Introducing our Newest Blogs!

August 4, 2014 by AllFreeDIYWeddings

FaveCraftsBlog readers, we have some extremely exciting news for you:
today marks the beginning of our two newest blogs, Craft Paper Scissors and Seams and Scissors.

Craft Paper Scissors offers everything that FaveCraftsBlog offered, and more! There will be giveaways, craft collections, exclusive tutorials, and content from all of your favorite “AllFree” crafting sites like AllFreeDIYWeddings, AllFreeJewelryMaking, AllFreePaperCrafts, AllFreeHolidayCrafts, AllFreeChristmasCrafts, AllFreeKidsCrafts and, of course, FaveCrafts. You’ll love this revamped version of the FaveCraftBlog, which will post every single day! Never fear, though, FaveCraftsBlog isn’t going anywhere. It will still host posts featuring FaveCrafts’ best content.

Seams and Scissors is ideal for you creatives that can’t put down a needle and thread. This gorgeous new blog is your one-stop shop for everything AllFreeSewing and FaveQuilts.

Plus, don’t forget about our yarn blog, Stitch and Unwind, contributed to by AllFreeKnitting, AllFreeCrochetAfghanPatterns, and AllFreeCrochet.

Between these three craftastic blogs, you will never lack tutorials, ideas, or inspiration. We look forward to seeing you at all of our creative hubs!

Which blog are you most excited about? Tell us below!

The Ultimate Wedding Guide Free eBook

July 15, 2014 by AllFreeDIYWeddings

If you are in any way associated with a wedding in the next few years, you have found your new favorite book. From brides to guests, everyone will find the answers to their burning questions within the pages of The Ultimate Wedding Guide: Wedding Planning Timeline, Wedding Etiquette and Advice, Maid of Honor Duties, and More. The lengthy title only semi-contains the immense value that this book holds: all of your wedding etiquette problems are solved, all of your checklists are available, and all of your worries are eliminated. That sounds like a pretty good deal, if you ask me – especially because of its price tag: it’s free. I know I would pay nothing to reduce stress and ensure an easy breezy wedding planning process, but I’m a bit willy nilly with my finances…

Sarcasm aside, it’s clear that this book is a must have for brides, Maids of Honor, and wedding guests alike. With articles from your favorite wedding experts, including Jen Carreiro from Something Turquoise, this eBook has invaluable advice that cannot be found anywhere else. Learn how to use social media to your advantage (I never even knew you could do these things on Facebook!), print out the ultimate checklist for your MOH so that you know everything is under control, and get all the answers to your budget questions with a comprehensive and easy-to-follow wedding budget breakdown. On top of that, learn how to address wedding invitations, how to stay sane as the Maid of Honor, and what to wear to a wedding of any sort inside the golden pages of this free eBook.

We know that times are tight, which is why we want to fill the position of the otherwise-budget-breaking wedding planner. If you still have questions after browsing the over 40 pages in this book, feel free to contact the editors of AllFreeDIYWeddings.com.

What You’ll Find Inside:

Wedding Planning Advice

Wedding Budget Breakdown

Wedding Planning Timeline

Maid of Honor Duties

Do you have any weddings coming up?

Fresh Solutions for an Old Rhyme: Something Blue Ideas

June 30, 2014 by AllFreeDIYWeddings

Originating in the much-looked-to Victorian era, the century-old rhyme, “Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue” is a method for bringing a bride good luck. Superstitious or not, it’s fun to incorporate these four elements into your wedding-day ensemble. If you’re stumped as to how to make something blue work, we’re teeming with ideas. Ditch the obvious and go for the unexpected with these something-special something blue ideas.

Something Blue Flowers

Even if your wedding color scheme doesn’t incorporate blue, you can add a little touch of the hue to your bouquet. If you really can’t work it into the flowers, wrap the bouquet with a blue ribbon or attach a blue charm.

Something Blue Shoes

There are numerous methods of incorporating that lovely hue into your shoes. Go bold with a completely blue pair, or take the more subtle route with blue soles, blue clips, or a delicate blue fabric. Find out how to make three of the above pairs here.

Something Blue Accessories

Wear blue jewelry or blue DIY hair accessories to kill two birds with one stone. The jewelry will cover something new and the DIY, if repurposed, can cover something old. Make things really easy by picking a wedding band that features blue.

