I have a confession to make.  My name is Heather, and I buy more scrapbooking supplies than I'll ever be able to use. In fact, my friend Gretchen and I created our site Did Someone Say Party pretty much as an excuse to shop for more crafty goodness and explore handmade party ideas using our individual crafty skills (she's a seamstress, I'm a paper crafter!). I have found that parties are the perfect venue to play with my scrapbooking supplies and tools in a new way and am excited to share some ideas with you today.

 

I recently threw a baby shower for my sister-in-law and had such a great time crafting for it!  We decided early in the planning process that we would have a school theme to the event. With a bit of inspiration via Pinterest, I designed a library card invitation in Photoshop Elements (you can download yours here. I placed the library card (after some corner punch detailing) in a paper pocket. 

 

 

Since my selected paper was double sided, the pocket was easy to make. The top of the pocket was finished with a strip of ruler patterned paper. Then I used a stamped circle matted on a larger circle of patterned paper, then matted again on a scallop in a different pattern to add some detail to the pocket. Party invitations are a perfect example of how I can use my paper crafting skills and tools to add a special handmade touch to a celebration.  

 

Included in the pocket were the library card invitation, a similar sized card with some general information (directions, registry info, etc.) and a hand stamped bookplate. On the invitation we asked guests to provide a new book for the baby's library. They were asked to include this bookplate in the front cover of the book with a handwritten message to baby. These were quickly assembled using some adhesive backed cardstock mats, some scrap patterned paper from the invitations, and a stamped journal block.  

 

 

The papers I used for the invitations were a source of inspiration in many other aspects of the party. With a little Mod Podge, I decorated some wooden letters in baby's initials to use as decor on the table where we displayed all the gift books.

 

 

 

I also used some Mod Podge and patterned paper to decorate some simple wooden blocks as well as the frame of a simple chalkboard I found at a craft store. This decorated chalkboard was placed at my entryway to ask guests to write a special note for the guest of honor. I left some blank journaling cards for them to use for their message. These messages were used in an easy mini book I made for my sister-in-law to commemorate the special day!

 

I made some paper pinwheels with some more of that great patterned paper and buttons. I glued the pinwheels to skewers and placed them in a vase I decorated with pencils. I also used some chipboard letters covered in papers, vintage flashcards, and some yarn to decorate a fun wreath for our front door to great guests and let everyone know the party was inside!

 

 

The favors were my favorite paper crafting project for this lovely party. I used this event as an excuse to buy the binding machine I'd been coveting forever! I made simple notebooks with patterned paper for a cover and plain chipboard for the back. I used some loose leaf graph paper cut to size inside. I also created some sweet paper bookmarks based on this lovely bookmark by kr creations.

 

The bookmark and notebook were presented in a brown paper lunch bag to go with the school theme of the shower. To add a decorative touch, I used my favorite scallop border punch on the opening before I folded it down. I punched two holes in the folded top and closed it with a little baker's twine and a journaling card that was stamped with a message of gratitude. Then the bag was adorned with a handmade felt flower.

 

 

By far my favorite tip for throwing a party is to have someone else designated as the photographer. Far too often, we as scrapbookers are missing from our pages. We had my amazingly talented friend Kate from Kate Kintzel Photography document the day as well as take some maternity photos of my sister-in-law. It was the best idea yet!

 

It is so easy to add handmade flair to any celebration with the supplies and tools you already have on hand (or those you need an excuse to buy!). I'd love to hear how papercrafting has made its way into your latest event! 

 

Please make sure to visit us at Did Someone Say Party for inspiration for your handmade celebration!  If you'd like more information on this fun baby shower, you can find links to all the other party details here.

 

Need some amazing ideas for handmade gifts for that next celebration? Kolette Hall's Giving Well 2011 class starts October 20! Head over to Did Someone Say Party for your chance to win a spot in this inspiring class!