Butterfly Thank You Cards - To My Friends

The Project: Butterfly Thank You Cards

The Cost: ~$10.00  (or $15.00- $20.00 price depends on what you already have and what you buy with coupons :-)
*I already had the paper so Its not in my cost, but if you need to buy it you can get it at Michaels for 2.50 with a coupon
*Butterfly cutter can be purchased from Michaels for ~6-8$ using a coupon depending on size
*Gratitude Stamp found in .25 bin at Michaels
*Envelopes in the $1 section of Michaels, 8 per pack.

The Story

To thank your friends and family for any occasion, I created  cards for them based off of something I saw online when I googled "unique thank you cards."

First Things First

1. Decide how many cards you are making

2. Decide what colors you want and get various colored paper

3.**Decide on an envelope size first and then create a card size. If you do it backwards it can be a pain in the butt**

What You will need:

1. Paper

2. Cutter

3. Glue runner and glue bottle

4. Stamp or pen if you want to hand write it

5. Butterfly cutter

6. Envelopes

Step by Step directions:

1. Buy envelopes! Doing this first will save you alot of grief later on.

2. Whatever the size of the envelope, make sure your card size is at least 1/4 inch smaller length wise and width wise

3. Determine your card size and pick out the amount of paper you think you will need in the colors you want

4. Take your paper and place it in the cutter to get the size you desire. Cut

5. Do this as many times as you need. I did this 10+ times.

6. Fold the cards in half and make a deep crease.

7. Punch out 4 butterflys per card, per color, per card. (ex. you should have 4 colors picked out...if you have 10 cards, you will cut 10 of each color. Make extra just in case)

8. Place these to the side.

9. Cut a piece of paper to the size of your stamp. Do this 10 times or as many as needed.

10. When you have them all cut out, stamp your thank you's onto that piece of paper. *I find it easier to do this process upside down.

11. Take another color paper , larger than the paper you just stamped and cut to a good size, 10 times (This will become the backing to the thank you stamp)

12. Place them aside.

13. Open the inside of your card and decide what color you will use as a backing, use a darker color so that you can write on the lighter color.

14. Cut your paper to the size of the inside of the card, maybe alittle smaller or however you like. Make 10.

15. Glue into the inside of each card.

16. Take a lighter colored paper and come in on each side 1/4inch. Cut your paper 10 times.(This will be your writing surface)

17. Glue the back of your paper and place on the backing you just did.

The inside of your cards are finished!! well, until you have to write out your cards :-)

18. Go back to the front of the card and place your thank you stamped paper onto an area of the card you want it to be. I chose the bottom right but you can do any variation you want ( upper right, upper left, lower left, etc)

19. Once you find a spot you like, do not glue just yet!!

20. Take your butterflies and place them on the other side to just make sure your placement is good!

21. If you like what you see, start gluing!

22. Glue the stamped paper down on each card first.

23. Lay out your butterflies in colored piles to make it easier to grab.

24. Place each of the 4 butterflies on each card so you know where to glue each one. If you start gluing without seeing your placement, you may not have good spacing

25. **I glued these down a few ways, trial and error and found the best way to do it was to bend the wings back first!- Then glue with a regualr bottled glue, not the runner, in the center (the body of the butterfly) and place on the card.

**Not that much glue is needed so dont overdo it. It will leak out the sides and look sloppy. Press the body down somewhat with your nail so you know it adheres correctly. Do this to each butterfly on each card.

Once you did each one, let them dry, write in them, and put them in the envelopes. For a cool touch, you can stamp the envelope with anything you want. I didnt because I wanted to get them out, but I wish I had :-)

Thanks for reading!! Hope you found it simple and something you can go ahead and try. Besh of luck and remember to have fun!!

Engagement Announcement Gifts To Our Parents

The Project: Engagement Announcement Gifts To TheParents

The Cost: ~ 20.00 for 4 gifts
*This includes: Postcard, Frame, Gift Box, and Cupcakes with engagement ring topper
 (This was for 4 people, if you have less, it'll cost less)

*Cupcakes were placed in the green boxes and bags for the mothers and gray boxes/blue bags for the fathers*

The Story

Not only is an engagemnet exciting for those who just got engaged, but we can't forget how exciting it can be for family and friends. It is just as important a time for them as it is for you. I decided to put their cards in a picture frame and wrap it up and place it in a bag. We also decided to make cupcakes with little ring accessories on top. Nothing crazy, and very easy to do!

First Things First

1. Research some cupcake or cake ideas so you can either copy them or put your own spin on it.

2.Decide how many sets you are doing (Example: one set for brides mom and dad and one set for the grooms mom and dad, or in our case...both of our families are divorced which is why we had to do 4 sets!)

