Craft of the Week: Lilly Pulitzer Bangle Bracelets

This past weekend, my sister and I crafted, not exactly together, but together from afar.  It's the best we could do when we're in need of a craft fix and can't get together!!

Anyways, I had seen an idea for mod podge bangle bracelets on Pinterest and knew right away we could use our (dwindling) stash of Lilly Pulitzer cocktail napkins to make our own!  You know how much I love a good mod podge craft...(here) and (here)...and any accessory with a great Lilly print!

For mine, I used a tan acrylic bangle that I had laying around from an URBN sample sale (basically for free) since I wasn't exactly sure how it'd turn out...and was feeling a bit lazy with all the Sunday rain.  Em went to JoAnns and bought a silver bangle for $4.  And I think that is the way to go - while mine turned out great, I love how hers has a shine to it from the underlying metal, and I think the darker surface made her napkin colors look even brighter!!

(Emily's bracelet is featured above; mine is below using leftover Floaters print napkins from Kathryn's bridal shower).

So yes, I will be heading to JoAnns and my local Lilly store (for my napkins, of course!) this weekend because I'm dying to make more!  I think I have a few girlfriends who I would like one of these beauties!

Supplies Needed:

• Bangle bracelet
• Lilly Pulizter cocktail napkin (only need 1 in your favorite print!)
• Mod Podge
• Foam Brush
• Scissors 

Directions:

1. Napkins typically have two (or three) layers - one with the print/color, and one (or two) white layers for added absorbency.  For this craft, you only need the printed layer so the first step is carefully to peel apart the napkin. 

2. Cut the napkin into into 3/4" x 3" strips. 

  

3. Once you have about 10-12 pieces ready, paint a section of your bracelet with mod podge using your foam brush.  Then carefully place the napkin on top of the glue at a diagonal - this helps prevent folds and bubbles in the napkin as it dries to the curve of the bracelet.  Fold ends inside and cut. 

As you repeat, remember you want as little overlap as possible, as even the smallest overlap will be amplified in color once you add your glue.

4. I glued the napkin strips onto about 80% of the bracelet and then applied a top layer of mod podge. Then, I let it completely dry before doing the remaining section.

Craft of the Week: Mod Podge Lilly Pulitzer Picture Frame

My decoupaged Lilly Pulitzer Photo Frame
(with one of my favorite pictures of my mom and sisters)

Mod Podge is, in my opinion, is one of the easiest and most versatile glues to craft with.  It glues and seals to almost any surface (wood, plastic, paper, etc.) and it dries glossy and clear, making it the perfect finisher! 
 

The real deal: Mod Podge

My favorite type of craft using mod podge is called decoupage.  Decoupage is the art of decorating an object by gluing colored paper cutouts (or photos) onto it.  (Check out this post where I told ya'll about some of the decoupage crafts my mom and I used to do together!)

Anyways, back in November at the Lilly Pulitzer Warehouse sale (in King of Prussia, PA), my sisters and I each received a free Lilly Pulitzer photo frame for shopping the sale.  While they were adorable in their own (especially since they were free), the frames were just plain white - the opposite of what you think of when you hear Lilly Pulitzer!  So, my sister, Emily, and I decided we could jazz them up a bit with some mod podge these adorable Lilly Pulitzer cocktail napkins!


Supplied Needed:

• Picture Frame
• Cocktail Napkins
• Mod Podge
• Scissors
• Foam Brush

Directions:
1. Napkins typically have two (or three) layers - one with the print/color, and one (or two) white layers for added absorbency.  For this craft, you only need the printed layer so the first step is carefully to peel apart the napkin. Do this to 3-4 cocktail napkins depending on how large your frame is (and how many napkins you you accidentally rip in the process).

2. The next step is to cut the napkins into sections that will fit each side or your frame, cutting 4 additional pieces for your corners.  The key in this particular craft (and this is not true for all decoupage) is that you want as little overlap as possible, as even the smallest overlap will be amplified in color once you add your glue.

