Party Circles EVERYWHERE party circles everywhere NATALIE STERN 1
Introduction The first party that I ever hosted was a dear friend s baby shower. I had envisioned a tea party filled with china tea cups, lace doilies my grandmother made and bite sized eclairs for dessert. Unfortunately, I threw this party before I discovered my love of party crafting. To say the least the results did not live up to my original vision. I felt dissatisfied using mismatched tableware and commercially designed decorations. And trying to find something that coordinated with a vintage tea party look was truly impossible! When I look back at my first attempts to throw a baby shower, all I can do is laugh. If only I had known that one simple party design - the party circle - was all I needed to get started on creating a beautiful celebration. From mini paper buntings, dressed up favor boxes and coordinated napkin rings, this one little element can be used in so many different and amazing ways. So, yes, you will still need to craft other pieces to make your celebrations truly shine. But, the party circle design is enough to get you started in the right direction. With a few craft supplies, some DIY love and a lot of imagination, party circles can help you can take your events from ordinary to extraordinary. I know we are all busy, so I ve kept the crafts in this book easy for even the most amateur do-it-yourself hostess. Although all of the party designs that we used can be found in our shop, Katarina s Paperie, you can use this book with any set of party circle designs. We hope we spark a love for party hosting with these party circle crafts. Happy Celebrating, Natalie 2 3
Dress Up Your Drink Drinks can be served in so many fun ways at your celebration. For the littlest guests, choose a container that is hefty and that you wouldn t be sad if it got broken. These mason jars are from our local dollar store. If one doesn t survive a celebration, I don t have to worry about it. By using a few items from the craft closet and a party circle, you can have your drink glasses party ready in no time. And be sure not to forget the party straw! Drink Container (cup, mason jar, milk bottle, etc.) Baker s Twine Paper Straw Straw Flags 1. Print out your party circle design using 8.5 x 11 medium to heavy white cardstock. Punch out your party circles. 2. Attach the party circle to the front of your drink glass using Glue Dots or double sided tape. (Note: The Glue Dots are easier to get off of the glass.) 3. Tie a piece of coordinating baker s twine around the mouth of the glass. Add a straw flag to a matching paper straw. 4. Place the drink glasses near the drinks station with the straws in them, so guests can easily serve themselves. Need free printable straw flags? Check out our website for a variety of free straw flags to fit any occasion. 4 5
Cake Stand Decor Dessert stands are such a pretty way to display treats at a party. Add party circles along the edge to coordinate your stand with your party. Double sided tape 1. Print out the party circle design using medium to heavy white 8.5 x 11 cardstock. Punch out the party circles. 2. Attach each party circle using double sided tape to your cake stand. Mini Bunting Mini buntings are such a sweet decoration for any party space - big or small. They can be hung from mantels, windows or even use one on top of the cake. Baker s Twine Clear Tape 1. Print your party circle design on medium white cardstock. Estimate the desired length of your bunting. You will place a party circle every two inches. 2. Punch out the party circles. Measure out your baker s twine. Attach the party circle using clear tape on the back of the baker s twine. If using two party circles, use double sided tape. Hang your mini bunting. 6 7
Favor Box Fun Favor boxes are such a sweet way to package party favors. Coordinate them with your celebration by using a little bit of ribbon and a matching party circle. Use all of the same party circle design or you can use different ones to give an alternating look to each box. Party Circle (we recommend using one with a coordinating graphic) 2 Inch Round Circle Punch 1-1.5 wide coordinating colored ribbon Glue Dots or double sided tape Kraft Cardboard Favor Box 1. Print your party circle design on medium to heavy white 8.5 x 11 cardstock. Punch out each party circle individually. 2. Measure out a length of ribbon to wrap around your box. Be sure that there is enough ribbon at the ends for a slight overlap. 3. Attach your ribbon using Glue Dots or double sided tape. Add the party circle to the front of the ribbon. 8 9
Tissue Paper Fans Paper fans are such a pretty decoration on their own. These mini tissue paper fans can be purchased at your local party store. They come in many different colors, making it easy to coordinate them with your celebration theme. Party design circles are a great addition to the paper fan. It helps tie this decoration into your party theme. Hang them as a dessert table backdrop, fireplace mantel, focal wall or from the ceiling. Mini Tissue Paper Fans Double sided tape or Glue Dots 1. Print out your party circle design using medium to heavy white 8.5 x 11 cardstock. Punch out the party circles. If hanging your fans from the ceiling or a mantel, we recommend using party circles on the front and back. That way if they spin, there is a party circle on both sides. 2. Attach the party circle using double sided tape or Glue Dots. 3. Hang your fans from the ceiling, use as a dessert table backdrop or create your own event focal wall for a photo booth. 10 11
