Cute Cupcake Flags

So I promised I would post about the cute little flags that I created for my wedding cupcakes. It really didn't take very long to make them. It's more of an assembly line process where I turn on the travel channel or food network and just veg out in front of the tv while my hands start cutting and my mind turns off. Jen had given me some spare paper to use, so all I really had to buy was the lollipop sticks for the posts of the flags. (You can find these at any party store, such as Party City or any kind of home goods store.) I improvised as I started working on the flags and this little design was created. Here is the step by step process:

1. This is the green paper Jen gave me. I'm sure you can find paper at any art store. Just make sure it's thick enough so the flags stick straight out from the lollipop stick. We don't want floppy flags for this project.

2. Cut the paper in 1" strips

3. Once the strips are cut, fold over 1" increments in the strips and then cut.

4. You should end up with 2" strips that are folded in half.

5. Once you have your little "flags" cut triangles into the open flap of the flag. You don't have to do this step. I just thought it made the flags more unique.

6. Next take the lollipop stick and place in the fold of the flag. Put double stick tape on the lollipop stick and on one side of the flap.

7. Fold over the paper and press firmly so the tape adheres to the each side.

Final result: cute little flags for your cupcakes!

mmmm... (homer simspon sound) cupcakes...

My good friend and baker extrodinaire, Susanne DeLoach, (owner of tsp. bakery) is creating some yummy treats for our wedding. I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE carrot cake, so when I tasted her cupcakes for the first time, about a year ago, I knew it was love at first bite. She just "officially" started her baking business, but has been baking for friends and family for many years. Here are some of her creations that we'll be having at our wedding.

These carrot cake cupcakes make me drool just by looking at them!

Justin's favorite dessert is keylime pie, so Susanne created a little tart
for us from scratch! They are sooooo good.

You can also find Susanne on Facebook. Join her fanpage and order some delicious treats!


So, of course being the paper nut that I am, I'm thinking of incorporating some kind of cute little paper holder for my cupcakes instead of just the regular ones you get at the grocery store. I've been researching some amazing paper wraps at paperorchidstationery.com and just can't seem to decide on just one design! I also have to take into account that my little cupcakes will have flags in each of them that I created to glam them up just a teensy bit more. (That blog will be posted in a few days so you can take a stab at creating them). Here are some of the paper wraps I absolutely love:

Not that I would use this basket, but it's so stinkin' cute!

More to come next post about my little flags, which were inspired by my great friend, Kristen, who is also a designer, painter, artist and just talented lady all around.

-LG

Inspiration Monday: Paper Jewelry

We're doing some accessory overhauling over here at Farewell...While Lisa looks for jewelry and shoes for the perfect wedding day getup, I also decided it was time to fall in love with some new Spring earrings. Etsy, here I come. My search sent me on an online scavenger trail a mile long, and landed me where most of my online adventures do, to paper. In this case, paper of the jewelry persuasion. Oohs and ahhs abound, here are some of my favorite finds.

{ credits: coral paper ring by Frucci Designs on etsy, pink paper pendant and green paper pendant by Jennaca Leigh Davies, gold leaf necklace and raspberry paper necklace (bottom) by Ana Hagopian, japanese paper pendants unknown, wheel origami earrings by funnysky on etsy, paper broach by Noriko Yamaguchi }

Cheers!
} jp-c

Bridezilla

I promised myself 6 months ago when I started this whole wedding adventure that I would never be "that bride." You know, the bride that painstakingly took the time to write a little thank you note on the back of every escort card while she was in the middle of getting her hair done. Or tried on a million dress and shoe combinations to find the perfect match so she would look absolutely stunning in her wedding pictures. That wasn't me. Or at least I thought it wasn't. I never grew up thinking my wedding day was going to be a pivotal, earth-shattering, life-changing event. Sure, I knew it was a special day, but I always pictured it as a really big, fun party, rather than a 6 course meal with programmed entertainment. But somehow, over the past 5 months, between the 8 pairs of off-white shoes I ordered online (which I will sadly admit, I still can't find a pair I like) and the massive ball of Christmas lights I have yet to untangle, I'm realizing I've become that bride.

My living room

My house is full of center pieces, fabric scraps, Christmas lights, gift bags, Chinese take out boxes... The list feels endless to me. Pandora's box was opened the minute Jen and I started on my Save The Dates and now there's no turning back. What's odd about this whole epiphany, is that I'm actually enjoying these projects. No one told me I had to collect vintage glass for my centerpieces or that I should make my own dessert display. It just...happened one day and my to-do list keep getting longer. Part of me thinks it's the designer side of my personality that can't live with half-baked decorations and I'm sure the control freak in me can't just let anyone organize the seating. My wedding decor has become quite the obsession and I don't think I'll be able to shake it until the big day arrives.

The vintage glasses and jars I'm collecting

The good (and bad) news is that I have 1 month to finish all of my projects. And honestly, when it's all said and done, no one will remember that I crafted my cupcake stands out of old plates and candle holders, or that the sign in book was just that, a book. Not the Polaroid keepsake I was hoping to create. Guests just remember the food and possibly the music. So to make myself feel better about my crazy crafting (and to bond w/ other fellow brides, pre or post wedding) my next few blog entries will be about my wedding decorations. I hope to inspire some and bring back memories for others that have gone through this crazy dementia during their engagement period. And if you have no clue what I'm talking about, then I hope you at least enjoy the pictures.

-LG

Green Eggs and Fam

So, last week I had my first family visit since we've been in SF. It was non-stop fun with my in-laws, and I saw so much of the city that I hadn't seen yet. Of course, in the midst of our cable-car riding, museum-going, and sourdough bread gorging, my 8-year-old sister-in-law made sure that we didn't forget the most important activity of the weekend: painting easter eggs! It had been years since I'd done this, and I forgot how much fun it is. Not to mention funny smelling. Vinegar + hard-boiled eggs = a lot of fart jokes from the 8-year-old. (Okay, and the 29-thru-65-year-olds.)



Already prepping for next year, when I think I'll step up my egg game and do some Washi Eggs with Japanese papers.

{ photos via: tower.com, nicole carlson, flickr, sandy carlson }

Now, that is some yummy, eggy paper goodness. Yay-err.


} jp-c

Who doesn't love a baby elephant?

A few months ago we created these darling cards for a repeat customer of ours. She was hosting another baby shower for a close friend of hers and wanted something similar to what we did for her the first time she used our services. Our customer didn't want anything too girly or frilly and she loved the idea of cream and chocolate brown for the color scheme. Somehow, during our meeting, baby elephants popped into our heads and she told us to run with it. The cards instantly turned into a fun elephant family, holding each others tails. Not sure if you can see the detailing (we may have to take some more photos) but there is a cream stitch around the edge of the card and the elephants all have different patterns for their ears. Cute.