Hosting a Baby Shower – Part I: Invitations April 8, 2009

I am hosting a baby shower for my sister-in-law, DeAnna, and it has been one of the funnest parties to organize.  I recently got into Stampin’ Up.  It’s a great company that is family-owned and operated that allows you to create your own cards and scrapbook pages.  To learn more, go to their website.

Here is a sample of the invitation I made:

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First find out what colors the new baby’s room are going to be decorated with.  For DeAnna it was pink, brown and a bright green.  I used the brown paper as the base and the pink/green for added color and embellishments.  To make the card, follow these easy steps.  While making these cards, always remember that: “No one will notice the flaws that you do.”

For the base of the card:

1. Cut your base paper, in this case brown, down the middle so you get a piece that is 4.25″ x 11″.
2. Score the base paper paper in half, at the 5.5″, and at 1″ for the lip of the card.
3. Use a corner punch (1) on all four corners.
4. To embellish the lip of the card use a roller stamp (2) or an embosser (3).  **For more depth, use an eyelet punch (4) on the edge of the lip.

For the layer of the card:

1. Cut your layer into 4.25″ x 4.25″ squares.
2. Tape the back of the layer.
3. Line the edge with the bottom of the card (at the 5.5″ score) then secure in place.

To finish the card:

1. Tape down the lip of the card.
2. Tape down the base of the card (on the inside between the two scored positions).  **Be sure not to tape too far to the center or the insert will not slide in smoothly.

For the insert of the invitation:

1. Cut paper into 3″ x 4.25″ pieces.
2. Cut a different colored paper into 2.75″ x 4″
3. Round the corners of both pieces with a corner punch (1), if desired.
4. Cut out a tab with the tab punch (5) or use a rectangular piece folded in half.
5. Tape all pieces together.
6. Write the desired baby shower information onto the insert.  **I used a stamp as my template and added other stamped images.

Ideas for additional embellishments:

1. Use 2 rhinestone brads to secure the lip in place.
2. Use 2 eyelets to secure the lip in place.
3. Add a flower to the card.
4. Use other brads found at craft stores to suit the theme of your party.
5. GET CREATIVE!

Now you’ve completed your invitations and they are ready to be mailed out to your guests.  As a general rule, send the cards about 4 weeks in advance.

Quick Tip – don’t make the cards too thick with too many embellishments or you will have to pay extra postage for “special handling”.

Images of the tools I used on this project:

(1) Ticket Corner Punch from Stampin' Up

(2) Roller Stamp from Stampin' Up

(3) Brass Plate Embosser from Stampin' Up

(4) Eyelet Border Punch from Stampin' Up

(5) Round Tab Punch from Stampin' Up

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