Instructions for Save the Date Calendar Stickers

I got the blue linen paper for the save the date backing, so I finished those up today! Here are the instructions:

I designed the sticker in PowerPoint, then printed samples of multiple sizes to find one that fit perfectly in my hole punch. Then I copied that perfectly sized design and was able to fit 30 per page.

I printed those and used the hole punch to cut them out. I would have hated to have cut out 300 circles, so I HIGHLY recommend getting a large hole punch. I found a cute Martha Stewart one with scalloped edges.I then put all 300 stickers through the sticker maker. Mine is a XYRON250 and I was able to fit two circles across.

Then I cut the stickers into strips of 3.

I also designed the save-the-date cards in powerpoint and printed 4 per page. Each card ended up being 3 3/4" x 5"

Then I glued the sticker strips to the cards. Because the strips were slick, double sided tape didn't work, it peeled right off. I ended up using spray adhesive.

Then I cut blue linen cardstock into 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" for the backing, 4 per page, and used glue dots to attach.

My camera is low quality, and believe me, they look much nicer in person!

The countdown says 188 days! If I remember correctly, when I started this blog I had 287. My word, 99 days REALLY flew by!

Almost as important as the dress: SHOES!

I ordered a pair of shoes today! I found them at gojane.com and they were an AMAZING price! $16.99 including shipping! The heel is a bit taller than I would like, but as my mom pointed out, I only have to wear them for the ceremony and cake and punch reception. I plan to wear flats for the farm reception. I can't wait to get them delivered to see how they fit!

Update on the save the dates

I've been addressing envelopes for the save the dates today, and the more I look at them, the more I realize they look just plain and boring!

I already have the cards printed and the sticker strips glued on, so I'm definitly not starting from scratch. The cards are a bit smaller than the envelopes, so I think I'll cut navy blue cardstock to the same size as the envelopes and use that as a backing for the white cards.

I'm SO tempted to cut up one of the papers I ordered for the pocketfolds to try it out, but I didn't buy any extra custom cut paper, so I'm not going to waste one! I'll just going to have to wait until I get the new paper delivered. Bummer!

Baby, it's STILL cold outside!

Another ice day = another constructive wedding planning day!

I've been working on the pocketfolds for my invitations since the paper was delivered. I do just a few at a time so I won't get sick of doing all of them at once! I've been meaning to take pictures of the process to post the instructions, so I'm finally doing that today:

Before I get started, I need to let you all know I did not come up with the pocketfold idea on my own. I'm using the measurements from this blog: Heather's Road to the Aisle.

Supplies:

- paper (I ordered mine from limitedpapers.com. The brand is Beckett Cambric Linen and the color is Blazer Blue. When I ordered, I asked for it to be custom cut to 16 1/8"x 7")

- paper cutter (with an interchangeable paper scorer)

- template for the inner and outer flap ( I made my own)

- bone folder (to get nice crisp folds)

- good scissors

- very skinny double sided tape

Instructions:

First, score a straight line at 3"

next, score a straight line at 5 1/8"

next, score a straight line at 5"

use the bone folder on each of the scored lines to create a very crisp fold

line up and trace the inner flap template

line up and trace the outer flap template

cut out each flap after traced

Here is the entire thing, scored and folded and cut, ready to be taped up
This is what I found to be the hardest and most time consuming part: getting the tape just the right length and in the correct position. This took a lot of trial and error!peel off the tape cover on both sides and fold the flap up
I flattened the tape with the bone folder. Here is the completed pocket, ready to be stuffed:
All folded up:

Of course, it looks quite plan right now, but I will be adding the actual invitation, and inserts in the pocket, as well as some kind of embellishment on the outside. I'm thinking possibly a sunflower or monogram, or a combo of the two!

Baby, it's cold outside!

We had a mini ice storm last night, so school was cancelled today. I used the day off to finish up my save-the-dates. I'm planning on buying envelopes tomorrow so I can get them addressed and in the mail right after Christmas.

Here I'm punching out the stickers. The original plan was to cut out circles, but thank goodness I found this paper punch, after 300 circles I would have been sick of cutting them out!


Here are all 300 paper circles, about to go through the sticker machine.


The finished product

My countdown tells me 200 more days! Wow...time is going pretty quickly!

I'm uber amazing!

I just noticed in one of my comments that I've been nominated by Ashley from Lost in the Moment for The Uber Amazing Blog Award.

How fun!
The Uber (synonym to Super) Amazing Blog Award is a blog award given to sites who:
~ inspires you
~ makes you smile and laugh
~ or maybe gives amazing information
~ a great read
~ has an amazing design
~ and any other reasons you can think of that makes them uber amazing!

