BRONZE BUDGET BRIDE

I just finished painting my DIY "Thank You" Parasol.  I have seen them all around the web, while searching for wedding ideas.  I also came across a couple great tutorials on how to create one: 

Bride On A Budget: diy-thank-you-parasol-tutorial.html

Project Wedding.com: diy-thank-you-parasols

Project Wedding.com: diy-wedding-challenge-2010-thank-you-parasol

After seeing and reading these tutorials, I just had to try it! 

I purchased a fabric parasol off Ebay for a good price then I bought Fabric paint in both brown and black.  I thought I would use the black; however, it was pretty light.  I decided to go with the black fabric paint thinking it would show up nicer. 

I experimented with a couple different graphic programs, fonts, font sizes, etc. I ended up using the Print Shop Deluxe version 15.  I wanted to use a larger font but the program wouldn't allow me.  I used the Edwardian Script font.  I forgot the size I used but it was the largest I could "type in" and have it fit within the "text box".  I printed out the letters on card stock.  I cut each letter out, I didn't cut it perfectly though, I just cut around the letter. 

I opened the parasol, placed the letters on the inside and they were held in place with Scotch tape.  I looked through the "right side" until I was happy with the placement.  I traced the letters using a Sharpie fine point marker.  The Sharpie ink bled on the parasol material; however, it is really NOT noticeable after adding paint to the parasol.  I then left the parasol open to dry.

They are all around the web, the rustic, aged Bride and Groom signs.  I have seen them on Etsy and several wedding blogs. I often search the web for DIY ideas that I might be able to complete.  I am NOT crafty.  I am NOT artistic but I do like to think that I am at times. I am on a budget so DIY works for me.

I came across another DIY bride blog: Happily After All.  She had the perfect DIY project for me, DIY chair signs.  Mrs. Happily got her inspiration from a crafter on Etsy, The Back Porch Shoppe.

I decided to go to the craft store, Michael's, and purchase some supplies.

    * 2 wooden plaques (about $3 each)
    * dark brown acrylic paint (about $2) - enough to do multiple signs
    * off-white/cream acrylic paint (about $2) - enough to do multiple signs
    * Crackel paint kit (about $20) - enough to do multiple signs
    * medium grain sand paper
    * fine grain sand paper
    * tack cloth
    * sponge brushes
    *  brushes
    * stencil material
    * exacto knife
    * flat clear spray paint

I first sanded the two wooden plaques with the medium grit sand paper.  I used the tack cloth to remove the dust.  I then painted the plaques with the dark brown acrylic paint and allowed it to dry for 30 minutes.  I then applied a second coat and allowed to dry for about an hour.

I then sanded the painted plaques with the fine grain sand paper and again used the tack cloth.  I then applied the crackle medium and allowed to dry for 45 min to an hour and applied a second coat and allowed to dry about an hour.  I then applied a coat of the off-white paint.

The off-white paint started to crackle quickly.  I had read not to go over the crackled area more than once.  I applied a coat, and I wasn't happy with how thin the coat looked (be sure to apply a thick coat), so I applied another coat of the cream paint.  This, in turn, created very little of the crackled effect.  I then allowed this to dry for a couple hours, then sanded and used the tack cloth.

I then went through the steps again with the brown paint.  This time, when it came to the off-white paint, I only apply one thicker coat.  I allowed this to dry until the next day.

I then found a font on Microsoft Word that I liked and wanted to use for "Bride" and "Groom".  I used the Blackadder ITC font.  I thought it would work well for our Renaissance Festival Wedding.  I printed out "Bride" and "Groom" a few times experimenting with font sizes.  I then found a size that would work well for the signs.  I printed them out.  I placed a clear, stencil type material over the words and used an exacto knife to cut them out.

I centered the stencils I made on the signs and used a pencil to trace the words on the plaques.  I then used the brown acrylic paint to paint the words.

 I allowed the signs to dry over-night.  After they dried, I applied an antiquing wash over the signs that came with the crackle paint kit.  This gave a brown wash over the plaques which seemed to age it a bit.  I allowed the wash to dry for awhile and then applied several coats of the flat clear spray paint as a top coat.

My reception will be under a tent, with picnic tables; therefore, I won't use them as chair signs.  I will probably affix them to the side of the table.  Since I may not be hanging them, I won't put on the ribbon you would need to hang them.  For the ribbons, you could drill large holes at the top or use a light to heavy duty stapler to staple ribbon on.

Here is my finished project:

I frequently look over many different wedding blogs to help me come up with ideas for my wedding.  I am on a budget and am trying to DIY what I can. While on h

WeddingBee.com,  I saw that a couple brides had created I Spy photo "games" for their wedding.  I decided to join the band wagon. 

I am placing disposable cameras around my reception area hoping to entice my guests in getting those candid photos my wedding photographer might miss. 

Here are the "I SPY" games I made myself: