Because I’m a Paper Source employee and former invitation designer, my hostesses felt some stress when coming up with an invitation for the event but, after a bit of collaboration, we came up with the most darling idea using our die-cut butterfly cards. (Note: Layout was a little tricky, but we just kept testing on white printer paper until it was perfect. Then, we used removable double-stick tape to attach the butterflies to a full sheet and fed them one-by-one through the printer.) At the shower, there was a matching banner and little butterfly gift tags to tie the entire theme together.

I was also introduced to a great new baby shower game – Midnight Advice. A tiny, newborn diaper was given to each guest. They then used a permanent marker to share words of wisdom, love or humor. The diapers were collected and I read each out loud. A few of the best included…

“Make daddy change me.”
“The rule is, if the baby is crying, you can too.”
“Next time use protection.”

My favorite won a small prize…“If you are reading this, you have it on backwards. It’s okay, it will probably only last an hour or so.” And, I won a collection of caring words and funny advice to get me through the night – not to mention some much-needed diapers!

It was such a wonderful time to get together and share in the joy of all things tiny and pink!

–Ann
PS colors: gravel & plum
Latest fave: 2012 Paper Source Kraft Grid

I used my newfound labeling skills to spruce up the envelopes for a friend’s bridal shower invitations. The wrap-around address labels were the finishing touch that the invitations needed to make them look complete and professionally crafted. It was all courtesy of my Xyron, a little imagination, and other crafting essentials (awesome postage stamps never hurt either!).

Here’s how to create these lovely envelopes:
1. Using this editable address labels template PDF I created, fill in names and addresses. Print the labels on 8 1/2 x 11 text weight paper in superfine soft white.
2. For straight edges, cut out the individual labels with the Guillotine Trimmer.
3. Run each label through the Xyron Create A Sticker!
4. Fold each label where it will wrap around the envelope using a bone folder.
5. Separate the label from the Xyron paper and place on envelope.

Voila! Your labels are done! If you want to add a bit more pizzazz, use the handy dandy envelope liner template kit to trace and cut out liners. For my project, I used Paper Source wrapping paper, but any print wrap will do. Use double-sided tape to adhere the liner to the envelopes. You can also cut out one-inch circles with a hole punch and run them through the Xyron to create envelope seals. Put it all together and you get something simple and beautiful, just like those old sticker books.

–Mary Vasquez – PS customer
PS colors: paper bag & moss
Latest fave: 2011 Paper Source Wall Art Calendar

Inspired by Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar and all of the Paper Source circle card and sticker options, I started playing with baby shower invitation ideas. My first thought was to use 1 1/4″ circle stickers to create a little bookworm on an A7 folded card with hand written details on the inside, but I quickly realized my handwriting wouldn’t look so pretty after 50 invitations! This card idea, did however, turn out to work perfectly for coordinating thank you notes, which I presented to the mom-to-be as a gift.

Next I experimented with printable circle stickers layered onto 5 1/2″ circle cards to create the body of the bookworm. I tried using ribbon to connect the circle cards together but it wasn’t providing the structure I needed to hold the bookworm’s shape. My co-worker suggested using colored brads instead… brilliant!

We knew a baby boy was on the way, so I focused on a playful color palette of chartreuse, pool, and poppy. After punching 1/4″ holes into pool circle cards (don’t forget, the outer circle cards for the head and tail end only need one punch), I used pool brads to secure the circle cards together. To add contrast, I printed the shower details onto chartreuse 4″ circle stickers. I think I’m good at eyeballing and centering without measuring, but I’m really not… so, in the interest of time and “mass” production I went for a fun (and intentional) off-center look layering the printed stickers onto the circle cards. It ended up giving the bookworm a nice sense of movement!