The rules of this award are:
* Put the logo on your blog or post.
* Nominate at least 5 blogs (can be more) that for you are Uber Amazing!
* Let them know that they have received this Uber Amazing award by commenting on their blog.
* Share the love and link to this post and to the person you received your award from.

I pass this honor on to:
Lisa from A Sweet Soiree
Maureen from A Wedding Addict
Kate from Some Dreams Come True
Annie from The Doctor Takes a Bride
and Laura from When Two Become One

To veil or not to veil?

So, I was pretty well set on a birdcage veil. But Jake makes it pretty clear he thinks it looks silly! I would still like to try one on to see how I like it, but I've also been looking at some other options.

I really like the hairstyle here, and I definitly have thick enough hair to pull it off.

The hairpiece is nice too!

By the way...219 days!

Christmas Shopping

It's the day before Thanksgiving and I'm ALMOST done with my Christmas shopping! I have gifts for everyone except one person. And that's only because it's for a gift exchange and I don't know who's name I will get yet!

I got Jake's gift today and I'm so excited about it I just have to share!

He has shown me some watches he likes, he wants a watch with the open face so you can see the gears inside. I was window shopping after doing my registry and went into Fossil to look at the purses and came out with this watch!

It's an automatic so he won't have to worry about batteries, and it has an 11 year warranty.

I love to watch the little gears move. It's amazing!

I can't wait to give it to him!

Finally getting some wedding plans done!

I haven't done ANYTHING for the wedding in quite a while! I finally took a couple of hours and completed my registry at Macy's. I was so surprised at how helpful and personable the associates were! I guess they really treat you right when they know how much business you will be bringing to their store!

Of course, she didn't think I registered for enough items, but I only registered for things I really need or really really want! I figure after the bridal shower I can update it if I need more items, but I think this is good for now.

Check it out: www.macysweddingchannel.com
Also, I did my walmart registry a month ago, so check it out too: www.walmart.com/giftregistry

Great Mail Day!

I love getting packages in the mail, and yesterday I got 3!!!

One package was the Christmas gift that I ordered for my youngest niece. I can't wait for her to open it!

The 2nd package was an Ipod!! I've been trying to make myself start running, but I just can't seem to get myself motivated. Well, Jake bought me an Ipod to help me have a little more fun while running. It's my early Christmas gift!

Last, and most exciting, I got the paper for my pocketfolds! I ordered Beckett-Cambric Linen paper in Blazer Blue. I just ordered that paper on Monday, so I was very surprised that it came so soon!

I couldn't wait to tear it open!

I also got it cut to the size I will need before folding. 120 sheets of 16 1/8 x 7. I'll be using the instructions from this blog: Heather's Road to the Aisle.

Today I went to shopping after work and bought a paper trimmer/scorer, so now I'm ready to get my pocketfolds started! Hopefully I'll have an update post soon!

Let's talk about veils...

I'm really torn about what to do about a veil. With the shape/style of my dress, I really think a birdcage veil would look great! Here are some examples of what I like:




Kind of quirky, but I think it fits my personality!

For some reason, Jake doesn't really like the look of the birdcage veil. Bummer!
I sent him an email with a few different types of veils, (including the birdcage) and he chose this one...



Isn't this style so...overdone?

So, should I go with the birdcage, or stick with something a little more toned down for Jake?

By the way...265 days.

Simply yummy!

Mom and I met with the caterer on Saturday! She runs the cafeteria at the local community college and does catering on the side. Grandpa Jack will be frying fish, so we only need some simple side dishes. We decided on this menu:

- turkey and ham tray (for those that don't like fish)
- half ear corn on the cob
- cubed roasted potatoes
- coleslaw
- salad
- corn bread muffins
- lemonade & iced tea

I'm getting hungry! That being said, I made French Onion Soup tonight! I'm about to go try it...let's hope it turned out OK!

Who's the Birthday Girl?

I'm the birthday girl! 24! I'm no longer in my early-twenties, now I'm in my mid-twenties. Thinking of it that way, it seems like a big difference!

On a side note, I'll go ahead and post my next DIY! Mom and I came up with a great idea for centerpieces at the reception, and I wanted to see how that idea would look, so I bought some fake flowers from Walmart, and threw it all together.







Mom and I bought a bunch of these galvanized french vases.







So...here's a mock-up of what I would like the centerpieces to look like! The yellow gingham squares were used as part of the centerpieces at my sister's wedding, so they are completely free! I'm not sure exactly how the flowers will look, but this gives me a general idea.

My First DIY

So, I actually completed this project months ago, but I thought I should start sharing some of the DIY things I have done!

