DIY Inspiration: Festive Birthday Cards

After becoming inspired one day, the Outside the Box Papers' ladies decided to create something a bit festive and fun using our line of vintage paper straws. 

With some scrapbooking supplies and a snip of the scissors our fun, 3-D birthday card was born! What's great about this inspiration is that there are so many different themes and directions to go in, we created the quintessential birthday look using primary colors and the like … but you can always go with a bit more couture style with a black and white spread or something with an ombre look!

 

Mother's Day Gift & Date Ideas!

Mother's Day is just around the corner. And instead of buying something at the last minute or making a macaroni card, when you're too old to be making macaroni cards, how about allowing us to inspire you into creating a day that doesn't just include gifts but a date planned with just her in mind? Let's take a look!

Flower-Inspired

1, 2, 3, 4, 5

 

Spend the day in the sun and plant a flower plot with your mom! Get everyone involved, even the grandkids! Bring her favorite flowers to show off in her backyard garden or path to the front door. And think about wrapping up one of our deconstructed journals as a thoughtful gift. She could use it as her garden journal or a way to escape the day's worries. Don't forget the lemonade and sugar cookies!

History-Inspired

1, 2, 3, 4

One of my favorite things to do with my mom is to spend an afternoon reminiscing, especially when she lets me in on all of the stories she has tucked inside about when she was younger. And although her hometown is states away, I love getting the chance to peruse her old stomping grounds. So, we got to thinking, wouldn't that be an incredible way to pay homage to your mom on Mother's Day? Take her on a hometown trip where she can feel nostalgic and tell you all of those fun stories! Pair this day date with a gift that "turns back the clock," or at least the week, with our Tin Magnetic Calendar.

Beauty-Inspired

 

 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

 

Pamper Mom and spoil her rotten with a relaxing day of "spa" treatment. Start off with pedicures and then grab some gourmet burgers and milkshakes at one of your local wonderlands. Top it off with a fun gift, like this rustic tin blackboard for in the kitchen or in her home office!

 

A Mother's Day Brunch: Spoil Mom

Inspired by a tablescape of pink and gold, this brunch menu will make any Momma feel special and loved. We've compiled a list of scrumptious treats that takes everyone's favorites flavors and makes them midday-friendly and mom-loved. What do we have?

For a light sip, how about a strawberry mimosa or freshly made strawberry lemonade? Homemade crepes filled with nutella, warm cheese danishes, and savory bacon and cheddar quiches, give everyone at the table a sophisticated yet comforting taste. And then to finish, a caramel tart, some french chocolate macaroons or maybe a crumbly, chocolate chip muffin? 

And, on top off all of those delicious menu ideas, think about grabbing out Mother's Day Party Pack to make setting the table a bit easier - while you focus on the food for Mom! And did you know our Vintage Paper Straws can be used as super stylish cake pop sticks too?

  Check out the links below and follow them to the original recipes! 

 

Product Feature: Paper Doll Mini Calendar

 

One of my favorite products from the Outside the Box Papers' line is the "Paper Doll" Products. Personally, I've been displaying the Paper Doll Mini Calendar on my home desk since I received it in the mail courtesy of the sweet ladies behind the scenes at all things OTBP. Naturally, I had to show it off.

And now you can snatch up this adorable Paper Doll Card Set and send all your family and friends something adorable and charming in the mail. Better yet, it's a great addition to any birthday, shower or party gift!

Product Feature: Journals With A Personality

Writers, readers, bloggers, texters, e-mailers, Facebookers  .... all word, gossip and story lovers unite! We have some amazing journals in stock and they're pumped with delicate charm and lots of personality. They're a great gift for birthdays, graduates and even for fun holidays like Valentine's Day and Easter. They work for your Mom, your sister, your best friend or even your favorite teacher. They're versatile and they're inspiring. You can doodle, you can write, you can brainstorm, you can plan and you can even jot down your to-do lists.  Let's take a quick look!

Bohemian Summer

Faith, Hope and Love

It's A Lovely French Day

Joy

La-Belle Clock Faces

Owl Always Love You

Valentine's Day Gift Ideas from OTBP!

