Today it's time for the September Wedding Vendor Challenge submission and I have a spectacular shoot for you that I helped create the paper goodies for. I had so much fun working on this one with Kim from Something Floral. She's definitely an amazingly talented lady to team up with. I will now turn the blog over to Kim as she explains the shoot . . .

This early autumn, brunch bridal shower was set in Slayton Arboretum, a botanical garden located in the northeast corner of the Hillsdale College campus in Hillsdale, Michigan. Tree-themed invitations from Festive Fetti set the tone for this shower's outdoor "formal garden meets woodlands" setting and provided a visual cue to guests that the event's color palette would be yellow, black, and grey.

Rustic benches from the entrance of the arboretum through the path to the shower setting were decorated with fallen tree branches that were collected after a strong thunderstorm and spray painted black. The branches were accented with white dendrobium orchids and yellow satin sashes, tied into bows. The yellow bows served two purposes: to add a splash of color to bench décor and to pay homage to the bride-to-be's sister, a member of the military who was deployed and unable to attend the shower.

For the primary tablescape, I selected black as the dominant color, yellow as the secondary color, and grey and silver as the accent. The field stones in the gazebo added a variety of grey shades to the setting so I focused primarily on black and yellow for the linens and décor. Since the topper was most visible to shower guests, I splurged on a sheer black, embroidered and sequined linen while choosing a more economical, lemon yellow, duchess satin tablecloth as the base linen. The yellow napkins, accented with grey and black satin ribbon and yellow, sequin leaf trim, coordinated with the base linen and were folded to hold and display menus.

Black satin chair covers were used to coordinate with the topper's black satin border and were finished with lemon yellow satin sashes tied into bows. The bride-to-be's chair back was also accented with a small tree branch that had been spray painted grey and decorated with yellow, sequin leaves to coordinate with the leaf napkin trim.

Table numbers were displayed in black, scalloped picture frames that had been decorated with grey-painted twigs and yellow sequin leaves. Miniature black frames accessorized with yellow, leaf-shaped crystals held tree branch print place cards and marked each guest's reserved seat.

Each place setting on the primary tablescape featured a silver grey charger, black plates and coffee cups, silver flatware, clear stemware, and the perfect "green" guest favor for nature lovers - a live tree seedling from The Green World Project.

Table centerpieces featured a wrought iron tree-shaped base, painted black, and "branches" were covered with delicate white dendrobium orchids. Guests were invited to take yellow paper leaves, displayed at their table on a tree-shaped jewelry holder, write "leaves of advice" for the bride-to-be, and then hang their leaf of advice on a branch of the centerpiece.

A brunch refreshment table took the place of a sweets table and an assortment of breakfast pastries, muffins, croissants, bagels, and cookies were offered. I wanted the refreshment table to coordinate with the dining tables but not replicate them exactly so while I used a table of the same size and shape, I chose lemon yellow as the dominant color, grey as the secondary color, and white and black as accents.  The table linen was yellow duchess satin, draped with swags of grey shimmery fabric that was accented by a fresh, white dendrobium orchid at each swag peak. Two tree shaped candleholders were used to hold and display muffins, and a tall, dendrobium "tree" centerpiece, identical to the dining table centerpieces, was featured.

DIY GOODIE :

A tree shaped candleholder is converted to be a cupcake holder. This is such a brilliant idea.

Vendor Credits:
Styling, Coordination, Floral Designs, & Linen Rentals: Something Floral / Something Spectacular
Stationery, Paper Goods, and Styling: Festive Fetti
Photography: Urban Fire Studio
Location: Slayton Arboretum, Hillsdale College, Hillsdale, MI
Live Tree Favors: The Green World Project
Petite Butter Cookies: Jonesville Bakery
Muffins, Cakes, Croissants, Bagels, and Doughnuts: Meijer
All Frames, Tree Candleholders (used to display muffins on refreshment table), and Napkin Accent Ribbon: JoAnn Fabrics
Yellow Leaf Beaded Trim: Fabric Warehouse
Silver Chargers, Tree Jewelry Holder (used to hold advice leaves), and Yellow Leaf Crystals (used on placecard frames): Michaels

Today is the day for another Wedding Vendor Challenges. This time we head to Michigan for an absolutely amazing concept - a coed bridal shower for a couple that met while in school. Today's photo shoot location for many in the state of Michigan is beyond words a dream come true. The talented team today consists of Lisa of Gabbi Grace Events, Kim of Something Floral, beautiful film photography by Jackie of JACQART and more.

