Ribbon Wands, Part 1

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to my Saturday evening:

Sometimes I get a little overwhelmed with tasks that need done.  They bring me anxiety because they're not done yet.  I am very much aware, however, that there is no need for most of these things to be done right now.  The thing is, though, that if I do them now - I know it's one less thing I'll have to worry about later.  Hello, crossing things off a to-do list is pretty great.  I know you all agree with me.  Nevermind the fact that Meghan was right when she asked me what I would be doing with them between now and the wedding and why they couldn't wait to be completed sometime around a shower later this summer or something when other people would be around to help.  Pish posh, Meghan.  I know you love to-do lists and crossing things off, too.  :)

So, craft night it is at our house.  I guess in lieu of the art fair we were planning on going to, we are being the "artsy" ones instead.  I mean, if you can call making ribbon wands "artsy."  I don't really think so...."artsy" might be a stretch.  Oh well.  It's creative.  Or something.

I knew I wanted ribbon wands, mostly since I first saw someone blog about them.  But, I didn't realize just how much I wanted them until I actually started making them.  I LOVE them!!!  They're so fun - and I have no doubt that they'll help facilitate beautiful pictures at our wedding.  Not to mention, being something people can hang on to, if they choose.  And, really....they're just fun.  Plain and simple.  Beyond loving them for what they'll do and how they look - they make me love our wedding colors even more.  The addition of eggplant couldn't be more perfect!  And, the original chocolate brown, apple green and peacock....LOVE.

Here are the whole whopping 4 ribbon wands I have made so far:

Sadly, the eggplant ribbon gets a little lost in the pictures

It's hard for pictures to really capture the fun-ness of them.  And, for you to really understand how great they'll flow when waved around.  You'll love them.  Trust me.

You're dying to see what they look like while being waved?  Yeah, I figured as much.  So you don't have to wait any longer, here you go:

Oh man, I just can't wait for it to finally be here!!!  105 days to go - holy crap!!!

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.