Give mom something to remember this Mother’s Day. This silhouette project allows you to create a wonderful paper cameo that you can use as a small home decor piece or as a handmade card. It’s a gift she is sure to adore.

Materials Needed:

• Mother’s Day Silhouette How-to PDF
• Photograph of your subject (profile view)
• Vellum
• Black Text Paper
• Superfine White Text Paper
• Fine paper of your choice
• Scissors OR craft knife and cutting mat
• Super Tacky Tape
• Foam Squares (optional)
• Pencil
• A7 Folded Card
• A7 Box Mailer
• Ribbon

Instructions:

1. Take a profile photograph (actual photo or printout of a photo) and trace onto Vellum paper to create the silhouette shape.
2. Cut out the silhouette shape black paper with scissors or craft knife.
3. Trim fine paper to fit your card or box mailer.
4. Cut an oval or circle out of white paper, and mount onto a sheet of fine paper using Super Tacky Tape.
5. Mount silhouette shape onto oval or circle (use foam squares if desired to add dimension).
6. Print or cut out a banner from Superfine White paper and use to add a personal message.

You can create silhouettes using our precision cutting machine, the Silhouette Cameo. This tool is especially helpful if you plan to make multiples of the silhouette. Begin by following the first two steps above, tracing the profile photograph onto Vellum paper, and cutting from Black paper. Then scan the black silhouette cut out and place into the Silhouette program.

Try this approach or the wall hanging option featured in the Paper Source catalog and online.

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

Show off your nautical side with this maritime knot accent. Fashion your own accent using our red jute twine and a few twists. Follow the photos below to create this gift wrap accent or modify for a DIY bracelet or decorative embellishment.

First determine your use and cut two strands to accommodate the item you need to wrap, so that together the strands will fit your item. Add an inch or two to assure you have room to finish. Then add more strands based on the desired thickness of your knot – we used six strands, two groups of three.

Since we planned to set this knot off-center on the package, we wove with center landing a third of the way on the string. You can always center your knot.

Once a loop is created on one side, create the same loop and thread through the other with an over-under weaving method – use the photo as your guide.

Smooth out your loose knot, laying each strand of cord flat and making sure there are no tangles. Then, slowly pull the ends to tighten your knot, adjusting the strands as you pull to make sure they do not overlap.

In this execution we took the loose ends around the box, crossing on the bottom and pulling around to the sides. To keep our nautical theme going we secured the sides with another maritime knot. (No glue or tape needed!) We finished with a anchor rubber stamp that we heat embossed on a Chalkstock gift tag – perfect for your favorite sailor!

Celebrate the Easter season with our adorable Bunny and Chick Egg Friends. These fun characters are great as Easter cards, springtime decorations or cute paper companions for your little ones.

Materials Needed:

• Easter Bunny and Chick Egg Friends How-To PDF
• Egg Shapes Assortment Pack
• Googly Eyes
• Cover Paper in Poppy and Eco-White
• Bubblegum and Tangerine Sugar Coated 12 x 12 Paper
• Begonia, Powder and White Glitter Tape
• 1/4″ Hole Punch
• Scissors
• Zots Glue Dots
• Black Marker or Pen

Instructions:

1. Use templates provided to cut out shapes from indicated papers.
2. Adhere shapes onto corresponding egg shapes using glue dots, then glue googly eyes in place.
3. Embellish bottoms of eggs with strips of glitter tape as shown and trim off excess.
4. For bunny’s nose, punch out a circle from the pink glitter paper using 1/4″ hole punch and glue in place.
5. Draw in bunny’s mouth and whiskers using black marker or pen.
6. Great as place cards or for sending Easter wishes!

Happy Easter!

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

Make St. Patrick’s Day a cinch (not a pinch) by donning a bit o’green you’ve created yourself! Our four leaf clover die cut shapes make it easy to wear some flair. Simply layer shapes, print and stick the labels and finish off with a glittery accent. Simple enough to make for all your friends. Lucky you!

Materials Needed:

• Lucky St. Patrick’s Day Badge How-To PDF
• Clover Shapes Pack
• Eco-White 2.5″ Round Labels
• Grass Glitter Ribbon (coming soon!)
• Scissors
• Double Stick Tape
• Large Zots Dots
• Safety Pin

Instructions:

1. Using this PDF label template, print “KISS ME I’M IRISH!” onto labels.
2. Stick label onto clover shape of your choice.
3. Use double stick tape to layer the clover with the label onto another clover, slightly staggering the shapes.
4. Tie a piece of glitter ribbon into a square knot and trim ends into a “V” shape.
5. Adhere ribbon in place using a Zot Dot.
6. For the most secure hold, we recommend using a pin to wear your badge.

