This is the second tutorial for the news segment I filmed for the OKC Fox morning show. You can see the first tutorial I did on baby onesies here. I'm not sure if the invite segment has aired yet because I never get to watch the news in the monrning, but here's the tutorial anywho...
When Liz asked me to do a segment on DIY wedding invites, I kind of cringed. I kind of hated the process of making my invitations, even though the end product makes me very happy. It took hours of stitching, photoshopping and printing sample after sample to get the color right and I knew there was no way I could share that process in 2 minutes. I had to share something that anyone can do and didn't require too much technical work. These invites require you to make one invite by hand and then use a color copier to make copies that will look like the handmade original. By all means if you have the time and a small number of invites to make, make and send all handmade ones because everyone will be very impressed! This can also be used for birthday party or shower invites.
I don't have a picture of supplies for this one, but this is what you'll need:
- The bunting card template - Download Bunting_card_template (.doc file)
- The bunting template - Download Bunting_template (.doc file)
- computer and printer
- string, thicker than thread, but not too thick.
- scissors
- glue stick
- 1/16th" hole punch or a pin to poke holes in the card with.
- color copier
- cardstock and colored paper
- paper cutter
Download the files and open them up in Word. If you don't have Word, you can use openoffice.org to use these files.
Use the templates to add your own text to the provided text boxes:
Have fun with the fonts!
Print the invitation out on a cardstock of your choice and the bunting pieces on colored paper. If you want to do the two colored bunting, print out the page on 2 different colors or more of paper.
Cut out strips from the bunting template like this:
and cut the border around the page as well. Then, to make the strips more manageable, cut each one in a few pieces too:
Now fold these in half and cut out the triangles, making sure to cut inside the lines so they don't show on the finished product:
Now that you have all your pieces, cut some string, longer than you think, but no more than 10 inches.
Use the glue stick to glue the triangles together with the string sandwiched at the top. Give them a little room between letters but not so much that they look weird.
If you want the copying process to be easier, make 2 sets of bunting and don't cut the invitation yet. If you're making individual invitations, crop the invitation template after printing.
Now you need to punch holes using the guides that are printed. If you have longer names, you might need to move these guides in the word document to fit your names.
Feed the thread from the bunting through the holes and then tape them to the back of the card and cut off the excess string.
Now you have your bunting card finished! Please ignore the glue that has caked up on my desk. It's time to change out the contact paper.
Now if you want to send out this invitation, I would suggest covering up the back with another piece of cardstock ( I would use a complementary color) to cover the taped up ends. If you're wanting to copy it to make many multiples, simply make a color copy. I just used my all-in-one printer and it worked out great, but you could take it to a copy center as well. I think these are great little casual but cute invites that won't break your budget.
DIY invites can be as easy or as hard as you want them to be. Here's another little set I made to show on the segment:
I made these using Danielle Thompson's Kitschy Digitals digital scrapbooking elements. The Doily, flower, and ric rac come fromt the Granny's Attic Kit and the photo frame comes from the Vintage Cabinet Cards Kit.
I printed the invitation words out on vellum so they could be easily read and tied everything up with some ribbon. I'm really in love with these. They would be perfect for a small intimate wedding.
