Build your own paper globe

I just came across Joachim Robert's Le Paper Globe, a free papercraft model you can build. Download and print the pieces in English or French, A4 or letter size. Click through the step-by-step assembly instructions on the website for how to construct this terrestrial ball.

The PDF is editable in Adobe Illustrator, so feel free to make any customizations you like. See globes made by others on Le Paper Globe's Facebook page. Globes shown here are by An-Magritt Moen, Georgia Polo, and A Merry Mishap.

DIY paper banners for Cinco de Mayo

Several blogs offer instructions for making simplified papel picado (perforated paper) banners. These would be fun to whip up for a Cinco de Mayo shindig or birthday party. Find directions here:
Papel picado streamers by Studio DIY
Papel picado in purple and pink at Green Wedding Shoes
A downloadable template for papel picado from Happy Thought
Arrow-inspired garland by Lovely Indeed

Also see instructions for mini papel picado-inspired cupcake flags and straws. Consider succulents planted in cans for table decorations or party favors, too— like this or this. Little cacti are usually quite cheap at Home Depot.

iPhone and iPad cases for Uncommon

I'm delighted to announce that Uncommon, a manufacturer of protective cases for Apple devices, is now offering Jessica Jones patterns on their products! If you've seen my fabrics, you'll recognize a couple familiar prints in there. Cases are available in the Uncommon online store right here.




The coolest part is that you can customize your own device case: pick from a variety of iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch models, and then choose a design to place on the case. You can scale the print up or down, move it around, and even add text if you're feeling crazy.


One of these might make a nice Mother's Day gift or a present for somebody. I mean, can your phone really have too many outfits? It's like shoes or scarves. The more the merrier! See all six prints at Uncommon.

Free font: Cherry Swash

Need a pretty little slab serif typeface? Check out Cherry Swash, designed by Natalia Kasatkina. It's available right here from Font Squirrel, free for commercial use.

Make bookmarks with tape

I'm still waiting for TV producers to create Hoarders: Washi Tape Edition, because I bet there are enough of us out there to make an entire series. Why in the world is it so satisfying to collect decorative tape?

Here's a way to put some of that stock pile to good use (unless you're one of those people who uses an electronic gadget to read books. Me, I prefer paper pages.)

I used some Jonathan Adler paper tape, plus a bit of orange washi tape, to make some easy patterned bookmarks.


I placed three strips of tape side by side on a sheet of cardstock and trimmed it into a rectangle. Then I printed up a little Groucho Marx humor and attached the quote with more tape.

To make your own, download the Groucho quote right here. Print the page, cut out the little rectangles, and attach them to patterned paper or taped-up cardstock.

Jonathan Adler tape!

Lifeguard Press just sent over samples of their new printed paper tape by Jonathan Adler. I love it. Jonathan Adler is one of my all-time faves— those mod, geometric designs always float my boat.

The tapes come in a pack of three inside a dispenser. This stuff is not as sticky as washi tape, so it's easy to reposition. I got a little tape-happy around the office.


A boring gray bookend became patterned.


Edges on a bookshelf became patterned.


A desk lamp became patterned.


Tea lights became patterned.

Grab some Jonathan Adler tape right here. I'll post another project tomorrow!

Camera pencil sharpener

I just bought a pencil sharpener that looks like a camera. I keep buying and throwing out cheap little sharpeners that break my pencil leads off, and the one I have that actually grinds nicely requires three hands to operate it. The suction-cup bottom that holds it to the desk won't stick, so I practically need to hire an intern to hold it down so I can turn the crank. Electric models are too big, ugly, and seem like overkill, so don't even suggest them to me.

But THIS little number, in addition to looking pleasing on my office shelf, actually works. It has a clever mechanism for clamping the pencil in place, and then you hold the box down with one hand and turn the crank with the other. A little drawer full of shavings pulls out at the bottom. I adore it. It's made by Kikkerland; you can grab one at Amazon.

How to make a paper bow

I've gotten some questions asking how I made the paper bow on the bottom package in this post. Here's a quick tutorial. I made a template so you can see the parts.

Download the PDF template right here.

If you print the PDF on colored paper and cut out the pieces, you'll have enough parts to make two bows. Or you can just freehand cut some pieces like I did originally; I folded my paper in half so that both sides of the bow would be symmetrical when I cut. Sort of like you do when cutting out paper hearts, you know?


Anyhow, whether you wing it or use the template, you'll need three parts for each bow: the band in the middle, the loops, and the tails.


Grab the two outer tabs on the "loops" piece, bend them to the center, and glue them down.


Layer the loops piece on top of the tails with a dot of glue, then wrap the band around the center and secure it in the back with a little more glue. All done!

Scalloped desktop wallpaper freebies

Everything is gloomy today. The news. The weather. Is spring ever going to come? I tried to console myself by making desktop wallpapers in fun colors. I stole the scallops from the printable stationery I made the other day and turned them into backgrounds simple enough to find my files easily. Help yourself!

Download your choice of: green, gray, pink, or teal (2880x1800 px).

Select the fit-to-screen option for your monitor, or whatever setting looks best.

DIY neon paper gift bows

Brown paper bags and neon paper can yield some nice-looking gift packaging. I made these bows with more of the Astrobright Neon paper I mentioned yesterday. These look a lot cuter in person because the neon practically glows. The yellow bow is a stack of paper loops glued together. The pink bow is made like this. The orange bow is made from three pieces of paper: the tails, the loops, and a band for the center. (Update: I've added a template for this one right here.)

DIY printable neon stationery set

Neon is a trend that's still going strong. If it's important that your life have more of it, consider printing your own neon DIY stationery set with this downloadable freebie. April is National Card and Letter Writing month, so let's send some mail!

