More holiday printable freebies

In case you're still scrambling to give cards and wrap gifts, here are a couple more goodies you might like. Left: a quirky Santa card, illustrated by Rosemary Travale. Right: awesomely orange reindeer gift tags, designed by Kristina Walton for Creature Comforts (scroll through all the December posts at Creature Comforts for a host of pretty downloads.)

And with that, I leave you until the new year, friends. Happy holidays to everyone!

(Images from The Little Chimp Society, left, and Creature Comforts, right.)

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How to make paper lantern ornaments

Well, kids, I had tons of ideas for other ornaments and decorations and lovely new things I wanted to make before Christmas. But my ambition did not quite correspond to the amount of free time I have. Too many graphic design projects to finish before we head out of town this week. But during my internet travels I did come across these nifty paper ball decorations, complete with instructions. Nice work, anonymous blogger at The Creative Place.

This just in: A shortcut to making these. Thanks, Whitney!

(Image from The Creative Place)

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Make a little paper Santa buddy

This Santa Claus papertoy is cute! Everyone who works in a cubicle: drop everything right now and use your last hour of work today to make one for your desk. Download the free template from Ataque Mutante right here.

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Printable holiday packaging

If you've got small gift items you'd like to dress in adorable wrapping, check out the free downloads available from these lovely ladies. Melissa Esplin has created a printable candy box template available here. Her post has links to previous years' designs, too. Kellie Medivitz has designed tons of printable gift wrap sheets and tags for you to choose from. Her "Tweet Twitters" design is above; check out all the options in her Goodies category right here.

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Felt ball ornaments

I tried making yesterday's project out of felt. Equally cute, I think. And more durable, too. To make them, follow these instructions, but use felt and a hot glue gun instead of paper.

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How to make 3D paper ornaments

Here's a Christmas ornament you can make with colored papers or magazine pages. I'm not sure what to call it. A funnel ball? The instructions:

1. Cut out 10 paper circles (any size, as long as they're all the same). Text weight paper will be easier to work with than cardstock.
2. Cut each circle along the radius.
3. Put a small piece of double-stick tape on each side of the cut near the edge of the paper.

4. Flip the circle over so the taped side is down; then pull each flap across the circle toward you and twist to form a cone. Press the taped ends down to secure. You should end up with two cones that look vaguely like a fortune cookie. Do this to each of your 10 circles.

5. String the double cones together with a needle and thread. Make sure they're gathered snugly in a ball and tie a knot. Use the trailing ends of the thread to make a loop for hanging.

Here's one made from magazine pages. If you like recycled crafts, give it a whirl. Or try a felt version!

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Felt gift bows

Check it out—Kathleen from Twig & Thistle used my gift bow tutorial to make bows out of felt and hot glue. They're so cute! See more of her handiwork in her post right here. It's a great idea, since these are less likely to be permanently mashed in the car on the way to grandma's.

(Image from Twig & Thistle)

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Designer wallpaper for your desktop

I just clicked around a bit at my favorite computer wallpaper site, Pixelgirl Presents. Looks like it's redesigned and easier to navigate now. Go browsing for wallpapers, icons, and iPhone backgrounds, created by artists all over the world. Or submit your own!

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Fabric sighting in One Yard Wonders

A couple folks tipped me off that one of the projects in Storey Publishing's new book One-Yard Wonders uses my fabric. So I had to investigate.

There it is, in this casserole caddy project. And I assure you this yard of fabric is very pleased to be photographed next to that Orla Kiely (love her!) pear canister. Kind of like when you get to have your photo taken with the president or someone. Not that I would personally know. George Bush Sr. and Secret Service did walk down the hall past me once at a conference I designed graphics for, though. It was my only brush with serious fame. But I digress wildly.

People, I love this entire book. 101 adorable sewing projects that all use only one yard of fabric. That's my style, all right; you won't catch me sewing anything bigger than that. The photos are beautiful, and it comes with patterns for any projects that require them. I recommend it highly.

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Giveaway: JetPens gift certificates

I received a little package from JetPens.com the other day. Stationery, pens, and paper goodies fill me with irrational amounts of glee! So do miniature envelopes made from the insides of security envelopes. Yup, look what I did. JetPens has a mini envelope template (this) with which you can trace various sizes of envelopes, then cut, fold, and glue. I tried out their Japanese glue pen (this) to secure them, and it worked like a charm. The blue glue dries clear and bonds strongly. A tip: shake it before using.

