The Glue Gun Diva

Flowering Ring Pillow

inthepinkevents — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 18:43:57 +0000

If you’re going the traditional route and having a ring bearer, he’ll need something to carry the rings on. You don’t have to use a pillow- there are so many options out there nowadays, but if you do, here’s an idea to have one that matches your wedding. I used fabric left over from bridesmaid dress alterations and a flower- it was a garden wedding after all. But you can use anything your heart desires to personalize your pillow. What I used:

- 1/4 yard fabric

- Large silk peony

- 2 feet of ribbon

- Pillow stuffing (available at craft and fabric stores)

- Thread, scissors & pins

- Fabric glue

Measure out two 7″ squares from the fabric. Pin them together 1/2- inch in from the edges, but leave a 3-4″ gap on one side. Make sure the side facing up isn’t the one you’ll actually want on the outside. Hand stitch or use a sewing machine to sew the pinned areas. Turn the pillow inside out.

Sew or glue the flower to the outside and fill the pillow through the hole.

Use fabric glue or stitch-witchery to close up the open area and you’re done! Now, down the aisle you go!

Have Your Cake and Eat It Too

inthepinkevents — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 18:37:37 +0000

Have you noticed that the cutest cake stands are too small for wedding cakes? Rental stands (also known as cake pedestals) are usually silver or gold, but if you want something a little more casual and cute, you are out of luck. Until now. What you’ll need to make your own custom cake stand:

- A wooden disk (you can get these at Home Depot) 2″ larger than your cake

- 4 items that can become legs- I used milk glass doorknobs from Anthropologie

- Trim (can be bought at fabric or crafts stores)

- Paint

- Glue

- Drill

If the disk needs it, sand down to take off any jagged pieces or to smooth rough edges. Paint the disk in your desired color, making sure to do thin coats so you don’t get lumps or bubbles.

I cheated and used a pre-printed square to measure out the four holes. I’m sure there are better ways to do it, but this seemed easiest. Mark the holes with a pencil and drill. Don’t go too deep or you’ll put a hole through the other side. Screw the knobs into the disk.

Find the middle of the side and glue the trim all the way around. Trim off any excess. Guess what? You’re done! Now, to find a yummy cake to put on top….

Scallop Shell Candles

inthepinkevents — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 19:13:43 +0000

Summer is here, and if you’re in the midst of planning a coastal wedding or event, this is the perfect summer craft. The shells can be found in bulk online for a lot less than you’ll find in craft stores, ditto with the wicks and soy wax. I prefer soy wax because the candle lasts longer, plus it’s eco-friendly. This craft is one that would make Martha proud since the shells have multiple uses once the candle has burned completely. The shells can be used for baking, turned into a soap dish, or just everyday decoration. When paired with some personalized matches, these candles make beach themed or tropical destination wedding favors. Your guests will appreciate the ability to create some romantic mood lighting in an otherwise bright hotel room. After all, what’s a wedding in paradise without a little romance?

What you’ll need:

Soy Wax (20 lbs. should make 100 candles)

1 1/2-2” wicks

Large shells

A stovetop pouring pot

Thermometer

*Candle dye and scents are optional

STEP ONE:

On a cutting board cut wax into small chunks and put in the melting pot. You can also use a glass measuring cup and a microwave, but it’ll take longer for larger quantities. Let it melt until there are no chunks left, about 120 degrees. Once it’s completely melted, add a few drops of the desired scent or wax dye.

STEP TWO:

Place wick into the deepest part of the shell. CAREFULLY pour melted wax into the shell, making sure that it doesn’t overflow. If it does, wait until the wax has dried before pulling it up from workspace. Obviously, it’s best to do this on a counter you don’t mind getting a little messy. If the wick moves while you’re pouring, gently move it back into place.

STEP 3:

Let set for several hours. If you’re not making a lot, you can also put them in the fridge to harden faster. Package in a pretty gift bag, wrap with some raffia and you’re all set. Functional, festive and cute!