Erin go Bragh!

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

It’s always fun to make a themed party extra special, and our pre-cut heart shapes and striped paper straws are a perfect match for your Valentine’s Day get-together. They’re a cinch to make and will make a bold, colorful statement on your table. Show your guests extra love and customize them with names!

Materials Needed:

• Valentine Party Drinking Straws How-To PDF
• Red & White Paper Straws
• Heart Shapes Pack
• Fuchsia Glitter Ribbon
• Rouge Glitter Ribbon
• Hot Pink Adhesive Crystals
• Red Adhesive Crystals
• Uniball White Gel Pen
• Small Zots Dots
• Scissors

Instructions:

1. Layer heart shapes using small zots dots.
2. Embellish by writing a loving message or adding adhesive crystals.
3. Attach to straws using more small zot dots.
4. Create ribbon flags by wrapping a small length of glitter ribbon around straw and using a zot dot to keep in place.
5. Trim ends with scissors for added flair.

Sip & Enjoy!

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

Make the holiday season merry and bright with this Silvery Tree Holiday Card. Use the Fuchsia base recommended in our How-To or modify with your favorite colors of the season.

Materials Needed:

• Silvery Tree Holiday Card How-To PDF
• Fuchsia A2 Folded Card
• Cover Weight Paper in Fushsia, Pure White & Shimmer Silver
• Foil Tree Rubber Stamp
• VersaMark Watermark Inkpad
• Silver Embossing Powder
• Sticky Tape Runner
• Embossing Heat Tool
• Guillotine Paper Trimmer or Cutting Mat, Ruler and Soft Grip Knife

Instructions:

1. Cut papers into the corresponding sizes indicated in the How-To PDF
2. Using the VersaMark Watermark inkpad, stamp tree onto Fuchsia layer, sprinkle with embossing powder and tap off excess, then emboss with your heat tool.
3. Layer and adhere pieces together and onto card using the tape runner.

Execute a perfect heat embossed treatment with the help of our rubber stamping expert Linda. This video walks you through tips and tricks for working with your heat tool.

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

Last year, Ann brought us together when she gleefully confessed that she is a Wrapaholic. Slowly, confessions trickled in from others who admitted their obsession with color, coordinated style and perfect corners. Her post was like a safe place for fellow Wrappers to disclose the amount of time spent preparing packages or share in the joy of present perfection.

This year, Ann revealed her secrets to perfect packages in our latest gift wrapping video. In it, Ann talks about five main components she credits for helping her stay cool, calm and coordinated.

Scissors
Ann recommends having two pair of scissors — one for paper and one for ribbon — but make sure you have at least one pair solely dedicated to gift wrapping, so they stay nice and sharp.

Tape
Always have a full roll of tape on your spool. If you’re a fellow Wrapper, we suggest using double-stick tape — it keeps your adhesive hidden and works really well with ribbon application.

Solid Gift Wrap
Select a few rolls of solid wrapping paper to have on hand. Mix up the colors, so you have a base for any occasion that might come up.

Ribbon
Store a few spools of ribbon, in various colors and sizes, so you can accent boxed packages and gift bags.

Patterned Gift Wrap
It is hard to choose just one, so Ann recommends having a wedding print, a gift wrap for kids, and a colorful polka dot gift wrap to cover events throughout the year. Read the rest of this entry »

Create a lovely garland of thanks for all to enjoy this Thanksgiving.

Materials Needed:

• Garland of Thanks How-To PDF
• Printable Label Template
• Turkey Shapes Pack
• Paper Wraphia in Natural
• Superfine Soft White 2.5″ Round Printable Labels
• Small Die Cut Fall Leaves
• 1/8″ Hole Punch
• Transparent Tape
• Scissors

Instructions:

1. Using the Printable Label Template, print the words “GIVE THANKS” onto Super Softwhite 2.5″ Round Labels.
2. Stick labels onto alternating colors of turkey shapes. (Note that we have turkeys facing each other in pairs.)
3. Layout shapes and use transparent tape to adhere them to Paper Wraphia.
4. Stack several leaves in various colors on top of one another and use a hole punch to make a hole through the layers.
5. Thread leaves through end of Paper Wraphia and knot end. Repeat so that each end is finished with a stack of leaves.

Wish your friends a Spooktacular Halloween with this adorable Happy Jack & Spooky Cat Halloween Card.

Materials Needed:

• Halloween Card How-to PDF Read the rest of this entry »