Sponsor Spotlight - Very Inviting Stationery

I am thrilled this morning to welcome Very Inviting Stationery as a sponsor on Inspired Celebration.  Based in the beautiful northern county of Cheshire, Very Inviting design and create several collections of wedding stationery aswell as offering a bespoke design service. Their designs are all handcrafted and available for nationwide delivery. Later this year Very Inviting will be adding to their range of social stationery to offer New Baby and Christening stationery aswell. 

Be sure to visit Very Inviting's website for even more designs.

Very Inviting

http://www.very-inviting.com/

www.facebook.com/veryinviting

DIY Decorations - String Chandeliers

I have been busy this week 'cutting and sticking' as I put together some ideas that I hope to reveal in the next few weeks.  So I felt for todays post it seemed appropriate to share a tutorial for some fabulous decorations to help make your summer celebrations fantastic. Today I have chosen the amazing string chandeliers tutorial from Ruffled and these chandeliers really are fantastic.  I am planning on making some in the garden, as it looks a little messy, as soon as the warmer days arrive.

I hope your chandeliers look as fabulous as these. Don't forget to share your photos, just send me an email inspiredcelebrations{at}gmail{dot}com and I'll happily share your DIY decorations.

Bird's Party Magazine

I read alot of blogs and Bird's Party is one I read reguarly and always love all the ideas and inspiration. So I was very excited to receive the email on Saturday to say the latest Bird's Party Magazine was available.  I am sure you will all agree the ideas are fantastic and the styling is just gorgeous.  Quickly go and make a cuppa and take a look your self.

Bird's Party Magazine

Gifts for the Gardeners

{Wudwerx} {The Painted Broom Company}

{Swings & Pretty Things} {Wudwerx}

{Swings & Pretty Things} {Jo Heckett}

{Plantabox} {The Oak & Rope Company}

{The Orchard} {Delightful Living}

{Cherry Pie Lane} {Pipany}

Sew It Yourself Wedding Inspiration

As many of you know I am a self confessed fabric addict, so was very excited to read about a special Sew It Yourself feature in the latest issue of Cloth Magazine. With wedding fever reaching new heights due to the Royal Wedding next month many brides to be will be wanting their own wedding day to be fit for a queen.  The projects in Cloth this Spring will definately help add a regal touch to your celebration without spending a fortune.

Over eleven pages Cloth  have put together ten projects to help make your day unique and save you a few pennies along the way.  There is a fab idea for painting tights, that would be stunning with a short dress or could even work for your maids.  Aswell as instructions for making a garter and veil, complete with clear instructions so even the novice seamstress could make these trimmings.  Of course a Sew It Yourself feature would not be complete without bunting and Cloth show you step by step how to sew your own beautiful bunting. But of course this is sewing feature so they also show you how to make your own bias binding, yet for those without a mouse binder don't worry you can sew your pennants to a cotton tape or even a ribbon. 

This fantastic feature also shows you how to make a beautiful ring pillow and lavender heart favours, alongside fabric placenames and napkin rings. To complete the feature Atelier Millinery have designed exclusively for Cloth a fabulous rose fascinator.

This year has seen a growing trend of brides wanting to create things for their wedding day and these fabulous projects are perfect for helping you acheive beautiful results.

Cloth

{www.clothmagazine.co.uk}

Mothers Day Cards

With only six days until we celebrate Mother's Day here in the UK there is still time to order a gorgeous card from a fantastic British designer.  Here are some ideas for you.

{Sophia Victoria Joy}{Rosie Robins}

{Storeyshop}{Molly Moo Designs}

{3 Blonde Bears} {Bombus}

{Mrs L Cards} {Paper Daisy Card Design}

{doodlelove} {Storeyshop}

{Quite Contrary} {Mooks Design}

And of course don't forget to look at our

 Mother's Day Gift Guide

Birthday

Today I am another year closer to 40...eeek!!  My hair has got a little grey in it, the lines around my eyes are getting a little deeper, but inside I still feel 21 yet without the anxieties and insecurities of youth.  But who am I?

