We originally created a version of these classic 4th of July decorations for Inauguration Day 2009. To celebrate the day, the PS Design team had streaming video of the day’s events projected onto a wall, framed by curtains and hanging red, white and blue (lake, of course) paper rosettes. It really created a festive patriotic setting and we noted we’d have to remember the rosettes again in July. Well, here we are, halfway through summer (though not in Chicago) and ready to celebrate our country once again! Our take on the tissue paper rosettes you often see at Independence Day celebrations is SO easy. You’ll want to hang them from front porches, around backyards or patios, from tree branches or on the backs of chairs – wherever you choose to celebrate, they’re the perfect decorative spark!

Materials needed: Read the rest of this entry »

Hole punches are a super easy way to decorate a handmade card or invitation. With this birthday card, we repeated the punch using the cupcake cutouts to create impact with lettering. In addition to the cutouts, you can also use the negative spaces left by the hole punch to create little peekaboo windows into the inside of the card! Read the rest of this entry »

This spring we introduced a new paper flower kit to celebrate one of our all-time favorite blooms, the sunflower. At Paper Source, from the moment we decide on a kit concept, we begin the rounds of brainstorming, sampling and prototyping that make up the creative process. After investigating different varieties of sunflowers (there are more than 50 species), and bringing in lots of fresh ones to examine in person, we decided on a look and began creating initial models. Read the rest of this entry »

I wanted to share this cool study in color & texture contrast that I stumbled upon in my magazine archives, from Livingetc (one of my favorite home design magazines out of the UK). Color is such an integral part of Paper Source– if you haven’t yet, check out our colorscope– and the vibrant yellow in this image reminds me of how our curry is a beautiful match for almost any deep purple. This particular vase with its glossy finish, set against the deep dark richness of the flower, and the highlights of its edges and velvety texture… all create a bounty of visual fun! Whether it’s a vase and flower combination like this, or a shirt and a scarf, or a card and envelope pairing…there are countless ways to mix this gorgeous color combo into your everyday life.

P.S. view the photo full-sized to get the full effect.

–Fabra
PS colors: gravel & chocolate
Latest fave: Teflon bone folder

Paper Source founder Sue Lindstrom celebrates her birthday today and in her honor we’d like to call this Founder’s Day and take a moment to reflect on her (which she would just hate but we’re going to do it anyway!). Sue founded Paper Source over 25 years ago after a life-changing trip to Japan, during which she simply fell in love – with paper! Lucky for all of us, Sue came home wanting to share her new love. She opened her first Paper Source store here in Chicago, filling it with tools for creativity, keen gifts, quirky humor and lots of colorful, beautifully designed papers from around the world. Today, Sue’s vision and mission to Do Something Creative Every Day can be experienced in 30 stores nationally (and counting!) and online worldwide. Read the rest of this entry »

This breezy summer party invitation is easy to make using fill-in printable invitations and our honeycomb rubber stamps. The honeycombs take on a citrus look in these ink colors, but you can change up the colors and use them again and again for any occasion– make fireworks in red and blue for a 4th of July celebration, or a garland in red and green for a holiday party. We finished these off with clear embossing powder for a shiny, textured look.

Materials needed:
Recycled Black & White A7 Printable Party Invitations
Honey Comb Flower Small Rubber Stamp
Honey Comb Flower Large Rubber Stamp
Sunflower Color Box Stamp Pad
Moss Color Box Stamp Pad
Orange Color Box Stamp Pad
Clear Embossing Powder
Heat Embossing Tool

Instructions
1. Along the top of each invitation, stamp small and large honeycombs in a staggered pattern in various ink colors.
2. To emboss, begin by sprinkling clear embossing powder over pattern while ink is still wet.
3. Shake off excess powder. We recommend doing this over a large sheet of scrap paper so you can funnel the excess back into your jar — it’s totally reusable.
4. Set with heat tool to create a raised, glossy finish.
5. Pair with a colored A7 envelope to complete your invitation!

– Annie
PS colors: eco-white & pool
Latest fave: Zots Glue Dots

Here is a fun, easy way to do a 3-D homemade Father’s day card (this technique is great for a kid’s or baby’s room too). Start with our nifty 3-D craft letters, colored paper and some large photos printed on superfine white text weight paper. Our superfine paper works great with inkjet printers, and the matte finish makes it easier to glue than glossy finished papers.

Instructions:
1. To cover the front of each letter, trace along the outside and inside edges of the craft letters on colored paper (here I used sage). Read the rest of this entry »

If you live in or around the Palo Alto area, stop by our store at Town & Country Village this Saturday for our Grand Opening Event! Join us for creative crafting demonstrations featuring clever tips & techniques, enter a raffle to win cool Paper Source goodies, and check out our brand new digs. And as a special offer for our Grand Opening Event only, spend $50 at Paper Source Palo Alto this Saturday, June 13th* and get 10% off your next purchase, good through July 4th!

WHAT: Paper Source Palo Alto Grand Opening Event

WHEN: Saturday, June 13, 10:30am – 4:30pm

WHERE: Town & Country Village — 855 El Camino Real #63, (650) 324-9700

WHY: We’re offering free creative demos on how to dress up envelopes, make paper flowers, embellish with rubber stamps and more. Plus you can enter to win free stuff.

We hope to see you there!

–The PS Palo Alto Team

*Offer available only at Paper Source Palo Alto on 6/13/09. Redeemable through 7/4/09.

Okay, if it’s possible to have a total FAVE outside of PS designs, then these French canvas fabrics from Les Toiles du Soleil (“canvas of the sun”) have to be mine. They just scream summertime and the beach! The best news is that on top of using them to make our awesome French canvas journals (handmade at Paper Source here in Chicago), we are now selling the cloth online by the meter– ideal for summer craft projects! I have been hoping for years that we could offer it by the meter, so with five summery patterns now to choose from it’s a dream come true for me. Read the rest of this entry »