DIY Patterned Papers: Drink Flags

The next video in our DIY Paper Details series is our favorite reception accessory - DIY Drink Flags! There are three easy templates for making festive flags for your party drinks. Your guests will certainly see your details come together if you match your papers with your wedding invitations or table numbers. Watch the video or see below for full instructions!

DIY Drink Flags from Hello!Lucky on Vimeo.

 Materials:

DIY Drink Flag Template, Printer, 1 sheet cardstock, 8.5 x 11” (US) or A4 (UK), Ruler, Bone folder, or a butter knife, Cutting mat, or a magazine, Craft knife, Pencil, Patterned paper, Glue stick, Skewer sticks

How To:

Step 1. Print out the template. Print this template on card stock. Make sure your printer is set to 100% (or, “no scaling”) to ensure that the template prints to scale. Step 2. Cut out the template. Using a ruler, craft knife, and cutting mat, cut out the drink flag template. Step 3. Trace the template. With a pencil, trace the drink flag templates onto each sheet of pattern paper. Step 4. Cut out each flag. Using a ruler, craft knife, and cutting mat, cut out the flags. Step 5.  Fold each flag in half. Fold the flags in half and use a bone folder to smooth the crease, marking your center. Step 6. Glue in skewers. Apply glue to one side of the inside of your flags. Place the skewer stick in the center, leaving about ¼” space at the top. Fold and smooth to secure.

Fore more paper DIY projects visit our website!

DIY Strawberry Print

Still feeling the excitement of the summer season? So are we! The farmers markets are bustling, coats and jackets stored away, and beaches are calling our names. While enjoying the sweet taste of some fresh summer strawberries (and constantly imagining new DIY ideas), we realized the organic shape of the berry's insides would make a fantastic stamp! After testing a few of our own, we knew this was something everyone can do, especially kids! In absolutely no time you and your family can have one-of-a-kind artwork hanging on the wall, all made with supplies you already have at home.

Materials:

3 to 4 strawberries (halved), watercolor paint, brush, watercolor paper, frame (optional)

How To:

Step 1. Dip your brush in a little water, then dab in some red or pink watercolor paint.

Step 2. Brush a little paint over the flat surface of your halved strawberry. Try not to add too much water in order to get a more vibrant stamp.

Step 3. Carefully press your berry onto your paper. Let sit for a few seconds before picking up.

Step 4. Repeat! Be sure to leave a 1/2" space on all sides of your paper, in case you want to frame your artwork.

Step 5. After the stamps are all dry, add some leaves to your berries with a small brush. You can even make some little seeds around the edges.

Step 6. Place in a matted frame and display!

For more fun craft ideas for kids and adults, visit the DIY section of our website here!

DIY Patterned Papers: Belly Bands

DIY Belly Bands from Hello!Lucky on Vimeo.

The next video in our series of DIY Paper Details is DIY Belly Bands! These little strips of paper are a very practical and simple way to add some character to your wedding suite while keeping all your inserts together. With basic instructions like cutting lines and folding twice, you will be shocked at how easy the process is. Dress yours up with a nice ribbon tie or lace paper trim for a more elegant approach. Watch the video and see below for full instructions!

Materials:

DIY Bellyband Template, Printer, 1 sheet cardstock, 8.5 x 11” (US) or A4 (UK), Ruler, Bone folder, or a butter knife, Cutting mat, or a magazine, Craft knife, Pencil, Patterned paper (one sheet makes 4 bands), Glue Stick

How To:

Step 1. Print out the template. Print this template on card stock. Make sure your printer is set to 100% (or, “no scaling”) to ensure that the template prints to scale. Step 2. Cut out the template. Using a ruler, craft knife, and cutting mat, cut out the belly band template. Step 3. Trace the template. With a pencil, trace the belly band template onto each sheet of pattern paper. Repeat. One sheet of patterned paper fits 4 belly bands. Step 4. Cut out each belly band. Using a ruler, craft knife, and cutting mat, cut out the belly bands. Step 5.  Wrap the belly bands. Using a ruler and bone folder or butter knife, make a fold 3” on both ends of the band. Place each band in the center your invitation. Flip the invitation and band over. Apply about a ½” strip of glue to the back side of one end of your band. Set over the top of the other end and smooth to secure.

For more crafty paper projects, head over to the DIY section of our website here!

DIY Patterned Papers: Envelope Liners

DIY Envelope Liners from Hello!Lucky on Vimeo.

