Archive for February 26, 2009

Bon Voyage

February 26, 2009 / Abbi / One comment

My friend’s father had plans to take a European cruise around Christmastime. He wanted to journal about the cultures, foods, sights, and landmarks he encountered while on his journey, so she hired me to make him a custom journal.

I wanted to create something with a Old World feel, something reminiscent of the days when traders, voyagers, and settlers spent months traveling across oceans in search of adventure and new opportunities.

Here is what I created:

I used tan suede to create the cover. A label holder displayed the words “Bon Voyage” and a length of twine held the book closed when not in use.

The book was bound using a technique that would allow it to lay flat and I used scrapbooking paper displaying handwritten letters for the paste papers to add to the ‘Old World’ feel.

My friend was quite happy with the end result and excited to give the book to her dad on Christmas. I wonder what it looks like now that it’s full of notes from his travels?!

Category: Books / Tags: , ,

Will You Be My Bridesmaid?

February 23, 2009 / Abbi / One comment

To me, planning a party is nearly as much fun as actually having the party, so you can imagine how quickly my designer wheels started spinning when Andrew popped the question!

On Your Mark…Get Set…GO!

I chose my Bridesmaids fairly quickly and I knew wanted to ask them in a special way so they would know how important they are to me.

Introducing: The Abbi Z Bridesmaid Announcement Package!!

I pride myself on being both creative AND resourceful. In fact, the only thing I spent money on was the mailing envelopes! Everything else was remnants from art school and various bookmaking projects.

First, I sent each Maid a wrapped package with a note asking her NOT to open it…yet. A phone number was included so all the Maids could join me for a conference call. During the call, the girls would be instructed to open their packages.
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Inside the package was some fun green confetti, a small silver wrapped surprise, and an envelope.
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The envelopes held a “Bridesmaid Booklet” and the silver package contained a book monogrammed with each girl’s initial.

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The booklets folded open to reveal the message “Will you be my Bridesmaid?” and on the back of each strip, I wrote a personal message to each girl, telling them how much I love them and how much it would mean to me for them to stand with Andrew and me on our big day.
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The booklet contained information about the wedding and the pre-planning: Our colors, the wedding date, the bridesmaid dresses I liked, my suggestions for shoes, accessories, etc., as well as a promise to be as NON-Bridezilla as possible. :) I included contact info for each girl so they could all get in touch with each other as well as websites they could peruse for inspiration and ideas.
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I can’t imagine walking this path without these girls by my side! I figured investing a little DIY time would show them just how much they mean to me: past, present, and future. Love you girls!!
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Now you share: What’s your favorite part of planning a party or event?

Category: Books, Challenges / Tags: ,

Baby Booties!

February 2, 2009 / Abbi / One comment

A friend of mine was helping host a shower for two women in her bible study group…one who was expecting a boy, and one who was expecting a girl. She asked me to make something cakey for the party, and I decided to do cupcakes so both women would be equally represented.

I created chocolate cupcakes in silver papers and covered each one in white buttercream icing. Then, using stiff buttercream that had been tinted blue and pink, I created several pairs of tiny baby booties. Adding buttercream ‘bows’, ‘buttons’, and ‘lace’ was the most time-consuming but rewarding part of the process. All in all, they turned out really cute and my friend was thrilled!

Category: Cupcakes / Tags: ,
 
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