DIY Bride™

Tag! I’m it!

The ever-fabulous Laura from Soiree Special Events tagged me yesterday. Here are the rules:
Players list 8 facts/habits about themselves. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning before those facts/habits are listed. At the end of the post, players then tags 8 people by posting their names and makes sure they know they have been tagged by leaving a comment at the tagee’s blog.

Here goes:

1. My last few pre-wedding careers have been in naval architecture, sailmaking, content management for an internet filtering software company, and crafts instructor.

2. I would love to go to culinary school.

3. I’m dying to write cookbooks. I just don’t have a really good niche yet.

4. I’m mildly dyslexic.

5. I’m allergic to walnuts, pecans, and penicillin.
6. The #1 place I’d like to visit is Machu Pichu.

7. I’m compulsively clean and live with a husband who is decidedly not.

8. I love hosting parties and would do it for every weekend if time and budget allowed.

Now, I’m going to tag….

Hi. My name is Khris. I am a stamper.

It all started when I was planning my wedding some years ago and needed a way to decorate some favor boxes. My then-MIL-to-be (now just my MIL) introduced me to the wonderous graphic design tool known as the rubber stamp. She was (and still is) a demonstrator for a direct sales stamping/scrapbooking company and quickly became my connection, doing all in her power to fuel my addiction. It worked.

See, stamping is my creative fix of choice and it served as my slide into the subversive, sordid world of craft. It was my gateway drug. Soon after I got hooked on stamp, I started scoring vintage glitter on eBay, loitering at craft stores on days I knew new products were released, and bogarting my stash of hard-t0-find cardstocks — all because of my insatiable desire for images vulcanized into rubber. (Don’t even get me started on my lust for clear stamps. It’s too painful.)

I tried to hide my addiction but, alas, the tell-tale inky fingers, the paper cuts, and scraps of ribbon gave me away. (And that middle-distance stare after obsessing over the right color & embellishment combination for hours at a time.)

My decision to “out” myself was difficult but one I’m ultimately happy to make. Because, instead of a recovery program, I’m out to get you hooked, too. (When you’re most vulnerable, planning those wedding crafts. Bwahahaha!)

I’m dedicating the month of August to writing about and tutorializing (is that even a word?) rubber stamping. Stay tuned for projects galore, video tutorials, and a whole bunch o’ resources, tips and hints. Prepare to get those fingers all inky, dirty girls.

Sadly this isn’t in the realm of most DIY projects but it was just too cool to pass up. Behold, the animated wedding invitation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyq26Q01bVA

I’ll be MIA until next week for some much-needed relaxation. I understand there’s this big ball of fire at this place called “outside”. I’m off to investigate.

Since I’m slavishly devoted to pop culture and celeb weddings, I had to share with you super-celeb couple Tony Parker & Eva Longoria’s save-the-date for their posh Parisian wedding on 7/7/7.

Is it like anything you expected? What do you think?

[Edited to add: We're talking about it over in the forums. Join our re-design challenge!]

DIYer Amanda is looking for these cocktail picks (plain wood, round) found in a back issue of Martha Stewart Weddings. Does anyone have a source?

Do you live in the South SF Bay Area and need local crafty resources? I’ve been compiling a list of my fave local spots. If you have a South Bay resource to share, please use the contact form above to send it on over.

Papery Goodness: Rubber Stamping, Scrapbooking, Stationery

Maido Fine Stationery & Gifts
378 Santana Row
San Jose, CA 95128
(408) 213-1985
{no website listed}
A lovely site for Japanese paper crafts. Very good selection of imported Japanese papers and nifty stationery items. Prices are reasonable but beware that quality Japanese imports are spendy.

Paper Source
Santana Row (new!)
http://www.paper-source.com

Only the Best
15954 Los Gatos Blvd
Los Gatos, CA 95032
http://www.onlythebestlosgatos.com
My favorite local spot for rubber stamps. Gerri has an excellent selection of stamps and doodads for paper crafters. There’s also a very nice selection of wedding and other stationery.

Scrapbook Island
1375 Blossom Hill Rd
San Jose, CA 95118
(408) 978-8900
{no website listed}
My favorite scrapbook store. Outstanding selection of paper and cardstock. The counter help is always very friendly and helpful. Prices are reasonable and competitive with other local shops.

Stamp On Over
1014 W. El Camino Real
Sunnyvale, CA 94087
(408) 736-9151
http://www.stamponover.com/
I will visit this shop one day. Really, I will. SOO comes highly recommended to me by stamping pals.

Specialty Art Supplies

University Art
456 Meridian Ave
San Jose, CA 95126
(408) 297-4707
http://www.universityart.com
For those harder-to-find art supplies, University is the place to go. I only go here for things I can’t find at Michael’s or other big box stores. UA prices aren’t horrible, but they’re usually not the best on more common items. Their service desk aren’t the warmest people, but when you gotta have it *now* what can you do?

Bead Stores

Beads N Things
5166 Moorpark Ave # A
San Jose, 95129
(408) 253-6434
http://beadsnthings.com

Sew Beadazzled
1068 Lincoln Avenue
San Jose, CA 95125
(408) 293-2232
http://www.sewbeadazzled.com

Craft Space:

A Work of Heart
2196 Lincoln Avenue
San Jose, CA
http://www.aworkofheart.com
I teach all sorts of classes at AWOH throughout the year. It’s a fabulous craft space to have gatherings, play with hot nifty tools & gadgets, and treat yourself to some craft time.

Happy July! It’s hard to grasp that we’re officially half-way through 2007. How’d that happen?

This month brings us one of the most popular wedding dates ever – 07/07/07. I understand Las Vegas and Atlantic City are being overrun with couples looking to cash in on that most luckiest of days. Good luck!

On the DIY Bride front, I’m devoting the month of July to a theme. We’re going green. I know a lot of hoopla was made about green/environmental-friendliness back in April to coincide with Earth Day. I wanted to hold back and sort through the hype and slick marketing to bring you the best projects, products, and resources for a low-impact wedding day. Check in throughout the month for articles and points of interest.

If you’re a green couple, I’d love to hear from you. Why’d you decide to go green? What are some of the things you’re doing? Got a hot tip to share with our readers? Give us a shout via the contact form at the top of the page.

In book news, I got to see a full-color layout of the DIY Bride book today. I can’t begin to tell you how proud I am. It’s awesome!!! I think you’ll love how fun, fresh, and unique it is. The release date is January, 2008. (Only 6 months to go!)

As always, DIY Bride is looking for writers, contributors, and volunteers. If you have something to say, something to share, or some time to donate, let us know!