How About Orange

Quiz: Are you an introvert or extrovert?

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Jones) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:50:00 +0000

How about a Friday quiz? Time magazine will determine whether you're an introvert or extrovert with this quiz. I answered yes to every single question and would have added exclamation points if possible. The quiz rightly suspects I am "likely to be an introvert." And I just learned the word "ambivert," so I'm smarter now, too. It's a good day. Test yourself right here.

(Artwork by Matte Stephens, available at Poster Cabaret, one of my favorite sources of prints.)

Make a solid-color origami heart garland

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Jones) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:45:00 +0000

A variation of yesterday's striped paper garland—try solid-color hearts folded from origami paper. They even have a pocket in the back to run your string through, so no taping needed. Get the instructions here.

Make a striped origami heart garland

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Jones) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:16:00 +0000

These striped origami hearts are quick and easy to fold—you won't be tempted to say any bad words as you make them. (Unlike with this box or this cat.) Connect the hearts with twine to make a simple Valentine's Day decoration.

Get the folding instructions here; choose diagram or animation. I used 6" sheets from this awesome pack of 100 different colors of origami paper. Each square will yield two hearts that are about 3 1/2" wide. And a tip: use a little piece of double-stick tape to keep the fronts of the hearts from popping forward. They'll lie flatter this way.

Create Valentine dishes with edible paint

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Jones) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:30:00 +0000

For a party or special dinner, try decorating plain dishes with icing. Designs will be perfectly edible, and if you make a mistake while painting, just lick it off and start over. (Don't tell anyone your tongue made contact with their plate.)

To make this "paint," I mixed 3 tablespoons of powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon of water, and 2 drops of liquid food coloring. Apply with a paintbrush. If needed, run your fingernail around any wiggly edges to smooth them out before they dry.

Match a cocktail to your favorite music

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Jones) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 23:30:00 +0000

After days out of town, I've got a work pile-up and an overflowing inbox. I struggled all day to resist the impulse to lie on the couch and eat cookies. If you, too, need a breather (and something stronger than cookies), try out Drinkify. Type in a musician or band, and you'll get a cocktail recipe to pair it with! (Via It's a Small Web.)

What to wear to the farm

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Jones) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:56:00 +0000

I'm headed to the Altitude Design Summit today, so Grandma G. will have to look after the blog while I'm gone. (For those unaware, she's my mom. And a frequent commenter.) I've noticed that many bloggers are enthusiastic about their Alt wardrobes, and lots of style articles have been popping up. See examples here, here, here, and here.

Since it looks like Alt is covered, I thought it might be helpful to post some fashion suggestions for visiting Grandma G. If you plan to attend a conference at a Minnesota dairy farm, you might consider packing the following wardrobe.

1. A pair of everyday jeans. Forget skinny, low-rise, stretch and all that business. The heifers don't care. Pick something nice and comfy.

2. A coat to wear outside. Preferably something your grandma bought you at a rummage sale, so you won't need to worry if it gets dirty.

3. A flannel shirt. Preferably something your grandma bought you at a rummage sale, so you won't need to worry if it gets dirty. Or you can raid the closet in my old bedroom, where there are probably lots to choose from. That came from rummage sales.

4. (Optional) On warmer days, a promotional seed corn cap that has collected dust in the basement. A note: don't wear this ironically like the hipsters do. The cap was likely a free gift after you spent thousands of dollars on seed corn. It's functional, not a fashion statement.

5. On colder days, a knitted stocking cap. Preferably something your grandma bought you at a rummage sale, so you won't need to worry if it gets dirty.

6. Bring a pair of old glasses that you wore a few prescriptions ago. Replace your regular frames with these when you go outside into the cold, because they'll fog up like crazy when you come back in. Once inside, you can immediately switch back to your good glasses since you'll want to see clearly right away. Right, Mum?

7. Overshoes in case the yard is muddy.

8. A stylish accessory. Instead of a sequined handbag, bring a flashlight for locating things at night, including raccoons and possums.

Printable Valentine card and coupon freebie

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Jones) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 15:09:00 +0000

Floris of Love vs. Design just sent over a link to a new printable. It's a Valentine's Day card and a set of coupons you can fill out for your sweetie to redeem. Help yourself to the free download here!

DIY macaron coin purse

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Jones) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 19:32:00 +0000

An addendum to the list of things to sew in the last post: check out these little macaron coin purses. One hundred percent adorable! I want to eat them up. Get the instructions here from Joanne at Craft Passion. You know her. She's the same genius who provided directions for the self-zipping coin purse.

