Project Inspiration {Hello Sweet Sunshine}

Hello friends! It's my turn for this week's Project Inspiration feature for Papertrey Ink. I'll be sharing step-by-step photos and instructions.

I usually make at least one strawberry-themed card during the spring/summer and this is the first one for 2025. 

To begin, I used the Watercolor Plaid Stencil Collection using Pure Poppy ink to create the background. I trimmed it to 3 by 5 1/4 inches, used a corner rounder punch and then mounted it to a top-folding A2 card base using foam squares. 

Next, I used the Simple Stitch Crochet-Small Stencil Collection using Mint Julep ink on Mint Julep cardstock. I cut it using the middle size included in the Love to Layer: Scalloped Ovals Die. I added it to the background using foam squares.

I die cut the circle from white cardstock using the Love to Layer: Scalloped Circles Die and added it to the center of the mint piece using foam squares.

 I used the Sweet Celebration Die to cut all of the leaves, berries, and flowers from white cardstock. I used blender brushes and ink to color all of the pieces. I added them to the card using both liquid glue and foam squares.

The sentiment, which is from the Just Sentiments: Summer Mini Stamp Set, is heat embossed in gold onto a strip of Berry Sorbet cardstock and then adhered using foam squares.

I did give the flowers and leaves a spritz of shimmer spray before I added them, but forgot to mention that earlier. I added a trio of sparkling clear sequins using liquid glue.

In just six easy steps, the card is complete!

Some additional tips and details about this card: I always like to use a foam mat and a stylus to give dimension to the flowers I add to my cards. 

The smallest flowers have pink pearls in the centers for some added detail and interest.

Well, that wraps things up for today! Thanks for fluttering by!

 

The Greetery {Congrats! You're Amazing!}

 

Hello and welcome, friends! Today I'm sharing a pair of congratulatory cards using some of the beautiful new products from The Greetery included in the Star Spangled Summer Collection paired with some previously released stamps/dies from the Jubilee Collection! I had saved a cute illustration using a trophy cup but didn’t feel I could execute the same look with the available products, but all that changed when the Star Stream suite of products made their debut! I couldn’t wait to get started; let me tell you how I created the pair!

To begin, I used the beautiful new Star Stream Hot Foil on an A2 panel of Gray Kraft and Vintage Cream cardstock using champagne foil.  Once that was done, I used the Star Stream 3D Embossing Folder on both panels! Your die cutting machine should have instructions on how to build the correct “sandwich” for this type of embossing folder. The embossing folder is clear so it makes it easy to line the stars up for precision.

I spritzed both panels with shimmer spray (I’m definitely back in my shimmer spray era) and set them aside to dry. I used the World's Greatest Die to cut the two trophy cups from Antique Gold cardstock. I also heat embossed the two sentiments, which are included in the World's Greatest Sentiments Stamp Se , on the same cardstock using gold embossing powder and then cut them using the World's Greatest Sentiments Die . I attached them to the cups using small strips of foam tape.

I die cut the foliage using the Rosemary and Berry Die from white cardstock and then colored them using twisted citron, mowed lawn, and rustic wilderness distress oxide ink and finger sponge daubers. I also cut the berries, but quickly realized that the stars would be much cuter! The stars are left over from the centers of the stars tucked in the cups using the Star Struck Die. I simply glued them to the “bulbs” where the berries should go using liquid glue. I also gave a few of them a gem for added sparkle and detail.

Once that was all done, it was time to assemble the cards! I trimmed the foiled panels to measure 4 by 5 ¼ inches and attached them to their bases with foam squares: Antique Gold for the Gray Kraft panel and Gray Kraft for the Vintage Cream panel. The trophy cups hide the large star on the panel perfectly and then I added the foliage using small strips of foam squares, like I mentioned earlier; same goes for the stars tucked into the cups.

I had so much fun bringing this idea to life; it was one of those things that I kept thinking about and then the Star Spangled Summer Collection made it a reality! For the past few months, I haven’t been organizing the new cards I make very well and my stash had gotten pretty out of control. I took some time the other day to get it back where it needed to be and in doing so, I noticed the “congrats/well done” section was quite lacking. It’s nice to have gender neutral cards like this on hand for all sorts of occasions that would warrant it; retirement, accomplishments other than graduation (although these would work for that, too), recitals, performances, etc. I hope the pairing of these two collections has sparked some of your own ideas! Thanks for fluttering by!

The Greetery {Star Spangled Summer Collection} Release Day

I'm so excited to be here sharing a bonus card using the Star Spangled Summer Collection from The Greetery! This is such a beautiful new release and I don't want to put it away just yet! I made a pair of cards a few days ago using the collection paired with some previously released products to show you some different options; I will be sharing those sometime next month, so stay tuned! The Star Spangled Summer Collection will be available for purchase TODAY beginning at 10 am EDT.

