Head back to school (or the office) in style. Use pretty paper to mark your place and accentuate your love for all things paper. Follow the steps below to create a customizable bookmark like the one shown on the left.

Materials Needed:

Instructions:

Alternately, you can create the variation on the right using any of our fine papers and Xyron Machine. For an alternative style check out our fancy bookmark how-to.

Happy reading!

From crafters to brides-to-be to home design enthusiasts it seems chalk is inspiring DIY projects across the board (pun totally intended). The Paper Source Design Team grabbed a few everyday items and went to town with our own chalkboard products, creating a dozen easy-to-execute ideas with simple chalk and chalkboard accents.

We also love the possibilities for kids. Let them doodle away with classic chalk, bistro markers, or even a white gel pen (if you’re seeking a permanent print that takes on the appearance of chalk).

Around the house you can adhere removable, repositionable Chalkboard Wallies to a kitchen wall or back entryway for notes, reminders, or even a running grocery list! Or, try using chalkboard paint on a porous surface. Secure a repurposed frame, window, or shutter to create a DIY memo board with chalkboard paint.

Last week, RealSimple.com listed Chalkboard Wallies as the #1 Item to Simplify Your Life. Our Summer Party Ideas post shows you how to use these must-haves as labels, just like the jars featured above.

What ways have chalkboards inspired your projects?

When thunderstorms, heat waves or snow days keep the kids indoors lean on us to help you weather the storm. We went through our archives to find a few kid-friendly crafts that will keep you from getting caught in the rain.

Paper Source moms recommend keeping bulk packs, a Xyron machine and colorful pens around for stormy days. What do you recommend pulling from the craft closet in the event of a kid crafting emergency?

Being the mom/stepmom of three boys, the thought of hosting twelve boys (ages 7-11), at the Evanston store terrified me! How would we keep these boys engaged in the crafts we wanted them to test? (Especially since we planned to sugar them up with donuts during the hour they were with us!) As it turns out, the boys LOVED to craft!

Quiet and hard working, they started by testing our Ninja Kit concept. (Due in stores this Fall thanks to the overwhelming response from the boys!) This interactive kit creates puppet-like ninjas with jointed arms and legs for action-packed battles!

They then switched to building our Space Creatures Kit, and had a great time making the aliens and other-worldly pets uniquely their own. Read the rest of this entry »

Decorate your Easter table or start an Easter project for the kiddies with these lovable little lambs! This idea is great for baby showers too!

–Annie
PS colors: peacock & paper bag
Latest fave: Spritzer Rubber Stamp Cleaner and Rubber Stamp Cleaning Pad

Materials Needed:

• Lamb Treat Bag How-To PDF Read the rest of this entry »

As a Midwesterner, I have trouble celebrating Mardi Gras. It’s usually cold. It’s usually gray. And the voodoo around here just isn’t the same.

Sure, I honor the holiday with a batch of étouffée. I even go as far as accepting my father-in-law’s usual Sazerac offer, despite not yet developing a taste for this potent cocktail. Still, it never feels like I do the Carnival justice.

But, earlier this year I had a chance to visit New Orleans for the first time. (Hello New Orleans, long time lover, first time visitor!) I was escorted by seasoned visitors the Sazerac-loving father-in-law, queen of bayou cuisine mother-in-law, and my fun-loving Mister. We tackled that town like it was sprouting legs and running away– hitting the St. Louis Cemetery to visit famous Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau, riding the St. Charles Streetcar through the Garden District, and watching quintessential blues legend Dr. John perform at Tipitina’s.

Oh, the French Quarter? We tackled that too. And, boy, did we eat.

So, this year, the Carnival season not only seems possible, it seems necessary. Read the rest of this entry »

Like many of you, the holiday season has always been my favorite time of year. Nothing fills me with the spirit of the season more than seeing the smiles of friends and family each year, and what better way to entice them than with some of my famous toffee bark? Each year I look for a keen new way to wrap up my little goodies and, this time around, I had one of those lightning bolt moments of creativity. I absolutely LOVE our Santa Place cards, and thought, “Why not transfer that design onto our take out boxes?” The result… OH SO CUTE!!!

Cheers!

–Jacob, PS Kansas City
PS colors: gravel & curry
Latest fave: gingham fabric tape

Materials Needed: Read the rest of this entry »

So many kids have enjoyed our ‘Tween Message Board craft during private workshops that we wanted to create a crafting project for our adults – the perfect elegant French Message Board!

(Sorry this is not a kid’s class – this is for adults only – please see the policy page.)

If you are the crafter who is afraid of glue this project we will show you how to wrap book board using super-tacky tape to secure PS papers. No worries, we will also help you navigate the layout for your ribbon too!

There are still seats available for tonight’s class!! So sign up online or call your local store to get in on this wonderful French Message Board workshop.

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

If you’re having a New Years party or are looking for New Years activities for your family, you must make these glittery gold New Years party hats! CBS 2 Chicago (click to view) even featured them as a fun way to get kids involved at New Years. You could, of course, use this party hat design in different colors with different stamped messages for other celebratory occasions!

–Annie
PS colors: gravel & beet
Latest fave: Tree Trunk Tea Light and Japanese 8 1/4″ Scissors

Materials Needed:
How to New Years Party Hats PDF
8 1/2″ x 11″ Cover Weight Paper (Eco-White & Shimmer Gold)
8 1/2″ x 11″ Text Weight Paper (Black & Shimmer Silver)
1/4″ Super Tacky Tape Read the rest of this entry »