{happy weekend!}

I’m heading out to spend the long holiday weekend with my family. Sophie’s first fireworks! And I’m looking forward to our annual tradition of visiting George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate on the Fourth of July. I wish you all a very happy Independence Day! I’ll be popping back in on Friday afternoon with a summer cocktail recipe, so check back for that in a couple of days! In the meantime…

Scout's Honor Co.

Photo Credit: Scout’s Honor Co.

…a few links for your weekend!

This (short) week on Oh So Beautiful Paper:

Happy Fourth of July everyone!

DIY Tutorial: Patterned Paper Place Card Fans

Paper fans are not only festive but also fun and easy to make! Earlier this year, we started seeing this paper folding technique used in many different ways. From pretty photography backdrops to hanging mobiles to ornaments…the uses for these little fans are endless. The best part? You can make them any size you want to fit your specific needs. We’ve made them small in order to use them as place cards, adding a little pizazz to our tabletop decor. – Bailey and Emma of Antiquaria

The paper pattern and colors you use can yield so many different looks, making it easy to customize them to the theme of your event! Plus, the texture of the fan really makes a statement as guests approach the table!

Step One: To make the small fans, you will need to cut a sheet of 8.5″ x 11″ text paper into two equal parts (we used our Lucy Floral Patterned Paper). The final size of each sheet will be 8.5″ x 5.5.” You will need three 8.5″ x 5.5″ sheets per fan.

Step Two: Lay the paper on a scoreboard oriented in a landscape fashion. Make score marks every half inch. We love our scoreboard, but if you don’t have one handy that’s fine too! Simply fold the paper every half inch until you get the result in step three.

Step Three: Once the paper is scored, fold along the lines, altering directions each time, to get the accordion effect shown.

Step Four: Fold the paper in half length-wise and tape the center seam together using a tape gun or double sided tape. Repeat steps 2, 3, and 4 for the other two pieces.

Step Five: Once you have your three fan components, you will tape all of them together to form the final round fan.

Step Six: To make the place cards, we calligraphed our guests’ names in gold ink on 2.5″ round labels. If you’d prefer, you can use a font to typeset the names and print them on the round labels using the template download found here.

Step Seven: The final detail is to stick the round label onto the center of the little fan that you made. Repeat for each guest and see your table come to life!

Materials

Lucy Patterned Paper in text weight

Self healing mat, ruler, and craft knife

Scoreboard – optional but great to have

Tape Gun or Double Sided Tape

2.5″ Round Labels in Superfine Soft White

Pen and Ink or Home Printer

Photo Credits: Antiquaria

Claire + John’s Woodsy Lodge Wedding Invitations

We’re getting ready to take our first big family vacation with Sophie, and it involves mountains and a lake! I’m looking forward to a change in scenery from DC, and these screen printed invitations from Sarah Jane Winter for a wedding in Lake Tahoe are making me even more excited for our trip. Sarah incorporated woodland illustrations and a woodgrain texture paper to highlight the wedding’s natural setting. Pretty!

Woodsy Lodge Wedding Invitations by Sarah Jane Winter via Oh So Beautiful Paper (3)

From Sarah Jane: Claire and Jonathan are tying the knot at a lakefront lodge in Lake Tahoe, California. Being nature lovers, they are incorporating an organic aesthetic throughout all elements of their wedding. Their invitation uses evergreen hues and woodgrain textures to highlight the gorgeous pines native to the area around their wedding venue.

Woodsy Lodge Wedding Invitations by Sarah Jane Winter via Oh So Beautiful Paper (4)

The illustration in the invitation depicts the view of the lake and mountain range from the lodge where the wedding will take place. Whimsical fonts and screen printing set the tone for a carefree and cheerful wedding in the woods.

Woodsy Lodge Wedding Invitations by Sarah Jane Winter via Oh So Beautiful Paper (1) Woodsy Lodge Wedding Invitations by Sarah Jane Winter via Oh So Beautiful Paper (5)

Woodsy Lodge Wedding Invitations by Sarah Jane Winter via Oh So Beautiful Paper (2)

Woodsy Lodge Wedding Invitations by Sarah Jane Winter via Oh So Beautiful Paper (6)

Thanks Sarah Jane!

Check out the Designer Rolodex for more tal­ented wed­ding invi­ta­tion design­ers and the real invi­ta­tions gallery for more wedding invitation ideas!

Photo Credits: Sarah Jane Winter

Party Paper: Retro Pool Party

Ed Note: I’m thrilled to introduce a brand new column on Oh So Beautiful Paper all about party paper goods! Paper details are obviously our very favorite part of any party, from birthday parties to cocktail parties and everything in between. So once a month we’ll be rounding up some fun ideas to share with you. First up, inspiration for a retro-inspired pool party! – Nole

We’re in the middle of a huge heat wave here in LA and all I want to do is dive in a pool. Since I can’t do that 24 hours a day, I’m living vicariously through these paper goods fit for a retro pool party! Can pink flamingos be any more fun!? I’m thinking punchy colors, cabana stripes and a bit of gold too, for good measure. Toss the plastic straws that come with those flamingo toppers and pop them on a paper variety, grab a few cocktails and you’re good to go! —Kelly

Party Paper: Retro Pool Party

No. 1 Flamingo Napkins from Ikea, No. 2 Stripe Washi Tape Flags from Gnome’s Whimsy, No .3 Stripe Straws from Shop Sweet Lulu, Gold Dot Garland from Nice Party, No. 5 Flamingo Straw Toppers from Parkside Paper + Gifts, No. 6 Striped Favor Bags from Shop Sweet Lulu

{images via their respective sources}