DIY- My Sweets Buffet

I know that candy buffets are very popular these days, and decided I would like to have a "sweets" buffet that would include candy, pastries, nuts and whatever else we can think of. Definitely we'll have Twinkies (the Mr.'s fave) and Nutty Buddy's (my fave). I also will have candies in our wedding colors, and the Mr.'s own personal nut mix (he makes this and takes it to work with him daily).
Thus far I've bargain hunted for these plates/trays and scoops for our buffet. For the most part, these are thrift store finds. I'll try and introduce them in groups.
My raised platters/ bowls. I used various cups and candlesticks for bases, and bowls and plates for the toppers. I haven't actually glued them on yet, as I have been busy with other things, but I do have the epoxy ready to go. The one in the far back right is actually a cakestand I got free from freecycle.....if anyone's heard of that. The plates/ bowls shown here are from Target and Dollar Tree (all $1 ea.). Bases are from the thrift store except for the back middle candlestick (Dollar Tree). Thrift store bases were .45 each.
I am planning on putting silk flowers or purple/lavender paper pom poms under the cup bases for that extra lil touch.
These containers with covers were all from the thrift store $1.95-$3.95 ea.
These are all open containers. The purple cup was from Target for $1...I just really liked the color, and decided I will put Pixie Stix in it. All the rest but the heart (Dollar Tree) were purchased from the thrift store. I know that the bottom right one is a dip/appetizer dish, but it's perfect for candy! It was $2.95 and the other 2 glasses were .45 each.
These are 4 more bases I'm trying to find toppers for.....
OK....found one! The 99 Cents Store. Three more to go!
These are prongs and scoops. 4 pk of prongs for $1 at Dollar Tree and a 3 pk of scoops at Walmart for...I believe it was $3.95. Oh, and I totally forgot I had bought 5 mini plastic scoops at Blake's for .39 each.....now where are they? Hmmm....
And I also have 2 glass jars with tops from Ikea that I've had for a few years now.....I'll include those in my buffet too, if I need them.
And that just about covers my first phase of the sweets buffet. I really just wanted to round these up so I can pack and put them away. You see, I have ALL my wedding stuff in our bachroom, and I need to clear it out for Thanksgiving because we just might have Thanksgiving here this year...YIKES!! I just might post a pic of my backroom, but I really probably shouldn't. It is just so embarrassing! It's a wreck! So maybe I won't...lol!
Are you doing any types of buffets? Any creative or unique ideas?

Changed Our Bubbles-DIY

So I decided to change up the way I decorated my original idea for my Dollar Tree bubbles.
I had bought a stamper with the letter "C" on it from Michael's for a buck and was anxious to use it on something. I had some paper I had bought quite awhile ago...just because it was purple....from Big Lots for a dollar also (50 sheets), and decided to cut little pieces of it to use as a wrap around my bubbles. I probably only used about 6 sheets TOPS for my 84 bubbles. So I got my new little stamper and stamped my little cut out pieces of orchid colored printer paper and used photo mounting squares to attach the ends together.
Oh, I also added little silver rings which I found at a dollar store (50 per pkg) and strung them onto the ribbon (from Michaels-2 for $1) which I changed from purple to alternating colors of white and lavender.
This was probably the most boring project thus far....well as far as sitting there and putting them together. I did a little at a time whilst watching TV. I'm just glad it's all over with!

basket from thrift store-earlier post)

Another Pending Project DONE!-DIY

Project complete!
If you'll remember awhile back, I wrote about some thrift store finds that were incredible deals that were gold in color, and I needed to paint them silver to go with our decor. Well, I finally did it!
1)Here is the birdcage I was transforming into a cardbox. ($5.95)
2) I started by covering the gems that went around the cage on top and bottom with masking tape to preserve them. I then spray painted the cage with Krylon.
3) Here's after I removed the tape from the gems.
4) Ta Da! A little lavender tulle, a sign and some flowers and I've got myself a cardbox Houston!

What are you using for your cardbox? Will it be DIY?

(cage from thrift store, paint from Walmart, tulle (about 10 yards for $2.95) from thrift store)

My Very DIY Pocket Fold Envelopes

I had to create the template for this from scratch because I couldn't find a template online that would accomodate the invites that I had already bought from Michael's (50 for $17.00 with 40% off coupon). These are the standard sized invites, but all I could find online as far as pocketfold envelope templates went, was DIY sizes. Usually small square sized. So I went with trial and error using my invite and envelopes to guide me.
I then made my template, so that everything that came with the invites would fit in the envelopes, and so that I used as little paper as possible. So...it will be this pocket fold envelope that goes into the envelope that came with invites, then that will go into larger envelopes I purchased separately.
Once that was done, the rest was pretty simple. I made a belly band using scrapbook paper I already had, and this lacy paper I had found at the thrift store ( a bag full for $1.95). All were fastened by a couple of square double sided photo mounting adhesives. Then threw a white ribbon around that (also adhered with a small piece of photo mounting adhesive so it wouldn't slip off of the bellyband).
I accented the pocket with the same scrap paper as the belly band, and a small stick on rhinestone for a delicate touch (pkg. of 48 for $1.00 at Michael's).
I still have to print on the actual "invitation", but I won't be doing that until I'm a bit closer to the wedding date. After all, it's still almost a year away. The invite will then be fastened to the pocket fold envelope. But for the sake of putting up pics, I just set the unfinished invite in place without gluing or fastening.
It's a very simple design....not so fancy-shmancy.... and I didn't use the more elegant pretty paper.....but I'm very happy with the results. Gives it just a little oomph, as opposed to just sticking all the stuff in an envelope. Most of all I'm happy that I finished them! OK...almost finished them. All I have left is putting the rest of the ribbons on. It was a very time consuming project, as simple as it looks. But it was very rewarding for me.