Lisa joins me now with her concept and design for this photo shoot . . . When I heard of the August Challenge colors "Maize and Blue" only one location, theme and idea came to mind . . . a coed wedding shower on the Football field at The Big House! Now that idea sounded great but whether or not that dream would become a reality was another story . . .

The Location:
The Big House is not just any house it is home to the University of Michigan football team and the largest football stadium in the world. It seats 109,901 football fans. Although much is known about Michigan Stadium, one fact remains a mystery . . . where is the Fritz Crisler seat? (The father of two-platoon football and Michigan Head coach from 1938-1947). This is the one extra seat that is listed in the odd number capacity of 109,901.

The Reality:
The amazing folks at The University of Michigan let us into the stadium and less than an inch away from the field on the 50 yard line!

The Big House symbolizes the pride,tradition and excellence that is the University of Michigan.

photo above courtesy of Something Floral

The Theme:
We wanted it to represent all that is the University of Michigan the Grandiose of the Stadium the tradition of the school and it's spirit and pay homage to the Football team and this amazing Educational Institution.

The floral "M" was made in advance by Kim from 100 gold silk/artificial carnations. This just blows my mind - it's beyond stunning!!!!!!

photo above courtesy of Something Floral

The tablescape and sweets table both used fresh flowers consisting of sunflowers (2 varieties) , gerberas, snapdragons, carnations, chrysanthemums, craspedia, solidago, sweet gum, hydrangea, and delphinium.

DIY GOODIE: No Sew Napkin Wraps {as created by Kim of Something Floral}
Instead of purchasing napkin rings, you can make your own, customized, no sew napkin wraps with fabric, trim, and tools from your local craft store and sewing store. Step by Step instructions follow along with the complete vendor list . . .

Step 1: Gather the following supplies:

• Fabric in color or pattern of your choice (amount to purchase varies based on # of napkin wraps) 
• Decorative trims and ribbon of your choice (amount to purchase varies based on # of napkin wraps)
• Scissors
• Hot Glue Gun
• Heat Resistant Glue Pad
• Hot Glue Sticks
• Optional: Empty Cardboard Paper Towel or Toilet Tissue Core

Step 2: Cut fabric into identical rectangles based on the width and lenth (circumference) you desire for the wraps. Be sure to leave extra room for attaching trim to top and bottom and for overlapping fabric when sealing the ends together.

Step 3: Hot glue the widest width trim to the top and bottom of each wrap.  If the trim has an open binding, sandwich the wrap fabric between the two sides of the trim and glue in place. When the glue has cooled, cut the trim to the length of the wrap fabric. 

Step 4: Hot glue the ribbon/accent trim to the primary trim on the top and bottom of the wrap. When the glue has cooled, cut the ribbon/accent trim to the length of the wrap fabric.

Step 5: Form a tube shape by bringing both length ends of the wrap together, overlapping them approximately 1/4 inch, and hot glue together. For the best hold, seal the entire seam from top to bottom.  Tip: Wrapping the fabric around an empty, cardboard paper towel or toilet tissue core will help ensure that you're overlapping and gluing the ends together evenly for the width of the wrap. Remove core when the glue has cooled and set.

Completed Wrap: After the napkin wrap's glue has cooled and set for at least a day, fold napkin and slide it through the finished wrap, fluffing the ends of the napkin for extra volume and to accentuate the slim silhouette of the wrap.

