Halloween Party Invitations

'Fraidy Cat

The fold-over body opens to provide space for party details.

For each invitation

With fur standing on ends, this
feline is tailor-made for those
who crave creative expression.

• 8-1/2 x 11-inch sheets white paper
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Black card stock
• Black dimensional paint
• Opaque white ink pen
• Pink ink pen
• White eyelet (optional)
• Black eyelet (optional)
• 1/4-inch goo-goo eyes (available at crafts stores)
• Crafts glue
• Black or vellum envelope (optional)

1. Use a pencil to practice drawing the patterns for the body/legs, head, and tail on white paper. For the section that stands, fold the paper in half and draw a body and two legs. Cut with scissors; test to make sure the body stands on the four legs. Draw a head and tail pattern; cut out the pieces.

2. Trace each piece onto black card stock, using a pencil. Cover the pencil lines with black dimensional paint. Allow paint to dry, then cut out pieces, cutting around the paint. For the body, use scissors to make small cuts at the fold to mimic raised fur.

3. Draw eyes, mouth, nose, whiskers, and ears using the white pen. Fill in ears and nose with the pink pen. Using a white eyelet (or glue), attach the head to the body in the right eye area. Glue a goo-goo eye over the eyelet; glue the second eye to the left. Attach tail to body with a black eyelet (or glue).

4. Using the white pen, write party details on the inside of the body. If desired, place in a black or vellum envelope to deliver.

Zorro Who?

For each invitation

Who's behind the black mask?
Only time will tell with these
oh-so-easy masquerade ball
invitations.

• One black face mask, approximately 7 x 4 inches (or other size as desired; masks available at crafts or party supply stores)
• One 8-1/2 x 8-1/2-inch piece orange construction paper (or appropriate size for the mask selected)
• Ruler
• Crafts glue
• One 10-inch-long piece of 1-inch-wide black paper
• Clear adhesive tape (optional)
• Black pen or marker
• One 9-inch-long piece of 1/2-inch-wide orange paper
• Computer and printer (optional)
• Crafts knife or scissors
• Envelope (optional)

1. Place mask in the center of the construction paper. Fold paper over the mask, leaving a gap so the eyeholes are visible (fold approximately 1-1/2 inches on one side and 2-1/2 inches on the other). Remove mask.

2. Glue the short sides of the construction paper. Allow to dry. Place mask back in folded envelope.

3. Wrap black paper strip around the center of the short side of the invitation. Secure in back with tape or glue. Using a black pen or marker, write party details on center of orange paper. Or, create a computer-generated message, print it out, and cut orange paper into strips. Wrap orange paper around the black paper. Secure in back with tape or glue. If desired, place in envelope to deliver.

Ghostly Glitter

For invitations, just follow the curves to write party particulars on black card stock; leave portions of the coiled body unglued so it pops down when the recipient takes it out of the envelope.

For each invitation

This friendly ghost does double
duty as a party invitation and a
decoration to hang in your home.

• 8-1/2 x 11-inch sheets of white paper
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Black marker
• One 8-1/2 x 11-inch sheet of vellum paper
• Scissors
• Glitter spray
• Black thread
• Needle
• Black cover stock, cut to 5-3/4 x 9-1/4 inches
• Clear tape or spray adhesive
• White opaque ink pen
• One 6 x 9-inch vellum envelope (optional)

1. Draw a 5-1/2 x 9-1/4-inch box on white paper using the pencil. Within the box, draw a ghost figure, using the photo as reference. Fill in eyes and mouth with black marker. When satisfied with the pattern, photocopy onto vellum.

2. Cut out the ghost with scissors, following the black lines. Spray with glitter spray. Allow to dry. If using as a hanging decoration, poke a needle threaded with black thread through the top, and hang via the thread.

3. Position the ghost on black card stock for the invitation. Use tape or spray adhesive to secure the head to the card stock. (Leave the coils untaped so they dangle when taken out of the envelope.) Using a white opaque ink pen, follow around the ghost's curves to write a message on the card. Allow to dry. If desired, place in vellum envelope to deliver.

Autumn Pleasures

Leaves, acorns, or dried flowers-either real or from the hobby store-add a bountiful touch to a fall fest card.

For each invitation

The embellishments needed for this
invitation may be as close as your
own backyard.

• One 8-1/2 x 11-inch piece of rust-color card stock (or another color as desired)
• One 8-1/2 x 11-inch piece of patterned leaf paper
• Pencil
• Computer and printer (optional) or pen
• One 8-1/2 x 11-inch piece of vellum
• Crafts knife and paper punch
• Raffia, at least 23 inches in length
• Decorative leaves and dried flowers
• Crafts glue
• Envelope (optional)

1. Mark card stock and patterned paper approximately 1-3/4 inches from the top and 4-1/2 inches from the bottom. Lay patterned paper on top of card stock and carefully fold at the markings.

2. Type party information on a computer (or write the information with a pen), leaving about 3-1/2 inches at the top of the page. Print a test sample. When satisfied, print out on vellum.

3. Place vellum on top of the patterned paper and fold carefully into thirds. Trim any overhang with a crafts knife. Using a paper punch, make one hole in the center of the smaller folded flap near the edge, punching through all three paper layers. Make a second hole 3/4 inch farther from the edge than the first hole. Fold so the flap with the punches is on the outside.

4. String raffia through holes and around the invitation (if desired, you can skip this step and simply wrap the invitation with raffia). Tie into a bow. Glue on leaves, dried flowers, and other seasonal trims. If desired, place in envelope to mail or deliver.

Get Carving

Rally the troops for a pumpkin-carving contest by creating your own paper jack-o'-lantern to herald the big event.

For each invitation

Pull the stem to slide the inner
paper out to reveal party details,
then slide it back to close the lid.

• One 8-1/2 x 11-inch piece of orange construction paper
• Pumpkin stencil (optional)
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Crafts glue
• Colored pencils: yellow, green, black
• One 8-1/2 x 11-inch piece of yellow poster board or card stock
• Black marker
• Orange vellum envelope (optional)

1. Fold the orange paper in half widthwise for the outer card. Using a stencil or drawing freehand, draw a pumpkin shape, minus the stem, positioning the pumpkin's right side on the fold. Along the left side of the pumpkin, draw a 1/4-inch-wide by 2-1/2-inch-long tab, centered (this is a gluing tab to hold the card together). Using scissors, follow the lines and cut through both layers of paper to create one piece. Glue the tab to the back of the open side. Draw vertical lines and a face, using colored pencils. Lightly draw a jagged "lid" at the top. Using scissors and going through both layers of paper, cut out the lid; save both pieces.

2. Use a pencil to trace the outer card pattern onto yellow card stock for the inner card. Draw a stem on the top. Cut out the whole pumpkin. Glue the cut lid pieces from the outer card onto the top front and back of the inner card, matching the cut edges.

3. Write a message on the yellow card using a black marker. Slide into the outer card. If desired, deliver in an orange vellum envelope.