Recycled Cigar Box Invitations

Luxurious, sophisticated, completely custom and socially responsible... perfect for today's most outstanding couples. These unique do-it-yourself cigar box invitations come in at under $4 each!

MATERIALS
Re-used wooden cigar box (you can find these for around a dollar at your local cigar shop!)
Small photo or scrapbook album of your choice (We found ours at the 99 Cent Store)
Photo corners (Ours came with the photo album)
Patterned scrapbook paper of your choice and/or solid color cardstock of your choice
3M 77 Spray Adhesive
"You're Invited" stamp (If you choose clear stamps you will also need an acrylic block)
Decorative stamps of your choice (If you choose clear stamps you will also need an acrylic block)
Gold and black high density stamp ink (or colored ink of your choice)
White tissue paper
Ruler
Wide ribbon
Scissors
Exacto knife or box cutter
Computer and printer
Printer paper

*Optional
Decorative shape craft punch to match your wedding theme or invite motif
Clear dry craft glue
Rubber eraser
Brayer rubber roller
Cutting mat (Upwards of $60 at craft stores but $14 at Walmart!)
Paper cutter (try looking at a discount store for an investment of around $20 that will last you a DIY lifetime!)
Colored tissue paper

DIRECTIONS
1. Remember to take your book to the cigar store(s) to make certain it will fit in each cigar box. Take a look at the album you chose to determine the best way to cover it with your paper. For example, it was best not to glue too close to the binding on ours. Also, a plain rubber eraser will erase marks that might be present from its exciting time in a discount store.

2. Spray the back of your patterned paper with a generous coating of spray glue, let glue become tacky, and place photo album cover.

3. Trim off the edges using an exacto knife. A clear ruler and a cutting map will work miracles as guides. Use clear glue to tack any loose edges and if you'd like, smooth everything out with a brayer rubber roller to create a perfectly polished look.

4. If necessary, test the closure of your album and trim any edges that don't exactly meet up.

5. Decorate! Go simple or elaborate, and use corresponding or contrasting colors. We used a craft punch, but your options are endless. Other great ideas are antique keys, pearls, feathers, or crystals.

6. Stamp it up! Use the first page to formally invite your guests to the most important event of the year! Be sure to measure your page in order to properly center your stamps. We used a clear stamp set (and acrylic block) that included decorative borders and invitation phrases.

7.Finishing touches make all the difference! Cover any unwanted text and/or use paper, stamps, embellishments to amp up the effect!

8. Print out your invitation information, RSVP info, maps, directions, photos, etc, trim to size, and use photo corners to affix to pages. Our photo corners where clear-fronted, but if yours are solid be sure to allow room on the corners of your invite pages during printing and trimming!
*P.S. Using photo corners allows your guests to remove your invite information super easily for convenience! For example, the map is easy to take along, the date info is easy to post on the fridge, and any RSVP cards can be easily slipped out and mailed in!

9. Antiquate any custom paper embellishments you have found (or printed) and use spray glue to affix them to appropriate places on both the outside and the inside of the cigar box. Be sure to utilize any accessories (tags, stamps, ribbons,etc.) that have come in your cigar boxes.