Create blackboard signs for your wedding or party using wood market trays

Monday 28 January 2013

I met so many excited brides at the Total Wedding Show earlier this month and I was delighted to hear how many of them were planning to incorporate personal details and diy projects into their wedding. I had a number of different projects using our products on display at the booth. A few brides asked me about the chalkboards that I created using our wood market trays and today I thought that I would share with you a tutorial on how to make these yourself. I also pulled together some engagement photo ideas using chalkboards that can be used for save the dates!

First, my tutorial ... 
Gather your supplies: wood market trays (we have lots of different sizes of market trays - for this tutorial I used the 18" x 7" rectangular tray), chalkboard paint, a sponge brush, white tracing paper, painter's tape, a pencil and a white china marker. 

Tip number 1: If you want your lettering to be perfect, type out what you want to write on your chalkboard on your computer and print it out so that you can trace it. Select a font that you like and size it to fit onto your chalkboard. If your chalkboard is quite large you can print out your words on more than one piece of paper and tape them together.

Step one. Paint your market tray with chalkboard paint according to the paint directions. I used a foam brush because they are inexpensive and work well with the paint. 

Step two. Cut out the words that you want to copy onto your chalkboard and use painter's tape to hold them in place on the market tray. Place the white tracing paper between the paper and the chalkboard surface so that you can easily trace. Remember that you can move the tracing paper around as you work. Using a sharp pencil and a little pressure, trace your design. 

Step 5. Once you have finished tracing everything remove the paper so that you can see your traced image. It might be a little faint but that is okay. 

Step 6. Now you are ready for the "magic" part. Using a white china marker (it's really a pencil - not sure why they call them markers) go over the letters carefully to create your final design. 

Tip number 2. The white china marker looks like chalk but it does not rub off ... so take your time. Once you are done, you can use a soft cloth to remove any china marker "dust".

My gift to you ... 

To get you started, I designed this art that can be used to create three different chalkboard signs for engagement and wedding photography. Just click on the art above and "save image as" to copy it for your personal use.  

As you can see, I used the "save the date" words in my sample project. I positioned the words on the market tray so that I could easily add a date below with chalk. I can reuse this sign to make "save the date" photo invitations for birthday parties, showers or whatever I want!

Now here's some chalkboard inspiration for wedding "save the dates"  that I pulled together to show you from my Pinterest board ... 


Looking for more chalkboard products for you wedding? We have more items here!





Wedding Guest Book Alternatives

Friday 18 January 2013

Our booth at the Total Wedding Show is all set up and I'm so excited to be there tonight and this weekend. Who wouldn't be excited to stand around and talk to a bunch of happy people who are in love and want to tell you about their dream wedding. Honestly, I think that I have the best job in the world ... it also helps that I work at one of the best companies in the world. 

There will be lots of new wedding products coming into the stores in the next few weeks, but until then there are many new products available right now online at Creative Bag Wedding. I think that some of the new guest book alternative products are awesome and I wanted to show you some of them today. These guest book alternative are shown as wedding but most of them would also work for an anniversary party, bridal shower or even a special birthday party. 

Here's my three favourites ...

This is sleek and modern looking with a touch of diy. Guests sign their names on a die cut heart and then place it in the shadow box set out on display. The signed hearts create a unique piece of art that  can be placed on a shelf or hung on a wall for years to come. The shadow box can be engraved for personalization.

Perfect for a couple that likes to travel or a destination wedding. A fun and whimsical container that can be personalized with a monogram on  the faux leather luggage tag.
Novel paper airplane stationery can be purchased separately for guests to sign and fold. Instructions for creating the paper airplanes are included on a tent card that you can display for your guests.

This container also becomes a piece of art when it is complete. Guests write hand written messages on mini scolls and insert them into a mesh screen. The personalized wish cards are ordered separately and there are many different colour and design options so you are sure to find something that is perfect for you.

Still want to see more guest book alternatives?
Check these out too ...



And of course, if you are looking for a beautiful guest book ...
we have lots of those too!

If you are getting married and live in the Toronto/GTA area, I hope to see you this weekend at the Total Wedding Show!

Creative Bag Wedding ... new products for 2013

Saturday 5 January 2013

Did you or someone you know get engaged over the holidays? Are you planning a wedding? Can't wait for our stores to be fully stocked with all of our new wedding products? 

That's okay because we have lots of new products online at Creative Bag Wedding.



Want to save 10%  when you shop online at www.creativebag.com? 
Just enter promo code CBW10 at the checkout!

Still looking for more wedding inspiration? 
We will be at the Total Wedding Show at the International Centre in Mississauga from January 18th to 20th, 2013.




 I hope to meet lots of brides (and grooms) at the show ... I plan to be there everyday! 

I have been pinning lots of great new wedding ideas on my wedding related Pinterest boards lately. You can also find more Creative Bag Pinterest inspiration here .