Wood crafting nowadays is a far cry from the wood shop program we took during high school. I feel every young man has most likely built a bird house or some sort of shelf during his high school job. You may even so assemble all these things from scratch, on the contrary, if carpentry is not your strong suit, you can still take pleasure in wood crafts. Wood crafting supplies propose a broad range of unfinished wooden craft objects within all shapes and sizes. They can be painted, stenciled, or embellished with metal hoops, leather and fabric. Present are as well all types of neat wooden shapes that can be applied with craft glue.

You don't require for you to try finding a miter box to generate a customized picture frame. Acquire an unfinished frame and give it a coat of paint and add a quantity of gold leaf. Wooden plaques are one more item you can do with, and they appear within all sizes and shapes. You can decoupage your wedding ceremony invitations or birth pronouncement for an enduring memento or gift. My husband and I received an unfinished wooden plaque, tainted it, cut back a Plexiglas cover and lay a win picture of our friend's horse on it as a Christmas gift. He loved it. The image was on display right away, a much better gift than a photo to be caught in an album.

Unfinished wooden birdhouses are a remarkable means to build one of a kind house for the birds in your backyard. Paint them to match your outdoor accessories or your house. My cousin painted small versions as centerpieces for a garden wedding, and they are lovely. People had to draw names to see who acquired to get one home. This was a lasting memento of a special day.

If you gaze around your local home stores, you can find wooden medallions and even gingerbread trim to utilize on furniture or to improve as architectural details within your residence. The wooden trim items and medallions are quickly useful to unfinished furniture to provide it a customized look and can be painted or tainted. You can adjust the appearance of basic furniture by the addition of decorative wood trim.

You might be skilled with a jigsaw, and if you are, you can produce your own wood craft items, custom trim, and birdhouses. However, if you're similar to me and probably to cut off a finger in the course of action, do yourself a support and have certain ready made wood craft supplies. No one will be the wiser once it has been painted or blemished, and you get to receive credit for the perfect product.

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If you are planning a wedding for this fall, it is time to book your honeymoon plans! The honeymoon is the perfect way to relax and have fun with your new spouse after the wedding, and there are many terrific places to go. These are some ideas for great autumn honeymoon destinations.

First let's talk about a place that is not the best for fall honeymoons, and that is the Caribbean and the beaches of the Southeast and Gulf Coast. Although the weather is pleasant and the beaches are less crowded, the fall is also the peak of hurricane season. If you have your heart set on a beach honeymoon, you would be better to choose a Pacific location, or at the very least, buy travel insurance that would provide you with a refund should your trip be washed out by a hurricane.

It is true that it is very romantic to stroll arm in arm with your beloved along a sandy beach with the ocean lapping along the shore. In the autumn, a very romantic option can be to visit a Northern beach for your honeymoon. This will not be a sunbathing trip, but rather a chance to enjoy some peace and quiet in a beautiful location. You can take long walks, collect seashells, and spend cozy evenings in front of a roaring fire at a lovely hotel or inn. One nice thing about this type of trip is that you will be able to get some excellent deals on off-season hotels.

New England is a gorgeous place to visit in the autumn, and it would be a great choice for a honeymoon. Spend time touring the breathtaking autumn foliage, shop for local crafts, and take day hikes in the mountains. The attitude is laid-back; you won't need to bring very dressy clothing, just your cozy sweaters and maybe a simple piece of your wedding jewelry to wear to dinner in a nice restaurant. You may well find yourself wanting to return each year for your anniversary!

If you are looking for a little more excitement, consider a fall honeymoon in Europe. You can enjoy the fabulous museums, shopping (perhaps a new bauble to complete your wedding jewelry set?), and restaurants that the great cities of Europe have to offer. The weather is generally pleasant in the fall, and most locations will not be quite as crowded with tourists as they are during the summer vacation months. The grand capitals of Europe such as London, Paris, and Rome are all spectacular, but you might also want to consider some of the less obvious honeymoon destinations like Switzerland or Austria.

