Glue

Sticky topic.

First of all…let me tell you that whichever adhesive you use, be sure to have a very heavy book or box on hand to set on top of your stack of glued papers.

YES! Paste:  My #1 favorite choice for gluing paper.  It is non-toxic, acid free & slow setting.  I always scoop a bit out and mix it with water in a resealable tupperware container.  It does not warp the paper, and is fairly invincible with any type of surface.

YES! Paste is applied by brushing it on with a paste brush.  A sturdy paint brush will also do the trick.

You can pick up YES! Paste, at Paper Source, MisterArt.com or Amazon.com.

PVA Glue is generally described as “white glue,” is water based & pH neutral.  It is branded by many art stores.  For ease, I buy it on Amazon.  PVA glue is also a fabulous glue for paper.  It does tend to warp the paper a tad.  PVS glue is great for gluing flat-backed rhinestones or other embellishments.  It is not slow drying, but does allow for movement.

Elmer’s Glue is surprisingly AMAZING.  Seriously.  And it’s about a buck-fifty at your local grocer.  It’s best if you can paint it on with a paste brush but is pretty good with the good ole squirt top.

UHU Glue (liquid) is the best with the metallic paper.  Especially if you’re up to the task of assembling any sort of “pocket” folders.  It’s the greatest.  Also great with flat-backed rhinesones or embellishments.

UHU Glue (glue stick) is great for glueing photos & surfaces with a matte finish.  I would not recomment this for serious invitation projects, as they may come apart in the mail.

Ribbon

Midori Ribbon is my favorite ribbon manufacturer.  I love their Organdy Ribbon,  Double Faced Satin, and Dupioni Silk.  The quality is impeccable, the colors are GORGEOUS and they are lovely to touch.   The best place to purchase this ribbon is online at Beau-Coup (they sell tons of great favors as well!).

Paper Source has a great line of satin ribbon…tons of color options, a few widths available.

Yarn…I don’t have a favorite online yarn source, but your local knitting shop is bound to have some great options.  I have included this here because yarn can be a great alternative to ribbon.  I love a high end yarn wrapped around an invitation three times and tied into a knot.  Gorgeous & unique.

Your Local Flower Market is also a great ribbon source if they sell to the public. 

Embellishments

Flat Backed Swarovski Crystals make for a lovely “dot” on an “i” or a center of a flower.  A fun sparkly something to add to a holiday invitation, or a wedding related invitation….it can be especially fun when used with an image of a woman holding a wine glass…the crystal can go right on the ring finger like a big sparkly diamond! This is one of my favorite extras.  Rhinestoneguy.com is a great place to buy them in bulk.  I also love the Crystal Rhinestone Boutique.  They have a huge selection, and their prices are very reasonable.  Twigs, Chopsticks or Cinnamon sticks are great if used at the top of an invitation to adhere the front card to the back. This could also be a fun way to attach a photo to a card. Wax or Plastic Seals are a classy addition to an invitation.  They can be used to actually “seal” a folder shut, hold a ribbon together, or maybe just as a decoration at the top of an invitation.  I would recommend against using these to seal the outside of an envelope.  They will most likely end up in a million pieces before the lovely invitation arrives at its destination.  WaxSeals.com offers a custom option…so you can create a wax seal out of any design!  Monogram? Stamps can be used as a decoration in the background or corner of an invitation to create a “letterpressed” or “stamped” look.  It can be a lot of work if you have several pieces, but if you have the time, it’s a great way to produce a very cool look at a low cost.  If you can find a large stamp with a floral or damask type design, you could either stamp it in a very light color in the background of your invitation or coming out of the top right corner & bottom left corner of the invitation. Some good stamping (and other scrap booking type materials) websites are Stampin’ Up, Creative Memories & Archivers. Creative Memories & Archivers. Petals are a soft addition to an invitation to a garden-themed event.  They even have adhesive on the back!  Many color options… Tags can be a fun addition to an invitation.  Tied onto the front with a little image, monogram or date…a tag can look nice when tied around a folder (with invitation inside) with a ribbon. Beads & wire can also be used like a twig at the top of an invitation.  Although it is difficult and time consuming, the finished product is quite cool.  You would string a wire with beads just slightly shorter than the width of the invitation.  You would then slip the wire through the holes at the top of the invitation and twist the wire in the back of the invitation (or tape them together - that might be easier and less lumpy).  This works best if you have another sheet of cardstock for layering behind the invitation card, so that your guests don’t see your messy work on the backside of the card.  Hint:  this looks realllly cool with small pearly colored beads on a wedding invitation.

Paper Cutter - The Fiskars Rotary Cutteris fabulous.  Easy to use and works well.

Hole (and other) Punches

Corner Rounder

This is awesome for creating tags out of leftover paper!

And for adding a little something extra to the corner of your invitations or holiday cards…I know this looks a little “crafty” but think outside the box. If done in the right situation, this could be very classy. I especially like the design on the top right here.

The snowflakes are super fun!

Brads are similar to grommets, but are much easier to deal with (which is why I am not recommending you take on a big grommet project). You just slip the wires through the punched hole, and separate the two little wires in the back. Here are some great brads - lots of color options (but I really like these white ones…nice & clean looking).

And how could you resist these?! These are BRADS! Adorable. This would be so perfect for a little boy’s (or DAD! haha) birthay party. 

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