The Evolution Embosser from Lifestyle Crafts has us inspired. This universal craft tool lets you die cut, emboss, and letterpress all with one lightweight and portable tool. From wedding favors and invitations to handmade cards and paper accents, here are just a few ways you can personalize your paper crafts with this incredible tool.

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!

Roll out the red carpet! It’s Oscars weekend, and the party is ON. Set the scene with a little DIY Oscars party inspiration from Paper Source!

Bring the glamour of award season to your home with bold golds. This Friendsgiving Tablescape, created by a Paper Source Holiday Craft Contest winner, provides the perfect backdrop with our Chevron Table Wrapping Paper.

Use Gold Chevron or Gold Confetti invitations to further accent your event. Print your menu, use as place settings or create an Oscars watching game.

Or, you can simply print the Oscars Ballot we’ve created: 2013 Oscars Ballot

While you’re watching the red carpet, have each guest fill out their guesses for this year’s winners. Throughout the show, attendees can keep track of their votes. Up the stakes by pooling a cash prize or simply supply your own prize (like a PS Gift Card). Once all winners are announced, the guest with the most correct votes takes all!

You can also gift your favorite bottle to the winner, and complete your theme with a gold rosette. Create large versions for decoration or scale back for an accent, using this How-To-Paper-Rosette PDF

We’re sure this gold and glamour Oscars party will having you saying, “They like me, they really like me!”

When Paper Source fan Stephen C. and his wife announced their big day, they took on the project of creating one-of-a-kind invitations inspired by Stephen’s old train tickets.

We own a public relations and design company, so we were really interested in making our wedding invitations. I designed them with inspiration from my old train tickets from London to Paris that I’ve been using as bookmarks.

The couple’s invitations were enclosed in #10 Open End Shimmer Gold Envelopes with a string and button enclosure that was fashioned by hand. They printed #10 Savoy Cotton Notecards at home to achieve the faded look, then finished with rounded corners.

Using a perforating wheel the couple created a tear-off piece that could be placed in purses and wallets, and the black strip across the top is magnet tape for refrigerator posting.

They also included a QR code on the rear. With a scan of a smart phone, guests are taken to either their Adroid or iPhone app store to download the couple’s wedding app.

With their know-how and creative thinking – and the help of basic note cards and envelopes – the couple created a project that instilled the essence of their wedding’s theme. We were truly excited to hear from Stephen, and equally excited to share his project.

– Stephen & Dana, Stellar Impeller — Austin, PS Customers

Favorite PS colors: PS colors: persimmon & curry
Favorite PS product: Patterned Gift Boxes

Want to share your creations with us? Email us at: psfan@paper-source.com

Just in time for spring and Valentine’s Day, we’re proud to offer you our Macaron inspired gifts! Tell someone special how sweet they really are with a gift bag full of these sweet goodies.

For you ambitious crafters and cooks, try your hand at baking this season’s yummiest treat with our featured cookbook Le Petite Macarons. These charming French confections are adorable when toted in packages made just for friends and family, and crafted by you.

Take a bite out of our new collection, and be inspired by creamy hints of pastel and chocolate this season. We have everything from kitchen sets to personalized stationary with this delicious confection. Find them online or get inspired on our Macarons Pinterest Board. C’est magnifique!

And remember to share your sweet-inspired ideas with us. Au revoir!

It’s your big day, and the 2013 Paper Source Wedding Invitation Collection will help you create a meaningful expression. Whether you’re looking for glamour, blushing for romance or longing for something bold, our invitation suites are sure to inspire with fresh color palettes, playful fonts, and tons of great DIY ideas.

The Watercolor Laurel Frame wedding invitations suite is a fancy new floral.

This collection is ultra chic with touches of a Laurel Frame Border Rubber Stamp and customized gift tags to adorn as you like.

Go rustic with our Vintage Ticket inspired wedding suite. Die-cut corners perfectly accent the stunning typography.

Add DIY favor bags and place cards made with our Thank You Banner Rubber Stamp, Burlap Drawstring Bags, and Black & White Baker’s Twine to complete the feel.

Our lovely luxe blush is back… and more inspired than ever! Add a little romance to your wedding day with embossed roses or make a playful statement with this new Confetti on Blush style. See more ways to style this perfect pink online.

You can also add glamour with gold and a modern chevron design that is sure to make a statement.

