The Crafty DIY Bride

Where to find me...

noreply@blogger.com (Mel) — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 10:26:00 +0000

Since I'm no longer blogging here, you can keep updated on my crafty life and my new bubba at my other blog, Paper and Ribbons.

Isn't he adorable!!! Yeah, I could be kind of biased.

So update your feeds to: http://paperandribbonsblog.blogspot.com.au/

All my love,
Mel

Time for some news!

noreply@blogger.com (Mel) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 01:04:00 +0000

Yes, I've been pretty quiet over the past few weeks, but with good reason. We're expecting!

SQUEEEEEE!

With the first trimester comes extreme fatigue and morning sickness, hence some very quiet times on The Crafty DIY Bride. So with this news, sadly, I will be bidding you all farewell so that I can concentrate on a new chapter.

Who knows, I may pop my head in every now and again, but I feel that my heart is no longer committed to The Crafty DIY Bride as it once was. The site will remain active so that you can all access tutorials and past inspiration - these will remain timeless. :)

All my love,
Mel

{Guest Post} How to Choose Your Wedding Colors

noreply@blogger.com (Mel) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 23:30:00 +0000

Having the right invitations, floral displays and overall wedding decorations is the essence of a perfect wedding co-ordination. However, there is one prime factor that will determine the level of creativity and personality of the decor and that is the choice of colors used for the entire show. They can be in varied bright shades, pastel hues or bold and striking but they all need to be incorporated, in the most sensible and aesthetic manner.

Image source: via Tumblr

1. Choosing the color If the location that you have chosen for the wedding reception already has fixed colors, then you need to complement that by choosing colors which can best mate. Your color choice is made easier in a location which is blank as it can you a free hand in decorating without the fear of color clashes. Choice of color also depends on the time of year that your wedding is being held. The seasons act as a backdrop for your choice in colors and can really determine the floral and other arrangements.

Image source: The Sweetest Occasion

2. Look for inspiration Wedding color choices can be picked from your everyday favorite colors which can be discerned in your lip shade, home decor and your clothes. Flip through home decor and fashion magazines to get a clearer perspective or even the runway since designers showcase the latest colors and trends in style. You can even take help from the color wheel for bridal shades from the Pantone Color Institute, which prepares color combinations for designers each season.

Image source: Winterwren

3. Where to use color Depending on the season and location of your wedding, the right use of color can be executed. This will depend on what feelings or mood you want to project in the celebration. Warm summer colors in shades of browns and yellows are most suited for which country style weddings. Colors of the cantaloupe and greens become ideal for a cool seaside wedding. You can co-ordinate your colors either for a ballroom setting or multiple rooms, each having their own scheme in color choice.

Image source: Design Seeds

4. The touch of style and elegance The use of colors in subtle measures can be infused throughout your reception area, decorations and your personal accessories and attire.
a. You can create this by wearing a ribbon or sash in your wedding dress, in a shade which complements your other decorations. The bridal accessory can further be highlighted with the use of gloves or a distinct hairpiece.
b. You can have the bridesmaids and flower girls in the same shade but with varying dress designs to break the monotony. Likewise, the groom and best men outfits can be traditionally coordinated in colors.
c. Your wedding stationery is the indicator of your wedding colors for the guests. Your stationary which may be ecru or stark white can be embellished with little details like pressed flowers and ribbons.
d. By interspersing complementary shades to your bouquets, an element of delicate color balancing can be achieved.
e. Other details such as favors can be done up in little ribbons and decorated packages which echoes the colors of the rest. The table covers, centerpieces, drapes, lighting, runners and chair covers will need the same touch of continuity to your color scheme.
f. Finally, catering the right color into the cake, cocktails and dessert with colorful candies will incorporate the best of your wedding colors.

About the author: Alia is very passionate about blogging and writing. She is a gadget freak and loves to write on technology. Her article includes various aspects associated to tech help and currently she is working on two varied articles Simple Wedding Dresses and Ride On Toys for Toddlers.

{Colour Palette} Golden Leaves

noreply@blogger.com (Mel) — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 00:25:00 +0000

I have been wearing my new mustard coloured cardi almost every day - I just love the warm colour. Much better than the normal Melbourne grey, don't you think? So this week's colour palette is inspired by the gorgeous autumnal shade.

{Original image from Happiness Is}

{Inspiration} Minimalism

noreply@blogger.com (Mel) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 00:10:00 +0000

Sometimes it's not all about the masses of details. Keeping it simple can make the biggest impact - this is my best tip for all of you DIY brides out there. Don't feel like you have to go overboard, just do what you can, and do it well.