Want to get some stocking stuffers or a treat for yourself? JetPens is giving away two $25 gift certificates to How About Orange readers. I know, it's holiday giveaway season over here, right? Just leave a comment on this post by Friday (12/11/09) midnight CST. Two random winners will be drawn, announced in this post, and emailed a gift certificate.

Update: Giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to the winning commenters #425— Malori, and #897—Toiling Ant. Enjoy!

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Avoid holiday panic with Trolley Cards

If you're short on time and gifts have you stumped, Trolley Cards might be the answer. You can shop online for a boutique card from those studios we know and love (Snow & Graham, Egg Press, Hello Lucky, and more). Then "write" your own message inside, add an optional gift card, and mail it, right from your computer. Trolley even adds a wax seal to the envelope. Try it out right here. (Thanks for the tip, Amy!)

Update: Use the discount code LETTERPRESS during the month of December to get 25% off your first card order.

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Make a custom zippered pouch

Somehow I ended up at Marie Claire Idées and found this zippered pouch project, which is explained in French. If you need help deciphering it, use Google Translate. But as far as I can tell, you can download a PDF of the image they use on the pouch. Print it on iron-on inkjet transfer paper (available at craft stores and your standard office supply stores, like Office Max, etc.) Then iron the image onto plain white cotton and sew it into a little zippered bag. (Here's a sewing tutorial if you need help.) Their downloadable photograph even has a tag in it where you can use a permanent pen to write the recipient's name. I think.

I love this idea, because you could take photos of your own stuff or toss some items on the scanner, then make totally customized bags as gifts. It would also be fun to make little bags from the vintage labels in this Flickr set.

(Top image from Marie Claire Idées)

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How to make felt ornaments

If you're in the mood to make some felt ornaments, here's a round-up of cute tutorials to keep you busy:
Ice skates (shown above) at Better Homes and Gardens
Ball ornament at Zakka Life
Christmas owls at Diversions
Bird in a cage at Felt-o-rama
Retro-inspired ornaments at Fantastic Toys
Polaroid pictures at Katie Cupcake
Peppermint candies at Better Homes and Gardens
Jingle mouse at Pimp Stitch
Rosette wreath at Domestifluff

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Photoshop gifts for graphic designers

Check out these funny Photoshop-related items—I bookmarked them but can't remember which sites I saw them on originally. Looks like the fridge magnets from ThinkGeek.com are out of stock, and I'm not sure about these photo frames from ILoveBlocks.com. But I bet you could make your own DIY versions pretty easily with some Photoshop screen shots. Fun.

12/8 Update: Magnets are available here and photo frame here.

(Images from Think Geek and I Love Blocks)

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Giveaway: Sears gift cards

Sitting on my desk is a $200 gift card from Sears, and here's my dilemma: should I spend it on myself or on Christmas presents for other people? Look at all the cool goodies $200 would buy you from the Sears website. (If your name is Jess and you like orange things and modern patterns, that is.) That doormat is calling my name. However, my mom is a huge Lands End fan and might never let me hear the end of it if I don't get her some socks, at least. While I ponder this moral dilemma, there's good news for you, too.

To help you with your holiday shopping, Sears is giving away two $50 gift cards to How About Orange readers. The cards can be used in stores and online at Sears, Kmart, and Lands End, so you have tons of options.

To enter the drawing, leave a comment on this post with a way of contacting you, plus one thing you'd like to buy with your gift card. (I need Christmas gift suggestions, so I plan to read through here and steal all your ideas.) The giveaway ends next Wednesday (12/9/09) at midnight CST. Two winners will be selected by a random number generator, announced in this post, and contacted.

Update: Giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to the winning commenters #165— Jessie, and #636—Lynnetta. Happy shopping!

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Orange printable pillow box

As a follow up to yesterday's orange twine post, here's another nifty orange packaging item: a cute pillow box template you can download, print, and assemble. Get it free, right here, at Up Up Creative.

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Orange baker's twine

At this time of year, I know everyone else is snatching up red and white baker's twine to tie up their adorable presents, but I'm smitten with the orange stuff, available here. Maybe it could go with these printable orange gift tags for a zesty little holiday package.

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Printable advent calendar

This Sunday is the first Sunday of advent, the four weeks leading up to Christmas. If you'd like to count down the days in December, download this sweet free advent calendar from Mibo. Just 10 minutes assembly is required, plus a craft knife, ruler, and glue.

And in the meantime, Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! I'm taking tomorrow off from blogging to stuff myself with turkey and enjoy the company of some wonderful people.

