Project night (aka "There's a protector on the razor blade?")

Okay, so wedding project night was last night...and I'll admit, we could certainly have a lot more to show for it.  But, I'm happy that we got started on some things.  So, that's good enough for me.

First up?  Spork testing.  You see, Crissy's mom ordered our bamboo sporks for us last week and they arrived in the mail yesterday while I was out gathering mason jars and other wedding goodies.  So, when I got home I was excited to look in the box that Crissy had already opened to check them out.  Know what I thought upon looking at them?  "Holy crap, those are small!!!"  I know the stated size on the website is 3.5" but I don't think either one of us thought that translated to the size we saw in the box.  So, we opened up a package and tried 'em out.  They were okay, really.  If you had no use for the spoon part of the spork....because that's where we both inadvertently ended up holding them.  We also decided our grandparents would absolutely hate them because of their size.  Want to see just how small they really are?

Now, tell me that the spork doesn't look smaller than it does on the website?  I SWEAR it looks like it would be so much bigger:

Anyway.  So, that prompted us to start looking at other utensil options.  We found several eco-friendly, non-plastic (though one option looks plastic, but instead is made from biodegradable starch), super compostable options - all requirements of ours.  Oh, and we like the way they look.  That's a pretty big requirement, too.  Especially when paired with the prices. 

Project number two?  Wine bottle cleaning.  Remember how a while ago, I posted pics of wine bottles being used for things like water and lemonade?  You don't?  Well, here's a reminder:

So, we'll be using this same idea for our water and cranberry & vodka.  It saves us from having to buy beverage dispensers or for anyone (Jim) to worry about pouring drinks all night.  We want people to have fun.....not working.  So, when I saw this idea, it just seemed like an automatic "Heck yeah!!!"  Even though the idea is from http://www.younghouselove.com/wedding-album/, I must have read somewhere (probably my favorite blog) how to achieve the no-label-on-the-wine-bottle, clean-enough-for-new-beverages bottle, because I knew during our trip to Lowe's yesterday that we needed Goo Gone and razor blades.  So, our project night started looking a little like this:

Those mason jars were waiting for the dishwasher - not exactly a project that needs details

All of those wine bottles, though?  Those are hanging out in a nice soap and hot water bath....for quite a while.  You know, long enough to make the labels just want to peel off.  Well, that's not exactly what happened....but it got better when Crissy helped me out.  You see, we bought these razor blades intended for glass at Lowe's.  So, I opened one and got started.  It wasn't until about 3 bottles in that Crissy came over, offered to help me out with scraping labels off, and pointed out that I hadn't turned the razor blade around so that the actual sharp blade was being used.  Duh.  Let me just tell you what a difference that makes.  So, note to you all whe you try this at home:  Use the sharp razor blade part.  That way you don't have to hate your life and wonder how the hell you're going to make it through 80+ bottles.  Seriously.  It felt like a piece of cake after that. Well, except for one bottle that doesn't make the cut because it's clear label was enough to make me want to chuck it across the room.  It can keep its label and find itself in a happy recycling bin.  It will love it there.

Back to the process.  So, after you (1) buy your wine; (2) drink your wine; (3) save your bottles - or start asking everyone you know for their bottles.  This step (for us) included rinsing bottles, drying them, and letting them sit for months.  Everyone's different, but procrastination can't hurt, right?; (4) soak them in soapy hot water; (5) use a razor blade (with actual blade showing) to scrape off labels; you'll want to.....(6) spray the suckers with Goo Gone.

(7) Make sure you let the bottles sit with the Goo Gone for a while.  They need to become friends and bond.  Once they've sat for a bit, (8) take a damp cloth and wipe off the sticky goop the labels left behind.  If there's still some stuck, you can get your razor blade again and scrape it off.  (9) Place your goopy Goo Gone soaked bottles back in the sink for another soapy hot water bath.  And, then....(10) strategically figure out how to place them in the dishwasher for some serious cleaning.  This part might be harder than step number 5 while using the protected side of the blade.  Or, maybe you have a fancier dishwasher than us.  Because ours?  It only accommodates the height of the wine bottles on one side of the lower rack.  So, it was a challenge to get all of these clean in the dishwasher last night:

I told you, step 10 was all about strategy.  I made it work....but I may or may not have said a few words or gotten cranky during this step.  But, hooray for the first batch of clean bottles!!!!  The only steps left for this project?  Sorting the bottles by color and seeing if we can have each drink be is separate colors - or if we'll just mix and match.