Something Blue Subtle Touches

Keep the hue close with a darling (and perhaps hidden) blue touch. You can DIY both, which makes these projects even more personal.

Something Blue Attire

Really go all out with a blue wedding dress or a shawl. These blue wedding dresses are to die for, so if you’re willing, take the plunge.

Something Blue Undergarments

Make your wedding day extra fun by having your own little secret. These something blue ideas double as a part of the rhyme and a post-wedding good time.

Something Blue Beauty

These might be my favorite something blue ideas. They’re subtle, clever, and unique.

How did you incorporate your something blue/ how are you planning to?

Printable Collection: 11 Jaw-Dropping DIY Wedding Centerpieces

June 3, 2014 by AllFreeDIYWeddings

WARNING:

Your jaw will be on the floor after browsing this collection of 11 DIY Wedding Centerpieces That’ll Drop Jaws. If your jaw stays on the floor for more than three hours, please consult a doctor. The suggested prescription is the craft supplies required to make your favorite centerpiece. Not recommended for women under the age of 18 (these projects will cause an urge to get married).

Centerpieces are named as such due to their principal position in the reception hall. Translation: all eyes are on them, so it’s important to feature centerpieces that wow. Whether you’re getting married or simply throwing a just-because party, centerpieces can make or break a tablescape. Guaranteed make? These DIY wedding centerpieces. They’re inexpensive, easy, and totally fabulous. They can easily be tweaked to fit your wedding theme and color scheme as well as your relationship personality. Love will be in the air with these simple wedding centerpieces that make a big impression.

We’re all about bringing the stress level of wedding planning down to a minimum, which is why we gladly offer this fantastic collection for free. You have enough on your plate (and bill), so we’re easing the process. This amazing, free eBook features some of the coolest DIY wedding centerpieces I’ve ever seen, including the Exquisitely Romantic Floating Rose Centerpiece and the Faux Sea Glass Mason Jar Crafts.

Beach, vintage, and rustic weddings are just a few of the wedding themes covered in this diverse book of ideas. Every bride is guaranteed to find the perfect DIY centerpiece for her celebration.

Which do you prefer: tall or short centerpieces?

Tropical Getaway: Nautical Wedding Inspiration

May 7, 2014 by AllFreeDIYWeddings

Sun’s out, fun’s out, and if you’re throwing a warm-weather fete, it better scream summer. Gorgeous greens, bright blues, soft sea foam, and pure white make for a romantic affair that guarantees a good time. Even if your venue isn’t located on the beach, the details below will ensure guests feel sand between their toes, a breeze in the air, and the sun on their face. Once you’ve decided upon a nautical theme, your creative possibilities multiply. The parallel between “tying the knot” and the nautical theme allows for fun and unique details. For example, you can create a logo with your fiance and your initials from rope for a branded celebration. Continue the theme throughout the event with a nautical-inspired unity ceremony, rope boutonnieres, seashell table numbers, a boat seating chart, sand-dipped candles, and more. The options are seriously endless thanks to the breadth of the theme. With ropes, seashells, life preservers, sea glass, water, waves, sand, sea creatures, and gorgeous hues at your disposal, you’re guaranteed to throw an amazing wedding.

With all these brilliant nautical wedding ideas under your belt, your tropical getaway is just steps away from coming to life. Every detail shown above is totally DIY-able, so if you’re looking to save a few bucks or add an extra-personal touch to your big day, consider crafting. For a complete list of DIY ideas, check out our collection of 30+ nautical wedding projects.

Take your guests on a trip that they’ll never forget with a romantic, fun, and beachy wedding theme.

What was your favorite vacation ever?

21 Stunning Summer Wedding Finds

April 28, 2014 by AllFreeDIYWeddings

Wedding season is on the horizon, and we’re on the hunt for stand-out details to inspire the brides of next summer and beyond (or those still tying up loose ends for their upcoming nuptials). If the weddings you attend aren’t this fabulous, then we apologize for making you wickedly jealous.

Bright colors are one way to welcome the sun, but there are also many more creative ways to turn the dog days into the season of puppy love. From unbelievably beautiful wedding cake designs with fresh flowers and delectable insides to the most brilliant way to serve appetizers, this collection has it all. We’ve searched high and low, far and wide for the most original, most stunning, and most fun summer wedding ideas.

