Here are just a few of our favorite gift ideas…

Set inside an everlasting Peony Wreath we see one of the many Paper Source exclusive Mother’s Day cards. Adorn any door with a wreath of flowers, or set a pillow on her favorite chair. This charming grain sack pillow is a rustic accent for any couch, bed or boudoir!

Greet the day with a cup of her favorite coffee in her own Mama Bear Mug, or sample some Mom You Are The Best Tea before she begins her day.

Set up the kitchen with little surprises! Make her a breakfast with this thoughtful spatula, and clean up the kitchen with the matching sponge and kitchen towel.

For walls, coffee tables or bedsides, gift one of the many decorative signs available to convey that perfect message, to any Mom in your life.

Sunday, May, 12th is a day to celebrate. Visit our website for a full list of Inspired Gift Ideas for Mom.

Upon entering our front doors at our Chicago-based home office, a large paper wasp on a brightly colored wall greets visitors.

Why the name?

Founded in 1983 by Sue Lindstrom, Paper Source was created because of her love for the papermaking artistry of Japan. Sue opened the first Paper Source store in Chicago to showcase beautiful handcrafted papers from around the world, and since then Paper Source has grown to more than 60 locations around the country, with new stores opening every year!

Why a paper wasp?

It was Sue’s tribute to a fellow paper aficionado. Read more here.

As you walk down our halls, a wall of cards (a favorite of many) provides anything from a cry to a chuckle. And, if the cards aren’t enough to get you motivated, our open, loft-like office space is like a candy store of inspiration. (Our building is literally located across the street from a chocolate factory, but we feel like the real sweetness is here!)

The interior of Paper Source is designed with hints of vintage touches. We’re always bustling with new products, crafts, and designs, so it’s fun to walk around from department to department!

From rubber stamps to custom invitations, many products that you order pass through the skillful hands of someone here at our home office. Some orders, like a wedding invitation lined with Strawberry envelope liners, require a human eye and precision.

There is a real sense of a collective here. The heart of our company really thrives off the motto “Do Something Creative Every Day” and the sentiment is shared throughout our company, from our CEO Sally Pofcher to the newest intern (Me!).

I’ve only scratched the surface, but I hope you enjoyed this little spin through the Paper Source home office.

–Christina
PS colors: Clover, Pool, and Papaya
Latest fave: Custom Embosser

Earlier this month, TODAY Show correspondent Jenna Bush Hager and her soon-to-arrive firstborn were honored by the NBC family. Her NBC co-hosts and friends threw a book themed baby shower at the Peter Callahan Catering Studio in New York. With a theme centered around books and words of wisdom, the event included a few key accents from Paper Source.

Image from NBC

Jenna’s four-tiered diaper cake was wrapped in Burlap Ribbon, draped in peaceful Olive Leaves, accented with our Burlap Flowers, and topped with the ever-popular Sophie the Giraffe.

Image from NBC

The hosts tied in an alphabet element by hanging kraft letters with burlap ribbon for an educational and adorable accent to the day’s events.

Image from NBC

Gifts and wishes were offered to mom and baby in the form of books! Inside covers were signed by friends in good humor and wisdom, a trend that is likely to start a bookworm baby boom. Journals and books are a fun and unique way to share moments with friends, loved ones and newborns!

Image from NBC

Favors were presented in burlap bags, which complimented the diaper cake perfectly. Guests were given a few seasonal treats like earrings and nail polish. The items were stuffed with Paper Source Wasp printed tissue paper and tied off with decorative ribbon from our collection.

We were excited to see how our products inspired this special event and even more tickled to learn that Jenna, Henry and their families welcomed Margaret Laura ‘Mila’ Hager to the world this weekend. We look forward to the creative celebrations that follow!

Throwing a shower of your own? See other baby shower ideas from Paper Source.

This season’s favorite project in a miniature card format. This paper rosette project is perfect for heartfelt sentiments, like Mother’s Day! Customize rosettes with your own choice of colors and patterns from our collection of handpicked fine papers to make this classic and chic card truly yours!

Materials Needed:

Instructions:

Cut a piece of text weight paper to 4 3/4″ x 6 3/4″ and adhere to front of card. Choose desired rosette sizes and cut text weight paper and fine paper into strips

- Embellish centers with adhesive pearls and/or crystals.
- Stamp and emboss banner onto paper and cut out.
- Write desired message onto banner and adhere in place.

-Claudia

Favorite PS colors: curry & fuchsia
Latest Fave: Red & White Paper Straws

From modern and bold to playful and sweet, our Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah invitations let you build anticipation for an incredible life event. Create a stylish custom invitation, then add perfectly coordinated custom labels and gift tags to honor the occasion with something truly unique.

Click on the photo above to see our selection online.

Spring has sprung. Hop on over to our website, or find a store near you, to take a gander at our selection of gifts and crafts that were hand-picked for the season.

