Snip, Snip, Snip

Where have I been? At home. Snipping and sorting and stamping nearly everything in site. Our DIY projects are heading towards home plate and I need to get them done in the next two weeks. Luckily, most of them are already dusting the catcher and only a few of them are still on third base. (Note: No idea where these baseball analogies came from).

Here's a sneak peek at some of what I've been working on (although the images below are just inspiration, they're not of my actual projects):

1) A Picture Wall--but instead of pictures of only us, we'll be hanging pictures of us with our guests from clothespins.

(source)

2) A Pie Bar with a collection of cake stands from various garage sales and vintage stores.

(source)

3) Napkins made from vintage fabric that I've been collecting from thrift stores. Lucky for me, I was tipped off that pinking shears would mean no sewing. Thus, my napkins have pointy edges like the ones below.

(source)

4) A DIY photo booth with a great background a la Mrs. Coconut but with cowboy costumes to go along with our ranch theme.

(source)

After seeing Mrs. Bee's fun photo booth full 'o bees, I was uber-jealous of her background (and of all the bees who got to participate) but oh-so-glad to have a link to where she bought it. I poked around the website she bought hers at, Purl Soho, and have narrowed it down to four fabrics I love. All are the same price which doesn't help me decide. They're each $9 per yard; Mrs. Bee told me she used 2.5 yards and it wasn't enough for group shots. I'll probably buy 3 to 3.5 yards.

So hive, I turn to you. Vote for your favorite Photo Booth Background Fabric below. If you have a strong opinion as to why, fill me in! Maybe I'm not realizing that big prints won't be good or a certain color will make everyone look like an Oompa Loompa.

Deer Valley

Del Hi

Fiona

Pretty Please

Or do I splurge and go for this one at $16 per yard.

County Fair

So which is it? Vote below! Or, if you know of another fabric website with similar (or cheaper!) pricing, let me know! I'm new to this whole fabric game.

Deer Valley
Del Hi
Fiona
Pretty Please
County Fair

Copying Miss Apple Cider

That's right. It's so obvious, I made it my title. After seeing Miss Apple Cider's post on her DIY out-of-town bags, I got right down to it. I'd been conflicted over where to find cheap, bulk bags to use for this project. The best ones I had seen were at Hobby Lobby--brown paper with handles for .50 cents per bag.

But then, Miss Apple Cider came along and introduced the hive to muslin bags from this website. I followed suit and ordered 50 5" x 8" bags.

They were a little smaller than I was expecting--I guess I hadn't really thought about what 5" x 8" meant--but they would have to do. Plus, the fact that they are smaller means it's harder for them to look empty (i.e. I don't have to put as much stuff in them!). We're planning on including a welcome note, a weekend's schedule, a locally-made lip balm and a thing of homemade granola.

To decorate the bags, I also went Miss Apple Cider's route, but I had planned on stamping the bags prior to reading her post. I'd made a custom stamp of Mr. Cowboy Boot's horse that he drew for our save-the-dates from Simon Stamps.

Then, I skipped over to Hobby Lobby where I purchased a heart stamp as well as the stamp that reads "LOVE". Oh, and a few stamp pads.

Total cost of project (including shipping from ordering online):

Bags: $26.10

Custom Horse Stamp: $15

Stamps and Ink Pads: $17

Total: $58.10

Lucky for me, we plan on using the stamps elsewhere like on our note to our guests and on signage around the reception.

Did you DIY your OOT bags?