Sewing tutorial round up

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Jones) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 00:26:00 +0000

Check out these bag, pouch, and apron instructions, graciously provided by the people of the internet:
Naughty secretary bag tutorial at Sew Sweetness
Urban jungle bag pattern, also from Sew Sweetness
Laminated messenger bag tutorial by Sew Can Do
Boxed pouch how-to from Terrabyte Farm
A Kindle slip case project by Charm Stitch
Shannon's apron instructions from Buttercream and a Sewing Machine

And a bonus: If you share a link to designer Tanya Whelan's pretty new book Sew What You Love, you can choose a free bag pattern to download. Find out more right here.

Cuteness alert: more kitten origami

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Jones) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 20:29:00 +0000

I tried another origami neko model from Jo Nakashima—the 3D version of yesterday's flat bookmark. I skipped the step where you shape the cat's back since my crisp paper wanted to crumple. (This is due to my lack of skill, not the fault of the paper, I'm sure.) Follow along with the video tutorial here.

Make an origami cat bookmark

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Jones) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 19:56:00 +0000

On You Tube I found video instructions for making a cat bookmark designed by Jo Nakashima. So I tried it out. A couple of the steps were tricky, but I managed to prevail! I think this kitty is funny. He looks like he tried to cross the road at the wrong moment.

January desktop wallpaper

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Jones) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 23:06:00 +0000

While it's still January, you might enjoy this quirky desktop art from illustrators Julianna Brion and Rand Renfrow. The image is part of the Desktop Wallpaper Project at The Fox is Black. Grab it here!

DIY polyhedra: trendy and cool

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Jones) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 17:32:00 +0000

Geometric 3D solids are popping up around the internet lately. Adorn yourself, your home, or your party with gem pendants and paper polyhedra using these smart tutorials:
Geometric garland at Urban Outfitters
Platonic solids garland from Mini Eco
Glassine gem paper lanterns at Martha Stewart Weddings
DIY geometric necklace by Dismount Creative

Guess the movie from the object

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Jones) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 21:54:00 +0000

Here's a Friday time-waster: guess which movie the illustrated object comes from at Famous Objects From Classic Movies. I was horrendous at this game. Maybe you'll have better luck! (Via It's a Small Web).

Update: I'm a moron. I just figured out you can guess letters one at a time like hangman; you don't have to know the entire title at first glance. This just got way more fun.

Five free fonts

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Jones) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 19:20:00 +0000

Check out some more nice font freebies I found at Myfonts.com. Log in and add these to your cart for a complimentary download: Novecento Wide (scroll down the page to find the freebies), Nashville Serial, Abril Fatface, Deftone Stylus, and Wichita Serial. I often grab the free weights (ha, that sounds like I'm at the gym) for use in logo and print projects, and then go back and purchase the heavier or lighter weights as I need them.

Jonathan Adler toilet paper holders?

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Jones) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 17:57:00 +0000

I'm a big Jonathan Adler fan. And now I see (via Felt & Wire) that he has designed some toilet paper boxes for Cottonelle. Yours for a mere $1.99 when you buy a specially marked roll of TP. I'm torn between "what the heck would I need that for" and "shoot, they're kind of cool and I could put something else in there." Plus I received this awesomely orange Jonathan Adler turtle tray for Christmas and it might need a friend. (Not that I keep the tray near the toilet, I hasten to add.)

Mr. Adler intends the TP covers to be "mood-enhancing." Wow. So just think how mind-blowing my baño would be if I added toilet paper origami, too. I could go sit in there whenever I felt sad.

(Images: PR Newswire and Jonathan Adler )

Thanks for reading my blog, guys.

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Jones) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 21:18:00 +0000

I'm back from vacation and wanted to start off 2012 by thanking you for reading How About Orange. It's so much fun to feel like I belong to a community of nice people. I love your comments, helpful emails, and the spirit of goodwill around here. You guys make me giggle, offer great ideas, and email me tips with cool links all the time. I love it. Not to mention the way your kind comments boost my self confidence. Here are just a few real examples from the past year:

"Great blog, Saying thanks will not very soon be sufficient, for the outstanding precision in your writing. You definitely put a new spin on a subject thats been written about for years."
-Evaporative Cooling

"I really enjoyed reading this post. I congratulate you for the terrific job you've made. Great stuff, just simply amazing!"
-Prescription Discount Card

"Really your post is really very good and I appreciate it. It’s hard to sort the good from the bad sometimes, but I think you’ve nailed it. I really impressed by your post."
-Baby Kittens

"Amazing man! I can't believe it, such an incredible and create job you have done. I really enjoyed that."
-Business Logo Design

Thanks, Evaporative Cooling! (Okay, those are clearly from comment spammers who attempt to litter posts with links to their sites. I try to delete them before they appear, but you may have noticed a few sneaking in once in awhile.) But seriously, a huge thank you to all of you non-spammers for reading this blog.

If you'd like to kick off 2012 with a printable calendar for your bulletin board, Celia Sanchez sent over a link to her design, pictured above. Help yourself to the free PDF right here, and let's make 2012 an incredible and create new year that's amazing man!

