Friday, January 25, 2019

Papertrey Ink Design Team Tips: Postage Stamp Inspiration



Hello and welcome to this installment of the Papertrey Ink Design Team Tips! I'm really excited to share my projects with you today! As a paper crafter and card maker, I really enjoy sending snail mail! I love to coordinate my postage stamps with the cards that I send! I decided to switch things around for today's Design Team Tips and create a series of cards that match the postage stamps! As soon as I saw the Love die that was released last year, I've had this idea in the back of my head! I've created three different cards based on postage stamps, so make sure you scroll down to see the other designs! I had so much fun on today's projects and I hope it gives you some inspiration! 


Each of the three cards uses the Mix and Mat: Postal die, of course, which really enhances the entire theme of the cards! For this particular card, I layered three of the die cut pieces using Rustic White cardstock. This created a nice sturdy base so that I could layer all of the die cut pieces onto it. I also knew I would be doing some heat embossing and I wanted to eliminate any warping and the triple thickness was perfect! I purposely chose the "forever and always" sentiment from the With all my Heart mini stamp set because the stamp say "forever" and it really enhanced the postal feeling!

I embossed the sentiment in gold because it is gold on the stamp, of course!  The "love" die cut is stacked four times for a chipboard weight piece. I just love the dimension that it gives to the card. Because the "L" and the "ove" portion are separate, I was able to manipulate the leaves that are stamped using the Stitching Garden stamp set and stamp them here and there just like on the stamp.
I used the Bitty Bouquets stamp set for all of the flowers. I know that there are probably quite a few sets that you could use to achieve the same look as the actual postage stamp, but these were the best fit that I actually own. I used the same colors that are on the postage stamp and got to work stamping and die cutting using the coordinating dies. I actually made two of this same card so I stamped quite a lot of images! I arranged them around and under the Love die to give it some depth and dimension. I added a few sparkling rhinestones here and there for some shine. The whole focal piece is layered onto a piece of Lovely Lady cardstock that has been die cut using the Pierced Rectangle dies.  I also used the Pleasing Envelopes stamp set on all of the envelopes on today's projects! I used different sentiments on each of the envelopes!

My second card for today uses the newly released "LOVE" stamp! This was a last minute addition to my projects because when I went to the post office to purchase the stamps that were the inspiration for my 3rd card, they showed me this one! Of course I had to get some, partly because the stamps are increasing price on the 27th, but mostly because I knew it would make a fantastic card! LOL! I knew that I had just the right supplies to make this and it is just perfect for Valentine's Day!

To begin, I die cut the Mix and Mat: Postal die twice. I was in a hurry since this was a last minute addition, but I knew that it would emboss well if it was doubled. I used the same sentiment as on the previous card but this time I used silver powder based on the actual postage stamp. I loved all of the white space from the stamp, so I die cut the Bold Borders: Love die from white and the "love" portion twice out of Pure Poppy cardstock. I love how closely the words match each other.

I layered the heart frame onto a piece of Hibiscus Burst cardstock which was the closest to the pink in the postage stamp. I die cut three of the hearts from the newly released From the Heart dies from Hibiscus Burst, Orange Zest, and Amethyst Allure cardstock. These are three colors I don't think I would ever put together, so I was happy for the chance!


To finish off this design, I added a few sparkling rhinestones here and there for some additional detail and shine!  I was glad the cute post office lady showed me these stamps because it is a design that I never would have come up with on my own!


This is the third and final card for today's Design Team Tips! This one is a bit of a stinker because I found out AFTER I made it, that this particular stamp has been pulled from rotation and sale! Ugh! I was so bummed out, but I decided to share it with you anyway. You can still find it with some notecards HERE, which is fun!

I used to have quite a few of these stamps, but I guess I used them all up! Oh well...I still actually really like the card! I used the same "LOVE" die for this card as well, but this time just die cut out of white cardstock and layered up 4 times. I created the stenciled cloud background by creating my own stencil using the Cloud Dies. I was going to take a picture of my homemade stencil, but I forgot. Maybe I will add it later if I get the chance! I just placed them side by side, just overlapping slightly onto a piece of cardstock and glued them down. It was easy to just blend the ink just like you would with any edger type stencil.I am really pleased with the end result!

