Cupcake onesies

This blog should be named "Stuff I make when I'm bored" . So I wanted to create some creative cupcake onesies, much like the ones I've seen on Etsy. To get started, gather all the supplies: colorful onesies, scrapbook paper or doilies, template for cupcake holder, toothpicks. Start by unfolding the onesies lengthwise, start rolling away lengthwise, then roll like a snail shell, and secure with a rubber band. The next step, cut out the cupcake template out of your scrapbook paper or doilies. Tape or glue the cupcake holder around the onesies. Create some cute cupcake topper flags, or some circles, tape on to a toothpick. Stick it in the cupcake ;)

Etsy lovers

So i'm currently obsessed with Heartsy. A special site that is a 'groupon' to etsy shops. If you're not familiar with etsy shops, then what are you waiting for? Visit www.etsy.com/ and find all the wonderfulness that is etsy. click here to get $5 on your first purchase at Heartsy. I just ordered some wood flowers for my centerpiece from AccentsandPetals . I will post a model once I get them.

Sweet bun recipe

Let me say that I am the biggest Chinese food fan. Sometimes I have the urges for eating dim sum mid week when I'm sitting kids, and when I'm smelling fried foods. Fried foods reminds me of Chinese food, and well pretty much anything that sounds good reminds me of Chinese food -- but am quickly disheartened when i can't afford to eat dim sum daily.

This recipe is for people who want to try out their own Chinese sweet bun recipe

World Market

If you have never stepped foot in a World Market, consider yourself unfulfilled!  I love this place. If I didn't have a college degree, I'd be applying all over this! Ofcourse nowadays that only means I could qualify as an assistant manager. Anyway, some of you are familiar with thrift stores. Well if you have ever been to a "Super Walmart" of thrift stores, then you would know what this place means to me. This place reminds me of "vintage" and oriental pieces you can incorporate with any household things. You really have to sit there and filter through hundreds of finds. 
So anyway there, I found some parasols for less than $10. So no longer do you have to bid on them for $1 on Ebay and have to pay $19.99 for shipping. Now go find one in your city!

Publish Post

DIY guest book and sign

This is an inexpensive way to a personalized guest book. To get started, purchase a blank journal or a ledger book from any store. Then take your wedding theme or colored wrapping paper and wrap your guest book. Then obtain a small $1 chalk board from a hobby store and decorate your sign and use double stick tape as adhesive. The double tape works really well to even out the paper.

DIY picture collage

To get started on a picture collage, purchase an 8x8 scrapbook refill pages. 

These sheet protectors should include white insert paper. Place your pictures as you wish and adhere onto the paper. Use as many as 3-6 sheets and place into the sheet protectors. Then simply position the sheet protectors together vertically and use double stick tape or use dot adhesives. You can find the same thing selling for $20 on some sites. Enjoy!

Floating lanterns

I love Chinese lanterns because they look so festive.  Every Memorial Day many people gather in Hawaii to set off these floating lanterns as a way to remember their loved ones. I can imagine this would be great in any event and will create a lasting memory. There is a diy, but it might be cheaper just to buy them online or China town.

Kissing ball

If you don't have flowers in your budget, then diy paper wishing balls are great alternatives. Aren't these pomanders elegant? To make them, all you need is a flower punch, scrapbook paper,  styrofoam balls and some pearl tipped corsage pins.  Check out the DIY pomander tutorial over at Pizzazerie.

Chinese fortune

I love fortune cookies because they tell me how wise and lucky I am. It's a little compliment in an edible package, what more could one ask for? They would look great sprinkled on the sweetheart table. Want to make them for your wedding? All you need are scrapbook paper, or old book pages, glue stick, scissors, and some clips.  Check out the tutorial over at Print over matter.

Cupcake wrappers

 I found these great cupcake wrappers from a bee with Wedding bees costing $1.  She used a cupcake template from skiptomylou.

 

I tried it and it was time consuming, but worth it!

