Paper Wishes Blog

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 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

Hello crafty friends! Today I’m bringing you cards with moveable parts. I love the unexpected and the Inside-Out Die-Cut Christmas Cards do have a surprise element. From the front, they look like pretty cards, but when the recipient opens them, they see that this is no ordinary card.

The Inside/Out Ornament Die-Cut Cards come in a package of 4 and they are ready to decorate with paper and the coordinating Christmas Collection Stamp Set.

Simply match up the ornament stamp with the corresponding ornament shape.

For this card I used Christmas Cheer Paper Pack and gold embossing powder.

I glued a single thread down one side of the die-cut ornament and then glued black paper to each side. After embossing all of the pieces I secured the thread as shown and used foam tape to add dimension to the outside ornament frame.

I left the green ornament center blank for writing a short message.

I love the circle details on the Inside/Out Snowflake Die-Cut Cards (4-Pack).

This card features Robin’s Red Paper Pack, Red Jewel Border Dazzles™ Stickers, Red Jewel Dazzles™ Stickers  and the Christmas Collection Stamp Set.

Tip: Center the small die-cut snowflake in the center of the large frame snowflake while the card is closed. This insures a perfect fit.

The Inside/Out Poinsettia Die-Cut Cards (4-Pack) features a beautiful flower that can be covered with paper or stamped (or both).

The poinsettia frame on this card with stamped using red ink and embellished with red rhinestones.

You can purchase everything on today’s blog individually, or take advantage of our BUNDLE PRICE of just $10.76

Thanks for joining me today. Come back Tuesday for some holiday packaging ideas. Happy crafting!

LeNae Gerig

Click here to go to Paper Wishes.

Hello crafty friends! Today I’m brining you cards with sparkle!

This poinsettia card features Sara Davies Glamour Glitter Cardstock, which comes with Pink, Black and Silver glitter cardstock sheets.

After covering the card with black and silver glitter sheets I used Sara Davies Flourishing Frame Cutting Die to make an elegant black glitter border.

The Poinsettia Dazzles™ Stickers are gorgeous when backed with the pink glitter cardstock. I placed White Jewel Dazzles™ Stickers on the center of each to coordinate with the silver background.

I wanted to keep this card neutral so I used only the black and silver Glamour Glitter Cardstock . The Sara Davies Venetian Mirror Cutting Die made a prefect backdrop for the striking yellow flowers.

To make the tag I cut a long rectangle from black glitter cardstock and cut a “v” shape on one end.  I used a white Inside/Outside Greetings Dazzles™  sticker for contrast and glued the tag under the blossom edge. A black loopy bow was the finishing touch.

Thanks for joining me today. I’ll be back on Thursday with a Halloween Treat! Until then, happy crafting!

LeNae Gerig

The 60% OFF Sale continues! Check it out here.

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Hello crafty friends! Last night I was in the mood for coloring and I decided that Color Me™ Card Toppers were just the thing. I love them because they are fun to color and don’t take long to complete. When you’re done coloring you just glue them to the front of a blank card and you’re ready for mailing!

The Color Me™ Fern Card Toppers are one of my favorites and the Primary Tones Chameleon Pens offer just the right colors.

Each Topper set comes with blank and printed tags.

If I get a little sloppy with my coloring, it’s no big deal because the gold embossing on each Topper is very forgiving. The ink will sit on top of the embossing (depending on what coloring product you use) and I can just wipe it away with my finger tip and move on.

Once again I used the Chameleon Pens for the Color Me™ Christmas Post Card Toppers. Each pack of Toppers includes 2 sets of 3 different designs plus sheets of tags.

So there you have it! The next time you need a little coloring therapy, try Color Me™ Card Toppers and at this special price you can stock up!

Thanks for joining me today and happy crafting!

LeNae Gerig

Don’t miss Paper Wishes 60% Off Sale happening now!

Hi crafty friends! I have just returned from Disneyland where my daughter and I celebrated an early Halloween. It was great fun!

Now it’s time to turn my attention to all of those handmade Christmas cards. I can’t wait to get started!

This card uses the Entwined Holly Decorative Metal Cutting Die by Sara Davies. I also used Christmas Cabin Paper Pack, Ribbons and Long Christmas Greetings Dazzles™ Stickers. I die cut the holly from gold cardstock, but Metallic Gold Paper works well too. As an added detail I placed Red Jewel Dazzles™ Stickers on each berry.