Vendors:
Venue: The University of Michigan Stadium - The Big House
Props {Official Football Jersey(s), Football and Helmet}: University of Michigan Athletic Department
Concept and Design: Lisa of Gabbi Grace Events and Kim of Something Floral
Planning & Styling {Rentals: Chavari Chairs, Chair Pads, Table Linens and Sweets Table design}: Gabbi Grace Events
Photography: Jackie Blair of JACQART
Flowers, all floral designs, and milk glass bud vases: Kim of Something Floral and Something Spectacular
Milk Glass Rentals: Hul-Bee Weddings and Events
Gold Plated Flatware and Chargers Rentals: Dynamic Designz
Stationery {menus, banner, chair tags}: LePenn Designs
Cake Bites: Cake Bite Delights
Fresh Fruit Cheese Cake: Produce Palace
U of M table runner, napkin liners/inserts, and napkin rings/wraps - sewn and created by Kim

Can you believe it? We're already up to our 7th month of Wedding Vendor Challenges. This month the color palette is navy blue and yellow with the theme being a bridal shower tablescape with a dessert display. Today I have an amazing photo shoot from California at an amazing venue and tomorrow we move to Michigan for a super unique venue and set-up. Today's photo shoot is without a doubt spectacular and just wait until you see the venue - on the rooftop with a pool!!!!!! And, what a view, LOVE THIS!!!!! The team today consists of Miriam of Glam Candies, Samantha of Papermints, lovely patterned linens and gorgeous florals from Unforgettable Events, beautiful photos by Jessica Elizabeth Photography, sweets by Eileen of Cucamonga Cakery.

Miriam joins me now to discuss her ideas behind today's featured shoot which I know you are all going to go CRAZY for - just wait until you see the details - AMAZING . . . {ok, a few hints of what's to come... life preserver donuts, blueberry mojitos, seashell topped cupcakes - and so much more}

First, I would like to say that I am very big on teamwork. I believe teamwork played a key role in the success of this inspiration shoot. Since the entire team is fairly local, I did not want to shoot on a day that the entire team would not be available. With everyones hectic schedules, that was the most challenging part of coordinating and planning this inspiration shoot. I really wanted to give the entire team the opportunity to be on-site, collaborate together and be hands-on in order for everyone to put their best work forward. Once we finally settled on a date for the photo shoot, it was smooth sailing (pun intended) minus the sleep deprivation.

For this Modern Nautical inspiration photo shoot, I provided my team with the design concept and guidance for the inspiration details. This amazing team that I have had the pleasure of working with in real-life really got my vision and helped me turn my vision into real-life or faux-life.

Inspiration Element # 1 . . . A chic hotel: The AVIA hotel in Long Beach is a very chic, contemporary, seaside hotel with a gorgeous view. It was absolutely perfect for a modern nautical theme. The tablescape and dessert bar were set up poolside on the rooftop overlooking the Queen Mary harbor. The pool cabana's are covered with triangular shades that look like sails and we wanted to naturally capture sailboats in the backdrop.

Inspiration Element # 2 . . . The color palette: The Navy and Yellow color palette allowed for a new take on nautical. For a bridal shower, I really wanted to soften it up and make it very feminine and pretty so I added subtle hints of peach and light yellow.  I also wanted to keep things very crisp, clean and modern with white. I really wanted to do something that hadn't been done before with nautical.

Inspiration Element # 3 . . . Latticework (an ornamental criss-crossed framework, an arrangement of crossing laths or other thin strips of material): I really wanted to incorporate latticework because it lends a crisp and modern vibe to the design. I really wanted latticework to set the vibe at this venue. On the tablescape, we displayed lattice vases/lanterns with yellow candles (I purchased them at Kohl's department stores) and paired them with a navy and white lattice fabric table runner (I purchased fabric at Joann Fabrics).  Samantha really nailed this concept throughout the paper details.

