My Wedding Report

Remember these?

Yes, the long lost Duckling invitations. I know I have been promising the tips from the DIY process, but due to some computer crashes and general life craziness it’s been a little difficult to get everything together.

The printing of the main invitation was very basic. We basically just designed the invite using a combination of Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator. We used my very favorite font Feel Script from Veer, which we had also used for the Save the Dates. Graphics for the entire invitation suite were bought from Istockphoto for a few dollars. We found an image that had all 4 patterns to use so we only had to buy 1 item. Probably the hardest part of the main invitation step was figuring out how to do borderless printing so that the design went to the very edge. Once we figured that it it was a matter of printing 50 at a time until we were done.

Most of the work and labor was bundled up in our little Matchbook booklet a.k.a. “Everything you need to know about our wedding.”

Earlier in the summer Mr. Ducky and I were at my favorite store, Paper Source and found a whole bunch of these matchbooks for 50% off. We weren’t planning on using them, but who were we to pass up a good deal? So, we bought everything they had, not knowing what we were going to use them for. Well, eventually we came up with the idea to use it as the holder of all our inserts in the invitation versus doing something like a pocketfold invite.

On the base we put directions on one side and then details for our website on the other. We printed them on 8 1/2 x 11 paper and then cut them out individually. To avoid messy glue sticks and other adhesive messes I used my trusty Xyron. Or should I say Mama Duckling used the trusty Xyron?! She figured out just the right technique to not waste xyron sticky and go through each insert quickly.

Here is what they looked like after they popped out the Xyron. After that it was a matter of simply removing the sticky backing and then placing the insert evenly onto the matchbook.

Many of you loved our accept/decline stickers for the RSVP cards. (Thanks for all your sweet words!) I have to tell you that was one of the easiest parts of the whole process, which means you can incorporate this into your own DIY project without much trouble. We bought 1 1/4″ round labels from Paper Source and then it was a matter of printing and cutting. One column was “Accept” the next was “Decline” and then repeat for the next two columns.

After printing the paper was all a solid khaki color with the stickers. We carefully peeled away the background surrounding the stickers so that we were eventually left with the backing paper full of round stickers. Now you had white background and the stickers popped against that.

We found the best was to cut was first length wise after your 1st accept and decline column and then width wise so you were left with 2 stickers. For the actual RSVP card we designed it in Illustrator and used the circle shape to indicate where guests should place their answer.

I packaged everything together so it was in one unit and would look presentable when guests opened it. At the last minute I decided to stamp the outside of the matchbook because it seemed like it was missing something.

I knew I wanted to do envelope liners but I was pretty mystified on how to do them. Was I supposed to print the whole page in the print and then cut? Or make some sort of shape? Or just give up completely and do plain envelopes?  Remembering Mrs. Gloss’ beautiful invitations and envelopes, I asked her how she did it. She explained how she just printed the shape of the liner on paper and then cut it out. After her feedback, Mr. Ducky and I figured out how to get 2 liners out of one 8 1/2 x 11 piece of paper. We shrunk down the depth of how far the liner would go in the envelope and lined them up on the edge. This probably doesn’t really make sense so just look at the picture below. You can see the 2 liners on the page and then the cut out version. By having the bottom of the liner on the edge of the paper it also saved some cutting time versus putting it in the middle of the page.

Here is Mr. Ducky dutifully cutting out envelope liners.

To adhere the liners to the envelope we used 3/8″ Adhesive Runner by Xyron that we had previously used for the Save the Dates. It works so well! We “drew” a triangle on the back of the liner in the upper area and then tucked it into the envelope.

And that is about it for the Duckling invitations. I hope that helped. Let me know if you have any questions.

What helped you with the DIY process? Anything seem difficult and then end up being simpler than you thought?

Well, first I must apologize for the delay of this post and my absence. I know I promised you the tutorial long ago, and I figure I should probably finish that before I show you all my invitations. In the middle of my wedding craziness my computer hard drive crashed and I lost a whole bunch of blog pictures and posts along with address spreadsheets, contracts and all sorts of other stuff that stresses you out. Not to worry, I think I’ve pieced a lot of it back together in the last few weeks.

Ready for the tutorial on the Duckling save the dates? I’m warning you ahead of time there were quite a few steps. So stay with me and let me know if I start to not make sense.

The original inspiration for our save the dates came from Martha Stewart. I happened to be having a brainstorming meeting with my month-of-coordinator, Courtney from Joyful Weddings and Events and showed her the inspiration picture and a few of the other ideas I wanted to incorporate. Courtney is fellow cricut user so I knew that she would appreciate the idea. She had the idea of adding in the mini envelope for the numbers to come out of and encouraged me to just go for it.

