Monogram: How-to

This last week I created a monogram for Matt and I. I've seen several versions of this online, so this is just kind of updated tutorial. :) Here's a picture of the finished product:

Not too bad, eh? I liked the way it turned out, pretty good I think. For this, I used a simple font for the M and Kuntsler script for the A. First things first, this requires a photoshop program.  The one I used is Adobe Photoshop Elements, not sure what version. Open a new project, and I made mine about 4 x 4 inches (I ended up cropping it quite a bit). Make sure the background is set to transparent. Open a text box, select the font, and type in one letter, doesn't matter which one. Open another text box (this will open another layer) and type the other letter. Then, move one over the other, positioned the way you like. Once the image looks good, select the eyedropper option and pick up the color of one letter. Then, using the paintbrush, paint over certain areas where the letters intersect. This will make the letters intertwined. :) Once you've completed that, open a third text box and type in your first names and the date of the wedding. That's it! Not much to it! Make sure to save it in PSD form not JPG, this is important to keep the graphic quality. 

When? Where? Questions, questions, questions!!

The moment you get engaged, you are flooded with questions from family, friends, and people who you haven't talked to in years that just...come out of the woodwork! What's the date? Where's the venue? What does your dress look like? So many questions! Lucky for Matt and I, we've been to enough weddings that we had a "general" idea of what we wanted. So, here are my answers, at least the ones we have so far:

When: April 28, 2012
Colors: Teal and Green (Black and Ivory)....hence the blog :)
Where: The Cliff Lodge at Snowbird Resort (beautiful ski resort, and only twenty min. from my house!)
What dress: Well, it's chosen, but shhhh, it's secret! ;)
Whose the photographer: James Erick Photography - we're getting our engagements taken next week, I'm soooooo excited!!

Not much decided yet, I gotta get movin' on stuff! My current project is invitations....a little early you say? Well see, I'm making our invitations, so I thought I better get designing and ordering the paper...at least! I've designed a monogram for us, and I'll be finalizing the "trial run" invitation and ordering paper this week. At least, that's the plan at the moment! I'm hoping that the invitations will set the theme for the wedding decor, which I've also decided to do myself. Haha, we'll see how it goes....lord.
I'll post soon with monogram pics and instructions. :) 'Til then!

This is me.

I'm engaged to be married. I'm engaged to be MARRIED! :) 
Sometimes it seems like a dream...you know, the whirlwind of dresses, reception centers, fabrics, ribbons, cakes, flowers, the whole nine yards. I once heard a quote that weddings are performances put on by amateurs...kinda true! I have NO idea what I'm doing, and the little I do know is from friends who've gone before me. Ah! Trying to figure out measurements, looking at tons of tutorials, checklists, it can get overwhelming. I'm all about spreading the love that is DIY. :) I intend to do a lot of the wedding prep myself, and hopefully put some info out there for others. Please join me in my adventures, and feel free to ask questions! I'll do my best to answer!
So, here is my blog, my journey, and my life....as a bride! :)