Paper Wishes Blog

Hi everyone! Have you tried Ranger’s Distress Oxide Ink Pads? I haven’t used them in awhile and after playing with them today I remember why I’m a fan!

If you haven’t tried them, here’s a recap: The inks are a fusion of both pigment and dye ink. What you get is an opaque ink that works great on both light and dark cardstock.

To create my background I used Dried Marigold Distress Oxide Ink and then I added Pine Needles Distress Oxide Ink Pad.

I really like the chalky look of the Distress Oxide Ink and it blends and moves around the paper beautifully.

Next I used the All Over Swirls Stencil and Rusty Hinge Distress Oxide Ink to add another layer to my background.

The final step in creating my background was to mist the inked paper from about 12” away. I didn’t want to get it too wet, just enough to “activate” the Oxide and make the ink really pop!

I used Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad and Stamp A Garden Stamp Set on the Distress Oxide Ink background.

I applied Pine Needles Distress Oxide Ink to one half of some scrap white cardstock and Rusty Hinge Distress Oxide Ink to the other half.  I stamped 3 line art butterflies from the Stamp A Garden Stamp Set, cut them out and Foam Taped them to the card for dimension.

One of the great things about Distress Oxide Ink Pads is that they are very opaque and the ink literally sits on top of the cardstic without soaking in. That’s why it works so well on dark cardstock. I stamped this greeting using Dried Marigold Distress Oxide Ink Pad.

Thanks for joining me today. See you next week with Apple Blossom Embossing Folder techniques. Happy crafting!

LeNae Gerig

Hi everyone! Today I want to show you the adorable Mini Tryfold Stamp Sets and Cards from Art Impressions. The Stamp & Die Sets make it easy to make clever cards that reveal different layers as you open them.

The Christmas Circlet Mini Tryfold Card is one of my favorites with each scene changing as you open the panels.

This card also used 8 Circle Double Stitched Cutting Dies. I just love the cute stitched edge.

The final panel reveals the circular greeting and Santa!

The Potting Shed Mini Tryfold Stamps & Dies make cards that take you behind French doors and into a cute “She Shed.”

Doesn’t this panel look like it would be fun to color? You can use either Spectrum Noir Pens (Alcohol Based) or Le Plume Markers (Water Based).

This card also used Square Double Stitched Cutting Dies.

For cards with a more masculine feel, the Tool Shed Mini Tryfold Stamps & Dies makes fun “Man Cave” cards.

I love the details on this panel.

And finally, the “Lookin’ sharp!” greeting.

Each stamp and die set has instructions on how to create your own trifold cards or you can buy them pre-folded.

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Buying packs of 8 Trifold Cards & Envelopes make the cards even easier!

For more card ideas and techniques from Art Impressions, tune into Paper Wishes Weekly Webisodes, Wednesday, December 12.

Thanks for joining me today and happy crafting!

LeNae Gerig

Hello friends! Today I have some fresh inspiration for you featuring an Acrylic Clipboard, Stampendous 8″x8″ Script Stamp, a Bodacious Flower Template and Script Cutting Dies!

One of the things I like best about Clipboard as photo frames is that you can change the photos often or even display Christmas cards!

Consider displaying them in groups for more impact.

For my clipboard, I applied VersaMark Watermark Stamp Pad to the surface of the 8″x8″ Script Stamp.

I stamped onto Burgundy Suede Paper, pressing firmly on all parts of the stamp. (Tip: When you remove the stamp, you won’t be able see the stamped impression because VersaMark Watermark Stamp Pad is clear.)

I sprinkled the stamped image with White Super Fine Embossing Powder.

After taping off the excess Embossing Powder, heat with a heat gun until each area of image changes color.

I used the Bodacious Blooms Template to make easy flowers, alternating embossed Burgundy Suede and Holly On Green Paper.

Follow the template instruction for folding squares of paper and tracing patterns for the size and style flower you chose. I used a 4 1/2″ Molly, 3 1/4″ Debra and 3″ Molly shapes for my flower.

I Inked the flower edges with Black Ink and layered them with Foam Tape. Then I placed 3 Circle Gems on the center to complete my flower.

Inside Information: You may be wondering why I decided to heat emboss on suede paper instead of directly onto the clipboard. Initially, this was my thought and the embossing on the clear clipboard DID look amazing! However…

it also curved and warped my “acrylic” clipboard beyond help (I even tried heating it again and pressing between 50 lb. boxes of paper!) Lesson learned.

I used a Script Stamp for my clipboard, but you could also use the Music 8″x8″ Stamp. Furthermore, I made my Clipboard with a Christmas theme, but you could use any color of Suede or Patterned Papers and create an everyday themed clipboard.

