Custom invitations!!

Hey everyone!!

I know the posts are a little sporadiac but life is pretty crazy and I have never been very good at multi-tasking!!

I wanted to share a "little jewel" I found. From Etsy - of course:)

I can't believe I was able to get custom invitations and also be able to stay with in my budget - insane I tell ya!

Amy from the etsy shop "capturedmomentsbyamy" not only made my drawing come to life - but she made it dance.

This is the front of the invite- All I did was outline a couple of peacocks kissing and she made it happen. Trust me when I say it was only an outline!

What I love is that she also utilizes the back of the invite - so you are getting more bang for your buck

This is the rsvp postcard. a postcard is a budget brides best friend when it comes to RSVP's. It eliminates buying an envelope and the stamps are cheaper. win-win

How cool is the grayscale on the back of the invite??!!

It may be a little cheesy - but wouldn't it make you feel better getting an rsvp card that says

"no- and it is breaking my heart" then

"regretfully declines".

Well -it does me!

Guess how much this invitation suite was??

c'mon guess!

ONE DOLLAR and THIRTY THREE CENTS!!

Sigh....so happy!!!!

Do you love your invites??

Cam

Great Ideas for Bridal Party Gifts

Happy belated Valentines Day everyone!!!

I'm just going to get to the point I came across a couple of ideas for gifts for your attendants that I think are pretty damn cool!

First up would be a fantastic gift for the guys and even for the girls , for that matter!!

I was at a restaurant last night and they had these prints all over their walls and then they sold a bunch up front.

it was love at first sight!

you really have to seen them in person to get the detail he put it into them. Ahhhmazing!

Here is a little taste..

Home of the University of Michigan. The Wolverines!!

Here's a little background about the artist...

His name is Brian McKelvey and he is from Michigan!!! Woo-hoo

He has a website called http://www.pubsof.com/

He lived on Mackinaw Island for awhile and that is when he started doing these types of landscapes and I guess it grew from there.

His Alma Mater is Michigan State University - which just so happens to be one of mine too! ( Masters Degree)

So, of course he did his thing with the bar life of MSU!!

I partied it up as a single girl for most my 20's in East Lansing. He is spot - on!

Then when I saw Mt. Pleasant - the home of Central Michigan University.

It brought a tear to my eye. All the memories - I swear came flooding back!

This is where I received my bachelors degree!!

Then of course there is CMU's rivals Western Michigan University....

Kalamazoo!

Both my brother and Fiancee' graduated from there!

You have to see these is person! He has taken all the great hang out spots and made it look like they are all on one street....but it looks so right!

And he is finishing a series of the 'Big Ten'....trust my your guys know what I mean! There are plenty of places he has depicted in the Midwest...

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Next up - for the Ladies...I guess you could do the Gents, but I don't think they you would get quite the same reaction!

Of course, she is has a shop on Etsy. It is called brooklit.

I feel she has a brilliant talent and creates something that is definite one of a kind!

If you send her a pic of your best girlfriend on her wedding day in all her glory - she will give you something back that I am sure your BFF will treasure for the rest of her life.

She will do a fashion illustration of your friend in her wedding gown!!!!

Here are a couple of examples:

Gorgeous right?????

I am definitely doing both of these things! They are just too perfect!

Have you found anything - YOU think is perfect for the bridal party????

See you soon!!!

( By the way - is anyone else - having a terrible time with formatting - or is it just me? Post takes 5 minutes and trying to format it takes an hour.....ahhhhhhh....( that's me screaming)

Cam

Save the Date - Photo Booth Style

Ok Ladies.....

Let me tell you after spontaneously switching our wedding from September to June just last week I have been in wedding planning madness!!!


However - I did want to share something with you all!

We have rented an actual photo booth for our wedding so we wanted to tie in the STD ( By the way - I laugh every time I see that abbreviation... I digress....)

Yesterday...did you hear me YESTERDAY...Mike met me at the mall in the Food Court to be exact so we could use their photo booth! Total Class - all the way!

BTW--- smallest photo booth I have ever laid eyes on or sat in. The two of us barely fit!!

We took a total of 4 strips since it was all he had time for, I picked my faves and of course ETSY to the rescue!

I used the Alchemy feature - if you remember from this post.

And Ta- Da - 2 hours later I have my finished product.

How's about that for service?!

Now for the big reveal...




















TRUST ME...they are sooo much more vivid in person! I took it with my phone camera. The ones that she sent me so I could copy are itty - bitty

She even made them so I could fit 3 on a page to cut down on copies.









and by SHE - I mean deidamiah.etsy.com.


Amazing - I tell you. Sent 4 strips to her - she did her magic in less then 2 hours and charged me 6.99. Hello?????

She is my new "go -to" girl!!

Oh and the last pic on the strip has little scribbly hearts above my head and then written across the bottom is

"Come shake your tailfeather"

See you later..back into the world of wedding planning madness!!

Winter weddings - whats not to love?

Hello Lovlies....

