Inspired Invitations

Send a rolled scroll invitation in a black jewelry box that looks like a graduation cap.

Materials:

rolled scroll invitation
black jewelry box
white tassel
hot glue
hot-glue gun
black button
vellum paper
ribbon
mailing envelopes
address labels

Steps:

1. Center a white tassel on the box lid and put a dab of hot glue in the center of the loop.

2. Press a black button into the glue, securing the tassel in place.

3. Print the party invitation on vellum paper, bordered in school colors.

4. Roll the vellum into a tube and tie with a coordinating ribbon. (Trick: To tie the ribbon easily, first tie it around a broom stick with a double knot, then slip the tied loop over the rolled invitation.)

5. Slip the scroll into the box.

6. Buy mailing envelopes in the correct size to accommodate the jewelry box and place address labels on the envelope before stuffing with the box.

Materials:

plastic bottle (preferably a tropically themed one)
brown paper
craft scissors
address labels to match theme

Steps:

1. Any type of plastic bottle will do, but look for one with flowers or a tropical look to it.

2. Print an invitation on brown paper and deckle the edges for a rough look with craft scissors.

3. Roll the invitation up and slip it into the bottle.

4. Put some address labels on the bottle and be sure to use enough postage. It will cost just a little more than a regular letter.

Materials:

small cocktail-size paper plate
sturdy paper
themed stickers
gummy hot dogs and hamburgers
double-stick tape
plastic silverware
large, colorful envelope
address labels to match theme

Steps:

1. Start with a small cocktail-size paper plate.

2. Print the invitation on a sturdy piece of paper that will fit inside the plate's diameter.

3. Attach the invitation to the plate with themed stickers.

4. Tape gummy hot dogs and hamburgers around the invitation on the plate rim with double-stick tape. You can also add a plastic knife and fork rolled in a paper napkin to the rim.

5. Find a large, colorful envelope and add address labels before stuffing.

Materials:

fans
fiber paper
printer
scissors
rubber cement

Steps:

1. Print the invitation on the paper and cut it to fit the fan.

2. Use rubber cement to attach the paper to one side of the fan.

Materials:

heavy paper
cookie cutter
craft knife
foam core
white craft glue

Steps:

1. Print invitation in small enough print that all the information will fit inside a cookie cutter. Use a heavier paper with interesting texture (available at art stores).

2. Trace the shape of the cutter around the invitation and use a craft knife to cut out.

3. Use the paper where the invitation was cut out as a template to cut the shape out of foam core. You will end up with two pieces in the cookie-cutter shape--the invitation and the piece of foam core. Glue them together.

4. Force them into the cookie cutter for a snug fit.

Materials:

plastic toy containers (like those found in gumball machines)
colorful paper

Steps:

1. Print invitations on colorful paper and fan-fold the paper.

2. Fold that in half, and then in half again.

3. Keep folding until it is small enough to tuck inside the little plastic container for easy distribution in an office or at school.