Thanks for joining me today and happy crafting!

LeNae Gerig

Hi everyone! Today I have some cute Matchbox & Postbox Cutting Dies that make the most adorable gifts! The dies are from our friends at Practical Publishing and they are also featured on Paper Wishes Weekly Webisodes on Wednesday, December 5th (Don’t miss it).

Of course, a die cutting machine is required to use the cutting dies.

The  Matchbox measures 3 1/2″x1 1/2″ and its so easy to make.

Before assembling the die cut base, consider stamping a sweet message inside.

This box uses Red Hearts Holographic Paper-perfect for Valentine’s Day! Extra Sticky Tape was just the thing to glue the folded ends together.

Fold the cover and place Extra Sticky Tape along the small flap to secure.

Fill with goodies and tie with ribbon and you’re done!

But wait! I have more ideas for you!

This little Christmas box uses The Little Things Paper Pack and Traditional Christmas Stamp Set. Notice Rudolph has a little glitter glue nose!

This little Valentine’s Postbox also uses The Little Things Paper Pack and stamps from Christmas Sentiments Stamp Set. How cute to stamp the wrappers on each chocolate. Don’t forget the love note inside!

The base of the box is the same as the Matchbox, and making the rounded cover is so easy.

Check the Paper Wishes Weekly Webisodes for more ideas and cards too!

Thanks for joining me today. See you again on Thursday! Happy crafting!

LeNae Gerig

Hello crafty friends! I’m excited to bring you wonderful Christmas stamps from our friends at Stampendous.

When I saw this Natvity Stamp it reminded me of stained glass and I knew I would use it on a window card.

After Black embossing on Heat Resistant Acetate I covered a 5” square card with Christmas Tidings paper.

Then I approximated where my window would go.

I used a Retractable Pen Knife to start my window.

And then, after placing the Acetate behind the window, I carefully began to tear an opening.

Before gluing the stamped image behind the torn away window I colored it with Spectrum Noir Alcohol Ink Pens. Burgundy (Red Pen Set) Blue (Turquoise Pen Set) and Yellows (SkinTone/Pale Hues Pens). I also added a burgundy Crepe Ribbon bow.

Here are some more Christmas projects made by Stampendous’s talented design team.

This sweet card uses Snowman Cardinals Cling Rubber Stamp & Dies Set.

This darling gift bag uses Cool Penguin Clear Stamp & Die Set. I love the cute little hat and sweater stamps that dress up the little guy.

And finally, this versatile Music 8″x8″ Cling Rubber Stamp can be used all year around to create beautiful backgrounds.

Thanks for joining me today. Be sure to check out some of your favorite must have items that are back in stock at Paper Wishes. We also have a new “Contact & Request” page. It’s the big pink square on our home page labeled “REQUESTS.”

Happy crafting,

LeNae Gerig

Hello crafty friends! Today I’m bringing you Holly & Snow themed cards using Practical Publishing Cutting Dies.

I used the 6″x6″ Holly Cutting Die and Merry Christmas Cutting Die to make this sweet Gold Embossed card.

The technique to randomly emboss the black cardstock holly is so easy to do and you can watch it on the November 28 Paper Wishes Weekly Webisode, which features the cutting dies.

This snowflake card features the 6″x6″ Snowflake Cutting Die. For sparkle I placed Silver Jewel Border Dazzles™ Stickers on the die cut snowflake.

Both of the cards use Cosy Christmas 6″x6″ Paper Pad which has a cute collection of rustic Christmas themed papers.

To make a card collection as a gift, the 6″x6″ Card & Box Cutting Dies made the perfect storage box for my 6″x6″ cards (this box die requires a die cutting machine with a 9″ wide platform). I used Silver Sparkles Holographic Paper for the box and Heat Resistant Acetate for the window. I even added some Gold Embossed butterflies using the All Around Greetings Clear Stamps.

Thanks for joining me today and for more ideas and techniques, using the products from todays blog, please check out our NEW Paper Wishes Weekly Webisode, on Wednesday, November 28.

Happy crafting everyone!

LeNae Gerig

Hello friends and Happy Thanksgiving! Everyone here at Paper Wishes is thankful for you, our loyal customers!

Today I’m bringing you some holiday inspiration. The Traditional Christmas Stamp Set by Helen Griffin has a sweet assortment of Christmas card making images.

I created a 5″ card with a collage look and used both the Traditional Christmas Stamp Set and the Wood Texture Embossing Folder.

I tore the edges of blue cardstock, from Pastel Cardstock, and stamped a brown twig wreath. I die cut a 3″ wide tan cardstock circle and embossed it with Textured Wood Embossing Folder. After inking the embossed surface, I set the circle aside.