To create the face, I used eco-white 1 1/4″ circle stickers and punched 1/2″ circles out of chartreuse stickers to create bright eyes and half of a poppy 2 1/2″ circle sticker for a friendly smile. The antennae I made from a short length of poppy 1/4″ satin ribbon topped with poppy 1 1/4″ circle stickers (sticking two stickers front to back keeps them from sticking to anything else). A small dab of craft glue anchored the ribbon antennae to the back of the bookworm’s head.

Because of the brads the invitation easily folds over itself and fits into a poppy 5 3/4″ envelope. The guests were completely wow-ed when they received the invitations in the mail! The leftover circle cards and stickers from this project came in handy when decorating for the baby shower! For a super easy banner I stuck 4″ circle stickers (each printed with a letter) back to back along 1/4″ satin ribbon. And I made a table runner using a roll of pool roll wrap embellished with 1/4″ circle stickers in the form of little hungry caterpillars along the edges!

Now that Baby Nicholas has arrived, “Aunt” Jane is already plotting themes for his 1st birthday party! I do love that Octopus wrapping paper…

– Jane
PS colors: pool & papaya
Latest fave: 2010 Paper Source Grid Calendar

We will teach you to make frighteningly fun party decorations including coffin invitations, spider-webbed favors, bootiful candy corn placecards, and more. These Halloween goodies are sure to inspire a festive night of Trick-or-Treat fun for all ages! All you’ll need to come up with is the perfect Halloween costume!

Even if you aren’t planning a Halloween party, you’ll be able to use the tips and tricks you learn in this class for craft projects and party planning any time of year. Sign up now, seats are limited.

WHAT: Halloween Deadcorations
WHERE: All Paper Source stores
WHEN: Saturday, October 10. Times vary, see store for details.
HOW: Visit our workshop page to find your store & purchase your $45 ticket.

–Linda
PS colors: chartreuse & pool
Latest fave: Saddle Stitch Notebooks

In my quest to perfectly adhere our 1 1/2″ Satin Ribbon to the wedding invitations I reviewed all the standard options. Glue stick? Messy and time consuming. Double-sided tape? Would create visible ridge from the tape’s edges. Zots? Bumpy and lumpy. Liquid glue? Would soak through the ribbon creating splotches. Ugh! I was out of options.

Thankfully, I don’t give up easily. I spied our Baby Xyron, a great little machine that turns almost anything into a sticker – including ribbon… Aha! The results could not have been better. The ribbon adhered smoothly to the paper and the process was clean and quick. The final product was more than I’d hoped for – perfect wedding invitations with an elegant ribbon embellishment. I also layered on a 1/4″ Satin Ribbon with a little knot in reference to the happy occasion.

Read on for a list of materials and instructions needed to create wedding invitations in the style I did for my sister. The printed wedding invitation (so easy using our online print templates) accented with the satin ribbons is mounted onto a backing creating layers or textures and colors. A beautiful design for any special occasion!

–Sarah, Paper Source Oak Park Store
PS colors: rhubarb & moss
Latest fave: Owl Placecard Kit

Materials Needed:
A7 flat cards (backing)
A7 enclosure flat cards (printed invitation)
1 1/2″ Satin Ribbon
1/4″ Satin Ribbon
Baby Xyron
Baby Xyron refills
Zots
Quick Dry Adhesive
Scissors

Instructions:
1. Print the invitation onto A7 enclosure flat cards leaving enough room between the text for the ribbon embellishment. Try our Script and Serif invitation template and add a couple extra lines of space. Additional invitation print templates are available on our website.
2. Cut the 1 1/2″ Satin Ribbon into 6″ strips and guide it through the Baby Xyron. Be careful not to move too quickly or the ribbon may bunch or fold as it goes through. Time saver: pull the whole ribbon spool through the Xyron, then cut the 6″ strips.
3. Pull off the waxy backing from the Xyron adhesive and place the ribbon (adhesive side down) onto each printed invitation. Wrap the ends around the back and secure.
4. Cut 6″ strips of the 1/4″ Satin Ribbon and tie a knot in the center. Place the knotted ribbon over the 1 1/2″ ribbon, wrapping the ends around the back of the invitation, then secure on the back with Zots.
5. Apply a thin line of Quick Dry Adhesive to the edges of the back of the printed invitation (you don’t need much) or apply Zots. Layer the printed invitation onto the A7 flat cards to create the backing.