3. Decide what colors or kinds of cake you want

4. Decide how you will display everything, in bags, boxes, etc..

What you Will need:

1. 1 box of cake mix (usually can get a deal 2 for $5)

2. 1 container of icing of your choice (usually can get a deal, also 2 for $5)

3. Cupcake pan (can get these at $1 store if you dont have any)

4. Cupcake liners (can get these at the supermarket for cheap)

5. Oven , obviously :-)

6. Frames for the postcards (we needed 4) *$1 store has them

7. The postcards (zazzle.com)

8. Knife for icing or cake bag and nozzle for icing

9. Boxes for the cupcakes (ac moore for $1)

10. Gift bags ($1 store) and tissue paper ($1 store)

Step By Step Directions

1. Create cupcake batter following the directions on the cake box

2. Place liners in cupcake pans

3. Pour mixture about 1/2- 3/4ths the way up in the cupcake liners

4. Bake and let stand

5. Once cooled down, ice the cupcakes using a knife or your icing bag for fancier designs.

*If using a bag, start icing in a circle from the outside in. When you get to the center, press tip in slightly and lift up. This will give you a cleaner swirl at the top of the cupcake.*









6. Place a diamond ring into the icing on each cupcake.

7. Place cupcakes in the box and close

Cupcakes are done! Now for the postcard photo :-)

8. Place postcard into the frame and close

*The postcard was smaller than the frame so I had to cut a piece of black paper to place behind the card as a background. I used the cardboard they had in the frame already as a tracer to get the right size. Once I made 4 of these puppies, it was back to finishing the frames.*

9. Wrap frame in tissue paper

*Use one sheet of tissue paper for the frame, and that wrap that in another piece of paper in a fancier way so it looks nicer in the bag*

10. Place in bag.

11. Give the whole set to your family members as a couple! :-)

And there you have it...a quick, simple way to express your excitement to your family. Now they get something they can keep, the frame, and something they can eat, the cupcake! And who doesnt like cupcakes!

Engagement Announcement Postcard

The Project: Engagement Announcement Postcards

The Cost: ~$45.00 for postcards and custom stamps (created on Zazzle.com) / ~ 25.00 if you dont do the stamps and  buy regular ones - If you need to buy photo paper, this project will cost you alittle more. I used some I already had. (You can also just print on regualr paper to keep it cheaper)

  * Custom photo postcards were on sale for .85 cents a card *

  ** Custom stamps for the postcards were ~$20.00 for 20 stamps.**

  *** Custom signs were made from Michaels. I bought 4 sheets of paper for $4.00 and used white paint I already had, and letters I already had to create the words***

The Story

I came across a really cute picture using polaroids and a "picture in picture" kind of effect. I knew I wanted to use the idea one day, which I eventually did.  It turned out amazing! Alot of planning and trial and error, but it was well worth it.

First Things First:

1. Pick a destination to take your pictures.

2. Decide if you are doing two places or one

3. Check to see if you have photo paper already. If you do, great. If you don't, be sure to go to staples and pick some up.

4. If you are making signs, decide what you want it to say or how your layout will be and make them first.

What you will need:

1. Camera

2. Large colored paper

3. White paint

4. Letters

5. Glue/Tape

6. Photo paper

7. Printer

8. Access to a computer (zazzle.com)
9. Scissors/cutter

Step By Step Directions:

First-The Signs! - The signs need to be created first and foremost. You can create your own signs as we did, or do something your own style. You can do months and dates, names, or words. Whatever you dream of, you can create.

1. Buy as much large paper as you think you will need, and in the colors you want. I chose 3 colors, so I got 5 pieces of paper from Michaels. (1 piece was large enough to cut into 2, thats why I didnt get 6 sheets)
2. Decide which paper color you want for the bottom layer and which one you'd like to put your writing on. (Choose a darker color with white lettering or a lighter color with dark lettering if you'd like it to stand out. You can pretty much do what you want though, there is no wrong way to do it.)

3. When you decided which paper goes on the bottom, cut it to your desired size if its not at it already. Mine was brown. My next color was orange and needed to be cut.

*Brown was my bottom color so I cut that first to my desired size. Orange was next. I was making 2 signs so I have two pieces.*

4.Cut your next piece of paper smaller than your backing paper. Continue to do this for as many pieces of paper you have.
 **Do not glue your paper down just yet because the paint may go through the paper or warp it somewhat*

5.Decide what you will be writing. We chose words: "In Love" for my sign...and "And Engaged" for his sign.