I stamped some green pine boughs and brown twigs to extend from the wreath as shown. I also stamped a brown music border and “Season’s Greetings” using black ink above the border.

I glued the torn square to a green covered 5″ card and the embossed circle offset over the twig wreath. I stamped the bow and 2 birds onto white cardstock using black Memento Ink. I colored with bow with two shades of Red Spectrum Noir Pens and the birds with Skintone/Pale Hues Spectrum Noir Pens. After cutting out the images, I glued them to the card front.

Finally, this gorgeous pine wreath card was created by the stamp set designer, Helen Griffin. I love the mix of green inks that she used on the pine boughs! It looks thick and lush.

Thanks for joining me today! Enjoy the day and happy crafting!

LeNae Gerig

Hello crafty friends! I’ve got some wonderful news! November 21 is the relaunch of our Paper Wishes Webisodes and you’re getting a sneak peak today!

This is the Hunkydory Cardmaking Collection Magazine & Kit #6. It’s packed full of Christmas card fun! So many cute papers, cardstock, cutting dies, stamps and an embossing folder.

On November 21 Paper Wishes Webisode I will be showing cards and techniques from the Hunkydory Cardmaking Collection Magazine and Kit #6. Here is just one example.

I altered this stamped village scene, featured in the Hunkydory Magazine, by adding Gold Star Holographic Paper (included in the kit)and more gold embossed snowflakes.

The stamped village scene includes a masking technique.

Cut out the village and color with Spectrum Noir Pens, both dark and light gray.

For more about this Hunkydory Kit, cards and techniques join me for Paper Wishes Webisodes, Wednesday, November 21.

Check out all of our NEW products for Practical Publishing!

Happy crafting!

LeNae Gerig

Hello friends, I don’t know about you, but I find that I take the most pictures during autumn. With back to school and all of the Halloween and Thanksgiving festivities I have so many cute photos! If you are a scrapbooker like me you’re always on the lookout for page ideas and supplies.

The Falling Into Autumn Paper Pack includes 12 beautiful papers, 2 each of 6 designs, that include all of the rich colors we love this time of year: Golden yellow, brown, teal, burgundy and dark orange.

I paired the Falling Into Autumn Papers with Steampunk Die-Cuts because adding a few gears was fun to use with the “Kids with Dad” theme.

Notice that I placed the Steampunk Die-Cut frame directly over the photo. I did this because it’s almost like zooming into the subjects faces.

(Tip: this same technique could be used on a card front, replacing the photo with a stamped image or Dazzles™ Sticker greeting.)

This fun birthday card was easy to make. I covered each half of the card with both golden brown and teal Falling Into Autumn Papers. I used my paper cutter to cut the gear border in half (lengthwise) and glued it to the top and bottom edges. I even cut a small label in half and used the pieces on each side of the large label to make a border.

A little foam tape under the balloon and butterfly provided dimension and then I finished with a Black Tiny Words & Phrases Dazzles™ Sticker.

Thanks for joining me today. Don’t forget that our HUGE 60% Off Sale Ends on Saturday, November 17. 

After the sale ends Paper Wishes will be launching NEW Products for Christmas and Webisodes will be back! Here’s a sneak peek for our November 21 Webisode.

Happy crafting!

LeNae Gerig

Hello crafty friends, today I’m bringing you some Christmas card inspiration with a sprinkle of snow.

This sweet mouse card uses Christmas Social Papers and Janie’s Mice Christmas Stamp Set.

This Christmas Social Paper had both Christmas and Winter themed papers.

Janie’s Mice Christmas Stamp Set features the cutest little mice!

To make the card, cut 1/2″ from the bottom edge of a folded 6 1/2″x5″ White Card.

Open the card and fold the top and bottom edges to make 2″ wide flaps that have a 1/2″ wide space between them.

For the card front, I colored the mouse with tan, pink, red and green Spectrum Noir Pens. When I used Grey Mist Nuvo Jewel Drops on the cookie center, and placed it near my heat vent to dry, something interesting happened. The translucent product actually crackled (most likely from the fast drying) and I decided that I liked the look. It reminds me of sugar icing.

I foam taped the stamped square image on the top card flap only.

I glued red swirl paper to the card inside back, covering the original fold line, and then glued stamped images so that they were hidden by the card front flaps.

The snow themed paper in the Christmas Social Paper Pack went well with the snow mouse stamp!

I used the Christmas Gift Card Holder to make a cute mitten gift card holder.

A White Round Mini Brad makes a hinge out of the mitten cuff. Just slip the gift card inside the pocket.

Thanks for joining me today! Don’t forget Paper Wishes HUGE 60% Off Sale ends on November 17 and then we will be launching NEW PRODUCT! Happy crafting!

LeNae Gerig