The Fablehaven invitations were adapted from a teeny-tiny invitation I did over on OccasionalGenius.com. They seem especially fitting for fantasy-type themes - just like Fablehaven.
In plain terms, the invitation is a rolled piece of paper held bound by a smaller tube of paper. Beads and a name tag are held at both ends by a piece of string run through the center.
Plain terms are hardly fun, however. I much prefer decidedly un-plain terms with plenty of details. It’s interesting to know, for instance, the invitation is written on gold-dust vellum.
With pictures like these, I’m afraid you’ll have to take my word for it…it was like printing on, well, sheets of gold dust. Almost magical even! (And worked just fine in my laser printer)
The bands might be my favorite part of this project. These began as small squares of brown cardstock. Just a quick impression using Cuttlebug’s ‘pebbles’ embossing folder and a twist ‘n glue around the cap of a marker was all it took to transform paper into bead-like tubes. That little piece of brown cardstock got a serious make-over!
The beading really is simple. I don’t think even I can blow this part too out of proportion. For the half sheet of vellum - 5 1/2 inches across - I used about 18 inches of twine. The white bead is at the center point of the twine, with both ends coming back threw the flat bead.
Both ends of twine are run through the roll of paper, next the last bead, then the name tag (a very small punched hole), and finally knotted at the end.
I guess as finely detailed and ingenious as I try to present these invites, they are just too quick and easy to warrant going on and on about. It’s just as well. Fast and simple is nice too.