Hello and welcome, friends! I'm BEYOND thrilled to be back today for week FIVE (can you believe it?) of full reveals for the District Twelve25 Collection from The Greetery! This week's suite is called Window Shopping and it just might be my favorite of the entire release....I hope you think it has been worth the wait because I am seriously obsessed! Before I dive into my projects, you'll want to make sure to head to The Greetery Blog for the official "meet and greet" for all of today's featured products! Also, don't forget to leave a comment here, and on each of the designers' blogs, for a chance to win one of two Window Shopping Bundles!
For today, I'm sharing two 5" by 7" inch cards today; one Christmas-themed and one everyday card. I can't decide which is my favorite, but let me know in the comments which one you prefer!
To begin this card, I used the helpful Atelier Die + Template. The template consists of two stencils that you secure with low-tack tape to the main die piece to ensure proper alignment of the windows and doors. You could leave this secured to the die for as long as you'd like, especially if you are creating multiples. I'm planning on keeping mine together until the tape doesn't want to stick any longer. haha! I used it to cut the main building, which is cut from Ocean Tides cardstock. Once that was done, I embossed it using the Atelier Embossing Folder, which is so amazing and provides all of those gorgeous details! I rubbed a pigment gold ink pad over all of the raised edges for added detail and vintage charm.
Next, I cut all of the accent pieces, which are also included in the Atelier Die; I cut them from Coastal Blue. I used the Atelier Signage Stamp Set to heat emboss the Toy Shop names and the decorative detail under the main window. I stamped the No. 25 address detail in black (on the left side of the main Toy Shop name). There are other little address stamps you could add other places, but I liked how it was looking so I stopped! haha! I glued all of the accents onto the building using liquid glue.
The next step was to get the cute toys all cut and colored. There are coordinating details to add to the windows depending on what store name you pick; you're going to have so much fun deciding which ones to use! I'm planning on using ALL of them ASAP, they are so much fun!!!! I cut all of the toys using the Window Shopping Die from white cardstock and then colored them with Distress Oxide inks and finger daubers. I glued them together and added them behind the window. There are helpful "anchor" pieces included so it was easy to glue that anchor to the backside of the window.
At this point, I was ready to start making the wreaths and bows, which are also included in the Window Shopping Die. I cut the wreaths from white and then colored them with dye inks and blender brushes and glued them together. The bows are cut from Pure Poppy, bet a little for dimension, and then glued to each wreath. I also used the newly released Bow-tique Holiday Stamp Set and coordinating Bow-tique Die for the accents on both sides of the building. The awning is cut and stenciled using the Atelier Die and Stencil from Sweet Blush cardstock and then stenciled with Pure Poppy. I secured it to the building using 1/8" ScorTape.
I cut a white 5" by 7" card base and placed the building portion over the top so I could mark where the "glow" for the windows needed to be. I used a light marking of pencil, but now that I'm typing this, I could have (and should have) used the template. I could have just placed it over the top of the card base and then blended the yellow inside each opening. Oh well....now you can try that tip and I will try it next time! I also stamped the "Claus & Claus Toy Shop" in Pure Poppy so it would be just over the toys, but not too high so the awning wouldn't cover it.
I used tiny pieces of foam tape to add to the window frames to secure the wreaths, but you could use liquid glue as well. Also, I forgot to mention that I embossed the piece over the top of the shop name with the Atelier Embossing Folder and then gave it a brush of gold ink as well. I covered up the main window, the embossed shop names and then gave the entire building a good splattering of white gouache. I also used SnoFlock for that realistic snow look! I used a misting water bottle for better results than a regular spray bottle provides.
I adhered the building onto the card base using foam squares and sat back and admired this wonderful Christmas creation; this is one of those squeal-worthy suites that will provide you, and the recipient, so much joy!
Before I move on, I forgot to mention the cute little sign attached to the side of the building. This is also included in the Atelier Accessories Die + Stencil, and the Atelier Signage Stamp Set included all kinds of sentiments to fit onto the rectangle. I was fidgeting and fussing so much while taking pictures, I inadvertently moved the wreath over the top of the words; woops! It says Santa's Workshop!
I didn't think it could get better than Christmas, but I had A BALL creating this darling quilt shop! I wish it was real so I could go and shop there or better yet, that I owned it and lived above it. I think I may have said the same thing about my Pumpkin Spice Market I made last month or so! haha! I used quite a few things from the last few weeks to bring this to life and a few older favorites!
I started this card exactly the same way as the Toy Shop, but chose Autumn Rose, Sweet Blush and Ocean Tides for the building colors. The sky is the limit with color combos for these sweet shops!
Once I had the main building created, it was time to get to work on the cute accents. This card uses the smaller awning included in the Atelier Accessories Die + Stencil. It is perfect for placing above the door and transom window. The "wreath" was constructed using the Hoopla Mini Die and Hoopla Mini Inserts Die. I stamped the OPEN sentiment in Ocean Tides ink before I assembled the hoop over the insert. I used the Window Shopping Die for the bows. Next, I made a little basket of yarn for the window using the Brimming Baskets Die and coordinating Brimming Baskets Embossing Folder. The "yarn" is from the Sent With Love Die along with the scissors on each side of the building!
I can't stop with the quilt blocks, so of course I HAD to use them for the shop! I used the Shortbread Shapes Die to cut the rectangles, stamped them with the Quilt Block Builder Stamp Set and then embossed them with the coordinating Shorbread Shapes: Rectangle Quilt Blocks Embossing Folder. I "hung" one in the window and then used another one on the sign outside the shop.
The detail pieces above the main window and on either side of the building are cut using the Capsule Quilt Shop Die and then embossed using the Capsule Quilt Shop Embossing Folder to add the dimension. I rubbed the pigment gold ink pad over the top; I can't seem to stop!
The "just for you" tag on the basket is cut using the Teeny Tags Die and stamped using the Teeny Tags Holiday Stamp Set. I also added some micro-buttons from my stash to either side of the shop name for added whimsy. The finishing touch is flowers cut using the Winter Medley Die tucked here and there! I had SO MUCH FUN using these fabulous products! Everything will be available for purchase tomorrow at 10 AM EST! Don't forget to leave a comment here, and on each of the designers' blogs, for a chance to win one of two product bundles! Thanks for fluttering by!
