Spinning for pinning? So are we!

It is the perfect way to Do Something Creative Every Day. In fact, Pinterest has become such a staple that our tagline could easily be: Pin Something Creative Every Day.

Through Paper Source Pinterest Boards we will continue to inspire your handmade cards, DIY projects and wedding plans with interesting products and ideas. We also know many of you have a knack for pinning, so we now feature the Pin It button on the Paper Source website and the PS Blog, making it easier for you to pin your favorite things.

So, whether you are a long-time Pinner or just starting your Pinterest boards, here’s wishing you and endless supply of Pin-spiration. Happy Pinning!

Oh, you know we cannot resist a good gift wrapping opportunity. So, for all our Wrappers out there, here is a dose of springtime inspiration just in time for the Mother’s Day gift giving weekend.

Birds
Celebrate springtime delights with these winged darlings

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Roses
Sure to delight the lady who enjoys fresh blooms and all things lovely

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Love those bows? Learn to tie the perfect bow or square knot with our easy how-to tie a bow video and how-to tie a square knot instructions. Or, try layering ribbons of different widths to create a fancy looped adornment as shown on our tall Roses package.

Bikes
Make any mom-on-the-go feel good with festive bike designs

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Owls
Whimsical and wise, just like Mom

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Achieve the banding treatment by layering paper and ribbons of varying widths. This is a great technique, especially if you aren’t an expert in tying bows. Ann talks about banding and color themes in this gift wrapping video.

Anna Bond is one such designer. She is the artist and creator of Rifle Paper Co.

Rifle Floral Writing Paper Set & Rifle Journals

Rifle Notepads

Anna hand draws and paints all of her beautiful designs with gouache, a type of paint consisting of pigment and a binding agent. As you can see from the items shown here, her inspiration comes from mid-century design, folk art, nature, architecture, and vintage typefaces. Her designs are reminiscent of decades past, and make beautiful gifts for any occasion.

To see more of Anna’s lovely work, check out other Rifle designs on our website.

First off, is our favorite keepsake. The My Mom Journal is a wonderful way to score quality time with mom. Sit down, hear her stories and journal the tales. The memories of that day and her life will last a lifetime.

Perhaps your mom is a scribe herself. If so, we think she might like this stamp and butterfly note card set, where she can send cards with the perfect greeting.

Or, grab a custom stamp gift set and let her personalize a motif or return address stamp of her liking. The set comes with a stamper and redemption code to a site filled with more than 100 designs, including dozens of custom designs created by Paper Source.

For the mom on the go, these Mai Tai reusable bags are super handy and pretty adorable – great for spring and summer errands.

The mom with two wheels might appreciate showing off her bike love with these adorable bicycle tea towels.

And it wouldn’t be a Mother’s Day round up without a nod to her Wonder Woman status. Celebrate her ability to conquer all feats with this Wonder Woman apron. She’ll feel good thinking she’s Lynda Carter when she avenges household duties.

Or, honor mom with the simplest gift that is sure to warm her heart. Our selection of Mother’s Day cards features greetings that are perfect for any kind of mom — send her something sweet, something funny or something stylish.

Happy hunting!

Our exclusive bike products are now available online and in Paper Source stores. Pedal pushing never looked so good… and our vintage bike designs have never gone this fast.

Quantities are limited on these products, so those who nab these spectacular spokes early are sure to ride all summer long with their favorite bike gear. Wait too long and you may be left in the dust.

Check out the full assortment of bicycle products online or call your nearest Paper Source location to inquire about availability.

Looking for the perfect Mother’s Day gift? Our unique collection of custom stamps are so lovely and so practical. Choose from more than 50 exclusive designs and customize with your mom’s name or home address for a gift that is truly unique.

And, guess what?

Today through April 22nd many of our best-selling custom stamps are 25% off!

Grab a gift for mom, the happy couple getting married this summer, and perhaps, one for yourself too! It’s a gift that will keep on giving — 800 to 1,000 stamp impressions to be exact.

Shop our full line of custom stamps including new designs for return address, wedding and holiday!

For more Mother’s Day inspiration, check out our assortment of Mother’s Day gifts, Mother’s Day crafts and our newest how-to project – a silhouette Mother’s Day card.

Give mom something to remember this Mother’s Day. This silhouette project allows you to create a wonderful paper cameo that you can use as a small home decor piece or as a handmade card. It’s a gift she is sure to adore.

