Admittedly, I am not much of a seasonal decorator, however, I do play hostess to an annual Halloween party where I try out crafty tricks and treats, one of my favorites being the graveyard of sandwiches.

The original idea called for an assortment of salad (chicken salad, tuna salad, etc) fillings, but we prefer roast beef and soft cheese (for veggie lovers I use marinated Portobello in lieu of meat). I also commissioned my neighbor to weld a brander, so I could toast cross markings into the sandwiches instead of decorating with condiments.

In pre-Paper Source days I used greens as the ground covering for these bites. This year, I decided to freshen up the party offerings. So, for this Halloween inspiration, I am giving you three additional ways to present spirited sandwiches.

1. The Playful Knoll – Add a little whimsy to the graveyard presentation by using moss paper and scissors (also consider: Die Cut Fall Leaves)

2. The Vampy Sammy – Let your vampire-loving friends know you are hip to their scene by nestling your bites into origami coffins using black cover weight and parchment paper.

3. The Tangled Web of Vittles – Take a tip from our first guest blogger and rubber stamp bakery paper with something spooky, wrapping and securing your sandwich with Martha Stewart Crafts Baker’s Twine. It’s the perfect presentation for lunchboxes or a lighter tribute to the season.

In what ways do you transform your Halloween handouts? Share your holiday tricks and treats.

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

–Annie
PS colors: peacock & paper bag
Latest fave: Spritzer Rubber Stamp Cleaner and Rubber Stamp Cleaning Pad

Materials needed:
How to PDF
Small Cellophane Bags
Tombstone Place Cards
8 1/2″ x 11″ Text Paper (Moss)
8 1/2″ x 11″ Cover Paper (Curry)
Tissue Paper (Black)
Satin Ribbon (Black 1/4″)
1/4” Round Hole Punch
2 1/8” Circle Hole Punch
Scissors
Ruler
Marker
Stapler
Double-Stick Tape
Treats

Instructions:
1. Fold a 3/4” flap at bottom edges of tombstones to fit bases of cellophane bags (diagram A). Decorate tombstones with flourishes and sayings.
2. Cut 4” squares from moss paper. Fold 3/4” flaps for base of grass. Cut over grown grass blades on “non-base” side (diagram B).
3. Tuck grasses and tombstones into cellophane bags, along with treats wrapped in black tissue paper. Leave a bit of black tissue paper peaking out at the tops of each bag and staple closed just off to the left side where it will be hidden by the full moon.
4. Punch 2 1/8” circles from curry paper. Punch two 1/8” holes and thread black ribbon in, out and through again to make a little bat. Cover staples with moon using double stick tape.

Here are a few of my classic 1, 2, 3… steps for making these spooktacular little boxes using our Halloween Witches 12×12 Paper (or try the text weight wrapping paper if you have lots of favors to make).

Step 1: Trim your top and bottom papers to 8″ x 8″. To make these 4″ x 4″ x 2″ square boxes we used the witch 12″ x 12″ and black 8.5″ x 11″ cover papers. You can make different sized mini boxes – simply flip the little lid up on the scoring board for easy to follow measuring guides (see above).

Step 2: For the base of the box, score at the 2″ and 6″ marks. Rotate and repeat.

Step 3: Cut the corners to create four flaps for taping/gluing.

Step 4: Using a glue stick or tape runner, apply adhesive on “reverse side” of flaps on both corners. Fold flaps inward as shown above in step 3 – raise the side wall and rub to secure. Repeat for the opposite corner.

Step 5: For the lid to the box, score at 2″ and 6 1/8″. Repeat steps 1–4. Finish with a Halloween rubber stamp in black ink on a round tag and tie with bookbinding thread!

Ooohhh, it’s so ghoulishly good!

–Linda
PS colors: chartreuse & pool
Latest fave: Silhouette SD Digital Cutting Tool and Peacock Cards & Envelopes

Annie’s button baby banner, featured earlier this year, was a perfect fit for our shower theme. We hung two rows spelling out “cute as a button, cute as can be”, which was also used in our invitation.