Inspiration Element # 4 . . .  Mixing and matching different textures and prints: The specialty linens played a big role in adding texture. Cristina provided us with gorgeous Italian satin floor length linens in white that we used for both the tablescape and dessert bar. For each place setting, we used two napkins, a navy and white striped linen over a yellow placemat and a yellow charmeuse satin napkin tied with twine as a napkin ring that added a little pop. We also used  a lot of burlap, twine and rope to decorate our props and vessels. The cabana curtains from the AVIA hotel also softened up the space. Oh and I freaked when I found the most perfect two tiered navy and white a sailboat dessert stand at Homegoods.

Inspiration Element # 5 . . . Nature in Flowers: Cristina created three beautiful flower arrangements set in wooden box vases for our tablescape. The flowers were especially important in adding the soft and romantic, feminine elements and in enhancing our accent colors in our color palette. The flowers included: white hydrangea, white stock, cafe o le (peach) hybrid dahlias, white lisianthus, white roses, yellow billy balls, yellow tulips, yellow lemons (halfed). We also sprinkled a few blooms throughout the dessert bar. Fruit consisted of blueberries, lemons, peaches & mint leaves. The sea was showcased with sailboats, life preservers, coral, seashells, sand dollars, starfish & sand.

Inspiration Element # 6 . . . Sweets: Lemme just tell you, everything we do at Glam Candies / Miriam Corona Events is sweet. We must find a way to make anything sweet! In this photo shoot we had a lot of fun incorporating candies into the bridal shower via the candy bar invitation (designed by Samantha), we also displayed a blue and yellow ring pop at the bride-to-be's placesetting for a little eye candy, and we added blue rock candy to our signature Blueberry Mojitos. I also made homemade blueberry parfaits to go with the lemon and blueberry fruit tarts from Cucamonga Cakery. Cucamonga Cakery also baked the cutest life preserver lemon flavored mini donuts, sailboat sugar cookies, white chocolate seashell cupcakes and our navy cake with coral. Our little wooden sailboat held m&m's inside.

Inspiration Element # 7 . . . Paper Details: Samantha designed the candy bar invitation in a white and navy lattice print and added a nautical touch in the rope frame similar to our table runner. She used contemporary block fonts on the dessert tags. The escort cards were created with solid blocks of yellow and navy with horizontal stripes which was repeated on the "sweets" banner that hung above the dessert bar.  She also designed a few themed signs for our dessert bar, "Sail Away with Me" and "Leave your sweet wishes for the bride-to-be" in addition to the mini "bride-to-be banner" that hung from the bride-to-be's chair.

Inspiration Element # 8 . . . A little bit of vintage: The pinwheel map banner was a last minute add. I bought individual sheets of map paper at Joanne Fabrics and really wanted to make paper sailboats as placard holders. Those didn't work out so I ended up making the pinwheels instead. I took to my hot glue gun and glued them onto burlap to create a little pinwheel map banner for our dessert bar. I also made mason jar candleholders.

And, there you have it - one of the most amazing nautical inspirations. There's so many DIY elements in this shoot that you can easily re-create at home for any event {pinwheel map banner, mason jar candles holders, addition of the blue and yellow ring pop as napkin ring}. And, I even have one more for you . . .

DIY GOODIE: Blueberry Parfaits - this has to be the most genious presentation of a parfait I have ever seen. Yogurt filled glasses, topped with ground up graham crackers {to resemble beach sand} and fresh blueberries. And, then a spoon is tied on with twine. You can simply pick one up and you're good to go :)

And, lastly I have to leave you with some parting words from Miriam:
With so much inspiration, it was a matter of finding the right balance to bring all of the design elements together. I didn't want to do too much of just one thing. I wanted to incorporate some the details (like our vintage map pinwheel banner) in a subtle way. If it got too nautical, I toned it down and added more chic, if it got too blue, I brightened it up with yellow. I also wanted everything to look as natural as possible.   

I hope that this inspiration shoot will inspire many brides-to-be to think outside of the box and be creative in blending design elements together. I believe it is especially important to keep the groom's ideas in mind to find the right balance in mixing traditions, cultures and styles.

