Kate's Paperie

Happy Monday everyone!

This week, I'm taking you shopping.

We're going to one of my favorite 

stores in New York City.

It's called Kate's Paperie. 

It used to have several branches all

across Manhattan, but now they've 

focused on a flagship store in SOHO.

By the name itself, you already know it's an

emporium of paper. 

They sell sheets of gift wrap in all colors, prints and textures. They also offer custom gift wrap services -- the kind that you want to display on your coffee table and never want to open. 

I remember attending an in-store gift wrapping demo years ago and was so envious of this person's job of wrapping surprises all day, surrounded by the most fabulous paper and ribbon! 

They're also known for custom printing invitations and personal or business correspondence. But if you want to do a little D.I.Y., they sell many kinds of paper, card stock, envelopes and seals for you to choose from.

The walls are lined with shelves of 

the cutest greeting cards. 

 There are journals, date books, calendars,

party supplies, gifts...

As well as sets of note cards and writing instruments. 

On special occasions, they have events like hand calligraphy for Valentine's, choosing wedding invitations for the soon-to-wed and book signings. They used to have craft nights on summer evenings where stations around the store were set-up {paper crafts like stamping, origami, scrap booking}. I guess space issues are limiting them from making this a regular event.   

Anyway, I recently discovered their warehouse!

And they have an on-going sale!

If you're in the area, I recommend you make the trip because there are many good deals. This week, the sale runs from February 27 to March 2 from 10:00 Am to 5:00 pm at 40 Rockwood Place, Englewood, New Jersey, 07631. 

Tomorrow, I'll show you what bargains I found. See you then! 

Paper and Cloth

Hello and Happy Friday!

                                             

Two blahs for today: fabric remnants and old business cards {the flip side contains the information, this back side is blank}.

Attach the printed side of the business card to the fabric with white glue. Smooth this down, then trim the edges with a pair of scissors. Keep the edges from fraying by applying a bit more glue to the edges of the cloth. Allow to dry. If the cards bend, flatten them under a pile of books for a few hours.

Once the cards are dry and flat, write down {or stamp on} your contact information on the blank side.

TADA! Business cards that are colorful 

and different? Yes please!

Have a fabulous weekend!

Paper Pockets

Hi there!

I have an envelope where I store gift wrap remnants and left-over scrapbook paper. They wait there patiently until I figure out how I can turn them from blah to TADA!

If  you've ever borrowed a book from the library, books contain these pockets where a due date card snugly sits. Um, light bulb moment! Maybe I can make paper pockets like these.

Cut and fold the edges of the gift wrap/scrapbook paper to make a flat pouch.  Then attach this at the back of a notebook with double-sided tape.

Use it to store loose paper like important leaflets and business cards. TADA! Easy organization.

You can also attach the pocket 

to the front page of a book 

for a friend.

Then tuck in a handmade bookmark

as an extra gift.

And maybe add a little note...

...to tell your friend that this book

was chosen especially for her!

The Envelope Please

I'm not sure if any of you still do this -- have your digital photos printed? I guess very few people do, since pictures can be conveniently stored and viewed on the computer or phone. 

I have a few envelopes left over from when I would go to a shop to have pictures printed, for framing or mailing to loved ones.

I'm using some printed card stock to help me turn these envelopes from blah to TADA!

Here's the front side of envelope #1

The back side

Here's the inside

The front side of envelope #2

The back side

TADA! Good-as-new envelopes ready to be filled with handmade cards and tiny gifts. Have a wonderful day!

Reminders on a Ring

 Paper, I find to be, is quite a common 

blah around our apartment. 

Name it: receipts, junk mail, menus...

...magazine subscription inserts and 

bill envelopes.

But for every blah, there's a TADA! 

 I'm on a mission to save the "blank spaces" 

on each piece of paper I get my hands on.

And I've got my trusty craft punch to help 

me with this dizzying, but satisfying task. 

Old paper bags, empty envelopes

and magazine pages can't escape

the clutches on my craft punch!

Add some holes with a smaller punch.

Round them up in a giant binder ring 

Add a pen {this one's got a nifty handle

that allows it to become a key chain} 

 TADA! It's a notebook on a ring!

Draw on it to while away some time... 

Or use a page as an instant gift tag!

Paper Projects

Happy Monday everyone! This week, it's all about paper and the different ways to make it prettier. 

Today's blah is this binder taken home 

from a seminar. 

There's a footnote at the back panel 

requesting for responsible recycling. 

It would be my pleasure! 

The inside pages include specially printed

dividers, meeting agendas & notes. 

I got myself some printed card 

stock, traditionally used for

making scrapbooks. 

I decorated the cover, spine & back 

with black & white polka dot paper

cut to size. 

I covered the dividers with 3 different 

patterns. A glue stick kept the paper 

in place and I cut around the tabs

with a pair of scissors. 

 This is what the new dividers look like.

TADA!

I'll add some lined paper, plastic pockets

and eventually label the tabs. 

I haven't determined what to use this binder for. If I were a magazine editor, I'd take it with me to the shows at Fashion Week to store invitations and take notes. If I were planning a party, I'd fill it with details like floor & seating plans, menus and photo pegs for table settings and gift bags. If I were an artist, it would be filled with poetry, sketches and ideas for an exhibit or collaboration. I just love the many possibilities! 

Desserts in a Jar

New uses for mason jars -- that's the blah to TADA! transformation this week. When I saw photos of how bakers used these as containers for dessert, I really liked the idea! Mason jars can take really high temperatures (they need to be sterilized before use after all), allowing them to withstand the heat of the oven. Take for example:  

Pie in a jar 

S'mores in a Jar 

Rainbow cake in a jar 

Cheesecake in a jar 

My eyes are the size of saucers and my mouth is watering with all this deliciousness! I wish you all a fabulous weekend!