| A bridal shower is a time for fun and happiness. It | | | | classy and unique. In addition, your guests will |
| is an opportunity for the bride-to-be to share in | | | | appreciate the time and effort it takes to create |
| the company of her friends and family, while | | | | these cards. To emboss your do-it-yourself bridal |
| being "showered" by gifts of love and affection. | | | | shower invitations, you will need to obtain an |
| To add to the personal feel of the shower and to | | | | embossing heat tool, which will cost approximately |
| create an intimate touch, it can be a great idea to | | | | $35 at a craft store. This is a worthwhile |
| create do-it-yourself bridal shower invitations. Your | | | | investment because you will be able to use it for |
| guests will certainly appreciate the time it takes | | | | many different special occasions, including creating |
| you to create these invitations. In addition, | | | | thank you notes, programs, and invitations. You |
| creating your own invitations can often help you | | | | can also use an embossing heat tool with the |
| save money in the long run and will ensure that | | | | hobby of scrapbooking (maybe you can put one |
| your cards fit perfectly within your bridal shower | | | | together after the wedding!). |
| theme. | | | | You will also need embossing powder, which costs |
| Add the Personal Touch | | | | about $5 per bottle, in the colors you need. An |
| There are many ways you can personalize your | | | | embossing inkpad, costing about $5, and stamps, |
| handmade bridal shower invitations. One is to add | | | | which cost about $5-10 each, will also need to be |
| a picture of yourself and your fiancé to the | | | | purchased. |
| invitation. Programs such as Macromedia | | | | The stamp will serve as the image you will use on |
| Fireworks and Adobe Photoshop are great for | | | | your do-it-yourself bridal shower invitations. |
| manipulating photographs and adding special | | | | Therefore, you should pick out a couple that |
| effects. With such programs, you can create a | | | | seem to fit within the theme of the shower or, if |
| textured look, add borders, or make a | | | | you wish, the theme of the wedding. You may |
| cameo-style oval shape of the photo. | | | | also simply choose a design or image that |
| Choose the Right Design | | | | represents love, such as two intertwined hearts |
| If you don't want to add a picture to your | | | | or a tulip design. These stamps can also be used |
| invitation, you should still add some sort of clip art | | | | over and over and can go beyond just your bridal |
| or design. Take your time to look around on the | | | | shower invitations. In fact, you might choose to |
| Internet for different images that might work for | | | | emboss the design or picture on the program at |
| your invitations. There are many free clip-art | | | | your wedding or on the menu cards at your |
| images available, and you might be able to find | | | | reception. |
| one that will fit your theme beautifully. | | | | The colored embossing powder you will use to |
| Make or Select the Right Paper | | | | create your invitations will actually go a long way. |
| Making your own paper for your handmade bridal | | | | Therefore, you might want to just stick to one |
| shower invitations can truly add a special touch. If | | | | or two colors in order to keep the cost down. |
| you cannot make your own paper, be sure to | | | | One or two bottles should be plenty to create all |
| choose the highest quality paper you can manage. | | | | the cards you need. |
| The paper quality will have a far greater impact | | | | The actual process of embossing is quite simple. |
| on the final look and feel of your handmade bridal | | | | First, stamp the inkpad with the stamp you |
| shower invitations than you may realize. | | | | selected for your do-it-yourself bridal shower |
| Choose the Right Font | | | | invitations. Then, sprinkle some of your embossing |
| If you are going to print your handmade shower | | | | powder over the stamped area. Tap off the |
| invitations, be sure to take the time to select the | | | | excess powder and let it fall onto another piece |
| right font color, style, and size. The lettering on | | | | of plain paper. The excess powder can be |
| your invitation can make a great impact on | | | | returned to its container by creasing the plain |
| setting the mood for your bridal shower. | | | | paper and using it as a funnel to pour the powder |
| Do a Few Trial Runs | | | | back in. After the excess embossing powder has |
| After you have come up with what you think is | | | | been removed, apply heat to the area by holding |
| the perfect font and design for your | | | | your embossing heat tool near to, but not directly |
| do-it-yourself shower invitations, print one off with | | | | on, the area. Continue applying heat for several |
| regular printer paper. This will help you make sure | | | | seconds until the embossing powder is melted into |
| it has the look you are really after, without | | | | the image or design you desire. |
| wasting your more expensive, high quality paper. | | | | After you get good at this process, you can use |
| After you are sure your invitation is just perfect, | | | | different colors within the same design. Or, you |
| go ahead and print them all off. | | | | can choose to use a couple different designs. The |
| Try Something New | | | | best part is that no two invitations will be exactly |
| Making your own bridal shower invitations is a | | | | the same - making each one a truly unique gift to |
| great time to try something new. Embossing your | | | | each of your guests! |
| own bridal shower invitations can make them look | | | | |