Paper Source is gearing up for the Summer Games!

Hosting a get-together of your own? Sport Team USA inspired designs –note the wreath made of olive leaves!– and catch the crafty Olympic fever our Summit location is sporting.

Likewise, Paper Source Oak Brook is featuring a festive ode to the Red, White, and Blue: alongside our Stars and Stripes Garland, scrap paper came in handy to create an athletic-minded accent!

Tell us, what’s your favorite event?

Keep those pesky bugs away from your favorite summer beverage. These stylish cup covers are festive AND serve as a drink marker too… write your guest’s name on top! Use this super easy how-to at all your summer fêtes!

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

Materials Needed:

• Summer Cup Cover How-To PDF
• Not a Plastic Cup (set of 4 re-usable red cups)
• Red & White Paper Straws
• Circle Cards in Sunshine, Clover & Poppy (or whatever colors you like!)
• Flower Shapes Pack
• 1/4” Round Hole Punch
• Small Zots Glue Dots
• Pen

Instructions:

1. Begin by folding petals for added dimension.
2. Re-punch holes in centers of flowers using a 1/4” round hole punch. Stack flowers as desired in two or three layers. Position flowers on top of circle card, close to the edge (making sure to leave room for writing a name), and punch a hole as far as your hole punch will reach.
3. Write name on circle card opposite from where the hole is punched. Place on top of cup, position flowers on top of circle card and feed straw in place. Place two glue dots on lip of cup.
4. Place cover on top of cup with the straw placed closest to glue dots. This will keep your cover in place AND acts as a hinge allowing for refreshing refills!

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 »

If you missed PS craft expert Linda Barrett on HouseSmartsTV this weekend you can catch the segment online. Watch Linda help “Mr. Fix-it” Lou Manfredini get crafty at our new Southport Chicago store:

When “Mr. Fix-it” himself, Lou Manfredini, and his crew came to film a crafting segment at our new Chicago store on Southport, I found myself with quite the crafting challenge.

To begin a project, I find it is best to consider the audience, including the person for whom the party, gathering or project is built around. In this case, Lou Manfredini is a contractor with a love of all things DIY. His audience is a mix of men and women who love to learn lots of interesting tips and time savers. And, since several of his segments also include food, what better way to inspire a project for both he and his audience then to find a way to marry all of those elements together? Read the rest of this entry »

Our Santana Row store manager, Linda Kaiser, did a wonderful job hosting the Live Well Network’s “Home with Lisa Quinn,” demonstrating three great party invitation ideas! Have a look at the simple projects she shared using our cards, rubber stamps, favor boxes, and table tents:

Makes you want to host a fun party, doesn’t it?! Cheers to Linda and team!

P.S. To catch the show with lots of other great decorating and party hosting ideas, watch it air on the Live Well Network next week, Tuesday, November 9 at 9:30 PM, Wednesday at 10AM, and Sunday at 4:30PM (be sure to check your local listings to confirm these dates and times).