I wanted to share a wonderful technique that I found on one of my favorite blog spots, Little Birdie Secrets (www.littlebirdiesecrets.blogspot.com). What a wealth of information I have had since I subscribed to this blog! I just love it! The particular tutorial used in this application is the "Napkin Card Tutorial" (No. 48 under "Favorite Tutorials"). It was the answer to my prayers. Let me start from the beginning...
It was during my last card making class that my story takes place. One of my students brought along a guest. She was a young, darling bride to whom I was instantly drawn. During the course of our conversation, I found she was interested in learning ideas for her wedding, namely wedding invitations. She was on a strict budget and planned to make most everything herself. She brought with her a wedding invitation kit she found on clearance at a craft store. She said the colors were all wrong, but she was going to use them anyway when my student encouraged her to wait, come along to my class, and speak to me to see if there wasn't some way to make these invitations more personal and professional.
I spoke to her briefly before class to get to know her, find out the colors of her wedding and what she had in mind, as well as her budget for invitations (which I knew was quite limited). She was the sweetest young bride and I just knew I had to find a way to help her as best I could. After all, every bride deserves a beautiful wedding and that begins with the invitations, right? After class, I thought it over long and hard. My husband and I discussed how sweet this young lady truly was--she was warm and kind and so very naive--her naivety reminded me of myself when I got married (a million years ago, lol!). We both agreed that we had to do something to help her, so I decided to take on the job.
That night as I lay in bed, my mind was reeling with ideas. I remembered her sweet face, the style of her clothing, her demeanor, and began to put a design together in my mind. Of course, once my mind gets going, there is no stopping it. Let's just say that sleep was a fleeting thought, lol! My main concern was how to do this job utilizing as much of the invitation kit the bride had left with me, while keeping my expenses to a minimum. I worried about covering and/or replacing the kit cardstock with pretty paper and what an expense that could end up to be.
The next morning I awoke on a mission. Still in my p.j.'s, I grabbed my cup of coffee and turned on my computer to check my email. I thought surely I'd find some ideas from the various blogs to which I subscribe. I scanned my email and, to my surprise, there was an email from Little Birdie Secrets with a napkin card tutorial! I was completely intrigued, read through the entire email and then headed out to the blog to see if I could find even more information. I knew immediately my prayers had been answered and it wasn't long before I was dressed and ready to shop at our local party supply store for the perfect napkins.
Instead of buying sheets and sheets of pricey decorator paper, I purchased two packages of black and white damask dinner napkins at the party supply store. I hurried home to begin this new technique--I couldn't wait to try it! I gently peeled apart the layers of napkin and used my hot, dry iron to apply them to my white cardstock, using the plastic cling wrap the tutorial prescribed. The process couldn't have been easier--I was surprised! I instantly knew this was the answer to my dilemma! The result was stunning. It actually felt like fabric to the touch and lent an expensive, sophisticated air to the project.
I used this new technique for the damask background on the invitations and was able to get three invitations from each napkin. I then used my Big Kick to emboss silver metallic cardstock that I matted on black cardstock and placed on top of the damask background.
The next step was to typeset the invitation. I used my computer program, choosing pretty fonts and printed it on vellum paper. I embossed a line 1/4 inch from each edge all the way around, added black sparkly scroll Glitter Tape at the bottom edge, and placed the vellum overlay on the white cardstock from the original invitation kit, using glue dots in the upper corners only.
The monogram. I used my Cricut machine and Storybook cartridge to cut the plaque with its frame (Marque1 and frame), as well as the monogram (Fancy letters). After gluing the frame to the plaque, I cut the initials of the bride and groom's first names from charcoal metallic cardstock and glued them flush to the plaque. I then adjusted my size larger on the Cricut machine, cut the first initial of the groom's last name from silver sparkle cardstock, and popped it up in the center of the plaque with pop dots. The monogram plaque was then placed atop white satin embossed ribbon from my own stash. I found a few rolls leftover from sewing my niece's baptism gown many years ago. Everything came together just perfectly!
For the response cards, I was again able to use the white cardstock from the kit, mounting it atop black cardstock
The bride and groom came this past Sunday morning to see their invitations for the first time. They were so surprised and excited, smiling from ear to ear. With tears in her eyes, the bride hugged me tight and whispered, "You will never know just how appreciative I truly am!". But just the look on their faces was thanks enough--my heart was warmed by their joy.
In the end, I would like to give a hearty thanks to Little Birdie Secrets for sharing so many wonderful ideas. I will definitely use this method again. It was well worthwhile!
Thanks for stopping by!
Merilee
Merilee
Recipe Ingredients: Papers: Metallic Silver, Charcoal - Recollections; Silver Sparkle - DCWV The Glitter Cardstock Matstack; White - Bride's Wedding Collection Invitation Kit; Vellum - Staples
Napkins: 1hr Ideal Home Range - Grandeur White Black
Embellishments: Glitter Tape - Recollections; White Satin Embossed Ribbon - Walmart Bridal Ribbon Selections
Tools: Cricut Expression; Storybook Cricut Cartridge; Big Kick; Embossing Folder - Sizzix/Tim Holz - Damask; Corner Punch - EK Success; Martha Stewart Crafts - Scoreboard; Merilee Lane Personalized Stamp - PSA Essentials
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