Make your own Luminarias!

Good first attempt Christa. I have a feeling these are going to be harder than they look. I bought white bags last night so as soon as I try it out, I'll post the results..

I think smaller would definitely be better for table top usage.

Yeah, my first attempt looks pretty sucky in pictures. We're going to light them tonight & see how they look. I think the ones we'll do for the wedding will be more interesting because the vellum will be light blue (I used cream for this trial) and we will use more vibrant colors. Also, I think it would be cool to cut out the starfish in the middle of our logo. I don't know? At least I had the moxy to actually post my first try. It wasn't easy, but I thought it would be beneficial.

I hope my post didn't come off wrong- I think they look really good- I would definitely work on getting them more centered and i'm sure you'll end up with other vellum or different designs. I don't think they look sucky, just have room for improvement. I'm sure my first attempt will be very similar. I definitely agree that they should be shorter. I've been trying to think that through- probably I'll just cut a couple inches off the top. I think it's great to see that "real" people like us can actually do this! Thanks for posting them...

OK, here is the result of my first luminaria trial.

Things I learned:

1) It is very difficult to use different letters, names, etc and get them centered on the bags. We are planning to use these for individual place settings for people, so all of them will be different.

2) Shorter is better. They looked sillier when they were the full size, trying to put the names on there so that they didn't look lost. However, we will use larger bags with OUR monogram on them for around the pool.

3) Along with Christa- I need new printer ink. I used a sparkly vellum that I LOVE, but unfortunately the color didn't turned out like I had planned because I'm just about out of ink.

4) Double-stick tape can be used in place of spray glue. I didn't have spray glue, so I used tape and I think they turned out fine. For the next set I try, however, I will buy the glue and see if I like it better.

If you have any questions, or comments, please pass them along! Again, thanks Christa for the awesome idea and instructions!

Here's the pics, sorry they're not the greatest. It was hard to capture the way they glow with or without the flash- so I used both. They look much better in person...

Thanks Christa & Sarah. I was actually going to buy some on-line but these look great!!

 

You both did a great job!!!

 

I am a little confused....

 

So you buy the white bags....are they just regular white bags?

then you print on vellum and gule the vellum to the bags? Is this correct?

 

I think I really want to try making these. I need to get a move on with my details for the wedding. I haven't done anything!!!

 

Thanks for sharing!

My question is along the same lines as Kristi...

 

Do you just glue the vellum to the bag or do you cut out part of the bag and glue the vellum over the hole?

 

They all look great! Good job ladies!

I just cut out the vellum and used double-stick tape to affix it directly on the bag- don't need to cut the bag, but make sure you are placing your paper on the side of the bag without the seam (I did one that way by mistake and the seam makes a dark line down the bag).

They are just regular white lunch sacks. I cut about 4inches off mine.

WOW! Sarah and Christa you girls did a great job. I wasn't going to do these because we are having our reception on the 3rd floor of the resort and the patio/inside La Nao and the girl from the knot who just got married there said the wind wasn't a big deal with the candles. But now looking at these maybe I should make some to go up the steps from the beach to resort.

Oh, no no no Sarah! No worries. Believe me, I am so not a crafty person, so this is a big thing for me that I'm even considering doing this.

Yours look fantastic! Darker ink definitely makes a big difference. And they do look great when lit up in the dark (we did that last night). Your presentation was much nicer than mine

I will try on w/our logo when I get a new printer cartridge - cuz I know all the blues are done on ours! Actually, I think it's cheaper to buy a new printer - how rediculous is that?

You glue or tape the vellum directly on the bag.