Valentine's Day is only a stone's throw away. Even if you don't buy into the whole "retail-made" holiday, it doesn't mean that you can't take the time out to tell the people you love most in the world that you do, in fact, love them and appreciate them. With a simple greeting card, or one of our inexpensive, yet charming, OTBP products, you can easily tell the ones you love .... I love you ... in the most sincere of ways. Take a peek at some of our Valentine's Day Gift Ideas that are easy on the wallet and on the eyes.

Tin Magnetic Calendar

 

A small, easy way to say I love you with this tin calendar that makes it easy to keep track of the days ... every year. This is a perfect gift for your favorite teacher, coach, Mom or even for Grandma!

Neon Pony Bands

 

Stick these in your little one's V-day goody bag among all of her other treats and trinkets. They're much more stylish than the average ponytail holder.

Paper Doll Card Set

 

For your girlfriend or best friend, this paper doll card set is an easy way to show you care. If she's a writer, lover of the written word, all things charming and adorable, or even just a fan of snail mail, these are for her!

Joy Deconstructed Journal

 

Grab this for your sister or another special buddy who loves to write poetry or just the day to day happenings of their life. Better yet, start the story off with a letter ... from you to the recipient!

Here and Now Petite Wall Calendar

 

A bit funky, but equally as adorable, this mini wall calendar would be perfect for the college student or anyone of your best friends with a super busy schedule. Mix this one in with some chocolate and voila .... an easy and thoughtful present!

DIY Inspiration: Yo-yos With Pizazz

Since we're obviously giant lovers of paper, that means we're also giant lovers of crafty adventures and DIY that deals with fun, outside-the-box and stylish paper products. When I stumbled upon this adorable (and easy) tutorial from Mod Podge Rocks, I knew that I had to feature it. Whether you're throwing a birthday party and need some kid-friendly favors or you decide to tuck this idea away for Christmastime next year, these yo-yo's covered in Mod Podge and paper are the perfect way to personalize a toy favorite for children of all ages! Let's take a quick look at how it's done!

Here's what you'll need to get started:

• wooden yo-yos
• acrylic paint (colors of your choice)
• glitter or accents
• Mod Podge Gloss
• scrapbook paper (colors and designs of your choice)
• a pencil
• a pair of cissors
• a paintbrush

Here's a quick run-down on what to do:

Make sure your yo-yos are completely free of any stickers or tag "guck." Trace them onto your scrapbook paper and cut the circles out (set aside). Then, grab you paints and go ahead and slap some color onto the little cuties. This way the edges are colorful and stylish as well.  Now it's time for some Mod Podge. Grab the the jar and go ahead and put a medium layer down on the surface; make sure it's spread out before you place down the piece of paper. Once the paper is atop smooth it out completely, allow it to try for around 20 minutes.

Once everything is dry, you'll be ready to add another layer of Mod Podge to the top of the paper. You'll eventually cover the entire yo-yo with Mod Podge (be careful not to get any on the string, like Mod Podge Rocks blog states, it definitely won't ever "yo" if you do!). Add glitter, add embellishments, think outside-the-box and be creative!

Visit the original tutorial here at Mod Podge Rocks!

Product Feature: Rustic Tin Chalkboard

Take a quick look at our adorable and versatile, Rustic Tin Blackboard with Wooden Stand, available in our online shoppe for $9.50, this little cutie makes for an inexpensive, yet thoughtful gift but it also does its part in sprucing up the house.

Use them as table markers for your casual, vintage-inspired wedding reception. Use them as your favorite teacher's birthday gift. Use them in the kitchen to mark the meal of the night. Or use them in your home office as you job down a note of inspiration for the week! It's a desk accessory. It's a food marker. Or a simple piece of home decor. Hope on over to the shoppe and give them a closer look.

Product Feature: Simple Wire Calendar

 

With this wire calendar, you've got simplicity and versatility as its finest. Chic when it needs to be and rustic when made so, snag one of these Simple Wire Calendars, for only $30, as a New Year's gift to yourself! Hang them in the kitchen or in your home office and use seasonal decorative bits to blend in the with month's style and time of year.

Make sure to check out our shoppe for other thrifty, outside-the-box finds.