For an unexpected way to present my wedding invitations, I placed them inside A7 box mailers wrapped with a paper band stamped with the Cottage Bloom. This would be the first peek for my guests at the theme to come. Was the box mailer necessary? Maybe not, but expectations were high and my guests raved about receiving them in the mail! You can mail them in a number of ways – seal the box closed with stickers, then add a label and postage to the box lid…or wrap the box in cellophane and add a label and postage.

To incorporate the Cottage Bloom icon on my wedding day, I stamped them onto my menu cards and table tents. I printed the menu details onto Luxe Cream Fino 5” flat cards, then layered them onto Chocolate 5.5” flat cards, which were displayed at each place setting.

I used Luxe Cream Fino Table Tents to display table names, as well as to create a sign for the guestbook table. To create these I rubber stamped the Cottage Bloom design along the left edge of the table tent, then created a band using 1 1/2” Chocolate Satin Ribbon. Two layered flat cards contained the printed information – all super easy and high impact. I continued the theme by using the rubber stamps on our hotel gift bags, wedding programs, and even on our thank you cards!

All in all the wedding details looked beautiful (if I do say so myself), and all of the elements were very easy and economical to create. I’m now a rubber stamp believer – if I can stamp, so can you!

–Heather
PS colors: night & chartreuse
Latest fave: Satin Ribbon

I’m a sucker for a pop-up, so I knew I had to incorporate one into a spooky Halloween party invitation this year. There’s just something about the unexpected three-dimensional experience that instantly puts a smile on your face… and then, like a self-proclaimed geeky engineer, you can’t resist opening and closing it to see the mechanics behind it all. Creating a pop-up is actually quite simple, and once you learn, you’ll want to add pop-up elements to all your party invitations and greeting cards. Go ahead, let your inner geeky engineer shine!

–Annie
PS colors: eco-white & pool
Latest fave: 12″ Guillotine Trimmer — great for cutting large sheets of paper!

Materials Needed:
A7 Folded Cards Chartreuse
Bat Rubber Stamp
For, Date, Time, Place Rubber Stamp
Graphite Black Brilliance Pigment Ink Pad
8 1/2″ x 11″ Black Text Weight Paper
Adhesive Crystals
4″ Round Labels
1/4″ Super Tacky Tape
Scissors
Bonefolder
Ruler
Pencil
PDF Template

Instructions:
1. Using Graphite Black ink pad, stamp bat images onto the inside of a folded card. Have fun by stamping them every which way…even up-side-down!
2. Trace and cut out the large bat shape from black text weight paper using PDF Template.
3. Fold the large bat shape where indicated (see image A on PDF template). Confirm the placement of the bat inside the card by holding it in place, then opening and closing the card. When satisfied, adhere super tacky tape to the bat as shown (see image B on PDF template). Stick one side of the bat into place with all parts folded, then fold the card closed on top of folded bat – this will adhere the second side of bat to the card.
4. Create eyes by placing adhesive crystals on large bat’s face.
5. Stamp For, Date, Time, Place below the bat on card inside right panel. Fill in your Halloween party details.
5. For the card front, print “You’re invited to…” onto a 4″ round Eco-White printable label that will look like a moon. Adhere in place and stamp one bat next to moon sticker.

1. Rubber stamp robot images across the top of the invitation (here we used the robot chrome head, robot glass dome head, and robot square head).

2. After allowing ink to dry, get creative adding color to your robots with colored pencils.
3. Fill in the party details and you’re ready to send.
Pair with the robot cupcake toppers to complete the party theme!

– Annie
PS colors: eco-white & pool
Latest fave: Zots Glue Dots