With a little planning it was easy as ABC.

I love creating extra special invitations – it’s such a treat for your guests and we all love the feeling of receiving a delightful surprise in the mail. The invitation itself was simple – I added baby blocks at the bottom and printed my own ABC envelope liners (my favorite part). But what made this particularly fun for guests was that it arrived in an 8.5″ x 11″ envelope because also included was a scrapbook page for each guest to complete. Sometimes bigger is better and an oversized baby shower invite?…that’s unexpected.

Playing on the alphabet theme we mailed each guest a scrapbook page with one letter (we happened to have just the right number of guests to make this work). With an instruction card we asked them to design a page in the theme of their letter with baby related words, parenting advice or memories of Laura. We left it very open-ended and encouraged them to be creative. There is some risk when doing a project like this, as you never know if your guests will have the time or creative energy required. But, I must say, I was SO proud of everyone – the ABC pages were absolutely adorable.

B is for Babysitter – with a list of important information to prepare for sitters

N is for Neighborhood – with a map of where the baby will first live marked with the parents’ favorite spots

U is for Ultrasound – with a place for Laura to slide in an ultrasound picture

So creative, right? And visually stunning whether painted, drawn, or collaged…

We displayed a few at the shower and they will all be turned into a keepsake book for Laura and the baby. It’s a true collection of thoughtful messages from the important women in Laura’s life.

P.S. Stay tuned for another post about the baby shower game we played and how our new Zutter machine brought it all together.

–Kristen
PS colors: peacock & chocolate
Latest fave: Satin Ribbon

As we walked past the printable label sheets, I saw our decorative scissors out of the corner of my eye. “Let’s cut the circle stickers in half with the scallop scissors to make umbrellas,” I said. The hostess loved the idea and we thought you would too.

Here’s what we used:

• Poppy A7 Note Cards

• Pool A7 Envelopes

• Poppy 4” Round Labels

• Pool 2 ½” Round Labels

• Old Claude Rubber Stamp – Letter J (for the umbrella handle!)

• VersaMark Watermark Inkpad

• VersaMarker Pen

• Silver Embossing Powder

• Black Sparkle Embossing Powder

• Embossing Heat Tool

• Scallop Scissors

• White Foldover Treat Bags

We also created three Word documents, using Century Gothic as the typeface because the roundness echoed the umbrella shape.

For the 2 ½” Circle Labels: Split in two halves, with the name of the bride on one half for use on the invitation, and name of the guest on the other half to use on the treat bag

For the 4” Circle Labels: Split in two halves for addresses for the envelopes

For the A7 flat cards: Format for the invitation, including space for the umbrella

Once we had the labels printed and cut in half with the scallop scissors, we created the umbrellas as follows:

1. Stamp and emboss the Old Claude J stamp for the handle

2. Layer the scalloped half-circle label over the J to create the umbrella (the treat bag was folded over so the umbrella seals the bag)

3. Add a pointed triangle on top of the umbrella with narrow end of VersaMarker Pen and emboss

There are so many color combos you could use – think fuchsia and eco-white for a baby girl shower, lake and bluebell for a baby boy shower, chartreuse and blossom for a preppy bride – the options are endless! You could even do a dramatic black and white variation if you used our favorite uniball white gel pen to write the names on black labels.

–Sharon, Highland Park store manager
PS colors: fig & strawberry
Latest fave: Purple Bird Pocket Mirror

Since the invitations were the first thing that guests would experience, we wanted them to be perfect. It’s so true that your invitations set the tone for your event – we received lots of calls after people received these, so excited to see what was in store. I printed the invitations at home using our Quilted Frame Embossed Printable Party Invitations, then mounted them to blossom flat cards. Enclosed with each invitation was a paper t-shirt, along with a note explaining to guests that they should write a special message to Kelly and decorate their t-shirt in any way.

We asked everyone to bring their t-shirts to the shower where we clipped them to our clothes line centerpiece with miniature wooden clothes pins. It was wonderful to see what people created and it turned our gift table into a focal point. After the shower, I collected all of the t-shirts and will put them into an album for Kelly along with photos from the shower – something she, and the baby, can enjoy for years to come.

I was never a fan of shower games until I experienced Baby Jeopardy as presented by my amazingly creative co-worker (and baby shower hostess extraordinaire), Ann. I knew this game would be perfect for our shower – it brings guests together, allows people to interact, and reveals fun tidbits about the parents-to-be.

See our previous baby shower post where Ann describes how to construct the game board – a fun keepsake for your guest of honor. And because you’ve asked us in the past, here are a few ideas for questions: What was mommy/daddy-to-be’s first word? What quality of mommy-to-be does daddy-to-be hope the baby inherits (and vice versa)? What is mommy-to-be most looking forward to doing once the baby comes? Gathering this information takes a little stealthy coordination with relatives, but it’s well worth it!

