Easy Printed Stationery

Sometimes, when you just want a pretty bit of printed stationery, it can be too daunting to fool around with an image program on a computer. Perhaps even inserting an image into a word processing program can be annoying (as in: my image jumps to places I did not put it!).

Here is a quick way to do some easy stationery from your printer.

I did these using a printer and the easy program that comes with windows:

Free beautiful Victorian graphics can be had at Karen's Whimsy or Graphics Fairy.

First of all, find the image you wish to print, and go to "file" and "print."

The "Photo Printing Wizard" pops up. It is what I used with my printer to do this stationery. Simply click "next."

Check the image you wish to have, and click "next."

Now you want to tell it what size you want the image. There are several options. First of all, make sure you indicate that you only want one copy. Then choose the size you want. I wanted this one wallet sized:

Now I have to tell you that some images will not work this way, the program likes to crop them sometimes. This rose was cut off at the top ("cropped"). I had to find an image that fit the size I wished to have it printed. Tall images do best, but this rose would not go on all the way, for some reason.

I did find a way that let me print the image I wanted, without having it cropped. To do this, I had to go in a re-name my file, as it will print out with the file name underneath. I chose a lovely phrase for the picture. (To re-name a file, go up to "File" and down to "rename," or right-click and "rename" should be in the menu.)

Now back to that printing wizard page: I chose the "contact sheet prints" for my graphic. It puts one little rose up in the corner of my paper, with the new title underneath.
For a larger graphic, I chose "wallet prints." Wallet size prints do not include the file name.
Now press "print" and voila! Stationery!

Here are my small graphic prints:
Here are my larger prints. The picture of the girl on the left got cropped a bit, but it wasn't too bad:
Tall graphics or photos do best. However, the long ones can also be used. They will print out sideways like this:
But you can cut the sheet of paper in half and have a smaller paper like this:
You can even print on the back of your envelopes:

You can also make unique stationery by cutting the page square after it is printed:

A Special Tea

A special Birthday Tea for a very special person.

The challenge: to decorate those long narrow tables usually found in meeting halls for a tea party.

The solution: someone suggested we put them all together, and have the guests at one big table:

The tables were covered in pink tablecloths, then a lace tablecloth was put spread out in the middle of the table.

Candlelight was used to create sparkle and a relaxing ambiance, and we opted to use the natural light coming in the windows, instead of the overhead tube fluorescent lights.

Various new and antique fine china teacups and saucers were placed by a small plate at each place.

The tea menu:

Basil Chicken Sandwiches on Sweet Brown Bread

Sliced Fruit

Ruby Tea Biscuits from the Anne of Green Gables Cookbook, filled with elderberry jam and topped with whipped cream

Assorted Chocolate Cookies

The food was arranged on oval plates and placed between every two guests on the table, so that no one would have to be passing plates. It was decided not to use tiered serving pieces, as they sometimes block the view of the guests.

The centerpiece was placed on two yards of sequined fabric bunched in the center of the table.

The local grocery store floral department had a bouquet we liked, but not in the right colors. The florist there was happy to custom-make a rose bouquet for us in the same vase and for the same price, with our colors. The bouquet went home with the guest of honor.