CREATE | Carrot Boutonniere

I couldn't resist this sweet DIY craft and I had to share it.  These adorable carrot boutonnieres are whimsical and fun for your littlest bridal party member.

 

 

 

INSTRUCTIONS

Cut your felt into a small 3×3 inch square

 Wrap felt around stuffing into a cone shape and secure with hot glue

 Push stuffing down and cut off excess felt on the top, making sure you have a tiny bit left to pinch

 Stuff the greenery into the top of the “carrot” and pinch closed

Secure the pinch with a tiny rubber band (we used a toddler girls one)

Wrap your velvet around the carrot top and tie in a knot (we glued ours down as well)

 Now just safety pin to your dapper little guy’s shirt!

 

 

Photo |  Inspired By This

CREATE | 15 Conversation Heart Crafts

So my conversation hearts obsession continues today with these incredible crafts I found all over this wonderful place called the internet.  Hope your day is a sweet as these candies.

 

 

SWEET EATS

Incorporating these iconic hearts into these desserts make them even sweeter. 

 

photos |  conversation hearts ice cream -  dessert for two +  conversation heart donuts - aww sam

 

photos |  valentine oreo bark - crazy for crust

 



I HEART FASHION

Do you wear your heart on your sleeve? ...how about your leggings?

 

photos |  conversation heart tshirt -  celebration shoppe +  conversation heart leggings -  studio diy

 

photo |  conversation heart earrings - homemade ginger

 

 

BATH + BEAUTY

You doesn't love to be pampered...

 

photos |  conversation heart soap -  martha stewart + conversation heart bath bombo - soap deli news

 

photo |  conversation heart sugar scrub - simple as that

 

PARTY ON

These are super fun for anyone partying hard on the 14th

 

photos | conversation heart balloons - studio diy +  conversation heart treat bags -  sarah hearts

 

photo |  evite

 

FOR THE HOME 

Loving these ideas to sweeten up your décor

 

photos |  conversation heart vase filler - martha stewart +  conversation heart magnets - this heart of mine

photo |  brit + co

 

 

CREATE | Paper Anemones

 Since I'm crushing hard on anemones this week, I came across a few tutorials to create some paper versions.  Make a couple and assemble a bouquet, pin it on your lapel or use them to decorate your cake table for an added whimsical touch.
 

photo + tutorial |  appetite paper via  ruffled

 

photo + tutorial |  lia griffith

 

 

photo + tutorial |  love my dress



Create | New Years Eve Party Hats and Headbands

Party hats have definitely stepped up their game. With shiny glitter and fun accessories you can create some amazing props for the big night.  Here are a few that I love for welcoming 2017.

 

photos |  pottery barn +  boxwood avenue

 

photo |  delightfully tacky

 

 

photos |  the house that lars built +  a subtle revelry

  

photo |  a pumpkin and a princess

 

 

photos |  lia griffith

 

photo |  brit + co

 

photo |  girl inspired

create | gingerbread house gift boxes and bags

There is nothing I love more than super easy DIY projects.  How adorable are these gingerbread house gift boxes and bags?  

 

GINGERBREAD HOUSE PAPER GIFT BAG

photo |  craftberry bush

 

TIP | These gift bags are perfect to fill with sweet treats and use as favors or gather a coloring book, a few crayons and create a little bundle of fun for your younger guests.

 

 

GINGERBREAD HOUSE GIFT BOX

photo |  the house that lars built

 

TIP | Cut a slit on the top of this gift box as a crafty alternative to a card box

{sponsor pretties} belletristics + free printable

Our featured sponsor for today is {Belletristics}.  {Belletristics} is a design studio specializing in printable wedding stationery for the do-it-yourself bride.   They offer three ways to shop!  You can choose their custom design services, ready made designs or mix and match different fonts and graphics to create your very own unique stationery.  

Visit {Belletristics} on Facebook and Twitter too! 

{ Freebie } 

Sarah was kind enough to create this free "Love is Sweet" printable to decorate your dessert table.   Enjoy! 

"Love is Sweet" sign in blue

"Love is Sweet" sign in pink

"Love is Sweet" sign in yellow

Belletristics is a postcards & pretties sponsor

{guest post} diy dessert table backdrop from lauren elise crafted

Hello Postcards & Pretties readers!  I am so excited to be guest posting here on P&P.  My name is Lauren from Lauren Elise Crafted and today I will show you how to make a whimsical dessert table backdrop.  Your yummy desserts should be the main focus at your reception so this backdrop was designed to be minimal and subtle but still unique.  The wood branch and muslin fabric add a rustic touch and because it is neutral, it pairs well with most color combinations.  The materials are simple and inexpensive and the entire backdrop can be completed in just a couple of hours.  I just love how the fabric hangs from the string.  To me it creates a dreamy atmosphere for your desserts!             

Materials ::

◦ wood branch

◦ white thread

◦ muslin fabric

◦ lace

◦ scissors

◦ 2” circle template

◦ tea or coffee to stain the muslin (if so desired)

◦ needle

◦ scotch tape

Directions ::

◦ Find a wood branch that the fabric can hang from {image A}.  Use thread to hang the branch.  The backdrop is light so there shouldn’t be a problem supporting it.