Do you remember our How To Assemble Your Wedding Invitations video? Well we had so much fun making it we just had to come up with more. With the launch of our new DIY Collection this is the perfect time to debut the first in a series of DIY Paper Details stop-motion videos. All videos were styled, directed, and filmed right here in our San Francisco studio and we couldn't be more excited to share them with you! Today we have DIY Envelope Liners. Using our bulk patterned papers and envelope liner templates, you can add these easy and cheerful liners to your wedding invitations in no time. Watch the video for full instructions or see below!

Lined Envelopes

To save time, photocopy this template onto the back of each of your patterned paper sheets and cut out each envelope liner (skip to Step 4).  If you don’t have access to a photocopier, follow the steps below to create your own template to trace.

You’ll Need:

DIY Envelope Liner Template, Printer, 1 sheet cardstock, 8.5 x 11” (US) or A4 (UK), Ruler, Bone folder or a butter knife, Cutting mat or a magazine, Craft knife, Scissors, Pencil, Patterned paper (1 sheet per envelope), Envelopes, Glue Stick

How To:

1. Print out this template on cardstock. Make sure your printer is set to 100% (or, “no scaling”) to ensure that the template prints to scale. 2. Using a ruler, craft knife, and cutting mat, cut out the envelope liner template. Use scissors to trim the rounded end. Hold the template up to your envelope to make sure it’s the right size - envelope liners need to slip neatly into the envelope and should align with the envelope flap but not cover the glue. If needed, adjust the template using your printer’s scaling options. 3. With a pencil, trace the envelope liner template onto each sheet of patterned paper. 4. Using a ruler, craft knife, and cutting mat, cut out the envelope liner. Use scissors to trim the rounded end. 5. Fold the flap down to crease the envelope liner, approximately where it says “fold here” on the template. With the flap portion of the liner folded down, apply glue. Fold the envelope flap down and smooth to secure.

For more pretty paper projects, head over to the DIY section of our website, here!

New DIY Collection!

Today we're happily announcing the release of our new DIY Wedding Collection! We know how important all the details of a wedding can be and how expensive it can all get. We're so excited to offer up some budget friendly alternatives that look beautiful and will let you put your own personal touch on your big day.

Our DIY collection includes letterpress printable cards and invitations, patterned papers, wedding craft projects, and free printable wedding signs for all your paper needs. They come in some of our most popular wedding designs like Nouveau Peonies and Heirloom Harvest, along with many others. You can shop our patterned papers and printables online but be sure to follow our blog for tutorials and inspiration for your craft projects!

Our free printable table numbers, guest book signs, and reserved seating signs can easily be printed at home on cardstock paper or mounted on a fun prop or accessory. Browse and download all wedding signs here!

These letterpress printable invitations are perfect for a small event like a rehearsal dinner or bridal shower. They are printed on 100% cotton luxe paper and will guarantee an expensive look for an affordable price. Shop all printable invitations here!

You can make your own paper details with matching patterned papers! We have great DIY templates and instructions for how to make all the best accessories like envelope liners and drink flags. All designs are customizable with 35+ ink colors to choose from. Shop patterned papers here!

We hope you're just as excited about our new DIY collection as we are. Let us know what you think and if there's anything else you'd like to see there in the future!

Free Printable! Picnic Party Invite!

If you're summer hungry like us you're already planning your next outdoor occasion. We are dreaming of warm afternoons, gingham blankets and our favorite snacks. Well the time has finally arrived and so we've created these festive printable picnic invitations just for you! They're perfect for any summer event and can be printed right at home. The address label stamp is also printable, or take it to your local stamp shop and create a lifelong keepsake. You can download the templates here!

Picnic Invitation

Address Stamp

Enjoy!

DIY Embroidered Flower Baskets

 

Are you looking for an inexpensive way to spruce up your patio or front stoop? Look no further! This DIY embroidered flower basket is insanely easy, and totally customizable. Coco liners are great for iron window hayracks and basic standup plant stands, but the natural fibers of the liner itself make for a fabulous embroidery project. We grabbed a few at our local craft supply store and went for a nautical themed basket. The anchor was free-handed but you can easily create a monogram, a flower, or any icon you like! Loop some rope through the basket or even leather or chain to create the right look for your home. See the steps below!

Materials:

Coco liner, embroidery thread and needle, rope (or other hanging material), potted flowers and soil

How To:

Step 1. Draw your icon or design on paper before you get started, and make sure it will fit nicely on your liner. Place your paper over your liner and make some loose stitches to mark your lines. Tear the paper out to reveal a basic outline.

Step 2. Dive right in! Create a large knot in one end of your thread. Begin by creating a clean outline of your design as a guide, then go back through carrying the thread to fill the space. Here are some tips for satin stitching.