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I knew I wanted to use one of our engagement pictures and bring out some of our wedding colors. So with the idea of a number ribbon, a mini envelope and after making a few test samples, I decided to just go for it.

The Supplies
A7 Papersource Soft White (looks like a light cream)
A7 Lake Envelopes Paper Source
Mini Envelope Lake Paper Source
Fiskars Corner Rounder
Cricut
Opposites Cartridge
Basics Cartridge
Cuttlebug
10 mm ribbon in cream
Raspberry 12x 12 Scrapbook Heavy Paper
Blue 12×12 Scrapbook Heavy Paper
Mini Hole Punch
Mini Xyron Tape Adhesive Runner
Xacto Knife
Scotch Tape

The Graphic Design
I am definitely not a graphic designer, but with Mr. Ducky’s encouragement I decided to do our Save the Date design myself. He definitely helped along the way to help me with how to do the different Photoshop effects since I was very rusty on using the program. I inserted one of our engagement pictures and used the masking feature to create the rounded corners.

I’ve been drooling over Veer’s Feel Script font since Mrs. Lemon shared a sample in a post awhile ago. Feel Script is one of the glyph fonts that Pengy wrote about the other day. To compliment the Feel Script I used Garamont which is just a basic font that came with my computer.

The swirly design you see in the background is a photoshop brush. Pixels and Ice Cream has such a great selection of free photoshop brushes and patterns. I used the April Showers photoshop brushes for our Save the Dates, although there are lots of cute options on the website.

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We printed the Save the Dates on A7 Soft White paper from Papersource. The printer is a Canon MP830 and the quality is amazing. The color is very vibrant and saturated in person. If you are looking for a printer I really recommend this one, because it looks like we got them professionally printed. After everything was printed out we used the Fiskars corner rounder. I bought this after reading a post by Penguin on DIY essentials. It was awesome.

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The Number Strings
To cut out all the numbers and spacers I used the Cricut. The numbers were from the Opposites Attract Cartridge. To get the correct size to fit in the envelope without looking to small I set the settings to 2 inches high and on the shadow setting you see on the Cricut keyboard. After printing all the numbers we had to punch two holes with the mini hole punch so that the ribbon could be laced later. This was probably the biggest pain of the whole project.

For the spacers I selected a rounded square from the Geometrics and Shapes cartridge that already had the slots automatically cut into each square. This was a cartridge that came with my cricut when I originally bought it. This was a big time saver and my family was grateful to not use that hole punch anymore. For the settings I used 1 inch high and that seemed to work well. Also, you may have noticed that the original inspiration had bows in between each set of numbers but ours have spacers and a single bow at the end. Part of this was just the simple fact that bows take way longer, but also that bows create knots that could mean extra postage. Our were regular postage and we bought the forever stamp before pricing went up.

I had originally bought the ribbon from Paper Source but returned it after I found a much cheaper version at Michaels for $0.99 a spool. After cutting all the ribbon to the desired length we tied mini bows at each end. Then it was pretty much back to elementary school lacing the ribbon through. It was important that each number have 2 holes so that it would stay flat and not twist to be perpendicular to the ribbon.

The Mini Envelopes
Before stamping the mini envelope I used the Cuttlebug to emboss the flap so that I wouldn’t have to worry about smearing the ink. By arranging the envelopes like below I could emboss 4 envelopes at once, so it did not take too long.

After all the envelope flaps were embossed I used the Save the Date stamp from Paper Source with silver ink from Colorink. The ink took forever to dry, but showed up really well on the lake blue paper. I think it was meant for embossing. I’d recommend the Brilliance brand if you wanted to stamp without embossing. The ink dries faster. The stamp was the perfect size for the envelope and I felt like the writing tied into the font and look of the overall card. You had to line up the stamp so that it was next to flap.

On the opposite side from the stamp of each envelope I used an xacto knife to cut a tiny slot to string the ribbon through. To make sure you don’t cut through to the other side you can slide a thick piece of paper into the envelope before you make the slot.

Final Assembly!
To attach the number date string I strung the end through the little slot and used scotch tape to secure it. Yeah I know not the most beautiful thing in the world but it worked.

To fold up the numbers I basically did it accordion style with the last two numbers “09″ being on top. I tried to show this in the picture below. Then gently tuck the numbers into the envelope letting the bow stick out just enough to be slightly beyond the flap. I did not seal the flap because I worried about the ribbon sticking and creating issues when it was time to be pulled out. Instead I just made sure the the flap was staying down and flattened the crease a little bit if it wasn’t.