The plane and skywriting are from the Love you to pieces: Airplane stamp set and work so perfectly for this card! I was so happy I had them in my stash for today's design! The sentiment at the top is from the With all my Heart stamp set, which is linked with the first card, and is heat embossed in silver.



The edge of this card is also embossed using the pierced rectangles as well. I love the extra bit of detail it adds to any design! Well, this is the last of my cards for today's Design Team Tips! 
I hope that you have found today's post useful and inspiring in some way! I really had so much fun putting all of the project together! One of my favorite postage stamps that deserves to be recreated is the scratch and sniff popsicle design which you can see HERE. You could use the Colorful Treats stamp set or any other popsicle set that you might have! Anyway, thanks for fluttering by!

P.S Don't forget to buy some stamps before the price hike on the 27th!😉

16 comments:

Karen said...

Great design idea! Great cards!

Susie said...

Kelly, I think you know how much I absolutely adore your card designs. When I saw these cards on the Papertrey Ink Blog this morning I was so excited to hop over and read your full blog post. I believe one of the reasons I love your designs so much is for what I call, "the full package" topped off with beautiful photo staging! Using Love postage stamps is such a great idea! I'll second that comment by Cynthia -- Nicely done Kelly!

TeresaC said...

Always look forward to seeing your projects, Kelly!! Love looking at everything from your photos to your inking and stamping to your die-cutting and composition!! Love your projects!!

Debbie said...

Love, love , love!! Using stamps as your inspiration is such a clever idea. As always your cards are wonderful. I totally agree with Susie. You wow us with the total package : beautiful cards, perfect staging and explanations that are both fun and easy to understand.

jan metcalf said...

Love that you shared getting inspiration from your postage stamps! Just the sort of thing I would do as well kindred spirit! Lovely work!

Cindy H. said...

Your cards are always gorgeous and these beauties are no exception!! They sure do inspire, too :)

Marcia Hill said...

What a FABULOUS post Kelly!! I am so inspired by these postage stamp cards and can't wait to make a few of my own!! Each one of these is just over the top GORGEOUS! The 1st one is just so BEAUTIFUL with the flowers and layering...just LOVE it!! And the heart one is AMAZING too...I love those colors together and how perfectly does the postage die work with the Bold Border die...love, love, LOVE it!! And your 3rd card couldn't be any sweeter and has definitely given me some ideas for cards for my grandson who loves airplanes! Your posts are always so inspiring, and I have to tell you that after all the news last week from PTI, I was SO glad to hear you were still going to be around as I just simply adore your style and am totally looking forward to what you'll create in 2019 and beyond! Have a great weekend! Hugs!! :0)

Peggy said...

Your projects are always FIRST CLASS! Love what you do and what a fun idea using postage stamps for inspiration!

Stephanie Clapper said...

Hi Kelly! Please forgive me, I’m a very sad crafter today. I’m still in shock that the original team from PTI is all gone. Not just a couple of designers, but all of them. I grew up with these great ladies and so did my crafting. The bright spot left for me, is you. Your designs are always beautiful. Thank you sharing your post and again, please forgive my grief. Hugs, Stephanie

Leslie said...

These are wonderful! What a great source of inspiration!

Vicki Finger said...

Your projects are always over the top! Simply stunning!

Joanne said...

Love your creations. I find this postage shaped die is my go to on many cards, whether mail related or not. I also adore your stamp holder shown in photo. Is it old? I'd love to find one of those.

Kelly Lunceford said...

Thank you so much, Joanne! I actually found this at my local post office while I was out searching for the Love skywriting stamp. I'd be happy to send you one! It holds a roll of 100 flag stamps.

BarbaraMae said...

Wow! I just loved how you used postage stamps as inspiration for your cards. They are all beautiful! I especially found the airplane one enchanting. It makes a great masculine Vaentine or anniversary card. I didn't even remember that PTI had an airplane stamp.

Tracey McNeely said...

Kelly these are all so inspiring, I wish that we had more themed stamps here in Canada! Each of these is so thoughtfully put together, thank you for Sharing!

Anonymous said...

beautiful cards and love the inspiration from the postage stamps. it looks like you really had fun creating these. your style is just perfect and love your photos. I'm glad we will continue to see beautiful creations from you.