Cupcake Toppers If you are serving cupcakes at your celebration, homemade or store bought, coordinating cupcake toppers are a fun and easy way to make them look pretty. Made from 2 inch punched party circles and white lollipop sticks, cupcake toppers are the perfect addition to personalize any celebration and make your desserts extra special. Add to cupcakes, muffins and other party treats for a coordinating touch. Cupcake Topper Design 8.5 x 11 Medium to Heavy White Cardstock Scissors or Paper Cutter 2 Inch Round Circle Punch 4 Inch White Lollipop Sticks White Glue, Glue Dots or 1.5 Round White Sticker 1. Print out your party circle design on 8.5 x 11 white cardstock. Punch out your party circles using a 2 inch circle punch. 2. Using white glue, attach a white lollipop stick on the back on the cupcake topper. You can also use a Glue Dot or 1.5 round white sticker. 3. Tie on a little ribbon or attach a bow to the base of your topper if desired. Add your cupcake toppers to your cupcakes, muffins or other party treats. 12 13
Party Stickers Party stickers are a sweet addition to any celebration. They can be used to dress up your treat bags, as envelope seals for invitations or to coordinate your party decor with your theme. They are simple to make using full label paper and your theme s party circle design. Full Label Paper 1. Print out your party circle design on full label paper. 2. Punch out the party circles using a 2 inch round punch. 3. Add your party stickers to your treat bags, envelope seals, paper drink cups or cutlery bags. It s a great way to coordinate your party decor with your party theme. 14 15
Food Tent Cards Let guests know the treats that they will be enjoying or where they will be sitting with homemade food tent cards. The party circle will let you craft your own version of this traditional food tent card that is sure to impress your guests. Medium to Heavy White Cardstock Paper Cutter or Scissors Food Tent Card Template (to add text on the computer - optional) Scoring Board and Knife Mini Pop Up Dots Coordinating Washi Tape 1. Create a box using a word processing or graphics program that is 3.5 x 5. Insert the text for your food tent card in the bottom portion of the box. If you prefer to handwrite your text, cut a rectangle from white cardstock that measures 3.5 x 5. 2. Score your food tent card at the 2.5 mark using a scoring board and scoring knife. Fold your food tent card. Trim any excess cardstock. 3. Attach the party circle to the top of the food tent card using mini pop up dots. You can also use Glue Dots if desired. 4. Add a piece of washi tape to the bottom of the food tent card. Set out your food tent cards to let guests know where to sit. or the food to enjoy. 16 17
Napkin Rings Party circles aren t just reserved for the dessert table. They can also be used to dress up your table decor. Adding a party circle to the top of a napkin ring can make guests say wow the minute they sit down. Mini pop up dots help give the 3D effect, although regular Glue Dots would work well too. Lightweight cardstock in coordinating color Glue Dots Mini Pop Up Dots (optional) Scissors Napkin Utensils 1. Print out your party circle design. Punch out your party circles using a round 2 inch punch. 2. Measure a piece of cardstock approximately 1.75 high by 4.75 wide. Cut out the cardstock using scissors or a cutting board. 3. Wrap your utensils in your napkin. Roll the cardstock around the napkin wrap. Attach with a Glue Dot. 4. Add the party circle to the front of the napkin roll. Use mini pop up dots to get a 3D effect or Glue Dots. 18 19
Gift Tags Party circles can also add a special touch to gifts. Use a top the birthday girl or boy s presents to tie them in with the party year or attach them to gifts your giving to others. Just at the recipient s name and who the gift is from on the back of the gift tag. You can also add the gift tag to other tags that you are using on the package. 2 Round Circle Punch Medium to Heavy White Cardstock Hole Punch Baker s Twine 1. Print your party circle design. Punch out your party circles using a 2 round circle punch. 2. Tie baker s twine or other ribbon around your package. 3. Add a hole punch to the top of your gift tags. Attach the gift tags to the top of the package. Write the to and from information on the back of the gift tag. No time to wrap? Use a kraft paper box instead. The kraft paper looks like gift wrap and you can save time! 20 21
About the Author Natalie Stern has always had a dream to open up a stationary studio focused one of the things she loves most - celebrating with kids. When her baby daughter arrived, she realized that she wanted more options for designing parties than the local shops carried. So, Katarina s Paperie was born. Mixing together her love of paper crafting with her elementary teaching background, Natalie loves to create paper delights for the littlest customers to enjoy. Natalie s work has been featured in Hostess with the Mostess, Everyday Party Magazine, Bird s Party Magazine and numerous other party blogs. You can find more party inspiration on their website - www.katarinaspaperie.com. Our Favorite Resources Craft Supplies Used in this Book: Paper Cutter 2 Round Circle Punch Full Label Paper Medium White Cardstock Heavy White Cardstock Scoring Board Scoring Knife Craft Suppliers: Michaels Target A.C. Moore Amazon Home Goods Hobby Lobby Party City Specialty Craft Supplies: Party Straws - My Little Otter Baker s Twine - The Twinery Washi Tape - My Little Otter Favor Boxes - Mind the Wrap Mini Paper Rosettes - Michaels All printable party designs used in this book are from our shop, Katarina s Paperie. 22 23