Sunday, April 20, 2025

Papertrey Ink April Release Countdown Day 3

Hello and welcome to day 3 of the Papertrey Ink April release countdown! First of all, I want to wish you all a very happy Easter! I hope you all have a wonderful day! 
As I mentioned yesterday, we will be finishing up with graduation today and then switching gears to Mother's Day! Also, today's post will include the GORGEOUS new addition to the Reflections series!

On day one of the countdown I mentioned I would only be needing 3 graduation cards this year, but this one makes number 4! It will be nice to add this one to the stash for an unexpected need, but since I did add the year, I might need to use this one and save one without the year on it!😂

This card features the new Elegant Edges: Graduation Die and of course I couldn't resist adding in some of the other graduation stamps/dies that have been features over the last two days. To begin this card, I die cut the hat using the Elegant Edges: Graduation Die with the edge on the bottom. For those of you who are familiar with the Elegant Edges series, this particular die has the option to cut the bottom of the cap, like I've shown, OR you can cut the top with the point of the cap. I stamped the "Class of" portion of the sentiment at the top of the cap in black ink; this sentiment is included in the Framed in Success Sentiments Stamp Set that was showcased yesterday.

I had been playing around with colors and different die placement, so I ended up with some leftover black pieces for the cap. I added the cream colored panel with the hat cut out to an A2 panel of Vintage Cream cardstock that was foiled using the Cascading Dots Hot Foil Plate. I used foam squares for the cap panel. After that was done, I used additional foam squares to add the cream pieces BACK into the negative space (inlaid die cutting) and then I added the extra black pieces with additional foam square for maximum dimension. I also die cut the little tassel  portion from gold cardstock.

I stamped the "you did it" sentiment at the bottom of a top-folding A2 card base using black ink. I cut part of the foiled background to allow for this sentiment and then added that entire panel using foam squares. The 2025 numbers are die cut from gold cardstock and once again, I used the Press n' Seal technique for exact placement, just as I mentioned yesterday. These numbers are from the Framed in Success Die set.

I had a few metallic foliage pieces left over from my Anemone projects I shared yesterday and they looked so festive with the die cut diploma (also from the Framed in Success Die Set) that they made their way onto this card. I wanted to give the card a little bit more black and added balance, so I created the stamped/die cut corner pieces that were stamped using the Corner Decor Stamp Set. I’m pleased with how this card turned out and it was so fun to put together!
My next project features the new Reflections: Numbers 6 stamp/die set. I am particularly smitten with this one; I love the verse and the gorgeous die cut! I know I covered it up quite a bit, but I'm also in love with the new Into the Blooms: Anemones that were featured yesterday! ha ha! The die has two sizes included; this one that is large enough for the words and then a smaller one that could be used for all kinds of projects!

I had already made up my mind that I would be using the Anemones, so to begin, I die cut all of the pieces from white cardstock, with the exception of the center pieces. I colored them with Lilac Grace and Pale Plum ink and the leaves are colored using Green Parakeet and New Leaf inks, with a hint of Ripe Avocado. I gave the sprigs the same pearl "berries" as I did on yesterday's cards and then the centers also got the gems.

I die cut the panel for the verse using the Reflections: Numbers 6 Die and then stamped the verse in black ink.

For the background, I cut an A2 sized panel of Lilac Grace cardstock and then cut it using the Border Bling: Tin Stitch Die. I also die cut the largest frame included in the Border Bling: Embossed Skinny Frame and glued it over the top.

I added the sentiment panel using foam squares and then arranged the flowers and leaves.

I already had the pink flowers ready to go from a project that I didn't end up using them for so I added them here. I really like the contrast to break up all of the purple. 

I forgot to mention that I spritzed the Anemones with shimmer spray after I finished them rather than spritzing the entire card.

Well, this concludes today's post, but don't forget to join me for the 4th and final day of the countdown! We will be showcasing some kitchen/mom themed products that you're sure to love! Thanks for fluttering by!



 

Saturday, April 19, 2025

Papertrey Ink April Release Countdown Day 2

Welcome to day 2 of the Papertrey Ink April release countdown! As promised, I'm sharing more graduation inspiration along with some floral inspiration to last all season long! My first card for today features the absolutely AMAZING and wonderful Framed in Success stamp set/die set. I can already tell this is going to be my go-to set for years to come!

