Lady Luck

I'm hostessing a "Cards & Cocktails" bridal shower for one of my bestest friends next month, and last night I finished my work on the invites. The wedding theme is based on the happy couple's love of casinos and poker, so I thought I would play into that theme (and my friend's obsession with lottery tickets) by creating a scratch-off invite.

This project could be a fun way to do save-the-dates, Valentine's cards, or even Christmas gift tags.

Supplies:

• Cardstock paper
• Dish soap
• Acrylic paint in the metallic color of your choice (I chose the traditional silver)
• Paint brush
• Tape or contact paper (most websites I found suggested contact paper, but I found that clear Scotch tape worked perfectly)

Step 1: Design your invite/card/tag and print on card stock. (I used www.picnik.com. Surprise, surprise.) Don't forget you'll need something to "reveal." I chose to have 2 invites with an engagement ring graphic, while the rest of the bunch had a picture of a woman waiting with legs crossed by the telephone.

Step 2: Mix 2 parts paint with 1 part dish soap. I used a half tablespoon of dish soap and a full tablespoon of paint to make small markings on 40 invites.

Step 3. Apply the clear tape or contact paper over the design/words that you will be covering. Using your paintbrush, apply the scratch-off paint. I suggest doing at least two coats of paint, so don't worry if your text/image is not completely hidden the first time around. Also, while watching the paint dry you might be worried that some areas are more covered than others -- don't stress yet! You will be able to smooth everything over with a second or third coat of paint.

Step 4: After allowing the area to thoroughly dry, test one project using a coin. Wa la! Instant scratch-off fun.