Appliqued Tops

inthepinkevents — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 22:57:08 +0000

Plain tees are getting a makeover! With a little imagination and personalization, you can take any casual top and turn it into something special. Do you love butterflies or flowers? Stick ‘em on! You can use any cotton top- or even a pair of sweat pants if you want. If Juicy can do it, so can you. I’m working on a baby shower for an impending boy, and the family has a pug, so for the example project, I’m doing a onesie.

What you’ll need:

- An article of clothing

- Machine washable printed cotton fabric (wash it once before using to ensure it won’t run later)

- Double-sided iron on appliqué sheet- can be found at mose craft or fabric stores

- Thread in complementing color of printed fabric

- Needle & thread or sewing machine

- Scissors

- Heavy cardstock- something thicker than plain Xerox paper so it’ll hold it’s shape when you trace around the graphic

- Sharpie or dark colored ink pen

- Iron

- Computer & printer

STEP ONE:

Using your computer, find a graphic element that you want to use as the embellishment. Copy & paste it into Word so you can use the ruler to size it to fit on your clothing article. Print it onto the cardstock and then cut it out.

STEP TWO:

Trace the outline of the graphic onto the appliqué sheet and then cut it out. One side will peel off easier then the other; this will be the rougher surface of the appliqué. Place that onto the printed fabric and iron per the appliqué instructions. Once it’s set, cut it out.

STEP THREE:

Peel the remaining backing off the appliqué and place that sticky side onto your article of clothing in your desired location. Iron both sides to ensure that the adhesive is secure. You can stop here if the appliqué says, “No sewing required.” Some do, some don’t. But even if it does, you can still go to step four if you want an extra pop for your graphic. Personally, I also like that it covers up the rough edges.

STEP FOUR:

Up until now, it’s been easy, but you didn’t think it would stay that way, did you? Using a coordinating thread color (I like to go darker), sew around the edge of the graphic to make it stand out. If you have a sewing machine, you can do a fancy edge. Doing it by hand is a long process, but sewing machines scare me, so hand-sewn it is.

Bejeweled Wine & Cheese Set

inthepinkevents — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 18:40:50 +0000

I know it’s only October, but reality check folks, the holidays are QUICKLY approaching. Seriously, Joann Fabric & Crafts has had holiday decorations and wrapping paper out for a month. And summer wasn’t even over! Let’s make the prospect of holiday shopping a little more palatable shall we? At the very least, if you like to entertain, this dazzling wine & cheese set is useful and darned pretty to look at. It even makes a great gift for girlfriends, bridesmaids, or newlyweds!

What you’ll need:

Clear wine glasses and plates (inexpensive ones can be found at Ikea, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Target, etc.)

Acrylic gems, mosaic or floral marbles, river rocks, rhinestones (all are available at your local crafts store)

Glass paint (optional)

Craft glue

20 Gauge soft steel wire or aluminum wire (hardware store or floral supply store respectively)

Wire cutters

Needle nose pliers

STEP ONE:

Measure a 30”-40” piece of wire and cut using the wire cutters. Using the needle nose pliers, grab an end and roll the wire to form a spiral. Keep that measuring tape or ruler handy so you know when you’ve reached the halfway point. Repeat from the other end of the wire, making sure to roll in the opposite direction. Try to roll the spiral as tightly as possible.

STEP TWO:

Put glue on the inner part of the spiral and stick to the edge of the plate. You may need clamps to hold in place depending on the glue. Now comes the fun part- it’s time to bling it out. The design is up to you. I did a Christmas or Thanksgiving theme using red jewels and mosaic marbles. You can also paint river rocks and get cute like this blue one for Hannukkah.

STEP THREE:

While the plate is drying, decorate the wine glasses. I used a single red floral marble on the glass, but you can also apply it to the base. If you do a set of more than two, consider using different colored stones so people can denote which glass is theirs.

You’re ready to serve… CHEERS!

Bloomin’ Shower Pomander

inthepinkevents — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 00:30:39 +0000

'Round the garden...

