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