Step 3. When you're all finished, be sure to knot the end of your thread so it doesn't unravel.

Step 4. Cut three equal sized pieces of rope (or whatever your hanging material is) at 3' each.

Step 5. Make three dime-sized holes about 1.5" below the top of your coco liner at equal distances apart. Keep your design in the center of two.

Step 6. Loop your rope through the holes and double knot to keep in place. If you're using chain, an "S" hook will do the trick.

Step 6. Tie the three pieces of rope together at the top.

Step 7. Plant your flowers and hang with a ceiling hook!

Voilà! The easiest and most inexpensive hanging basket around. We want to see yours! Post pictures to our facebook or twitter to share!

For more fun DIY ideas, visit our website, here!

DIY Fourth of July Tea Towels

If you can believe it, July is right around the corner and friends and family are starting to make plans for the fourth. Whether you celebrate each year with a blow-out bash or keep it simple at home with close pals, it's always fun to have some festive decorations on hand. There are lots of quick and inexpensive ways to throw together some red, white, and blue, but why not go the extra mile this year and try something worth keeping. These firecracker popsicle printed tea towels relive those nostalgic childhood memories of chasing down the ice cream man and indulging in a sweet summer treat. Super easy to make and totally washable, you'll be glad to have them for next year!

Materials:

Pencil, craft knife and cutting mat (a magazine will work), plastic coated freezer paper, masking tape, red, white, blue, and brown acrylic craft paint, foam brushes (or cut up some sponges at home), iron, white tea towels (we used flour sacks) and this handy Popsicle Template

How To:

Step 1. Print your Popsicle Template on your home computer.

Step 2. Cut out a piece of 8.5" x 11" freezer paper and trace the template. Be sure you trace with the plastic side down.

Step 3. Place your traced paper on a cutting mat or magazine and cut with your craft knife. Be very careful!

Step 4. Place your cut out freezer paper on your tea towel (plastic side down). We suggest using some masking tape on the corners to prevent it from shifting.

Step 5. With your iron hot, slowly smooth the paper onto the towel. Watch as the plastic seals itself to the fabric. Be sure to get all the bubbles out!

Step 6. Using your foam brushes and paint, dab each color in their designated spot. Don't forget to put a piece of paper under the towel as the paint might leak through.

Step 7. After your paint has dried, carefully peel up the paper and watch the design appear!

Easy, right? These tea towels would also make the perfect hostess gift if you're the one attending that big bash. Nothing says Happy Independence Day like a handmade gift.

For more fun DIY ideas, visit our website here!

DIY Father's Day Cupcake Toppers

Good Monday morning to all of our favorite readers! We want to start off on this week ahead with a new (and remarkably easy) Father's Day craft. These mini DIY paper crown cupcake toppers are the royal icing on the [cup]cake for your dad's day this year. Show him how much he means to you by customizing his crown with precious jewels, a photo, or even a personal note. Make him feel like the king he is!

Materials:

Colored Paper, craft knife, ruler, pencil, craft glue or tape (whatever you have around) and the cupcake topper template. Download below!

Cupcake Topper Template

How to:

Step 1. Print out the cupcake topper template.

Step 2. Trace the outline onto your colored paper. We've created three different designs - fit for all types of kings.

Step 3. Cut out your crown with a craft knife and ruler. This part takes time and patience!

Step 4. Place glue on the outside of the tab and secure to the inside of the crown.

Step 5. Display! We chose Martha Stewart's Devil's Food Cupcake recipe for a rich, flavorful treat. What dad doesn't love chocolate??

 Happy crafting!

For more great paper DIY ideas, visit our website here!

DIY Card Stands

These super simple and easy to make card stands are the perfect pick-me-up to any table display. We love the quirky drawer knobs found at local antique shops or the ornate ones for sale at Anthropologie. You can even buy wooden knobs at your local hardware store and paint them any color you like! The possibilities are endless with these little fellows. We'd definitely use them as place card holders at a reception or dinner party, but they could also be used to prop photos on a mantle, keep to-do notes on a desk, or even hold up a new recipe in the kitchen. Full instructions below!

 Materials:

Used or new knobs preferably without set screws (browse your local antique shop for fun shapes and colors, or visit Anthropologie), wire (we used 20 gauge for better strength), pipecleaners (any color will do, but try to match the colors of your knobs), wire cutters or scissors and some craft glue - if necessary.

How To: 

Step 1. Remove the screws and any washers from the knobs.

Step 2. Prepare your wire. Cut about 8" - 10" strips and fold at the center. Wrap the wire around your index finger twice creating a spiral loop.

