a doily d.i.y. story...

One of my brides who got married this past Saturday, wanted different! Designing this one was fab because Dommie likes rustic and vintage with a colorful edge...sound like anyone you know?  {wink} She is a crafty lil lady for a living, so for her wedding she wanted a break and didn't want to do a thing. I wanted her wedding to be as unique & artsy as she is. They were frustratingly looking at venues when I came on board, and in passing mentioned a barn on her great grandmother's property...and a smile grew on my face! Done! Unique was off to a good start.

Dommie's criteria: A purse her great grandmother made for her.  It was teal and peach, ribbon sewn on like fabric, with a crocheted lace over top. It screamed to be a mascot for a wedding! So when it came to her place settings...this was too easy. Different, vintage, crafty, barn, crochet......

....doilies anyone?

each place setting had a doily cup. some filled with different local flowers & some with acorns.

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How I did it:

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-supplies: doily, sugar, measuring cup, pot, water, cupcake pan

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-equal parts water and sugar. (since you probably won't be doing 100 of them like me) 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar will be plenty and bring to a boil.

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-dip doily with a fork (be careful, hot and steamy!!) until covered.

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-lay in cupcake tray until dry (about 10 hours depending on thickness of doily)

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-paint or dye to your fav color.

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-feel too cute.

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Not just for a wedding...think outside the box; Thanksgiving table, Baby & Bridal Showers, Candy jar, you name it!

It doesn't get much cuter than this...

I would like to give a little spotlight to an etsy shop that is one of my favorites, LILLYBONBON. In fact, I ordered my own wedding cake toppers from her store a couple years ago. When they came in, they were even more adorable then I could have imagined, so I ordered 2 more for my dessert bar! LILLYBONBON is a talented artist making woodland-inspired paper mache art. Cupcake toppers, paper cut-outs...check out her work because she is an elleDesigns' highly recommended artist! If her etsy store isn't cute enough for you, check out her beautiful blog here.

 these last 2 birdies are my wedding cake toppers from LILLYBONBON

Bridesmaid "Thank You" Gifts that are totallly...Clutch.

 Jenna Lou Designs is a crafty Southern Minnesota gal who loves color and design. As a wedding planner, I am always looking for unique and adorable ideas for my brides (and ok, myself, too). When I stumbled across her store on etsy she became a favorite! Jenna Lou Designs customizes clutches & wristlets in 3 sizes with your choice of hundreds of fabrics. Design your own for bridal parties or family gifts! Her store on etsy is not only adorable, but her prices are unbeatable. She makes each one herself & sews with industrial machines and designer fabrics; "Handmade with love" as she says on her store. She gives you a link where you can pick and choose your fabric and lets you customize all the details.  You can even add a personalized woven message in each clutch for just $1. Definitely a must check out!!

    

{Jenna Lou Designs}

Are you ready for some Football?!?

Fantasy Football Draft Party

...complete with Nacho Bar, Pretzel Bar, Football Cake Pops, Smores and more...

bright colored turn ahead...

I love coming up with new designs for the sugar aspect of elleDESIGNS. Lisa wanted BRIGHT and Lisa got it! Pleasure working with you!

sugar by elleDESIGNS

Cake Pops: Butterfinger, Vanilla, Vegan Coconut

Cake: Strawberry Butter Cream

Cupcakes: Cream Cheese, Vegan White Chocolate

Ruffle Pom Pom how-to

I love love love Ruffles! I think I have these at every event hanging from the ceiling, tossed on the floor, mini ones on napkins, filling in bouquets or vases...why? because they are too darn cute! You can use them at bridal showers, birthday parties & especially weddings! Imagine a hundred of them flowing with hanging ribbon from the ceiling of the tent. Mmmm....anyway! At first they are are a little tricky, but once you get the hang of it, you can make 10 in an hour.



Pom Pom how-to by elleDESIGNS

 1. & 2. Start with tissue paper, layer the patterns how you like and trim so they are the exact same width and height. I use 16 sheets if I want them very big and puffy. 8 sheets will do for smaller ones.
3.  Fold the sheets together like a fan and tie a string around the middle, long enough to be able to stick out after pom pom is made,for hanging.
4. Round the edges with scissors. 16 sheets will be hard, make sure you have sharpened scissors and break into parts if you need to. Round, to a point, experiment!
5. & 6. Start, carefully, pulling the tissue apart. Be careful, tissue paper is easily wripped!Make sure your hands are dry!

How pretty! As you can see, blend different patterns and shades of th color for pretty effect!

Tie-the-Knot Tip

You see all those beautiful magazine weddings, where do they find that stuff? It has to be too expensive to buy, do they rent it? Well, as you know I love love love vintage and that is my event style. If you walk in my house, every piece of furniture has a story from stopping in the middle of a busy street because it was on the side of the road or even just walking through my local vintage shops.  



vintage how-to by elleDESIGNS

 

Loving interior design, I like to incorporate these things in my weddings. Sure, I could go rent or buy expensive vintage furniture for the wedding or shower, but instead...how about lets do it under $30? One of the reasons I say if you are a bride on a budget and want to "WOW" your guests, even MORE of a reason to hire a wedding planner!

