Supplies
plain, unadorned flat metal headband
one yard neutrally toned grosgrain ribbon
two yards gold metallic netting
white millinery feathers
fabric glue

Instructions

1. Beginning at the base of the headband, tightly wrap the neutral grosgrain ribbon up the band, working on the diagonal. Finish by securing the remaining grosgrain around the base with a touch of fabric glue.

2. Craft the netted “florette” by pinching and twisting the metallic netting approximately every four inches, as shown in photo.

3. Secure the florette to the grosgrain band by tying a second piece of netting around the center of the florette.

4. Affix a tiny drop of fabric glue to the base of about four or five millenary feathers. Place feathers amid the gaps of the florette by lacing the stems in and out of the metallic netting, as shown in photo. Wear your headband and look fabulously chic!

Photography by Sofia Negron

July 1 Update: Congratulations to Mia, the winner of the Minted giveaway as chosen from a random number drawing! Mia, we’ll be in touch with you shortly to let you know how you can claim your prize. And thank you to everyone who entered!

Minted recently launched over 100 new wedding invitation suites, created by independent designers who entered Minted’s design challenge. The Minted community voted on the design submissions, and the highest-scoring designs were added to Minted’s new collection, which includes unique designs like the Fireflies Wedding Invitations designed by Paige Rothhaar (above).

Each suite in the new collection can be fully customized with all the bells and whistles, including printed backers, matching thank yous, slip-in envelope liners, and skinny-wrap address labels, and each order is typeset by a professional designer and includes on complimentary digital proof.

So, what’s the giveaway? Well, Minted is offering Nonpareil readers the chance to win 100 free wedding invitation cards OR save the date cards, a prize valued up to $240. Pretty sweet, huh?

In order to enter the giveaway, which starts right now, browse through Minted’s collection and choose your favorite design. Leave a comment on this post telling us your favorite design, and you’ll be entered to win! The giveaway runs through June 30, 2010 at midnight eastern time, and there is one entry per person. Spread the word!

Macaron Pop Stands

Materials:

- Styrofoam cones from the floral department at most craft stores.
- Styrofoam-safe spray paint. Traditional spray paints melt styrofoam.
- 7 to 8 yards of your chosen ribbon. 1″ satin ribbon works nicely for the 24″ cones. Consider a narrower width for shorter cones.
- Large washers from a plumbing or hardware store to weigh down the cone. Use a large washer to cover your cone’s base.
- Pearl-head straight pins from a fabric or craft store
- Lollipop sticks slim enough to fit into the cream of your macarons. Your baker may be willing to do this for you as they assemble the macarons.
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks

Step 1:
Using hot glue, attach large washer to the bottom of the Styrofoam cone. Spray paint the cone in a color that matches or compliments your ribbon, otherwise glimpses of styrofoam may be visible once macaron pops are inserted. Let paint dry.

Step 2:
To achieve straight rows of ribbon on the front of your cone, cut the ribbon in strips to wrap around the cone only once. Align the first ribbon with the top edge of the cone. Pull both ends of the ribbon to the back of the cone and overlap them in a shallow “v” shape so that the ribbon lays smoothly and tautly against the cone. Fold the uppermost end under to hide the raw edge and secure with a pearl-head straight pin. Repeat with subsequent rows of ribbon, slightly overlapping each row.

Step 3:
Using the sticks of your macaron pops, pierce the cones in between the ribbon rows at a downward angle. Begin inserting macaron pops at the bottom of the cone to avoid it becoming top heavy.

Step 4:
Finish the display by inserting a monogrammed topper into the cone. Attach the topper to a lollipop stick with a dab of hot glue.

photo credit : Larry Callahan

If you or a friend or family member have a Cricut with the Sure Cuts A Lot software installed, I would advise you to use it. While you can successfully cut out the flowers using an X-acto knife or a small pair of scissors, cutting the templates using a Cricut makes the process go much, much faster. I’ve provided SVG files for Cricut/SCAL users, as well as PDFs and EPS files, and if anyone uses another personal cutting machine that requires a type of file that I can create, just let me know and I can attempt to whip up a template for you. Download the templates here.

Kristen

Supplies

cardstock
X-acto knife or small pair of scissors
glue dots (I use Zots in the small size)
puffy paint
glitter
a small, soft bristle paintbrush

Instructions

1. Cut out flower petal and stem templates. Fold each petal template in half to make a crease through the center of the petals. Unfold and fold in half the opposite way to crease the remaining petals. Unfold and turn over one petal (this will become the top petal), placing a glue dot in the center.

2. Rotate the top petal, glue dot side down, at a 45 degree angle to the bottom petal and firmly press the two together.

3. Attach the stem to the back of the petals using glue dots or a small piece of tape.

4. Place a small dot of puffy paint in the center of the top petal and immediately sprinkle glitter over top. Allow to dry overnight. When the paint is completely dry, brush stray glitter from the petals using a soft bristle paintbrush. Attach to favor boxes using glue dots or double stick tape.

images by Kristen Magee

Did you love our peony ribbon wrapped headband as much as we do? Here’s your chance to win it! Interested? All you have to do is answer the following questions and leave your name and e-mail address.

• How did you find us?
• What kinds of projects would you like to see from us (or more of) in the future?
• What was your favorite project in this issue?
• What aspect of your wedding are you most likely to DIY (or if you’re already married, what did you craft yourself)?

The contest closes Friday, February 19th at midnight Eastern Time. Good luck!

Edit 2/21: Congratulations Alexa W., who won the hair piece through our random number draw. Thank you everyone for entering and for your insight – and Alexa, Maddy will be in touch!

Our shoot from hair accessories was fun, fast and furious. My photographer, Michael Haug, and hair and makeup artist, Carol Stopera, are fantastic folks who I’ve worked with in quite a few other shoots. In another test shoot, they worked with a fantastic young model, Elle, who was just starting out and was trying to build her portfolio. I was thrilled that she was available the day we were shooting, and she gave us a lot of great options.

Our wardrobe selection was a gorgeous dress from Ouma Clothing. I steamed out the entire dress, layer of tulle by layer of tulle, while Elle was in hair and makeup. After getting into wardrobe, Elle was clamped (even at a size small, the dress was too big for her!) and we got her first hair accessory in.

What else would you like to know about the photo shoot process? Let me know and I’ll happily answer them here!

Maddy

Images by Michael Haug.