Autumn boasts many festivals that honeymooners can enjoy; perhaps the best of all is Oktoberfest in Germany. Even if you are not a big beer drinker (but especially if you are!), this annual event is rich with music, food, and traditions. There are rides, carousels, shows, and of course, lots and lots of fine beer. Despite the name, Oktoberfest actually takes place mostly in September. For 2009, the dates are September 19 - October 4. Anyone who has ever been to Oktoberfest will tell you that it is not to be missed!

Newlyweds who prefer wine over beer will enjoy a fall honeymoon trip to Napa Valley in California. October is a great time to visit, as it is around the time of many fall harvest celebrations, including the Sonoma County Harvest Fair. See the sights, visit the vineyards, and bring home some wonderful bottles of wine as your honeymoon souvenirs.

There are many ways to enjoy the best that autumn has to offer. There is a fall honeymoon destination that is just right for any interests or budget. The best part about planning your autumn honeymoon is that it will be the perfect way to cap off the celebration of your new marriage.

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Every bridal couple has their own distinct vision of what their perfect wedding day would look like and the style of wedding invitations they would like to send out to their guests. Some bridal couples want handmade invitations that are exceptionally elegant and sophisticated to match their similarly planned wedding reception whereas others prefer traditional all-white handmade wedding invitations as an introduction to their traditional all-white wedding reception.

Other handmade invitation styles run the gamut from elaborate and artsy to contemporary and casual; each style unique and distinctive, unlike run-of-the-mill store-bought wedding invitations where the only difference likes in the details of the wedding.

What makes handmade wedding invitations so special?

Anyone can go to a store and buy ready-made wedding invitations; the only deciding factor being the budget. A bridal couple with a higher wedding budget can go ahead and buy the most expensive invitations they can find whereas a bridal couple with a more restricted budget would have to spend some extra time looking for something cheaper. However, no matter how much you may spend on ready-made wedding invitations there is always something missing- that personal touch.

Having handmade wedding invitations reflects your commitment to creating an ambiance that is fitting for your wedding. They reveal your creativity, thoughtfulness and attention to detail and are sure to leave a lasting impression on your guests. More importantly, they give your wedding that distinctly personal touch that can never be bought or replicated.

Do you have to make handmade wedding invitations yourself?

Making homemade wedding invitations yourself can be a marvelous thought and you can certainly pull it off with élan if you have a limited guest list and plenty of time at your disposal. However, if you have a large guest list and limited time, you are better off getting homemade wedding invitations done by more professional hands.

Advantages of ordering handmade wedding invitations

Ordering handmade wedding invitations can save you time and money.

Professionally done handmade invitations have a distinct look and this is because they are hand-made; the only difference being, they are made by hands other than yours. Besides looking sophisticated and elegant, getting handmade wedding invitations professionally done has other benefits as well. For a bridal couple who have set their heart on sending out customized handmade wedding invites, getting them done professionally frees up a lot of their time; time that could now be spent on the many other aspects of wedding planning.

Another huge advantage of ordering handmade wedding invites is that most professional wedding card makers would have everything they require right at their disposal. Trying to achieve the same effect yourself may involve having to buy special equipment and tools that could be a considerable expense. Being able to order handmade wedding invites can also be a big boon to bridal couples who have the idea in their head but are not adept at executing it. It is important to make sure you explain your idea well and see the finished sample before ordering your handmade wedding invites.

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You feel as though you're constantly waiting with baited breath for your boyfriend to pop the question. You two have been dating for some time and the inevitable next step is to get engaged and start planning the wedding of your dreams. The only problem is that he's tight lipped on the subject and every time you bring up the idea of getting married, he'll start talking about something else. It's hard to know if there's a proposal in your near future or not when your guy isn't telling you what he's thinking. If you're feeling frustrated by the uncertainty, there are some signs he is planning to propose that will help you know whether you'll be walking down the aisle soon.

