DIY #1 - Save the Date Cards

With a week of February already in full swing, I knew I needed to get the wheels turning on this big bus of bridal bulls--t (well - I just couldn't think of another "b" word that went).





Having felt like accomplished so much on Friday (Picked the fabric for my bridesmaids dresses, which in turn helped choose my main theme colors), I was very motivated to keep the momentum I'd gained.



Since the wedding invite suite will be designed by Cards De Luxe, I couldn't get the same exact thing. I figured for sake of saving time, I would just do the STD cards myself, and it wasn't necessary to match the invites exactly.


I took a long lunch break to stop at Paper Source, buy STD card materials, oh and VOTE! And after a very long night at the office, I still came home feeling energized enough to produce these babies!





Paper Source A2 flat cards in Super Fine Soft White
Paper Source A2 envelopes in Papaya
Paper Source LP-Allium stamp
Color Box Inks (Moss Green and Orange)
Judi Kins Clear Embossing Powder (I so <3 embossing!)

I had a really difficult time coosing the stamp image I wanted. It came down to a group of ginko leaves or this new stamp they got in. I liked how airy it felt and it kind of resembles palm leaves. When I went to check out, the clerk told me they had just gotten these stamps in yesterday! Score one for the newness factor!

The above samples are the finished product. I also liked a right-justified set up, but the FI always likes things to be centered. (Note: I was testing on the envelope in the picture. Final outcome, I think the stamp will be tonal orange on orange).

Addresses will be on clear labels. For some reason, the envelopes will NOT work in my printer. Apparently it's smaller than the allowable dimensions. Do you think the friends and family will like?

Paper Heaven

Okay - I admit. I did not want to do any of the wedding stationery myself. Not only do I not have the time, nor patience. Most of all - I do not have the space.

BUT, (and this is a big one)

I found the Paper Source store near me [at South Coast Plaza - Crystal Court] last week. And um.... yeah. I am now the proud owner of the Marvy Uchida Embossing Heat Tool Model 2500. As the sales associate informed me - it is an investment! For some reason, my sales pitch about this wonderful invention ceased to impress the FH as much as I was at the store.

Nevertheless, armed with a bag full of goodies, pamphlets, and a considerably lighter wallet, I walked out of the store armed with stationery ammunition!

I am NOT going to do the invitation suite myself. For that, I will leave it to the professionals for my sanity's sake. However, I am planning to make my own Save-the-Date cards.



[Insert FH's joke here]

FH: You know how to make God laugh?

Moi: No - how?

FH: Make plans. [chuckle, chuckle]



Back to the topic at hand. To mildly prepare myself, I decided to make about a dozen holiday cards for my coworkers to practice on. Set up our brand new printer and figured out how to print on the cards. Yes - it's been a mighty long time since I've used a home printer.



Step 1: Found the greeting at http://www.hp.com/ that matched with my snoflake theme.

Step 2: Printed cards and envelopes.

Step 3: Stamped and embossed galore (stamps, cardstock, envelopes, Color Source Ink pads, clear and glitter embossing powder from Paper Source).

Step 4: Stuff cards into envelopes. Ta-Da! I'm not that impressed with my own work. With all the DIY projects I've seen on Weddingbee, make me long for special envelope liners and maybe some wax to seal them closed.



Perhaps it is a work in progress. At this rate my STD cards may not be in the mail until....