Did you know that October 6th is the most popular birthday of the year? Blame it on too much bubbly or the desire to start the new year with a bang, but since the day is just around the corner, I thought it would be fun to do a DIY baby shower floral arrangement. The event we produced was garden themed, but we took it a step further by pulling in the elements of the nursery decor, which is pink & brown ladybugs. For me, this translated into whimsical polka dots, so I created pink pomanders since they’re round. There are two trains of thought for these… If you’re trying to save money and you need these to last a while, use Styrofoam and silk flowers. If these are a one-off, Styrofoam and live flowers are fine, however, the flowers will not last long if they’re in a warm place. For weddings and other important events where they flowers need to last, use a foam floral oasis soaked in water. These take about a half hour each to make, so it may be best to make them a day ahead and store them in the refrigerator overnight if you have a lot to assemble.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

4” Styrofoam ball

4” flowerpot

Glue gun

Flowers with a strong stem (carnations work very well) (FYI…45 carnations covers a 4” ball fully)

Floral shears or scissors

If you’re decorating the pot:

Spray paint if desired

Ribbon

Pacifier

STEP ONE:

Prepare the flower put if you’re using one. Pomanders can also be hung or used as bouquets, but if you’re doing this craft, spray-paint the pot if desired. Cut a piece of ribbon long enough to go around the rim of the pot with a little overlap at the end. String the ribbon through the pacifier. Put glue dots around the rim of the pot, and press the ribbon. Hold the end in place until it’s secure.

STEP TWO:

Cut the flowers to leave a 1/4 to 1/2 inch stem. Using the scissors, poke a small hole in the Styrofoam ball and fill with glue. Insert the stem and hold for a few seconds until it sets. Going around the ball like the equator around the Earth, make a complete circle.

STEP THREE:

Pick a starting point and then make an arch going from one side to the other. Then, fill in the remaining gaps. Repeat on the other half of the ball until one half of the ball is entirely filled.

STEP FOUR:

Do one more circle of flowers directly under the halfway point so the ball sits up in the pot. Leaving it at half will block the view of the ribbon and pacifier. Put the ball in the pot and VOILA, you have an adorable centerpiece.

Elegant Earrings

inthepinkevents — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 22:23:08 +0000

They say diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but if you can’t afford diamonds, what do you do? A handmade piece of jewelry should do the trick nicely. A pair of earrings made to match a dress is also a great bridesmaid gift too!

What you’ll need to make the bling:

Glass beads or semi-precious stones in teardrop shape

Thin chain (sterling or gold-plated)

Earring findings (they come in various styles)

Wrapping wire (the higher the gauge, the thinner and ore malleable the wire)

Wire cutter and needle nose pliers

Step 1:

Cut a 3-4” piece of wire, thread the bead with the wire and twist to secure in place. Cut excess wire and squeeze end to prevent the sharp edge from scratching.

Step 2:

Using the needle nose pliers, make a loop in the wire near the top of the bead. Cut chain to desired length and hook end through the loop.

Step 3:

Wrap the remaining wire down over the top of the bead forming a triangular shape and cut the excess. Squeeze in end to prevent scratching or catching.

Step 4:

Last step, open the loop in the earring finding and slip the other end of the chain through. Close the loop and you’re done. Seriously, how easy was that???

Eco-Chic Place Card Holders

inthepinkevents — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 23:29:40 +0000

Bubbly. It’s the symbol of celebration and adds a touch of class to any event, from an everyday dinner party to a wedding reception. This elegant craft, champagne basket table card holders, brings a little formality to any champagne brunch or a New Years party, and sets the stage for a good time with great company.

1) What you’ll need:

Wire champagne baskets (ask your favorite restaurant to save them for you)

Wire cutters

Needle nose pliers

2) Make sure the wire is completely untwisted and as straight as you can get it. Then cut the wire in the middle of the half circle that was once the part you twisted to open the bottle.

3) Remove the wire from the four prongs and bend the prongs in slightly to keep the cap in place.

4) Turn the ends up on the two ends of the cut piece and hook to two adjacent prongs. This is the tough part as the wire is not easily twisted. The second is harder than the first as you need to keep the “seat back” level when wrapping the wire around the prong. Make sure any jagged ends are squeezed in or cut off.

5) Last step! Shape the seat back to the desired width and height, and spread the prong “legs” just enough to make the champagne chair level without releasing the cap “seat.” Place your table card in the chair. The table card should be about 1” high and 3” wide. If it’s an outdoor event, you may want to tape the card to the holder as they can blow off.