I've designed notepaper and a matching envelope in two patterns: scallops and stripes. They turned out a bit Kate Spade-y, no? You can mix them or match them.


I printed the designs on sheets from a pack of Astrobright Neon paper I bought at Office Max. It's a common brand available at most office stores. But if neon scalds your eyeballs or reminds you too painfully of junior high, use any paper you like. Brown kraft paper would be cool, too.

Download the free, printable PDF right here.

The document has four pages; print out the pages you need at 100%.


Trim out the notepaper sheets.


Cut out the envelope templates, score along the fold lines, and fold the flaps inward. Secure them with a glue stick.

Mail a note to a buddy. Or print up sets of these, tie them with black ribbon or neon twine (I spotted some at Paper Source the other day) and give them as small gifts or party favors.

New York Times haiku generator

Something interesting for Friday: The New York Times has developed an algorithm that automatically detects poetry hidden in the paper's front page articles. Using a syllable dictionary, a computer scans each article in search of haikus. Then human journalists select the most wonderful results and publish them daily at Times Haiku. Enjoy!

Free, printable thank you cards

I like these simple, modern thank you cards, a free download from Love Vs. Design. They look cool printed on kraft paper, too! Check them out here and download your own set.

Free watercolor desktop wallpapers

If your desktop needs a little cheering up, try one of the watercolor backgrounds posted at Design Love Fest. They come in pink and blue and remind me of spring— unlike the weather right now, which is depressing. I'll take whatever bright things I can find!

Vespa made from recycled packaging

Look what just came in the mail from South Africa: a little Vespa, crafted by hand from recycled tin. I looove it! The seat feels like textured leather, the wheels have tire treads and actually turn, and the kickstand folds up and down.

A few weeks ago, Tyrone Rubin emailed me to introduce a new web shop called Stribal, a site offering handmade things from artisans in Africa. I gave it a couple mentions here and there, and as a surprise, he sent me this Vespa, one of the products from the site!

Find the little tin models right here. You can get Beetles, motorbikes, pickups, Jeeps, and more. Pretty amazing. Maybe you need a really unique gift for someone, or a model for your desk or bookshelf?

Tutorials for jewelry, bags and more

Take a gander at these pretty DIY accessories, posted with tutorials by kind people around the internet. Try making something here if you're feeling crafty:
Neon inside out tote bag tutorial at the Purl Bee
Fabric envelope how-to by Fabric Paper Glue
Chevron earring instructions by Michelle Bingham
J. Crew-inspired choker directions at Delightfully DIY
Felt flower sachet project, also from the Purl Bee
DIY thread-wrapped earrings at Creature Comforts. Love these!

Printable Mad Men paper dolls

Ready for Sunday's Mad Men premiere? I'm looking forward to it, even though Alex and I turn to each other after every episode and say, "Why do we watch this show?" It's miserable. But so well done we can't tear our eyes away. And the decor! The clothes! Speaking of which, Dyna Moe has illustrated Joan and Megan paper dolls with outfits from last season. Download Joan here and Megan here. Print and cut! Or post an entire sheet on your bulletin board just because they look fun.

DIY posters with cut-out lettering

I'm thinking of making a poster series of ridiculous song lyrics. The first one goes to you, Ke$ha. Next up, Katy Perry. "Baby, you're a firework." What, just one firework? "Boom, boom boom. Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon." A brilliant use of rhyme. Wouldn't a whole wall of these be comical? At least in my mind. And perhaps in the minds of some friends; you know who you are.

But really I just wanted to try cutting out some lettering like I saw in the branding for the Kröller-Müller Museum. Apparently theirs was rendered digitally using Cinema4D software. I went old school and busted out an X-acto knife.


In Illustrator I typed out text using a bold font. (Novecento Wide, bold —free!) Then I outlined the text with a thin stroke and flipped it backwards. This way the printed outlines won't show on the front of the piece. I printed it on cardstock and cut along the outlines, avoiding the highlighted areas above. The left edge of each character isn't cut and acts like a hinge.


I flipped the paper over and bent the letters up, like opening little doors.


I liked it layered on top of a sheet of neon red paper.


And of course orange is always an excellent choice. You could make a series of cut-out posters and group them as wall art. Or make greeting cards with short phrases on them. To make the letters show up, fold a piece of colored paper in half, the same size as your outer white folded card, and insert it inside. Keep it in place inside the white card with a line of glue along the fold.

You could also try cutting shapes out of colored paper and layering white behind it. I opted for cutting into the white, since cast shadows show up best on light colors.

Any suggestions for more silly pop song lyrics?

Free font: Corki v.2

If you compulsively collect fonts, you might want to grab Corki v.2 from Type Depot. It's a condensed slab serif that comes in four styles. Download the family for free right here!

New site: The Beauty of Letterpress

Today marks the launch of a new website, The Beauty of Letterpress, from Neenah Paper. If you're a letterpress fan (and who isn't?), you might enjoy this online gallery of modern letterpress prints and resources. The site posts selections from a new curator each month.

Everyone is welcome to submit their own work, and printers can add themselves to the list of letterpress vendors sorted by location.

The website is also trying to raise funds to help preserve the Hamilton Wood Type & Printing Museum in Two Rivers, WI. If you donate just $5, you'll receive this Beauty of Letterpress print, and Neenah Paper will match your donation. Terrific! See more photos of the letterpress print here in designer Jennifer James's portfolio.

Leather backgrounds for desktops and devices

Hermès is offering a collection of free "screen leather" backgrounds. Grab some calfskin, alligator, or buffalo for your phone, tablet or desktop. The orange calfskin I downloaded is 2560x1600 px, so these are big files. Choose your favorite here.