Friday, February 6, 2009

Showers of Love & a give away!


I had the pleasure of making bridal invitations and favors for my cousins wedding shower. I wanted to keep the look simple since I needed to mass produce, but I wanted them to feel elegant also. I went for a "Boutique Chic" feel. I started out by using "Aqua Mist" cardstock from Papertrey Ink and ran it through my cuttlebug using the swiss dot embossing folder. I cut the focal piece out using my Label 1 dies from Nestabilities. I then stamped the dotted flourish with black ink on the top and bottom. I stamped the circle image with white craft ink onto black paper. These images are from Papertrey Ink's "Boxes, Bags and Tags" stamp set and the sentiment is from "Favor It Weddings". I punched the circle out and adhered it with a foam square. I added two gem stickers from Martha Stewart Crafts. They look quite simple and really they are, but when you add in all the time to cut each label and run each piece of cardstock through the cuttlebug, it does actually take some time.


I really wanted to add some ribbon, but decided rather to add a strip of black cardstock. I needed to make them less bulky so they wouldn't require extra postage.


I have mentioned before how much I love nests and eggs. Last year at Macy's I spied some egg and butterfly chocolate molds from the Martha Stewart Collection on clearance. Of course they had to be mine and I was thinking of all the ways that I could use them. I have always wanted to center a baby shower around "nests", but never have had the opportunity. I decided that I was going to work the "nest" theme into the favors that I would be making. Although it seems a little on the baby side, I decided to use the sentiment "Thanks for helping Jamie build her nest" Every new bride prepares her new home with pride and enthusiasm, so I thought it would be perfect.


I created the "nests" from excelsior by taking a bunch and forming it with my hands. They actually worked up much faster than I thought they would. I assembled the clear boxes that I purchased from the Local Craft Store. I didn't want the chocolates that I had so carefully made to get the excelsior on them, so I placed a tiny muffin cup into the center of each nest. In each nest I placed one milk chocolate egg, one white chocolate egg and a milk chocolate butterfly. I created the sentiment on my computer, punched it out with my large oval punch from SU! and stamped the nest image using "Aqua Mist" hybrid ink from Papertrey Ink. I found the sheer ribbon at the craft store with 25 yards per roll. I decided to use the motto- work smarter, not harder. Everyone thought they were really cute.




I placed the boxes onto a tier of cake plates in matching colors. I couldn't get the best picture, because of lighting issues, but I thought they made a nice presentation. While I was at Macy's the day before the shower I again checked out the "clearance table" and found the same chocolate molds so I bought two more. One more for me and one for a lucky blog reader.
Can I just say how much I love that Papertrey Ink's Aqua Mist cardstock is the perfect match of Martha Stewart's packaging!

This is a photo of the box that you will be recieving! Simply leave a comment on my blog and I will draw a number on Sunday and post the winner on Monday Morning! Thanks for fluttering by!
Supplies: Boxes, Bags and Tags stamp set and Favor it Weddings by Papertrey Ink.
Cardstock: Basic Black, PTI White, Aqua Mist Cardstock by PTI
Ink: Aqua Mist by PTI, Palette Noir, Craft White
Accessories: Martha Stewart gem stickers, cuttlebug and swiss dot folder, nestabilities label 1 dies, foam squares, circle punch

67 comments:

Steph said...

Hi Kelly,I think your invitations and favours are gorgeous! They look so elegant. The nest theme is perfect for a bridal shower!

Thanks for the chance to win some goodies...have a great weekend :)

Cindy said...

Love your creations!! Always an inspirtion. Thank you!

Pat said...

What a great inspiration! I love when everything matches and this is an awesome idea. TFS

Anonymous said...

You did a great job on the invitations and the favors. I love how you thought outside the box on the favors. What a unique idea! *LoVe* it!! Thanks for the chance to win! What a great way to make some super cute Easter gifts!!

Janet Swofford said...

These are so elegantly beautiful! I would never have thought of the nest theme for a bridal shower but it is perfect! I love the color scheme and the layout especially. How did you make the chocolates? Thanks for sharing.
janet@swofford.com

Unknown said...

Beautiful invitations and gifts. TFS your talents!

LeAnne said...

