To make
Box
1. Spray the wrong side of the pink leaf paper with spray glue and glue the pink paper onto the thick pink card to strengthen it.

2. Enlarge the box template (see above) to the desired size. Cut the prepared leaf paper along the solid lines. Use the blunt side of a craft knife to lightly score the folds and then fold along the dotted lines to create the box.

Cards
1. Create decorative box frames of about 87 x 87mm each using a computer. Insert the preferred wording into each frame and spread the invitation over a few cards. Use a cursive font and centre it. Keep the amount of copy on each card minimal to ensure an elegant effect.

2. Once you're satisfied with the wording, print a test copy on ordinary white paper. Carefully check for spelling and any other mistakes, and print the final copy onto white embossed card.

3. Trim the edges of the first card using a craft knife, metal ruler and cutting mat and test whether it fits in the box. Use this card as a template and then cut all the other cards to exactly the same size.

4. Place the cards in the box in the correct order and tie with a length of organza ribbon.

Good ideas
If you don't have access to a computer, draw a box frame with a gold pen on the embossed card and use a black pen to write the invitation in cursive writing, centring it as you go. Draw light pencil lines and erase them carefully once the pen has dried completely. Decorate the corners of the frame with a rubber stamp and gold ink, available from craft shops.

Stick clear printed labels on the front with the addresses to mail as usual, or tie a tag with the guest's name on it for delivery by hand.

Beaded card You will need To make one invitation one A3 sheet white card metal ruler craft knife and cutting mat one A3 sheet white paper glue stick needle silver thread

To make
1. Cut the A3 sheet across in three lengths of 297 x 140mm. (You will get three cards from one A3 sheet.)

2. Set up an A4 landscape format on your computer with the same measurements and divide it by creating two very light equal-sized blocks. Create another light rectangular block and centre it towards the top of the right-hand block.

3. Use a font of your choice and add the names of the couple towards the bottom of the right-hand block and print it out on the white card.

4. Cut out the rectangle using a craft knife.

5. Score and fold the card on the centre line dividing the two blocks.

6. Type the invitation and print it out on the white paper. Trim the excess so that it fits neatly on the right-hand side inside the card, and glue in place with a glue stick.

7. Sew the silver thread into the rectangle on the front of the card, starting from the top of the rectangle. Zigzag the thread across from one side to the other, only picking up beads on the diagonal lines of thread. End off by knotting the thread tightly and cutting off the end.

8. Bend a piece of thin wire, twist it into the shape of a heart and place a tiny bead in the centre of the fold.

9. Spread the beads out evenly and place the heart roughly in the centre of the strands of silver thread. Secure the heart from the back with a little craft glue and leave to dry.

Flower invitations
You will need
To make one invitation

To make
1. Enlarge the flower template above to the desired size and cut it out of the orange paper to form the inside of the flower. Cut the same template out of the cream card to form the outside of the flower. Cut the orange flower slightly smaller (approximately 3mm difference) than the cream flower.

2. Write the invitation on the petals of the orange flower in a cursive font or print it on another piece of orange paper. Glue it onto the individual petals, cutting off any excess.

3. Score each flower lightly along the dotted lines on the template using the blunt side of a craft knife, and fold the petals.

4. Place the orange flower inside the cream one and cut a small cross in the centre through both layers.

5. Attach the silk rose to the silver elastic by carefully pulling the rose apart. Keep the petals joined as is, fold the cord double, push the loop through the bead and tie a knot above the bead. Push the two loose ends through the centre of the rose as you reassemble the flower.

6. Thread the ends of the silver elastic from the back through both the card and the paper. Decorate the inside of the invitation with another piece of orange paper with the names of the couple on it. Knot both ends of the silver elastic securely to keep everything in place.

7. From the outside, pull the rose into position and close the invitation by folding the petals in with the silk rose on top.

8. Write or print the names of the guests on another piece of cream card and use the leaf template to cut out. Thread this onto the elastic as well.

Image: Jan Ras