1. Ink Your Stamp: Select a rubber stamp with some open space for fill in opportunities and room for things to flow outside the lines! This little Dandelion Rubber Stamp is one of my favorites. Ink up your stamp with Black Color Box Inkpad.

2. Create Your Stamp Impression: Stamp your design in a repeat pattern along the bottom of a card. I’m using our new paper bag note card. Remember you can stamp off the edge onto scrap paper for more layering. Heat set your image with a heat embosser to prevent the ink from bleeding too much.

3. Add Color with Pencils: Choose your pencil colors and fill in selected areas of the stamped design. Consider blending the pencil colors dry for a really lovely effect once it is wet.

4. Prepare Your Water Brush Pen: Fill the water brush pen with plain tap water and give it a slight squeeze to wet the brush tip – you’re now ready to begin blending.

5. Blend Your Colors: Using the wet bush tip, blend areas where you want to see a watercolor effect. If you used two different color pencils the water brush will blend the colors together. If you want a clean crisp color you may want to wipe the brush tip before blending. You don’t need much water (I added a bit more than needed for the purpose of the photo.) You can also blot very lightly to remove pooling water, but keep in mind it might remove some of your color.

Viola! Pretty stationery sure to be a keeper for years to come by your recipient!

Cheers,

–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

My how time flies when you’re having fun – we can hardly believe this is our 4th Annual “Summertime Girl’s Night Out”! You told us you wanted more stationery, more rubber stamping, plus new kool and unusual ideas to take you outside the proverbial creative box! Our upcoming Girl’s Night Out “Sassy Personal Stationery” is everything you’ve asked for and more. We’ve pulled together some really easy, fun and sophisticated ways to create personal stationery, and you get a lovely linen folio to hold all of your goodies.

So ladies, come join us on Thursday, July 15 from 7-9pm for an evening of crafting with the girls, complete with beverages and snacks – a true night out! This event is already half sold out, so call your gal pals and sign up quickly while seats are still available! (plus, receive $5 off when you book seats together.)

Hope to see you there!

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

Kids will have a fun time making their own stationery set, and then filling them in later so you can hear all about their summertime fun!

–Annie
PS colors: gravel & beet
Latest fave: Tree Trunk Tea Light and Japanese 8 1/4″ Scissors

Materials Needed:
How to PDF
Chartreuse A7 Linear Enclosure
Moss 1″ Satin Ribbon
Curry A2 Note Cards
Paper Bag A2 Envelopes
Moss Notched Corner Labels
Owls Circle Stickers
Googly Eyes (optional)
Xacto Knife
Ruler
Stapler
Scissors
Pencil

Instructions:
1. With an Xacto make 3/4″ cuts on folds of linear enclosure as indicated by dashed lines in the How to PDF.
2. Cut approximately 40″ of ribbon. Making sure to leave approximately 12″ of trailing ribbon, tuck ribbon into cuts following directions 2A through 2F.
3. Secure ribbon ends by stapling together. Adjust ribbon to hide stapled ends behind pocket.
4. Behind ribbon “X” tuck six envelopes and six note cards, along with pre-addressed labels, stickers and postage. (Tip: When tucking in labels remove sticker outline paper so that sheets can easily fold in half.)
5. Create ribbon tab with 3″ of looped ribbon and staple in place.
6. Personalize the backpack with labels printed with child’s name, “Summer Camp 2010,” or any fun saying of your choice. Finish with owl sticker. Add googly eyes (optional).

Indeed, we think we’ve created the perfect blend of what you’ve been looking for – a creative escape! Our first Crafting Studio will be on Wednesday, March 31 from 6-7pm at all store locations. We’re excited to feature the wonders of Color Box Chalk Inkpads and teach you the rubber stamping technique of masking. With these tools you’ll create perfect quick stationery sets.

Space is limited to only 12 people per store, so register now! As an added bonus we’ll have a few raffles, along with a 10% off coupon* to use towards product purchases made that evening. *Discounts cannot be used towards custom orders.

–Linda
PS colors: chartreuse & pool
Latest fave: Royal Crowns Kit

What could be more personal than creating custom stationery for a special friend? By choosing specific paper colors, embellishments, and adding their name you are honoring their personality and creating a one-of-a-kind gift. A stationery set can be as simple as a collection of note cards and envelopes, but by adding other letter writing components like labels and pens, or personalizing the stationery with rubber stamps, you create something truly unique.

To take it over the top include a custom return address embosser plate – an easy and elegant way to add a return address to envelopes. Finally, be creative in your presentation – put all of your stationery items into an adorable suitcase, or organize them inside a linen folio.

Here are some things you might need:
• Flat cards & folded cards
• Envelopes
• 8.5″ x 11″ text paper
• Labels
• Stickers
• Pens
• Return address embosser plate
• Rubber stamps – try alphabet rubber stamps to add a name or monogram

As the holidays approach, consider making a set of personalized stationery for family members, or as a thank you gift for a teacher who has made a difference in your child’s life.

p.s. If you’re looking for inspiration on making your own stationery, sign up for our Personal Stationery – Handmade Gifts Workshop taking place at all stores tomorrow – Thursday, November 12.

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

Lining envelopes! I have recently gotten hooked on envelope lining, finally finding an intensely satisfying use for all of my acquired papers. It is such a fun way to mix and match colors and patterns, between the envelope color, the liner, and the note card. Each note becomes a decorating treasure (and a really proud offering to a friend in terms of the substance of the note, AND its style). Even my kids – ages 7 and 9 – have gotten hooked (finding the fun in cutting out a monkey wrap to have his head peaking up from the flap!). It’s a small touch, but such an easy way to make every note look so much more fun. The paper can be extraordinary (but you really only need to use a little), or as casual as the section of the crossword puzzle with a fun word filled in! Now that I’ve started lining envelopes, I can’t seem to stop (I’m going to have to pick up the pace of my note writing now too).

Papers as a mat for artwork.
My great next door neighbor Sarah uses papers from India as background mats for artwork, taking the charming creation of her 6-year-old Fiona and turning it into something dramatic that really gives the room a sophisticated flair. I love how she picked patterns that draw out the colors and the feel of the paintings!

Unusual papers as inspired stationery. My brother, an inspired everyday creative, has taken to writing quirky pen pal notes to my daughter on patterned decorative 12×12 papers – folding them into #10 envelopes. He also cut a Cavallini wrapping paper map of San Francisco into a giant puzzle, making the letter an even more intriguing journey (and the story of his trip!).

Cheers,

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