Use the photos below as eye candy, inspiration, or models off of which to design your wedding. These wedding ideas are the best of the best, and we want you to have the first-rate affair that features them before anyone else. Guests’ jaws will drop, eyes will widen, and smiles will spread as they discover each amazing detail your celebration has to offer.

Make the first impression unforgettable with a mason-jar-lined aisle and exquisitely decorated seats.
Fresh flowers add a delicious scent to the already present romanticism in the air.

When committing to a summer wedding, you’re also committing to an incredibly stunning bouquet.
The vibrant colors of summer flowers radiate in these grabbing arrangements.

Prevent any confusion on the reception grounds by clearly directing guests to their destinations.
This fun sign does so in a trendy and rustic way.

Pair mint with some brighter pink hues for a delicate, romantic color scheme ideal for summer.
This color combination works beautifully in an outdoor space lit with strung Christmas lights.

Once the sun sets, you want to ensure guests can still see everything happening.
Light up the night in a fabulously original way to keep guests’ interests piqued.

For a daytime wedding, brighten up your space with strung flowers.
This gorgeous bohemian look is sure to get guests talking and gawking.

Creative food ideas are wonderful ways to rope in guests who aren’t as impressed by gorgeous decor.
No one will be able to turn down this amazing idea for passed hors d’oeuvres–mini salad!

Get innovative with drink serving by thinking outside of the box.
Aesthetically-pleasing and original setups draw guests’ eyes and encourage participation.

Ditch typical table numbers and bring yours to life with edible centerpieces.
This sweet idea works for place cards as well.

Present your dessert in fun ways with out-of-the-ordinary treats and presentations.

Go unique with wedding cake designs for a final course that no one else will have.
Match the flowers with the rest of your event for a truly exquisite finale.

What’s your favorite season for a wedding?

Light Up the Night: 25 DIY Lighting Ideas for Your Wedding

April 23, 2014 by AllFreeDIYWeddings

You glow, girl, and on your wedding day, you’re going to glow even more brightly than ever before. Filled with love, magic, and a whole lot of smiles, the only thing missing from your glow is uber-romantic lighting. Don’t rely on the setting sun or the awful fluorescents your venue offers to make your wedding shine like it should. There are amazing DIY lighting ideas that will give your big day the radiance it deserves, so do yourself justice by making one come to life. No matter your wedding theme, a soft, dreamy glimmer belongs. What’s creating that gorgeous glimmer is up to you. From mason jar crafts to rustic wedding candles, this list boasts DIY lighting ideas for every type of wedding. Indoors or out, small or big, we’ve got your wedding glistening like it should.

Explore the DIY lighting ideas below to find an option that truly suits you. Advanced and beginner crafters alike will find skill-appropriate projects that are undeniably perfect. These crafts are also easy on your wallet, giving you a magazine-worthy look without the price tag. Glow crazy, and light up the night!

Mason Jar Ideas

Mason jars are ideal for wedding decorating because of their low cost and incredibly versatility. Their adaptability is abundantly clear in these five projects, all using the containers in drastically different ways. From gorgeous chandeliers to an adorable centerpiece, this list of mason jar ideas is sure to drop jaws.

DIY Candles and DIY Candle Holders

Personalize your space with DIY candles and DIY candle holders that truly speak to you. Craft your wedding with love, and it will only give back even more. Rustic brides, vintage brides, classic brides, and glam ones will all find DIY candles and candle holders that fit perfectly into their wedding themes.

Unexpected DIY Lighting

Make sure your wedding stands out with unexpected DIY lighting. Guests will immediately realize that this isn’t just another day of “I do”s when they see your incredible lighting ideas shining brightly. As an extra exciting bonus for those brides who often feel left out, there are DIY lighting crafts for wedding of all seasons in this fun list!

Would you rather attend a candlelit reception or a bulb-lit affair?

6 Amazing Wedding Websites You Don’t Know About

April 14, 2014 by AllFreeDIYWeddings

Brides-to-be, listen up because I’m about to reveal some serious insider information. While other soon-to-be-married ladies are emptying their bank accounts and pulling their hair out, you’ll be grinning from ear to ear and throwing your head back with satisfied laughter. I’m here to introduce the most coveted secrets for making wedding planning a walk through the park. With this knowledge, you’ll avoid bridezilla mode and actually enjoy wedding planning.