Any questions? That little contact button at the top right is for you!

cards pretty enough to frame

I love making cards, but what I love even more is walking into a new nursery and seeing the card I made framed on the dresser. Why not get a little creative and instead of buying one off the rack, personalize it and make it too pretty or personal to throw away. Use your scrapbooking things, paintshup on your computer, or as my artsy Aunt Laurie always does, she draws a beautiful picture. Here is one of my favorites for our friend's baby shower.

Love your pets!

Pet Announcments, Pet Birthday Cards, Pet Stationary

and more from Polka Dot Design.

In a survery according to  APPA National Pet Owners Survey, we in the U.S. spend over 4.5 Billion on our pets in 2009 and it rose to 4.7 billion in 2010. Complaining about the economy, bicycling instead of driving to work, buying store brands instead of organic,  but when it comes to that wet nose on our cheek and the little guy playing with our shoelaces, only the best! As the biggest animal lover on the planet, this makes me more than happy! Check out these adorable paper products from Polka Dot design for more ways to induldge.

vist them at www.polkadotdesign.com

http://www.polkadotdesign.com/

minnie mouse fun.



happy 2nd birthday minnie mouse style.

minnie mouse cupcak es by elleDESIGNS



minnie mouse cupcak es by elleDESIGNS



 Everything from the bows to the ears are handmade from sugar! Yummy!

The Chocolate devil's food cake was vegan, the icing was not. But, no one knew the difference. Vegan chocolate is quite delicious!!

You lovebirds!

Cake Toppers have gone from the {said in very serious voice} elegant man and wife-in top hat and gown-holding each other-crystal figurines, ....to {back to my girly, energetic voice} adorable, quirky, and different! Thank Goodness!! What better way to keep the "love" theme with lovebirds! Here are a few I found that are simply adorable! The first picture to the left is the cake toppers from my own wedding from lillybonbon on etsy. When they arrived they were so cute I reordered them for my candy buffet too.

Not just for Weddings anymore either! Put them on top of your cupcakes or cakes at parties & showers! What a great keepsake from the event.

Emilie friday

TheCupcakeGirls

Happy Spring!

The trees have buds, the birds are singing and its officially Spring!

A yummy celebration is in order! How about some cupcakes like these I did for "It's a bug's life" themed birthday! Would also make such a cute themed summer baby shower.

little bug cupcakes. cupcakes & cuteness by elleDESIGNS

Little Cards for Little Birthdays

These were not for any clients, these cards were my lovely niece, Isabella & handsome little nephew Tristan.

elleDESIGNS. Mermaid & Turtle birthday cards

Sugar, doot doot doot doot, do do....

I was discussing with Hanna's Mom about the birthday party for her daughter she wanted me to plan and make a cake & desserts for. I asked if she had any type of decor or cake ideas in mind. She told me for 75 people and then turned me over to my biggest client ever...little 5 year old Hanna.

     "I love sugar. Yes i do. I like Cake and Ice Cream with cherries on top, a donut is nice too. I can only eat them on Sundays, but my party is on a Sunday, so that is "A" ok. I the colors

of watermelons too. But I do not like watermelon. I like Coconut."

And that was all i needed....



by elleDESIGNS5 year old Birthday Party. 4 tier Dessert Cake.



 by elleDESIGNS5 year old Birthday Party. 4 tier Dessert Cake.



Gift Cards that come from the heart..

I know, I know. Gift cards can seem so impersonal...but deep down, isn't that what you would want? A certificate to a store you love? To spend on just yourself? For whatever you want? Those fab pair of stiletto heels you saw in the window, the newest purse at Coach, all new designer make-up, a life size poster of Johnny Depp? OK, you get my point. I do understand that although receiving a gift card is always splendid, being the "giver" of one may seem a little, "here you go, I didn't have time to shop," or even worse, "I know nothing about you, soooo...get what you want."

How about this. Show how much you love them and that you did put forth tons of effort...in the presentation! Even go as far as using their favorite colors. Here is an example to follow so you can see the process of the cuteness! I have no shame saying happy birthday & i love ya with this!

Chic Birthday Card.

Pretty Birthdays Wishes.

card & cuteness by elleDESIGNS.

Happy Birthday...Mon

The birthday girl has an obsession with Corona & the beach. Corona vases and flip flop favors to the rescue!



A Corona Beachy theme birthday by elleDESIGNS.



Pets like to party too!

Chandler's 2nd birthday party complete with large picture of guest of honor, handmade invitations, hats, & party favors (with pet treats), paw print Rice Krispy Cake, and more.
100% handmade & cuteness by elleDesigns