We used the Xyron 3/8 inch Adhesive Runner to stick the mini envelope to the cardstock. I was so impressed with the quality and durability of the “stickiness” from the xyron tape. We also tried the photo mounting squares but they just didn’t work as well. The xyron tape was so easy to roll onto the back and it just stuck. I highly recommend it.

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Last but not least we were able to slide the final product into a regular A7 envelope in lake blue that matched the mini envelope. As I mentioned they were even regular postage using the forever stamps I had bought before postage went up. Often times the post office will charge you for using ribbon, but the bow was so small that it didn’t add extra bulk. Each envelope had a slight bulge from the folded paper and mini envelope but it was still skinny enough to easily slide through the test hole they have at the post office that determines if they charge extra.

My biggest piece of advice? Make sure you have people to help you. I by no means did this by myself. My family was literally an assembly line for all of the different stages. Otherwise I’d probably still be stringing those suckers today.

And that is the long story of the Duckling Save the Dates. I hope it wasn’t entirely confusing. Does anyone have any questions I can clarify?

Up next? Duckling invitations!!

The week before I took my engagement pictures I all the sudden started worrying about my make-up. On a daily basis my make-up is pretty natural and I wasn’t sure what to do knowing that I was going to be taking pictures. I didn’t want to look washed out, shiny or so made-up that it wasn’t me. Hiring someone to do it for me was out of budget and I didn’t want to take my chances at a random make-up counter at the mall.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been loving WeddingbeePRO and all the vendor tips and insights. Laura Nadeau has been one of my favorites as I’ve been slowly accumulating a product wishlist from all of her incredible posts. Well since Laura is in New York and I’m in California it wasn’t exactly a possibility to have her do my make-up or visit her studio. So instead I left a comment on one of her posts asking for any tips and she replied with an email asking for a picture, what I wear daily and the look I wanted to get. I was thrilled when she sent her email and immediately sent her a breakdown of all the information. Check out her post here to see what my email said.

A few days later I opened my inbox and found an email from Lo, also posted on her blog telling me step by step what to buy, what to do and some general tips.

Miss Duckling,

You are a beautiful woman and I think that with a few changes in your makeup routine we can easily make you even more photogenic! If you think of your makeup like your wardrobe, then I would say you have all of the classics. Now, we just fine tune with the proper accessories and I’ll show you how to dress up your look!

1. I love tinted moisturizer, but it disappears quickly. I recommend buying the Laura Mercier oil-free foundation (unless you have dry skin) which will give you light coverage and will last longer. It can be more economical as well, because you have the option to simply mix it with an inexpensive face moisturizer. Voila, you have made your own tinted moisturizer and have the option for more coverage if you like. Always, set with a loose powder, (I love Laura Mercier’s translucent loose powder) this will add longevity, fight shine and create an even canvas for blush and bronzer.
2. Please no shimmer under your cheekbone. It is a highlight and works best on your cheekbone. Please watch my shimmer video! Bronzer can be used on and under your cheekbones for contour and warmth then add a “pop” color of blush on the apples of your cheeks.
3. Peachykeen blush is a great blush that you can apply on and under your cheekbones, but I suggest that you also add a bright “pop” color on your apples. A peachy pink blush (Bobbi Brown Nectar) would be perfect for you. Don’t do a pop color if you blush easily or turn red due to rosacea.
4. I prefer crème shimmers better than powder for the cheek. I use Nars Multiple Stick in Orgasm on everyone.
5. Laura Mercier and Bobbi Brown make great creamy under eye concealers. I apply this after eye makeup to avoid having to clean up shadow that has fallen.
6. M.A.C. Fluidline liner and Shroom shadow are great for you. I would add M.A.C. Nehru to your “wardrobe”. I can tell that you like to wear blue and this is a great contrast to your blue eyes. You can wet Nehru and use it as eyeliner and then smudge it up for a smoky look. To “dress up” your look just do a slightly thicker line and you can use a M.A.C. eye shadow like Print, Shale, or Sumptuous Olive to smudge into the liner for a smoky look. You don’t have to do a full out smoky eye – that can be difficult. Just smoke up the liner and blend, blend, blend into your shadow! The bottom line should never be darker or more prominent than the eyeliner on top of your lid. The focus should be drawn to the top of your eye, not the bottom.
7. Use waterproof mascara. M.A.C.’s is good and I also really like Maybelline Define-a-Lash in black.
8. M.A.C. lipstick in Twig could be a great neutral color for you and you can top with a little bit of sheer gloss in the center of your lip for a little moisture. I recommend this for outside photos as wind blows hair into gloss.
9. To avoid the eye shadow creasing I recommend eye shadow primers (which you are already using) and then apply a neutral shadow color on top of it to set it. Shroom is good, but it is also great to have something without shimmer. For more longevity use a matte shadow first then add shimmer shadow like the shimmer brick as a final touch on top. Shimmer bricks are very light and sheer and won’t last as long as other shadows.
10. Makeup does fade with time, but the best way to slow the process is to build a look using light layers. Whether on your eyes, face or lips remember the following steps: prime, add neutral color, add desired color, and add shimmer if desired.