A sweet thanks to Best Wedding Sites for this amazing opportunity and to the super talented crew.

Vendors:
Event Planning, Event Design, Styling, Rentals, Candy & Dessert Bar:
     Miriam of Glam Candies / Miriam Corona Events
Specialty Linens, Floral Design, Styling, Rentals:
     Cristina of Unforgettable Events   
Paper Design, Styling:
     Samantha of Papermints
Photography, Styling, Venue Coordination:
     Jessica and Robert (husband and wife team) at Jessica Elizabeth Photography
Venue:
     Mandy of AVIA Hotel Long Beach
Desserts:
     Eileen of Cucamonga Cakery

I can't even begin to express how lucky I am to work with such amazing vendors each month. And, the designs for the wedding vendor challenge this month have totally blown me away. PLUS, pink and purple happen to be my favorite colors :) Today, I have a spectacular display from Kim of Something Floral and the most creative idea for guests favors. Wait until you see!!!!! Let's get started and I'll turn the blog over to Kim as she explains her design ideas behind this shoot as well as the flowers that she incorporated . . .

This sunny, summer afternoon bridal shower was set in rural Michigan, at a private residence in their picturesque walnut grove where tall trees provided shade. And, a hint of sun with yellow rays of light peeking through the lush green leaves created natural spotlights across the grounds. Orchid patterned invitations from Papermints set the mood for stately elegance and provided a visual hint to guests that there would be more orchids and purple, pink, and grey to come at the shower.

I wanted the welcome/guestbook table to coordinate with the dining tables but not replicate them exactly so while I used a table of the same size and shape, I chose purple as the dominant color, pink as the secondary color, and silver as the accent. The table linen was a standard, polyester table cloth in plum, but I wanted the table to have some "wow factor" since it was the first table guests would see when they arrived and it would set the mood for the rest of the shower décor. Therefore, I surrounded the edge of the table with realistic, faux/permanent, Phalaenopsis orchids in an eggplant color. I wanted to pull visual focus to the top of the table, where the guestbook, favors, and welcome cookies were displayed, so as to not complete with those items, I used orchids in a color close to the linen color.

The welcome/guestbook table also contained a cookie stand brimming with petite butter cookies which were decorated with dainty pink and violet roses. Metallic paper doilies were added to each later of the clear stand for a hint of silver. Miniature, faux/permanent, violet Phalaenopsis orchids were placed and suspended in the center pillars of the cookie stand for an extra pop of color and to enhance the orchid theme.

Besides the impressive display of orchids around the edge of the welcome/guestbook table, other flowers accented the center of the table. A variety of artisan-crafted earrings, custom created by a local jewelry designer, were offered to guests as favors. After guests arrived and signed the guest book, they were encouraged to select a silver gift box (tied with pink satin ribbon) and their favorite pair of earrings from the 40+ pairs on display on a jewelry holder floral arrangement. The jewelry display arrangement consisted of two, ivory jewelry holders that were first painted silver to match the shower's color palette, and decorated with two layers of fresh roses (Thrill variety), spray roses (Blue Moon, Majolika, Hot Majolika, and Lovely Lydia varieties), violet and lavender stock, and salal. No surface was left undetailed, as the base of the bottom layer featured pink striped ribbon and three rows of hot pink sequins. Two stems of realistic, faux/permanent, candy striped, Phalaenopsis orchids were floral taped together and placed in the arrangement in the center of the earring holder so that the earrings spiraled around them. 

