Our newest crafting tool has me dreaming up great gifts, like the perfect graduation gift for my nephews. The Zutter Bind-It-All let me turn old photos, loose objects and paper into a spiral bound keepsake book. Since many of you seek unique graduation gifts and creative ways to package your summer travel memories, we’ve taken this project and turned it into a workshop.

Join us for:

Creative Spiral Travel Book Workshop
Saturday, June 11, 2011
11:00 am – 1:00 pm (local time)
Register today!

Get hands on experience with a new tool and leave with a wonderful book for summer journaling or gift giving!

–Linda
PS colors: paper bag & persimmon
Latest fave: Zutter Bind-It-All

Drawing inspiration from paper artists like Helen Musselwhite, we have created a workshop that focuses on the wonderful art of paper cutting.

Join us for:

Artful Paper Inspired Cards Workshop
Saturday, May 28, 2011
11:00 am – 12:30 pm (local time)
Click to register!

Cull inspiration from master technicians and create colorful 3D cards using simplified paper arts techniques like cutting, stamping and layering. You’re sure to leave with something wonderful.

Can’t attend? Read our recent artist inspiration feature and tell us about the artist who inspires your craft or enhances your technique.

This month we created a class inspired entirely by color. After all, color is what we do so well here at Paper Source! We’ll share simple ideas and techniques to build your foundation, then let you take these ideas to another level through the creative use of color.

Color, Color, Color! Stationery & Favors Workshop
Thursday, May 5, 2011
6 – 8 pm
Click to register.

If you appreciate projects with plenty of room for your own creative voice the Color, Color, Color! Stationery & Favors Workshop is the perfect class for you! From rubber stamping to punching, eyelet setting to watercolor pencil techniques, we’ll make you think about color in a whole new way!

–Linda
PS colors: paper bag & persimmon
Latest fave: Academic Great Big Calendar

Our popular picture frame kits come with instructions for making a vertical frame, and customers will learn learn how to create this perfect gift at today’s Handmade Frame Workshop. (Seats are still available – Call your local store for details!) But, as a special treat to our fans who do not live near a store, we are showing you how to create this handmade frame, but with a twist!

Print this special quick-step PDF and create a DIY horizontal frame.

Take advantage of free shipping on online orders $100 or more and create something special for mom, dad or grad. We will even bring the store experience online by featuring fan creations in an upcoming post – Email a photograph of your completed handmade frame project to PSFan (at) Paper-Source (dot) com or tweet your photo to @Paper_Source using the hashtag #handmadeframe.

Cheers!

–Linda
PS colors: paper bag & persimmon
Latest fave: Academic Great Big Calendar

With our special Earth Day event approaching, I felt inspired to write a blog about my love of unique gift wrapping. For me, half the fun of giving gifts is finding creative ways to present them!

During the holidays I was so crazy for our Great Big Desk Calendar that I decided to purchase two. One calendar was used for wrapping holiday packages and the second for the intended use – a calendar! The gifts received so many ooohs and ahhhs that I purchased a few more when they went on sale. After all, the desk version provides 18 months of 24 3/4″ x 19 1/4″ Paper Bag sheets. It’s a bargain at $7.49! Read the rest of this entry »

There are few things better than a lazy Saturday morning, sitting in a sunny spot at my kitchen table, with my favorite mug (enough brew for two refills), plus plenty of room to craft!

One of my favorite craft projects is stamp carving! Once I learned how to carve my own stamps out of these easy to use soft rubber stamp blocks, I’ve become a bit enamored with all that you can create.

If you’re not sure how to get started, then I suggest taking the upcoming Carve Your Own Stamp Workshop on Thursday, April 7, from 6-8pm. Read the rest of this entry »

During a summer course in college I had the good fortune of getting to make my first book. From that point on, I was hooked! There are few things as satisfying as learning an artisan skill, and using it to create one of a kind projects. I find handmade books like handmade furniture, stained glass or painting, still offers the reward of completion, a feeling that is void in today’s electronic projects.

Thursday’s Handmade Journal Workshop will introduce you to the satisfaction of bookmaking. We’ve taken away the tedious cutting tasks, allowing you to focus on construction, and leaving you with basic instruction that will guide you through future DIY book projects. Register online to reserve a seat at your local store.

Trust me when I say, this will be the beginning of very long and rewarding relationship with bookmaking!

–Linda
PS colors: paper bag & persimmon
Latest fave: 2011 Paper Source Booklet Calendar

This month we’ve heard about so many engagements – no doubt they were inspired by the spirit of giving and warmth that is very much apart of the holiday season. What a great way to begin the new year!

Here at Paper Source we love weddings! And, with experience being our teacher, we planned ahead for all those newly engaged couples, creating the perfect Wedding Invitations workshop for this weekend. The class covers the Who, What, When and How of invitation making, getting you started in your planning process and leaving the fear of the unknown behind you.

Many couples have already signed up for this highly sought after event. For those who are still interested, it’s not too late to sign up! Join us on Saturday, January 15th from 2-4 pm and get your wedding plans underway with PS style!

–Linda
PS colors: paper bag & persimmon
Latest fave: 2011 Paper Source Booklet Calendar

Recently, a Facebook friend posted that she had inadvertently created what she called, “a child meltdown” by trying to make a “real” gingerbread house, which she then proceeded to tell her kids they couldn’t touch. She finished her post by saying it was, “…pure torture for them. What was I thinking?!” Sound familiar?

When it comes to crafting at Paper Source we know how important those moments are, when you’re spending time with your kids. We understand that they get messy, make a few mistakes, over embellish, and decorate to their little heart’s desire. We say, “Go for it!” Because, in the end, it is their bright smile and enthusiasm for their finished project that truly makes our day!

This weekend you and your kids can reserve a seat for our Paper Ginger House Workshop, where we do all the set up, and the clean up, and your family just enjoys the fun of creating. What could be better?!

Seats are only $25 for the pair (you and one child), stores will add additional children to your group for $10 per crafter. Seating is limited, so don’t wait! Contact your local store to reserve seats for your brood. Read the rest of this entry »