Archive for 'Your Questions Answered' Category

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How do I stop ribbon from fraying?

Firstly, and perhaps most simply, try cutting the end of your ribbon on a diagonal or trimming a v shape into it. This will reduce most fraying to the minimum and is perfect for when the ribbon will not be handled.

Alternatively, you can also treat the cut edge to stop any future fraying. Using a brush or cotton bud, take a small amount of craft glue and carefully apply sparingly to the whole of the cut edge. You can also try this with clear nail polish. Both of these will dry clear and seal the fibres, but make sure you test the ribbon you are using first, as some glues show up more on certain types of ribbon.  You can also try products such as Fray Check and Fray Block which work in a similar way.

Another option, when using synthetic ribbons, is to heat the end in a flame. This should only be done with the utmost care and with good ventilation. Using a candle pass the ribbon end near to the side of the flame. It will take practice to apply enough heat to melt the edge without burning the delicate material. Try this near a sink full of water so if the ribbon does catch fire you can put it out quickly!

I’ve downloaded a font to use on my invitations, how do I get the font to appear in Word?

There are loads of free fonts on the internet and to use them you need to install them on your pc. Some websites compress their font files so they download more quickly, in which case once you have your font you may need to unzip it. Think of it a bit like opening an envelope so you can read the letter inside. There are several free Unzipping programs that can do this, try www.download.com or a google search and follow the instructions that come with the program. Once your font is unzipped, save it on your desktop and you are ready to install.

Go to the Start Menu and open the Control Panel, then the Fonts folder. Drag and drop the font from your desktop into the Fonts folder to install it. When you reopen Word you will find the new font available to use alongside all the ones you had previously.

What other items can I craft for my wedding?

As you are making your own invitations for your big day there are several other items you may want to think about crafting. First is a Save the Date, which is sent out well in advance to allow your guests to plan ahead. Usually a single flat card with basic details on, it can be in the style of your invitations or something completely different. Remember to keep a list of everyone who you have sent a Save the Date to as they will expect to be invited after being asked to keep the date free!

We have projects for favours and also for an Order of Service or Order of the Day, adapt these designs to suit your colours and theme, keeping to similar items as used in your invitations for a cohesive finish.

RSVP cards can be included with the invitations and are a useful way of reminding your guests to reply. They can be very simple, just a panel of text layered on card or paper that matches your invitation colours or you may wish to embellish them.

Menus are sometimes sent out in advance if you are allowing your guests a choice. In this case you may wish to make them yourself in a style which complements the rest of your wedding stationery and ask people to detail their choices on the RSVP.

If you have set dishes you may wish to have Menus on the tables, allow approximately one menu for 8 people. In order to make a freestanding Menu, fold a piece of A4 card in three and attach the edges together to make a triangular stand, add a printed panel to each side and embellish. Alternatively your venue may provide holders in which case borrow one and make them to fit.

A Table Plan it is extremely helpful for your guests to easily find out where they are sitting and you will find full instructions in the Projects section. Adapt the design to suit your style and theme, changing the colours and embellishments as you wish to match your invitations. If your venue has more than one wedding reception on the same day you may also wish to make signs with your names on, again in the same colours and style so your guests know where to go.

Table numbers can be made simply by printing onto card and decorating, your venue may have holders but check. Place cards will tell each guest exactly where their seat is and are normally small rectangles of card tent folded so they stand up on their own. Names can be computer printed or handwritten and an embellishment or a small piece of decorative paper from your original design is all they need to be very stylish and finish off your beautifully set tables.

Finally, Thank You cards are very important, adjust the text on your invitation design and you will have a perfectly coordinated card to show your gratitude.  Remember to make extras for unexpected gifts given by people who aren’t necessarily coming to the wedding.

How do I keep craft punches sharp and stop them sticking?

As a first step in reviving a blunt punch I would recommend punching through normal kitchen tinfoil, always try this first, and do it several times if necessary. If this is not sufficient then try punching through very fine sandpaper. It is important it is very fine as larger pieces of grit will scratch the cutting mechanisms rather than sharpen them.

If you find your punch sticking, try punching through wax paper, the kind you would use for baking. If you don’t have wax paper you can make your own; take a candle, rub it over a sheet of standard copy paper and punch through this. The wax will allow the plates to glide past each other effortlessly.

For best results sharpen or wax your punches as soon as you notice they have blunted or are sticking.

Can you print on mulberry or handmade paper?

Neither Mulberry nor Handmade paper is designed to be used in home printers. They are made of unsealed fibres which allow the ink to bleed slightly and the varying textures may cause erratic printing finishes. However it is possible to print onto them with home inkjets, the key is to try it in your machine and see. Both types of papers will go through my inkjet printer, an Epson C66, and print readable text with a reasonably consistent finish. Make sure you use a bold font for the best results as details will not show up as well as with machine finished papers, and order a few extra for trial and error.

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