My card for today features some of my favorites from the Star Spangled Summer Collection paired with older favorites from the These are the Days Collection. I was inspired by this particular 4th of July sentiment included in the Land of Liberty Stamp Set to bring in the calendar pieces for something unexpected. Since the These are the Days Collection was released last year, I have been having fun using it for autumn./thanksgiving cards, baby cards, and now this patriotic design.

To begin this card, I gathered all of the stamps/dies/etc. from the These are the Days collection that I planned/envisioned using. I have been organizing my stamps and dies by collection for the past few years and it makes it so much easier to find what I'm looking for! I just looked through that section and pulled the things I would need. Once that was done, I die cut the pieces using the new Wave the Flag Border from white cardstock. I colored them using faded jeans, prize ribbon, lumberjack plaid, and aged mahogany distress oxide ink and finger sponge daubers. I gave all of the pieces a spritz or two of shimmer spray and set them aside to dry.

Next, I die cut the flower cluster using the Birth Month Blooms Q3 Die and the Birth Month Blooms Cuttables. These are the pre-printed flowers, but you could definitely stamp them out as well. I love that the Larkspur is the flower for July and it just happens to be so beautiful with the red, white, and blue! Once that was done, I got to work on the calendar.

I cut the top portion using the Spiral Bound Die; Vintage Cream for the scalloped piece and gold metallic cardstock for the coils and hanger. I used the Calendar Grid Die and Vintage Cream cardstock to complete the calendar. I glued everything together using liquid glue. I stamped "July" and the little 4 on the blue rectangle using the Calendar Basics Stamp Set. I totally forgot to leave space for the MTWTHFS image, but I think it looks fine without it! I kept a few of the rectangle pieces from the center of the grid and then just used the same sponge dauber to color it and then I stamped the 4 with pigment white ink. It was a good thing I saved a few of the little pieces because this was my 3rd attempt! Ha ha! The little gold oval around the date was die cut from gold cardstock using the Calendar Basics Die. 

I stamped the 4th of July sentiment, which is from the Land of Liberty Stamp/Die set, is stamped with both lumberjack plaid and aged mahogany distress oxide ink for an ombre look. I had a few pinwheels leftover from my Grand Finale card that was shared yesterday. I also had some stars leftover from the project I was talking about earlier, so I put them in the center of the pinwheels and I love the look!

I added some antique linen distress oxide ink around the edges of an A2 panel of white cardstock and the edges of the calendar. Once that was done, I glued the Wave the Flag Border pieces to the panel using liquid glue. The calendar is attached using foam squares as well as the 4th of July sentiment. I placed the Larkspur flower on the side and then attached the pinwheels. The entire panel is glued to an A2 white card base. I had so much fun making this card! Everything will be available for purchase TODAY at 10 am EDT in The Greetery Shop! Thanks for fluttering by!

The Greetery {Star Spangled Summer}

Hello and welcome, friends! Today I'm sharing some projects created with fun new products from the new Star Spangled Summer release from The Greetery! This is the perfect collection for patriotic projects and beyond! As you can see, my first two projects are for other occasions, which makes this collection so versatile! The official "meet and greet" for all of the new products will be over on The Greetery Blog. And, as always, make sure to leave a comment here, and on each of the designers' blogs, for a chance to win one of two $50 digital gift cards to the shop!

Up first is a celebratory card for all kinds of occasions; this could definitely be used for graduation, accomplishments, new job, etc. The next two projects feature products in the Star Stream Suite of products; this one using the Star Stream 3D embossing folder and the new Star Stream sentiments and Star Stream Hot Foil.

To begin, I used the Star Stream Hot Foil on a pale blue cardstock with champagne foil. Once that was done, I carefully lined it up inside the Star Stream embossing folder and ran it through my machine, setting it up the sandwich for the correct type of folder. Once that was done, I trimmed it down to 4 by 5 1/4 inches and mounted it on a top-folding A2 card base using foam squares.

The sentiments, which are both from the Star Stream Sentiments Stamp/Die set, are heat embossed in gold and then added using foam squares. I gave it a spritz of shimmer spray and added a trio of sparkling clear sequins.  I used the Star Stream Stencil to decorate the flap of the envelop and then stamped the sentiment using gold ink.

My next card uses the Star Stream stencil and the Star Stream Die. I can't wait to try using the stencil with the 3d embossing folder. I have an idea for how I want to use it, so stay tuned!