These Decorative Bauble Metal Cutting Dies by Sara Davies are intricate, but easy to remove from the die. (Don’t you hate it when paper gets hopelessly stuck in the die and you have to pick it out?!) I covered the card and each ornament with Christmas Cheer Paper Pack and die cut the ornaments from silver cardstock; however Metallic Silver Paper and Silver Holographic Ripple works as well. I added Platinum Jewel Border Dazzles™ Stickers to hang the ornaments and added Christmas Greetings Dazzles™ Stickers.

Thanks for joining me today and happy crafting!

LeNae Gerig

Hi crafty friends! Today I’ve got some fun uses for this versatile Half & Half Stockings: Cutting Die & Stamp Set (check out the Amazing Price on this set). 

My suggestion is to first use it for Halloween. 

These cute cards uses both Half & Half Stockings: Cutting Die & Stamp Set and Trick Or Treat Dazzles™ Stickers.

And then make fabulous Christmas Stocking cards! (Tip: Use Red Jewel Dazzles™ Stickers to embellish the stamped holly details)

This card uses Tiny Poinsettia Dazzles™ Stickers 3-Pack to embellish the stockings.

Thanks for joining me today. Remember if you aren’t a subscriber, consider joining so you don’t miss a thing. Happy crafting!

LeNae Gerig

Don’t forget our 55% off ends Saturday. Don’t miss it! Click here

Merry Christmas! What? Too soon? It’s never too early to start making those handmade and heartfelt holiday cards. Here’s a few ideas to get you started.

This sparkling card uses the NEW Hot Off The Press Winter Window Cutting Die. I paired it with Rose Gold Triple Finish and Christmas Cabin Paper Pack and Ribbon Set. The Fancy Christmas Greetings Stamp Set included both the greeting and 2 sizes of snowflakes that helped pull this card together. 

I used the Christmas Cabin Paper Pack again when creating this woodsy card (it’s just so versatile!) I added Mistletoe Kisses & Christmas Wishes Cutting Die cut from white cardstock to make it pop!

And finally the adorable Christmas Lantern Cutting Die was my inspiration for this sweet vintage snow scene. This card could not have been quicker to make. A little torn paper, brown ink and glitter glues helps give this card charm and shine.

These 3 NEW HOTP cutting dies are available in limited supply and site promotional discounts do not apply. Hurry and get yours!

Happy Christmas Crafting!

LeNae Gerig

Hi everyone! Today I’m bringing you things with wings, or Angels and Butterfly cards, which are 2 of my favorite ethereal images.

First up is a Frame Pop-Out Die-Cut Card using Sara Davies Guardian Angel Cutting Die.

The Frame Pop-Out Die-Cut Cards come ready to decorate with your favorite papers and embellishments which makes this card a snap to put together!

I love the intricate details on this angel. She is so beautiful!

I used gold and black papers, from Christmas Wonder Paper Pack, on the inside frame and sides and added Red Jewel Border Dazzles™ Stickers for sparkle.

I die cut the angel from Metallic Gold Paper,  backed it with Vellum and embellished the skirt with Red Jewel Dazzles™ Stickers and a bow made from Christmas Wonders Ribbon Set.

For the card front, I traced the frame pattern onto Red Christmas Wonder Paper and matted it with Vellum.” Merry Christmas”  was cut from Metallic Gold Paper using Christmas Script Greetings Cutting Dies.

This butterfly card contains some mixed media elements. After covering the card with Winter’s Butterfly tan text paper I tore papers for the border.

Next I used Flutterby Butterflies Stencil and a lavender ink pad along the right edge.

When using the  Layering Butterflies Stamps, I like to use the Tim Holtz Stamp Platform and 2 shades of purple ink.

Finally, I used the Layering Butterflies Cutting Dies to die-cut each large butterfly, create a top layer from blue paper and I added foam tape under each wing to give a lift. Stamp some small dark purple butterflies and embellish with Stickles Silver Glitter Glue and add “Love” cut from both navy blue paper and Metallic Silver Paper using Script Greeting Cutting Dies.

That’s all for today. Have a wonderful week and try to leave some time to make something pretty and pass it on to someone else. Happy Crafting!

LeNae Gerig