This idea takes inspiration from a Dutch tradition.

Pendants of watercolor paper, each lettered with a guest’s name, are decorated with translucent and textured paper leaves threaded through ribbons and draped over a champagne glass to designate their place at the wedding table. Each person writes a wish to the bride and groom on the back of the pendant and ties it to a slender branch.

Materials:
150gsm watercolor paper
88gsm Japanese Kyoseishi bleached white paper
21gsm Jaspanese Rakusui Lace Flocked paper tissue
Green silk paper
40gsm linen-look glassine paper
40gsm plain glassine paper
90 or 112gsm tracing paper
Selection of slender ribbons (40in each)
Gold or silver marker pen (extra fine point)
Hole punch
Cutting board
Craft knife
Metal safety ruler
Pencil
Scissors
Double-sided tape

Directions:
1. For the handing pendants, with a ruler and pencil, cutting board and craft knife, cut rectangles of watercolor paper (1 5/8 x 8 5/8). Punch a hole at one end. Use a marker pen to write the name of one guest on one side of each pendant. Leave the other side blank for “wish” writing from your guests.

2. Gather a selection of white papers mixing translucent papers with Kyoseishi textured paper. Include an accent color if desired. With scissors or a craft knife, cut out leaf shapes (template provided*). Punch a hole at the base of each leaf, and crease them down the length for extra form.

3. Select a mixture of four to five leaves for each cluster and one pendant, threaded them together with ribbon. Tie a loose half-knot at the base of each cluster. Place one leaf and pendant cluster for each guest at the wedding table along with the pens. The guest can write a “wish” on the back, then hang it on the Wish Tree.

Source: Wedding Papercrafts, Ann Brownfield & Jane Cassini, Photos by Caroline Arber, ©CICO Books 2009

*Templates should be adjusted to fit desired leaf size.

These witty gift boxes, cleverly cut and shaped like handbags, are reminiscent of the flirty 1950s fashion. The color scheme is continued in shades of lilac and aquamarine card and can be constructed in differing sizes to accommodate small gifts. Each is customized with a grosgrain bow, initial, floral lining and a card or ribbon handle.

Materials:
220gsm colored card
Colored photocopies
Grosgrain ribbon
Thin satin ribbon
Tracing paper
Cutting board
Craft knife
Metal safety ruler
Pencil
Bone folder
Scissors
Double-sided tape
Spray adhesive
Hold punch

Directions:
1. Using the template on page 129 as a guide, cut out the handbag from colored card, to fit either an A4 or A3 size, using the rule, pencil, cutting board and craft knife. Cut slit as marked for the front fastening. With the bone folder, and the wrong side of the card facing you, crease along the fold marks as indicated on the template, turning the card toward you. Also, crease the side pleats as marked on the template.

2. For the optional lining to the handbag, photocopy a picture of a favorite flower from a magazine or photograph. Spray adhesive on the backside of the photocopy and position over the top half of the handbag. Press in place, then cut around the out edge of the photocopy using the craft knife so the sizes of the lining and bag match closely.

3. To form the handbag shape, start with the inside of the bag facing you. Cut double-sided tape and attach it to the side flaps, on the right side of the card. Fold the front flap upward to join the side flaps and press in place. Crease the side pleats once again to give the handbag its shape. Fold the lid over to fasten it.

4. Using the template* provided, cut out the handle, using the ruler, pencil, cutting board and craft knife. Fold the handle as marked on the template at each end and fasten to the lid of the handbag using double-sided tape. Make a grosgrain bow, matching the ribbon color to the bag. Attach it to the front of the bag, just below the front slit.

5. For an alternative handle, punch a hole in each side of the lid, as marked on the template. Thread the length of grosgrain ribbon, through each hole then knot each end on the inside of the bag.

Source: Wedding Papercrafts, Ann Brownfield & Jane Cassini, Photos by Caroline Arber, ©CICO Books 2009

*Template should be adjusted to desired size of handbags.