The Paper Bride: Wedding DIY from Pop-the-Question to Tie-the-Knot and Happily Ever After

admin — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 16:01:00 +0000

Weddings are expensive. CNN Money states that, even with the recession, the average cost of a wedding in 2008 was $21,814. Paper goods, like invitations, save-the-date cards, and guest books can add up—so why not make them yourself? Esther Smith's instructional how-to book, The Paper Bride, goes over absolutely everything you need to make a wedding the way you want.

The Paper Bride starts with a cute proposal idea—a ring hidden in a book—and moves onto alternative ways to let people know you are engaged: postcard, magnets, or even traditional save-the-date cards, but with funky envelopes and mailers. Smith comes up with out of the ordinary ideas for invitations and bridal showers. Not a fan of finger sandwiches? How about a liquor shower, where each guest brings one bottle for the party and one bottle for your liquor cabinet. The book truly sticks to its name, even showing off a paper wedding dress.

Smith's background is in letterpress, so she goes into great depth about making your own books and journals, and even has a chart for doing calligraphy yourself. If you have never done paper crafts before, don't worry: Smith goes over each step in detail, and provides diagrams that even a first time DIYer can follow. In the back of book, there are templates for making envelopes, boxes, program fans, and coasters. Some of the crafts are offbeat, like making paper flowers, while others are great even if you aren't planning a wedding, such as making your own photo album.

The great thing about The Paper Bride is that Smith emphasizes putting your own style into your wedding. If you're not into the traditional white wedding, then you can design your paper goods to reflect that. No matter what type of wedding you're having, this book has something you can use. But as Smith reminds her readers, the wedding day should not be the pinnacle of the relationship: “it will be wonderful, whatever happens, but it shouldn't be the happiest day of your life. You don't want the rest of your life to go downhill from there. You want to live happily ever after!”

Written by: Elizabeth Stannard Gromisch, April 4th 2010

Paperie for Inspired Living: Stationery and Decorations for Weddings, Parties, and Other Special Occasions

admin — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:03:00 +0000

By Karen Bartolomei

Potter Craft

Ever since I was in elementary school, I have been a DIY girl. I always received craft kits as a kid, and even now, I will not buy a sweater if I think I can knit it myself. So when I saw a book that claimed it could teach me how to make stationery and paper goods for special events, I was intrigued. In short, Paperie for Inspired Living is a DIY dream!

Karen Bartolomei provides easily to follow instructions for each of the projects provided. In the first section, Bartolomei goes over how to make your own stationery, business cards and labels. The next two sections cover parties, both formal and informal. Bartolomei also explains how to put together all of the paper goods for special events, like weddings, birthdays and holidays. The best part is that all of the projects Bartolomei provides look like they could be professionally done.

Besides giving step-by-step instructions for the paperie, Bartolomei gives great decorating and party advice. The suggestions range from the affordable to the extravagant, so it can fit into anybody's budget. Some of the ideas are ingenious: one of the party ideas is a wine tasting event, and Bartolomei explains how to make your own coasters. Even if you are not big into throwing parties, this is a necessary book to have on your shelves. Many of the project ideas are perfect for gifts, and there is room for customizing every idea to your tastes.

In addition, Bartolomei provides excellent resources in the back of the book for any craft necessity. Bartolomei goes over where you can find artwork, fonts and papers needed to put these projects together. She also lists different stores that you can go to for supplies, as well as websites that can be helpful. Bartolomei does not leave anything out, and can help any new crafter feel like a professional.

Written by: Elizabeth Stannard Gromisch, October 19th 2009