The Paper Arts site talks about everything related to paper including stationery, scrapbooking, and DIY paper projects.

Have you ever wondered how some crafters get those professional looking creases and folds in their paper cards or origami designs? The answer is that they use a folding tool - traditionally this is called a “Bone Folder” because that’s the material it was made out of. Nowadays, they’re almost always made out of plastic.

Several places have them - I spotted this melamine based bone folder over on Martha Stewart Crafts. The tool has pointed end on one side for scoring and a smoother and wider end for burnishing. It comes with storage pouch. Granted, you could just use a household plastic utensil instead, but the price is not too bad.

Craft Bone Folder
$5.99 on MarthaStewartCrafts.com

Shucks, I had plans to feature so many Etsy retailer cards before Valentine’s Day rolled around. But I got distracted, so this’ll be the last one until next year I guess. I had found these cute “Somebody Loves You” cards by Charlie Motel. Unfortunately, even if there was time to pick them up - you’ll find they’re out of stock (they seem to have run out only a few days after they were put up! I know because I had wrote down the link early in January.) However, there are still quite a few nice things over at Megan’s shop if you’d like to take a look.

Visit: Charlie Motel on Etsy

In the run-up to the big V-Day, we’re going to be featuring a number of products from Etsy, which is a great place to pick up really special gifts for that special someone. The best thing about Etsy is that you know that everything is handmade or made by a small publisher who is going to give you quality items.

We noticed these “Love Doves” cards from JengsShop on Etsy, but unfortunately didn’t realize they were sold out on Etsy until this post was written up! Well, that just goes to show you have to pounce quick sometimes. However, I believe that the cards are still available at their actual store… have a look.

Continuing with more Valentine’s day goodies - there are some really nice and simple valentine’s cards from Snow & Graham. These cards and quite a few others were found over at Luxe Paperie. They have a good assortment of different card designs, not only for Valentine’s but other holidays and other occasions as well.

Snow & Graham Valentine’s Cards
Luxe Paperie

Valentine’s Day is around the corner - again. So we’re shifting the focus again to paper stuff you can use for this heart-ey day.

This pack of sticker cards that feature antique valentine’s day depictions of cupids, children and valentine’s sayings will ensure your boring old cards will get more than a few comments. And as a bonus they’re super cheap - you get 23 different pressure sensitive stickers for a buck fifty (last I checked the price).

You can stick them on your valentine’s day cards or other celebratory stationery where it calls for stickers - like for Mother’s day and birthdays. I believe these “Old-Time” stickers are a series. They also make similar sets for Easter and other occasions.

If you’ve ever needed to glue together some small paper pieces with accuracy, you might have wished for something like this Fine Tip Glue Pen by Zig. A normal glue stick might do the job, but for pinpoint accuracy you need one of these ballpoint glue pens.

One interesting and useful aspect of the glue is that it actually comes out colored blue so that it’s easier to see. It later dries clear and is supposed to be archival quality (i.e. no acid, etc.) It’s also better for paper than fast drying, strong adhesives like Crazy Glue because it lets you reposition the items when the glue is still wet. Later when it dries, it’s more permanent. Note, this is not meant to be a super strong type of glue.

By the way, Martha Stewart Crafts also has a ballpoint type of glue pen on their site.

Martha Stewart is pretty amazing - anyone who’s able to rebound off a stint in jail and have her new products actually thrive has got some serious staying power. We were Michael’s the other day and were stunned at the amount of crafty paper related things being sold with her name on it. This floral lace edge paper punch wasn’t at the store, but looked sort of interesting. It’s a precision tool that lets you create an edging (either punched out or embossed) in various different patterns. Besides this floral eyelet version they have snowflakes, scalloping and a scroll edging.

Looks useful for creating borders for longer cards and scrapbooking.

Ok, one last peek at some gift wrap before we postpone reporting until after the holiday. Here’s some wonderful Scandia Gift Decorative Paper from Iota. The austere but playful flower patterns in various colors on a brown background should have many uses besides gift wrapping - we were thinking scrapbooking for those who like a different sort of look. The gift wrap comes in 2 sheet rolls of 20 by 29 inches and is sold by Wrapables through Amazon.

OK, Happy Holidays and see you in January!

Sometimes it’s true what they say - the simplest things are the best. I’ve been sort of looking for some solution to keeping track of all those unwieldy holiday and birthday gift wrapping rolls that seem to collect in our closet. There are any number of newfangled gadgets for storing them - but this simple vertical plastic container from Rubbermaid seems like it’ll do the trick.

At 33 inches long and 17 x 10 in girth, it seems like it will hold most rolls of wrapping paper - they say it holds up to 20 rolls. The removable lid also provides a place to store scissors, tabe and ribbons. The plastic looks well constructed and resistants to normal cracking.

Continue reading “Rubbermaid Wrap ‘N Craft Container” …

Ok, so maybe this is more of an item for kids. Still, it’s a good way to get them involved in the holiday spirit and give them something to do while you’re running around trying to get the house ready for guests. This is the Make Your Own Holiday Cards package from Made By Hands. It features 10 note cards with matching envelopes and a host of different pop-outs that you can affix using the glue stick provided.

The cards look colorful, and the pop-outs look decent - although the more creative little ones are going to want to skip the pop outs and make their own to glue on. Not sure about the recommended age range on these.