We’re crazy about daisies and we know mom will be too. Make a Mother’s Day card that is sure to bring her smile to full bloom with this easy pop-up card design. It’s perfect for celebrating mom or other springtime occasions.

Materials Needed:

• Pop-up Card How to PDF
• Chocolate A2 Folded Card
• Chartreuse A2 Envelope
• Pool Daisy Wrapping Paper
• Sunshine Cover Weight Paper
• Pool Cover Weight Paper
• Chartreuse Text Weight Paper
• Daisy Rubber Stamp
• Happy Mother’s Day Rubber Stamp
• VersaMark Watermark Inkpad
• Seafoam White Embossing Powder
• Embossing Heat Tool
• 3D Foam Squares
• Memory Tape Runner
• Craft Knife
• Cutting Mat
• Metal Ruler

For card:

1. Begin making card by cutting a 5 ¼” x 4″ piece of Pool Daisy wrapping paper and adhering in place on front of card.
2. Cut out a flower from the Pool Daisy wrapping paper Mount and adhere flower to Sunshine cover using Memory Tape Runner.
3. Trim out mounted flower leaving a small border of Sunshine showing.
4. Cut a right angle into mounted flower and adhere to top left corner using 3D Foam Squares.

For inside:

1. Cut a piece of Chartreuse Text to 8 ¼” x 5 ¼” to create pop-up liner. Fold in half and make 3 sets of cuts into fold as shown (see A).
2. Open liner and push in cuts. This will create the pop-up effect.
3. Stamp and emboss message and daisies onto liner, avoiding cuts.
4. Adhere liner to inside of card using Memory Tape Runner.
5. Stamp and emboss daisies onto Pool and Sunshine paper and cut out.
6. Arrange daisies as desired and adhere to pop-up mechanism using a combination of 3D foam squares and Memory Tape Runner.
7. Finish card with a decorated envelope by cutting and adhering a daisy from front to back.

And you thought only teddy bears were lovable? This adorable little Panda makes a huggably sweet folded note- perfect for your Valentine sentiments! Created by the Paper Source Craft Design team, you can construct your Panda Love Card with colors of the season, or mix and match with your favorite PS colors. He’s just too cute to pass up!

Materials Needed:

• Paper Source Panda Love How To
• A7 Persimmon Folded Cards
• Fuchsia 4 Bar Heart Cards
• Black 1 ¼” Round Label Sheets
• Ecowhite 2 ½” Round Label Sheets
• Ecowhite 4″ Round Label Sheets
• Googly Eyes
• Black Brads
• ¾” Circle Punch
• Silver Metallic Sharpie Marker
• Gluedots
• Scissors

Instructions:

For panda body:
• Punch a ¾” circle from center of small black label, for panda tail.
• Stick tail just behind one large ecowhite label.
• Stick body with tail onto card, leaving room at top of card for head and ears.

Assemble panda head before sticking to card:
• Cut a small black label in half, stick in place onto medium ecowhite label.
• Punch two ¾” circles from centers of small black labels and stick in place just below ears.
• Adhere googly eyes on top of black punches with gluedots.
• Finish assembling head by affixing one black brad as nose.

To finish:
• Stick panda head onto card slightly overlapping body.
• Cut two more small black labels in half for paws and draw lines for claws with silver marker.
• Stick paws onto heart card as shown, using them to keep it in place on panda body.
• Write name or message onto heart card.

Here is a young “George” in a rare shot, all cleaned up for a photo! Next to him is the new lightweight at home letterpress machine, and what I might refer to as Mr. Epic!

But, alas not all love affairs can last… nor could I afford to keep a 1200 lb George/Vandercook proof press machine in my home – let alone in my kitchen, which let’s face it, is where most of us do our art, any chance we get. It’s now 2010 and for those interested in getting a chance to play with a small hand-crank press that creates a lovely “impressed design” (whether inked or blind embossed) onto paper or wood veneer – without the late hours, loud music, or heavy solvents – this table top Epic letterpress machine is just the ticket!

Weighing in at about 5 lbs and no bigger than a toaster, this at home version is perfect for recreating a simplified form of letterpress. Now-a-days printers use polymer plates to print from, not unlike the hard clear plastic plates Epic provides with their machine, along with ink, and a printing bed.

