I wanted to share some photographs from my husband’s 40th birthday party, as it might provide great DIY party ideas for PS blog readers.

My inspiration started with our Mini Rotary Perforator Tool — I just love that little thing and wanted to incorporate something perforated into the invitation. I am a bit obsessed with Paper Bag, so I knew that was going to be the main paper. Instead of going with the traditional over-the-hill black, I decided on Chocolate as the second color because my husband is well-known for his passion for all things chocolate.

There were three pages to the invitation. The top page had the details plus a brown circle label that was stamped with VersaMark Inkpad and then I used Fine Silver Embossing Powder to emboss the numbers. The second sheet was a short quiz about my husband. Since my husband was the last of our group of friends to turn 40, I included a third page that said, “Words of Wisdom for Life after 40.” I read the quizzes and the words of wisdom out loud at the party – there were some hysterical answers and this was one of the highlights of the evening.

For the banner I used the Silhouette Machine to cut the letters and mounted them on Paper Bag 4bar note cards then I attached them to twine with our sweet little mini clothespins.

For the candles I wrapped simple glass votives from IKEA with strips of one of my favorite fine papers. The detail that everyone loved the most was that I used wrapping paper as runners on the tables and used a silver marker to identify the hors d’ouevres and cocktails, etc. My husband is British so there were English cheeses and — for the favors — I re-wrapped Cadbury chocolate bars in text weight paper, which I heat embossed too.

–Christine, Bridgeport store manager
PS colors: cement & persimmon
Latest fave: Letterpress Machine

It seems like only yesterday we celebrated Lauren’s pregnancy with a Twice as Nice twins baby shower. And already her little darlings have turned one year old. While hundreds of miles and busy schedules keep us from seeing our former colleague, she remembered her Paper Source roots when creating this first birthday party for her girls. Here’s a look at the celebration…

A summer birthday party called for a playful theme that brought the outdoors in. Setting the tone with our Daisy invitation, Lauren used white paper daisies and adorable ladybugs to decorate her home.

Cheerful garlands draped across a mantel and in doorways and windows added festive flair with sweet messages like “The Ladies Are One!”

We love how Lauren mixed stripes and polka dot patterns on napkins, straws and balloons. And garden theme treats were tagged with printed labels – Dirt Pudding and Bug Juice…what fun!

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First Birthday Party
Paper Source inspiration
Daisies Printable Invitation
Daisy Flower Kit
Oval Scallop Cards
Red Hang Tags
Decorative Ribbon
Baker’s Twine
Paper Straws

Make St. Patrick’s Day a cinch (not a pinch) by donning a bit o’green you’ve created yourself! Our four leaf clover die cut shapes make it easy to wear some flair. Simply layer shapes, print and stick the labels and finish off with a glittery accent. Simple enough to make for all your friends. Lucky you!

Materials Needed:

• Lucky St. Patrick’s Day Badge How-To PDF
• Clover Shapes Pack
• Eco-White 2.5″ Round Labels
• Grass Glitter Ribbon (coming soon!)
• Scissors
• Double Stick Tape
• Large Zots Dots
• Safety Pin

Instructions:

1. Using this PDF label template, print “KISS ME I’M IRISH!” onto labels.
2. Stick label onto clover shape of your choice.
3. Use double stick tape to layer the clover with the label onto another clover, slightly staggering the shapes.
4. Tie a piece of glitter ribbon into a square knot and trim ends into a “V” shape.
5. Adhere ribbon in place using a Zot Dot.
6. For the most secure hold, we recommend using a pin to wear your badge.

Erin go Bragh!

– Claudia
PS colors: curry & fuchsia
Latest fave: Mini Magnolia Paper Flower Kit

Kids, they grow up so fast. It seems like only a few days go by before the celebration shifts from baby shower to baby’s first birthday to a full on birthday party. Each moment reminds you of how big they are getting… AND tests your creative capacity. If you are lacking inspiration, then we have just what you need. We caught up with an old friend who knows how to throw a party that both kids and adults can enjoy.

Kelly, who once helped drive creativity in Paper Source stores, gave us loads of party ideas for kids when she shared two of her latest creations. Words hardly do these celebrations justice, so we asked Kelly to tell her story the best way she knows how… through photographs!

Enjoy!

