Add fancy borders to your photos

Big Huge Labs has an online tool that lets you upload a photo and then instantly apply your choice of border to it. Try it here.

Craft project: Retro ornaments from foam

I had a few sheets of that strange craft foam lying around, so here's my attempt to make something out of it. You can download the template I whipped up right here.

You'll need: Foam sheets, sharp scissors, X-acto knife for cutting out holes, craft glue, string for hanging, and tape.

What to do: For each ornament, cut out two "frame" pieces, one solid ornament piece with the center intact, and whatever doodads you want to stick in the middle. Form a loop with your thread and knot the ends. Tape the knotted end to the top of one side of your solid shape. Then glue your frame pieces on each side like a sandwich, hiding the ends of the string. Glue some doodads to the hole in the middle. Place it under a light book while you wait for the glue to dry.

Tips: Cut your shapes very carefully. Make the inner solid piece a tiny bit smaller than the frame pieces so it doesn't poke out around the edges. Once it's glued together, don't try to trim the edges further. It will end up looking like your dog chewed on it. Cut it well the first time.

Holiday party excuse generator

Well, folks, it's that time of year when the holiday party invites come rolling in. But how to gracefully back out of events you'd like to avoid? Try the Holiday Party Excuse Generator. Tell the generator about your situation, and voila! An emailable message will be generated for your host expressing your regrets.

Get some rock posters

Aesthetic Apparatus makes interesting posters and art prints you can purchase. Check them out here.

News flash

How About Orange has made MidwestBusiness.com's "List of Top 10 Blogs in the Midwest Region." Isn't that nice of them? The chocolate cupcakes I mailed them must have paid off. (Actually I learned of MidwestBusiness.com just now. It is "the leading source of business and technology news and information in Chicago and the greater Midwest.")

Download a free self-mailing notecard

Evie of evie s. emailed me about her self-mailer you can download, print, and send to a friend. The design is perfect for the holidays. Download it here!

Turn any photo into wallpaper with a calendar

For a handy online tool that will turn any photo you upload into custom-sized wallpaper with a calendar, click here. You set the size, whether it's for your computer, your iPhone, or any other device, and then pick from options that let you edit your photo and position your calendar.