Papertrey Ink September Release Countdown Day 1

Hello friends and welcome to day 1 of the Papertrey Ink September release countdown! Today I'll be sharing my first Christmas cards of the year! I know a lot of you started with Christmas in July, but not me, so here we are! ha ha! I'm really excited about this month's release and I hope you are, too! 

I'm always a sucker for anything 'Twas the Night Before Christmas related, so this new suite of products is just right up my alley! This card features the new Merry Motifs Hot Foil Plate. I cut an A2 panel of Pure Poppy cardstock and then added some Scarlet Jewel ink around the edges. Once that was done, I did the hot foiling using champagne foil; I just love how it turned out! This is definitely going to be a go-to plate, and not just for Christmas; I can already see a spooky Halloween card made with it!

I rounded the corners on the right hand side using a corner rounder punch. I also die cut the largest layer included in the Love to Layer: Garnished Edges Die from Pure Poppy ink and added Scarlet Jewel ink around the edges. I layered it in the middle of the background using foam squares.

Speaking of rounded corners; I'm sure you all notice that I like to do that on quite of few of my cards......WELL.....this release includes three sets of nesting dies with rounded corners! I'm so excited and you can see the new Rounded Rectangles: Pierced Die that I used as the anchor for the sentiment. I die cut it once from Ocean Tides cardstock and then again from Sweet Blush, but only part of it. I wanted to create the illusion of a small book, so the blush is the spine. I used one of the images from the Merry Motifs Stamp Set using Pale Peony ink.

The sentiment, which is also from the Merry Motifs Stamp Set, is heat embossed in gold onto Ocean Tides cardstock and then cut using the coordinating Merry Motifs Die. I also heat embossed some of the other little detail images included in the 'Twas the Night Before Christmas Stamp Set to accent above and below the sentiment.

I die cut some holly and berries from white cardstock using the Into the Blooms: Holly Die. I colored the berries using Pure Poppy and Scarlet Jewel ink. the little oval accents were colored  using the brush tip of a brown marker and then adhered with liquid glue. I added some highlights with a white gel pen. I used the Banner Builder: Basics Die and some small scraps of Fairy Tale Christmas Paper Collection to add to the top and bottom of the sentiment panel.

I added some gems to the flourish images and in each corner on the foiling. A few sequins and glitter finish off the card!

I'm continuing with the Night Before Christmas theme with this next card as well! This card features the new Storybook Scroll Die and the new 'Twas the Night Before Christmas Stamp and Die. I pulled in some older favorites to bring this card to life!

To begin, I die cut the Storybook Scroll from Rustic Cream cardstock and then added some antique linen and vintage photo distress oxide ink around the edges using finger sponge daubers. I added the detail portions using foam squares to add dimension. I also added some vintage photo ink splatter as well.

The sentiment is stamped in black on Rustic White cardstock and then cut using the coordinating die. I added some antique linen ink around the edges to help it blend with the scroll. I also cut some of the detail pieces to add above the sentiment and below the house and they are stamped with Simply Chartreuse and Ripe Avocado inks.

I wanted to bring the "all through the house" portion of the story into the card design so I cut a house included in the Bring Home the Holidays Die from Pure Poppy cardstock. I also cut a little heart that is included in the Larger Than Life: Home Die using Spring Moss cardstock. I gave it a quick coat of Glossy Accents for some additional detail and shine.

The snowflakes are also from the Bring Home the Holidays Die (linked above) and the berries and foliage are from the Tag Creations: Modern Gift Die. I colored them with Simply Chartreuse and Ripe Avocado Ink and Pure Poppy and Scarlet Jewel for the berries. I added some white gel pen and brown marker for added detail.

I cut an A2 panel of Blueberry Sky cardstock and then foiled it using the Merry Motifs Hot Foil Plate and champagne foil. I trimmed it down slightly and layered it onto an A2 panel of Enchanted Evening cardstock. The entire background is glued to a top-folding A2 card base using liquid glue. I added some glitter to the berries, foliage, and snowflakes making sure not to get any on the Glossy Accents on the heart! 

This would be such a cute sentiment to use with stocking stamps/dies or with a cute vintage Santa image!