Image sources: Centsational Girl | Nine Cakes | The Knot | Bario Neal

Guest Post on Intimate Weddings

noreply@blogger.com (Mel) — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 00:45:00 +0000

Yesterday I shared a cute tutorial on my fabric boutonniere on Intimate Weddings - perfect for an autumn wedding. Go here to take a look!

{Inspiration} Show your freckles

noreply@blogger.com (Mel) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 09:56:00 +0000

Don't hide {Style me pretty}

My husband loves my freckles and so I never wear thick foundation as to hide them and this was important on our wedding day. Don't cover up what makes you you!

Image sources: Style me pretty | Battles for the bruised | Divas and dreams | Wedding Chicks

{Colour Palette} Hot Summer pt 2

noreply@blogger.com (Mel) — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 23:00:00 +0000

Did you like yesterday's colour palette...feeling summer yet? I love these bright colours so much and found some gorgeous bridesmaid dresses that look so hot together:

Would you incorporate these colours into your wedding?

{Colour Palette} Hot Summer

noreply@blogger.com (Mel) — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 22:31:00 +0000

This week has been so lovely and warm in Melbourne - hello summer! That is until the rain started last night and apparently won't stop for the rest of the week. This colour palette is inspired by hot, stormy summer afternoons.

{Original image from Absolutely Beautiful Things}

Stay tuned for an inspired outfit post later this weekend! This is fun :)

Guest Posts on Intimate Weddings

noreply@blogger.com (Mel) — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 03:53:00 +0000

I'm taking a break from blogging here today - but I have two new guest posts on Intimate Weddings:

Make these bags - DIY Tutorial

See this gorgeous real wedding captured by Darin Collison

{Inspiration} Colorful Wedding Gowns

noreply@blogger.com (Mel) — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 08:01:00 +0000

Yes the classic white/ivory bridal gown will always have a special place in my heart, but for some brides, a colorful wedding gown is the prefect reflection of who they are. Take at look at these stunners...

Image sources: Inspired by this | Polyvore | The pretty blog | Style me pretty

Did you see Vera Wang's new black line of bridal gowns? What do you think?

Source: Daily Mail

Special from Night Owl Paper Goods

noreply@blogger.com (Mel) — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 23:30:00 +0000

Yay Christmas is coming! I'm so excited...if you don't already know, I'm obsessed with Christmas. My house is completely decorated head to toe with baubles and bling from Dec 1st! So I was pretty excited when I saw this cute offer from Night Owl Paper Goods...

Aren't their cards cute? I just love the wooden cards and their designs are super sweet. Head over to Night Owl Paper Goods to get 20% off!!!

Only 64 Sleeps to go! Weeeeeeeee!

{Colour Palette} Candy and Mint

noreply@blogger.com (Mel) — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 01:00:00 +0000

I stumbled across this photo a while ago on Creature Comforts and immediately pinned it - I love the airy mood and soft colours. So, I created a colour palette based on it, but this time I gave each colour a cute name...

{Original image: Creature Comforts}

Aren't these colours divine? I also put together some outfits to match this scheme on Polyvore. Plenty of soft chiffon and a cute belt from Kate Spade for good luck. :)

{View on Polyvore}

{Inspiration} Old Fashioned Wedding Cake Toppers

noreply@blogger.com (Mel) — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 23:57:00 +0000

Here's something that's creeping back into weddings lately - the classic cake topper. While furry animals, weird figurines, felt hearts and buntings have been the norm, I love that these vintage toppers are making a comeback.

Image sources: Vintage Junk In My Trunk | Planner Wedding | via Pinterest | Style Me Pretty

A few months ago, I shared this cute little tutorial on how to make a vintage style cake topper, but I'd love to hear your thoughts. Would you or have you used a cake topper like these?

Let's bring back some old timey wedding glamour together. :)

{Colour Palette} Woodland Berries

noreply@blogger.com (Mel) — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 23:29:00 +0000

I thought I'd try something new and make some pretty colour palettes from images that inspire me. Today's is based around this image from Oh Joy and Seven Spoons.

{original image: Oh Joy}

Wouldn't this be a gorgeous palette for a Christmas or Valentine's day wedding? I put together a quick fashion board on polyvore to inspire you...