One of the best ways to make a shower extra special is to add a personal touch. We knew early on that we wanted to incorporate gumballs into our design as a nod to Heather’s father who is in the candy business. Large glass jars filled with white gumballs made for perfectly sweet table centerpieces. Our tables were covered in solid wrapping paper in sage and pool, and button decorations made from circle cards and circle labels dotted the table tops.

We love doing spectacular gift baskets for baby shower gifts – the baskets are reusable for the nursery and you can fill them with all kinds of adorable goodies. Honoring Heather’s personality, we created two gift baskets – one for “practical baby” and one for “stylish baby”.

To add drama to our space, we used a tree branch in a glass jar filled with more white gumballs to create a wish tree. Each guest wrote a wish for Heather or the baby on a leaf that was tied to the branch with satin ribbon. It made for such a charming decoration and is something Heather can keep for years to come (all the leaves will be put into an accordion album for safe keeping).

When designing the menu we had Heather in mind! For our afternoon shower, we made sure to include all of Heather’s favorite treats, including an extra large cupcake with plenty of frosting.

The right baby shower games can really make the event and can take as much or as little time to prepare as you want. We printed Baby Bingo grids onto A7 flat cards – an oldie, but goodie. For our Celebrity Moms game, we printed pictures of pregnant celebrities making sure to cover their eyes. The person who correctly guesses the most names wins. If you need make it even more challenging, have participants guess both the name of the celebrity as well as the name one of her children.

Finally, we wanted our guests to leave the shower with a little something. Glassine bags filled with tiny cookies sealed with a button label were the perfect finishing touch.

–Ann, Kristen & Liz
PS colors: peacock & fuchsia, lake & chocolate, night & curry
Latest fave: Cupcake Kit, Printable Labels, & Cavallini Wrapping Paper

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

Use our PDF template to cut out each cake shape for easy assembly, and choose any colored paper to create your own combination of “flavors”…red velvet…strawberry…dark chocolate!

Sweet!

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

Materials Needed:
How to PDF
8 1/2 x 11 Cover Paper (Superfine Soft White)
8 1/2 x 11 Text Paper (Shimmer Chocolate and Stardream Opal)
Xacto Knife or Scissors
Ruler
Cutting Mat (optional)
Bone Folder (optional)
Glue Stick
Scallop Scissors
Pencil

Getting Started:
Begin by printing the How to PDF and cutting out each cake part template. Cut along the solid lines only. Once finished, you should have 7 cake part templates (you will use the Step 2a template twice to create a total of 8 cake pieces). Next follow the instructions below along with the How to PDF for using each template with the paper listed or other paper you have selected.

Instructions:
1. Use each cake part template to cut out shapes from the colored papers creating all 8 cake parts.
2. With a bone folder, score and fold along the dotted lines as shown in each template.
3. Assemble the parts in numbered order – the templates will show you where to apply adhesive. Use the finished sample image as reference.

Create a bunch of these party favors to fill with yummy treats for your Halloween guests!

– Claudia
PS colors: curry & fuchsia
Latest fave: Mini Magnolia Paper Flower Kit

Materials Needed:
Pillow Favor Box Luxe Fino White
8 1/2″ x 11″ Ivory Inkjet Linen Bookcloth
1 1/4″ Gravel Circle Labels
8 1/2″ x 11″ Red Text Weight Paper
1″ Circle Hole Punch
1/8″ Super Tacky Tape
Scissors
Glue Stick

Instructions:
1. Begin to assemble the pillow favor box as instructed, but close only one end. The closed end will be the bottom of the mummy.
2. With scissors, cut slits into the linen bookcloth measuring approximately 1″ x 8 1/2″. Tear into strips being sure to clean off any excess paper backing.
3. Apply glue stick generously to the backs of the strips and cover the favor box in a criss-cross and overlapping pattern. Trim the edges.
4. Once the bookcloth has been applied, stick gravel circle labels in place as eyes. With a 1″ circle hole punch, punch out 2 round circles from red text weight paper and adhere with glue stick on top of gravel stickers as red eyeballs.
5. Cover the top and bottom portions of the eyes with linen strips and trim excess from sides.
6. Fill with candy!