6. Depending on how big or small your letters are, will decide how much you can fit on each sign and where you will need to place the letters.

*For us, our letters were quite large so I found the middle of the words first and started with that letter so I knew I would get my words centered*

For example: LOVE is 4 letters long. Because 4 is an even number, there is no middle letter therefore, I marked the middle of the paper and put a light line down the middle. I then placed the O on one side of the line and the V on the other. This assured my word would be in the center

This is my sign completed.

Found the middle of my word, began with that letter and then worked my way around to the other letters.

This is the second part of the sign completed. Next we have to glue it onto the other papers.

6. Once you have painted on your words on both papers. Let them dry.

7. I wanted there to be paint splatter on mine. To get that affect just place your fingers in the paint and then under a small bit of water to make it runny. Then flick your hand towards the paper. Little droplets will spray off onto the paper. I liked this look but you can keep your clean if youd like.

7. Once letters are dried, take your tape or glue and glue the top sheet onto your bottom sheet.

Your signs are done and ready to go! Now for the next part!

This next part is the taking of your inside pictures. This part is fairly easy because there are two of you, and you will each be able to take a picture of one another.

1. Decide who will hold what sign.

2. Go to the spot where you are taking your pictures and hand off the camera to your mate.

3. Make sure you take a picture on an eye level. This means your camera should be straight toward the other person. You shouldnt have to look up or down to take the picture.

4. Make sure you are close enough to the person. A good guideline is to only see the persons mouth or chin and all the way to their knees. No more than that.

5. Take several pics and check them to make sure your get what you want.

6. When you both took your pictures, upload your pics to your computer.

7. Print the pictures out in about a 4x6 or 5x7 size.

**We made two sizes, a 4x6 and a full paper sized one to see which would be better. Smaller is definitely better. If you go too large, the photos will bend over in the wind and youll never get it right. We learned that the hard way**















Now that you have your pics ready in hand, now its time to create your outside photo.

1. Pick the place where you want your background to be. We chose Niagara falls.

2. Remember to bring your small photos with you and perhaps an extra person who can take the picture for you also. Or you can pick a spot that has a ledge where you can use your timer.

**We had no one since we were on vacation and had to ask person after person to take the pic for us. It took over an hour to get in right because no one could get it right.**

3. Hold your pictures in one hand. For us, I held mine with the right hand and he held his with his left hand.

4. Hold arms straight out at a 90 degree angle. The effect you want is for the photos in your hand to be up close and personal with the camera without seeing your arms holding them up.

This was our first attempt which we didnt like. Our hands were too low and our pics were too far apart. If you dont like it, do it again.

5. Kiss or smile or whatever you would like.

6. Check the picture after each one to make sure you have it the way you want.

This one was our second try, it worked okay but it wasnt centered and I didnt like how our fingers were over the pics so much, so we kept on trying!

7. Once you have what you want, upload your picture to the computer.
Here was our winner! Only 10 tries later!! But well worth it :-)

Now to order the postcards. We got ours from zazzle.com. It seemed to be the easiest way to go and the cheapest.

1. Go only zazzle.com and look up postcards.

2. You can choose one of their postcards or custom where you can upload your own picture, choose this option.

3. Upload the photo you want and add any captions you want. We didnt add words onto ours.

4. On the back of the postcard you can write something as well. We wrote alittle saying that my MOH found for me:

Angel asked the question, "Will you be my Wife?" and Laura answered, "I will love you all the days of my life."

5. Order your cards and wait for them to come! The HARDEST part is the waiting!

We then decided to go ahead and make our own stamps on there as well as you can see in the above picture. We knew this would be a little pricey but wanted to do it anyway. You can always just use regualr stamps and cut the price probably in half.

1. Go onto zazzle.com

2. Find custom stamps.

3. Upload your image. *We chose a king and queen chess piece from one of my fiances sets because he loves chess. We placed my ring ontop of the queen based on a Tacori ring add that did the same thing*

4. Order the amount you want and wait for it to come in the mail!

**I was extremely satisfied with both of the custom projects we made and couldnt wait to send them out. The only thing I did not like is that sites like zazzle or vistaprint often charge shipping per item!, not as a whole. This means the more you order, the more shipping costs. It also means that they come in different packages. My stamps came first despite the longer delivery time and my postcards came later even though they shouldve came first.**

Other than that, the project was a big hit and we were really excited about it. Zazzle even gave us two extra cards and we put them in frames for our parents.

Check out my next blog to see the engagement cupcakes and postcard gift we gave to our parents! Very easy to make and very yummy to eat!

Thanks for reading!