To begin this card, I used the Exquisite Leaf Frame Hot Foil Plate using Champagne foil on a 4 by 5 1/4 inch piece of Vintage Cream cardstock. I have found that if I turn the plate sideways on the heating platform of my foil machine I get the best results. I used the highest heat setting and then heat it for 47 or so seconds. I used a corner rounder punch on each of the four corners and then set it aside.

I die cut one of the many frame options included in the Framed in Success Die set twice from Ocean Tides cardstock and glued them together for a sturdy piece. I also die cut the numbers from "gilver" glitter cardstock. Since I used the champagne foil, I thought this would be a good choice for the numbers. I also die cut them again from Ocean Tides cardstock and then glued them together. I used the Glad Press n' Seal technique to get them spaced and glued down nicely. 

I added the frame to the center of the foiled panel using foam squares. I stamped the sentiment, which is from the new Framed in Success Sentiments Stamp Set, on the smallest circle included with the Love to Layer: Scalloped Circles Die using black ink. I popped it up in the center of the frame.

I added the hat to the top and the diploma off to the side using foam squares. The "class of" portion of the sentiment is heat embossed in gold on a strip of black cardstock. The entire panel was added to a top-folding A2 card base using liquid glue.
Switching gears for card number 2! This card features the new Into the Blooms: Anemone die set paired with the new This is Big Sentiments: Love stamp set.

I die cut the Anemone pieces from white cardstock and then the centers are die cut from gold. This is actually the second card I made using the Anemone set, but I ended up liking it better than the first, so I'll be sharing that one next.

These flowers are incredibly easy to put together, which for me, means you will be seeing them often! ha ha!

I had already created the die cut piece that the flowers are anchored to because I was planning on using it for one of yesterday's cards, but I didn't. It was sitting there with the flowers and I thought it looked so pretty together. I also had these leaves on my desk and I really liked how they look with the flowers (as I mentioned earlier, this wasn't my first Anemone card and I used all gold leaves for that one)

The background was created using the Exquisite Leaf Frame Hot Foil Plate on a panel of Spring Rain cardstock. I trimmed it down and then added the focal panel that was created using the new Cascading Stars Hot Foil Plate and then cut using the Love to Layer: To a Point Die.

I added some gems to the center of each flower and pearls to the berry cluster by the sentiment. 

I had a few flowers ready to go that were supposed to be used on a different project, so I added them as well.

The sentiment is from the new This is Big Sentiments: Love Stamp Set and I stamped it with gold pigment ink on a strip of Lemon Tart cardtsock.

I added the entire focal panel to the background panel using foam squares.

I glued it to a top-folding A2 card base using liquid glue. 

This is the original card I made, and while I still like it, I just really like the addition of the green leaves and colorful background. This one was made with a wedding/bride in mind so I definitely think it fits the bill!

Anemones are a very unique and particular flower and I didn't want you to see a lot of the "same" from all of us designers, so I decided to switch gears and do something a little bit different from what an Anemone really looks like.

I die cut all of the petal pieces from white cardstock and added just a hint of color using tattered rose distress oxide ink with a finger sponge dauber. I cut the rest of the pieces from gold cardstock. I added the smallest size included with the  PTI Gems: Clear to the floral centers. I also added some pearls to the berry sprig piece on the top/right.

I die cut the "LOVE" sentiment piece using the This is Big Sentiments: Love die and then stamped it with Versamark using the coordinating stamp set. I added some gold embossing powder and then heat set it using reverse grip tweezers so I wouldn't burn my fingers.

The sentiment panel was die cut using the new Love to Layer: To a Point Die. I stamped the "is all you need" portion of the sentiment using gold pigment ink and then added the die cut LOVE above it. I forgot to mention that I cut another LOVE so I could glue it together.

I cut a panel of pattern paper from a pad called Blanc Boutique from The Paper Studio measuring 4 by 5 1/4 inches and rounded the corners with a corner rounder punch.

I arranged the flowers and leaves until I was happy with the arrangement. I added a trio of sparkling clear sequins around the sentiment, gave it a spritz of shimmer spray and then added it to a top-folding A2 card base. 
Join me again tomorrow for the 3rd day of the release; a little more graduation along with the new Reflections, but then on day 4 we'll switch gears with some really cute new Mother's Day products! Thanks for fluttering by!