Next up?  Cake stands.  Remember how in the last post, I indicated the clear glass platters and green vases were for a project?  Well, this is it.  Again, I saw the idea somewhere (again, probably my favorite blog) - but I don't ever apparently save these ideas to document "where."  So, it's a darn good thing I have a memory like a steel trap.  For this one, start with a plate or something similar and a candlestick (though, I used glass vases):

I really wanted to incorporate green into it, so when I saw these two glass vases and realized that they had flat enough and wide enough tops, I knew it could work.  So, after acquiring your goodies, make sure they're clean.  And, dry.  Then adhere some epoxy (what the original plan called for) or some LocTite Glass Glue (what I used) to the top of the vase or candlestick.  Immediately center and place your plate (or other item) on top.  Hold in place for about a minute - then don't touch!  And, let it finish setting.  Want to know why I chose the glass glue over epoxy?  One reason is that I've found epoxy to be messy in the past when I've used it for other projects.  But, as I was perusing my options at Lowe's, the Glass Glue jumped out at me - in part because I was gluing two glass pieces together, but also because it's dishwasher safe (after a week).  And, well, dishwasher safe means "Yep, I'll buy you." 

Want to see how they turned out?

Isn't the green fun?  Also, note the slightly different heights.  :)

Close up of the taller one

Now, you're probably wondering "Trish, why would you 'make' cake stands when you can just buy them?"  And, that's a good question.  The answer?  Because cake stands are ridiculously expensive.  I'm not kidding.  I just don't understand how they can cost so much.  Even basic clear glass ones that look like they should cost $2 cost $10.  Well, that's bogus in my book.  Want to know how much I paid for the two I made - which I should note are significantly bigger cake serving surfaces than the ones I've seen in stores?  $10 total.  For both.  That would be why I'm happy to use some glue, scour thrift stores, and just make my own.  Plus, these have character. 

Jackpot

Know how I mentioned earlier that I was going to browse thrift stores today for necessary wedding goodies?  Well, seriously...today was like jackpot day at the thrift stores for mason jars.  I mean, normally, we might find two to three jars on a good day.  Today?  14!!!  And, I even managed to find a few blue ones along the way.  Check out all of my thrift store finds today:

See those large clear glass plates/platters and the green vases?  Those will totally become something new in the near future.  Stay tuned for that fun project and outcome!  But, check out all of the jars!

I also ventured to the fabric store today to see what I could find for our fabric wall.  Lucky for me, it seemed like almost all of the fabric in the store was on sale.  Beyond that, I found some for $1.99 a yard.  Craziness!!! 

It's so darn cute, it deserved its own pic!  :)

Tonight's agenda:  a trip to Lowe's for Goo Gone (to start removing labels from wine bottles), epoxy (for a fun project mentioned earlier), and to price some galvanized steel tubs for beverages - and - starting on some of these wedding projects finally. 

DIY

On the wedding blog that I read almost daily, there are frequently (and I mean FREQUENTLY) do it yourself (hereinafter referred to as DIY) projects and tips.  Don't get me wrong, I love DIY things.  And, I would typically classify our wedding as pretty do it yourself.  However, these brides put me to shame.  It's like they are the Martha Stewart of wedding projects and I am an amateur.  The things they take on...wowza.  However, one bride recently described these little paper lanterns she's making.  Here's what hers look like:

Honestly, to me, they look a little like pin cushions.  But, once I looked at it more closely and checked out the tutorial, it was pretty obvious that they were paper.  And, that they were pretty awesome.  The bride who submitted the picture above described contemplating stringing them over lights so the lights shine through the slits in between the paper pieces.  I think they would be great - with or without lights.  I really can imagine all of the uses for them.

In other DIY news, I don't think I've blogged about this other fun idea that I've seen other brides use.  You know how in days of yore (who even says that anymore, by the way?), people tossed rice at the bride and groom bride?  Or, blew bubbles? Or, set off sparklers and waved them around....just waiting for someone to catch on fire?  Oh, wait.  That might be my paranoia talking.  Anyway.  The fun idea.  Ribbon wands.  What the heck is a ribbon wand, you ask?  It's this delightfully fun thing for people to wave around in their excitement as Crissy and I are pronounced.....something (guess we should figure out what that pronouncement is, huh?).  They look something like this:

Source for tutorial

And, when put to use, it looks a little like this:

What great idea would you have - or would you suggest?  We're always open to ideas... The other nice thing about ribbon wands?  No mess in my parents yard, no sticky hands from bubbles....just fun ribbons waving in the wind.