Julie Campbell
There are so many occasions when being crafty comes in very handy! I recently hosted my sister’s bridal shower, and my paper crafting skills were put to the test. I made invitations, decorations, gifts, and games all out of my stash . . . and had so much fun in the process!
Even if you’re not planning a wedding any time soon, many of these ideas could be tweaked to use for any type of celebration.
Here are some tips for creating invitations:
- Make the design simple enough to mass produce.
- Avoid excess postage fees by keeping your cards flat. (minimal embellishments)
- Add a stamped design to the envelopes. It gives the recipient a little taste of what’s inside.
You can find more details about how I made the invitations on my blog.
Washi tape is so popular right now. I wrapped strips of it around wooden utensils to coordinate with the table decor. Washi tape has a very light adhesive & can easily be removed, making it a perfect choice for packaging!
I wanted to make little gift baskets for all of the guests as a way of saying “thank you.” The shower had a strawberry theme, so I played off of that idea by filling strawberry crates with themed gifts. I used my Silhouette to die-cut paper strawberry boxes that I filled with strawberry-flavored jelly beans. These strawberry-cheesecake-scented candles were only $1 at my local big box store! I removed the outer wrap and die cut a tiny tag to add in its place. I created garden stakes by stamping onto die-cut patterned paper and adhered popsicle sticks between the layers.
One of my favorite games from the shower was “He Said/She Said.” I asked the future bride & groom 20 questions ahead of time and read the answers one by one at the shower. If the guests thought the bride answered the statement read, they would raise their pink flag, and vice versa for the groom.
I used my Silhouette again to die-cut all of the flags, and I adhered them to popsicle sticks as well.
I hope I’ve inspired you to take a second look at your paper crafting supplies! For even more paper-crafted party inspiration, be sure to grab your copy of Party Ensembles. Inside it you will find 140 different party themes!
One lucky person will get to win a copy of this amazing publication! Just leave a comment on this post by Friday, April 27th at 5 pm, and we will randomly choose one lucky winner! Happy crafting!
Julie Campbell
Paper Crafts Go-to Gal
I am fixing to have a baby shower for my daughter and this has really inspired me and given me some ideas!! I have lots of -stash- so now I need to add some creativity! You did a great job bringing the decor together, and I bet the party was great. Love all of it. Thanks so much for sharing.
Karen
Great ideas, Julie! I bet your party was lots of fun
Great party ideas–I really like the strawberry box.
Wow!! That’s lots of tips..who says love for paper-crafting has to be expensive…lol
Thanks for these great ideas!
I love those bathroom people from SC’s stamp set!! I’m still in the process of hunting that stamp set down!
What wonderful shower decor!! I love it!!
Great ideas! I love the strawberry and the he said/she said signs!
how sweet! love what you did with the little basket too. simply adorable!
thanks for the chance!
Fabulous ideas for parties! I would love to play the “he said/she said” game at a shower one day!
I love the strawberry! It would be adorable with one chocolate covered strawberry inside. I haven’t had a chance to get this book yet! I would be the happiest girl if I won!
What fabulous ideas!!
I don’t usuall sign up for these but the prize looks interesting.
Thanks for a chance to win! This looks like such an amazing collection of inspiration!
Love the paper stawberries!
Love your creative ideas! My daughter is getting married this summer so this was very inspiring.
What a darling collection of goodies for a shower – thanks so much for sharing your talent. Thanks, too, for the chance to win!!!
What a fabulous bridal shower! Thanks for the chance to win the Party Ensembles book!
Paige
Love the 20 questions game – and the flags that went with it!
Looks like it was a fun party! I’ll bet you were super proud and received many compliments on all the handmade goodness at the party!
Great ideas! Thanks for the chance to win!
What a great party! I love the paper strawberry box! very sweet!
I am a new lover of washi tape. Can’t get enough ideas for use of it.
Your bridal shower ideas and all that paper crafting loveliness are fabulous! Your sister is lucky to have you in her life! Thanks for the inspiration and for another chance to win this amazing issue!
I love seeing what you did for this shower! I actually recently got a bunch of friends together to create invites all 100 of them for my brother’s fiance! Just had the shower this past Sunday and played the He/Said she said game love your idea of the flags! Now I am throwing the lingerie shower/bachlorette party and am looking forward to that so taking your ideas into the count!
I will be co-hosting a baby shower for my daughter-in-law this summer and now have a lot of GREAT ideas! Thanks.
I love the strawberry. Wonderful fun ideas. Now if I could just find someone to throw a bridal shower for:) Love to craft!
Just had my granddaughters wedding shower. Wish I’d had some of these ideas to use at the shower. Love the paddles to answer questions. Also a good idea to stamp a design on the envelopes.
Adorable party ensemble, thanks for the ideas!
Carol B
ciaoitalia2007(at)gmail(dot)com
I am so addicted to creating themed “everything” at the moment, from birthday parties & baby showers to informal brunch with friends & picnics in the park, but always struggle for new ideas & how to bring it all together. I have just bought a strawberry box die for my Grand Calibur & can’t wait to use your Strawberry theme for my next Garden Party. The gift box idea I will just have to steal, it’s so sweet!
Thanks so much for the plethora of ideas!
What great ideas! This looks like a fantastic book.
I love what you have shared Julie! Thank you.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE these ideas! You amaze me, and your projects are fantastic. Thanks for sharing! – Chris.
Amazing ideas! Love it =)
Heee that sounds like a fun party! Your little gift basket is so pretty and I love your voting idea for the ‘he said she said’ game!
This looks like an amazing book!! I could use it, and lend it to my sister. She throws great parties.
SO many cute ideas. I would spend many hours poring over these images and ideas.
Fabulous ideas. Thanks for sharing!
I am head over heels for that Strawberry box and it looks great with the complete package – I love anything that isn’t square/rectangular.
love homemade gifts!! what a great idea!!
So many amazing ideas I want to make them all!
Great ideas!
All sweet labors of love!
so cool projects! a lot of great ideas.
Totally cool stuff. I have a baby shower to plan in July, so this would be the perfect win to get ideas from..thx
Oh my moxie goodness. What fabulous ideas! I’m salivating already. Can’t wait to see this on the newstands.
I think these ideas are great inspiration. I think the book would be a great add for my craft library.
The strawberry box is awesome!
Great ideas!