What type of invites are you using?

Thrift Store Flower Basket

Yet another score on an amazing find at my local thrift store! Looks new and only $1.95! Yeah! And it's in my colors.

Another Fab Find At The Thrift Store!

I went browsing the thrift store by my house yesterday, when I stumbled upon these beautiful treasures. Intricately wired ornaments that latch shut. They were 12 for $2.95....so about .25 a piece. I bought a total of 48. There are just so many possibilities for these things! AND they match the little baskets I previously bought from this same store.
See! They match pretty well. (I still haven't painted this....)
I made some paper tissue pom poms to see how they would look dangling inside the ball.....I think they look absolutely perfect. I can hang them from the back of guests chairs (but I'd have to go buy more NOW, before they're gone)...I could string them and drape them across different areas (like above the cake table), I could hang them from the pews down the aisle, and I could also hang them in the various trees in the reception courtyard (or along the walkway entrance of the courtyard). So many possibilities!
But whatever I end up doing with them, I will be sooo happy that I found them.

Save The Dates Are Ready To Go!

I've been working on these things for quite awhile....on and off of course, but they're finally done. Well, besides writing the addresses and stamping them.
The above picture is disassembled. I used the same paper for the belly band and the lining of the envelope flap. I know...I've seen them more fully lined, but this was a last minute decision when I saw that I had a small extra piece left over from each belly band. I thought....I know there must be something I can do with this little piece. So after cutting it to size I glued it on the top flap to make it matching stationary! I also created our own monogram. What do you think? Cute, or not so cute?
Here it is with the STD card already nestled into the DIY inner envelope I made out of regular white paper trimmed with wavy craft scissors, double side taped on the sides, and band slid into place.
Ta Da! Ready to lick, seal (oh yeah! I do have sticker seals not pictured here), address and stamp! Fun!
All together for 26 STD cards, ready to go minus the stamps....it cost me $5.20!
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How-To
1. To make an envelope liner, measure the width of your envelope, and subtract 1/4 inch. For the length, fold back the flap of the envelope, and measure from the bottom of envelope to tip of flap, just under the gummed strip. Using a paper cutter, cut a sheet of paper to these dimensions.

2. Slip the paper into the envelope, and fold the corners down just below the glue line, using a bone folder to create sharp creases. Remove the paper from the envelope, and cut off the corners along the folds.

3. Insert liner sheet into envelope, and fold down flap. Lift up the envelope flap, keeping the liner folded. Slip a piece of scrap paper under the liner flap to protect envelope from glue. Run the glue stick over the edges of the back of the liner.

4. Slip out scrap paper. Close down the outer flap over liner, and rub with fingertip to adhere glue to flap.

Idea Courtesy of Martha Stewart

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Here's the breakdown:

*13 -4x6 prints developed by Walgreen's at .10 each (2 STD's were put on each print) = $1.30
*Inner envelopes ( I already had the paper ) = $0
*Scrapbook lined paper for belly band and flap liner ( I already had this) = $0
*Monogram ( I already had white cardstock ) = $0
*Outer envelopes (large pkg. of thank you notes with envelopes from thrift store) = $0.95
*Self Stick Magnets (from Walmart) = $0.95
*Sticker seals (not shown - Big Lots) $2.00

Note: I was planning on doing all sorts of scrapbooking at one time in my life, and collected tons of scrapbooking supplies. And I mean TONS! I still to this day have not completed one book!.....just in case you were wondering why I already had some of this stuff. You know how that goes!

Incredible Finds For My Wedding At The Thrift Store

Aren't they absolutely beautiful? I occasionally wander into the thrift store to see if there are any great bargains that I can use for my wedding. On this particular visit, I think I scored!
In the first picture is a heavy wire metal heart shaped basket that I will probably use for napkins at my cake table. I don't know....what do you think? It stands about 9" high, and cost me $1.95.

I will of course paint both items pictured in silver to match my decor. Right now they are both an antique gold color.
In the second picture is the beautiful bird cage I found (same visit) and it stands about 18" tall without the hook and cost me $5.95. I don't know what I will do with the colored gems on it....the colors don't exactly match my color scheme.....but I'll figure something out. I also don't exactly know what I will use it for....maybe a card holder? Or maybe just a decoration for the guest book table? I don't know....any ideas?

I will post another pic later after I've painted them. But it may be a while before I get to that!