◦ Use a 2” circle template to cut fabric circles out of muslin and lace {image B}.  I cut about 110 circles for my example.  Use whatever fabric and colors that coordinate with your wedding or party.  Muslin is an inexpensive fabric option and you can dye it various colors or stain it with tea or coffee.  To stain it, put instant coffee or tea bags into hot water.  Let the fabric sit in the water for 30 minutes to an hour {image C}.  Vary the amount of tea and coffee to get a deeper stain.  Test a sample beforehand.

◦ Tie the thread onto the branch in a double knot {image D}.  The thread should hang down and reach the floor.  Cut the thread at the floor and then thread the end through the needle. 

◦ Thread the needle through the fabric circles {image F}.  After each circle, tie the thread in a knot so that the circle will stay in place.  I varied the spacing of the circles so that the backdrop would look less uniform and more organic.  When you finish the first row, put a piece of tape at the end to secure it {image G}.  When you finish with the first row {image H}, begin the next row and follow the previous steps again. 

◦ Thread the rest of the circles, varying their spacing if so desired {image I}.  When finished {image J}, hang the backdrop behind a dessert table for a simple decoration.

Thank you so much for having me here today Chris!  I hope you all enjoy this DIY and that it inspires you to make something special for your wedding.

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{guest post} scalloped table numbers from twig & lily

Hi friends! I hope you're enjoying the weekend. On Tuesday, I had a slight technical difficulty with the links and photos for Twig & Lily's guest post and decided to repost Christina's lovely table number DIY in case you missed it.  Make sure to check out her amazing shop, blog and follow her on Facebook & Twitter too!


Hello Postcards & Pretty-ers! I am so happy to be here today while Chris is on vacay. I’m Christina of Twig & Lily and I’m thrilled to be guest posting. Specifically because I love this blog and its blogger. This beautiful blog is a source of inspiration for so many and I'm happy to a part of it for the day.

Today I’m excited to share a free ‘table number’ DIY printable for all you lovely readers.

I’m always drawn to the mix of simple feminine elegance with a touch of rustic vintage charm and that’s what these table numbers are all about. They are adorned with a feminine hand drawn scalloped border and when printed on kraft paper evoke a vintage charm.

All you need:

Printer
Card stock of choice
Scissors
That’s it!

Here are some ideas of how to display them…

Click each link to download

Table Numbers 1 & 2
Table Number 3 & 4
Table Numbers 5 & 6
Table Numbers 7 & 8
Table Number 9 & 10
Table Numbers 11 & 12
Table Numbers 13 & 14
Table Number 15 & 16
Table Numbers 17 & 18
Table Numbers 19 & 20DIY Instructions: 

Print and cut along the edges of the scalloped border leaving about 1/8 inch space between the scallop border and edge of the table number. Once cut mount the scalloped numbers on whatever surfaces you wish to display them on and enjoy!

Thanks so much for having me today Chris! I hope you all have a beautiful day full of love and happiness. Come visit me at Twig & Lily!

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twig & lily is a postcards & pretties sponsor

{guest post} mini envelope favors from anastasia marie

Hello there! It's Anastasia {Stacey} from Anastasia Marie. I am really happy to be guest blogging here on one of my favorite blogs ever. There's incredible fun to be had here.

Today we're going to be making some sweet wedding favors. You can place these little ones on your guests' place settings, line them up on a separate table, or even pin them up on a line. It's all about how creative you want to get. 

I designed a printable template for you all to make things super easy. This template was made to hold seeds as the gift, but you can customize it even more by just trimming the bottom portion of the base card that speaks of the seeds, and insert whatever you'd like into the mini envelope. No one will ever know...

And honestly, it doesn't even have to be a wedding related favor. These little favors can work for other parties as well, from anniversaries to baby showers.


MATERIALS: 
paper for printables
double sided patterned paper
 scissors
ruler
scoring tool
craft glue
permanent double-sided tape
seeds
 1/4" satin ribbon

STEP ONE: Let's get started!

Download, print, and cut these cute base cards for the favors {the files have crop marks for easy trimming and should come out to be 3.25x4" in size}. Choose from six different colors: blue, orange, purple, gray, dusty pink, or green. You can download the base card template here.

STEP TWO: Choose your paper.

Select pretty patterned paper in the same color category as your chosen base card. Try to choose one that is double sided, so when the little envelope opens, the inner flap is cute as well. I chose to work with the dusty pink card.

STEP THREE: Create your envelope.

Cut out 3x5" rectangles from your chosen pretty paper. Score lines 1/4" in along both long sides of the rectangle, and then across the 2" mark and 4" mark. You should have a 1" flap up on top. Cut out your envelope flap in any shape that you'd like and cut down along the scored lines {along the long sides} until you reach the 2" scored line. 

Fold along your scored lines. You should be left with a bottom base with two flaps, a face and a seal flap.

STEP FOUR:  Assemble your envelope.

Use a little glue on the outer side of your base flaps, folding them in to seal your envelope together. You should be left with a mini envelope with its seal flap open.

STEP FIVE: Attach the two.

Use permanent double-stick tape on the backside of your mini envelope to attach it to the base card.

STEP SIX: Insert the gift.

In you go little seeds! Dab a little glue on the seal flap and seal the envelope so the seeds won't escape.

STEP SEVEN: Tie a bow.

Take a piece of 1/4" satin ribbon in a coordinating color and tie a bow around the base card and envelope. Feel free to tie whatever bow you'd like and place it anywhere you'd like around the envelope.

And you're FINISHED! 

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