We were initially a bit sceptical about this DIY here at Basil & Bee. How can you possibly get those gorgeous, swirly patterns with just shaving foam and food colouring?! This tutorial will show you how to put a beautiful effect onto your invitations, place cards, basically on any of your wedding stationary. Be warned it's addictive.
YOU WILL NEED
Good quality paper
Shaving foam
Food colouring in your desired shades
Paper towel
A plastic or metal ruler
Plastic spatula
Rectangular tray (big enough to fit your paper in)
Toothpick
STEP 1
Spray a nice thick layer of shaving foam into your tray. Put a few drops of your food colouring into the foam and mix with the spatula, don't over mix as you want to keep that swirly pattern.
Once your main colour is swirled you can begin to add additional colours with a toothpick or skewer. Just dab the toothpick into the food colouring and swirl in around different areas.
STEP 2
Place your paper onto the shaving foam. Use your fingers to gently press down on the paper so that it makes full contact with the foam. Don't leave the paper for too long as it will get too wet. Gently lift the paper from one corner and place it onto the paper towel. Take your ruler and scrape the shaving foam off.
STEP 3
Take a fresh paper towel and wipe away any excess shaving cream. Set the paper aside to dry.
Go back into the shaving cream and add some folds. Repeat the process on all your paper. If the colours get too muddled, add more foam and if it gets too white add more colours. If you want a stronger effect add more food colouring like we have below.
Once the paper is dry, place them under a heavy book to flatten out. Have fun!
FUNFETTI CANDLES!
Here at Basil & Bee we've been crafting these cute funfetti candles. They're really easy to make and look really effective.
You can source all the materials from supermarkets or any shops you'll find on the high street or online.
YOU WILL NEED
Jars of any kind
Pre-waxed wicks (you can get them with the attachment already on the end)
Superglue
Pencils, pens or something similar to hold the wicks in place
Masking tape
Liquid Glucose
A small paint brush or pastry brush
Rainbow sugar strands
Soy wax flakes (950 grams make about 6 candles in standard jam jars)
Heatproof bowl
STEP 1
Start by gluing the wicks at the base of the jars. If you can reach the base of the jar with your hand use the end of the pastry brush.
STEP 2
Put the liquid glucose onto your brush and begin to coat the inside of the jars.
Hold the jar horizontally, pour some sprinkles in and slowly roll the jar so they'll move and stick to the inside. Repeat until the inside is completely covered.
STEP 3
Place your heatproof bowl over a saucepan with boiling water and add the soy wax flakes. While they are melting, put your pencil on the jar against the wick and tape into place.
STEP 4
Once your wax has melted begin to pour into your jars. If you pour confidently it shouldn't go over the sides, if you're not sure transfer it into a jug before hand. Try to pour into the centre and hold the pencil to keep the wick straight. You may see some sprinkles fall away so don't panic. Placing the jars into the fridge or freezer as soon as possible will prevent too many sprinkles falling down.
Once your wax has completely set you're good to go!
AIN'T NO PARTY LIKE A POM POM PARTY!
Here at Basil & Bee we love making something ordinary, extraordinary and when it comes to pom poms we just can't get enough.
Whether they are serving as a backdrop, strung into a garland or bunched up over the dancefloor, we set out to show you how pretty (and easy) they can be.
YOU WILL NEED
Tissue paper in your desired shade.
Scissors.
String or twine of any kind.
(Hedgehog not essential for this tutorial.)
STEP 1
You will need 8-10 sheets of tissue paper for each pom pom. You can use tissue paper of the same colour or layer different colours for different results, it is entirely your choice. The size of the pom pom depends on which size of tissue paper you use. We recommend making a mixture with standard sized paper (50x75cm) and by halving the paper to create a smaller pom pom. This will give a variation to your decor. If you are making a garland with your pom poms we recommend halving the paper 3 times, which should give you 8 mini pom poms.
Begin by laying the paper in portrait and folding the bottom edge by about an inch (it isn't too important how even or neat the folds are) flip the sheets over and fold again, continue until you reach the end of the paper.
STEP 2
Fold the paper in half and secure with twine leaving enough to tie the pom pom up.
STEP 3
Cut the edges of the paper. You can create any shape you desire by rounding, cutting the edges into points or 'v's'.
Handy tip: Save the cut offs and use them as confetti or fill transparent balloons with them to make confetti balloons.
STEP 4
Fan out the pleats and begin separating the sheets of paper (don't panic if you tear any accidentally, it shouldn't be visible at the end.) Make sure you separate on both sides to give an even round shape. Or you can only do one side and use them to back chairs or lie flat against a wall.