Here are 4 clear signs he is planning to propose soon:

He wants to buy a home with you. Investing in a home of your own is a huge step. When your boyfriend suggests that you two take that step together, it's because he sees marriage in your very near future. A mortgage will bind the two of you together for decades and he wouldn't be suggesting it unless he saw you as his future life partner.

He talks about children. Many men don't really think about getting married until they're ready to have children. If he has started talking more about the idea of you two having children in the future, he obviously pictures the two of you as co-parents, which also means he envisions you as his wife.

He subtly questions you about engagement rings. Many men think they are being coy about asking what type of ring you like. Some men will window shop with you at a jewelry store and will say it's all in fun. Others will have female friends show you their own engagement or wedding rings to gauge their reaction. If rings have suddenly become something he seems focused on, it's because he's planning on buying you one.

He enjoys other people's weddings. When a man is averse to the idea of getting engaged he feels very uncomfortable going to weddings. He feels as though he's under a microscope there because everyone is wondering why he hasn't popped the question yet. That completely changes once he enters the mind frame of wanting to be a husband. He'll gladly go to weddings and he'll even notice all the small details.

If you see any of these signs in your boyfriend's behavior, he wants to get married before long. Ready yourself for a proposal and for the excitement of planning your big day.

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Are you the type of bride who always wants to be on the cutting edge of fashion? If that sounds like you, then you will want to be sure that your wedding is as fashion forward as you are. These are some of the hippest and freshest looks for wedding color schemes right now.

The key to creating a really great color scheme for your wedding is to choose an interesting pairing of colors. The right colors, when used in combination, can really make everything pop. Instead of traditional gold, white, or silver, think about using bright colors in fresh new ways.

Hints of lime or chartreuse green are one of the top color trends for weddings. Pair the bright green with another strong color, such as aqua blue or a bold red. It may sound a bit garish at first, but when done well, the end result will be very stylish and unique.

Another big trend in wedding colors right now is shades of brown used in combination. If brown sounds a bit drab and unfestive to you, picture rich mocha used with dark espresso, and a soft cream. It sounds delicious, doesn't it? And it can look just as tasty, especially for an autumn or evening affair.

If something on the brighter side is more your style, then consider the color combination of pink and red. This is another one that might make you pause at first - weren't we always told that pink and red should never go together? That old rule is out the window, as brides are discovering how great those two tones can look together.

Once you have decided on a color palette for your wedding, the next step is to figure out how to put it all together. If you are working with one of these strong new color combinations, don't be shy. The overall effect will be best if you really go for it. In other words, if you have chosen pink and red for your colors, don't do a pink centerpiece on half of the tables and a red one on the other half. The idea is to layer the colors right on top of each other, so mix pink and red flowers within the same display.

There are so many creative places to employ your color scheme. To really make it work, you will want to carry it throughout the wedding in large doses. This will give your décor a unified look, and really make the bold colors pop.

Definitely plan on using your chosen colors in the centerpieces. That is one of the easiest places to make an immediate impact. You can use flowers in both colors in your arrangements, or you could choose to pick flowers primarily in one of the colors with a vase or vessel in the other color. When using such strong colors, keep the lines of the vases clean and simple.

You should definitely plan on using your chosen colors in the bridesmaid dresses. For instance, you could do an aqua organza dress with a chartreuse sash for a fresh summer wedding look. Mixing shades of brown would be rich and elegant for an evening wedding at any time of the year. To keep the theme going, give your attendants bridesmaid gifts in your wedding colors. There are lots of ways to do this. You could give them tote bags in lime with a red monogram. Or order custom bridesmaid jewelry as their gifts; combine red and pink Swarovksi crystals for a fabulous effect.

Whichever color you choose, be sure to own it. Using one of these hot new color pairings will give your wedding a fresh and hip style. Expressive use of color is a wonderful way to make your wedding unforgettable.