Since I am in Michigan its all about the snow! It was soooo difficult to look at any venues (I wanted an outside wedding) because they were ALL covered with snow! Whats to see?!

I remember all the times growing up my mom would always say that she dreamed of me having a winter wedding and all bridesmaids would have hand muffs instead of flowers. I can't tell you the number of times I had heard this.

Funny thing she hasn't once brought it up since the actual planning of the wedding...she must have given up on it. However, with all this wedding planning I think about what having a winter wedding would be like. I know this much discounts, discounts, discounts!!!

Anyways... I came across this picture by a Michigan photographer - the company is called Modern photographic and I just fell in love with this picture!
I love the way the fur is framing the face - its just so timeless....

















Here is the couple out on the river banks - you have to admit the snow makes a beautiful background! So clean...










How cool is this one - it looks like she is catching a snowflake?!
This picture was taken by a gentleman that travels around the world to photograph weddings. You can find him here.












These photos were taken by a Michigan studio by the name of Purcell photography.
It reminds me of "Its a Wonderful life" . With the the old theater and the top hat.

How kickin' are those snow boots she has on?? Love it!

Again , right here in Michigan
-these photos were taken in Traverse City




Of course then looking at the pics brings me to bridal wear..ahh.. sigh...
These next three pics of different and gorgeous caplets are off of ETSY. I know your shocked! I can't help it - they are my go to people!

ANYWAYS - all these caplets are made in Michigan!! You read it right! The shop is called and it is out of the great state of Michigan.


















This one ( well actually all of them really do..) has an amazing vintage vibe!!



















This one I just want to wear somewhere!!! I need a fancy party - ASAP!
















I LUURRVVE this piece below - the vintage brooch is to die for!! I found it on...wait for it....ETSY!! The Shop is named SpAZooie
















And here is a bride taking it out for a night on the town or maybe signing a marriage certificate...whatever














I was in a wedding once and it was a Catholic ceremony in the dead of winter. The bridesmaids wore black caplets ( like the below except without the tie) over red dresses...I have to tell you - it was a knockout!! We didn't have muffs though.....







credit for pic







I could go on and on...but honestly I need to stop and go get ready. We are going to Mike's brother's house for a cocktail party. Ooh La La

Cam

Cake Toppers Galore

Hello Lovelies!

Since yesterday I posted some cake toppers, I thought I would I would continue on with the theme, but this time with unique, cool, and ones that have personality!!!
I have always thought a cake topper could be a place where you can show you and your fiance's personality! so here we go....

First up....


This cake topper isa silhouette form made out of metal. Very cool for the minimalist and modern. This can be found on the Beau comp website.






This topper is completely made out of paper!! Not only can it be used as a cake topper but it can also sit by a guestbook. There are tons of variations. It looks like the shop just opened on etsy- so lets give it some love!

concarta-etsy












Here is the section of the "love birds". Love birds is almost a wedding staple, but c'mon lets put a unique spin on old tradition!

I know, I know...their faces don't exactly exude happiness but I think that what makes them out of the norm. They are more "hipster". Gotta love the clothes!
BTW...they have elephants, rabbits, frogs....

The snippets - etsy













Here are some pretty classy blue birds! They are beautifully handmade with papermache. if you look at the shop they have all sorts of style birds..white, brown, silhouettes, etc... There is also a couple of beautiful bride and grooms.

middleburg-etsy












I love the colors and the sweetness of these lovebirds. They are made out of Premo polymerclay and the designer states that you can choose your own colors.

blue butterfly design - etsy














I just want to eat up these birds - they are just too damn cute!!! When you look at the shop you will see that each pair has different designs painted on them and the designer also stated that you can put in custom requests. The shop also has gorgeous "Human" figures too and another thing that I adore is that they also have different shades of birds paired together!

red light studio - etsy









I just have to say - you need to go look at the shop and view the different toppers that they have created! You give them the details of your Dress, Veil, Suit, Tie, Boutonniere, Hair, Skin and Eye Color and in turn they create you and your hubby into a cake topper. They are ridiculously talented!! Not to mention incredibly modern.

dandelionland - etsy








This is another shop that will create a look-alike couple for your wedding topper. However, this shop is a little more country and if you are looking for that at-home, rustic, simple type vibe - then this is the shop for you!!!
You send in a couple of photos and then they will send you a couple of sketches until everyone is satisfied!

urastarhouse - etsy









If you have a fantastic sense of humor and you and your friends like to live it up - then I think this would be a pretty hysterical cake topper.!!!

Not only will they try to copy the brides dress and hair color and also the grooms tie and suit BUT they will also customize the wine bottles!!

That's serious business!

Bluebutterflydesign -etsy




Maybe you met in a library or you share a love of books or maybe even you're career students. ...either way...I think this topper is pretty damn cool!

