By Kristin

I love this time of year. The leaves are starting to fall, the air is crisp, and Halloween is around the corner. Every year I try to do something different. Last year I was a Zombie Princess Leia. This year I decided to be the classic 1966 Catwoman. I’m going to show you how to make an easy pair of kitty ears for your kitty costume.

Materials:

• Gem Tac Glue
• Tweezers
• Scissors
• Paperclips
• Cardstock 8.5” x 11”
• Sequins, Glitter, or Rhinestones
• Markers matching Sequin/Rhinestone colors
• Headband (close to your hair color)

Instructions:

1. Print out the template on the cardstock and carefully cut out the shapes.
   Fold along the dotted lines on all pieces.
2. Glue Tab A to Section A by dabbing a little glue on both areas and letting it get tacky for a few seconds, then press together. You can use paperclips to hold these together as they dry. Let them dry for at least 10 minutes before moving onto step four.
3. Glue Tabs B to underside of ‘ear’, again use paperclips to hold while drying. Let these sections dry at least 10 minutes.
4. Once the sections are completely dry and the pieces do not move, you can color in the cardstock with markers. I colored my outer ear black on the front and back and the inner ear was colored pink for contrast. This way, when you glue the sequins on, you won’t see white cardstock behind them.
5. After you have colored in your ears, you can glue them to the headband. Hold the ears on the headband to see where you want them to go and then glue them down. Glue one ear at a time and let the first ear dry before gluing the next. They should be dry in about 10-15 minutes.
6. Now you can decorate your ears! Spread a thin layer of glue on the front outer ear and glue down your sequins. Once those have dried on both ears, glue down the inner ear sequins. After this has dried, you can glue the back sequins.
7. Once dry, you are purrrfectly ready to have some fun.

**For a quick and easy catwoman costume, get a black unitard at any dance supply store, some cute black boots, add a gold belt, big gold chain necklace, and the ears – and you are set to take over Gotham!

By Kristin

You just got engaged, congratulations!  Now time for some fun and planning your big day, but not before picking the date.  Once you have your special day picked out, make sure your guests will know far enough in advance to save the date.  Save the date cards are important to remind your guests so that you can work on the invitations and send out final details later.  This is a great time to express who you are as a couple, fun and quirky or romantic and serious?  Use these traits to personalize your card. 

 My brother used a really neat trick to make his cards for his San Diego wedding, refrigerator magnets!  You can pick up magnet business cards from any office supply store (I suggest Avery brand #8374, you get 30 for $12).  You can make a simple card that states the date with the bride and groom’s name.  If you are really creative you can use a photo editing program to make a custom design using an engagement photo or make a monogram to put on the card.

So how does M&J factor into this?  Try embellishing the magnet with a simple ribbon loop at the top, some new refrigerators won’t let a magnet stick, and some people just don’t like magnets on their refrigerators (like my mother).  The loop will allow them tack it on a cork board for safe keeping.  Make a little loop at the top and glue it down with some e6000 glue, add an SS20 rhinestone for that ‘Bridal Bling’ and you are done.  They are a super easy project that can save you a little money in the long run.

The magnets are light enough that one postage stamp should suffice, but just to be safe, take one to the post office and have it weighed.  While there be sure to check out their wedding stamps that they offer every year.  Congrats, and have fun planning!

Besides deciding on the flavor of your cake, most brides and grooms are also concern about the appearance of the cake itself.  After all, it’s one of the most important part of your wedding day and your first anniversary.  Leave the flavor of the cake to your taste bud because I’m pretty sure you’ll know what you like.  As for the adornment of the cake, that’s the important part.  Of course you want something memorable and matches the theme of your wedding.  This can easily be done by using satin ribbons and Swarovski rhinestones.Just use colors that best matches your theme.    For instance, the cake above used 5/8″ and 7/8″ satin ribbon in baby blue and black.  The flowers on the cake were also embellished with Swarovski flatbacks.  Who would have thought that ribbons and crystals can make a big difference on a cake that leave memories of a lifetime. 

You can also use crystal sprays on top of the cake.   If you’re really like to customize your cake, you can add a personalized printed ribbon.  It can have your names and the wedding date on it.  Then embellish it with some rhinestones. 

By Kristin

As many of my loyal blog readers can tell, I’m a pretty crafty person. Some of you may not know I’m an avid seamstress too. For this week’s blog I decided to make a Bridesmaid’s dress and embellish it with items from M&J. Granted, my best friend isn’t using purple in her wedding.   My Sister-in-law probably won’t either, but at least I made a pretty little dress I can wear again. You don’t even need to make the dress, you can buy something simple off the rack and go from there.  It’s a more cost effective (and more custom) alternative to Box Store Bridesmaids’ dresses.
I used McCalls #4460, view C. For the dress I used a Purple/White cross woven Silk Dupioni. Not shown is the black tulle along the bottom.  You could even use a jazzy black lace along the hem instead! I used a 24mm Silk Satin Ribbon in Black for the belt, and Rhinestone Buckle #32367 in Jet/Black Diamond/Gunmetal.  The top of the dress is edged in the 15mm Black Organdy Ribbon with a 9mm Black Silk Satin placed in the middle. I simply used Unique Stitch glue on the ribbons and it holds really well.

If you want to take a store bought dress and embellish it, pick a simple dress with very little details already on it. You can add a ribbon belt as I have, use a beaded trim around the top or on the waist, add Sew on Rhinestones or use a silk flower.

By Kristin

Winter is here in NYC and the air is cold.  I can start to see the sign of snow and I was inspired by this.  I noticed while looking at bridal head wear that headbands made of luxurious ribbons are very much ‘In’.  Taking a cue from Milton’s headband blog, I went a little more bridal with mine.  For the winter bride I used a white Silk Satin Ribbon and a Snow Flake beaded and rhinestone appliqué.