Sure, you can visit those go-to, popular wedding sites for gorgeous, inspirational photos, but what about functional sites that actively help in the planning process? These ultra-useful websites may not be all over Pinterest, but they’re all over your budget, keeping it in check. Some of these sites purely assist in keeping costs down by tracking your progress, while others are resources to find low-cost options, including dresses, decorations, and invitations. You will be shocked at how much further you can stretch your budget thanks to these incredible sites.

1. Postable.com – Your hand will thank you for finding this awesome site, and if you were planning on hiring a calligrapher, your wallet will thank you. Collect all of your guests’ addresses in a genius way (they fill them in!), and then watch the envelopes address themselves. With endless fonts to choose from, your invitations will still look exactly as you pictured them.

2. AllFreeDIYWeddings.com – DIY brides and non-DIY brides alike will adore this frugal approach to wedding planning. The volume of DIY ideas ensures that you will find just what you are looking for. If you’re not DIY-ing your wedding, the site still offers invaluable advice and key insights from experts.

3. PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com – Wear the dress of your dreams without paying the price tag of nightmares. This uber-convenient site allows ex-brides to make money by selling their old dresses and allows new brides to save money with reasonably priced designer gowns. The site also sells accessories and bridesmaids dresses, turning your hunt into a simple search. *You can even set an alert if you’re looking for a specific dress!*

4. Wedding-Recycle.com – Here’s the real money saver. This site offers absolutely everything you can think of from decor to boutonnieres. What makes it really unique (and awesome!) is that you can sort the listings by color, so your wedding color scheme is safe for the keeping. Once your big day is over, log back on to sell your items!

5. IDoCam.com – Save some serious dough by allowing guests to be your videographers. IDoCam will send you high-definition cameras to get up close and personal on your big day, and then they’ll edit the footage for you. Additionally, the raw footage will be viewable online for family and friends, whereas a professional videographer would only provide you with one copy. You’re sure to get more intimate, fun, and personal moments on film when your friends and family are operating the camera.

6. Newlywish.com – Forget creating a registry at three different stores for cookware you don’t actually want. This site provides convenience and some seriously cool gifts. Besides the typical kitchenware and houseware items, Newlywish also allows you to add “experience” gifts to your registry like cooking classes, concerts, and dance classes. In addition, you can set up honeymoon funds, accounts for a gym membership, and more actually useful gifts. Get what you really want with this totally clever concept.

Have you run into a too-good-to-be-true wedding website that other brides should know about?

11 Sinfully Easy Late Night Snack Ideas for Your DIY Wedding

April 3, 2014 by AllFreeDIYWeddings

Weddings can be exhausting for guests. With all that dancing and drinking, wedding party-goers often end up hungry before they are ready to exit the festivities. These 11 Sinfully Easy Late Night Snack Ideas for Your DIY Wedding will send your guests home with a happy stomach. Many wedding themes are ripe with easy midnight snack ideas. Having a Hollywood wedding? Serve up some popcorn. Throwing a down-home shindig? Pass out some crock pot applesauce. The possibilities go on and on. These unique wedding ideas will add an extra memorable moment to your wedding that guests will be talking about for years to come.

I absolutely love the idea of midnight snacks at a wedding. Too many times, I have left a wedding in search of some late night cheap snack ideas to quiet a rumbling stomach. All that dancing, partying, and drinking can really make you work up an appetite. These late night smorgasbords are a dream come true for out-of-town guests who are not familiar enough with their surroundings to hunt down some late night snack ideas on their own. They are perfect to pass around a party, too. Just like appetizers, they can be enjoyed while the festivities are still happening. There is no need to stop the celebration for a rumbling stomach.

Fabulous Wedding Late Night Snack Ideas

Yummy donuts and a caffeinated pick-me-up for the drive home? Could this idea be any more perfect?

Grilled cheese is the ultimate comfort food. I would be knocking down other guests to grab a handful of these little treats. Bonus points if you pair these with a tasty little cup of tomato soup!

I love applesauce, especially when it is chock-full of cinnamon. This would be an amazing healthy snack to munch on post-wedding. It’d be great paired with some cinnamon donuts and cider, too!

You cannot have enough sweets at a wedding. It is a fact. This tasty Down Home Dessert Table would be an amazing late night snack to roll out, especially if you pair it with coffee and some ice cream a la mode.

