Weddingbee Blog

After our issues with the baker’s twine leaving grease spots on our STD envelopes, I decided to do a series of very scientific tests to figure out the effects of said twine on the paper supplies we have purchased in order to make our invitations.

To complete this experiment, I obviously followed the scientific method:

Image Credit: ICT Qatar

So, here’s how my experiment played out.

1. Make observations: Awhile back I observed how pissed I was when my twine made large, nasty, greasy spots on my STD envelopes. I observed how I plan to use the same twine and envelopes for our invitations and decided I needed to see what makes these spots appear.

2. Form Hypothesis to Explain Observations: I hypothesized that because I stored our STDs in a large stack on top of one anther, the weight of the magnets caused the twine, which was predisposed to greasiness, to leave unsightly marks on my STD envelopes. I further hypothesize that if I were to store a twine-covered object in an envelope without stacking them together, the greasy spots would not appear at all or would not be as prevalent. I further hypothesized that an envelope liner would prevent any spots on the envelopes.

3. Perform Experiments: All right, in my first experiment, I added two different envelope liners to my envelopes. One covered the entire front of the envelope, while the other only covered half. I added a twine-covered sample invite to the envelope. I then set the full envelopes in a box for about a week and let them do their thing. These are the results:

Pretty much what I expected. Very few signs of grease and ugly spots, which I highlighted for your convenience since they are difficult to see in these crappy pictures.

Then, we kicked things up a notch by putting the putting the envelopes under a pile of magazines for a week or so (exact time and amount of pressure unknown, but that’s irrelevant, right scientists?). This is what happened to them after adding the weight of the magazines:

Front of half-lined envelope

Notice the spot running from the left to the center and down through the second “1″ in the zip code to the bottom. (It’s hard to see, but it is there.)

Fully lined envelope is all clear!

Half-lined envelope back with serious (blurry) spots

Back of other envelope

Mother effing spots. Again. I actually expected this, so even though I was pissed to see those gross spots again, I was pleased that science was not failing me. Or necessitating an adjustment of my hypothesis wherein I would end up like the angry man stuck in the middle of the picture chart above, banging on the table with no arrows out.

4. The Hypothesis Is Now a Theory! Miss Pony has a theory, everybody! Recognize!

5. Collect Relevant Data Over a Long Period of Time: Do Google searches during commercial breaks count? I am pretty sure I am the pioneer of this research and I don’t need any other relevant data to compare my research, so I’m skipping this.

6. Theory Is Now a Law: A LAW! Something I (sometimes) understand! Without further ado, Miss Pony’s law of twine:

Twine will leave grease spots on your envelopes if they are stored under any amount of weight or for an extended period of time. To avoid spots, invites cannot be packaged in advanced, or they require lining the envelope.

All must uphold and obey this law. For-ev-er. Not really, but I hope this will help someone from being disappointed by nasty grease spots on their paper products from seemingly innocent twine.

What are your thoughts on my experiment? Do you like to experiment with things before committing or just go with it?

Personal photos unless otherwise sourced