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.)

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)

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.

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.

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.

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.

Update: I tried a felt version!

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)

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!

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.

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!

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.

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)

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

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)

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!

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.