Thanksgiving is fun for SO many reasons. In my family, everybody works together to prepare the meal, each person with a specific task (the same task each year so we’re experts). I am in charge of the green bean casserole and place cards. I take each of these tasks VERY seriously, and I have a lot of time to think ahead about place cards. I work on the PS catalog, so I get to see all the wonderful ideas the designers have devised months ahead of the day. I’ve narrowed it down to 3 ideas this year, plus Turkey Place Cards for my three little nephews who will hopefully love them!

Idea #1: Inspired by the wonderful & talented Linda – a Pear (an apple or little gourd would also work) with a little text weight paper banner stamped with “Happy Thanksgiving” and attached with double-stick tape, then perched atop fall leaves. Both the banner and leaves have been curled using a bone folder (but you could also probably just use your fingers), to add a little dimension. Read the rest of this entry »

A few weeks ago Cindy asked readers to talk about their wedding inspiration and the discussion showcased so many thoughtful themes. It also gave me pause: What the heck was my inspiration?

The Mister and I knew we wanted our guests to have fun, but we needed it to be a little more meaningful than the usual “Party at Joe and Liz’s.” We kicked around a dozen possibilities – my I-give-up-let’s-go-to-the-courthouse suggestion was nixed – and went with what made sense: a hometown Indiana celebration. (I know what you’re thinking, here come the corn, cows and country line dancing. Think again.)

Once we picked home as the destination, our personal commitment to supporting small businesses quickly fueled the planning process. A friend opened up his beach-inspired restaurant and bar (Yes, I got married in a bar) to us for our late September wedding. Rental needs were managed by a family-owned business. A local jeweler helped us with rings, a long-time friend and judge officiated the ceremony, and a family friend took on the task of creating floral designs out of found natural objects of the season.

Our newly planted Chicago roots were not lost in the occasion either—Carol’s Cookies sat on our cake table instead of cake and, of course, Paper Source designs helped set the tone for the evening.

So how does this all come together? Read the rest of this entry »

When the new Squirrel Place Card Kit arrived at our Brookline store I just about squealed with excitement! (I might have made the Brookline staff a little deaf.) My fiancé has had a slight obsession with squirrels since he was little (or maybe I have the obsession with his obsession?), so I thought how adorable they would be as bride and groom place cards at our very own barn wedding! I dressed these up giving the groom a nice size rock to hand to his blushing bride. The fall colors included in the place card kit made them a very compatible and stylish couple!

Cheers to Paper Source and these new adorable and functional friends!

–Mallaree, Paper Source Brookline Store
PS colors: paper bag & sunshine
Latest fave: Hydrangea Wrapping Paper

It’s no secret, the last few weeks leading up to your wedding can be surprisingly action packed! Even the most Zen personalities can find themselves overwhelmed by all the tiny details. It’s a story the wedding experts at Paper Source hear all too often. You may have booked the venue for your reception ages ago, but those last few straggling RSVPs have prevented you from completing the guest list. Before you know it your wedding is two weeks away and just thinking the words “seating chart” makes your temples throb. What to do? Where to turn?

Don’t fret! The design geniuses over at Paper Source have your back with the perfect solution to your pre-wedding woes. We are thrilled to (finally!) announce our new print-at-home folded place cards! They come as 8.5 x 11 sheets with 4 place cards each in creamy superfine soft white cover paper. Easy to use in Word, Pages, or InDesign (print templates available online) — on a Mac or a PC — these printable place cards are a cinch to punch out. Micro-perforation ensures a clean edge, and the fold line is scored for crisp, even folds and superior standing.

Quick tip for super savvy brides and grooms: These place cards easily do double duty as escort cards (as pictured). Long before your wedding, when you have ample time, print out all of your guests’ names in a decorative font but leave a blank space for their table number. When you get closer to your big day and know the seating arrangement, simply use a decorative pen or marker to write in each guest’s table number. Have all the place cards in alphabetical order on a table outside the reception along with your guest book. Watch in awe as your guests sign your guest book, pick up their place cards, and walk directly to their tables!

