DIY Silver Painted Wedding Vases

I have had a few inquiries on some of the DIY projects from Chris and my wedding this past summer. Now that I have the amazing photos from our photographers, With Love & Embers. I’d love to show you the process of some of our projects. First up… Silver Painted Floral Vases.

With my cousin, Jen of Franklin 215, doing our floral arrangements, I felt I had a little more flexibility to work with her. I knew I would be able to give her my ideas and trust her to run off with it and create something amazing. I also love the idea of mismatched items that somehow get tied together. I decided to hunt around for some random vases (or non-vases that could be used as vases) and then spray paint them all one color. Give me any excuse to spray paint and I am there. Our wedding colors were gray and yellow, so I thought it would be fun to paint them silver, assuming most of the flowers would be yellow.

Chris and I were in the thrift store one day, not searching for wedding things. I told him, hold on, let me go check the home goods area to see if there are any items that could be used as vases. 10 minutes later, I come around the aisle with my arms completely full of random (all completely breakable) items, requesting help and a cart. Things got out of hand quickly. (Chris, welcome to the rest of your life) I also decided to use a few items from around my house, that I had kept for a sentimental reason but hadn’t been using on a normal basis.

Here is a photo of a few of the vases, glasses, mugs, and other sorts of items pre-paint.

Then I headed to our backyard to paint. Of course, spray painting is always easier when the sun is still out, but I was excited to paint them… right then.

I absolutely love metallic colored spray paints. They turn even the most ordinary of things into gems. After the painting, I packed them up, shipped them off to my cousin and was excited to see what she did on our wedding day. She rocked it.

Photos courtesy of With Love & Embers

Vase #1 (above, left) – My friend, Katey of Lemon and Lime Event Design, gave me the great idea of using old Snapple bottles since my new last name would be starting with “S”

Vase #2 (above, middle) – I love a good mason jar, but I tend to be a purist and think they are great as is. This one is from when my mother-in-law found a whole box of old ones at an estate sale. I pushed myself to paint just one to see how it looked. Turns out, I love them any color, especially silver.

Vase #3 (above, right) – My friend’s mother had made us Lemoncello a few years ago for Christmas. I had held onto the bottle and now had a perfect use for it!

Vase #4 (below, right) – 2 of my best friends gifted Chris and I some Owl mugs as an engagement present. Sadly, my dishwasher got the best of one of them color and paint wise, so I thought I could help him live longer by being a part of our day!

Photos courtesy of With Love & Embers

Overall, it was a relatively easy project. You would be amazed at how quickly you can change the look of something with paint. It was a great way to tie a bunch of random pieces together, providing the eclectic look without the whole it-looks-like-a-hot-mess-in-here look. Hopefully it wasn’t too taxing on my cousin, since all the sizes weren’t consistent for the flowers.

P.S. Check out all the table runners my Aunt made. Have I mentioned that I am surrounded by very talented family? I picked out a few fabrics, all in gray and white fabrics, and she made table runners for the wedding. My winter break goal: make a quilt out of the fabric used for these runners…. we will see how that goes.

Holiday Gift Guide

Still looking for something special to give someone special in your life? Look no further! I created a Holiday Gift Guide on Etsy with some super cool gifts from local vendors around the Maryland area. (Warning: shameless self promotion on one of those gifts). Enjoy!

Photo courtesy of Grey Moggie Press.

Have Yourself a Very Charmed Christmas

Looking to do something festive around Baltimore as we lead up to Christmas? Here are some fun ideas:

Thursday December 5th – Monument Lighting – Be sure to check out this Baltimore tradition in Mt. Vernon. Pre-event festivities take place at 5PM, including a style stroll around to all the local shops. The official ceremony begins at 6PM with the official lighting and fireworks at 7:45PM.

Friday December 6th through Sunday December 8th – Olde Tyme Christmas in Fells Point – Enjoy a traditional holiday market, breakfast with St. Nick, horse sleigh rides, an eggnog contest and more. Also, on Saturday night, there will be the Parade of Lighted Boats running from the Inner Harbor to Fells Point. The parade is scheduled for 6PM.

Sunday December 8th – Mayor’s Annual Chirstmas Parade – This 2.5 mile route runs through Medfield and Hampden, featuring Santa himself, marching units, motorcycles, floats and more.

Saturday December 14th – Jingle Bell Run – If all the holiday parties, food and drinks have gotten you feeling a bit out of it, head to Canton for a 5K on the 14th! Beneficial to your waistline and to fighting arthritis.

Saturday December 14th – Santa Shuffle – Perhaps shuffling is more your speed, the 5th Annual Santa Shuffle is a charity bar crawl Santa costume competition. Shuffle through Federal Hill enjoying various specials and voting on the best costume while also raising money for local families and children in need.

Saturday December 14th – Holiday Heap – This art market gathers some of the best crafters from around the area featuring handmade jewelry, art, paper goods, apparel and more. Be prepared for crowds, but it is worth it to get a one of kind gift for someone you care about (or hey, something for yourself).

Now through Christmas Eve – The Christmas Village in Baltimore – A temporary Christmas Village that transforms West Shore Park into a traditional German Christmas Market, complete with gifts to buy, mulled wine, carolers and German food.

Now through New Years – Miracle on 34th Street – This isn’t a city run thing, this doesn’t profit or raise money, it is just a bunch of neighbors who decided to get together and decorate for Christmas and they have been doing it ever since. One of the best traditions around town that brings people from all over to check out the amazingly tacky decorations. And this is coming from someone that lives within a block away and isn’t complaining about the traffic or tourists (or at least not yet, it is only 5 nights in…) Either way, you should come check it out and be sure to then venture to 36th street to partake in a beverage or meal at a local establishment. Come back for New Years for their very own ball drop, Baltimore style.