Bickimook2
Fab Five Member!
- Joined
- Jun 5, 2009
- Messages
- 713
I had no idea you could get them for that price, I think I will have to go to Michael's! Definitely a possibility now...
Definitely

Hey, just joining in! Wow you plans are great. You are so creative, love your invitations and the aisle runner!look forward to hearing more! Oh and thanks for stopping by my PJ last week!
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Just joining in!
You are almost there... must be so exciting!
& Everything looks soooo good! I absolutely love, love the vintage-ness. LOL.
I am going for the same feel, so I will definitely be borrowing some of your ideas.Gotta tell ya that you are so creative!
Thanks, I can't wait to hear what's new from both of you as well

Alright friends here come the tutorials! Most of my DIY's come from other tutorials that I have found on the net and I added a little twist to each one. So what I am going to do is post the source URL and explain everything using the original artist's words along with my own words. If you want the originals feel free to click on the source URL

Please Read My Notes Section Under Each Tutorial Before you Attempt

Thank-You Parasol
Original Instructions
Supplies:
-Excel: To print "Thank you"
-Parasol (Paper Lantern Stores) - Pictured is a 32"
- Acrylic Paint
- Fabric Paint (Puffy Paint)
- Assorted size paint brushes
Directions:
1) Go into Excel and open a text box.
2) Select the font Chopin Script (if you do not already have this font, you'll need to download and install it. ) Font size 600.
3) Type out "Thank you" on separate lines. Print.
4) Arrange the letters and tape together.
...this is where it gets time consuming....
5) If you're using a white parasol you can tape to the back and trace. Skip to step 8.
6) If you're using a colored parasol you'll need to make a stencil buy cutting out the letters (Make sure you leave sections un-cut out so that the letters stay in tact. You can fill in these gaps later when painting. (Think of the letter "O" You can't cut it all out because you'll lose the center.. KWIM?)
7) Tape the stencil to the parasol and trace using a sharpie marker. It can be a think line that you'll make thicker with paint. Remove stencil.
Here are some pics from what she did:
8) Mix your paint 50/50 and begin painting your parasol. Paint dries pretty fast, you'll realize you'll need a couple coats to hide.

I do not recommend tracing from the back of the parasol if you are going to do a white parasol as she states in step 5 for this reason, if you do, the words will look very far apart on the parasol, if you want them close to together and to look the same way that mine and hers does trace on the front, it's more time consuming, but it's worth it.
There is a lot of guess work with this, don't be intimidated by it, you are using pencil so you can make some mistakes. When you are tracing on the front the wood lines on the front of the parasol will get in the way and you will have to guess where to trace, just keep at it until you get it the way you like

The Aisle Runner

The Original Directions
Over the weekend I finally tackled my DIY Monogrammed aisle runner. I documented each step with a picture because it makes it easier for people wanting to do this in the future. I was surprised at how easy this project was, but be prepared, it takes at least 4 hours! I read that before and thought to myself, “no I can do it quickly and it will look great”, WRONG! I did a practice run and that took about 3.5 hours and then my real one took about 5 hours. I purchased a 150ft cloth aisle runner from www.save-on-crafts.com for $35 including shipping. I also purchased a monogram from Nicole at Pink designs for $5.
Here are the steps:
1.Here are all the supplies that I used: Acrylic paint, Tupperware bowl, scissors, hard bristle paint brushs, scissors, tape, push pins, and a pen (use a pencil, Wax Paper - Read Vicki's notes

2. In order to print out my monogram I opened up the image in the program Paint, went into page set up and expanded the image to 3 pages tall and 3 pages wide. After it was printed out I taped it down to my kitchen table.
4. After I centered the aisle runner and got the right placement, I pinned the aisle runner down to the paper so it wouldn’t move while I was tracing and painting.
5. I then stenciled the monogram onto the fabric with a pen, very lightly. I could still see pretty well through the fabric as I was painting so the line didn’t have to be too dark.
6. I began with my lighter gold color for the W, and then worked my way from the right hand side of the aisle runner to the left (since I am left handed and didn’t want my arm in wet paint the whole time)
7. About 4 hours later, I was done! Let it dry for a couple hours and remove the push pins. Roll it back up and store until your wedding day!!

The author recommends using Paint, but you can use Microsoft Publisher as well. Do 3 feet by 3 feet. The monogram will print out in pieces, this is the difficult part, you will need to use a ruler to make a line across each sheet of paper where the letter stops so you can cut the paper and accurately place the letter pieces next to each other. Be patient you don't want your monogram to be lopsided

I don't know how the author forgot this next part, but you need to this before you start painting, put down wax paper on top of your image and then put the runner on top of the wax paper. If you don't the paper will dry to your runner and when you are trying to separate the two, your runner will most likely rip. Don't forget the wax paper.

Use a pencil, not a pen.
Buy your runner from Micheal's or Hobby Lobby. They both give out 40 - 50% of coupons like they are water, lol; therefore you will get your runner at 1/2 the price. If you are not subscribed to Michael's email list and don't get coupons pm me I will give you a coupon! or go to Joann Fabrics, walk in and get a free mailer, walk out and go to Michael's they take competitors coupons!!!


Most Important, have fun!

Up Next: How to Make Centerpieces and My Brooch Bouquet!