Archive for January, 2008

How to make a belly band

A belly band is a strip of card or paper wrapped round the middle of a card like a belt. It is made slightly loose round the card so it can be slid off to read the text beneath.

To make a belly band firstly you need to decide how wide you want your band to be. The easiest way to do this is to try it out experimenting with scrap or printer paper. Cut a strip anywhere between three and ten centimetres wide, wrap this round your base card then trim it to the right length leaving an overlap of a couple of centimetres. Make several belly bands in this way so you can decide what width suits your invitation size and design best. Once you have settled on a size you use it as a template for your chosen decorative paper or card.

Attaching the two ends of the same strip of paper together is what creates your belly band. To adhere these ends use double sided tape or a tape runner and place the adhesive as close to the edge as possible of one end of the strip. Remove the backing if necessary and wrap round your base card, attaching the two ends at the back. Ensure the band is not sealed too snugly, that any extra overlap is trimmed and that the band is attached only to itself and not the base card.

What if my band isn’t long enough?

You may find a strip cut from the long side of an A4 sheet is not long enough to wrap round your card. In this case you will need to attach two or more strips together. Firstly cut the strips of paper making sure they are exactly the same width. Place your adhesive over the end of the strip ensuring it is very close to the edges and attach the end of the second strip onto the sticky area. If there is a pattern, make sure both patterns face the same way. Once your strip is long enough to wrap round, form it into your band as above and trim any excess if necessary. If you are making a belly band to wrap an A4 card landscape you will need three strips cut from the longest side of your paper to make one strip long enough. Pay particular attention to the joins if you are using this size as they will be on the front of the card as well as the back.

Decorating your band
Now all that remains is to embellish your belly band as you wish. They can be left plain but a simple flower, heart or a few gems can really add to the design. Remember to keep the off cuts of any paper or card that are left over, you can use larger pieces later to decorate menus and tiny strips will finish your place cards and coordinate perfectly.

What other items can I craft for my wedding?

As you are making your own invitations for your big day there are several other items you may want to think about crafting. First is a Save the Date, which is sent out well in advance to allow your guests to plan ahead. Usually a single flat card with basic details on, it can be in the style of your invitations or something completely different. Remember to keep a list of everyone who you have sent a Save the Date to as they will expect to be invited after being asked to keep the date free!

We have projects for favours and also for an Order of Service or Order of the Day, adapt these designs to suit your colours and theme, keeping to similar items as used in your invitations for a cohesive finish.

RSVP cards can be included with the invitations and are a useful way of reminding your guests to reply. They can be very simple, just a panel of text layered on card or paper that matches your invitation colours or you may wish to embellish them.

Menus are sometimes sent out in advance if you are allowing your guests a choice. In this case you may wish to make them yourself in a style which complements the rest of your wedding stationery and ask people to detail their choices on the RSVP.

If you have set dishes you may wish to have Menus on the tables, allow approximately one menu for 8 people. In order to make a freestanding Menu, fold a piece of A4 card in three and attach the edges together to make a triangular stand, add a printed panel to each side and embellish. Alternatively your venue may provide holders in which case borrow one and make them to fit.

A Table Plan it is extremely helpful for your guests to easily find out where they are sitting and you will find full instructions in the Projects section. Adapt the design to suit your style and theme, changing the colours and embellishments as you wish to match your invitations. If your venue has more than one wedding reception on the same day you may also wish to make signs with your names on, again in the same colours and style so your guests know where to go.

Table numbers can be made simply by printing onto card and decorating, your venue may have holders but check. Place cards will tell each guest exactly where their seat is and are normally small rectangles of card tent folded so they stand up on their own. Names can be computer printed or handwritten and an embellishment or a small piece of decorative paper from your original design is all they need to be very stylish and finish off your beautifully set tables.

Finally, Thank You cards are very important, adjust the text on your invitation design and you will have a perfectly coordinated card to show your gratitude.  Remember to make extras for unexpected gifts given by people who aren’t necessarily coming to the wedding.

How do I keep craft punches sharp and stop them sticking?

As a first step in reviving a blunt punch I would recommend punching through normal kitchen tinfoil, always try this first, and do it several times if necessary. If this is not sufficient then try punching through very fine sandpaper. It is important it is very fine as larger pieces of grit will scratch the cutting mechanisms rather than sharpen them.

If you find your punch sticking, try punching through wax paper, the kind you would use for baking. If you don’t have wax paper you can make your own; take a candle, rub it over a sheet of standard copy paper and punch through this. The wax will allow the plates to glide past each other effortlessly.

For best results sharpen or wax your punches as soon as you notice they have blunted or are sticking.