To finish off our event, we wanted guests to leave with a small token – a little something sweet in hand painted duck cookies (made with love by my mother). It was the perfect way to end this very special day.

–Kristen
PS colors: peacock & chocolate
Latest fave: Satin Ribbon

It is just the beginning, but the tree and color scheme provided perfect inspiration for her upcoming baby shower. Here’s a glimpse of the invitations (stay tuned: shower details coming later this month!).

Can you guess the Paper Source products used to create this look? Given this nursery as inspiration, what Paper Source products come to mind for you?

– Liz
PS colors: night & curry
Latest fave: Cavallini Wrapping Paper

Our favorite part – it features one of our brand new colors…persimmon!

–Annie
PS colors: gravel & beet
Latest fave: Japanese 8 1/4″ Scissors

Materials Needed:
How to PDF
5 3/4″ square persimmon envelope
circle cards (khaki, moss & chocolate)
8 1/2″ x 11″ cover paper (curry, persimmon & eco-white)
scissors
pen & pencil
double-stick tape

Instructions:
1. Prepare your ingredients as shown in the How to PDF. Cut out the burger bun and lettuce leaf from circle cards. Cut out cheese, tomatoes, and onions from cover weight paper.
2. Write your invitation welcome line on the top bun. Write your event info on the cheese slice.
3. Build your burger with double stick tape to adhere layers using PDF diagram.
4. Mail to party guests, yum!

Please note, square envelopes require $.20 extra postage, but it’s worth it!

Show us what you create with our paper dolls – upload your photos to our Facebook page to inspire our fans!

–Annie
PS colors: gravel & beet
Latest fave: Tree Trunk Tea Light and Japanese 8 1/4″ Scissors

Originally the baby envelope was only to add visual interest, but in the end guests loved it because inside the envelope we included a small card with the bride and groom’s registry information. Instead of carrying around the whole invitation, guests could slip the small registry card into their wallet – so handy for when they’re out shopping.

Good job, Mom – they’re beautiful!

–Kristen
PS colors: lake & chocolate
Latest fave: Printable Labels

If you’ll be hosting or planning a bridal shower or bachelorette party anytime this year, this invites workshop is just what you need to get your ideas percolating and your DIY skills honed. So you can throw a party everyone will talk about for months to come! Space is limited to only six seats per store for this intimate creative experience. Sign up early!

WHAT: Perfect Shower Invites Workshop
WHERE: All Paper Source stores
WHEN: Thursday, February 25 from 6-8:30pm
HOW: Visit our workshop page to find your store & purchase your $35 ticket. (Save 10% when you sign up with a friend!)

–Linda
PS colors: chartreuse & pool
Latest fave: 2010 Paper Source Letterpress Calendar

When lining Paper Source envelopes, the trick is to use our Envelope Liner Template Kit, which comes with traceable plastic templates in 7 envelope sizes. Check out our How-to Video where our beloved founder Sue will show you how to make envelope liners, and keep you entertained along the way.

Enjoy, and, as Sue will remind you, Do Something Creative Every Day!

– Cindy
PS colors: pool & red
Latest fave: Dutch Woodcut Floral Wrapping Paper

A sheer ribbon tied around one half of the Sapphire folder secured the response card and envelope in place, and created a lovely embellishment for the closed invitation. Each envelope was lined with the Italian paper for a fully finished look.

Knowing that she would be having a photo booth at her wedding, Sarah wanted to create her own guest book that would hold the memories captured in the photo booth that day. Using a photo album kit, she created a one-of-a-kind guest book covered in the same Italian paper.

As guests took photos in the photo booth, they used photo corners to add them to the guest book and signed personal messages on the bright white pages. A true keepsake for the bride and groom!

Sarah used 3D Star Kits covered in the Italian print to create large dimensional decorations for her wedding venue. Sprinkled around her candy bar, they were a fun and elegant way to carry out her theme.

Simple layered wedding programs made with the same Sapphire cardstock used for the wedding invitations were a nice wedding day detail. What I especially love about Sarah’s wedding programs are the memories she has of assembling them the morning of her wedding. Though some brides would feel anxious at the idea of leaving something to be done just hours before the wedding, Sarah fondly remembers how this relaxing distraction kept her cool as a cucumber before the hustle and bustle of hair and makeup began.

Completing her overall theme, Sarah worked with her florist and shared her inspiration print, which led to wonderfully coordinated floral arrangements. The same oranges and blues highlighted in the signature Italian paper were brought to life through beautiful bridal bouquets and centerpieces. Indeed no detail was missed for this extraordinary affair!

And here they are – the beautiful couple! Many thanks to Sarah for sharing her inspiration and photographs. May you continue to find creative inspiration in your life and marriage, and continue to inspire others with your thoughtful, original ideas.

–Kristen
PS colors: lake & chocolate
Latest fave: Decorative Atomizers