Happy Holidays Giveaway From A Punkin Card Company!

Happy December! The holiday season is here, and I'm so excited to be able to do my FIRST giveaway on this blog with A Punkin Card Company, just in time for gift giving! Amie at A Punkin Card Company is a Houston-area design and stationery artist, specializing in greeting cards, wedding stationary, gift tags and journals. Each creation is one-of-a-kind, handmade, and GORGEOUS.

Amie is giving away a set of Beautiful Birds in Bloom table numbers in beautiful fuchsias, hot and powered pinks! A value of $20! The set includes numbers 1 through 10. If you need more, you can order them through Amie.



To enter this giveaway, leave a comment with your favorite item from A Punkin Card Company's website until December 7 11:59 pm. The winner will be chosen at random. Only one entry per person!

DISCOUNT!
Bells, Bouquets, and Galveston Bay readers get 10% off their purchase from A Punkin Card Company, including wedding orders!
Use promo code bells10 during checkout through 12/31/2009.

FREE Printable Vegas Gift Tags!

I loved creating the gift tags for my Vegas Bachelorette Gift Pack, so I wanted to share them with you!


The tags use a 2" round craft punch, like this one from Fiskars. I printed them out on Avery full-sheet labels, then stuck them on metallic card stock. I punched a 1/8" hole with my screw punch, and tied them on with curling ribbon.


Click here to download a PDF of all my labels for the gift pack. Enjoy!

DIY Casino Dice Gift Boxes

Since my bachelorette party was in Las Vegas, I started with the idea of making a thank-you gift casino-themed inside and out! Making these dice gift boxes was easy to make and didn't break the bank.

Materials:

• Container Store 7x7x7" white gift boxes
• Black craft foam sheet with adhesive backing (you could also use adhesive-backed black felt)
  
• Craft Mat
• Compass (geometry class style)
  
• X-acto Precision Knife with safety cap
• Satin ribbon
  

Remove the pencil from the compass, and insert the X-acto knife in its place. You may have to bend the prongs back a bit.

The main task is to make lots of dots to stick onto the gift box (21 dots to be exact). I went through a few iterations before I figured out how to make consistent circles out of the foam. I tried a circle cutter, but it didn't cut small enough circles. I also tried using the compass free-hand, but the resistance of the foam made the compass slip and I ended drawing a bunch of spirals instead of circles.

To make consistent circles, stick the safety cap of the knife in between the legs of the compass. That way the compass can't slip in, but squeeze the compass to make sure it doesn't slip wider. Make sure the knife edge is perpendicular to the compass so it goes straight into the paper. Cut into the back of the paper to keep the black part clean. If the knife doesn't cut all the way through the foam in some parts, keep cutting forward to go around another time. Don't try to go backwards, or you'll snag the foam.



To finish up, just stick the dots on the box in a dice pattern, and tie it up with a bow! I especially like Martha Stewart's perfect bow instructions.

(image source)

Here are my three boxes finished up. Make sure not to roll them!

Las Vegas Bachelorette Party Survival Pack

Just got back from the most amazing Las Vegas bachelorette weekend! I wanted to put together a gift for the ladies who came from all around the country to celebrate; they made it so special and fun! I was inspired by Mrs. Gloss' Party Packs, and then the whole thing got out of control.


The gift boxes contain:

• Poker Visor from Party City
• Cookie Mix (instructions to come!)
• Glow stick bracelets from Michaels (from the $1 bin!)
• "Casino Mix" m&ms: red, white, and black m&ms in a tin, all from Michaels
• Mini water bottle and Tylenol Go Pack
• "Kickback" Cowboy boot shot glass from Bed Bath & Beyond
• Mini*mergency Survival Kit from the Container Store

Close up of the water bottle and Tylenol. Take 2 in the morning!

All of the women on the trip are from Texas, so I wanted to bring a piece of home to them:

One of the gift boxes all assembled:

Getting the gifts to Vegas was a bit of a challenge. They contain some liquid items, so I had to pack those in my checked luggage. The cookie mix I took with me on the plane since they're in glass jars. Since it's a dense powdery substance, they got flagged by security. Luckily, the TSA agents were really nice about it, wiped down the outside of the jars for quick analysis by a machine, and then I was on my way.

Once I got everything to Las Vegas and re-assembled all the boxes, it was great to see the looks on the ladies' faces when I brought out huge dice gift boxes! Next up, I'll show you how to create your own dice boxes.

Headed off to Vegas...

I'm headed off to Las Vegas this morning for my bachelorette party, then to Houston for my first bridal shower!

(Image source)

Coming up, I'll share details about our trip and about the special DIY surprise I'm bringing for the ladies joining me! Here's a sneak peek:

Sponsored Post: Online Printing with PsPrint.com

As you saw in my November To-Do List, I *have* to get started on our invitation design. I started by listing out all the individual items that could go into the "invitation package":

• The invitation itself
• Response Card
  
• Reception Card
• Directions and Map Card
• Accommodations insert
• Travel information insert
  
• Sticker closure for belly band or pocket envelope
  

I am overwhelmed with the number of paper products a bride has to get printed to put together invitations, and this doesn't even include envelopes which have to be individually addressed OR thank you cards that have to be sent after the wedding!

For many of the inserts and cards, I plan on having them "flat" printed (just plain ink on card stock) by an online company like PsPrint.com to save some money. I already had my Save the Date postcards printed through an online company, and they turned out great for a fraction of the cost I would have paid locally. In most cases, online print shops like PsPrint are much cheaper than your local print shop or copy shop, but still have a fast turnaround. You upload your design, get an instant price, and then get an online proof. No need to take precious time out of your day to drive all the way to the print shop!

One of the products I noticed that sets PsPrint apart from other online printers is sticker printing. Imagine the creative ways brides could use custom stickers in their wedding. I can already see myself using them in my invitation design! You can choose from a set of available sticker sizes, OR have them die cut stickers with your custom shape!

**Disclosure: This post is brought to you by PsPrint, following my Sponsored Posts policy.**

It's like they're reading my mind: Thank you RueLaLa!

Just the other day, I posted about my thoughts for outfits for my upcoming winter bridal showers. I whined a bit about how all the sweater dresses were cute, but only came in blah colors like black and charcoal. And then yesterday, BAM! Rue La La is selling the *exact* sweater dress I had in my post, but in a beautiful wine color AND over 60% off! Yayyyyyyyyy!!!!

(images from RueLaLa)

Obviously, I had to buy it immediately! I'm a little concerned about the size, but hopefully it fits. Now I just have to decide what to wear with it. Maybe some black tights and patent leather pumps?

Winter Shower Outfit

Since I'm so excited about RueLaLa right now, I'll share their current membership special. Join for free today, and get a $10 credit towards your first purchase! Join through this link.