A Wife

from Shellybobbins

A Mother

from Loveday Designs

from Original Minnie

A Daughter

from Acres of Blue Sky

A Sister

from Sarra Kate

And for now.....

from Blush

Review - Papercrafting In No Time by Clare Youngs

Over the past six months I have broadened my fabric addiction to patterned paper and this in turn has led to a new interest in papercrafting.  I am always amazed at how a few pieces of pattrned or plain paper can be trnasformed into amazing decorations or cards, so I was thrilled to have the chance to review Papercrafting In No Time by Clare Youngs.

With 50 projects all crafted from paper in this book I was keen to see exactly what delights lay inside the inspiring cover.  Papercrafting In No Time offers projects for the novice papercrafter through to the more seasoned designer.  Starting with ideas and projects for our living spaces Clare shows us papercutting, the traditional art of Poland alongside creating an origami fan lampshade. Yet my favourite project in this first chapter is the wreath, offering so many potential colour and pattern combinations, which means this wreath becomes very versatile as a decoration for many occassions, or just because!

The second chapter offers ten fabulous projects for the little ones in our lives.  Boats, birds and bird boxes feature alongside sausage dogs, butterfiles and monkeys, which are all perfect deocrations for bedrooms or parties. The next ten projects found in the 'Gifts' chapter which of course includes beautiful gift boxes and bags, aswell as paper beads and dragonfly clothespins. 

The fourth chapter offers fabulous inspiration for card making.  Clare shows us how to create a tiered Russian doll card, fold out vintage flower card, beautiful patterned envelopes, bunting and owls, that all would be perfect cards for numerous occassions. Actually I have made a set of envelopes just to store receipts in, well I need pretty things on my desk! The final chapter of Papercrafting In No Time is 'Party Time' with clear instructions for projects to make including a vintage floral cakestand, cupcake toppers, paper roses and decoupage eggs. 

Papercrafting In No time offers 50 fabulous projects to inspire some beautiful works of art and more practical ideas aswell as a comprehensive list of tools and materials and templates.  For each project the clearly written step by step instructions, complete with photographs make every project accessible to everyone.  I highly recommend Papercrafting In No Time, whether you are looking for beautiful ideas to decorate your home, cards to make for friends or inspiring ideas for decoration your next celebration.

Papercrafting In No Time by Clare Youngs

ISBN 978-1-907030-81-9

Flower Girls

Most little girls love to get dressed up in pretty dresses and pretend they are princesses so are probably your most keen of the bridal party.  Wearing beautiful dresses, pretty little shoes and carrying a basket of petals is very exciting to a little girl. For todays post I thought I would have a look for fabulous outfits for your smallest attendants.

from Michelle Samuels Design

from Little Bevan

from Tulip & Nettle

from I Love Gorgeous

from Bugs and Fairies

from Poppy 

I-Do Project

I came across an innovative way to pay for your wedding whilst writing for UK Handmade.

Find out more by reading my article on UK Handmade today!

The First Dance Collection - Lou Lou Belle Designs

Tomorrow sees the launch of Lou Lou Belle Design's Spring collection, The First Dance.  This new collection is decadent in design reminiscent of bygone Hollywood glamour.  With a combination of diamante details and Swarovski pearls the First Dance collection offers vintage inspired bridal hair accessories.

Fandango

A bride and grooms 'First Dance' symbolises the union of the newlyweds and each piece in this new collection from Lou Lou Belle Design takes its name from renowned dances, including the Waltz and the Fandango.

Mambo

Every piece in the collection is designed and handmade by Lisa Longhurst who started Lou Lou Belle Designs in 2007.   She also offers co-ordinating necklaces, bracelets and earrings which are available to complete the bridal look.

Samba

Lou Lou Belle Designs

{website} {twitter} {facebook}

Photo credits - Foto Create

Hair & Make Up  - The Pamper Party Experience

Gift Guide - Furniture

Sometimes there are moments when beautiful pieces of furniture make fabulous gifts. I am a big fan of the current trend in upcycling old wooden furniture in all manners of ways, especially using pattern and print. 