My third project using the "Twas the Night Before Christmas" theme is a book gift card holder using the previously released Go-To Gift Card Holder: Book Die. This set was created to coordinate with this collection of dies and I just love how this project turned out! 

I seem to have a hard time photographing 3-D projects so I thought this collage photo might be nice so you can see everything all at once and hopefully it will make sense as I describe the process.

This project features the Merry Motifs stamp set which I used for the cover of the book along with some other previously released dies. To begin, I die cut the cover and the spine using the Go-To Gift Card Holder: Book Die from Pinefeather and Pure Poppy cardstock I heat embossed the sentiment and the pretty corner details in gold and then used the coordinating Merry Motifs Die to cut them out. I also cut the middle size included in the Love to Layer: Elegant Points Die from Pure Poppy cardstock and then added Scarlet Jewel ink around the edges.

I used the Go-To Gift Card Holder: Pockets Die to create some pockets to hold a small card and a gift card. I chose a packet of pattern paper to use from Echo Park: I Love Christmas to keep the project cohesive. I used two different prints for the two different pockets and for the polka dots for the inside.

I tucked a gift card inside, but you could just fill it with a small gift or treats rather than a gift card.

Of  course I had to continue with the theme and created a small card with the "Twas the Night Before Christmas" stamped on the cover with the greenery and berries included in the set.

On the spine, I added another one of the sentiments included in the Merry Motifs stamp set along with one of the other images stamped in pigment gold ink. 

I chose to use Antique Gold cardstock for the "pages" which were die cut using the Go-To Gift Card Holder: Book Box Die. Also, because of the book card on the inside of the cover, it wasn't closing properly, so I just simply cut a strip of Pinefeather cardstock and secured it under the book portion, scored it to the correct dimensions so it can slip right under the front details and it keeps it closed perfectly, but the recipient can access it and close it as many times as needed!

I gussied up the cover even more with some Holly leaves and berries.

You can see the closure strip a little bit better here and how it slips right under the Elegant Points die cut so easily.

As I mentioned earlier, this is the third of three projects using this set of products. My last project features the new Love to Layer: Trees Die.

My final project for today features the new Love to Layer: Christmas Tree Die and This is Big Sentiments: Happy Holidays Stamp/Die!

This card also features a new Cover Plate; this is one of those that will work for Christmas, but all winter long as well! It is called Cover Plate: Stitched Snowflakes and I used it on a panel of Tropical Teal cardstock measuring 4 by 5 1/4 inches. I added some Tropical Teal and Pinefeather ink around the edges.

The tree is cut from Pinefeather carddstock and then I added the white plaid pattern using the new Love to Layer: Christmas Tree Stencil Collection and a small blender brush for precision with Fresh Snow ink.

This particular Love to Layer: Christmas Tree Die comes with so many fun options to trim the tree AND it comes with a smaller tree as well so you can have options. I chose to keep it simple and just add the stencils and then have some fun with foliage and berries!

I used the poinsettias, foliage and berries included in the Tag Creations: Modern Gift Die (linked on project two).

The large Happy Holidays sentiment is cut using the This is Big Sentiments: Happy Holidays Die and then stamped with Tropical Teal and Pinefeather ink for an ombre look using the This is Big Sentiments: Happy Holidays Stamp Set. The companion sentiment is also from the set and is heat embossed in gold on a strip of Tropical Teal cardstock and then trimmed to size.

I die cut the star and the centers of the poinsettias from gold specialty cardstock for that holiday shine! I layered the entire background onto a top-folding A2 white card base using foam squares for dimension! This concludes the projects I've created for day 2, but join me again tomorrow for even more holiday inspiration! Thanks for fluttering by!

 

From Tiny Acorns

I'm so happy to be here today sharing three back-to-school cards/gift card holders using a potpourri of products! My crafty session started out because I wanted to make the cute backpack card, but then I just couldn't seem to stop!

To begin, I die cut all of the pieces three times using the Go To Gift Card Holder Backpack Accessories Die from white cardstock and then I did all of the stamping. I like having options and I figured I may as well make more than enough, especially while I have all of the images lined up in the MISTI. Because I had so many pieces, I was able to make the three cards for today with a few pieces leftover.

