DIY-Making cocktail napkins

See if this helps

http://www.thegartergirl.com/2010/04/26/diy-cocktail-napkins/

Oh those are super cute! might steal that idea... my ONLY concern would be that someone might dab their face with it and smeer ink....

Sorry, I have nothing useful or helpful to offer on the subject...I just had to tell you how refreshing it is to see someone acknowledge that their DIY project is a "waste of money"...and I might add time! Please don't take offense as it is in no way intended to you or any DIY bride. It's just that most DIY projects are done under the false pretense that they will save a boatload of cash...and many times it just isn't true. I encourage DIY projects when it is something you really have a desire and/or talent to do. It is a great way to personalize your wedding and it is much better to obsess over those little details that will make your wedding your own.

@ Shauna, then we'll just take pictures and laugh LOL. I hadn't thought about that...

If you use pigment ink it probably wont smear or smudge. It wont bleed if it gets wet either. I suggest trying out different types of inks before you start stamping like crazy

The fancy foil ones from Carlson Carft are only $30 for 100, why waste your time?

Buy a tube of an oil based paint and ask at the store if they know what would be good to mix with it to thin it out some. Follow their instructions on thinning out the oil paint, then do a test stamp, let fully dry, and then test the napkin. Oil paints are less likely to smear and can be thinned enough to use for stamps.

I think DIY projects are fun & put a more personal touch on a wedding. I say 2 thumbs down on the Debbie Downer's trying to rain on our DIY parade. BOOO. :-)

@ Danielle, I think DIY napkins are a fab idea. I have some pink napkins that are extra that I am actually thinking about stamping now, just to have ones that are a little "different" on my cake table! I want to stamp them with a wedding stamp I seen @ Hobby Lobby that I didn't buy because I didn't know what I'd use it for. Hobby Lobby, here I come

So glad that you like the DIY cocktail napkins! they were so super easy to make. i just used a regular ink pad made for stamping and i didn't have a problem with the ink coming off on people's mouths or hands. (in fact, i had so many left over and have been using them at home myself!) you do need to let the ink dry before stacking them on top of each other. but once you stamp, you should be good to go. enjoy!

I love this idea! i posted about this a while back but got few replys. now that i know it has been done and works i may have to try it! i want to try embossing some also

I have been a Carlson Craft dealer for 17 years (meaning I even get a discount), but I still tried to make these for my DIL's baby shower and DD's wedding, but mine were a complete failure. I tried stamping, then using embossing powder and an embossing gun and they looked like a first grader had done them. I never thought about just stamping them. Kudos for these - I think they look FABULOUS!

Danielle-if you do them after all post pics!! I'm going to try and make mine tomorrow but I really don't look forward to making them Oh well, it will be okay I guess

Or, lots of people do DIY because the nearest city that has ANYTHING wedding related is 6 hours away...our arbor, aisle pomamanders, napkin rings, cake stands, head table back drop, were all DIY, and here's the real shocker, I guess thefood could be classified as DIY, as we preped everything Friday and hired people to cook and fill buffet on the day of.

I didn't read all the posts so this might by a repeat but if you are worried about the ink make sure that you use the Staz-on ink. You can get it at Michaels and it is about $6 for a pad. And you can later use it for regular scrapbooking.

@ King Design, the whole project will cost me $2.50, since I already have ink and the stamp- all I will need to do is get a pack of 50 white napkins. Why spend the extra 27.50?

@ everyone else, I'm going to start working on a few tomorrow, and I"ll post pics asap

Personally, I love the idea.

I did personalized paper napkins for my daughters Bridal Shower. They looked great, except, dummy me, I approved the wrong date on them! LOL! One day early. Whoops!

For her Bridesmaids Luncheon, I ordered linen napkins with calla lillies on them.

I am stamping my own cocktail napkins. I had a stamp made that matches our theme with our names and wedding date. I got it on ebay. It was a vendor that sells address stamps. It was 9.70 with shipping. Totally worth it and turned out great. We also have made napkin rings with cardstock and the on it fot the dinner napkins.

I love this idea!! I'm totally copy catting now!!

Thanks girls!

My apologies. I wasn't trying to boo on your DIY parade, but rather simply trying to bring some perspective into the situation:

The custom stamp often costs at least $20, but since you already have one, you will experience some savings (monetary), which is great for you!

My point is that it will take an amount of time and precision in execution that might seem like a waste after you see your guests throwing them in the trash after the reception.

I completely understand that people don't want to waste money on something that will be scrapped in the end, and I also understand craftiness, but I also think this type of craftiness could be put to better use, on something that's not going to end up in the landfill.