MFB: Knock-Off Wood

This post is dedicated to one of my very favorite websites on the internet for its amazing designs, practicality, and frugality: Knock-Off Wood by Ana White. When I visited, it was love at first click.

Ana's website is one place I first received inspiration to start this MFB series -- so I owe her a big thanks! Her FREE furniture and design plans tell you how to make the stylish pieces you see at Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, Crate and Barrel and tons of other high falutin' places for pennies on the dollar.

My dream would be to have this huge farmhouse table from Restoration Hardware. (Though in my future "dining room," this would mean there would be more table than room).

However, like Ana, I don't have $3000 for a dining room table laying around.

Instead, when I have a few hours of downtime (whenever that may be!), I plan to have the Engineer (my future hubby) help me put one like Ana made together. Honestly, I think hers looks better anyway! Plus, she gives you a step by step plan on how to make it yourself. And, did I mention that it cost her $9.98 + scrap lumber?!?!

Since this is an ambitious project, in the short term, I may just have to "settle" for these darling magnetic boards.

Check out http://ana-white.com/ to find tons of inspiration for your next project. You'll be happy you did! Let us know what you plan to make!

All Wrapped Up!

Completed Project for a Bride in Devon, PA

One of the best parts of working with wedding calligraphy is the incredible gift I have the privilege of giving each bride.  When I finish a project, I take great care in reviewing all of the envelopes and packaging them.  Tissue paper, ribbon, twine, and hand written notes accompany each box I send back to a bride.  It brings great joy to imagine the opening of their precious package.  A bride who desires calligraphy is someone who pays attention to details, and no detail goes unnoticed when working with Calligraphy by Shannon.  {psst...my love language is gifts!}

MFB: Creating a Brand through Found Objects

This week, along with about 314,345 other ideas floating around in my mind, I had the idea of creating a "brand" for the wedding. Basically, this would be a little emblem or decal for use all over our wedding "products" -- Save the Dates, invites, website, thank yous, placecards, yada yada.

I was very inspired by the sweet "S" of a Snapple bottle I found in the recycling bin.

My new last name will start with "S," and the font has the charm I am looking for, without being overly showy or saccharine.

I think a few of these bottles, spraypainted turquoise or white, placed next to the aqua Bell mason jars I have been collecting like mad, will make for a very sweet display.

What do you think? Did you create a repeating "brand" or theme for your wedding in any way?

And, if you have any Snapple bottles to spare, I'd be happy to take them off of your hands!

Ultimate Plane Ride

Remember the post about getting away a few weeks ago?  Well here is the ultimate "getting away" for your wedding: chartering a plane for you and your guests to island hop in Hawaii!

This was originally featured on Snippet & Ink

Photography by Kristopher Orr

Custom Writings, Great Gifts

Often I am asked to calligraphy verses for clients.  This framed pieces of art make wonderful wedding gifts.    Capturing a verse or poem used in someone's wedding is a fantastic way to help cherish their big day for years to come.  In addition, these gifts make excellent anniversary gifts for the special couple in your life.  Here is one of my most recent projects:

For more information about ordering your own custom writing, please refer to my rates.

MFB: Hand-drawn Save The Dates

I'm a sucker for paper. Shannon and I share a love of the heft and texture and colors of a well-crafted paper product. As a (very recently!) engaged woman (woohoo!), I find my mouse zooming not over to Vera Wang, but rather to Hello Lucky! and other fine paper establishments. My heart is aflutter looking at all of the beautiful paper products they offer.

I'm particularly smitten with the Heartland suite in Bluebell, Chocolate & Lucky Red.

Look how sweet that little ranch house is! Here it is a little bit closer-up.

My swooning continued for a while until, as usual, my heart skiped a beat when I saw the price.

For 150 Save the Dates, the cost is $1.77 each (before postage), for a total of $265.00.

Hmm, considering that there are invitations and reply cards and food to consider, this just seems a bit steep to me.

Thus, we are contemplating a little DIY for the Save the Dates. The drawing that I adore is pretty simple and my meager artistic skills might be up to the challenge of emulating the spirit of the graphic. I would draw the scene and then we would get it copied onto postcards to be sent out. Here is a quick first draft of what I'm thinking.

Please ignore my inability to follow the curvy line on the right side. That'll get worked out in a future draft. I hope.

So what do you think? Are hand-made Save the Dates cute or cheesy? Home-spun and charming or tacky? Leave your answer in the comments section below.

Enjoy the crisp weekend!