3. Once you have your pieces ready, paint some Mod Podge with a foam brush directly onto your frame, one section at a time.  Then carefully place the napkin on top of the glue.

Emily is gluing her napkins one section at a time...

4. Once you have covered the whole frame, it should look something like this.  Now its time to let your frame dry for 20-30 minutes.
 

My frame is drying...



5. Now its time to carefully paint on a top coat of mod podge, to give your napkins a protective finish and your frame a glossy coat.  I recommend doing the back first, letting that dry, and then doing the front and sides.

6. After your frame is completely dry, pop in your favorite photo and voila!  You have your very own Lilly Pulitzer picture frame!

My Best Friend's Bridal Shower: Part 1

Wedding Paper Divas


Two weekends ago, I helped throw a bridal shower for one of my very best friends, Kathryn!  And I can't tell you how much fun I had planning this event for her.  The day was beautiful...our bride-to-be was positively glowing! 

And since bridal shower season is (technically) upon us, I thought I'd share with you some of the details of the day!

~ You're Invited ~

to a very Lilly shower

We knew we wanted to plan a day for Kathryn that was bright and girly, so we decided to throw her a Lilly Pulitzer themed shower!  What is more fun than a signature pink and green Lilly pattern?!  I can't think of much!  And our bride-to-be happens to have a closet full of Lilly...so we knew it'd be right up her alley!

Our first order of business was getting out the invitations.  We found the invitation above on Wedding Paper Divas, a great site for all wedding related stationery - from engagement to bachelorette, bridal showers, thank yous, and wedding invitation suites.  

(Lilly actually has its own line of paper goods btw - you can check some of them out here)

We included two additional cards in the invitation envelope.  One with instructions for filling out a recipe card...

Enclosed for you is a recipe card.
To fill it in, shouldn’t be hard!

Kathryn might like to try your favorite cake,
or that special dish you’re always asked to make!

Remember our girl eats gluten-free

So make some substitutes, if need be!

Bring this card on the special date,

And we’ll make her a beautiful cookbook keepsake!

We had the recipe recipe card made by ThePinkCoconut (on Etsy), who designed the card with Kathryn's new monogrammed initials and provided a PDF that we printed and cut with a paper cutter!

And another with directions for the wishing well:

Wishing wells are nice and fine,

But let's shower this bride with a bottle of wine!

Ever the hostess, ready to fill you up,

Now it’s our turn to put some pinot in her cup.

Perhaps for their anniversary or on their wedding night,

Or to have a glass after their first married fight!

Be creative and write up a little a reason,

Why you chose the wine you did to toast to Kathryn’s wedding season

~ The Decor ~

Next, we started scouring websites for everything Lilly...!  We found the most adorable matching napkins, plates, cups and decorations in the pattern Floaters and I kid you not when I say we bought everything the pattern came in!!

Plates





Napkins




My favorite decor items were this amazing lantern....

  



 ...and these incredible pom poms!! 
 

~ The Favors ~

For the favors, we filled these adorable tumblers with candy!

Tumblers



 

~ Some Little Surprises ~

We even bought Kathryn a princess crown to wear while opening her presents!  To keep the attention on her, of course!

But ultimately, the adorable flower girl...in Lilly of course...stole the show!

We also made Kathryn a recipe binder to put all the cards she received using Lilly wrapping paper!  Here she is opening up her book...

Since this was the first of two bridal showers - thats right, Kathryn has one more shower to look forward to in March (!!) - I'll have have to wait until after then to reveal the other little surprises we have up our sleeves...


Anyways, have you planned a shower recently?  What was your theme or inspiration?  I'd love to hear about all the little touches - they make everything special!

And, don't forget to check back tomorrow Part 2 when I'll talk menu, signature cocktails and games!

(Photos via Preppy Princess)