Style Me Pretty

DIY Week – Invitation Packaging

October 27th. 2008 by Abby Larson | Filed Under | 15 comments

Our next project was sent to us by a reader who clearly has a great hand for crafts! These Invitation Packages are a little more complicated than other projects, but I wanted to share as I think they are so cute…and I think that you can use this idea as inspiration to create your own projects!

invitation folders

Materials

Heavy Weight Decorative Paper in 2-3 styles (I used the purple card stock and a straw-like stock)
Bone Folder
Glue or other adhesive
Decorative Stamp and White Pigment Ink
Doily Paper
Tissue Paper, cut to size
2″ Circular Punch
1/8″ Hole Punch
Satin Ribbon
Twine
Vellum Envelopes

Instructions

1. I made a folder for the invitation using heavy paper.  I cut out a 10×7 rectangle with a triangular section below the right side. 

2. I used a bone folder to score the middle (where the folder’s spine is) and at the bottom of of the right side so the triangular part could be folded upward. 

3. Then I glued the right side of the triangle to the right edge of the folder to make a pocket. 

4. I stamped the triangular pocket of the folder using white pigment ink. 

5. Then I cut a 5×7 piece of paper doily and glued it to the cover of the folder.

6. I glued the invitation card on the left inside of the folder and stuffed the enclosures in the right hand pocket with the tissue paper rectangles between the cards. 

7. I used a 2-inch circular punch to make a paper disc and stamped our initials on it using white pigment ink.  Then I punched two 1/8″ of an inch holes on either side of it.

8. I cut rectangles of different colored tissue paper to use between the cards.

9. I closed the folder with the contents inside and tied satin ribbon around the middle, threading through the holes in the paper disc and tying it behind the disc.  Then I took a straw flower and glued it on the back side of the paper disc. 

10. To make the liner, trace the envelope onto a sheet of pretty paper.  Cut it out and trim the upper triangular portion about half an inch on either side and trimmed the other 3 rectangular sides by about 1/8 of an inch. 

11. Finally I stuffed the folder into the envelope and tied the envelope with twine (like a package) and tied a bow on the front with a couple 1-inch paper discs threaded onto it.  I put that envelope into a slightly larger vellum/glassine envelope.  I put stickers that were addressed on the front of the glassine envelope (the font is Memoir from Veer).


15 Responses to “DIY Week – Invitation Packaging”

  1. Jeana says:

    Beautiful! Wow!

  2. M&MWedding says:

    These invites are so pretty! Where did she get the stickers for the address to print on? I also love the vellum envelope, I used those for my bridesmaids cards and they were so fun.

  3. Youn says:

    I was so excited to check-in today and see my entry! Thank so much Abby!

    M&M - I printed the addresses with my printer on sticker sheets (like the ones for labels, but not precut or preprinted), then I stamped the two designs came on either side of the address (the stamps and ink just came from Michael's), and cut them out.

    It's a little involved, but they would look simply great cut into rectangles too.

  4. Ashley says:

    Love these invites! They seem totally worth all of the extra effort that goes into them. Is there anyway we can get more pics? I would love to know where you got all of your materials also! Great Job!

  5. Carolyn says:

    absolutely some of the most beautiful invites i have ever seen! so well done!
    www.serendipityandspark.com

  6. Laura says:

    Beautiful invites! Youn, what font did you use for your invitation addressing stickers? Gorgeous!

  7. Youn says:

    Wow, thanks for all the comments!

    Ashley, you can email me at hamilee09@gmail.com and I can send you more pics of the assembly.

    As far as materials go, most of the paper and tools came from Michael's, but I did order a case of paper doily placemats to use in a variety of projects (i can't remember where now, but if you google "doily placemats" you'll find lots), the glassine envelopes came from clearbags.com (these are actually vellum b/c I was worried the glassine wouldn't hold up to mailing. it's also important to order slightly larger ones (by 1/4 of an inch or so) so the whole package will fit when stuffed), the straw flowers came from frenchgeneral.com, and the font was purchased from Veer.com and called Memoir.

  8. Christine says:

    I LOVE these - I've been searching and searching for some DIY vintage looking invites, the doily placemats were genius! Adorable!

  9. Youn says:

    Thanks Christine!

    The placemats are really good if you can use them in lots of projects, they come in cases by the 1,000! What's especially good is that they have 4 sides of really pretty trimming (it's more ornate than the part on these), so I used those on favor boxes, thank you cards, etc. while the left over rectangular centers were perfectly proportioned to go on these 5x7 folders.

    I was inspired to use them after I got my lace dress, I'm sure lots of folks out there could find even more uses. Let me know if you want to see the other projects!

  10. C says:

    Yuon, I am inspired. What would be a good substitution for the doily paper if I wanted to go for a less lacy look?

  11. Youn says:

    Hi C,

    I really like one of those asian patterned lace papers that has a more modern geometric pattern, like these:

    http://www.papermojo.com/lacepaper.htm

    They still really show off the texture without being over-the-top romantic. You could tie them with cord instead of ribbon too.

    I liked that you got a peek at the contents through the outer envelope and was really thinking about the experience of opening it all up more than the theme. You can really do whatever you like with this project, I just wanted a way to add a personal touch to the simple invitation cards I ordered. I printed the mock-up sample for contest the photos on my printer, so I think folks on a budget could easily DIY those if need be too.

    Another budget (and environment) friendly option is using recycled kraft paper products. The white pigment ink still shows up on it well if you stamp it with a thick coat and it looks modern without being too severe.

    I hope that helps!

  12. [...] 88. Invitation Packaging via Style Me Pretty [...]

  13. [...] can find the DIY instructions here.  I’ve received invitations in the past where people make complicated packages that was more [...]

  14. [...] They look quite time-consuming, but well worth the effort for a patient, crafty bride. Visit Style Me Pretty for a complete description of the project from the [...]

  15. ashley says:

    Hi Youn,

    I stumbled upon your invitations months ago and bookmarked the link when I first discovered it, and now I am finally designing my own invites. I LOVE your invitations, they are sooo unique and interesting, I was immediately drawn to them. I was wondering if you could email me, or send me a link of more pics, my email address is ashleyewolfson@gmail.com

    Thank you!!

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