 

Friday, April 18, 2025

Papertrey Ink April Release Countdown Day 1

Hello and welcome, friends! It's day 1 of the Papertrey Ink April release and countdown and we're celebrating the upcoming graduates! There are so many fun new projects included in this release made especially for graduates!

If you've been around for awhile, you'll probably remember that our school colors included green so I use green quite a bit during graduation season, but I'm switching gears for this one and giving it a feminine touch and not going so heavy on the green! We have three graduates in the neighborhood this year that I want to celebrate and only one of them is a girl, so this one will go to her! 

To begin this card, I used the fabulous Watercolor Wonderful Stencil Collection and created a background using Aqua Mist and green ink. Confession time: I dropped ALL of my PTI ink cubes and I didn't have time to deal with it so I just stuck all of the lids on random pads not taking the time to put them on the correct colors. I had TOTALLY forgotten I did that when I began this card and started using purple ink because the wrong lid was on the green pad! ha ha! Anyway, that led to me needing to rinse out my blender brush, but there was residual green ink and then I FORGOT the brush was wet when I added the green around the edges with the stencil! ha ha! I DO like how it turned out, despite the comedy of errors!

I also added the pierced detail around the stenciled panel, but that particular die is retired. I set it aside and got to work on the sentiment and stamped details. Everything except for the flowers and foliage is from the new The Bigs  Congrats to the Grad stamp/die set and it is one of my new favorites! I stamped the sentiment in black and then die cut a second one so I could glue them together for stability. When there's thin portions, like the "grad" piece, I like to double it up!

The Flowers are from the Into the Blooms: Wreath Die and the leaves are from the Into the Blooms: Clover Die and the Into the Blooms: Violets Die. I tucked them here and there until I as happy with the arrangement. I added the other stamped details, which are also from The Bigs Congrats to the Grad stamp set.  I layered the entire focal panel onto a top-folding A2 card base using foam squares for added dimension.

My  next card for today features the new Cornered: Graduation and the new Cascading Stars Hot Foil Plate along with The Bigs Congrats to the Grad stamp/die set.

To begin this card, I used one of the corner dies from the Cornered: Graduation Die and used it on the right corner. I added the die cut panel to an A2 True Black panel using liquid glue. I used the Cascading Stars Hot Foil Plate using Champagne foil on white cardstock. I cut it out using the middle size included in the Love to Layer: Rectangles Die

I got really good results with this Hot Foil Plate when it was set on medium heat for about 20 seconds. I used another sentiment from The Bigs Congrats to the Grad stamp set along with the hat and diploma.

I added some foliage to give it some added detail and both of these varieties are included in the Into the Blooms: Clover Die

Each of the graduation cards I'll be sharing during the release also have a stamped sentiment on the inside from the Inside Greetings: Graduation Mini Stamp Set. This card will be for one of the two male graduates! I'm so happy I'm getting these made early! Thanks for fluttering by!
P.S. Join me again tomorrow for even more graduation inspiration as well as some beautiful florals!

 

Wednesday, April 16, 2025

He Has Risen, Just as He Said

Well friends, this is the last "leftovers" post using bits and pieces from the last few months of crafting! I was so pleased with how many pieces I was able to use since I had worked so hard ot create each and every piece. I mentioned before, but I didn't end up throwing much away at all, which made me so happy! Now I have a nice clean slate for all of the fun events and things that happen at the latter part of spring, so stay tuned for all of those fun projects coming your way soon!

I decided to create a floral bouquet using different flowers from three different projects. The tulips are from THIS collection of cards and the forget-me-nots were made for THIS release; the honeycomb chick box/basket.

The other floral clusters were leftover from yesterday's post from The Greetery.

I chose to add some blue ink and splatter under the flowers to anchor them a bit and then stamped the sentiments using the Hymn Sing: Easter Refrain stamp set.

It felt a bit naked, so I used the photo corner die from the retired Fairytale Christmas kit from PTI. I layered it at an angle on some of the large gingham paper I've been using this spring. I don't normally put things on angles, but you couldn't see any of the white on the gingham paper if it was straight and I liked the white! ha ha! I hope you all have a wonderful Easter celebrating the miracle and wonderous gift of our resurrected Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! Thanks for fluttering by!