You’re probably thinking, “Zutter, what?” Or maybe you’re already a fan of this new DIY tool. To help you discover the magic of the Zutter Bind-It-All and its accessories, I created a simple keepsake book in five easy steps.

Items needed:

• Zutter Bind-It-All
• Wire cutters
• ½” gauge wire (thinner books) or ¾” gauge wires (thicker books)
• Envelopes, cover stock and text for pages
• Chipboard for covers (try adding decorative paper or photos to the cover)
• Xyron 510 or Tape Runner adhesive for attaching paper to covers
• Your imagination!

Step 1: Set your guide to “C” for creating the holes in the chipboard. Set your covers (these are finished with Cavallini Gift Wrap) inside opening, stopping at the guide. Make sure the stabilizing foot is out, then pull the handle down. Read the rest of this entry »

During a summer course in college I had the good fortune of getting to make my first book. From that point on, I was hooked! There are few things as satisfying as learning an artisan skill, and using it to create one of a kind projects. I find handmade books like handmade furniture, stained glass or painting, still offers the reward of completion, a feeling that is void in today’s electronic projects.

Thursday’s Handmade Journal Workshop will introduce you to the satisfaction of bookmaking. We’ve taken away the tedious cutting tasks, allowing you to focus on construction, and leaving you with basic instruction that will guide you through future DIY book projects. Register online to reserve a seat at your local store.

Trust me when I say, this will be the beginning of very long and rewarding relationship with bookmaking!

–Linda
PS colors: paper bag & persimmon
Latest fave: 2011 Paper Source Booklet Calendar

The holidays are quickly approaching, and it’s my favorite time of year to be more creative with my handmade gifts… let’s face it, handmade gifts are just the best!

Being an avid bookbinder and box maker, I get dreamy eyed thinking about how I will invent something fun using our bookbinding kits. Oh, and can I say what a luxury to have these pieces precut to save your wrists?! Not to mention how they make being crafty so much faster!

If I could give you one tip for bookbinding it would be the following: Have what you need at your fingertips!

So, with that in mind, here’s a list of my Top 5 Bookbinding Must-Haves: Read the rest of this entry »

A few months ago, I was on a search to find boxes to package my handmade stationery. I searched high and low, but boxes just didn’t seem to come in the size I wanted. I was so desperate that I came close to paying a ridiculous price to have some boxes shipped from Asia, but luckily I stumbled across Paper Source on a weekend trip to Boston.

I walked past Paper Source’s window display of colorful papers and couldn’t resist stepping inside. I was so distracted by the beautiful papers that I almost missed the handmade boxes on display! They were so beautiful I wished I could learn how to make them myself. Luckily for me, Paper Source had all the materials to make boxes right there! I picked up some book board, bookbinding cloth, PVA glue, and an instruction manual, and headed home to make my box!

The PS instructions made the box construction easy to perfect with practice. I hadn’t worked much with PVA glue before, so that was a challenge at first. But I eventually found the best ways to handle the materials, and not get the table all sticky! I was happy to have my bone folder as well to smooth the paper down on the box as I glued. The handmade boxes turned out to be the perfect way to package my cards.

Here’s how I made my box: One by one, glue and secure the walls to the base. Read the rest of this entry »

This blog post has provided me with an opportunity to talk about two things I love: Our wonderful bindery department (yep, heard me right!) and the joy of learning to make handmade books. When I first came to Paper Source 7 1/2 years ago, our founder, Sue Lindstrom wanted to create our very own in-house bindery. She was interested then, as we are now, in creating hand-crafted products that speak to the core values of our company: use quality materials; pay close attention to the details; and above all, do it better than anyone else! All these years later, I am proud to say we are still making exquisite handmade products in our bindery at our headquarters here in Chicago.

Here are a few shots from our Paper Source bindery showing the items that eventually become the lovely photo albums, journals and guest books that you see in the stores and on our website. Some are covered in our Paper Source prints, some in our imported fine papers. And I couldn’t resist a photo of our imported German paste brushes that are so well-used, well-loved and last forever!

Now, if you’ve always wanted to learn to make books from scratch, then this blog post will satisfy that requirement too! Coming from someone who truly loves to make things with her hands (top of list are books), this next piece of information will make you very happy… this year we made sure to include on our New Year’s list of classes, a “how to craft an album or book by hand.” So, for all of you bookbinder wanna-be’s, this Saturday, January 30 ALL stores will be hosting a Fabulous Handmade Album workshop. We’ll teach you the in’s and out’s of making a 6″ x 8″ album by hand. You’ll not only leave with a finished album (plus get to be the envy of your friends), you’ll get to start the year off with a checkmark next to this one! Sign up while seats are still available.

Cheers & happy gluing!

–Linda
PS colors: chartreuse & pool
Latest fave: 2010 Paper Source Letterpress Calendar

Want to learn impressive bookbinding skills AND get organized at the same time? In this workshop we’ll teach you easy bookbinding techniques using our adhesive tapes and precut boards. At the end of the class you will have created your very own handmade 2010 datebook and we promise you’ll feel SO very accomplished! Our lovely Italian datebook inserts have traversed hurricane seas to get to us, so sign up early as this class is sure to sell out quickly once the books hit the stores.

Just think, once you gain these skills you can (and will want to!) make many more datebooks as keen holiday gifts!

WHAT: You never forget your first “Datebook”!
WHERE: All Paper Source stores
WHEN: Thursday, September 24. Times vary, see store for details.
HOW: Visit our workshop page to find your store & purchase your $35 ticket.

–Linda
PS colors: chartreuse & pool
Latest fave: Saddle Stitch Notebooks

We’re very protective of our bone folders around here. So protective, many of us refuse to even lend one to a friend for fear we may never see our much-loved crafting tool again. And for good reason: a bone folder forms to the user’s hand over time, remembering your index fingers and palm after years of loving use. So, not unlike a great pair of blue jeans or your favorite Birkenstocks… yours has a “hand blueprint” and fits only you the best. Read the rest of this entry »