How To: Paper Pinwheels

I love the delicate, feminine look of paper pinwheels. Our wedding reception was in a large white room, so pinwheels were the perfect way to fill the space without putting a large dent  in our budget.

We were limited to the nails provided for hanging since our venue did not allow anything attached to the wall, but there are several gorgeous different ways pinwheels can be displayed! 

Via

Via

Via

You will need:

*Creates 1 Pinwheel*

3 sheets 12" Scrapbook paper (not cardstock)

Paper Cutter

Modge Podge

Paint Brush

Ruler 

Hot Glue Gun

Hole Punch

Clear Twine

1. Cut 2 sheets of paper in half so that you have (4) 6x12" strips. Then, cut an additional 6x6" strip from your third sheet. You will need this extra small piece to create a full circle.  

2. Lay the first strip vertically patterned side down and beginning at the bottom, fold up a 1" piece. Flip the sheet over and create another fold the same size. repeat until you've created an accordion fan.

3. Create accordion folds with all 5 strips.

4. Attach the fans together into one long accordion. Paint Modge Podge on the end fold of one side and adhere the glue piece to the end of another fan. Make sure all pieces are patterned side up.

5. Create a circle from the one long piece by gluing the 2 ends together. The pattern should be facing outwards.

6. Carefully flatten the circle by gathering the bottom ends together and pressing down to fan out the rest. Be gentle and do not crush the paper.

7. Place a few drops of hot glue down into the center of the pinwheel where the ends meet. Hold the center together for several seconds to allow the glue to dry. Flip the pinwheel over, and add glue down the center of the other side. If you do not glue the center in the front and back, the pinwheel will collapse.

8. To hang the pinwheel with twine, punch a small hole on one of the folds at the top of the wheel and tie a piece of twine to it. I punched my holes but waited to add the twine at the time of hanging to determine the length needed.

To create mini pinwheels, follow steps 1-8 using 8.5x11" sheets of paper. :)

 

We loved these so much, they are now hanging in the guest room in my family's home! What event could you use pinwheels for?

Something Old, Something New

Today is our 2nd wedding anniversary! I can't believe it has already been 2 years since I said "I do" to the man of my dreams. 

I am loving life in Utah with my best friend! Wes never ceases to amaze me with his compassion, unconditional love, and heart to always serve the Lord and others. 

To celebrate this milestone, I'm sharing my Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, and Something Blue. Each detail meant so much to me on our big day!

Something Old: 

My Dad gave me this ring on my parents' wedding day when I was 5 years old. It was so special to be wearing it as he walked me down the aisle.

Something New:

As soon as my mom and I saw this Sash while shopping for my wedding dress, we were sold! It set the stage for the style dress I was looking for. When I put my dress on and added the sash, I knew it was the one. 

Something Borrowed:

I was honored when my grandmother let me use her handkerchief from Sicily for the wedding. 

Something Blue:

One of my students gave me this gorgeous pair of earrings during teacher appreciation week while we were engaged. I found out he told his mom, "Do you think Miss Parsons will wear them on her wedding day?" It was so sweet, I had to incorporate them! They made the perfect something blue in my bouquet. 

Wedding days are some of the most important and wonderful days of our lives, but they also go by in a blur! Some details like your curls falling out will be forgotten, but the parts that stick with you are the memories of sharing your special day with loved ones!

Wedding Photos by Paige Overturf

 Bouquet Photos by Raindrops on Roses.

How To: Cloth Backdrop

With wedding and shower season in full swing, I thought I'd share a simple project that can really make the difference in decorating for an event. A cloth backdrop is the perfect way to add color and/or to a large room, spruce up less appealing space, or provide a photo booth back drop!

At our wedding, we used a cloth backdrop to cover up a hallway at front of our reception room. It also created a more dramatic entrance for the wedding party since there was not a door there, and acted as a pretty backdrop to the sweetheart table. 

You will need: 

3 yards each of 4 different solid colored cotton fabrics. Note: This could vary depending on the height and width of your wall or doorway. 

1/2'-3/4" Thick rope or cord approx. 18" longer than the width of your wall or doorway.

Measuring Tape

Fabric Scissors

1. Measure the height and width of the wall or doorway you the backdrop will cover before purchasing fabric. We used 3 yards each of 4 colors of cotton fabric--a mixture of shiny and flat textures. Our doorway was 98" long and we had a few inches for tying the strips as well. 

2. Unfold and layout the first piece fabric. You will be cutting into the shorter side of the fabric, making each strip 3 yards long (or as many yards as you purchased.) Measure and make an 1.5" cut into the fabric every 3". 

3. Starting at the snip you made in the fabric, carefully tear the fabric into long strips. The fabric will actually tear evenly and create a nice effect to the edges! Repeat with all 4 fabric colors. 

4. Lay out the fabric strips on the ground in the desired pattern. Cut off any loose strings. Lay the cord or rope across the top of your strips.  

5. Tie each strip to the cord. I left about 1.5" of each strip above the cord. Spread the strips evenly across the cord. 

6. Cut the bottom of the strips to be the same length, or stagger different lengths if desired. To store until use, fold the backdrop over a hanger and hang to keep from tangling. 

I tied my cord to 2 nails to hang the backdrop. A tension rod can also be used in more narrow doorways!

Wedding photos by Paige Overturf

How To: Wishing Tree Tags

I recently shared how we created the "Wishing Tree" for our wedding. Here is a tutorial on how I made the tags. These are simple to make, but time consuming. If your mind is swirling with details, and you just don't have the time to cut out tags, hop over to my Etsy shop for a set!

You can create a tag for each guest attending your wedding. I made a few less since many couples will only leave on message. I set out about 120 tags for 175 guests.

You will need:

A tag you like the shape of, or a pattern created from an index card (Dimensions 2 1/2 x 3 1/2)

1 package of 8 1/2x 11 card stock

Pencil

Scissors

Stamp with a design of choice

Gold ink pad

1-hole punch

White ribbon

*Amounts of ribbon and card stock will vary depending on quantity of tags you choose to make.

1. Trace the tag pattern onto your card stock as many times as it will fit. **If you would like the pattern I used, email me at jmp06b@gmail.com. :)

2. Carefully cut the tag shapes out. I found this task easier with small sharp scissors. 

3. Using a single hole punch, punch a hole about 1 centimeter from the top of the tag. 

4. Using a 3x4  inch stamp and gold ink pad, cover the entire stamp with ink. 

5. With newspaper underneath your tags to protect your worksurface, press your stamp onto your tag. Press down firmly and be careful not to slide the stamp around. 

6. Peel the stamp carefully off of the tag. Try not to touch the stamped tag's wet design. Handle by edges if needed. 

7. Allow your tags to dry for at least 30 minutes. 

8. String a 10" inch ribbon through the tag's hole and knot it at the top.

Display your tags in a pretty basket by your tree for guest to help themselves. :)

We enjoyed all the messages that were left on these tags during our special day. They are pretty enough that we can use them as decor and have the memories as part of our home!