Today I made my Sparkler Farewell DIY inspired by (or copied from) Twig & Thistle featured on SMP here http://www.stylemepretty.com/2008/10/28/diy-project-custom-sparklers/

The DIY instructions from the post are pretty complete. However, the huge missing link has been the template. So, I took matters into my own hands and made my own template… IN WORD! I do not own or operate any design software programs other than what came with Microsoft office. However, I was able to create my own template in word using the columns.

Sorry for the glare but there is my template, made and printed from Word. I set up the columns to the measurements of the glassine bags that I purchased from www.loopcreations.com. Once the columns were set up I added a background color and texture. Even though yellow isn’t my main wedding color I chose to use it because the sparklers are gold and I thought it looked nice. Then I inserted a jpg I designed (also in word) with some fonts I downloaded. I chose to have “Farewell” on the insert as opposed to our names or date (I already have that in enough of the decor). After I made the template, which took more than a few hours of testing and re-testing. The rest was simple!

Collect the supplies, print, cut, assemble.

I printed on iradescent paper that I had laying around at work. It’s like champagne with a sparkle!

I got a simple and cheap trimmer - much easier than scissors.

I used an exacto knife to cut the slits for the sparklers.

Insert the sparklers. I chose all gold sparklers.

And TADA!

I made 50 in about an hour after the template was done. I didn’t even need bridesmaids to help… just a little friend to keep me company: Beau.

When I saw this project I thought it was really cute and since I work at an ad agency I’m a sucker for packaging. I hope that to our guest this will be the last thing of the night that makes them feel special as they share our  wedding day.