot.blogspot.com/. Both are very worth checking out.
She offers different styles of which “Pretty Whimsy” is my favorite!

Her Prices are as Follows:
Outer envelopes: $.90/envelope.
Inside envelopes: $.40/envelope.
RSVP envelopes: $.75/envelope.
Return address { name, address, city, state & zip}: $.75/envelope. Return address {address, city, state & zip}: $.65/envelope.
Escort Cards/Placecards {w/o premade line}: $.50/card. Escort Cards & Placecards {card with premade line}: $.35/card.
One of the best things about marriage is that it gets young people to bed at a decent hour.
~M.M. Musselman
Enjoy!

-M-