Papertrey Ink September Release Countdown Day 4

I can't believe it, but we're on the 4th and final day of the Papertrey Ink September release countdown! I have a lot to share with you today, so get cozy and let's dig in! My first card for today features the new Nutcracker Magic Stamp/Die set; this one has a soft spot in my heart because my daughter was part of Ballet West's  The Nutcracker for a few years and it was always such a treat to see her perform!

To begin, I die cut all of the pieces I used in the corners and across the middle using the Nutcracker Magic Die set. I stamped the images using Vintage Photo distress ink for a soft look and then colored them using alcohol markers. I don't color very often anymore and my Copic markers have mostly dried up so I bought an inexpensive set from Amazon. The key to making them more user-friendly was to make a swatch chart. Inevitably, the lids don't actually represent the color accurately, but now that I made a swatch chart, I can get things to actually turn out how I envisioned! ha ha!

For the background, I used the new Fresh Greens Hot Foil Plate using champagne foil on a panel of Pinefeather cardstock. I trimmed it down and then adhered it to an A2 panel of Pure Poppy cardstock using foam squares. I also die cut another rectangle piece using the new Rounded Rectangles: Pierced Die from  Sweet Blush ink with Berry Sorbet ink added around the edges. I also stamped one of the "twinkle" images included in the Nutcracker Magic stamp set, but it's hard to see in the photos.

I die cut a Pinefeather frame using the In Frames: Oval Die and added it using foam squares.

There are two large nutcracker images so I chose one and stamped and colored it the same as the foliage pieces. I added it to the center of the frame using foam squares. 

I layered the large swag piece over the nutcracker's waist and added the sentiment underneath. I added Glossy Accents to the berries for some additional detail and shine.

The nutcracker's buttons are adhesive gray pearls. I added some sparkling clear sequins and a spritz of shimmer spray to finish it off!

My  next card also features the new Nutcracker Magic Stamp/Die set but this time I'm showcasing the cute ballerina!

I had fun heat embossing the skirt portion in white on vellum to give the illusion of a real tutu!

The background was created with the new Merry Motifs Hot Foil Plate that I can't seem to get enough of! I used silver foil on Spring Rain cardstock for a wintery look.

I stenciled the pattern on the oval using the new Dotted Lines Stencil Collection with Spring Rain ink.

I gave her crown a small adhesive gem and then added one in each of the four corners of the foiled design.

My last card using the Nutcracker Magic Stamp/Die set features Clara with her prized nutcracker doll. 

I used the same technique on this card for the coloring as with the other two. I really like using the Vintage Photo ink for the outline so it doesn't look too harsh.

I used two different hot foil plates on this card, but I feel like it works because of the two different scales of pattern.

I kept the coloring simple, but if you enjoy showing off your skills, have fun and let your artistry shine!

I opted for shimmer spray on these three cards, but glitter could be fun, too! I also added some white gel pen detail to the glossy accents on the berries once it dried.

For my last card, I'm bringing back the Snowdrops that were introduced yesterday, but this time with a completely different feeling! 

Blue is the obvious choice for the snowdrops, but I wanted to try something a little bit more bold for my final project. I die cut all of the pieces using the Into the Blooms: Snowdrops Die from white cardstock and then used sponge daubers and distress oxide inks. The greenery is colored with twisted citron, mowed lawn, and rustic wilderness ink. I added a touch of speckled egg to the inside and outer edges of some of the petals to give the illusion of shadow. I glued them together using liquid glue and small foam squares.

I used the largest size included in the Rounded Rectangles: Stitched Die and used it on a panel of True Black cardstock. I placed the flowers and leaves where I wanted them and then used the Glad Press N' Seal trick to pick everything up exactly in place, add glue to the back and then place it back down. Wait until the glue dries a bit and then remove the wrap carefully. 

Once that was done, I added white acrylic paint splatter for a snowy look. I also spritzed it with shimmer spray which is giving HIGH contrast, but it doesn't look THIS speckled in real life.

I added it to an A2 panel of Pure Poppy cardstock that is hot foiled with the Fanciful Snowflakes Hot Foil Plate.

A few sparkling sequins add to the look. I heat embossed one of the sentiments that is included in the This is Big Sentiments: Happy Holidays using silver powder and then added it to the card using black foam squares. 

This concludes the countdown and everything will be available for purchase tomorrow!

Thanks for fluttering by!