Halloween Goodie Bags
What you might need: Papaya #10 Folded Backing • Small Cellophane Bag • Bone Folder • Metal Ruler or Straightedge • Black 1/4″ Satin Ribbon • Scrap Paper • Skeleton Rubber Stamp • White Colorbox Inkpad • Opaque White Embossing Powder • Heat Embossing Tool • 1/8″ Hole Punch

1. To create the skeleton tag, cut a piece of scrap paper to your desired size (I cut a 1 1/2” x 6” piece, which folds in half to create a 1 1/2” x 3” tag). Stamp the skeleton with the White Colorbox Inkpad, sprinkle with Opaque White Embossing Powder, shake off the excess, then heat emboss. Punch a hole in the top corner of the tag to attach to the bag with ribbon.
2. The #10 folded backing becomes a colorful liner for the cellophane bag. To do this, use a bone folder to score the backing card 2″ from the bottom, then fold to make an “L” shape. Insert the backing into the bag – the short folded portion will line the inside bottom of the bag, and the long portion will line the inside back of the bag. Make sure to place the backing against the back seam of the cellophane bag so the seam doesn’t show from the front.
3. Fill the bag with goodies!
4. Fold the top pre-scored portion of the backing card down over the top of the bag to close. Use a 1/8″ hole punch to punch holes through the bag itself where it intersects with the pre-punched holes in the card.
5. Feed 1/4″ Satin Ribbon through the holes and knot in the front. Before tying a bow, string the skeleton tag through the ribbon to attach.

That’s it, so easy! If you’re making several goodie bags, remember that it’s always easiest to work assembly-line style. So score and fold all of your #10 folded backings first, then cut all of the ribbon, then create all of your tags, and so on.

Valentine Goodie Bags
This lovely bag doubles as a Valentine’s Day card and a special gift! If you’re sharing home-baked treats, think about including the recipe with the gift. You can slip a recipe card in the back of the bag before closing, or attach it to the card itself.

What you might need: Blossom A2 Folded Card • 4bar Flat Card • Medium Cellophane Bag • Metal Ruler or Straightedge • Exacto Knife or Paper Trimmer • Scallop-edge Decorative Scissors • Sweetheart Stickers • Be Mine Rubber Stamp • Cherry Twinkle Embossing Powder • Ruby Colorbox Inkpad • Heat Embossing Tool • Double-sided Tape • Stapler

1. Lining the inside bottom of the cellophane bag with a note card will create a stiff, flat surface. Trim a 4bar flat card to 3″ x 4.875″ and place into the bottom of the bag.
2. Stack brownies or bar cookies inside the bag.
3. Fold the top of the bag down once to close, and staple to secure.
4. Use the Scallop-edge Scissors to trim the bottom of an A2 folded card, and decorate with Sweetheart Stickers.
5. Rubber stamp your message onto the front of the folded card, sprinkle with Cherry Twinkle Embossing Powder, shake off excess, then heat emboss.
6. Attach a small strip of double-sided tape to both the inside bottom edges of the folded card, and carefully position the card over the top of the closed bag. Press to seal and attach to the bag.

Kids Candy Favor Bags
These goodie bags make super festive and easy party favors for a kids birthday party! They can also be used as placecards since they can be personalized with the name of each guest.

What you might need: Grape 8.5″ x 11″ Cover Weight Paper • Metal Straightedge or Ruler • Exacto Knife or Paper Trimmer • Medium Cellophane Bag • Curry Dots Bracket Labels

1. To create the liner for the cellophane bag, trim the cover weight paper down to 5″ x 11″, and use a bone folder to score 3″ from the bottom. Fold the card into an “L” shape and insert into the bag, covering the inside bottom and back of the bag to hide the bag’s seam.
2. Fill the bag with goodies!
3. Write each guests’ name onto a label.
4. Fold the top of your bag down over the top of the paper lining, and seal with a label.

