My sister, a third grade teacher, is always looking for creative kids craft ideas. She recently asked me to come up with a fun project she could do with her students for Halloween. When I think Halloween, I think monsters, which led to these colorful paper monsters. The basic shapes are made from circle cards, printable labels, and scrap paper. For a fun dimensional look I combined two circle cards, folded the top card in half, adhered the top halves of each card together, and left the bottom halves free to create an open mouth.

The idea was to let the kids be creative when making their monsters, so beyond showing them some samples, they were free to add horns, eyes (however many they desired!), claws, teeth, etc. For finishing touches we used Stickles glitter glue as slime, warts, boogers…you get the idea.

The motto of this craft project: “No Rules, Anything Goes!”

–Ryan, Paper Source Reston Store
PS colors: moss & khaki
Latest fave: PS Printable Labels

It doesn’t rain very often in Los Angeles, so we don’t worry much about saving things for a rainy day. However, the skies do cloud over in Autumn. During such gloomy days, we’ve found that Paper Source kits are the perfect way to gather the family around the table – away from TV, Internet and video games.

Recently, my wife and I welcomed my mother-in-law, sister-in-law and niece over for a day of fun. When the weather didn’t cooperate, we ran upstairs to our craft area, pulled out the Owl Placecard Kit and a few other supplies (this kit only requires a few common items like a pencil, scissors, glue stick, and ruler). Seated together at a round table, I read out the instructions and, step by step, everyone made their first owl. After mastering the initial design, it was time for improvisation…droopy eyes, crossed eyes, different color combos, etc. Finally, we gave each of the owls a name like Dr. Hoot and Hootie Jr. The result was a fun family day indoors with our newest set of friends – the owls.

–John, PS customer
PS colors: curry & moss
Latest fave: Mr. T In Your Pocket & Snuffles The Dog

Who would have guessed that our new Paper Doll Kit would cause such a stir around here? The kids of Paper Source employees are showing their true creative roots in their continued excitement over our paper dolls!

Nicole (9) and Nina (7), daughters of Sally our CEO, have gone to town with their kits, literally. In addition to creating all kinds of outfits, they have spent countless hours building homes for their dolls adding table clothes made from origami paper and rugs from our French canvas fabric. While out walking the dog after having introduced the kit to some friends, Sally said a car pulled up and a little girl shouted to her daughter out the window, “Hey Nina, have you finished your curtains?!!” Word is spreading quickly in their neck of the woods!

Check out the girls’ bedrooms complete with bunk beds, tiny books on the bookshelf, and a painting hung on the wall! Who doesn’t stand around in their bedroom in their best bathing suit? Read the rest of this entry »

Created by one of our assistant store managers, these make great kid’s party favor boxes — or a rainy day project for kids to make themselves. Come by your local Paper Source store to see this favor box created in person!

Materials needed:
Chocolate Pocketbook Favor Boxes
Chocolate Oval Scallop Cards
Cover Weight Paper in Eco-white and Strawberry
Brads in Chocolate, Pool and Silver
Scallop Paper Punch
1/8″ Round Hole Punch
Scissors
Gluestick

Instructions:
1. Fold and assemble favor box according to instructions in package.
Ears & tail
2. Cut one scallop circle card in half lengthwise and fold each down to create two ears.
3. Cut a half moon or u-shape out of another scallop circle card to create tail, folding end about 3/4″ to create an anchor.
4. Using 1/8″ hole punch, punch holes in the ends of each ear Read the rest of this entry »

One of the things that is so stunning about Paper Source is all of the gorgeous fine papers from around the world. I walk in the store and pause to just say “ahh” at the beautiful ladders full of papers. Like many customers, however, I haven’t always been sure what to do with them (especially the papers I buy and save at home because they are “too special” to just wrap a present with). Some people are technically skilled at bookbinding or collaging and make incredible paper projects. My favorite uses are a bit more everyday– accessible techniques that are also inspiring and fun (relying on the artistry of the paper for a great result, rather than any required artistic perfection on my part!). Read the rest of this entry »

As useful and handy as this craft tool is, we think the word “Xyron” should be in the dictionary. Until it is, we figured we’d help explain for those who haven’t had the pleasure of getting to use one.

A Xyron is a machine that applies an adhesive to the backside of any paper you run through it. Besides being super easy, what makes this adhesive so useful is that it is dry — ever tried using a glue stick and noticed everything you glued began to curl? This happens to most surfaces, but especially paper, when introduced to the moisture of wet glue. With the Xyron machine, you create a dry adhesive akin to a sticker– no wet, no curl, no mess. All in all, a smooth, clean and fast way to add creativity to any project.

Xyron machines come in many sizes, each appropriate for different kinds of projects. The 510 machine, which takes paper up to 5” wide by 10’ long 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 »

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 »

Repeat your party theme in unexpected ways…rubber stamps aren’t just for cards or invitations– here we use them as super easy cupcake toppers. Create your own look or theme– works great with almost any medium or small sized stamp. These are a perfect pair with our robot invites.

1. Choose a rubber stamp and ink color to suit your theme (here we used the robot chrome head, robot glass dome head, and robot square head and a Color Box ink pad).
Read the rest of this entry »