Cookies and milk? A classic. Plus, how cute is the milk in a martini glass? This is one of my favorite late night snack ideas.

Whenever I go to a diner late at night, you can be sure I will be ordering the waffles. So, these little late night waffles? A total dream come true.

A late night snack does not have to happen at your wedding. Consider sending your guests home with a doggy-bag of take-out. A little bag of popcorn or some fries would be great in the car or back at a hotel room.

These Sweet Mini Blueberry Tarts taste as sweet as they look

How yummy do these Mini Banana Pudding Cups look?

These little sliders and tiny beer mugs will definitely keep the party going.

These dainty doughnuts and hot cocoa would be delicious at a winter wedding.

What do you love to munch on late at night?

Love Birds Wedding Cake Topper

March 27, 2014 by AllFreeDIYWeddings

Love Birds Wedding Cake Topper

by Ashley Lucas

I made this wedding cake topper for my own upcoming spring wedding that has the theme of ‘alpine love birds’ and wanted to share it with other crafty brides-to-be! I must say, amidst all the craziness of wedding planning, this little cake topper gave me lots of joy while creating it. Here’s how to make your own:

Materials:

White felt roving {flat condensed roving and/or loose roving}
Needle felting tool kit
White wire
Black beads
Lace and silk flower scraps
Artificial moss
Wooden or cardboard disk
Miniature hat & mushrooms or flowers
Hot glue
Scissors
Wire cutters
Toothpicks
Orange paint
*Optional – blush for cheeks

Instructions:

1. Determine the size that you want your cake topper to be. I wanted my birds to be medium in size, so I cut two strips of flat white felt roving about 8 inches in length and rolled them up, inserting my felting needle a few times after each roll of the felt. Loose white felt roving works just as well, it just takes a little longer to achieve a tightened shape.

2. After you have both bodies made {the male just a little larger in size}, cut out tails and wings from flat white roving. Connect the tails onto the bodies securely using a two-pronged felting needle.

3. Cut two lengths of white wire for each bird’s legs. My wire was pliable enough to move with my hands, so I created three loops at the bottom of each wire piece for the bird feet. Insert the wire legs into each birds and hot glue in place. You may want to place more roving around each leg to cover the hardened glue afterwards.

4. Next, attach all wings with a felting needle and adjust the shape of the body as needed. The great thing about felting is that once you practice a bit, it’s a lot like working with clay. Adjustments can be made quite easily with your hands and the felting needle.

5. Hot glue two black bead eyes onto each bird. For the beaks, you can simply glue the tip of a plain toothpick on your bird, or color it with orange paint beforehand. Next, glue a little lace veil on the bride and a small plastic hat on the groom. Add silk flowers with the hot glue as you see fit.

6. If you’d like your birds to have rosy cheeks, apply some makeup blush directly to them with a dry paintbrush.

7. Hot glue both birds onto a disk of white wood or sturdy chipboard. Add small bits of artificial moss around the bird feet and additional miniatures if you desire {such as small mushrooms or flowers}. Tip – Place a round or square acrylic disk under your cake topper the day of the wedding to protect it from the icing.

Ashley Lucas {aka Lady Lucas, the queen of cute characters} is an avid illustrator and crafter with her own arts business that caters to those who love all things creative! Her work has been featured within various design teams, children’s books, animations and many different products. Visit her online at www.ladylucas.com or visit her blog Cupcakes + Owls.

Would you make your wedding cake topper?

Something Blue Flowers

Something Blue Shoes

Something Blue Accessories

Something Blue Subtle Touches

Something Blue Attire

Something Blue Undergarments

Something Blue Beauty

How did you incorporate your something blue/ how are you planning to?

What was your favorite vacation ever?

What’s your favorite season for a wedding?

Mason Jar Ideas

DIY Candles and DIY Candle Holders

Unexpected DIY Lighting

Would you rather attend a candlelit reception or a bulb-lit affair?

Have you run into a too-good-to-be-true wedding website that other brides should know about?

Fabulous Wedding Late Night Snack Ideas

What do you love to munch on late at night?

Love Birds Wedding Cake Topper

by Ashley Lucas

Materials:

Instructions:

Would you make your wedding cake topper?

Crochet

Jewelry

Knitting

Paper

Sewing

Thrifty