The Greetery Christmas Market Collection Reveal Day 1

Hello friends, and welcome! It's the best time of the year....time to introduce the newest collection from The Greetery: Christmas Market and it is everything you can possibly imagine! I feel so honored to be able to share my projects with you using this beautiful new collection! Don't forget to visit The Greetery Blog for the official "meet and greet" AND don't forget to leave a comment here and on each of the designers' blogs for a chance to win one of two $50 gift cards to the shop!

My first project for today features the adorable new Market Place suite of products! These fabulous store-fronts work perfectly with the previously released Arch Box Large Die which I absolutely LOVE! I cut mine from Ocean Tides cardstock for both the box and the store-front using the Market Place No 1 Die; there are two other options that fit the box and then there is a set of smaller buildings included in the Market Place Mini Die. You can see I made a tag with one of the minis on the side of this photo. I actually made a set of three, but I will be sharing the details for those later on.

There is also a coordinating stamp set called market Place Holiday Stamp Set and it allows you to add the cute names of the stores. I've been on a gingerbread kick, which you will see more of on a different project I'm sharing today, so I used the "Gingerbread Spice Market" sentiment which is heat embossed in white onto Scarlet Jewel cardstock.

This box also features the new Market Place Holiday Festoons Die to add all of the fun decorations! These would be so fun with a tea light candle inside to allow it to glow!

Here is the set of tags I was mentioning earlier; I used the three different buildings included in the Market Place Mini Die. Also, if you use any one of the main Market Place options, one of these mini buildings will fit perfectly next to it on an A2 card.

I chose to create a set of tags and then the third building is attached to a plastic tube of hot chocolate for a fun treat to give to friends or family at Christmastime!

I bought these tubes a few years ago and have had fun using them on different crafty projects ever since. I simply used a funnel to add the hot chocolate mix to the tube and then added the building using foam squares. You could also add a ribbon at the top; I find it incredibly difficult to photograph bows and ribbon so I usually omit it if I can. 

The cute sentiments are from the new Simple Holiday Mini Sentiments and I will be showcasing them more on another project I'm sharing today!

I die cut the main building twice for each one; one from the color cardstock and another time from white so I could add the glow to the windows.

I punched holes at the top of the two that aren't on the cocoa tube and then threaded metallic DMC floss through the holes to create the tags.

You can see that hot cocoa tube again here, but this time it's bare and I simply used it as a photo prop, but this gives you an idea of the size. This card is an A2 size and features the ADORABLE new Cocoa Cozy Stamp and Die, the Cocoa Cozy Embossing Folder, AND the new Winter Mitts Stencil.

I took a break from traditional holiday colors and went for something icy and wintery looking! To begin, I used the Winter Mitts Stencil on an A2 panel of Colorplan Grayscale cardstock from Cardstock Warehouse. I used Hickory Smoke, Weathered Wood, Speckled Egg and Brushed Corduroy distress oxide ink. 

Once all of the stenciling was done, I used the Get a Grip Die to cut the slits in the mittens so you can slip the mug in between. I also used the Cocoa Cozy Embossing Folder to give it the beautiful texture. There are a few different options with this suite of products; there are mittens included in the stamp and die set  so you can use them individually or aligned differently if you'd like. I'm sure you'll see some different options on each of the designers' blogs for variety.

I used the Cocoa Cozy Stamp and Die for the cocoa mug, sentiment, and additional snowflakes.

I can't wait to use the new Cocoa Cozy Cider Additions Stamp/Die set as well! This is one of those sets that you can use all season long and keep hearts and spirits warm as the long months of winter can seem bleak to some!

There are quite a few different sentiment options but since I'm steadily building my Chrismtas card stash, this one got a fitting sentiment!

I added some extra details to the snowflakes with Crystal Sequin Mix, gems and Crystal Stickles. 

My final project for today features the new Shortbread Shapes suite of products! I decided to go with a gingerbread theme since I made ginger cookies every year for Christmas! Christmas came early this year and I whipped up a batch to add in the photos for this project! Yum!

This project features the new Shortbread Shapes Rectangle Die, Shortbread Shapes Rectangle Holiday embossing folder, Shortbread Shapes Rectangle Labels, Simply Holiday Sentiments and the Simple Holiday Mini Sentiments. 

I pulled in some older favorites to accent the tags and the card! I always enjoy using previously released products when they fit with the project. I had a sweet blog reader ask how I remember to use older products AND she wanted to know how I store my stamps and dies from The Greetery. A few years ago, I used to organize them by categories, exactly like the categories in The Greetery shop. This worked well for a time, but I have now switched to organizing them by release and I have found I can locate particular products MUCH easier because I remember which release they are part of! 

For the card, I used the outer die included in the Shortbread Shapes Rectangle Die and cut it using Ocean Tides cardstock. I then used the Shortbread Shapes Rectangle Holiday Embossing Folder to give it the beautiful detail. I brushed a white pigment inkpad over the top to really bring out the detail.

