Of fluttery butterflies and "I do": October 2013

It was definitely the Law of Attraction. I was just thinking about how to maximise the use of doilies and perhaps contribute to my brother's ROM (registration of marriage) ceremony when I saw this display in one of the shops while window-shopping:

the shop display in one of the malls

I discreetly took a photo on my handphone before going closer to take in the details of how it was done. I liked the concept of it but the paper doilies were arranged too closely together, kind of suffocating the whole look. It literally "cramp the style".

Some of the considerations I had for the paper doily backdrop:

1. the length of the strands;
2. something to weigh the strands down so it does not entangle;
3. how to hold the strands together; and
4. how to keep the individual doily in its place.

In the end, I opted for the strand to be 1.5 metres in length since I only needed it as a backdrop and did not require it to reach the ground. I also contemplated using small tumbled pebbles as weights at the end of the strand but changed my mind when I saw how appropriate and cheap those heart-shaped plastic beads were selling at Elsie's.

These clear, plastic beads were selling at SGD1.80 for 7 pieces
measures about 2cm

I started on it by taping both ends of the fishing line to the sides of my bookshelf. It was hard to keep the doily pom-poms in its place and eventually, I figured a way to do just that. I tied a knot before I stapled the pom-poms on the line, ensuring that one of the staples is ABOVE the knot to keep it from slipping down.

Finished product for the backdrop.

I stapled seven pieces of doilies together in the centre and I started to scrunch them up one by one, leaving the one in the centre untouched. The first and the last piece got scrunched the most. I alternated the length of the strands so that it looked more interesting. I finished off by tying a plastic heart-shaped bead at the end of each strand.

I started out using three pieces of doily paper, followed by five, and I found out that using seven pieces of doily paper gave the best effect. It makes the pom-pom looks rounder and does not easily separate itself into half as can be seen in some of the pom-poms in the photo. If not for the time constrain and tiredness (I just finished my French proficiency test and had yet to pack for Munich), I would have glued the inner part of the centre pieces of the pom-poms together so that they would not separate.

Anyway, it turned out very well as a backdrop, especially against the lush greenery:

It can make for some nice photos too:

My brother getting ready for his ROM ceremony

Himself and I using it as a background for our photo

This was certainly not the best and it could be done better with more practice and time. It was a good attempt nonetheless and I will work on it further for my wedding if it is in a garden setting. The only concern about this DIY project is that although it works nicely outdoors, it will not survive a rainy day.

Another lightbulb moment:

Besides pom-poms, the paper doilies can be made into bluebell or morning glory flowers. Simply make a knot on the fishing line and poke two pieces of doily paper right through from the top. Scrunch the top part of the paper doily and let the detailed and scalloped part of the doily fold naturally to the scrunch.

An alternative to paper doily: paper cupcake holders. Do the same as the paper doilies, and the good thing is, it already comes with folds. Also, there are more colour and design options when it comes to cupcake holders, hence a more colourful and fun backdrop. ;)

I hope that this has been useful. Feel free to share your ideas if you have any to make it better or more interesting!

I have learnt something in the past few months since Himself popped the question and I said "yes":

Preparing and getting married is a chapter in our lives, and how it is in itself a journey of self-discovery and change. For example, Germs told me how she finds her sister, Fiona, is being fickle-minded when it comes to her wedding, not knowing exactly what she wants. I think it is because Fiona is in a place where she is trying to find herself, the perfect gown, bridal shoes, or wedding settings that resonates with her.

Isn't it a phase in our adolescent years that we could all relate to? Finding our own identity in a world that can often proved exhilarating and overwhelming at the same time? Thumbing through one bridal magazine after another and working through all the myriad of bridal gowns are somewhat similar.

Also, I realised that beside coming to know myself better, I realised that we change and perhaps grow and evolve in the process too. I am so glad that I am given the luxury of time in this journey, to pay more attention to the things that happen and learn from it.

When I first embarked on this, I thought I wanted to something more childlike - braids and flowers in my hair. It has not changed, but it has evolved. I wanted a more womanly look with traces of childlikeness. Perhaps it was not the childlikeness that I was striving for, but the concept of being carefree with a subtle defiance, snubbing conventions and following one's heart. At the same time, I would like to be able to reflect femininity, soft but resilient.

This line of thought gradually caused me to explore more into Bohemian style. I now see myself wearing beaded brocade shoes rather than shoes with lace. I see the possibility of a head band made of lace and pearls instead of flowers set amongst a head of braids and long, flowing curls (which reminds me, I need to start growing out my hair!)

Some of the hairpieces that I really love (at this point in my life):