Easter is March 31! Celebrate with this egg-stra special garland! Decorate and display the Egg Garland Kit on a wall, mantel or doorway.

This colorful garland is 10 feet long and features 12 eggs, each 4 1/2″ x 6 1/4″. The kit includes pre-cut shapes, papers, ribbon, stickers and templates for creating our sample… but it’s also fun to customize with your own style using paper cuts, stickers and other embellishments.

You can even grab individual die-cut eggs for additional accents or coordinating craft ideas.

This Easter craft is a colorful addition to any home and the perfect kit for beginners or the time-strapped crafter.

See this and other Easter Kits online.

If you enjoy handmade creations — crafts that give you a chance to add your own personal style — we have Easter card making ideas online, like the egg, chick and carrot cards featured above.

The Easter egg cups (also shown above) are easy to modify with your favorite PS colors and embellishments. Find this and other craft inspiration on the PS Blog.

Springtime always makes us crazy for daisies! The Daisy Wreath Kit is the perfect accent to mark today’s changing season. Crisp white daisies paired with clover green leaves feel spring fresh.

Make this wreath on a rainy afternoon and enjoy the cheer it brings! Adorn your front door, hang above a mantel or display in a window.

Daisy inspiration extends to our custom products too! Shop a variety of invitations, stationery and gifts featuring this happy sign of spring. We even have a few fine paper varieties that show off this lovely bloom.

See these and more daisy-inspired products online.

Today also brings Spring showers… and not just rain showers that offer ample time to craft and create. Many of our customers are also looking for baby, bridal and wedding shower gifts. Shop by recipient, category or price easily from our new Gifts page. Or, ask an associate at your local store for assistance. We’re always happy to help you create something unique.

March 14 – Itajime Folded Dyed Japanese Papers Workshop

Featuring the artful technique of folding and dyeing Japanese papers (called Itajime Shibori), which is similar to tie dying, this workshop is designed to help you create a collection of four beautiful designs (like the samples featured above). The finished 18 1/2″ x 25″ sheets are perfect for gift wrapping, book binding, or card making. In addition, you will also make a small swatch book collection to recall the folding and dying techniques learned during the workshop.

March 23 – Chevron Tray with Paper Vessels Workshop

Learn box making techniques to create this contemporary gold chevron patterned tray. The workshop will teach you how to glue book board, along with wrapping tips for fine and decorative papers. We will also review uses of PVA & Methyl cellulose adhesives and tricks for cutting papers. To complete the collection, we’ll create DIY accents to accompany your finished tray. Perfect for gifting this Mother’s Day or to keep for your own home decor.

Find a store and see our full line up of workshops online.

We can’t wait to see you there!

We are bringing in the Easter holiday with our latest how-to — a handmade Easter greeting card! This project is suitable for little hands to help, and works with varying card colors too. Between this creative fun and our seasonal gifts, we’re hoping your bunny ears are perked and you’re ready to celebrate Spring!

Materials Needed:

Follow the assembly diagram outlined on the Easter Greeting How-To PDF, then use the left over punched out sheets and shapes from the kit to create simple Easter greetings.

Option 1:

Option 2:

-Claudia

Favorite PS colors: curry & fuchsia
Latest Fave: Red & White Paper Straws

Two embossing folders come packaged with the Evolution. These translucent folders can be used with 12×12 scrapbook paper, card stock or even paper bags. The sample above uses the “tide” embossing folder and soufflé pen accenting.

Make an impression on our kraft bags, then add washi tape and rubber stamp accents for an incredible look for an everyday favorite.

Throwing a party? Use our favor box to accent your event. By running the lid through the Evolution and tying ribbon around the outside, this project idea is suitable for any occasion.

These pillow boxes are transformed with the Evolution tool. Create a one-of-kind gift box by embossing and embellishing.

Did you know? The Evolution is compatible with leading cutting dies and embossing folders, including Lifestyle Crafts, QuicKutz, and Sizzix accessories.

We’re often asked how it compares to other tools on the market…

• How does it compare to the Cricut?… or the Portrait?

The Evolution is not an electronic cutter, instead shapes are manually cut using metal dies that are placed on a platform and run through the machine. The Cricut and Portraits are great for digital cutting projects, but they cannot emboss.

• How does it compare to the Fuse?

The Fuse adds inks to the pattern, cuts a shape, and presses a textured pattern all in one pass. It is also three times the price of the Evolution machine.

• How does it compare to the Vandercook?

Well, the Vandercook is a professional’s tool. While the Evolution has the ability to letterpress paper in a home setting, it does not replace a professional letterpress machine, like the Vadndercook. The Evolution provides access to letterpress techniques for the everyday crafter. It is important to note that the kit we are selling does not include components for the crafter to begin letterpressing at home right away – inks and plates are needed for letterpress projects. The Evolution kit does include tools to begin embossing and die cutting right away.

Already own the Evolution? Tell us what are you making. Share some of your samples with us and help inspire a community of crafters!