You can further set the tone of your wedding with our collection of photo save the date cards. It’s never been easier to highlight your palette, or coordinate design elements to showcase your individual style.

Ready to plan? Let us help you announce your special day! Check out our Weddings Pinterest Board for inspiration or visit a store location near you to look through invitation ideas and more!

Our teams have been inspired to create fresh, new projects for 2013 and our store team has found the perfect way to turn these ideas into workshops and classes you’re sure to enjoy.

Check out some of our faves for Feb!

February 16 – Party time Banner & Accents Workshop

Create a party collection that includes a decorative banner, stamped treat bags, place cards and more. Discover new tools like Tonic cutters and X-acto knives, decorative punches and the new Evolution die-cutting/embossing machine and learn techniques for folding, layering, and stamping to create this festive collection for any occasion! Register online!

February 21 – Cabbage Rose Wreath Workshop

Using the new Evolution die cut machine and an assortment of tissues, create this lovely soft palette cabbage rose wreath. Perfect for spring, this project looks pretty hanging on the wall or as your table centerpiece. We’ll introduce you to a few simple tools and let you discover new techniques. This class is not to be missed! Register Online!

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

Luxe Blush: this delicate color brings flower petals and sweet sentiments to mind, and we can’t think of a better way to bring out its best than on wedding invitations! Our new Luxe Blush invitation suites take on a sophisticated-vintage appeal when paired with Antique Gold as seen here, (we also loved pairings with Black, Slate, and Night.)

The subtlety of this color is a favorite for the new year, and with a personal touch it’s sure to be a wonderful way to let friends and family know of any upcoming celebration. And it’s here just in time for the season of love!

Our Favorite Things series continues with a taste-maker from our store operations team. Many of you were introduced to Rick last year when we featured this Winter Wonderland Holiday Card creation.

Rick has returned to share his holiday gift and craft recommendations with our readers.

Rick
Paper Source Regional Manager
Noted for his incredible holiday card creations

Like our first taste-maker Kristen, Rick also creates fabulous gift packages. One gift he plans to give this year is the botanical journal set, paired with a chalk pen with metal chalkboard frame (or slate note cards and envelopes and a white pen), twig leaves rubber stamp, VersaMark pad and embossing powder.

It’s a beautiful gift package for the holidays and beyond!

150 Love Notes is a great stocking stuffer, but you can also add note cards and envelopes in a variety of colors, along with a tape runner and refill to make a quick DIY card package.

Rick says, “The designs of 150 Love Notes are so unique and special. It’s a nice gift to pass on or turn into cards to send to special friends and family.”

Rick’s packaging ideas include using the Novel Scallop Fine Paper as gift wrap. Then, he impressed us with the idea of doing an ombré glitter treatment to a kraft ornament.

Rick is also inspired by our pom pom ribbon used in tandem with wide satin ribbon in chartreuse, moss or red. He admits that his 2012 holiday card design might also include these elements.

“I always like to relate my gift packaging to my holiday cards. I even use my chosen gift wrap as an envelope liner for my cards.”

When it comes to last minute gifts, Rick has a great solution.

“Our cello bags are a go-to for any gift. Use for baked goods or a small gift wrapped in colorful tissue, then accent with ribbon, embellishments and a tag. It’s quick easy and always looks terrific.”

See other Favorite Things from our Holiday Series on our Pinterest page. Check back, as we wrap this series with A Few of Karen’s Favorite Things.

After reviewing more than 400 submission, our team couldn’t be more thrilled to announce the winners of the Paper Source Holiday Crafting Contest!

Drum roll, please…

Décor Category

#1 – Homemade Advent Calendar

#2 – Friends-giving Tablescape

#3 – Woodland Winter-land Garland

Wrapping Category

#1 – Shipping a Sweet Surprise

#2 – The Edible, no-so-abominable, Snowman

#3 – Christmas Cottage with Gingerbread Santa

Card Making Category

#1 – Under the Sea Christmas

#2 – Sweet Treats & Warm Wishes

#3 – Advice from a Snowman

We enjoyed seeing the creative talents of so many customers. We hope those who participated enjoyed making cards, decorating and wrapping packages for both the contest and the pleasure in exchanging and sharing them with all. We hope everyone finds a bit of inspiration from the entries. See them here: https://www.paper-source.com/cgi-bin/paper/photo-contest.html

Happy Holidays from all of us at Paper Source!