I found these baskets in my mom and dad's stack of "garage sale junk." I took them home, painted them bright white, and added some cute yellow gingham ribbon, and...

wal-lah! Two super cute FREE flowergirl baskets!

DON'T let me cut my hair!

Lately, I've been wanting to cut my hair. I see all of these ladies with really cute, short, swingy hairstyles and they just look so sharp, I start to think maybe I should cut my hair! Well, don't let me!

I want my hair long for the wedding. I haven't decided for sure if I want to leave it down, but I don't want to eliminate that option yet!

So, during those times when I'm tempted to chop it off, I have to keep reminding myself....NO you're getting married!

Time is going by too quickly!

After a short discussion with Shannon this weekend, I realized the wedding is just over 9 months away! 278 days to be exact. It really feels like it was just July 4th, but that 3 months flew by! On the positive side, that means the next 9 months will go by quickly, and then I'll be able to see Jake everyday! But on the SCARY side, I only have 9 months to plan the rest of the wedding!

I feel so behind! I kind of put off a lot of planning for after mom got home from vacation. She's home, and I'm still not planning anything! There are many big things that I really want to get taken care of as soon as possible, like getting a tent rented, finding a caterer, booking a photographer, and ordering paper for the invitations. Those are just the things that I think are the most urgent! I also want to get the save-the-dates printed off and the wedding registry finished, but those aren't really pressing matters.

So, my goal for this week: complete at least TWO of the major needs addressed above. Wish me luck!

The Basics of My Wedding

You've met me and you've met the wedding party. Now I'll cover some of the basics I have planned for my wedding.

The Ceremony:
We are planning to get married at 2:00 in the afternoon on July 4th, 2009 in Missouri. I have booked the church that I grew up at. My family have been members there since 1989! The sanctuary was dedone a few years ago, and now instead of long pews, has separate chairs that connect together. I love this because the chairs are currently situated with 2 aisles, but I will be able to move them to form 1 center aisle. I have asked the head minister to officiate the ceremony. I have known him since I was in 5th grade, so I feel like it will be great to be married by someone that knows me personally. I'm planning to have the youth minister (who was the youth minister while I was in Junior High through High School) to say an opening prayer.

The Church Reception:
Immediately after the ceremony, we plan to have a cake and punch reception in the fellowship hall in the church. This will give our guests a chance to visit with us immediately and not have to wait for us to get done with pictures.

We will then have a break for a few hours. During this time, the bridal party and family will have all of the professional photos taken, and the guests will be able to either go home or back to the hotel to rest and change out of their formal clothes.

The Dinner Reception:
Later in the evening, possible 7:00 or 8:00 we will have an outdoor reception. This will take place in a tent on my parent's farm. Guests will be encouraged to wear casual attire. At this reception, I am most excited about having a fireworks display after sundown!

Meet the Bridal Party!

Time to meet us!

The Bride:
My name is Maggie and I'm 23. I'm a Junior High Math Teacher and also coach cheerleading. I also like to play golf, bake, and plan my wedding! I'm excited about undertaking many DIY wedding projects!

The Groom:
Jake is 24 and is a Staff Sergeant in the US Air Force. He is a Diesel Mechanic and is currently stationed overseas.

The Matron of Honor:
My sister, Susie, will serve as Matron of Honor. She lives a long distance from me, so I hope she will check in on my blog often to see my plans unfolding!

Best Man:
Jake's best friend, Matt, is the Best Man. He is an electrician here in Missouri, and doesn't realize yet, but he is going to be helping me alot with the wedding planning!

Bridesmaids:
My friend, Shannon, will be a bridesmaid. She is a financial consultant in St. Louis and I expect she will also be getting engaged soon!
My sister-in-law Hilary, will also be a bridesmaid. She is going to college to get a teaching degree (it runs in the family!) She and my brother, Nic, have three daughters.
My niece, Alex, will be a Junior Bridesmaid.

Groomsmen:
Jake's friend, Travis, will be a groomsman. He owns a business here is Missouri. He and his girlfriend, Katie, have an adorable daughter!
Jake's friend, Justin, will also be a groomsman. He is also in the Air Force. He and his wife, Barbara, live in Nebraska.

The Kids:
Jake's niece, Olivia, will be a guestbook attendant.
My niece, Rylee, will be a ringbearer.
Jake's niece, Ella, will be a flowergirl.
My niece, Andie, will also be a flowergirl.

And that's that!

So, I'm officially a blogger!

I did it! I caved in! I joined the world wide club of blogging! I have been engaged for quite a few months and have already made lots of wedding plans, but I feel like I still have even more to still plan! And so, I'll be posting my plans as they come along.

The wedding is planned for July 4th, 2008! The ticker on my computer says 287 days to go!