Supplies for wedding invites

Hey guys, we finished our first workshop at POP SHOP: DIY Wedding this past weekend. I just wanted to share some supplies that I recommend using when making invites!

1. Tape Runner. I love love using a tape runner – you can’t feel the adhesive when layering which is awesome. Don’t deal with messy spray glues, the tape runner is perfect and has easy replacement cartridges.

2. Paper Cutter. Why give yourself headaches with scissors or other hand tools. I love my cutters! Random fact: I have 2, one large full size and a travel size cutter.

3. Bakers Twine. Nowadays you can pick this up anywhere in variety of colors. Etsy and Paper Source carry them in different colors!

4. Heat Tool. I have a Martha Stewart heat tool for embossing. You can get these at Hobby Lobby, Michaels and Paper Source. Hint hint if you want a pretty teal one go to Paper Source!

5. Embossing Powder. You can get a variety of colors and brands of powders. Depending if you want a metallic, glitter or plain solid colors – you can find them all at Paper Source. Make sure it is labeled EMBOSSING POWDER. Usually comes in a small container and sorted near normal glitter so read the label carefully. You can save on powder and reuse the excess with the help of a tray to catch any extra powder.

6. Ink Pads. OK This is the most important item on this list. In order to emboss correctly you want SLOW drying ink! I almost only ever use Tsukineko’s VersaMark. You can get this amazing ink pad at JoAnn’s, Michaels etc… The slow drying ink pads are usually with a black case. We want slow to give you enough time to apply the powder and add heat to the design.

7. Stamps! Rubber stamps are addicting to collect and fun to play with.

8. Vellum Paper. For creative layering and helps add elegance to your piece.

9. Card Stock. I love combining soft white or off white text paper with kraft cover paper. You can play around with colors and weights.

10. Full Sheet Labels. You can buy full label sheets and print out your address labels. I cut mine into strips which you can see here.

This post was written by:

MIJA VERA - (view all posts by Mija)
Mija has been a designer for the last 15 years. She is a paper obsessed fiend and loves working on new projects while listening to her kids and Maine Coon cat chatter around the house. You can email her at mija@mind-speaks.com

My wedding invites

I’m such a paper freak, and one of my favorite things about my wedding had to have been designing the invitations! You have seen my saved the dates and pictures of my wedding – now check out the break down of the invitations!

Again, our colors were Tiffany Blue and silver with a hint of organic paper bag to tie in the theme! I have been into embossing for awhile now and was able to find the perfect blend of silver embossing powder for the invites. I also had fun coming up with a way to showcase the map, reception card and rsvp card. I also always line my envelopes – nothing brings together a design than a pop of texture or color in the envelope! The gatefolds made it easy to keep my pieces organized and I made bands to keep the fold enclosed!

This post was written by:

MIJA VERA - (view all posts by Mija)
Mija has been a designer for the last 15 years. She is a paper obsessed fiend and loves working on new projects while listening to her kids and Maine Coon cat chatter around the house. You can email her at mija@mind-speaks.com

Save the Date!

A year ago when my guy proposed I had an idea that maybe….perhaps maybe – I could design my own save the dates and invitations to the wedding. After my hiatus from an office job I decided to start working at a lovely store called Paper Source in my city. Soon after I started to teach brides to be how to make inexpensive, creative invites using our paper and products. Oh boy its one thing to tell ladies that they can make their own invites but when I started to make mine I was lost!

I don’t really design much for myself, you see when you freelance you rarely get to the time to design for yourself!! I first had to come up with a color theme. I always tell brides to consider the season of their wedding and the location. We picked October and the reception is in a green house, garden wedding sparked the idea of using creams, blues and organic paper bag.

Since my wedding invitations will be more formal I decided that I should have fun with the Save the Dates. I printed the cover on paper bag, and in the inside I printed on soft white cover. The outside is perforated so the guest could tear it open. And I sewed it shut. Well – Kim did the sewing portion.

Photos 1-5 are of the save the date. Last photo is of my process of my wedding invitation.

Advice: If you do make your own invites, its helpful to have a supportive bridal party. I had lots of help constructing these, I love my bridesmaids and my man. <3

This post was written by:

MIJA VERA - (view all posts by Mija)
Mija has been a designer for the last 15 years. She is a paper obsessed fiend and loves working on new projects while listening to her kids and Maine Coon cat chatter around the house. You can email her at mija@mind-speaks.com