Step 3. Cross both ends and spin to hold in place.

Step 4. Carefully wrap one end of the wire around the other side, leaving as little space as possible between each loop.

Step 5. Wrap your pipecleaner around the bottom part of your wire (underneath the hook). Cut off any remaining pipecleaner.

*The thickness of your pipecleaner will depend on the width of the hole in your knob

Step 6. Place the wire and pipecleaner inside the hole of the knob. It should fit pretty snug - if not, add more pipecleaner and a dab of craft glue to be sure.

Step 7. Insert place card between wire loops and display!

 

Visit our website for more fun DIY ideas!

Free! Printable Father's Day Cards and Labels

Father's Day is right around the corner and this year we've got your one-of-a-kind gifts covered. You can jazz up a simple pair of socks, a bottle of wine, or a bottle of beer with these manly labels we've designed. Do you have a handsome and debonaire Dad? Print out our matching labels for a black pair of socks and a nice bottle of wine. We even created a slick card to match!

Is your Dad more on the rugged side? Why not make some beer and a pair of white socks a little more special with our free matching labels?

We printed ours on label paper which made sticking them to the bottles and socks a little easier, but these would look just as nice printed on regular white paper or card stock.

Simply click on the links below to print your free Father's Day cards and labels. Enjoy!

Sock Bands

Father's Day Card in White

Father's Day Card in Black

Wine & Beer Labels

And as always we love seeing our printables in action - so send us pics or post them directly to our Facebook page. And tell Dad we said Happy Father's Day too.

DIY Cotton Boutonnieres by Mrs. Vintage

It's always such a treat to see projects from our Handmade Weddings book come to life in real weddings. One of our favorite wedding inspiration blogs and gorgeous rental boutiques Mrs. Vintage recently crafted the sweet tallow berry and cotton bud boutonnieres for her big day and we'd say they turned out flawlessly.

Although creating your own floral bouquet or arrangement may seem complicated at first, this three-step process is quite simple! Mrs. Vintage tells that with the right materials and some trusty hot glue your boutonnieres can be DIY'ed just like that.

We love the adorable lavender pins for her ring bearers, and the pink ribbons tie it all together just right. Props to Mrs. Vintage for mastering this DIY! To see the step-by-step tutorial along with endless bridal inspiration, click here!

Free Download: Table Numbers

Last week we posted about all of the extras we can print and design for your wedding day. And today we're so excited to offer up some free downloadable templates to make your big day more special. We've created table number templates for three of our most popular suites -- Big Day, Nouveau Peonies, and San Francisco Skyline - and did we mention they are completely free?! All you need is paper, a printer, and scissors.

Just click on the style you'd like to print. Each PDF has 25 designed table numbers.

Download Big Day 

Download Nouveau Peonies

Download San Francisco Skyline 

We'd love to see photos if you use these templates. Email us or post them to our Facebook page.

Enjoy!

Kayte Terry and Paper Made!

We're thrilled that one of our favorite artists and authors will be visiting the bay area this week for a stop on her book tour. Kayte Terry will be at the Contemporary Jewish Museum this Thursday, May 24th to lead one of the museum's Rit Lab events. At this Rit Lab Kayte will be leading people through some paper crafts from her new book Paper Made!

Just look at these adorable projects.

These fans would be perfect for summer weddings and programs.

Did we mention Kayte also works for Anthropologie and is responsible for some of those beautiful window displays you've no doubt stared at in wonder.

Meet Kayte, check out her new book, eat some cheese, and craft. Sounds like a perfect Thursday evening to us. Details and tickets can be found here.

Don't live in the Bay Area? Check out Kayte's schedule here to see if she'll be in your city soon.

Studio Shapshot: New Window Display

It's a beautiful day for a new window display! We decided to get crafty and enlarge our San Francisco Skyline into full-sized window art. Throughout the process we learned first hand that paper cutting is a true test of patience and craftsmanship. First, we drew the skyline on 3 full sheets of pool colored text weight paper. Then with a ruler and craft knife, carefully followed the lines revealing our cityscape.

The bridges were definitely the most difficult, but they are the most iconic!

Double-sided tape did the trick - we hung the skyline so it greets the passers-by on Howard Street.

The final product! What do you think? We had so much fun paper cutting this skyline we also made an SFMade sign which Jon is holding here. Can you tell we're getting excited for our big event tomorrow?

Our Poms in Martha Stewart Weddings

Our signature pink poms are featured in Martha Stewart Weddings Special Issue! Back when Eunice and Daniel got married they handmade each of these coffee filter poms and dyed them various shades of pink. They were a huge hit strung along the top of their reception tent, and since then we've found lots of ways to reuse them.

