Dressing up a jam jar

Maine For our favors, we're giving guests a little jar of homemade blueberry jam--a local treat! I'm having them made and canned into small jars, but wanted to dress them up to match the other things we have going on at the reception.

I topped the lid with mini gingham fabric (a smaller version of our napkins on the table) and finished the edges off with pinking shears. A dab of glue on the top makes them MUCH easier to tie the blue hemp raffia around the lid.

To finish it off, I designed a label and a special gift tag with a message on the back for our guests. I can't wait to see them full and lined up for our guests!

Why hello there!

Wow, I have not updated my blog in over a week. I had such a busy season, that things were piling up around the house and not to mention my accounting needed some serious attention. Pete is an excellent assistant and all, but his lack of opposable thumbs doesn't help for my office tasks. He did a great job making sure I got breaks, where we spent time in the yard in his new pool--just in time for summer! Whoever says that terriers are not fans of water, has not met my dog. You can't keep him out of the pool.

It has been nice to sit back and relax! For the last few months, my nights have been jam packed with getting proofs out and packing up orders. Don't get me wrong, I am NOT complaining. In a few short weeks, things will amp back up for my fall brides. I'm excited to announce that with that will come a few more new designs. I can't wait to share them with you.

With Fall in mind, check out these ADORABLE DIY S'more favors from Project Wedding. How cute would these be at an outdoor wedding. Throw a couple of firepits out and let your guests make their own s'mores. Or, send them home with the kits--they're sure to be enjoyed!


Materials:
1. Hershey's Chocolate Bars
2. Graham Crackers
3. Marshmallows
4. Wire Hangers
5. Cellophane Bags in 3 Sizes
6. Adhesive Paper and Cardstock
7. Labels and Instructions design (downloadable pdfs right here and here.)
8. Kraft Box with Lid 4.75" x 6" x 2.5"
9. Tissue
10. Ribbon
11. Scissors
12. Wire Cutter

STEP 1
Remove the marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers from their original packaging and put them in cellophane bags. Here we put six graham cracker squares in a 4" x 6" bag, Three chocolate squares in a 5" x 3" bag, and about 10 marshmallows in a 5.5" x 8" bag.

STEP 2
With the wire cutters, cut off the head of the hanger and then bend the hanger in fourths so it fits the length of the box. Secure it with ribbon. (these will serve as your skewers to roast your marshmallows--how clever!)

STEP 3
Print out the labels on adhesive paper and instructions on cardstock and cut them out. Fold up the instructions.

STEP 4
Lining the box with a piece of tissue, assemble the marshmallows, crackers, chocolate, instructions and hanger in the box.

STEP 5
Adhere the label to the box lid and voila! A S'mores Kit!

Head over to Project Wedding for a boatload of wedding inspiration!

Featured Favor: Recipe Books

I love when couples take the time to think out their favors and make is something meaningful to them--and in turn, their guests too. I've received many pieces of monogrammed chocolate bars and other trinkets like candles or picture frames, but I've yet to get something as thoughtful (and useful!) as a family recipe book.

Granted, I love to cook, so I might be a little biased--but this is such a wonderful idea featured on Intimate Weddings.

To put this together, the couple simply mailed out a blank recipe card with their wedding invitations as part of the RSVP suite. Each guest sent in a favorite recipe and the bride compiled them all into a recipe book to share with her guests at the wedding. Anyone that couldn't make it was sent a copy in the mail...what a thoughtful idea!

If you'd like to do something like this, I can design a recipe card to match any of my invitation sets--like this one for my Blooms and Stripes design:

FREE matching gift tags with stationery orders!

Starting now, with every invitation/save the date order (excluding samples), you will receive 10 complimentary gift tags that match your wedding stationery. Use them on your shower favors, out-of-town bags or bridal party gifts. The possibilities are endless.


Click here to view large.

The invitation shown with these matching tags is the Tea Length Damask.

You are welcome to order more for wedding favors, just email me!

Need a favor?

My big thing with wedding favors, is that many people leave them behind. Or, they take them home never to see them again. Why not give them something that they will use. And use again. And again.



Reusable shopping bags come in a variety of colors and can be customized with your monogram, a graphic from your invitation or your names/wedding date. They're sure to be loved and reused by your guests.

The bag seen here has the graphic from my Art Deco save the date.


Like it? You can buy a sample of this save the date here.