Wallpaper is no longer just for walls!

from Bryonie Porter

And maps are no longer just for finding our way!

from Bombus

And fabric is no longer just for fashion!

from Viva Fabric

For Japan, With Love

I have just read the latest blog post from Cap Classique and will be joining them and many others in the blogging community in a day of silence on Friday.  For more information please visit Ever Ours here.

I ask that you all join this Bloggers Day of Silence in respect of the natural disaster that struck Japan.

Thank you.

Inspiration - Ruffle Cake Tutorial

Earlier today I shared some ruffled loveliness with you. Now I have a fabulous tutorial link to share with you so that you can create a delightful ruffled cake.  I am sure with some time and patience to create this cake it will be amazing!

{Ruffled Cake Tutorial}

from My Sweet & Saucy

Inspiration - Ruffles

{Kay Morgan} {Emma Gordon London} {Anusha}

{Ozzana} {Gabrielle Louise Bridal Design}

{Kiki's} {Fairytale 13} {Chateau de Sable}

Helping Hand - Answers

On Friday I launched a new feature, Helping Hand, inviting you, my lovely readers the chance to ask for help with a part of your planning that was causing a little headache.  Obviously my biggest fear was that nobody would ask for help but thankfully Stacey left a comment!

Stacey said -

I'm stuck with original ideas for table decorations that I can make myself. I did think about an arrangement of foil-wrapped truffles on skewers but wondered if anyone could suggest anything else as i'm not sold on it really! My colours are ivory and dark green if it's any help!!

My first idea was to make peppermint creams in green and white.  These could be heart shaped and served in glass dishes or wrapped in cellophane bags if you needed individual favours.

{Peppermint Cream Recipe}

My second idea was to make tissue paper pompoms in green and ivory.  However I was not sure if the table decorations needed to be edible!  The tutorial is for bigger pompom flowers but you could adjust the sizing to use them on your tables.

{PomPom Flower Tutorial}

Now I ask my fab readers to offer Stacey some more ideas for table decorations to fit her green & ivory theme. 

Thank you.

 

Handmade Wedding Collective

Bookworm Eats Flower

I am delighted to share with you an interesting and exciting exhibition in London that sees several designers showcasing their work at Craft Central this week.  The Handmade Wedding Collective is a collaboration  of British designer makers involved in the wedding industry.  Recent trends have seen a resurgence in an interest in crafts and the Handmade Wedding Collective offers brides and grooms to be a chance to purchase something individual and unique.

Hetty Rose Shoes

The exhibition this week will showcase work ranging from exquisite jewellery to embellished vintage crockery, one-off hats and fascinators and beautiful handcrafted shoes.  Craft Central is located in St. John's Square, EC1M London and the exhibition is open from tomorrow (15 March) until Sunday 20th March, 12-6.30pm and 12-4pm on Sunday. However there is a special late night shopping event at the exhibition on Wednesday evening giving you the chance to meet some of the designers, enjoy some delicious wedding cake from one of the events sponsors, Craft Cakes.  There will also be a giveaway offering you the chance to win a fabulous prize designed and made by one of the Handmade Wedding Collective.

Toft Porcelain

Exhibitors include -

Aelska – laser sliced lace fashion pieces A Alicia Wedding – bridal garters and accessories handmade using vintage textiles Blue Eyed Girl – jewellery combining textiles and metals Book Worm Eats Flower – stunning bespoke bouquets of handmade paper flowers Daniele Geargeoura – exquisite contemporary jewellery and cufflinks Hatastic! – fabulous bespoke hats and fascinators Hetty Rose – exquisite hand-crafted bridal shoes Isamo Crochet – gorgeous crochet jewellery Lou Rota – embellished and updated vintage crockery and cake stands Peggy Bamford – hand-crafted and bespoke silk ties Rosalind Price-Cousins – stunning textile based fashion accessories Rose Sharp Jones – knitted bridal accessories including shawls and gloves Toft Porcelain – ceramic cake toppers, vases and ring-bowls