{View on polyvore}

{Handmade Wedding} Minimalist

noreply@blogger.com (Mel) — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 03:42:00 +0000

Last night I stumbled across this letter written by a wedding photographer to a wedding blogger. It really struck a chord with me and, in a way, hurt me a little bit. Whilst I love rustic weddings, that is simply because I'm a rustic kind of girl. I live in the country, I grew up surrounded by trees and I love to make things. My wedding was a true reflection of who I and my husband are as people.

So, this episode of Handmade Weddings is all about keeping it simple. Remember, your wedding should be about you as a couple, so choose a theme that's not just "trendy" but a reflection of who you are.

Remember - if you can, buy handmade and support the artists.

{Printables} Free Invitation Templates

noreply@blogger.com (Mel) — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 09:37:00 +0000

What's better than gorgeous stationery...free DIY stationery! These templates are from "Download and Print" and I just love them. Some of these you will need to sign up to download, but registration is around $25, so definitely worth it.

Have you looked into premade designs for your stationery - share your links below! PS My design is still available for free download along with my cute envelope wraps.

I'm everywhere

noreply@blogger.com (Mel) — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 22:56:00 +0000

This week I shared a gorgeous paper flower hair pin tutorial on Polka Dot Bride - go take a look!

...and some more news...I'm now a regular blogger on Intimate Weddings! I will have some more cute tutorials and real weddings to share with you soon.

{Inspiration} Blue and Pink Naturally

noreply@blogger.com (Mel) — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 23:00:00 +0000

Image source: Afinidades Eletivas

Happy Friday!

{DIY Projects} Recipe Cards part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Mel) — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 23:00:00 +0000

Did you see my little DIY recipe book tutorial yesterday? I've found a few ways to jazz them up even more...

1. Instead of edging the cards with a stamp pad, use watercolour paints (via Oh so beautiful paper)
2. Here's a gorgeous tabbed box tutorial that you could use to organise your new recipes (via Design Sponge)
3. Don't trust your own handwriting to be neat enough - create a new font (via Writing Fonts)
4. Pretty up your cards with sparkly microbeads (via Pugly Pixel)

Do you think you could give these a go? I'm itching to try the handwriting conversion tool and watercolour paints have made their way onto my craft shopping list. :)

{DIY Project} Bridal Shower Recipe Collection

noreply@blogger.com (Mel) — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 22:30:00 +0000

Now I don't know about you, but the girls in my family love to share recipes and there are always some that have been handed down from generations. So this DIY tutorial would be perfect for your bridal shower/kitchen tea.

What you'll need:

Index cards
Stamps
Pigment ink pad
Metal scrapbooking rings
Ribbon

Start by edging and stamping your index cards. If you're not asking your guests to share their recipes at your event, stop at this point and mail them out with the invitations.

To compile your index cards, punch a hole in one corner and thread the metal ring through and close.

Now it's time to pretty up your collection, so go ahead and add some ribbon...um maybe lots of ribbon.

Cute.

{Inspiration} Bold Bridesmaids

noreply@blogger.com (Mel) — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 10:07:00 +0000

I love colour, especially in the summertime. Bring on summer!

Image sources: Lavish and Light | via Pinterest | A Beautiful Mess | Evin Photography

Are your bridesmaids going to be decked in bright, beautiful colour?

{Inspiration} Trees

noreply@blogger.com (Mel) — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 22:01:00 +0000

I love outdoor weddings and getting married under a huge tree covered in leaves is just the most beautiful thing. They are such a perfect way to add colour to a fall wedding or cover in lights for an evening of dancing under the stars:

Image sources: via Pinterest 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Image sources: Love & Lavender | Style Me Pretty | Sparkle and Hay | Green Wedding Shoes

Are you planning an outdoor wedding? What are you going to use as the "alter"?

{Inspiration} Braids

noreply@blogger.com (Mel) — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 05:26:00 +0000

The wedding up-do has taken on a cute twist...literally. I love wearing my hair in braids, especially when it needs a good wash.

Image sources: Keiko Lynn | Hair Appeal | Style Me Pretty | Pretty Life

Keiko has shared a lovely tutorial on her braided up-do here as well as a few other hair tutorials here so give it a try!

{Inspiration} Bow Ties

noreply@blogger.com (Mel) — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 10:18:00 +0000

There's no school like the old school...

Images: The Pretty Blog | Forage | Southern Weddings Magazine

Bow ties are back and making waves. Probably the biggest brand out there at the moment is Forage, with vintage inspired prints and fresh summery colours, they're perfect for the upcoming wedding season.

Image: A Hit of Hash