Warm Wishes Mug
This gift bag is sure to warm anyone’s heart. Fill a mug with packets of cocoa or tea… or better yet, blend your own mix (you can find lots of yummy recipes online). Top with a few confectioners’ marshmallows and cinnamon sticks, then place inside the bag after lining with a colored paper backing. A mitten shape card becomes a festive gift tag, embellished with satin ribbon stripes and bow.

Holiday Craft Kit Bag
Goodie bags don’t just have to be filled with food. This craft kit bag makes a wonderful party favor or gift for kids around the holidays. The best part is the goodies inside will keep them entertained for hours, and they’ll have their own work of art to take home! Fill a cellophane bag with assorted crafting supplies: small craft boxes, assorted cards & envelopes, stickers and labels, glitter, and adhesives (Zots, glue pens, etc.).

–Alanna
PS colors: gravel & plum
Latest fave: 2010 Paper Source Wall Art Calendar

The Theme: The best party planning advice I can give is to come up with a theme – it always makes for an event full of unexpected and fabulous details. A theme can be as simple as a color, a destination or an object. Use the theme to drive decorating decisions from invitations to favors to décor. For this shower I used our new fuchsia (it’s so hot and so very bachelorette) and polka dots as the base for all of my decorations.

The Invitation: Every great party starts with an equally great invitation – it sets the tone of the event. I printed the party details in a chocolate ink onto a fuchsia 5.5” square card then layered that onto a chocolate 6.25” square card. White and chocolate 1.25″ circle stickers served as festive polka dots. My finished invitation went inside fuchsia envelopes – I mean, who wouldn’t want to get that in the mail!

The Details: I live by the adage, “It’s the little things that count,” and parties too should be full of little details. I filled our classic square favor box with candy favors, banded it with a strip of fuchsia paper, and embellished with chocolate stickers and a tiny white bow. For a bachelorette party game we put together a simple (and slightly risqué) scavenger hunt. Instructions for the game were printed onto a white #10 card, which I trimmed slightly so it could be backed with a fuchsia #10 card to create a colorful border. Once again chocolate stickers (quite possibly the easiest way to decorate) are used for polka dots.

The Wow!: I know I just got done singing the praises of the details, but it’s also important to have a showpiece – think the tree at Christmas or the cake at a wedding. I picked up an old dress form at an antique store and dressed it in this stinkin’ adorable paper lingerie set. Despite its couture appearance, it couldn’t be simpler to create – make a form out of cardstock in the shape of lingerie, pleat tissue paper by folding over and under, then attach the tissue to your form. Accent with braided ¼” satin ribbon. I set the dress form behind the cocktails and it was indeed a show stopper.

Happy Planning!

–Ann
PS colors: moss & papaya
Latest fave: Fall Wreath Kit

Here’s a great way to dress up favor boxes with ribbon, rubber stamps and glitter glue. Layering violet and silver ink creates an elegant muted tone and can be done with any color combination (use any base color with silver on top).

Pick a ribbon, ink color and rubber stamp design to coordinate with your wedding or party theme!

– Claudia
PS colors: curry & fuchsia
Latest fave: Mini Magnolia Paper Flower Kit

Materials Needed:
Classic Square Favor Box
Leaves Rubber Stamp
Violet Color Box Inkpad
Quicksilver Color Box Inkpad
1/4″ Satin Ribbon
Stickles Glitter Glue
Scissors
Embossing Heat Tool (optional)

Instructions:
1. Rubber stamp an all-over pattern onto a flattened (unassembled) square favor box. For the two-tone effect first ink the rubber stamp with violet ink, then ink on top of the violet with silver ink. Repeat the inking process for each rubber stamp impression for best results.
2. Carefully blot the stamped favor box dry with clean scrap paper or heat set the ink with a heat embossing gun.
3. Once the stamped design is dry assemble the favor box as instructed.
4. Cut approximately 20″ of satin ribbon and tie around the box side panels, finishing with a bow.
5. Accent with glitter glue and set aside to dry.