Today we're sharing the menu cards we came up with for the Lifestyle Crafts Wedding series. To see previous posts in this series, check out the save the date cards here and the wedding favors here.  

You've probably started to notice a theme with these projects... I absolutely love the Nesting Doily dies and wanted to incorporate them as much as possible.  For these menu cards, you will need the Nesting Doily Ovals die, Nesting Ovals die, ribbon, cardstock, and a home printer.  These cards are simple! If you need to make a large quantity, it won't take up too much of your precious wedding planning time!

Next week we'll share a decor piece that we'll be displaying at the wedding. Stay tuned!

Here is a collage (all of these images are via Kami) of some of the fabulous details.  For more photos and a detailed description on how she put it all together, visit her blog, No Biggie.  

If you're wondering which dies she used to make each element, here are the details:

Butterfly Box Favors: Pop-up Box die, Banners & Arrows die, 

Invitations: Lemon Drop Alphabet die, Butterfly die

Cupcakes: Nesting Butterflies die

Butterfly Wand: Nesting Butterflies die

Cake: Pennant Punches die, Sketchbook Mini Alphabet die, Pop-up Box die

Thanks for letting us share your fabulous party, Kami!

If you've followed QuicKutz/Lifestyle Crafts through the years, you definitely know who Shaunte Wadley is! She's been a designer with us for years and years.  Her projects are always fabulous and inspiring. Check out her spotlight below.

How long have you been paper crafting?

After my first child was born. Like all first-time parents, I took a million craptastic photos of my baby, and needed to do something with them. This was in 1996. All we had available as far as product and tools back then was pinking sheers, Mrs. Grossman's stickers, and Paper Patch paper. Man, those early albums I made are pretty hideous!

2. What are your go-to crafting supplies?

I feel like I would probably get fired if I didn't say "all my Lifestyle Crafts Dies!!" (I really do keep them handy.) My go-to dies, are the small 2x2 tag dies. I use them a ton! My favorite tool is a Quilters Awl. It is like a small ice pick. I use it for everything. To poke holes for brads and eyelets, as a seam ripper when stitching goes bad, and as a self-defense item if I am walking out to my car after a late night crop. Kidding. I have a giant ATG adhesive gun too. I know it is time to clean my studio when the ATG gun gets lost under mounds of crud.

3. What are your go-to Lifestyle Crafts products?

I am a sucker for Alphabets! My favorites are Diesel Grand, Blue Sky (with the shadow) and Oatmeal. I also love the border dies. I love rolling one through my Epic, and being able to cut it apart to make multiple cards. Saves time! And a surprising wild-card for me would have to be the Pizza Box. I swear, I have used that thing a million times for small gifts, gift cards, and treats. I finally broke down and bought another one, because I was afraid I would ruin my original die or lose it. I have hoarding issues.

4. What is one of your favorite projects you've created with LC products

I made a home decor item that actually turned out non-cheesy. I have it hanging in my home, and have gotten a lot of compliments on it. (attached) It was made with a bunch of random flower dies and Core'dinations cardstock.

5. What do you do when you're not crafting?

I have five kids and a husband. I stay pretty busy. ;) We travel a lot (my husband works for an airline) so I am really lucky that way. It provides me with a lot of fresh photos!

6. What are your favorite blogs to read?

I would say I am more of a Pinterest addict. 

7. Another fun fact.

Back a few years ago, I was published quite a bit in scrapbooking magazines, and taught classes a lot. I went to a doctor's visit during this time, and was lying down on the examination table. The nurse came in, and tentatively asked me if I scrapbooked. I was quite flattered as I assumed that she recognized me from a publication, or a class. It was then that she told me I had a photo stuck to the bottom of my shoe. I was pretty humbled.

What is the Genius Ultimate Platform System, and how does it work?

The Genius Ultimate Platform System is a new, innovative way to die cut and emboss! The kit comes with a brand new MAGNETIC platform.  It also includes two mats, one for embossing and one for cutting (see the chart below for more details on each mat).  The cutting mat is new and improved, longer-lasting with less curling. As a bonus, the kit includes a one-of-a-kind nesting die pictured below (a $24.99 value).

Why should I buy the Genius Ultimate Platform System?

-Compatibility: This platform is compatible with the crafting/die-cutting tool you already own. It works in all leading die-cutting tools. No need to buy a completely new die-cutting system!

-Magnetic platform: Your metal dies will stay in place for more accurate and efficient cutting.

-Longer platform: The 6"x13" size is longer than leading platform systems. Fit more and larger dies in one roll through your machine.