We keep them in the studio to brighten up our blank white walls. They are easy to store, too! Just re-fluff the paper filters each time you've got a new decor project and dust with some fresh paint or glitter.

SFCB Earth Day Extravaganza

The San Francisco Center for the Book is hosting an awesome Earth Day Extravaganza in celebration of this year's Earth Day! On Saturday April 21st you can try your own hand at printmaking, bookbinding, and lots of other fun activities. The best part is that it's totally FREE! Bring your friends, families and kids and be a part of something great.

The SFCB is located at 300 De Haro Street Suite 334, San Francisco, CA, 94103 (The entrance is on the 16th Street side of the building, under the red awning in the bright blue building).

Stewey's Knitted Coasters

Do you have extra yarn laying around from unfinished craft projects? Take a tip from Stewey who turns his yarn scraps into colorful coasters for the cast of Hello!Lucky. Knitting is a bit daunting for Stewey, so to get practice and keep things manageable he whips out these small practice squares. It's a great way to use up extra yarn while preventing coffee and other drinks from making a mess on any pretty H!L stationery. And we love all the pops of color these sweet coasters bring to our desks!

DIY: Silk-Screened Place Mats

For today's Handmade Weddings DIY project we're bringing you detailed instructions for our popular silk screened place mats! Whimsical and totally customizable, these kraft paper place mats work for both buffet-style or plated service. Place a charger and napkin on the mat (as shown) or have it double as a place card by writing guests’ names in the middle of the plate. If silk-screening feels out of your league, consider just photocopying them in black/white or on bright colored paper. The pattern is easy to make for a big wedding reception or even for a small dinner party.

Materials

• Custom screens • One hundred fifty 12-×-18-inch sheets kraft paper, such as Borden & Riley #840 Kraft Pad

Tools • Place Mat template • Newsprint • Set of 2 hinge clamps • A wood board at least 1/2-inch thick and several inches wider and longer than the silk-screen frame • Four 1/2-inch long screw • Screwdriver • A small prop, such as an art eraser • 2-inch wide masking tape • Water-based screen-printing ink in white • Squeegee • Chipboard or cardboard scraps

How to 1. Make your screens. Send the Place Mat template files to a screen printer to have screens made, or make them with a home screen-making kit, following the manufacturer’s instructions.

2. Prepare your silk-screening station (figure 1), but do not outline your screen frame with a Sharpie. Position your test paper; use a spare sheet from your kraft pad.

3. Make a test print. With the frame in the down position, squeeze or spoon a line of the printing ink (approximately 1 tablespoon) along the top edge of the screen (figure 2). Take your squeegee and drag the ink from the top edge toward you, across the design area, applying pressure as you pull (figure 3). Carefully raise the frame to the up position and view the print. Make any adjustments to the placement of the paper (moving your registration tape accordingly) and amount of ink. Using your spoon, scrape excess ink from the squeegee back onto the top area of the screen, adding ink if necessary. Make additional test prints until you are happy with the quality and placement of the print. Build up the masking-tape marks with chipboard or cardboard scraps so that the paper won’t shift when you are printing (figure 4).

4. Print the rest of your place mats. Lay them out to dry completely.

Happy crafting!

For more DIY ideas, visit our website here!

Second Birthday Party - Neon Bash + GIVEAWAY

Jude, James, Alex and a whole band of kids just celebrated their big birthday number 2 and the theme for this years party was none-other than NEON! Eunice designed these awesome mod lettepress invitations, complete with custom liners and neon edging. The event was a huge success, stocked with tons of neon balloons, cardboard playpens, and delicious treats galore.

Ruby is holding down the fort.

Each honorary birthday boy/girl wore custom #2 tee shirts. And how adorable are Ella's neon shorts? What a trend setter!

You can never underestimate the power of duct tape. These bright neon colors made the perfect assembly tool for the cardboard houses.

Party-goer Finn smiling bright inside the magic box. Definitely frame worthy!

 Sabrina and her twins looking stylish as always. Alex is rocking the sweet shades while James is practicing his fishing skills. The fun goes on...

What a spread! Even the quadruple layer cake (created by the multi-talented Anna Hurley) was neon!

Can Jude be any cuter? This photo of him and Eunice makes us totally melt.

You can have a chance to win this awesome plexi glass neon number 2 cake topper! Leave a comment below telling us your favorite detail of the neon party and we'll randomly pick a winner this Friday, April 6th. Best of luck!

A winner has been chosen! Thanks for participating!

Photography by Modern Kids