Materials Needed:

• Mother’s Day Silhouette How-to PDF
• Photograph of your subject (profile view)
• Vellum
• Black Text Paper
• Superfine White Text Paper
• Fine paper of your choice
• Scissors OR craft knife and cutting mat
• Super Tacky Tape
• Foam Squares (optional)
• Pencil
• A7 Folded Card
• A7 Box Mailer
• Ribbon

Instructions:

1. Take a profile photograph (actual photo or printout of a photo) and trace onto Vellum paper to create the silhouette shape.
2. Cut out the silhouette shape black paper with scissors or craft knife.
3. Trim fine paper to fit your card or box mailer.
4. Cut an oval or circle out of white paper, and mount onto a sheet of fine paper using Super Tacky Tape.
5. Mount silhouette shape onto oval or circle (use foam squares if desired to add dimension).
6. Print or cut out a banner from Superfine White paper and use to add a personal message.

You can create silhouettes using our precision cutting machine, the Silhouette Cameo. This tool is especially helpful if you plan to make multiples of the silhouette. Begin by following the first two steps above, tracing the profile photograph onto Vellum paper, and cutting from Black paper. Then scan the black silhouette cut out and place into the Silhouette program.

Try this approach or the wall hanging option featured in the Paper Source catalog and online.

– Claudia
PS colors: curry & fuchsia
Latest fave: Mini Magnolia Paper Flower Kit

In addition to an assortment of nautical gifts, we were totally inspired by this gift wrap theme. It is a wonderful way to celebrate birthdays and summer events. Or, christen a maiden voyage with a wonderful wrapped package – your sailor is sure to appreciate.

The two looks are easy to execute.

If you want design to do the talking, then opt for our nautical wrapping paper and a beautiful bow accent, like this persimmon ribbon tied with our perfect bow.

If you want a hint of maritime color, then you can achieve the look below using our gift wrap (in Night) and satin ribbon (in Peacock and Persimmon). We suggest running double-sided tape or your Tape Runner along the back of your ribbon to hold your hatch weave in place.

Or, you can skip the ribbon and try our new maritime knot accent.

This wrap story suggests finishing with Octopus Stationery or Anchor Letterpress Stationery. But, you could also pick from our assortment of single cards. This Mother’s Day card and Father’s Day card are both available online, along with greeting cards for other occasions.

Show off your nautical side with this maritime knot accent. Fashion your own accent using our red jute twine and a few twists. Follow the photos below to create this gift wrap accent or modify for a DIY bracelet or decorative embellishment.

First determine your use and cut two strands to accommodate the item you need to wrap, so that together the strands will fit your item. Add an inch or two to assure you have room to finish. Then add more strands based on the desired thickness of your knot – we used six strands, two groups of three.

Since we planned to set this knot off-center on the package, we wove with center landing a third of the way on the string. You can always center your knot.

Once a loop is created on one side, create the same loop and thread through the other with an over-under weaving method – use the photo as your guide.

Smooth out your loose knot, laying each strand of cord flat and making sure there are no tangles. Then, slowly pull the ends to tighten your knot, adjusting the strands as you pull to make sure they do not overlap.

In this execution we took the loose ends around the box, crossing on the bottom and pulling around to the sides. To keep our nautical theme going we secured the sides with another maritime knot. (No glue or tape needed!) We finished with a anchor rubber stamp that we heat embossed on a Chalkstock gift tag – perfect for your favorite sailor!

Given our long-standing relationship with this supplier and our own company roots in Japanese paper, we felt it was necessary to lend a hand. As a creative way to provide additional support to Red Cross Japan, Paper Source launched a special initiative and donated a portion of fine paper sales to relief efforts organized by Red Cross Japan.

With our customers’ involvement our donation was a small way to fund rebuilding efforts and thank our partners for their long-time commitment to our business. Thanks to the outpouring of support from our paper lovers everywhere, more than 9,000 sheets of Japanese Fine Paper were sold as part of this program.

One year later, we look back and realize just how resilient our partners were during this catastrophe. Despite massive destruction in the area, our supplier continued production (they did not miss a single order cycle) as they began rebuilding. In fact, they continued development and in the months following the earthquakes produced several new paper styles that are now available.

These Yuzen and Katazome Japanese paper styles are a beautiful addition to our assortment and a wonderful symbol of the creativity that followed such devastation.

We felt the story of our supplier and their incredible creations would inspire all of you. And we hoped comments from our Japanese paper fans would inspire our friends in Japan, as they continue development of their craft and their community.

We invite readers to share comments about your love for paper making or to share links to projects that have been transformed by Japanese paper, and we will share your inspiring words with our supplier.