For the primary tablescapes, I chose grey and silver as the dominant color, purple as the secondary color, and pink as the accent. Since the topper would be most visible to shower guests, I splurged on a grey and silver one that was both embroidered and sequined while choosing a standard, more economical, plum, polyester tablecloth as the base linen. Silver, satin pillowcase style chair covers were used to coordinate with the silver and grey topper, and the chair cover backs were accented with hot pink, ruffled, millinery rose accents. The napkins were plum, polyester to coordinate with the base linen, and instead of using a standard napkin ring, I opted to make napkin rings using a beautiful, hot pink, pleated satin and velvet ribbon that I purchased from a fabric store. The satin pleats of the ribbon coordinated well with the satin border on the table topper and satin chair covers, and the velvet added a surprising (for summer) touch of lux that was perfect for an elegant shower. A beaded brooch was pinned to each napkin ring for a hint of sparkle, and a darling, moss-covered table number sat atop each dining table to help guests find their assigned location.

Each place setting on the primary tablescape consisted of antique china and antique crystal. Silvertone placecard frames accessorized with pink crystals held orchid print placecards and marked each guest's reserved seat. Instead of a formal dessert table, bright pink frosted cupcakes wrapped in silver, crystal and sequin accented cupcake wrappers (made from silver metallic, paper doilies), were placed at each guest's table setting atop silverplate pillar candle stands.

The main tablescape centerpiece was a two-layer, topiary style design created in a tall, silver, ceramic vase and featured realistic, faux/permanent, eggplant, raspberry, and pastel pink Phalaenopsis orchids cascading from the top while the base of the orchid stems were surrounded by fresh roses (Thrill variety), spray roses (Blue Moon, Majolika, Hot Majolika, and Lovely Lydia varieties), violet and lavender stock, and salal.  Phalaenopsis orchids, frequently referred to as moth orchids because of their bloom's shape, add a touch of elegance to any setting. They are pricey (both fresh and realistic, high quality faux), but their arched multi-bloom stems are graceful and sophisticated, and only a few stems are needed to add panache to an arrangement.

ADVICE FROM KIM: A mixture of fresh and faux florals were used together throughout this photoshoot to demonstrate the option and versatility of using both together. I frequently suggest this option to our clients who have a favorite flower that will be out of season at the time of their special event and also to clients who want pricey floral varieties in their bouquets and arrangements but who don't have the budget to use pricey blooms throughout their décor. One word of caution, however. When mixing fresh and faux/permanent botanicals, it is absolutely critical to use the most realistic, highest quality permanent botanicals available, as a person's eye will naturally be drawn to anything that looks out of place in a bouquet or arrangement. Low quality flowers are not realistic and will stick out like a sore thumb, especially amidst fresh flowers. If you want faux flowers to be believable and to mix harmoniously with fresh flowers, they MUST look realistic.

DIY GOODIE : How-to create your own cupcake wrappers from paper doilies with a bit of bling

Why buy cupcake wraps when you can quickly and easily make your own? Here are the materials and tools you will need, which can all be purchased at your local craft or baking supply store:
• 10 inch paper doilies in the color of your choice (silver metallic shown in the example)
• Cupcake papers/liners in the color of your choice
• Flatback crystals, rhinestones, sequins or other decorative items and trim
• Scissors
• Hot Glue Gun
• Glue Sticks
• Optional: Stapler and staples, double-sided tape, or scrapbook adhesive squares
(if you prefer instead of the hot glue gun)

Vendors:
• Styling, Coordination, Floral Designs, and Cupcake Wrapper Designs: Something Floral / Something Spectacular, Warren, MI
• Stationery and Paper Goods: Papermints, Studio City, CA
• Photography: Urban Fire Studio, Center Line, M
• Linen Rentals: Fabulous Events, Waterford, MI
• Earrings / Jewelry Favors: Shining Moment, Clawson, MI
• Silvertone Earring Boxes: Notable Notions, Los Angeles, CA
• Moss-Covered Table Number: White Tulip Boutique, Connecticut
• Silver Paper Doilies, Magenta Metallic Cupcake Papers, and Royal Icing Flowers: Heinrich's Decorating Nook, Center Line, MI
• Petite Butter Cookies: Jonesville Bakery, Jonesville, MI
• Cupcakes: Kroger, Hillsdale, MI
• Earring Stands, Napkin Ring Fabric, Napkin Brooches, Pink Photo Guest Book, and All Frames (Placecard and Welcome Table): JoAnn Fabrics
• Guest Book Pen: Hobby Lobby
• Location, antique china, and antique crystal glassware: Private Residence, Hillsdale, MI

