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

I’m so in love with our Chalkboard Sticker Frames! We use them around the store to highlight upcoming workshops and events – so much more fun than flyers. I usually write on the chalkboard surface with Bistro Markers, but I’m always looking for new ways to decorate them. So, what about rubber stamping?

It works! I experimented with various rubber stamps using the Bistro Markers as ink. Turns out it’s an easy way to add fun images to the chalkboard – no artistic ability required! I found that the best rubber stamps to use are those with intricate designs – they are so impressive against the black backdrop!

A few quick steps: Draw directly onto a rubber stamp using a Bistro Marker – covering the entire surface. Press your stamp firmly onto the chalkboard. Lift the rubber stamp carefully so you don’t create any smudges. The image should dry in seconds!

p.s. Bistro Markers wipe off a chalkboard surface with the help of glass cleaner sprayed onto a paper towel!

–Catherine, Paper Source Alexandria Store
PS colors: gravel & curry
Latest fave: 2010 Cavallini Easel Calendar – Italia

Just about every year, I find myself moving to a new apartment for one reason or another. This time around I wanted to send a creative handmade moving announcement to my friends and family to let them know my new address, instead of another mass email. In playing around with some of my favorite materials, I ended up creating the perfect “I’ve moved” postcard!

I rubber stamped and embossed the front of a postcard, and addressed each one.

To the back of the postcard I attached a 2 1/4″ x 3 1/2″ glassine envelope and added the message, “I’ve moved! Write me at my new address…”. I inserted a business card with my new address and sealed with a circle label. Such a fun and unexpected presentation!

Sending postcards lets you save some money on postage as they only require postcard postage stamps, and your friends will be more than thrilled to receive something fun in the mail! If you’re worried about the glassine envelope staying attached in the mail, you can always slip your finished piece into an envelope for protection (though all of my postcards made it safely to their destinations!).

–Catherine, Paper Source Alexandria Store
PS colors: gravel & curry
Latest fave: 2010 Cavallini Easel Calendar – Italia

Materials Needed:
Postcards Read the rest of this entry »

Halloween is my all time favorite holiday, and I thought our paper dolls should get into the Halloween spirit too! I decided that our paper dolls had classic style and would probably choose traditional Halloween costumes…if they could talk, that is. So I made a Halloween costume collection that included a witch, mummy, ghost, pumpkin and devil.

I used a variety of different materials for the paper doll Halloween costumes, including chocolate brads for the ghost’s eyes, orange Lokta fine paper for the pumpkin suit and hat, and xmas red Stickles for the devil horns and dress accents. I created the mummy costume using soft white 1/4″ satin ribbon and tons of Zots to hold it all together. The possibilities are endless!

I had a great time creating the paper doll costumes, but my favorite part was making miniature trick or treat bags that perfectly match our Trick or Treat Bag Kit!

Happy Halloween!!!!!

–Lonni, Paper Source Annapolis Store
PS colors: papaya & beet
Latest fave: Envelope Liner Template Kit

At Paper Source we take birthdays very seriously, especially when it comes to decorating. There’s nothing better than coming into work on your birthday and being surprised by a festive birthday banner. Over the past few months we’ve celebrated many birthdays in the office and we thought we’d share some of our birthday banner ideas!

This summer our intern, Sara had her 21st birthday! We were a bit perplexed of how we would hang a banner in Sara’s area because she did not work in an office – instead she had a desk in the middle of a large loft space (no walls!). Annie came up with the genius idea to do a miniature birthday banner attached to her desktop computer. She printed letters onto colored 8.5″ x 11″ text weight paper and cut tiny pennant shapes (the shape actually looks like an oblong diamond, which when folded over becomes a triangle pennant). She wrapped each pennant over a piece of string, secured with double stick tape, then attached the string to two straws that would serve as the posts. Leftover colored scrap paper was sprinkled onto her computer and desk as confetti. Sara was thrilled!

When Nikki in the PS Buying Department celebrated her 29th birthday, we made her day special by decorating her office space with 29 (count ‘em) flaming birthday candles. To do this I formed the base of the candles using 8 1/2″ x 11″ text weight paper cut in half widthwise, then rolled into tubes and secured with double stick tape. Next I cut out flame shapes, added smiley faces, and slotted them into slits made at the top of each candle base. Finally, I printed letters using the outline of Arial bold font onto cover weight paper, cut and attached to each candle.

Early this September our head of Workshops, Linda, had a birthday Read the rest of this entry »