–Leslie
PS colors: persimmon & paper bag
Latest fave: 2011 Academic Black Date Book

I’ve never planned a wedding, but when I do, I’m calling Linda (my colleague and regular blog contributor). Look at this easy wedding table card idea she shared with me – just a table tent with a beautiful rubber stamp and an expression note attached with eyelets. We have expression notes printed with wonderful sayings, but you could print your own with words or numbers and use the same design.

I just used our table tents for a baby shower to mark the favor table and baby shower gifts – they’re so easy to use and make an impact. Try them at your next dinner party (a sign to list featured drinks at the bar or items on the buffet), and of course, they’re perfect for a wedding.

This also made me think – what would I use for wedding table names? Have you seen any creative wedding table name ideas?

–Kristen
PS colors: lake & chocolate
Latest fave: Printable Labels

Looking for a glam decorating idea for the holidays, but have a fear of glitter or aren’t feeling especially crafty? Try this easy craft project from our team at the Paper Source Reston store! They added tons of elegance to kraft ornaments with a clever combination of stamp pads.

It takes just 3 simple steps to make these festive holiday decorations! With this Ball Kraft Ornament they first applied a Colorbox Chalk Inkpad to add color, then used the Platinum Color Box Metal Extra Inkpad on top. Hang them on your tree, decorate a mantle, or use in a centerpiece on your holiday table.

Stop by a store location this weekend for more tips & tricks on decorating holiday ornaments!

–Linda
PS colors: chartreuse & pool
Latest fave: Saddle Stitch Notebooks

1. Stamp Your First Ink Color: Add your first ink color by applying the stamp pad directly to the surface of your kraft item (here I’m using a shimmery Galaxy Gold Brilliance Inkpad). Hold the edges of your object with a paper towel to prevent ink from getting on your hands.

2. Stamp Your Second Ink Color: Read the rest of this entry »

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

We are so excited about our Annual Holiday Open House this Saturday and Sunday at all Paper Source locations. In addition to our holiday demonstrations, this year we’re giving you an opportunity to do “make & take” projects so you get hands-on experience learning some of our favorite decorating tricks. The best part – it’s all FREE!

11:30am – 12:30pm • Holiday Greetings Sent with Style – Make & Take
Learn how to dress up & coordinate your holiday greetings with this hands-on rubber stamping and envelope lining “make & take”.

12:30 – 1:30pm • Kraft Boxes for Hostess Gifts! – Demo
Using paper, sealing wax, and ribbon we’ll demonstrate how to dress up our kraft boxes for lovely Thanksgiving gift giving.

1:30 – 2:30pm • Festive Stamped Notes & Place Cards – Make & Take
In this festive stamping and cutting “make and take”, you’ll see how simple it is to dress up place cards, as well as the Thanksgiving table.

2:30 – 3:30pm • Thanksgiving Table Décor – Demo
When it comes to easy and colorful table accents, our favors and place card ideas are just what you need. Let us inspire you with kits, stamping accents and embellishing techniques for the table, as well as for the hostess!

3:30 – 5:00pm • Creative Crafting Time
Explore rubber stamping, heat embossing, quickie glue pens, glitter and more during our free Creative Crafting session. Please contact your local store for this “reservation required” crafting experience.

Come early to our make & take sessions as supplies are limited and available on a first come first serve basis. If you can’t make it this weekend, be sure to mark your calendar for our second Open House weekend November 14 & 15.

–Linda
PS colors: chartreuse & pool
Latest fave: Saddle Stitch Notebooks

Our last Girls Night Out of 2009 – The Grateful Table is coming up this Thursday at all store locations. In addition to a fun opportunity for you to spend an evening with friends exploring creative hostess gift giving and learning to make beautiful accents for your holiday tables, this a wonderful way for you to thank others by giving them the gift of our Girls Night Out. Treat your next-door-neighbor, babysitter, or any of the other people in your life you are oh, so grateful to, with a ticket to this wonderful event!

WHAT: The Grateful Table Girls Night Out
WHERE: All Paper Source stores
WHEN: Thursday, October 22, 7-9pm
HOW: Visit our workshop page to find your store & purchase your $30 ticket.

We look forward to sharing our great ideas and inspiration with you, all while gluing, stamping and sipping a glass of wine. The best part: you’ll receive 10% off all your purchases that night.

–Linda
PS colors: chartreuse & pool
Latest fave: Saddle Stitch Notebooks