 First, I tied a bow about 1/3 of the way into the ribbon.  Then I applied the appliqué over the middle of the bow using Unique Stitch glue.  You can use any style and omit the bow if you wish.  You can even take 3 sections and braid them together to create a unique look.  To finish the headband, simply follow Milton’s instructions.

By Kristin

The tradition of the veil on a bride has many back-stories.  Some say it started in ancient Rome to confuse the evil spirits who may try to steal her away from the groom.  Some say it was to disguise the bride before the wedding of an arranged marriage, this way if he saw something he didn’t like he wouldn’t run away.  It is also said that the lifting of the blusher veil is so the groom knows he is marrying the right woman.  There are so many variations on the story, but today the veil is more an accessory to the gown.

 My best friend recently got engaged and has put me in charge of making her wedding gown and veil.  As her Maid-of-Honor it is my duty to see what would look best on her and work with her taste.  I know she likes lace, being a pretty traditional girl, so that’s what I went with.  Looking in various bridal stores I noticed how expensive beautiful lace edged veils can be!  They can be anywhere as much as $300 on up!  So I’m going to describe how I made a beautiful antique looking lace veil that my friend could use on her big day without the big price tag.

Materials Used:

•  Tulle
• Lace (I used #35329 in Ivory to Match the Ivory Tulle)
• Unique Stitch Glue
• SS16 Hot Fix Pearls (#03416) in Nacre
• 3″ long clear plastic comb
• Needle and Thread

Note: I chose a length a little longer than the fingertip.  It is double layered with the top layer being about 8″ shorter than the under-layer.  Choose a length that works for you, I’m going to give directions for fingertip length though. 

Directions:

1. Measure the length from where you want the veil to start, to your knee.
2. Fold the tulle in half and use the folded edge as the top of the veil (where the comb will be sewn).  Fold this piece in half length wise.  From the top of the folded edge (comb edge) measure the length you used for the head to knee.
3. Mark with pins a quarter oval.  Make it a little wider at the top than the bottom to give it a more full look.  When you are happy with the shape, cut it out.
4. Unfold the piece (leave the top and bottom layers folded together) so you now have a half oval shape.  Take the top layer and mark with pins about 8″-10″ up from the edge.  Cut it shorter but still keep the shape of the bottom layer.
5. Now the fun begins, you get to glue on the lace!  This will take patience and time, it cannot be rushed!  You can also opt to sew the lace on with a machine.  Line the edge of the scallop up with the edge of the tulle and pin in place if sewing, pin it as you glue otherwise.
6. Once you have the lace attached (and it has dried overnight) you can set the pearls or rhinestones (or both if you so choose).
7. If you used a scalloped edge lace as I have, be sure to cut the excess tulle from the scallops for a cleaner look.

 The nice thing about the veil is that you can choose to use lace as I did here, leave the tulle plain (like I did for my own wedding), use rattail cord (1mm or 2mm), beaded trims, or a thin ribbon edge.  You can personalize your veil to match your dress and it won’t cost a fortune.

By Kristin

 You can apply these items to wedding gowns, invitations, wedding cakes and even center pieces.  It’s amazing how adding a little accessory can make a big difference. 

By Kristin

My husband and I were originally not going to use unity candles, but I thought it would be a nice thing to incorporate into our short ceremony.  Unity candles are used to represent the love of the two families for the Bride and Groom coming together as one happy family.  Usually there are two taper candles and one pillar.  The parents of the bride and groom light the tapers and in turn the bride and groom light the pillar candle with the tapers making the union complete. 

I used a pretty taffeta ribbon that has a great sheen to it and accented with a coordinating rhinestone button.  You can pick any ribbon/button combo you like, I just happen to love purple colors, so that’s what I used here.

Note:  Before you look into having a unity candle, be sure to ask your venue if you can have live flames from candles.  Some places will not allow them.

Materials Used:

• Pillar candle about 3-5″ wide and 6-10″ high.
• 38mm Imported Taffeta Ribbon (#38817) Amethyst
• 33mm Rhinestone Button (#26380) Amethyst/Lt. Amethyst/Silver

 Tools:

• Scissors
• Needle and Thread

 Direction

Wrap the ribbon around the pillar candle and tie into a bow.  Sew the rhinestone button to the middle of the knot.  The same technique can be used for the taper candles as well, the rhinestone button can be left off the tapers and just a simple small bow tied towards the bottom.

By Kristin

Using silk ribbons, it’s so easy to match the flower girl’s dress to the flower basket.  Rhinestone buttons can be added to give it that extra elegant finish.  This is a great idea for brides who are looking for something easy yet still beautiful for her flower girl.  You can choose silk ribbon colors that match with your wedding theme.  All you have to do is tie the bow onto the dress and stitch the ribbon onto the wedding basket.  Then finish it off with a glistening Swarovski rhinestone button and you’re all finish.

M&J Trimming had recently updated our new Bridal Center.  It took a while, but it’s finally finished and ready for all brides-to-be and wedding planners.  On the right side, you’ll noticed that there are a few clickable links to some of the most popular merchandise for weddings.  They are often used for decorations, bridal gowns, invitations and more.  In the center, the images change and if you click on them, they’ll take you to the most current inspriation for themed weddings.  You can also access the blog from this center.  The left side are merchandise that completes every perfect wedding.  We have swarovski crystals that are often used on bridal gowns and accessories.  Our laces are the most popurlar for veils.  Of course last by not lease, our personalized custom ribbons help accessorize all favors and decor.  If there’s something you don’t see and have questions about, you can also call our bridal expert at 1.800.965.8746 ext. 377.