Sign up for our Crafting Studio on September 29 and see a demonstration of this new crafting tool! You’ll get the chance to ink up and print a card yourself and learn tips and tricks. It may not be “George”, but chances are you might just fall in love!

–Linda
PS colors: chartreuse & pool
Latest fave: Silhouette SD Digital Cutting Tool and Peacock Cards & Envelopes

More importantly, I wanted to send her special notes each day to let her know how proud we are of her new independence (and how much I miss her, though this cannot be written too much!). I am so proud of the awesome camp stationery that I made using Martha Stewart camp-themed 12×12 scrapbook paper and stickers, tied to some of my favorite colors in envelopes and cardstock (peacock, persimmon, paper bag, curry, and pool). I lined envelopes using the envelope liner template kit with bandana, wood grain, ladybug and gnome-in-the-woods paper patterns. I cut the 12x12s into smaller cards or just trimmed them to fold into my A2 cards. Stickers went on scalloped cards to created 3D campfire scenes or corresponded to an icon in the liner pattern (e.g. an owl, bunny, trail sign, gnome). Most of these “ingredients” are still available in stores, but not all are online (though various interpretations are possible!).

My hope is that every note she gets makes her feel good because it is a connection from home, but also because each one is so cool that she will feel proud and show them off. When we dropped her at the bus for the ride there, I gave her a note written on a piece of 12×12 paper. I used a white uniball pen to write on the side that looked like a tree trunk (wood grain pattern), and then gate-folded it so that the opposite side pattern (woodland gnomes and creatures) came together and was sealed with a cool 3D gnome sticker. One of her friends looked over and said, “That’s cool. You’re so lucky your mom works at Paper Source”. So true!!

Cheers!

– Sally, Paper Source CEO
PS colors: papaya & pool
Latest fave: 2011 Paper Source Academic Grid Wall Calendar

The winners, as determined by hundreds of fans who voted online, were asked to share a little bit about the woman who inspired their creation. Here are their stories:

Grand Prize Winner
Everything Grows In Mom’s Garden

My inspiration for this Mother’s Day card is my mom. She had the most beautiful garden in town while I was growing up. Everything grew in Mom’s garden including her children. Her garden is still as just as lovely, serving as a place for friends and family to gather and celebrate the bounties of hard work and dedication. Growing up in my mom’s garden has shaped me into the devout naturalist I am today, and for that I have my mom to thank!

–Tiffany Heater, PS customer
PS colors: strawberry & pool
Latest fave: Summer Magnolia Paper Flower Kit

2nd Place Winner
Grandma’s Roses

I am sure it comes as no surprise since it’s written in bold letters on the front, but this card was inspired by my grandmother. My grandma has always had the most beautiful flower gardens! She definitely has a green thumb and can make anything come alive.

–Julie Campbell, PS customer
PS colors: beet & pool
Latest fave: India Calico Wrapping Paper and Babushkups Cups

3rd Place Winner
Thank You Mom

My mom was my inspiration for this card. From her, I get my crafty instincts, my smile, my ease in the kitchen, my practicality and my love of sports. She’s creative, hardworking, dedicated, intelligent, resilient and strong. I admire her and wanted to thank her for all she’s done.

–Christi Spadoni, PS customer
PS colors: beet & khaki
Latest fave: Uniball White Gel Pen and Silhouette SD Digital Cutting Tool

Congratulations to our winners who will each receive a Paper Source gift card! Thanks to our other participants and to all those who voted for their favorite designs.

– Liz
PS colors: night & curry
Latest fave: Cavallini Wrapping Paper

We’re excited to announce our first ever Facebook contest in celebration of Mother’s Day! Our Facebook fans have the opportunity to win a Paper Source gift card by submitting a photo of an original Mother’s Day card creation using 100% Paper Source materials. Fans will vote for their favorite designs, and we will announce the top three winners on May 10th. In addition to a gift card, the winning entries will be featured on our blog!

Even if you don’t enter the contest, please join us on Facebook and vote for your three favorite designs from May 3rd – May 9th.

WHAT: Mother’s Day Card Contest
WHERE: Our Facebook page
WHEN: Submit your entries via Facebook by May 2nd (11:59pm CDT). Voting by Facebook fans is open from May 3rd – May 9th, and winners are announced May 10th.
HOW: If you aren’t already, become our Facebook friend, then submit your entry by uploading a photo of your card creation through our contest page.

