What’s more fun then an energetic group of kids (girls ages 4-10 and one brave 8 year old boy) and a bunch of cool papers, shape cards, glitter glue, ribbon and shiny gems? On a rainy Saturday morning, nothing!

In order to learn more about what kids love to work with when crafting, we hosted a “test market” crafting session at our Evanston store several weeks ago. We hoped to find out what excited the kids and see how they would react to the craft projects we had for them. We also hoped to learn how age affected what they most enjoyed. One thing that clearly stood out in our test group was that young girls loved embellishing their art with adhesive rhinestones and pearls. They put them on everything, and lots of them!

This test group also confirmed something that we had learned at previous testing sessions – kids love having lots of fun materials, but limited instruction. They want to be let loose and to create with few boundaries (though, don’t we all?). This is a helpful learning for our Craft Team, as we wrap up the development of our 2010 Holiday Kits and “spring” into Valentine’s 2011!

Keep in mind the joy of a table full of colorful crafting goodies (for you and your kids) on your next rainy summer morning!

– Cindy
PS colors: persimmon & paper bag
Latest fave: Keep Calm and Carry On Water Bottle and Colored Dots Insulated Lunch Bag

Before the kids head off to summer camp, squeeze in some craft time to create this camp stationery set. Note cards, envelopes, address labels and postage stamps are all neatly packed inside a little backpack, which you can add to their favorite stuffed animal!

Kids will have a fun time making their own stationery set, and then filling them in later so you can hear all about their summertime fun!

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

Materials Needed:
How to PDF Read the rest of this entry »

We never tire of hearing the line “We love your store!” Now you might expect this from our many brides and our wonderful following of designers and bookbinders, but the crowd we are both surprised and delighted to hear this from are kids! Our store associates can’t help but smile when they hear these exclamations…from little girls twirling through the store wearing their Princess Tea paper crowns. And little boys in their baseball uniforms, wearing crazy finger puppets as they rubber stamp and heat emboss at the demo table, offering a resounding “that’s so COOOOL!” And the birthday girl at a private party who wears a sparkly paper crown decorated with punches and labels who sings out “I wish I could live in this store!” And the young tweens who ogle the 12×12 display searching for the perfect paper to add to their latest project.

These affirming comments remind us of the first time we each fell in love with Paper Source, not to mention as pure evidence, watching many a “size 2 Mary Jane” go skipping out our door as if she had just left the Magic Kingdom. Ah yes, KIDS LOVE PAPER SOURCE!

As our way to show that the love affair is mutual, we are throwing the first ever Family Fun Day – Saturday, May 15. One hour time slots are available between 10:30am and 2pm. Don’t worry Mom and Dad, we’re offering various time slots so you can decide which one hour experience best fits your schedule. So go ahead and get in the morning soccer game, perhaps a horse back riding lesson, or round up the kids from the sleepover the night before, and then head on over to your local Paper Source store for some creative fun. Read the rest of this entry »

Once each year, I take a day of vacation and visit a grade school in my small hometown in Central Illinois. My husband and I are both from this small community of farmers and commuters, and have deep roots and relationships. My mother-in-law is a kindergarten teacher at one of the local grade schools and they love a good paper project.

Our new Royal Crowns Kit is perfect for this age group. All I provided were the die-cut crowns and some basic instruction. Be assured, no five year old needs help with creativity or inspiration. Every year I am amazed at how happy a collection of children become when you get out a basket of markers and a few sheets of inexpensive stickers. At the end of the day, each kid gets to wear their crown home proudly (myself included).

For the classroom, we created two flag banners from our Paper Flag Kits. Each student received one of the solid colored flags to decorate. Many students created a signature look, coordinating their flag with their crown. Once we assembled all of the pieces with some double-sided tape, the banners were hung criss-crossed over the kids’ desks.

By the end of the day, the joy always wears off onto me and I leave feeling like a little paper really can bring joy to your life! A huge “thanks” to Mrs. Kidd and her wonderful kindergarten class!

–Ann
PS colors: moss & papaya
Latest fave: Cupcake Kit

For our Valentine workshop this year, we had a hard time deciding between a kids class or an adult class…so we created both! For our hopelessly romantic Girls Night Out gals, we have a workshop in which we’ll share our love of Victorian folded Valentine creations embellished with Paper Source accents. And since so many of you LOVED our Gingerpaper House Workshop for kids, we created a Sweet Handmade Valentine Workshop (with Mom or Dad) perfect for ages 7 and older.

Classes vary by store location – we’re so sorry if the class you want is not available at your local store! But don’t forget to check workshop schedules for surrounding stores in your area, or plan your own Valentine private party with just 4-6 people (call your local store for more information)!

Sweet Handmade Valentine – Victorian Fold (for adults)
The romantic at heart will love making the Victorian folded Valentines as seen in Martha Stewart Living. We’ll also decorate a favor box with rubber stamps and paper – a perfect way to present your handmade Valentine to your someone special!

WHERE: Select stores
WHEN: Thursday, January 28 – 6:30-7:30pm
The registration fee is $15. To register visit our Workshops page.

Sweet Handmade Valentine – with Mom or Dad (for kids)
Perfect for a Mom & me or Dad & me morning! Your kids will learn to fold a “fortune teller of love” Valentine and decorate it with our rubber stamps and accents. Then you’ll get to help them create a petal envelope to store their Valentine, using a heart boot punch, brads and string!

WHERE: Select stores
WHEN: Sunday, January 31 – 10:30-11:30am
The registration fee of $15 covers the cost of one adult and one child. Add a second child for $10 (two children per adult maximum). To register visit our Workshops page.

Check out what fun Read the rest of this entry »

This pocketbook favor box has been totally disguised as a fox – perfectly festive for your Foxy Valentine! This is a super easy Valentine craft – just use our How To PDF to trace and cut a few simple paper shapes. Fill with Valentine goodies, or give as Valentine cards (sure to impress!).

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

Materials Needed:
How to Foxy Valentine PDF
Pocketbook Favor Box Red Read the rest of this entry »

We’ve turned our Pocketbook Favor Boxes into just about every kind of animal, so we knew we had to try a turkey for a fun Thanksgiving party favor! With just paper, labels, and tape or glue, these favors are super easy to put together. If you’re having little ones over to your house this Thanksgiving, use this as a kids craft project that will keep them entertained while you’re busy in the kitchen with the big bird!

Gobble, gobble!

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

Materials Needed:
8 1/2″ x 11″ Text Weight Paper
Chocolate Pocketbook
Eco-White 1.25″ Circle Labels
1/8″ Hole Punch
1″ Circle Hole Punch
1/8″ Super Tacky Tape
Glue Stick
Scissors
Pencil

Instructions:
1. Using tape, assemble the pocketbook favor box according to instructions.
2. Stick eco-white 1.25″ labels in place for eyes.
3. Print out our PDF template, then trace the feathers, beak, and other turkey components from text weight paper in various colors. Cut out pieces as indicated.
4. Adhere pieces in place with glue stick, as pictured.

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