These are just precious! What clever ideas you always have! TFS and allowing us some goodies to win!
LeAnne

Anonymous said...

Wow! So classy and elegant! I wish I'd had someone like you around when I got married! What a lucky bride!

akagreenhouse said...

What a neat idea! The nests and eggs are wonderful! Thanks for sharing such a great idea with us. Cathy

lisa808 said...

Gorgeous favors and arrangement. Really like the saying. Thanks for the chance to win a mold. I made chocolate rose lollipops for my brother's wedding in white and peach.

Tammie Koehnen said...

Oh my Kelly, you did such a beautiful job on everything for the bridal shower. I can't tell you how much I adore the "help build the nest" idea. How perfect everything is. You are such an inspiration. I visit your blog everyday... thank you for sharing your creations.

Tami McBeain said...

Your invitations are simply beautiful! What a super creative idea with the nest and the chocolates and your packaging is just perfect and so pretty! What a super fun give-a-way, I love making candies and this mold is adorable!

Karen G. said...

Beautiful invitation! That color is really elegant. Reminds me of Tiffany's.

Jen said...

What a beautiful job you did on the invitations and the favors are adorable and sooo elegent. Love what you came up with.

Anonymous said...

Those are adorable. What a precious idea. You did GOOD!
Thanks for sharing

Anonymous said...

I really like this card, one is is not too girly and two it is mailable. Thanks for all the great ideas!!

salusa said...

Wow you are so creative. What a great idea for a favor. I will have to check out my local Macy's. Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

You always manage to come up with such delightful treats, not just for the eyes either! Appreciate always the chance to win some goodies.

Betsy said...

Too cute, Kelley! I somehow lost track of you, and I am SO happy to find your blog, lol...I subscribed immediately, so as long as Feedblitz works, I can keep up. I LOVE your work!

Hugs,
MSBetsyZ

Anonymous said...

Fantastic job! Your nest favors are amazing!

Happydaymom said...

What a great idea...I love the boxes and the "nest" inside. I have a group of ladies that call themselves the Butterflies and the chocolate mold sounds like a great idea for them for Easter. Thanks for the idea.

Debbie said...

You did such a wonderful job for the shower. Thanks for sharing them with us. I love your colors.

How did you make your chocolate>

Thanks for giving me a chance to win.

debbie

Taylor Chase Graham said...

What gorgeous ideas! Thanks so much for sharing!

Debbie Fisher (debbiedee) said...

What a fun prize to win! I would love to be entered.
I agree, this color is perfect for this!! A robin egg blue for sure.

Deborah Saaranen said...

Pretty amazing stuff Kelly! My son is getting married in September-- I will have to steer his fiancee this way!

MaryBeth said...

Your creations and inspirations are amazing! They are so beautiful. And I love the aqua color. Thanks for a chance to win the candy molds.

mamia (me and mine in Alabama) said...

Love the shower goodies. Would love to have the blog candy.

Lisa Kind said...

So elegant! I love doing invitations for parties! I made my nephew's shower and wedding invites last year and they were a big hit! Thanks for thinking of us bloggers when you purchased the second mold!

Sumner Family said...

Wow - what great inspiration...and what a creative gal you are. Love the blog - follow it often. Thanks for the give away.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful project and beautifully done. I am co-hosting a baby shower this summer and would love to use this theme. TFS!

Ad K.

Elaine M said...

Oh WOW - what a great idea for a shower. These turned out wonderfully well and I know she was pleased.

Anonymous said...

i just love ur work Kel. Those nests are so darn cute. But i have to say my favorite part is the chocolate! I do my own chocolates for all the holidays. i would love those egg and butterfly molds.thanks so much for sharing with us. keep those great ideas coming!

Dawn Easton said...

Oh my word Kelly!! That invitation is very elegant! So crisp and clean...love the added bling too! Perfection!
Those favors are amazing!
Thanks for sharing your inspiration with us...I adore visiting you daily!!

Lisa Brown said...

So beautiful...love those little boxes!

Julie said...

Great shower ideas!! Love that Aqua Mist, very elegant design!

Elaine said...

Such a well thought out presentation! I love the colors and theme - you've tied it all together so very nicely! :)

I really enjoy your blog!

Anonymous said...