Photos courtesy of Kelly Allison Photography

Garden Party
Paper Source elements:
Party Flags
Paper Crowns
Chalkboard Garden Signs
Straw Pennants
Origami Food Containers
Bottle Wraps
Butterfly Cupcake Decoration
Pin the Bee on the Flower Game

Photos courtesy of Kelly Allison Photography
Read the rest of this entry »

Bun in the oven? You’re in luck! We have wonderful things cooking too. Not only are our baby announcement designs an adorable way to welcome your new arrival, but our growing Paper Source family has provided plenty of reason to showcase real baby shower ideas.

Check out these DIY shower ideas…

Many of you celebrated our newest bundle of joy when you followed along with creating Something Sweet for Ann. Learn everything from concepting an original baby shower game to incorporating personal details from Ann’s coworkers.

Heather’s team celebrated the arrival of her first child with this Cute As a Button baby shower theme. Check out the clever ways a little button can go a long way. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s always fun to make a themed party extra special, and our pre-cut heart shapes and striped paper straws are a perfect match for your Valentine’s Day get-together. They’re a cinch to make and will make a bold, colorful statement on your table. Show your guests extra love and customize them with names!

Materials Needed:

• Valentine Party Drinking Straws How-To PDF
• Red & White Paper Straws
• Heart Shapes Pack
• Fuchsia Glitter Ribbon
• Rouge Glitter Ribbon
• Hot Pink Adhesive Crystals
• Red Adhesive Crystals
• Uniball White Gel Pen
• Small Zots Dots
• Scissors

Instructions:

1. Layer heart shapes using small zots dots.
2. Embellish by writing a loving message or adding adhesive crystals.
3. Attach to straws using more small zot dots.
4. Create ribbon flags by wrapping a small length of glitter ribbon around straw and using a zot dot to keep in place.
5. Trim ends with scissors for added flair.

Sip & Enjoy!

– Claudia
PS colors: curry & fuchsia
Latest fave: Mini Magnolia Paper Flower Kit

This little fella, who I often refer to as my nephew (admittedly not blood relation though), turns one year old today. Happy Birthday Grayson!

Grayson’s mom is my oldest and dearest friend (next to my sister), so I was happy to help her create a birthday party invitation to fit his celebration – a football-themed gathering, complete with beer and wings! Come on, we all know a first birthday party is for adults.

The original concept was a football field with various photos of this dimpled monster. But, after spending time in my husband’s childhood closet, I suggested a trading card invitation. (If only my influence could steer them back to the Bears.) Dad took on the task of getting him to sit for a photo and Mom and I got busy replicating an old-fashioned trading card.

The design is printed on Paper Bag to make it look authentic. I printed four to an 8 1/2″ x 11″ sheet and trimmed down to fit the coordinating 4Bar envelopes. The Paper Bag labels were printed using the Word template provided on our website.

The celebration is supposed to be team neutral, though I suspect it will be a sea of Reggie Wayne and Peyton Manning jerseys, so we focused on Night and Pool and added Curry accents. My favorite part of the invitation is the stat chart, an essential element of any trading card and a great way to share details of the first year.

Along with finished invites, I mailed a dossier to Grayson’s parents (pardon, his talent agency) with extra invitations, labels, envelopes and digital files. Everything fit perfectly into a Pool presentation envelope and gave them an easy way to store invites for mailing or upcoming press events.

–Crazy Aunt Liz
PS colors: fig & gravel
Latest fave: Personalized Note Pads

This well known baby game was extra sweet at Ann’s shower because it was something played at her mom’s baby shower when she was pregnant with Ann. We created a calendar with dates surrounding Ann’s due date – each guest wrote their name on the date on which they thought Ann’s baby would be born.

Done in our shower colors it made for great shower decor and more importantly was a lovely keepsake for Ann that will serve as a reminder of the guests who attended her shower and a wonderful memory of her mother.

–Kristen, Liz & Heather
PS colors: chocolate & fuchsia, fig & gravel, peacock & paper bag
Latest fave: Personalized Note Pads!

Since Ann is our go-to person for brilliant baby shower game ideas, it was challenging to think of something new she would not have seen before. Sticking with our sweet theme, we came up with a Sugar & Spice Timeline where everyone had to guess the year in which famous candies were born. A simple game card and a basket of the highlighted goodies (which also served as the prize for the winner) is all it took!

–Kristen, Liz & Heather
PS colors: chocolate & fuchsia, fig & gravel, peacock & paper bag
Latest fave: Personalized Note Pads!