Recently one of my girlfriends moved out of the city to the countryside. Her new home has (drum roll please) a barn! I've been waiting all my life to host a Western-style hoedown in an authentic barn and she's agreed to let me plan one instead of hosting a housewarming party.

Think cowboy boots, bluegrass, and barbecued ribs. The invites take their inspiration from the classic, all-American bandanna. To learn how I made them, read more.


The following supplies are needed to make similar invitations:

• colored cardstock
• fun scissors (I used pinking sheers)
• glue
• bandanna print image (I downloaded mine from Martha Stewart)

To assemble the invite:

1. Start by dragging the bandanna motif into a new Photoshop file that is 3.5 inches by 5 inches.
2. Shrink the motif down. Copy and paste the motif to create a background layer of bandanna. Arrange in an attractive pattern, flipping some of the images upside down.
3. Insert a text box and write out the details of the party. I used the font Chalkboard in size 12 bold to write:
   

   Yee- Haw!
   You’re Invited to a
   Boot-Scooting Hoedown

   Saturday, October 18
   Barbecue @ 5
   Band begins @ 730

   Krys & Emily's Barn
   Petaluma, CA

   attire: blue jeans & boots
   rsvp: 415.555.5555

   Change the font color to match the color of your cardstock.

4. Print out on white paper and check for mistakes.
5. Once satisfied with the look and feel of the invite, print on nice white paper.
6. Use the sheering scissors to cut the invite down to size.
7. Glue to the cardstock.
8. Cut the cardstock down to size with the fun scissors.
9. Slide into an envelope and send.