Printable bottle gift tags

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Jones) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 17:59:00 +0000

After a day of traveling yesterday, I'm popping in for a minute to wish you guys a merry Christmas! I'm taking a blogging break until the new year, but wanted to share something I whipped up. If you plan to give any bottles of wine, champagne, or other festive drinks as gifts, maybe you could use some gift tags.

Download the PDF here, print it at 100%, cut out the tags, and slip them onto your bottles for instant fanciness. (I've also posted an alternate 2012 new year's design on my portfolio site.)

Have a wonderful holiday and a happy new year, everyone!

DIY paper snowflake decorations

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Jones) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 22:51:00 +0000

Somehow my gift wrapping session turned into a snowflake cutting session. I wanted to try making some snowflakes that look a little more 3D than the usual version. These are made with computer paper, a stapler, double-sided tape, and a scissors.

If you've got standard staples that are 1/2" wide, accordian-fold a sheet of computer paper so that the pleats are 8 1/2" wide by about 3/4". If you get to the end of the sheet and have a little extra paper left over, trim it off.

Staple the folded paper as close to the center of the stack as your stapler will reach. Fold the stack in half at the staple and cut off any excess paper from the long side. The staple should now be in the center.

Unless you're using extra thin paper or you have super-human strength, you won't be able to cut through all the layers of paper when the stack is folded in half. So unfold the stack and cut a snowflake pattern out of one half, then repeat for the other half, duplicating your design.

Pull open the accordian folds and join two adjacent ends with double-sided tape, forming a semicircle.

Repeat the process to make the other half of the snowflake decoration, cutting the same design from a second piece of folded paper. Join the two halves together with more tape.

Try making smaller snowflakes from a single piece of paper—put the staple closer to one end of the folded stack and cut more off the other end.

And still more Christmas printables

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Jones) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 19:29:00 +0000

The printables just keep on coming! I love Christmas because the internet is bursting at the seams with freebies from generous designers. If there's any ink left in your printer cartridge, help yourself to these holiday cards and gift tags. Get the goodies above in two colorways here at Hey Look.

Download Camilla Engman's woodland-themed set here.

And get French and English versions of this card here from Mon Carnet. (Plus a coordinating desktop here!)

Simple Christmas tree desktop wallpapers

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Jones) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 16:35:00 +0000

I like my desktops pared down and minimal. If you do too, grab one of these geometric tree wallpapers. Fetch the first design from Simple Desktops. The second wallpaper is from Mufn Inc., part of a 24-day series of Christmas downloads—find them all at Lemon Squeezy.

Make a garland from woven paper balls

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Jones) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 22:22:00 +0000

I love paper Christmas decorations, so when I bumped into The Cheese Thief's woven paper ball tutorial, I had to give it a try. They're curiously addicting. Maybe I should carry some supplies with me to pass the time in long check-out lines, boring holiday parties, or during that weird Choreography number in White Christmas.

These are made out of paper and one piece of tape. You can cut your own strips (mine are 1/2" wide and 11" long, which yields a ball that's about 1 1/4" in diameter) or use shiny paper ribbon.

Hang them individually or glue them onto a wreath form. I'm stringing mine on baker's twine to add to the tree. Taping the end of the twine to a toothpick "needle" makes stringing them easier. I plan to space them out along the string, using a dot of hot glue to hold each ball in place where the twine passes through. Get the weaving instructions here!

Wallpaper your desktop with Hermès

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Jones) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 17:07:00 +0000

It's about time to take a little break and waste some time, isn't it? I think so. Head to the Hermès website and click the tiny picture of wallpaper rolls in a bin (the images will take a moment to load). Choose a pattern category at the bottom of the page. Then drag your favorite color from the bin to the top of the "wall" and pull it down to unroll the paper. Add more strips until the wall is complete. Download the pattern to use on your computer. My desktop is sporting a dark blue herringbone at the moment and looking quite dapper.

Print and build a nativity set

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Jones) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 17:37:00 +0000

Marloes de Vries, a designer and illustrator from the Netherlands, has created a nativity set you can make from paper. Print out either the colored version or a line drawing that kids can color themselves. Then assemble the figures with a bit of glue. Get the PDFs here!

Make your own Christmas decorations

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Jones) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 15:39:00 +0000

Here are tutorials for a handful of unique holiday decorations. There's plenty of time left to make them... along with shopping and wrapping and mailing and cooking and hosting and visiting. No problem. Right? Try your hand at these projects:

Felt Christmas ornaments at The Purl Bee
Paper bag wreath at Bloesem Kids
Helvetica stockings from Teal & Lime
Amigurumi bear ornaments (make pandas, koalas, and teddies) using this pattern by All About Ami