It seems Night and Papaya are the season’s hot trend at Paper Source! Recently, a good number of us showed up in this cheerful combination, and we couldn’t help but think: PS color combinations look smashing in terms of paper crafts and home decor, why wouldn’t they be great in fashion too!

So, tell us: What colorscope wardrobe combinations do you see or love to wear?

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As Paper Source expands in Chicagoland I thought my weekend adventure to a destination near two of our newest suburban stores might interest artists and crafters who seek local inspiration.

A good friend told The Mister and I about Cantigny Park in Wheaton, IL. Read the rest of this entry »

We love how our wall bulletin organizer dressed up our work space so much that we created a coordinating cubbie to hold pens, notes and of course, our PS Swatchbook. Follow our steps to create a desk organizer of any size, and cover it in your favorite wrapping paper.

A great back to school craft to get your tweens and teens organized or spruce up your own desk (adults can celebrate back to school, too!).

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

Materials needed:
How to PDF
8 1/2″ x 11″ Chipboard Read the rest of this entry »

My sister, Stacey, is a talented artist and photographer who is always surprising me with fun things to wear to work, among other places. Her latest creation pays homage to the fabulous Paper Source catalog, which Stacey immediately opens and pores over for inspiration when it arrives in her mailbox. Accustomed to making our paper flower kits, as well as working with felt and vintage fabrics to make her own floral brooches, the colors and layout of the Paper Source catalog called out to her one day, asking to be transformed into a paper brooch.

The weight of our catalog pages lends itself to easy cutting and shaping to form the petals of the brooch. First, Stacey selects the pages she wants to use, and then begins cutting them into rounded shapes. She scrunches the shapes side by side in a circular floral formation and uses a needle and thread to attach them to one another. She embellishes the middle section with a splash of glitter. Finally, a pin is attached to the back of the brooch for fastening onto clothing, bags, hair bands, gifts—you name it!

Whenever I wear one of these brooches to work, customers and fellow employees stop in their tracks to take a closer look and inspect Stacey’s handiwork. When I tell them the brooch was made from one of our catalogs, they are simply amazed. Who knew the pages of a catalog could be transformed into wearable art? Only at Paper Source!

–Pam, Paper Source Carlsbad Store
PS colors: fuchsia & chocolate
Latest fave: Mum Outline Flower Large Rubber Stamp

Okay I’ll admit, the past few years I have not been so lucky in love. None the less, I am still a hopeless romantic, so I decided to create my own “recipe for love” Valentine cards using our Mini File Folders. Now this isn’t Hogwarts and these concoctions may not work, but it’s still so much fun! Consider delivering your Valentine messages this year in a creative package like this.

Most people put their recipes inside file folders, but these wonderful mini tabbed folders are actually great for printing on the outside. I printed my recipe for love on each (2 cups sweetness, 1 spoon of romance), then embellished them with Valentine rubber stamps and decorative hole punches. Tuck your Valentine greetings inside these folders for a private way to deliver your message.

Let me know what your ingredients are for love – I just might try mixing it up! Here’s hoping you have a sweetie to share a recipe of love with this February 14th!

p.s. If you’re looking more inspiration on valentine crafts, check out our new Valentine workshops in January and early February.

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

With so many Paper Source favor boxes to choose from it’s easy to see why we love sharing our countless wedding favor ideas. Though our favor box assortment means endless possibilities to us, we know that our customers can feel overwhelmed by all of the choices. That’s why we’re always developing new wedding favor workshops that provide you with a framework for your favor project.

At this month’s Wedding Favor Workshop we’ll share ideas and decorating techniques to get you headed in the right direction. By the end of the class you’ll have the know-how and completed samples to make creative decisions for your own wedding celebration! Our workshops are also a great way to spend quality time with your mother, future mother-in-law and bridesmaids. A real treat for all of you!

WHAT: Wedding Favors Workshop
WHERE: All Paper Source stores
WHEN: Saturday, January 16 from 11am-1pm.
HOW: Visit our workshop page to find your store & purchase your $35 ticket. (Save 10% when you sign up with a friend!)

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

When you have a toddler or puppy in the house, decorating a tree for the holidays is all kinds of fun for little ones, but means constant monitoring for you. Last year Noquet joined our family and now just a year old, she is still all puppy. In decorating our Christmas tree, I wanted to ensure that the ornaments that were at her height were safe for her and not precious to us…in case she got a hold of one!

My solution was to hang paper holiday decorations around the first 3 feet of the tree. I used our Paper Chain Garland Kit and Paper Doves Kit – both festive and safe for kids and pets. I can rest easy now knowing that I won’t come home to broken glass and the fear of what the dog could have eaten!

Wouldn’t you know, Noquet has shown NO interest in our Christmas tree this year. Lucky for us, the paper garland and paper doves will prevent any Christmas tree disasters and look absolutely lovely!

Happy Christmas!

– Cindy
PS colors: pool & red
Latest fave: Dutch Woodcut Floral Wrapping Paper

I like to think of our die-cut paper snowman shapes as a blank canvas, and I decided to create a rather debonair pair for the holidays. I’d like you to meet my Mr. and Mrs. Frosty!

I’ve used just a few things to make my festive, dimensional characters. I started with our die-cut snowman (or snow lady) shapes, then cut hats and scarves out of card stock. Our leaf hole punch and red adhesive crystals make a perfect sprig of holly.

A tiny mustache rub-on transfer was just the thing for Mr. Frosty… and a string of adhesive pearls for the misses.

Just sign your name or add a greeting to each and use as keepsake holiday cards (they fit into an A7 envelope). They would also make wonderful holiday gift tags, place cards or even menu cards!

Happy Holidays!

–Dustin, Paper Source Lincoln Park Store
PS colors: gravel, chartreuse, moss, pool & grape
Latest fave: Kraft Boxes & Satin Ribbon

This Thanksgiving each guest at my dinner table will be welcomed with one of these personalized keepsake boxes. Our craft boxes are so wonderful to decorate – the perfect blank palette for adding colored paper, ribbon, rubber stamps, etc. I will also have a stack of “I am thankful for” letterpress cards on hand so everyone can share their gracious thoughts of one another and slip them into each box. It’s a nice way to engage your guests and remind everyone of the true meaning of the holiday. The boxes themselves make charming Thanksgiving table decorations and double as favors for your guests to take home.

This extra special touch is sure to stir up smiles, joy and happy hearts this Thanksgiving!

–Annie
PS colors: gravel & beet
Latest fave: Owl Placecard Kit