Today's theme for the Wedding Vendor Challenge couldn't be more perfect. We're supposed to reach heat indexes of at least 110 and we're all advised to stay in air conditioning. I think I can manage that - or I suppose I could just stick myself into these photos to cool off and have some yummy refreshing treats :)

Today's photo shoot was created by Ashley of Attention 2 Detail Events . . . she explains that she used the purple, pink, and grey color palette to create a grown up Ice Cream Social themed bridal shower with a fun ice cream themed dessert table. Now, I know you're all going to LOVE that idea!!!!!!

The tablescape for the shower featured gorgeous quilted gray and white table coverings, cream scalloped plates, vintage ice cream sundae glasses, ice cream spoons, and pink and purple flower arrangements featuring carnations, roses, and wax flower. The tables were seated with silver chiavari chairs. Ashley created a weaved effect on the chairs backs using silver chair ties. I am beyond in LOVE with this chair decor.

Each place setting also featured an individual favor box tied in pink ribbon, topped with little paper flowers, and with little coordinating tags that read "Life is short, Eat Dessert First". Inside each favor box were tied stacks of vanilla Whoopie pies, with purple vanilla cream filling.

For the drinks, Ashley featured sparkling raspberry and regular lemonade but dressed up the pale pink glasses with gray striped straws and frozen blackberries to add a touch of the dark purple.

Ashley thought of everything with this shoot and even created custom ice cream napkins {which she features in a step-by-step super easy tutorial later in the post}. She placed the napkins on a vintage coffee table which was decorated with a delicate purple bunting, purple lilacs, and a weaved ribbon background featuring a poster that said "Keep Calm and Eat Ice Cream".

The dessert table featured banana split bites, ice cream shaped sugar cookies, chocolate covered cherries, ice cream cone cake pops, strawberry milkshakes, a custom ice cream carton cake {which I am in total awe of}, strawberry cream chocolate covered Oreo's, and three candy jars filled with waffle cones, strawberry whoppers, and pink and purple marshmallows. Can you say YUMMY!!!!!!!

DIY GOODIE: Custom Stamped Napkins Tutorial

Ashley has a GREAT do-it-yourself tutorial for us today - here's the materials you will need, which can all be purchased at your local craft store:

• Clear Acrylic Blocks used for stamping
• Waterprood Ink Stamp Pad in the color of your choice
• Napkins in the color of your choice
• Acrylic Stamp Set (They come in a bunch of different shapes, sizes, and themes)
• Eraser

Step 1:  Peel the stamp you wish to use off of the plastic backing.

Step 2: Apply flat, semi-sticky side of stamp to acrylic block. Use a basic eraser and rub over the surface of the stamp. This will help the ink stick to the stamp evenly.

Step 3: Use a stamp pad {waterprood ink to prevent smudging} in any color. They are a variety of options available at your local craft store.

Step 4: Place the stamp on the stamp pad and press evenly.

Step 5: Place the stamp onto the napkin in the desired location. The acrylic blocks are great because you can see right through them, which helps to place your stamp exactly where you want!

Step 6: The great thing about using the acrylic blocks is that you can repeat steps 1-5 and place as many designs as you want on each napkin without worrying about crossing previous stamped designs!

Viola! A Super easy way to add a little personal touch to your events!

Vendors:

Stylist and Designer: Attention 2 Detail Events

Photographer: Howie Oren Photography

Flowers: Dahlias Flowers

Strawberry Oreo's: Sweet Tooth Sweetie

Ice Cream Cone Cake Pops: Sugar Parlour

Custom Cake: Whipped Cakes

Ice Cream Cone Cookies: Lizzie Jean's Cookies

Keep Calm Poster: Keep Calm Shop

Mini Garland: Art's Delight

Ice Cream Spoon: Beach House Living