They’re Here! An Affair To Remember and BookAZine #2

Posted by Khris in DIYBride News

Happy, happy, happy 2012! There’s nothing like kicking off a new year with a new DIY Bride book and magazine-like-book thingie called a book-a-zine!

My third book, An Affair To Remember, was released yesterday. Like the previous two books, it’s a general wedding crafts book, covering a wide range of projects (40 of them to be exact) from your engagement party through your reception.

Publisher’s Weekly (this is a Very Big Deal – for me, at least) gave it a really swell review:

Cochran (DIYBride.com) provides an idea trove that will inspire the nuptial process of the budget-conscious. Projects are mostly favors, invites, ring holders and a few of the unexpected, such as making your own wedding rings with precious metal clays. She holds the crafter’s hand through the process of producing cigar-box welcome packages, teacup centerpieces and paper parasols, with detailed lists of supplies and directions, tips and hints, and an itemized price breakdown – with a dollop of humor hot-glued on the side. Eight wedding themes are presented, with five projects for each, enhancing any occasion calling for extra flair and less expense. And, if fairy-tale flower girl costumes or chicken-wire seating holders aren’t your thing, inspiration can be mixed and matched. And of course, that critical element – an estimate of just how many bridesmaids, moms and aunts will be required for crafty assistance – completes this wicker basket of ideas that will enliven the celebration of marriage – or just any good party.

DIY Bride BookAZine 2012

My publishers have released an abbreviated version of my second book, The Crafty Countdown, in magazine format. It’s called a bookazine and you’ll find it on well-stocked newsstands. (Sightings at Costco have already been reported.)

You know how much I love a good giveaway so stay tuned for chances to win copies of all the DIY Bride books!

This year is gearing up to be one of my most creative and exciting yet. It’s going to be so fun to share it all with you!

Happy New Year!

Posted by Khris in Khris' Corner

2011, a year many of us are unlikely to ever forget, has finally come to its end. On a personal level it was a year of trials and frustrations but also of tremendous growth and blessings. Though still a little scarred, I’m delighted to be on the other side of 2011 with a clear sense of purpose and direction in all areas of my life – including DIY Bride.

2012 begins as 2011 ended: with gratitude.  I want to thank each of you, dear friends, new visitors, and drop-in buddies, for the overwhelming support and kindness you contribute to the DIY Bride community. Your questions, contributions, participation, and financial support (advertising, purchases of books) has helped keep DIY Bride going strong as we celebrated our 9th year of blogdom last year. That is an extraordinary milestone for not only for me but for bloggers, crafters, and for the wedding industry. From the bottom of my heart: thank you, thank you, thank you!

This year brings many new challenges for us: sustainable growth, adding new features, maintaining the site, and expanding the brand into the DIY home/entertaining/cooking arena. It’s an exciting time and I hope you join me, Valerie, and Whitney, as strive to bring you exciting and useful content, inspiration, resources, and opportunities to help you celebrate who you are every day of the year.

Each January, instead of resolutions I never keep, I create a theme for the year ahead. 2011′s theme was “growth” (got that in spades, thank you very much). For 2012 I’ve chosen INCLUSIVE. This year is about bringing people together, creating welcoming environments, and strengthening communities. It’s about collectively working towards something greater. It’s about sharing and connecting and actively making a difference not only in our lives but in the lives of others. It’s harnessing the power of good for the benefit of all.

I welcome you to our community and look forward to doing wonderful, powerful acts of kindness and good together this year. Happy 2012!

HaDO: Masor Jars

Posted by Khris in HADO

Help a DIYer Out is a regular feature where you can ask our community where to find products or resources.

Jessica asked us where she could find that lovely staple of vintage weddings, the mason jar, on the cheap and in bulk.

Hey Khris, I’m looking for 140-ish mason jars for table and stair decor at our reception. I’ve been stalking Craigslist and local 2nd hand stores but can’t find anything in my price range. One vintage reseller in my area was asking $3.00 per jar!! Know of any places I can find them for less than a dollar for a quart size?

 

Sure! The quart size is a little harder to find than the 16 ounce, especially for $1.00 or under but… here ya go!

• Kmart has cases of 12 for $9.99
• ToolDistrict 12 for $9.98
• Ace Hardware 12 for $11.49
• Bell (via Amazon) has 12 for $11.94
• Canning Pantry 12 for $11.99
• Fillmore Container $9.51 per 12 (fancy)
• Fillmore Container $7.09 per 12 (economy)

Dear DIY: It’s Our Wedding. Or Is It?

Posted by Khris in Real Etiquette

Emma, whose wedding is just 5 months away, wrote in seeking advice about a very sticky situation:

My mother is ruining my wedding! She and my father are contributing about 1/3 of our budget which (she thinks) gives her total control over our wedding. She vetoed my first choice of wedding gown. She canceled our invitation order so she could “upgrade”  our invitations with another company SHE liked better. She keeps adding HER friends (some of her former coworkers she hasn’t seen in more than 6 years) to our invite list and “suggests” cuts we make to our list of friends and my fiance’s family. I’ve confronted her. It got ugly. She threatened to pull all of her money. We can’t get married without it. What do we do?

 

Dear Emma,

I’m sorry you’re having problems with your mom. Weddings can sometimes bring out the worst in parents with a whole host of unhealthy behaviors bubbling to the surface. Some moms (and dads) have difficulties letting go of their “baby” and subconsciously do things to try to grasp that last bit of togetherness before their child embarks on creating her own family. Some parents use their child’s weddings to relive their own wedding experiences. Some parents simply have control issues. I’m not sure where your mom fits on the WTF, Mom?! scale but there are some major warning signs going on.

Are you ready for some tough love?

That said you “can’t getting married without [her] help” is a huge red flag. You need only an officiant, marriage certificate, and possibly a blood test to get married.  Did you mean to say that you can’t have the wedding you envisioned without her cash?

Here’s the deal: you CAN get married without her financial help. You’ll need to buck up and revise your plans, budget, and expectations but there’s no law that states you must have a wedding beyond your means and must get outside financial backing.

You have 2 options here:

1. Refuse her money, take back financial (and emotional) control of your wedding, and revise your plans to something within your financial means. There’s NO SHAME in small, intimate, budget weddings especially when you get to do it with dignity. Delay the wedding, save up some cash, and do it 100% your way if need be.

2. Suck it up and try to negotiate with your mom. Have you calmly told her how important these things are to you and your fiance? Have you pointed out – nicely and rationally – that she’s turning your wedding into it being all about her? Sometimes a frank conversation about damaging actions can be a wake-up call.

I know it’s a tough situation for you BUT, as an adult, you need to be able to look out for your own  financial and emotional well-being. Standing up to mom may well be your first act of independence and, really, it sounds like it’s the better option for your sanity and the health of the family you’re creating with your fiance.

Reminder: JIGster contest

Posted by Khris in Contests

Hey DIYers,

Don’t forget to enter our contest to win 1 of 5 JIGsters from Envelopments. We’ve named this one of our favorite stationery tools – and certainly a “must have” for anyone who’s creating layered invitations, programs, save-the-dates, menus, table numbers …

Click over to the contest post for details about the product and instructions on how to enter. Contest ends 12/14.