-Durable mats: These new and improved cutting/embossing mats are thicker, more durable, self-healing, and will last longer.

-Grids: Each cutting mat includes a grid and centering ruler for accurate cutting and quick measuring.

Which dies and embossing folders can I use in the Genius Ultimate Platform System? 

What does the one-of-a-kind nesting die look like? 

Pictured here is the nesting die included in the Genius Ultimate Platform System.  With 10 nesting pieces at a $24.99 value, this is a great addition to the kit.  Use it to make tags, cards, garlands, scrapbook pages, ect.  A great basic die to have in your collection!

What tools is the Genius Ultimate Platform System compatible with?

The Epic 6 by Lifestyle Crafts

The Sizzix BigShot
The Sizzix Vagabond

The Cuttlebug by Provo Craft

The Sizzix BigShot

And of course... the Evolution by LIfestyle Crafts (debuting this spring)

When will the Genius Ultimate Platform System be available? 

 The Genius Ultimate Platform System will be available online and in stores this spring.  Specific dates coming soon.

Stay tuned for more details, pricing information, and demonstration videos!

1. Choose your favorite set of Nesting Dies:  You can do so much with a Nesting die.  Mount a menu or invitation, make a garland, create a tag, make confetti, ect.  The options are really endless!

2. Choose an Alphabet Die you like: Alphabets come in handy when creating garlands, tags, monograms, wrapping gifts, ect.  

3. Pick a Box Template Die to create a favor: This isn't necessary, but the Box Template dies make for great party favors. See them all here.

Now let's take a look at this adorable circus-themed bridal shower. The party planners illustrate here how just a few essential dies to help them create a few, simple decorations for the event. 

The Garland: The party planners used the Nesting Doily Circles die, Nesting Circles die, and Blue Sky Alphabet die to create this garland. I love the way the oversized ribbons add a finishing touch.

Pinwheel & Rosette Decor Pieces: The Rosette die and Pinwheel die make for darling accent pieces that can tie together your color scheme.  You could also use these pieces as a cake/food topper. 

Cake Topper: The Celebrate Alphabet die is so fun. I love the way they made it into a cake topper by connecting the letters with brads and attaching it all with two striped straws.  A perfect cake topper! 

Favors: Tying perfectly into their circus theme, they gave popcorn boxes as the favor.  To add a tag, they put the Nesting Doily Circles die and Nesting Circles die to good use again.  Handwritten on each tag was the phrase "ready to pop!"  A fun little something for the guests to snack on throughout the shower or to take home later. 

Using a few basic dies can really make a huge difference! The best part? You can re-use them for your next shower.  Just choose a different color scheme, paper, ect. and you'll have a completely original shower all over again.

Photos via Lindsay

Happy Valentine's Day from all of us here at Lifestyle Crafts!

Here are the DIY letterpress business cards she took to Alt Summit.  She printed the cards on our Letterpress Mini Flat Cards and packaged them in a little bag accompanied with some candies. For all the details, check out her post here. 

Fun projects, right? Thanks for letting us share Caroline!

Today is all about the wedding favor!  We created these personalized favor bags using the Bag die.  We plan to fill these little bags with a sweet treat for the guests to snack on.

This image displays everything you need to make these bags!  The Bag die, cardstock of your choice, labels (printed on my home computer), and ribbon.  You'll also need adhesive to put it all together.

This image displays the shapes cut out with the Bag die.  All that's left is to assemble it all together!

The final product!  These bags are simple, classy, and very easy to make.  You could make a large amount in no time.

Next week we'll show you some of the table details (menu, placecards, ect).  Stay tuned!

Remember part 1 of this series? The fun save the date cards? Check them out here.

Week 1: Winner of a Canon 70D camera and JoTotes camera bag

Nancy (blogged about here) 

Week 2: Winner of a dream craft workspace

Week 3: Winner of an Ipad 2

Week 4/5: WInner of the Adobe Creative Suite and a Bamboo Tablet

Week 6: Winner of a Fuji Intax camera, film, and Holga lens

Week 7: Tiffany $500 shopping spree to Lifestyle Crafts

Week 8/9: Winner of an Ipad 2

Week 10: Winner of a photography class and textbook by Nicole Hill and a Photojojo camera strap

Week 11: Winner of $500 shopping spree to Lifestyle Crafts an a bundle of Echo Park paper

Ultimate grand prize winner of a mac computer, canon camera, dream craft workspace, $1000 shopping spree to Lifestyle Crafts is Tiffany! We announced the winner here.

Thank you to all who participated in the I Made This Challenge.  We hope you'll continue on the habit of making and sharing your creations with us.