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The large day is coming and right here you will see top ideas for efficiently catering your wedding ceremony or other massive feast. Plan forward when catering your individual marriage ceremony, have a time and sequence listing made out for anyone serving to in the kitchen. That means things will get finished efficiently and nothing will likely be forgotten. Permit extra time to do all the things and designate tasks.

Let the menu match the wedding. No matter you might be doing, you might have taken on a problem not only to do your greatest, however to channel your ideas and vitality into creating one of the best sort of menu for your explicit fashion of wedding. In case you are restricted in space or sources when catering own wedding, choose a style of wedding ceremony to greatest fit the type of food you'll be able to afford to serve - will it be a wedding brunch, luncheon, bridal tea, cocktail get together, dessert party, buffet, or sit down meal, casual backyard potluck, or BBQ? Keep in mind connoisseur food may not fit all types of people. Conserving issues easy is commonly the most secure strategy when catering your own wedding.

The quantity of meals you will need when catering your individual wedding will depend on the time of day as well as the typical age of your guests. Obviously a marriage luncheon is not going to require nearly as a lot food as when catering your personal marriage ceremony with a sit down dinner. The presentation would even be completely different when catering your wedding with a full sit down dinner, loads fancier. By no means serve just gentle snacks at regular dinner time, marriage ceremony guests might be hungry.

Plan your menu when catering your individual wedding ceremony so that it really works across the space that you've available. In different words, don't have too many items that require oven space. Be sure that they require the same temperature, too. Determine your required fridge and freezer space. Counter space is important when catering your own wedding ceremony in the event you'll need to plate things. For instance if it's important to ladle food onto plates, or plan to serve a variety of dainties and small tarts for dessert. Do you've got sufficient area to place all this stuff out after which switch them to serving plates?

Meals Safety is a should necessity. Scorching food must be sizzling - cooked to one hundred forty degrees F. and above. Chilly meals have to be saved chilly - 40 levels F. and below. Have you ever puzzled why caterers do not leave the meals out longer and let people nibble all evening, due to meals poisoning that's why! Use a light bleach answer to wipe down counters, do dishes etc. to prevent cross-contamination from uncooked meats and germs in general.

Try occasion rental places, they have numerous actually neat gadgets for catering your personal wedding. Big chaffing dishes just like the caterers use, huge bowls, and lots of exciting issues to make your marriage ceremony or celebration really special - even a conveyable salad bar. If you don't have the gear you want for catering your own wedding ceremony, you may lease things very moderately - even tables and chairs, tablecloths, desk skirts and overlays, chair covers and sashes, linen napkins, plates, wine glasses, cutlery, etc.

Do not be afraid to get assist when catering your personal wedding. Things take time on a large scale and what you'll be able to do for a small group at residence becomes inconceivable to handle in a quick time-frame when multiplied by a much bigger quantity of meals and the time required just to handle it. In case you are catering your individual wedding ceremony whether or not its your wedding day, your daughter's, your sister's, or whomever - get help. Rent someone if vital, give them instructions to observe so you may enjoy the event.

Examine the kitchen you'll be utilizing for catering your individual wedding ceremony if it's not your own. See what provides come with it, how a lot oven house check for racks, fridge space, counter space, serving dishes, salt & pepper, serving spoons etc. and knives for slicing, chopping and carving. Also check for soap, dish towels, and oven mitts. You may have to produce yourself with a few of these items.

In case you are catering your own marriage ceremony, will your insurance coverage cover you within the occasion of meals poisoning or could you be sued? Some well being laws in some states/provinces, require that meals served to a large crowd should be ready in a business kitchen on the premises, or offered by a caterer, relatively than pot-luck. Remember to take a look at the rules in your area when catering your personal wedding ceremony to make sure you face no legal liabilities.

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Their big day has nearly arrived and you still haven't bought the couple a wedding gift yet. Well, not to worry, here are 10 wedding gift suggestions that are a little more creative than suggesting you rush off to buy them a gift voucher for the home, garden and furniture store.

