~Continued from Cowboy Birthday Party Extravaganza ~

You’re going to need some favors for the party, of course. Here are some easy ones to get you started..

How about a sheet of cowboy related stickers. What kid doesn’t like stickers? Just print on full-sized label sheeets, or print on plain paper and add adhesive with a xyron machine. (I couldn’t live without my xyron machine. If you don’t have one, check it out here: Xyron 900 5-9? Machine 9? with Idea Book)

Bookmarks are quick and easy. Here are some cute cowboy and cowgirl bookmarks that I made with paperdolls. Two are ready to print, and the blank ones can be personalized before you print, making them even more special. (I used the giddyup font). Just print on cardstock, laminate (I use my xyron machine, but you can also use contact paper), and cut out. Then punch a hole at the top, and thread some cord or ribbon through for a tassel.

Candy wrappers are next! These are for the hershey mini candy. Just add text, print out, laminate if you wish, and cut out. Then wrap them around the candy and tape ends together. The kids will think you are Martha Stewart!

Another cute idea for party favors are horseshoe photo frames. If you can get some used horseshoes from a riding stable or a friend who has horses, you’re in luck! Just spray paint them gold or silver. Take photos of each child riding the horse, and glue the picture to the back of the horseshoe!

Stay tuned…. Thank you notes and scrapbook pages are next!

So let’s get started with the invitation. Here is how it will look when it’s finished. The cowboy is actually a paperdoll magnet that attaches to the invitation. I still see them on friend’s refrigerators, and it’s been 5 years since the party!

Click on the invitation to the right, and you will be taken to photobucket, where you can print out the card. Use 5.5×4.25 cardstock (half of a letter-sized sheet). This is the outside of the card.

Then print the cowboy on magnet paper or cardstock and cut out. If you used cardstock, glue a magnet to his back. Also glue one on the card, then attach the doll. (I used a sizzix machine to cut out the paperdoll and clothes. Then I glued rope to his hand.)

If you want an even easier way to do it, print out this next card instead. It has the cowboy on it already. It won’t be 3D looking, but it will still look great!

Ok, now for the inside of the card. Before printing, save it to your computer and open it in some kind of a print program (I use PAINT SHOP PRO PHOTO X2) and add the personalization information. The blank blue box can be for any additional information (I used it to say to bring back the permission form to the riding stable). Then take the card, and feed it into your printer according to your printer’s instructions for printing the back side. Now you have the Birthday Invitation finished!!

You can mail them in plain invitation sized envelopes, or print the envelopes as well. Just choose the cowgirl or the cowboy, save to your computer, and take it to your print program. Add the name inside the lasso, and of course the address. Print out according to your printer’s instuctions for envelope printing.

But wait! There’s more… We haven’t covered party favors and thank-you notes yet, so Stay tuned for Part 2!

Please feel free to ask questions or comment below. I will answer:)