These favours are so stunning. The colours are so soothing and of course, the chocolate so yummy. You will be thanked a million times by your friend. This is one in a million. Thanks for sharing.
Karen

Anonymous said...

Oh wow, those were so beautiful - the card and the boxes! I hope you pick me for this wonderful giveaway prize!! I have been a fan of MS for soooo many years! :D -ElizabethB

Anonymous said...

I love your ideas and the color scheme is awesome! thank you for
sharing and thank you for the giveaway!! - Mila Ayers
rmayers@rallstech.com

Angela said...

Wow, those are great. Love the colors and they are perfect for a wedding. Love the invitations too, they are very elegant...

Angela (fivekids7)

Anonymous said...

Kelly - Thanks so much for sharing!! The invitations are beautiful and the nests w/ chocolates are absolutely precious! I'm sure everyone was going crazy for those precious favors.

Have a great weekend!

Anonymous said...

PS - I LOVE your new banner!!!

Anonymous said...

Lucky bride! The colors and presentation are just beautiful! I love the springtime feel to everything. Great inspiration.

Anonymous said...

I agree- the colors are very beautiful-- and elegant! I'd love to be the recipient! :)

Anonymous said...

Your "build a nest" idea is just fabulous! The invitationa and the party favors turned out beautifully. Thanks so much for sharing your creative style. I'm always inspired after visting your blog.

Anonymous said...

Oh Kelly, you are always the paper magician! Lovely!

Shelli Deckard

mgramly said...

I love your blog. You are so creative. Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Those favors look AMAZING! Nice work!

Priscilla said...

What a great idea!

SueB said...

Elegant wedding shower package AND presentation - TFS and thanx for the chance at t'riffic blog candy!

Anonymous said...

I love your work...you are such an inspiration to me. Love the favors..what a cute idea. Thanks for the chance to win!

~Lori Roop said...

WOW, Kelly!!! Fabulous cards and boxes!! Love them!!! You do such awesome work!! Hugs ~Lori

P.S. I hope you're feeling better soon!!

Anonymous said...

ahhh Kelly!! This is fab-u-lush!! I, too, am a nest and egg collector. I use to have tons of birdhouses, but got tired of dusting them. But I kept all the cute little nests and eggs. My entry way has an iron table with twig legs, glass top and a nest (of iron) in the legs with stone eggs...it's my favorite piece in the house!

Anonymous said...

How pretty! And I love the nest theme! You are so creative!(Sorry, I have to post as anonymous, but whenever I try and leave a comment with my google account pasword it never seems to work.)
Thanks,
Anette(snowmom13)

Kimberly Gajewski said...

What a beautiful ensemble you've created here! Absolutely lovely! I think that the nest theme is a wonderful idea! Thanks so much for the chance to win...I'm still going to check the Macy's out this way though...just in case I don't win...lol! :D

Anonymous said...

Kelly,
Those shower favors are too awesome. The sentiment you printed out on the computer was perfect. I would love to have seen the ladies reaction to the display.

Lisa said...

Such a cute idea! I just love butterflies... have a great collection myself!

okienurse said...

The invites and favors were so pretty You have such an inspiring blog

Anonymous said...

The shower guests should love receiving one of these! They would be nice for Easter too.
C. Burke

Tanya said...

WOW! I may be too late to enter, but I had to comment anyway! What a fabulous shower favor!!! love this great idea! And it all coordinates so beuatifully!

Anonymous said...

These are beautiful invitations and favors. The chocolate in nests in clear boxes is a great idea. I'm sure your cousin really appreciates you! Thanks for the chance to win.

Peggy said...

I love the nest you created, as well as the invitation. I am sure your cousin was thrilled w/the results. Thanks for the opportunity to win. God Bless.

Anonymous said...

i have a kitchen tools fetish, besides my paper, ink, and stamp obsession, and this mould would make a lovely addition!

Andrea G. said...

The card and favour look fabulous! Thanks for the inpspiration once again!! Thanks for the chance to win.

Anonymous said...

What adorable favors... love the color theme, too. Thanks for the opportunity to win!

Candy said...

I'm probably to late to get in on the goodies but...Wow Fabulous creations!!

Anonymous said...

Always love your inspiration! One of my daily blogs to check