50th Wedding Anniversary Invitations just about done!

I am getting serious about finalizing the invitations for my in-law's 50th wedding anniversary. This is my current final, final draft, awaiting final tweaks and approval.

Guests will open the white square envelopes to see a photo of honeymoon-bound teenagers with the inscription: "John and Mary Lou. The First 50 Years." It's meant to look like a record sleeve.

Flip it over and they'll see a present-day photo of their entire brood (that's me in the middle in the red). Their "greatest hits" include the major milestones of their marriage disguised as song titles. For instance, "Double Wedding Bells ('98)" was the year two of their boys were married (one of them to me). 

To the right of their greatest hits is a traditionally laid out invitation.

People will notice that this is a sleeve in which is enclosed the record invitation.

It's meant to look like an old time 45 record album of their last big hit "Return to the Scene of the Crime." Since they have chosen to renew their vows at the same little church where it all began, they have been jokingly referring to the celebration as returning to the scene of the crime.

As you rotate the record, the red arrow points to "Who" "What" "Why" etc and information appears in the cut out window.

RSVP postcards are included in a complementary color scheme.

And, in lieu of gifts, the happy couple would prefer that people fill a book with happy memories and wishes from friends. A paper band gives instructions to people to write something special on the sheets and return them at the celebration (or mail them, if not attending). The sheets will be bound into a book.

Hey Cancer Card Featured in MommyMishMash

Katy, of MommyMishMash, contacted me for three of my Cancer Cards. 

While I hate the idea that someone would need to place a quantity order of this particular card, I am glad that the empowering message can bring a little needed levity to someone in a tough situation.

Check out her blog, with a nice feature about the cards:

Cowboy Invitations

Before I got a Craft Robo or even a handy ATG gun, I had an X-acto knife and a glue stick...




The boys wanted a cowboy-themed party for their fourth birthday and I contrived this somewhat over-elaborate invitation.

As you pulled the tab on the right, the bucking bronco and cowpoke rode across the desert. At the same time, information about the party was revealed on the tab.



In retrospect, it wasn't a bad invitation, really! The tab's a little stiff and could use some work, but it was pretty cute back then...



I got a kick out of finding old Lone Ranger comic art and substituting my own quotes in place of the Lone Ranger and Tonto's conversation for their thank you notes....

Hot Dog!

June's just around the corner and with summer coming, I can't help but want... a party! Tad's gamely letting us host a little barbecue/potluck next month, to bring the neighbors together. We'll also celebrate the boys' 10th birthday party.

We did the same thing last year -- a neighborhood food fest with a little "Happy Birthday" party in the middle. It was very low key and just felt right (as opposed to the big themed partyzilla with decorations, clowns, goody bags, etc. Okay, I'll admit, I have done the over-the-top parties myself, but as they are a little older now, it feels right to take it down a few notches)

The hot dogs were my nod to frugality this year -- we're in the beginnings of a major home renovation, so we're a little budget conscious right now. The important thing, I think, will be getting together our friends and neighbors and having a good time.

The invitations are a simple cutout, with the front piece pivoting away from the back on a brad.

The artwork was free.... I found it in a big book of clip art that I already own.

Does anything say summer like a hot dog in an envelope?

These bright yellow envelopes were leftover from a long ago firetruck-themed party invitation I did for some friends. The sunny hues just scream SUMMER!

Yay!

Mmmmm.... yummy twine!

Have you, like me, been seeing baker's twine EVERYWHERE?

Sure it's divine and oh-so-yummy, but what's the deal? It's just string, right? And the prices that I'm seeing for it just seem outrageous ($10 for 100 yards? $.30 a YARD???) Forget it!

Then I found the deal of a lifetime (and by lifetime, I mean I'll be using this spool for an entire lifetime!) at $9 for 3,200 yards!

CRAZY!

Of course, you have to spend almost that again for shipping, but still...

Get your own at: http://www.wesellcoffee.com/page79.html

I plan to use this on EVERYTHING. I started with some new packaging for my card packages.

Check it out:



I like the cheerful red and white twine against the natural brown tissue paper.



What do you think?

World Cup Soccer Mania Invitations

A mom contacted me asking for invitations for a World Cup Soccer-themed party for her son.

I came up with the above -- the artwork just begged for a spinning invitation style, which worked beautifully.

The flags of all the countries competing this year really look wonderful on the perimeter of the wheel.

I doubt if I'll get anyone else wanting to purchase this invitation (World Cup is just not as big a deal in the States as it is in the rest of the world), but thought it worthwhile posting a generic version just to see... I'd love to see this artwork used again.

Here's my Etsy listing to purchase the World Cup Invitation.

Make a Pop-Up Card Starring Your Friend!

What's better than getting a pop-up card?

Getting a personalized pop-up card!

When the neighbors threw a party to celebrate four of the girls' birthdays, I made them these special cards, based on my Oompa Loompa card.

With your friend's picture, you can make a birthday card, I love you, just because, thank you... anything!

How can you do it? First download these three pdfs:

Extras:


Outside:
   

Inside:
 

Print these three pdfs onto two pieces of cardstock. The "Extras" file is printed on one piece. Print "Outside" on one sheet, turn it over, then print "Inside" on the other side.

Take a bone and score the Inside piece where it will fold, along the dotted line. Trim the Inside/Outside piece using the crop marks printed on the "Inside" piece. Fold along the score with the blue starburst on the inside.

Cut out one of the labels on the light grey lines (pick the one you want, either "Happy Birthday" or the blank one that you can write your own sentiment on).

Score the rectangular strip on the Extras sheet on the dotted lines. This will be the support for the pop-up. Cut it out and fold along the scores to form a rectangular "box."

Apply glue to sections "C" and "D" and adhere to the inside of the card, as shown below, lining up the crease with the crease of the card.

Hold down the rectangular piece as shown (side "B" will have no glue on it (yet) and will be held down flat on the card. Side "A" and the blank side will be facing up. Apply glue to side "A" then fold the card shut. When you open it, the rectangular piece should be in a box-like shape as shown on the lower right photo.

Open the card nearly flat so that you can easily apply glue to side "B."

Now you can attach the cut out photo of the person of your choice to the rectangular support (make sure to test to make sure that it is not so tall that it sticks out the top when the card is folded).

Here's the same card with my friends, Don and John on the inside -- aren't they cute?

Adhere the label on the front with pop-dots, so that it stands out from the card a bit.

I love pop-dots...

Enjoy!