1. How about a painting. Obviously selection is according to budget. Consider romantic depictions or something special to that couple, such as a painting of where they first met. You could personalise it even further by commissioning a local artist to paint a photo of the couple.

2. Buy them a tree. A small one. Don't laugh - think about it this way. Buy a nice tree they can plant, then nurture and grow as the years go by, just like their marriage. When they look out the window in several years time they'll be reminded of how far they've come as they see an established tree in the garden.

3. Subscription to a magazine. Maybe the newly wedded couple have just moved into a new house and needs some work doing to it. What better gift than a magazine all about how to decorate and renovate a house.

4. Are the couple into keep-fit? If so, how about buying them joint membership to a local gym for a year. It's something they can do together.

5. Something that lasts. Perhaps a bottle of vintage wine or a framed wedding invitation. The latter being more personal and memorable.

6. Do they have a digital camera? If not, then this is ideal. They'll be wanting to take a lot of photos after they get married and during the honeymoon.

7. Once they have taken all these pictures, they will want hard copies of them. It's a practical gift, but how about a colour photo printer or a docking station for the camera that allows them to print off the photos.

8. A luxury hotel room before they go on their honeymoon is another appropriate wedding gift. Just make sure they haven't already made reservations prior to you arranging this.

9. Now it's time for a couple of things not to buy the wedding couple. Don't buy them a kettle. Chances are they will have several bought for them already. I don't know how much tea you drink, but I sure don't need five kettles. Marriage may be thirsty work, but not that thirsty.

10. Arrghhh, no, not a toaster. Don't do it. I'm sure we all dream of toast after we get married, but about a dozen people will also want the newly wedded couple to enjoy perfect slices of toast in the morning. I'm sure this is a tradition, but avoid the dreaded 'wedding toaster' gift at all costs.

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There are many ways to save money on wedding invitations. For starters, try setting an overall budget for your wedding or sub-budgets for attire, catering, invitations, etc... just like in personal finance, a budget is a must and sticking to it will save you money in the long run.

A budget also allows you to prioritize. For instance, if you really have your heart set on a nice invitation for your wedding then get what you want. You will be unhappy if you don't. It may be costly but there are other areas in your wedding planning that may not be as important to you; those are the areas where you can spend less. For instance, in order to afford the more expensive wedding invitations, re-evaluate the money you originally budgeted for flowers. Instead of using a florist to arrange flowers for the reception save money by using do it yourself decorating ideas instead. Martha Stewart is an expert at do it yourself projects. Browse through past issues of her Weddings magazine and you'll find a plethora of ideas on how to decorate on a budget.

Once you decide you want a nice invite I wouldn't opt for a run of the mill invitation from a vendor like William Arthur or Cranes. These guys are printing around the clock and might not give your job the the attention you will get from a smaller boutique printer. Also, don't rush, plan ahead. When you are in a rush you will have to get something fast and getting it done fast means that details will be overlooked and can cost you even more money in the long run.

I prefer to use letterpress printers. They can design your invitation just like you want and give you the one-on-one attention that you deserve. Some have a broad selection of ultra-thick papers and you can still get your invitations in a week or two. Letterpress printers also offer a diverse selection of environment friendly options such as recycled or tree-free papers and print using vegetable inks.

When choosing your invitations, look for other ways to save money. Look for options like borders that may be shown on the invites or RSVP cards. Many companies offer these extras as optional. Removing them doesn't alter the look that much and you can save up to $1.50 per invitation set. If you have very organized friends that are accustomed to rsvping in the traditional sense (that is, by writing you a handwritten note) or the more modern sense (by email) you might want to consider dropping the rsvp card entirely. This will cut the cost of the RSVP card and the RSVP envelope. Or maybe use an RSVP postcard instead, that way at least you lose the cost of the rsvp envelope.

In this economy many companies are also offering deals like free return address printing and free ground shipping. These savings can add up, as much as 20% off. If you don't see if offered, ask! Many companies are willing to oblige just to get your business.

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