Prizes
1st Place: $100 Paper Source gift card
2nd Place: $50 Paper Source gift card
3rd Place: $25 Paper Source gift card

Please note, although you must be 18 to enter we welcome card designs created by kids – you may submit an entry on behalf of a child. For more information and official contest rules, please visit our Facebook page.

We can’t wait to see how you plan to honor a mother, grandmother, or other special women in your life with a one-of-a-kind Mother’s Day card creation!

Whatever you create, take the time to make mom a handmade mother’s day card she’ll cherish.

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

Materials Needed:
How to PDF
A6 Plum Folded Cards
8 1/2″ x 11″ Poppy Cover
4″ Round Eco-White Label Sheets
2 1/2″ Round Curry Label Sheets
1 1/4″ Round Curry Label Sheets
Scissors
Glue Stick
Pen

Instructions:
1. Assemble baby chick by adhering one 2 1/2″ round curry label for body and one 1 1/4″ round curry label for head as shown onto plum card. Create baby chick’s flapping wing by folding one 1 1/4″ round curry label in half with sticky sides together. Apply adhesive to one corner of wing and stick in place, as shown. Cut baby chick’s beak from poppy cover and stick in place. Draw in single black dot for eye.
2. Assemble mama chicken by adhering one 4″ round eco-white label to left side of plum card as shown, and cut off excess label on sides. Create mama chicken’s large flapping wing by folding one 4″ round eco-white label in half with sticky sides together. Apply adhesive to top straight edge of wing and stick in place as shown. Cut off excess wing and stick straight edge of wing along the side of the card. Cut mama chicken’s legs from poppy cover and stick in place.
3. Write a message such as, “i heart my new mom” or “have a tweet mother’s day!” above baby chick.

The cutest one I have seen so far, comes from a close friend of mine Katie Sprenkle, a graphic designer from San Diego. The card read, “The wedding is not until 2011, but I just had to ask: Will you be my bridesmaid?” It came complete with her witty top five reasons to be her bridesmaid, and a paper chain of bridesmaid dolls adorned in magazine page dresses.

Each cut out girl is a different friend within the wedding party, even our facial expressions and hair styles display our unique qualities. She tucked everything inside lovely pointed flap envelopes, and sealed them with printed labels that read “Official Bridesmaid Post”. Her combination of Paper Source solid papers, decorative papers, and recycled materials makes for a request that’s hard to resist.

Of course I’ll be your bridesmaid!

– Lauren
PS colors: night & chartreuse
Latest fave: Patterned File Folders and #10 String & Button Envelopes

With rubber stamps, labels and super cute googly eyes, making homemade valentine cards is easy as can be. Take this idea and substitute with your favorite Valentine rubber stamps and stamp pad colors. Be careful, googly eyes are totally addicting…you’ll be sticking them to everything before you know it!

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

Materials Needed:
4bar Folded Cards Pure White & 4bar Envelopes
Blossom Strawberry Cloud Labels
Happy Valentine’s Day Rubber Stamp
Heart Large Rubber Stamp
Embossing Powder Heat Tool
Versamark Inkpad
Embossing Powder Red
Lipstick Red Color Box Chalk Inkpad
Rouge Color Box Chalk Inkpad
Googly Eyes
Black Pen

Instructions:
1. Stamp heart shape in two different colors next to each other onto 4bar folded card allowing room for label.
2. Stamp “Happy Valentine’s Day” directly onto blossom strawberry cloud labels using versa mark inkpad. Sprinkle with red embossing powder. Shake off excess powder and heat with embossing tool. Be extra careful not to hold embossing tool too close to the label.
3. Stick cloud label onto card just below the two hearts previously stamped.
4. Adhere googly eyes in place on hearts and use a black pen to draw mouths and holding hands.

This year’s website submission winner is MaryDawn from Rockford, Illinois. This stocking card with the adorable face of Demi stole our hearts! We love the Chartreuse Dots lined envelope that coordinates with the hand cut stocking….the complimenting colors…and all the details (tiny punches, rubber stamping, ribbon embellishment, and Joy envelope seal). Needless to say, this holiday card received tons of votes from the employees here.

Perhaps these cards will inspire you to GET YOUR CARDS IN THE MAIL (Christmas is right around the corner)! Wishing you all a very healthy, happy and peaceful holiday.

–Linda
PS colors: chartreuse & pool
Latest fave: Saddle Stitch Notebooks