Makeover #2: Matches

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After a long hiatus from actual DIY work (posts about invites as of late were all for materials), I had the sudden urge to tinker with our matches. Together with our bible, these were winnings from a contest we joined last year. 

To start off, I peeled off the satin cover of the matches and replaced it with dark blue felt cloth.

Then I decided to paint yellow the white and silver rope of the original design. Once dry, I attached it on the matches the same way it was used in the original design. But after doing that, the look did not come off as I expected so I tore it out again. Without any pre-meditation for this DIY, I don't have any idea what design to make. Adrin suggested to just put some lace as a simple accent. Sadly the eyelets on hand are too wide as they were intended for the wrist corsages. 

It's time to bring out the trusted box of thingamajigs once more. I was scouting for anything that I can use when I saw a white mesh ribbon which used to be a part of my old blouse (I told you, I’m such a junkie. Haha). I suddenly had the inspiration to create a flower out of it and again use my leftover beads as its core.

After making two flowers, I glued them on the upper right hand side of each match and this is how they turned out.

Simple but cute. Just how I wanted them to be. Another one for the books eh? =)

Cheers!

DIY Invites Update #3: The Perfect Envelopes

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Finalizing the size of our invitations was not as simple as I thought it would be. Our initial plan is to just follow the exact dimensions of pocketfold invites we usually see at the bridal fairs. Adrin was even able to discreetly get the measurements in one of the events last January. That was even our basis when we computed for the number of cardstock sheets we bought from Star Paper.

With the boards and tools on hand, I urged Adrin that we start the work soon, and I mean start the actual cutting and folding. I was then surprised when he showed me an envelope instead. To him, the envelope is a pre-requisite before starting anything with our boards. He wants to ensure that the invites would be a perfect fit to its cover.

He first showed me this—a pack of plain white baronial envelopes.

This is the closest size he found in the bookstore he went to, but he is admittedly not convinced with it because it’s far from suitable for a wedding invitation. The paper used is too thin, it’s not formal looking, and is a bit bigger than our target proportions. Baronial envelope: Scrapped.

Too plain

Then one time we were at Mall of Asia, we decided to check out National Bookstore to see the envelopes on stock. Aside from the baronial kind, the invitation envelopes available were either too small, too colourful, or both. But when I caught sight of this dark yellow pack, I got all excited.

Given that our pocketfolds will be navy blue, yellow envelopes is the best wasy to complete our motif. Albeit upon looking closely, they are not invitation envelopes but are actually catalogue envelopes. We liked the material though since it's smooth and thick (130gsm), however, the orientation is totally different from what we were looking for. Its size is also smaller than what we have in mind. Nonetheless we still bought a pack just in case we don’t find anything more suitable. At least we already have a sample of what to look for once we decide to buy the entire loot. 

Smooth enough to reflect some light

After 2 weeks, while we were at Greenbelt 1 to buy a cartolina for our invitation prototype, we again checked the racks for envelopes. And there I saw a glitzy kind, with horizontal orientation that is close to the size that we need. They have two colors available and we took better interest on Merida Cream. 

A pack of 10 costs Php96.75 which makes it roughly Php10.00 a piece. Not bad, given that (1) the paper is glittery which matches our cardstock; and (2) the material is thick enough at 125gsm. We actually did open a pack while at the store (with the intent to buy it whatever happens) to scrutinize the envelopes before deciding to purchase the entire lot that we need. 

It's a big plus that the flaps of these envelopes are rectangular unlike the others we saw which are usually triangular. Since it is not a perfect fit to the invite dimensions we have, we just decided to adjust our measurements. =)

See the shimmer? :)

Here are the three envelopes side by side.

With all requirements complete, DIY mode finally on!

Cheers!