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Printable bird bookmarks

Sharon Rowan sent over a link to these little bird bookmarks she designed. You can download and print them right here. And as always, if anyone else has designed a lovely printable freebie, written a super DIY tutorial, or stumbled onto something fabulous, send me a link. I can't feature every submission, but I always love to see what you guys are up to.

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Another freezer paper stencil project

Here's another freezer paper stenciling example, printed a couple weeks ago when I was trying out the technique. I had grand aspirations to get the fabric sewed into a zippered bag to use as a sample at the Craft Social stenciling table. But I ran out of time, of course. I finished it this weekend, only a week late.

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Things gone awry

I think of this blog as my vacation getaway, a happy diversion from commercial graphic design work. (Except for the occasional logo quiz, of course.) But I'm compelled to mention a hilarious site which designers everywhere will appreciate. Clients From Hell is "A collection of anonymously contributed client horror stories from designers." Welcome to the wonderful world of graphic design! (Via Coudal.)

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Logo memory game

If you've got some time to kill, try this logo matching game. A fun way to look at logos if you're interested in design. I could have used this diversion during the short breaks in my jury duty this week. The case ended yesterday, so now I'm tending to the backlog of logo, stationery, and signage projects that piled up while I was gone. How come I don't have a "time-saver" category for posts?

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Felt gingerbread ornaments

Friday's Chicago Craft Social was lots of fun. The theme was handmade gifts and holiday decorations, like these felt gingerbread ornaments. I made this half-eaten gingerbread man using Elsie Marley's free pattern, available here. These tiny houses are based on Betz White's design in the e-book Crafty Tree Trimmings: Six Festive Holiday Ornaments to Make, for sale right here.

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Printable 2010 calendar

If you're the type to plan ahead—way ahead—you can download this free printable 2010 calendar by Erika of Gleaux at Love. Obsess. Inspire. I'm an expert procrastinator myself, so I don't need this until at least mid January.

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Mini printable stationery set

Here's another free printable, courtesy of Amy Moss at Eat Drink Chic: a mini greeting card, envelope, and stationery set. Help yourself to this quirky little man with a candy cane right here. He says "holiday" in a subtle way. Well, actually it looks like he says "Greetings." But you get the drift.

(Image by Amy Moss)

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Handmade Holidays

Sew, Mama, Sew's third annual Handmade Holidays round-up of tutorials is in full swing over on their blog. Every day during the month of November, they'll feature a themed collection of sewing projects from the internet—all gifts you could make yourself. A daily recipe and printable are included, too.

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How to stencil with freezer paper

One of the projects at this Friday's Chicago Craft Social will be freezer paper stenciling. I'm helping lead this table, so I needed to give it a test drive and make up some samples. You know how a project usually has four tedious steps you tolerate and one step that's super fun? I think this is one of the few where all of the steps are fun. Or maybe that's just me. I'm now in the grips of stencil mania. I'm stenciling everything.

To stencil your own stuff:
Buy a roll of freezer paper (approx. $3.99) or beg a piece from the guy in the meat department at your grocery store. Draw your design on it and cut it out with an X-acto knife. Then iron the paper, shiny side down, onto the fabric you're going to stencil. Iron another sheet to the back of the fabric to keep the paint from soaking through. You can use the iron setting that corresponds to the fabric you're stenciling.

With a foam brush, stenciling brush, kitchen sponge, or other paint brush, apply fabric paint to the cut-away areas. I used Jacquard brand textile paint from the local art store.

Let the paint dry (use a hairdryer if you're the impatient type, like me.) Peel the freezer paper off. Set the paint by following the directions on the jar — usually ironing will set it. Ta da.

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DIY coffee stencil

Husband Alex usually makes lattes for us on Saturday mornings, so here's my secret plan to spruce his up. He's out of town at the moment, so I have plenty of time to practice dusting cocoa properly. Right now it sort of looks like this says "I blob you."

I drew the design on a piece of paper, then laid a plastic lid on top. (This one is from a deli container I saved.) With an X-acto knife, I cut through the plastic, tracing along the design underneath. A tip: you'll never be able to cut the shapes out in one pass. Make many cuts on top of each other until you break through.

Lay the stencil on top of your mug and sprinkle with cinnamon or cocoa. Dust the powder through a sieve or strainer to make a very fine layer.

Since cutting your own stencil is a bit of a pain, you could also get some from Amazon or CoffeeStencil.com. And if you totally dig stenciling, don't neglect your cakes and cupcakes!

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