There is a die included in the Shortbread Shapes Rectangle Die that will cut out all of the individual "cookies"; it will keep them mostly intact and then you just need to snip the connection points with a fine-tip pair of scissors. I cut some from Honey Nut cardstock to look like gingerbread and a few from Colorplan China White cardstock from Cardstock Warehouse. I used a blender brush and ink to give them the color. The lighter one looks washed out, but that's what happened when I was editing. It looks much better in real life...I added antique linen ink over the top.

I'm absolutely smitten with these sentiments; Betsy always speaks to my soul with her font choices and always picks the ones I've been pining for. I love all of the sweet sentiments included in the Simple Holiday Sentiments Stamp Set...so many are perfect for a handmade holiday! Looks like I better get sewing, crafting, and baking so I can use them all {wink}! 

And now for the tags.... I had so many shorbread/gingerbread pieces left over and I'm smitten with the sentiments in the Simple Holiday Mini Sentiments that I just couldn't stop!

These tags features the previously released Capsule Borders 1 Hot Foil and the Capsule Basics Die. I used these as an additional point of detail and to create larger tags. The portion with the sentiment is cut using the Shortbread Shapes Rectangle Labels (please note: there will be an adjustment making this piece slightly larger to allow some breathing room for the sentiments) I stamped the sentiments in Fresh Snow ink or black, depending on the color of cardstock I used for this piece.

If a sentiment says "home" I have a hard time resisting adding a little home to my projects. I cut a few using the Countryside Die and then added them to the tags instead of a gingerbread/shortbread shape. This tag also got a swag of greenery that was created using the Ornamental Tag Die.

I used the same die for the bows on the other tags.

I used a hole punch for the top and then threaded red/white baker's twine through the holes.

I always keep bakery boxes on hand to deliver homemade treats; I added the ginger cookies, tied a bow and added the tag. Funny story: I was taking dinner to a friend in the neighborhood the same day I baked the cookies and she almost got this exact presentation! ha ha! I decided to just leave the cookies in the box and omit the ribbon and tag, BUT this is something that would definitely be delivered to neighbors at Christmastime!

This finishes today's post, but please join me again tomorrow for day 2 of full reveals! I have some fun projects to share with you! Don't forget to leave a comment here, and on each of the designers' blogs, for a chance to win one of two $50 gift certificates to the shop! Thanks for fluttering by!

Dana Kirby

Dawn McVey

Kelly Lunceford {you are here}

Laura Bassen

Laurie Willison

Lea Lawson

Melissa Phillips

Wanda Guess

 

Papertrey Ink Project Inspiration {Happy Holidays}

Hello friends, and welcome! I'm back again with another Project Inspiration feature for Papertrey Ink. I paired some older favorites with new products from the latest release!  I have a really bad habit of leaving the sentiments on my projects as an afterthought. Often times I will reach for a sentiment and realize it doesn’t make any sense with the card I have just created! Ha ha! Has that ever happened to you? During the latest release, I really wanted to use this particular accent sentiment, but noticed how cute it would be with a card featuring a Christmas present! So, for today’s card, I let the sentiment take center stage and relate directly to the subject matter on the card! This was such a fun card to create, and my challenge to you is to carefully select a sentiment that will send your project in a specific direction and don’t leave it as an afterthought, like me (wink)!

Here is a step-by-step visual of all of the  steps in one place. There are more steps than usual, but not anything will take a long time to create or do, just some fun extra details!

Step 1: cut an A2 panel of Pure Poppy card stock and hot foil it using champagne foil. Attach it to an A2 card base. I used the  beautiful new Merry Motifs Hot Foil Plate.

Step 2: Cut the focal layer using the largest die included in the Love to Layer: Garnished Edges Die from Rustic White cardstock.

Step 3: cut all of the pieces you will need for the  Present and bow assemble it using liquid glue and foam squares. Add some shading to the edges with the same color ink as card stock. Attach it to the card using additional foam squares.

Step 4: cut the tag from Rustic Cream card stock and loop some metallic thread through the hole and knot it. Adhere it to the gift around the bow and secure with a foam square.

Step 5: cut and color foliage and berries using the Tag Creations: Modern Gift Die and attach it around the present.

Step 6: Die cut and stamp the larger sentiment. Heat emboss the accent sentiment and attach to the gift. Both sentiments are from the new This is Big Sentiments: Happy Holidays. 

Step 7: add adhesive pearls in the corners on the foiled design

Step 8: add glitter to the foliage and berries

I forgot to add some Scarlet Jewel ink around the edges of the background panel before I did the foiling, so I did it after. I don't like doing it that way though because I got red ink on the foiling and then had to wipe it away. So, if you want to recreate this card, do the ink around the corners before the foiling!

If you don't want such a large sentiment, you could always try just adding something smaller and then maybe an accent on the tag.

I love how beautifully this particular plate foils, but if you get any over-foiling, simply remove it with a sand eraser.

This could easily be changed into a birthday card; just swap sentiments, colors, and foliage!

This was such a fun card to create! Thanks for fluttering by!

 

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!