2.20.2009

As promised.



Our Save-the-Dates!

It feels so good to check this project off the list. It took a lot of work, making these from scratch...but it was SO worth it. Here's a play-by-play...


I bought the lace trim from Jo-Ann's. It was 50% off... SCORE! I got 10 yards for $10.

I didn't like the the edging on the lace, and I wanted to make sure it would lay flat on the cardboard, so I spent about 30 minutes (slowly, carefully) cutting it off.

Yup, it's just plain cardboard! Curt's dad has this really nice table saw so it was super easy to cut. I checked with the post office before we started this whole project, and they said as long as we cut the rectangles in standard postcard-size dimensions (4" x 6"), we could mail them without envelopes! And the stamps for postcards are only 27 cents each! Talk about serious savings! The cardboard was a little too thick to comply with the maximum dimensions so we flattened each postcard by hand.

If you've visited our website, you've probably noticed how the heading on the main page has a piece of corrugated cardboard as the background. We really wanted to mimic the website with these Save-the-Dates, so we peeled the top layer off in a couple of sections to reveal the texture underneath. A simple touch that made a big difference!


The next step was to poke holes along the bottom of each postcard... I did the first few by hand with one of those kebab skewer things... but then we realized we could just stack them and use a hand drill. Frankly, I'm not so good with power tools, so my FMIL took over for me :)

The ribbon is also from Jo-Ann's, only 50 cents for a spool! We bought four spools, which was perfect. The labels are from Staples, I think it was about $13 for a pack. Curt designed the logo using a font called "Quicksand," which you can download here. If you're wondering, that funny looking thing on the left is a gingko leaf. We just picked it because it was a nice little touch, but then Curt pointed out that it's a subtle allusion to gingko biloba, which is supposed to help you remember things... like, for example, our wedding date (not that anyone's going to catch that reference, but hey...)

I cut the lace trim into 6" pieces, and we used glue sticks to attach the lace to the cardboard.



I love how they look when they're stacked together!

In order for these to be accepted by the post office, everything has to lie as flat as possible, so we decided to tie the ribbon in a simple knot rather than a bow. But I think it looks very cute and modern that way!



Action Shot!

My BFF/MOH came over today to help me finish these. We're obviously very proud of our handiwork.... apparently our photography skills could use some improvement though...


Here's the finished product! We just have to slap the address labels and postage stamps on the back, and we can get these in the mail. What do y'all think?

Has anyone else taken a completely DIY approach to their StheDs? Anyone planning on it?

16 comments:

ami @ elizabeth anne designs said...

these. are. gorgeous.

'nuff said. :)

Amanda (vintageglamblog.com) said...

I just found your blog. These are awesome!

Kyla @ The Simpsons said...

i love them!! i would have never thought to do something like that-- so cute :)

A.P. said...

so stinking cute!

Jessie@FitnessFamilyAndMore said...

Wow I love your save the date cards....!

jessica lynn said...

oh my goodness! they are beautiful! can i feature them on penned & pretty?! i would loooovvve to show them off! just let me know! jessicalynn402 {at} gmail {dot} com

Anonymous said...

I love these. They are so clever and gorgeous.

Well Done.

Jenn said...

LOVE IT!

Anonymous said...

These are fantastic! Very original, love them! How exciting! :)

Courtney said...

I love these STD's! So unique. I'm sure you're going to get some great feedback from your guests!

kadler said...

Those are awesome! Totally original. I've never seen anything like them.

Kari said...

I love these. No seriously... I wish I had the day off to work on wedding stuff because I am really inspired!! :O)

Btw, the red shoes I wore for my engagement pics... I got them on sale at Dillards last year for $17! Dillards' sales rock my socks!

Kelley at My Island Wedding said...

LOVE THESE!!!! SOUNDS LIKE FUN, BUT LOTS OF WORK!!! Great job.

Mind if I feature these on my blog under DIY??? shoot me an email or comment... Thanks

Kelley at My Island Wedding said...

These cool save the dates are now featured on My Islnd Wedding! DIY is a great way to go, and they look so cool!!!

Best of luck!

miss.t said...

You are crafty, girl! These are fabulous. I love it!

Mike said...

I love the purple bow on it.