They also have them for birdwatchers, food-lovers, and one for a Celtic wedding.

here is the great thing you can put in a request for two brides or two grooms - its about time people are getting it together!!!

lace and rubbish - etsy






This shop has every type of novelty cake topper!
Here we have the red tractor couple, but the shop also has the golf lover, the hunter, the video game player, and the Vegas couple!!
If your looking for a cake topper to represent your fiance's love of a sports team...look no further!

splendorlocity- etsy





This shop will make any "funky" ( that's what she calls it) cake topper you would like. Take a look at her shop and you will know what I mean.

mudcards - etsy










I just love this one!!!!

When pigs fly

I think that says it all!!!

beeminedesigns - etsy











Like I mentioned in my previous post here
Peacocks are all the rage!

krishnasadhu - etsy













Just plain awwww.......
As we all know from that movie
"March of the Penguins" - Penguins mate for life.

And just look at those eyes??!! They look like the puppy dog eyes at the Human society! Oh gosh....why did I even think about that - it makes me sob every time.

fliepsiebieps- etsy




I know there are those gentleman out there that are all about their robots!! Females too!

This cake topper kicks ass is in the robot division - if you ask me. It is very artistic and uses so many types of different materials. Certainly not boring!

After the wedding - I really think it can be used as an art piece in the home.

buildersstudio - etsy









I think a gnome on a cake at a garden wedding that has spunk is just the thing. Why be boring?

thepinkpenguin - etsy



Have you always had a love for sock monkey's? What better way to show off what you love then sit those sock monkey's right on top of your cake for everyone to see!
For us in our 30's - didn't we all have a sock monkey?
You have to admit - its a great conversation starter at the wedding!

ohmygluestick - etsy


This shop is awesome!!!
The cake topper I picked represented the Mexican holiday "Day of the Dead" which I should note is listed under the label "couples that are together forever". Pretty creative.
They also have thee most gorgeous painted love birds - if you love color check these out!

goodydevi -etsy






For my Gothic fans or for those who dig zombies -
here is a cake topper for YOU!!
These are OOAK and I have to tell you - she really does sell out of these fast.

This can be found at Loopyboopy -ets









Some of these cake toppers may not be "you" at all but my goal was to find a little something for everyone. Have a a fantastic day!

Cam

Introducing my best friend...Alchemy!!

Hello Everyone!

I hope all of you had a fantabulous holiday!! Just 4 more days until 2010...that's just crazy I tell you...crazy!

Anyways...

I am 99% positive that anyone reading this either lives on Etsy or at least heard of it...if you have NOT heard of Etsy, then stop right here and type in www.etsy.com and get your little butt over there! pronto!

.....waiting.....waiting.....

everyone back and ready to move on?

So as I was saying I am a 100% positive that you all know about Etsy BUT did you all know about their feature called Alchemy?

If you have - Congrats!! If you have not - then this post is for you!

Alchemy could truly be your future best friend too. Its pretty amazing and is perfect for a bride to be.

Have you ever had this idea in your head but you had no way of making it, you have scoured the stores and surfed the net for something even similar and all you have come up with is a big goose egg?

Enter Alchemy!!!

Turn your ideas into reality with Alchemy!Buyers can post requests for handmade items, and sellers bid on the opportunity to make the goods. - Straight from the Etsy site itself

Just think of yourself as the head designer and Etsy is your wildly creative and talented staff that can make your ideas come to life ...Poof...there they are at your doorstep Not bad, huh?

All you have to do is click on to etsy, click custom, and fill out a bid request and I swear in a matter of hours you will start getting bids. Well depending on how area specific your request is - response might be a day...that is still outrageous!

Your ideas could be totally unique ideas....

Carpenter needed to make custom wood canopy for fish tank

painting of your cat

a plush stuffed sewn milk carton

or

Maybe you want something custom made...

rubber stamp, first Christmas ornament, or a cake topper.

or

May be you saw something and and want it recreated like:


Oxidized brass chain bracelet/ring combination, must be identical to the picture provided.

Custom adult women's shirt similar to picture

Crisp Tea Length Wedding Dress Reproduction

By the way, all the ideas above were straight off the alchemy request board ( I don't judge....) - even the ones without links ( they just didn't have pictures)

Do you have a certain fabric that matches your reception decor perfectly and you want bunting flags made out if it

or...

you have the perfect centerpiece idea but have no idea how to go about it

or...

you created a fab logo for your wedding and now you need stickers, rubber stamps, escort cards, etc....?

ALCHEMY is your answer! Seriously I can go on and on and I really shouldn't because I'm not sure if what I've typed so far makes since..its 4 in the morning ( don't ask..)

Oh wait!!...how can I forget...you can also put your price point on the request ...How cool is that???

I bet the wheels are turning now??

I just have to say this WAS NOT a sponsored post, I just truly love the Alchemy option on Etsy! I personally have used it 6 times.

I better be off... I really do need to sleep.

But I would love to hear if you have used alchemy in the past or since reading this post do you now have a request that you are going to post in Alchemy.

I want to hear all about it!!

Happy Designing!


Cam