Stickers and Stationary, a Healthy Obsession for Creative Types.

I don’t care how old we get, we all love stickers. For children they are magic, for adults it’s nostalgia. Personally, it is another way for grown-ups to play and decorate just about everything. With all of the new technology and gizmos out there, you can now create your own stickers and cut them out. How? Let’s take a closer look. 

Two very popular bands of die-cut machines are the Cricut and the Silhouette. These machines have software that will allow you to print and cut your own stickers. Plus they are so versatile that they can cut all kinds of materials including fabric. So if you have one of these machines you may know how to do this already, or maybe if you know a friend who has one of these machines and ask really nice they’ll let you borrow it.

Next, how are you getting your designs into the software? If your drawings are on paper, you’ll need to scan them into the computer. If you are making vector drawings it’s a matter of opening and saving files.

As a side note here, trying to explain how to use a computer, software or hardware for that matter is not my forte. I’ll explain. I tried to teach my mother how to open an e-mail and find the internet for at least ten years. To no avail, she could not comprehend that the little envelope icon would open her e-mail and that the giant blue “e” icon I placed in the CENTER of her screen would open internet explorer.

I digress. So once you have your design and it is in the computer, open up the software. Make sure your machine is on, the paper is loaded and then send your project to the cutting machine. In theory, this is a simple thing but trial and error is part of this process. For instance, the type and quality of your printer and scanner makes a huge difference and getting the color of your monitor to match the printer. But on the upside you still get stickers!

Everyone has their favorite season or time of year, like spring or football. For as long as I can remember, my favorite time of year was ‘Back-to-School’ shopping. I know what you’re thinking, “NERD”! I’m not afraid to admit that I am a stationery addict and it started at a young age. There was a certain euphoria about getting new pens, pencils, folders, notebooks and opening a new box of crayons. Fortunately, I have found the company of others’ who share my love of all things stationary!

I may not have as much to say as my pen collection has ink, but honestly, you have to have choices! For instance, I was at the store and I saw these Ink Joy gel pens. They added seven new colors to their brand! SEVEN NEW COLORS!!! I had to get them. These pens write so smooth and like the box says they are joyful.

Do you have all twenty-five colors of ZIG Mildliners? I’m not even in school anymore, but these unique double ended highlighters are amazing. Twenty-five colors! They come in sets of five (Bold, Fluorescent, Cool, Warm, and Friendly) and they recently added five new colors. (I can’t wait to get the bold set!)

Do we even have to justify buying glitter pens?

There are so many ways to use paper, from writing paper to drawing paper, handmade paper to scrapbook paper. The list goes on and on and honestly there is not enough time to play with all of them. So, if you love all things stationery and still love stickers you are not alone. If I had to pick a vice, this one ain’t bad.

What’s your favorite pen, paper or sticker?

Artfully yours,

Andi