These sentiments are also included in the Star Stream Sentiment Stamp Set. I used the gold ink for these.

To begin, I die cut an A2 panel with the Star Stream Die and then used the Star Stream stencil over the top. I chose some warm pink tones for a baby card.

Which, I was thinking how cute this sentiment would be using the These are the Days Collection! I created a coordinating envelope for this card as well!

My next two cards feature the new Land of Liberty Suite of products and I couldn't resist pulling in the flowers using the Best Bouquet Details Die! I'm personally obsessed with this suite of products; they are SO user-friendly with amazing results!

To begin both cards, I die cut all of the pieces I would need for two bouquets from white cardstock. I colored them using distress oxide inks and finger sponge daubers. Once everything was colored and assembled, I set them aside to dry.

The background is created using the Star Stream Hot Foil and champagne foil on a 4 by 5 1/4 inch panel of blue cardstock. I added faded jeans distress oxide ink around the edges for added dimension.

I die cut all of the pieces for the bow from white cardstock and colored it the same as the bouquet. 

The sentiments/fonts for the Land of Liberty Stamp Set AND Star Stream Sentiments are absolutely gorgeous! I stamped it in black and then die cut it using the Land of Liberty Die.

My next card uses the new Flag border; I'm so excited for this border because it easily creates a patriotic border with minimal effort and I just love how it looks!

I gave the edges a vintage look by adding some antique linen distress oxide ink. I layered the bouquet using foam squares for added dimension.

Another gorgeous sentiment and shimmer spray finish off this patriotic design!

My last card for today is very straight-forward and would be perfect for mass-producing or invitations to a 4th of July party!

I used the Grand Finale Die for the background and then did the stenciling using the Grand Finale stencil. The red portion is from the stencil and the blue is from the cardstock panel underneath.

The Grand Finale Die also includes the dies to create the pimwheels and rockets.

I added small gems to the centers of the pinwheels  and fireworks.

The white portion is an A2 size, but I chose to make my card bigger by creating a red base and adding it using foam squares. Don't forget to head to the other designers' blogs to leave a comment! Thanks for fluttering by!

Dana Kirby

Dawn McVey

Kelly Lunceford (you are here)

Laura Bassen

Laurie Willison

Lea Lawson

Wanda Guess

 

Papertrey Ink May Release Countdown Day 4

Welcome! Thanks for joining me for the 4th and final day of the Papertrey Ink May release countdown! I hope you've enjoyed the countdown so far! Up first is card using the delightful new Into the Blooms: Lemon Blossoms; I know this is going to be a new favorite

I went for an Italian Positano lemon look for this card. I die cut all of the pieces I would need to create the lemon branch from white cardstock. I colored the leaves using Green Parakeet and New Leaf ink with blender brushes. The lemons are colored using Harvest Gold and Summer Sunrise ink as well as the flower centers. There are really small pieces to add to the tips of each of the flower centers, but I just used an orange alcohol marker to color them instead.

The flower centers look like tiny hands and I felt like I was painting tiny fingernails! ha ha!

For the background, I used the Woodblcok Print stencil collection with Spring Rain and Blueberry Sky ink.

The sentiment is from the Main Squeeze stamp set that was showcased on day 2. I stamped it in black on a strip of Spring Rain cardstock.

I arranged the lemons, leaves, and blossoms using foam squares for dimension. I forgot to mention that I used shimmer spray only on the lemons, leaves, and blossoms before assembly.

Switching gears to something a little more masculine and perfect for Father's Day: Tool Pouch Die and Best Dad Stamp Set.

I had so much fun putting this all together; the tiny nails, tools, and bag are so fun to assemble!

The panel the tool pouch is on was stamped using Stormy Sea ink on Stormy Sea cardstock using the Weathered Wood Background Stamp. 

The sentiment is from the Best Dad stamp set and is stamped on a banner that was cut using the Banner Builder: Basics Die.

I cut an A2 panel of Dark Chocolate cardstock  using the Border Bling: Tin Stitch Die. 

I used the Cornered: Jean Pocket Die for the grommets in the four corners.

This was such a fun card to make!

Last, but not least, is another baby girl card (I know, I know) using the new Build-a-Buggy Die paired with the This is Big Sentiments: Baby Stamp Set.

This is definitely going to be my go-to baby die set for years to come, I can already tell!

A few things to note: the ruffle coming out of the buggy is from the new In Stitches: Onesie die that was featured on day 2. The bow is from the Bows Galore Die.

I die cut everything from white, with the exception of the tiny wheel centers, which are cut from silver and then I added pearls over the top.

Well, this concludes my post for today and for the release! Thanks for fluttering by!