Paper Craft

If you've never been to the Canon Creative Park site, you're really missing out. On their site are hundreds of ideas that you can create on your printer for parties and for great centerpieces. Granted, you have to bit a bit crafty, but if you are or have kids who are, this site will keep you busy on those "I don't have anything to do" days.

There are all types of projects for birthday parties as well as cards to make and scrapbook ideas. The bride and groom pictured above is a perfect centerpiece for a fun bridal shower. So, go check it out and add a little "wow" to your next event!

Pyramid Favor Box

Pyramid Favor Boxes



I really think great packaging can make any favor special. It’s something about receiving a beautifully wrapped gift that makes you not really care what’s inside.

Lately I’ve been fascinated with making my own packaging and I wanted something that would be great for tea bags. When I saw this great template from Brownie Points, I knew I’d struck gold. It takes a little effort. I wouldn’t do it for a wedding for 100, but for an intimate tea party, it’s a great way to personalize your favors and match them to your theme.

To make these you will need:
• The decorative paper of your choice preferably 8.5″ x 11″ that will go through a printer feed
• Single sided laminating sheets: these are like big clear stickers, same size or slightly larger than your decorative paper.
• A bone folder: or similar item for emphasizing creases.
• Small stickers: to help hold the pyramid door.

Choose your decorative paper and print out this pdf template that fits three boxes on one 8.5″ x 11″ sheet. If your paper is decorated on one side, print out the template so that it is on the undecorated side. The template will show on the inside of the finished box.

She suggests applying the sheet of laminating film to the template printed side of the paper. I made them without this step, using card stock as my paper. If you are putting a candy inside, instead of tea, the laminating paper will keep any oily food residue from seeping into the paper. If you do decide to use the laminate, smooth out any air bubbles. Now you should have a sheet of paper with the pyramid template visible through the clear film.


Cutting out the box templates yields three potential pyramids of this shape.

The pyramid template has three main features:
A: the face of the pyramid. This labeled one in particular will serve as an inner door. A written description of your box’s contents fit perfectly here.
B: these smaller triangles fold in to form the bottom of the box.
C: this larger bottom flap closes the outer most panel of the pyramid, keeping the structure closed when sealed to the bottom.

After cutting out the templates, run a bone folder over the template lines. This preps the paper to be creased. Only trace the lines on the shiny, laminated side of the paper.


Fold inward on all the lines, using the bone folder to
emphasize the creases. Only press the crease in one direction- with the shiny side of the paper being the inside of the pyramid. The shape of the pyramid should really spring to life at this step.

Cut out a square of the sticky laminate film whose sides equal the length of the small bottom triangles, labeled B above. Apply this square of tape like film to the three small bottom forming squares. Alternatively, a decorative sticker could be used to keep these flaps connected.

At this point you will have an open pyramid with two door flaps. The flap with out a bottom forming triangle (labeled A above) is the inner door, a good place for writing.

The outer most door can be sealed closed with a sticker on the bottom flap (labeled C above).

Decorative elements can be used to form a handle out of the top. These can be built out of string that is affixed to the inside of the pyramid. Enjoy slipping little goodies into these fun shapes to give to your friends.

Lollipop, Lollipop

I really love gourmet favors for events. Well, the simple and uncomplicated lollipop has made a resurgence. Perfect for any event, these lollipops can be personalized and dressed up to suit whatever theme you desire.

The lollipops above come with a personalized label and ribbon you can embellish with tulle as shown and display in a vase for an elegant centerpiece at a shower or a candy buffet display.

The traditional round sucker is still out there, but lollipops have taken on a whole new look. Check out these from the Candy Warehouse...

                

What better way to accent a table at a kids party than little butterflies and bees hovering over the place settings!

For the more adult affairs, try these dice also from Candy Warehouse.

or accent a baby shower with alphabet pops.

Lollipops have taken on a whole new attitude. Dress them up and take them out!

  Lollipop Boquet  from Gift Tree

Add a Photo Booth for Wedding or Party Fun

Just when you thought the days of prom photos in front of themed backdrops were behind you, in comes the age of the wedding photo booth.

I’ve seen the photo booth popping up on occasion over the last couple of years, but now it’s one of the hottest new wedding trends. Photo booths capture hilarious, touching and off-the-wall photos as guests enjoy the spontaneity of posing for pictures and revealing their true personalities behind the curtain with friends, relatives and co-workers.

You have two choices if you want to join in on the photo fun. You can rent one or do-it-yourself. To create your own, make a simple or patterned background from fabric then string it up on a clothes line or get a pipe and drape frame from your party rental company or venue. Or use a background illustration (also known as a scene setter) from a party store that attaches directly to the wall. I recommend hiring a photographer to set up and operate the camera and hook it up to a printer so guests can take their photos home. If you're looking to rent a photo booth, make sure you go with a reputable company who has references and proof of vendor insurance. Find out about any limitations to the photo booth rental. Many companies have a limit for the amount of pictures that can be taken or the number of hours you can have the booth on site. Ask about the delivery and pick-up details.

Make sure you put your photo area away from the action since a line usually forms and you don’t want the booth in the background of your photos.

For an added fun:

1. Create a photo guest book. Have the guests take two photos, one for themselves and one for the book. They can paste their photo in a scrapbook and add a message. You’ll need a small table, archival scrapbook, cardstock pages, markers, embellishments and scrapbook adhesive.

2. Have a dry erase board so people can take their photo with their message.

3. If your wedding has a theme, i.e. vintage, have props available so that guests can dress up for their photo.

If you can afford to have a photo station at your wedding, you’ll add a wow factor your guests will love.

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