Makeup for the camera:

1. Apply more coverage for your skin, especially under your eyes and any pink or uneven areas. Carry a powder compact and powder your t-zone as you get shiny.
2. Apply heavier blush which will add dimension and much needed color when shooting with a flash
3. Apply thicker eyeliner. Leave it as a clean line or smudge the line out for a smoky look.
4. Fill in eyebrows to accentuate the shape.

Good luck and let me know how it goes!!

xoxo,
Lo

Here is a picture that I took with all the make-up options on the counter. I didn’t actually use all those products, but I wanted to be prepared. To you see my computer in the background? I had Lo’s email up the whole time!

Isn’t she amazing?? I was so thankful for all of her help. I went to the mall and bought the products. My new favorites are the Multiple Stick in Orgasm from NARS and the Laura Mercier concealer. I bought a Undercover Pot Trio that comes with a spot concealer, under the eye and translucent powder. Since I was in the need of all three it was a great deal.

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If you get a chance read her tips and watch her video on shimmer. I thought it was really helpful.

For the actual follow through of all her tips, it went really well. I probably could have done a little darker with smoking my eye, but I was more conservative than necessary. Next time I think I’ll be more brave and liberal with the application. However, I was really pleased with how the foundation, blush etc. worked with not looking washed out or shiny. The only downside was that there was a fair amount of time between the time I did my make-up and we actually did the pictures due to driving to LA and some other complications. I was glad (as was Mr. Ducky who doesn’t like a lot of make-up) that I still looked like myself, just enhanced so I could be me on camera.

Unfortunately I took some pictures myself but they just did not turn out well (blurry) and you can’t even see the make-up. I’m super bummed because I took some close up but I don’t think I was steady enough taking the picture. Here is what I have but keep in mind that it looked better than these pictures, and I actually added more shadow later.  I’ll be better next time, promise!

But be on the look out for my engagement pictures recap soon!!!

You have probably figured out that I like craft stuff and DIY personal touches on everything. After Mr. Ducky saw how much I loved my Cricut and it’s creations, he decided to follow in a similar theme and get me a Cuttlebug for Christmas. “Cuttle what”? Yes, my friends it is another “craft insect” from Provo Craft to add to my collection and hopefully use for different details in the wedding. Do you think I’m a nerd yet?

The Cuttlebug embosses and does die cuts. Basically I can get different patterns and sizes of embossing folders to use on paper. I can also take specific dies to cut out specific shapes and unlike the Cricut I can get exact placement of where I want the cut to made.

An example of an embossing folder:

An example of a die cut:

The Cuttlebug was easy to figure out how to use, which is a good thing because I am not technically inclined. You use a spacer as the base and then in between two cutting pads you place the embossing folder with the paper inside.

Then after you have that set up, you place everything on the Cuttlebug and “wind” (my technical term) it through. It is not hard at all do do the “winding”. I was worried that I was going to have to press real hard or my arm would get tired if I was doing a bunch of embossing at once, but it is super smooth. You do have to press a little harder for the die cut though.

And after that you are done! Remove the paper from the embossing folder and you have a fancy design.

There are also smaller embossing folders like these 3 that give you smaller embossing images.

There are so many different kinds of embossing folder and die cuts, similar to the Cricut cartridges. I have several more generic embossing folders that can be used for any sort of event. However, there are more themed ones like thank-yous, babies, love etc. if you want to be specific. I like the you can buy individual die cuts if you want something really specific like a giraffe for example, where as with the cricut you would need to buy the whole cartridge which is much more expensive.

Now what how do I plan on using my cuttlebug for the wedding? Well to be honest I’m still figuring that out. I think I could use it on small details for our invitations and programs because it gives a more professional and polished look without me sending away for something like letterpress.

Do you have any ideas of how you would use a cuttlebug?

Up next is my first test projects with my new insect…