{Recycled} Bottle Beauties

Wondering what to do with all of those empty glass jars that are stashed away, waiting for a second chance to be useful again? Martha Stewart offers a great DIY tutorial for transforming your recyclables into Bottle Beauties with the help of enamel paint.

Any clean and empty glass jar or bottle will work for this fun project. For the jars pictured above, white enamel was used, which yielded different shades of green depending on the tint of the glass. You can used colored enamel, however, to achieve whichever color and look suits your fancy. Have fun with it!

Here are Martha's DIY instructions:

Enameled Bottle How-ToDishwasher-safe enamel paint is sold at most crafts stores. Wash the bottle inside and out with soapy water; let dry. Pour in a small amount of the paint's surface conditioner, which primes the glass for the enamel. Swirl to coat fully, then pour out excess. Stand bottle upright, and dry for an hour.

Pour in enough enamel to easily coat the inside. Swirl, and return excess to container for reuse. Dry bottle upside down on a paper towel for 48 hours, periodically wiping excess enamel from the rim with a damp cloth during the first hour.

A Purple and Key Lime Inspiration Board

A couple of months ago I was asked to design a dessert table for an upcoming bridal shower. I have been especially excited about this project since the bride-to-be was one of my best childhood friends and we have been fortunate enough to stay in touch over the years. Since the shower is being held next weekend, I thought that I would give a sneak peak at what's to come. I chose a purple and gray color scheme for the dessert table with a touch of key lime green (key lime pie is the bride-to-be's favorite and will be featured on the dessert table). I wanted the table to have a modern, feminine feel and to reflect the shower's purpose...to celebrate LOVE. Here is the inspiration board that I created for the event. I can't wait to share my photos after the special day.

{Crafty Ideas} Sweet Glow

Spring is here and romance is in the air! I have been working on designing a late-spring bridal shower and recently came across this Good Housekeeping DIY idea for dressing up votive holders. With a little lace trim (found at your local fabric store) and some garment tape, you can transform an ordinary set of votives holders into these romantic, glowing beauties. Wouldn't they be beautiful accessories on the tables of an evening bridal shower or wedding? So, so pretty!



So easy to create: Wrap a lace strip around your votive, secure with a small strip of garment tape, pop in a candle, and light!

A San Francisco Styled Wedding

This is Sheek Shindigs first wedding feature and I just adore all of the DETAILS. This San Francisco couple opted for an intimate, low-key wedding which included 70 of their closest family and friends witnessing their exchange of vows at San Francisco's City Hall. They then led their guests through the streets to their favorite German restaurant for an afternoon meal to celebrate.


The couple announces their martial status on the front steps of City Hall


The invitations were designed by San Francisco artist Jeff Canham


The table decor. L-O-V-E it!!


The wedding favors were sourdough pretzels dipped in chocolate and packaged in glassine envelopes stitched with red thread. Details, details!!


The couple built and painted this amazing stacked cake stand to display an assortment of "Ridiculous Rum Cakes" by Pamela Cianci of Sugar and Spike. This is just been added to my DIY list. I have to make one for myself!

You can see more details about this event here.