Embossing

I love the look of embossed stationary. Embossing folders create textured impressions on your stationary or envelopes for that extra wow factor. Sizzix or cuttlebug makes some folders for their machine, but you can easily use without, instead using a rolling pin. You can find Embossing Folders here. The ones I saw reminded me of the Lotus, the Chinese flower. I found them at amazon for very cheap here. I also made some other impressions using Sizzix texture boutique that I purchased for under twenty dollars with coupon.

monogram label

Have you seen those fabulous monogram labels at weddings?
They look great with personalization. But even if you don't have a  cricut or die-cut machine there is an easier way. If you've been to Micheals or other craft stores, you will find they sell the single monogram letter stickers. All you'll need is your choice of cardstock paper and your letter monogram. To get started, place the monogram on your select cardstock, cut into squares or use a circle punch, and lastly add your ribbon. Simple and easy. You can also add craft rhinestones to make them stand out.

Happy Easter

 Happy Easter from Donny & Allie

Luminary bags

Create your own luminary bags.  Start by purchasing white paper bags from the dollar store. Cut the upper rim using some design scissors from the dollar store. Place your stamp on a stamp pad, first on a brown ink pad, then on a ...ink pad. Stamp on the paper bag, and you are done.

Paper bouquet, centerpiece

It's great to have flowers for your special day, but it's not always needed. A great trend is making your own paper flowers. I love these instructions from other blogs, Diy wedding bouquet by style me pretty. Paper flowers can also be made from origami paper, or coffee filters. The flirty guide has a step by step guide to some awesome Cherry Blossoms !

DIY monogram

There are some great instructions about DIY monogram as seen in other websites such as Martha Stewart and DIY Bride. I thought I would try it as a person with little microsoft word knowledge.

1. Open new word document
2. Change page layout/orientation to landscape
3. Type the initials you woud like (Groom's 1st name initial, Last name of Groom/first initial of Last name, Bride's 1st name initial )
3. Change your 1st name initials to 120
4. Change your Last name initials to 200
5. Change your font to Champignon or etc.
6. Copy your initials
7. Open Paint or Paint.net program and paste
8. Save as jpg. file and done!

Hanging paper rosettes

At my luau party, I made some accordion napkins as table display. It can also double as hanging decor. The guys at Paper Source provides these simple paper rosette instructions  here! 

I tried my own version with the luau paper napkins. Start by gathering double stick tape, and your choice of paper napkins.  Create the accordion fold and create a round shape and use double stick tape as adhesive. 

 

Create a larger one by putting 4-6 napkins together.

DIY Wedding

In preparation for my own wedding,we came up with a budget. Frugal and diy are two of my fave adjectives. I realized this is where I wanted to start crafting – wedding bouquet, centerpieces, music, favors, invitations...I could do this every day! That said I'm not an expert and like to experiment and I challenge myself to be as frugal as possible. Ofcourse that is easier said than done when you're planning a wedding.. My friend's wedding was ah-mazing! See for yourself

 

Diaper cake and wish tree

One tier diaper cake

I've always wanted to make my own diaper cakes,

but was reluctant due to the cost of creating one.

I decided to make a small

cake for a centerpiece. After all it's a waste

to make a three tier-diaper cake. Sure it's pretty, but

it's not practical because it gets thrown out after the party.

For the small diaper cake, I used

6 -10 diapers and half of a paper towel roll, and  topped off with an inexpensive dollar store puppet

Wish Tree

1. to get started on your wish tree, use a branch off an old tree

2. Add some silk or paper flowers and hot glue in place

3. Let guests hang their own wish or advice on the tree using a ribbon

I heart diy birthday

A few months back, we threw a luau theme birthday party for my son.  My son's input goes something like luau is weird and girly.I just love hearing this, because I love a diy challenge because I'm cheap. I looked around and Score! I found the cutest invite in a bottle. 

As favors, I used diy palm tree favors that fit the theme,and flamingo toss for games. For kids, crafts included makeyour own luau bookmark.At the dollar store, I picked up some multi color papercrepe, luau sign, and faux flowers.

 

Last, but not least the birthday cake was ordered 

at the local bakery, but we added some flowers

to give it some flare. This party was fun & the 

decorations final total $20 (minus bottle invitations).

I heart parties

My sister threw a birthday party for her son. I always look forward to their parties because they throw amazing parties filled with pastries and favors.