DIY Network

A Cozy Night in Moscow: Invitations and Matching Napkin Rings From "Weekend Entertaining" episode WKE-202

Host Jeanne Benedict demonstrates how to make these nesting boxes for a unique party invitation.

This party is rated 2 on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the most difficult, and is geared toward the skills of a frequent entertainer.

Hourly Breakdown

Total Prep Time -- 9 hours
Invitations and Napkin Rings -- 1 hour

Materials for Invitations --

1 set per guest of 3 paper mache nesting boxes with lids (when boxes are nested, there should be at least 1/4" of shift space between each box)
Cobalt blue acrylic artist pigment paint
Flat paint brush
Plastic lid, tray or other paint pallet
Peel 'n Stick double adhesive sheets
Scissors
Clear seed beads
Pencil
Shallow plastic container, large enough for the largest box lid to fit in the bottom
Self-adhesive photo corners
Vellum

Materials for Napkin Rings --

Cardboard tube, cut to 2" lengths
Cobalt blue acrylic artist pigment paint
Flat paint brush
Plastic lid, tray or other paint pallet
Peel 'n Stick double adhesive sheets

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C

Invitations

Note: These invitations are based on the same idea as the Russian Matroyska (nesting) dolls. The dolls are a Russian type of folk art and are often hand painted (figure A).

1. Paint all the boxes and lids, inside and out, with blue paint. Apply a second coat if necessary. Allow to dry completely.

   Expert Tip: Acrylic paints, or even poster paints, are great to use when painting paper mache.

2. Trace the top of each lid onto the paper backing of the double-sided adhesive sheet. Cut out and remove one side of the paper backing and apply to the lid.

3. Cut strips of adhesive and apply around the sides of the lid. Remove the remaining paper backing.

4. Pour beads into a container. Press the top of the lid into the beads and roll the sides of the lid in the beads. Pick up additional beads and apply to any exposed adhesive.

5. Use fingers to press the beads firmly into adhesive (figure B).

6. Print invitation information on the vellum, making sure that each section will fit inside the lid of the box.

7. Cut invitation information into appropriate sized squares. Apply the photo corners to each corner and press into the lids of the boxes (figure C).

8. Place the host name and name of party in largest lid, the time and address in the middle lid and the RSVP in the smallest lid (see the image at the top of the page, right). Then, just nest the boxes inside each other. For a small gathering, these invitations can be hand delivered.

Figure D

Napkin Rings

1. Paint cardboard tube with blue paint, inside and out. Apply second coat if necessary.

2. Allow to dry.

3. Cut 1" strips of double-sided adhesive. Remove one side of paper backing and apply adhesive around the center of the tube (figure D).

4. Remove paper backing from the adhesive.

5. Pour beads into a shallow container. Roll tube in beads, adhering beads to adhesive strip. Use fingers to apply additional beads to exposed adhesive. Place fingers inside tube to support it as you press the beads into the adhesive.

RESOURCES :

Sophisticated Entertaining: Spirited Food for Grown-Up Parties
1557883459
Jeanne Benedict
(October, 2000)
To order this title from Amazon, click here.
HP Books

Whole Foods Market
Website: www.wholefoodsmarket.com

Hillcrest Party Rentals
3507 Motor Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90034
Phone: 310-837-9009
Website: www.hillcrestparty.com

The Sophisticated Cookie: Baking with Spirits: The World's Best Cookies Made with Alcoholic Beverages
1557882940
Jeanne Benedict
(September, 1998)
To order this title from Amazon, click here.
HP Books

Celebrations: A Joyous Guide to the Holidays from Past to Present
1557883734
Jim McCann and Jeanne Benedict
(November, 2001)
To order this title from Amazon, click here.
HP Books

A Taste of Russia: A Cookbook of Russian Hospitality
1880100428
Darra Goldstein
(October, 1999)
To order this title from Amazon, click here.
Russian Information Services

Little Book of Vodka Cocktails
0600601447
Editors of Hamlyn
(September, 2000)
To order this title from Amazon, click here.
Hamlyn (UK)

GUESTS :

Harry Schwartz
Culinary Expert
PO Box 1320
Yarmouth, ME 04096
Phone: 207-846-8881
E-mail: chefharry@chefharry.com
Website: www.chefharry.com

Diann Valentine
Event Producer
D.R. Valentine and Associates, Inc.
650 S. Raymond Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91105
Phone: 626-395-0346
Fax: 626-395-0649
Website: www.drvalentine.net

Marc Friedland
Image Expert
Creative Intelligence
4988 Venice Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90019
Phone: 323-936-9009
E-mail: mf@creative-intelligence.com

Kevin Lee
Celebrity Event Designer
La Premier Flowers
Phone: 310-435-4286
E-mail: kevin@lapremier.net