I did all of the stamping using the Go To Gift Card Holder Backpack Accessories Stamp Set. Once that was done, I got to work on the backpack itself. I used the Go To Gift Card Holder Backpack Die and cut the main backpack shape from Mint Julep cardstock, the front pocket from a prized scrap of Aqua Mist cardstock and the side pockets are cut from Vintage Cream as well as the loop at the top. The straps are also cut from Aqua Mist, but when it was all said and done, I should have just used Mint Julep.

I'm planning on sliding a gift card down in the slot on the backpack, so I did assemble this like you do for the gift card holder. If you're not planning on using it that way, you can just glue and stick to your heart's content! ha ha! I cut the zipper pulls from silver cardstock for added realism and attached them with foam squares.

I had fun arranging all of the elements in the pockets and at the top. 

Make sure to stamp the pattern on the front pocket if you're going to; I forgot and had to do it when it was already assembled and let's just say, there are some strategically placed school supplies to cover some problem areas! ha ha!

My favorite thing is the cute paint set; I added some Ranger Glossy Accents to each of the colors. I let it dry and then added an extra coat for maximum glossy-goodness! The background papers were pulled from the hoard of SU! pattern papers I’ve had for years! I'm so glad they got put to good use! I added a few LEAVES for that traditional back-to-school feeling.

As you can see, my second card takes us to a land lost in time! I simply ADORE the Teach and Inspire Stamp Set (retired sadly) and I don’t think anything will ever compare! This is hands-down my FAVORITE school-themed stamp set of all time! To begin, I did the stenciling on an A2 panel of white cardstock using the stencils that are included in the  Elegant Notes Stationery Kit. I know I have been using these quite a bit lately, but I'm just loving them. I'm sure it's just a phase, as I’m guessing you all can understand! ha ha!

I stamped the "Looking forward to a wonderful year" sentiment at the bottom of the panel using black ink. The vintage chalkboard was created by stamping the sentiment onto a piece of Stormy Sea cardstock using Versamark ink and then heat set with white detail embossing powder. I added a frame that is cut from Kraft cardstock to create the faux chalkboard. I added it to the center of the stenciled panel at a jaunty angle using foam squares.

From there, I had fun adding all of the stamped elements here and there until I was satisfied with the arrangement. As you can see, the paint pan got the same glossy treatment....insert heart eyes!

This card also got a few more leaves; I have been resisting autumn coming, but these leaves just felt too-perfect!

I added the entire panel to a top-folding A2 card base using liquid glue. Once that was done, I used a Post-It Note to cover up the sentiment at the bottom and the chalkboard sentiment and added some black ink splatter; just a light splatter for added detail and interest.

Continuing with the theme is the last card for today. This sentiment is probably my favorite in the set and was the inspiration for the entire card. I didn't want to use the tree image included in the set, but I remembered I have quite a few different acorn dies in my collection and I got to  work!

To begin, I used the Just Notes Die and cut the torn notebook paper piece from Vintage Cream cardstock. I stamped the sentiment using Vintage Photo distress ink. I added some Antique Linen distress oxide ink and a touch of vintage photo ink as well. The paper clip is also from the same die set and I cut it from silver cardstock.

I created another vintage chalkboard, but added some white paint splatter to the Stormy Sea cardstock before I added the frame. My daughter is just the cutest; she said, you should have used black cardstock to make it look like a chalkboard. I kindly explained to her that it WAS supposed to be a chalkboard, just one from the olden days! She said, "I've never seen a chalkboard like that except for at our old church building." I replied with, you mean the one that was built forever ago? LOL! So, hopefully those of you who are of my same vintage will know it is SUPPOSED to be a chalkboard! ha ha!

All of the foliage and acorns are from the Curio: Autumn Findings Die and are cut from white cardstock and then colored with blender brushes and dye ink.

The cute little bee is leftover from another project and then I just had fun adding in the stamped images. I was sure glad I made so many of each thing so I could pick and choose!

I had so much fun working on all three of these cards! I still have quite a few back-t0-school ideas I want to try, but I'm not sure if I'll have time! fingers crossed.....thanks for fluttering by!

 

Wicked Witches Brew

I'm back again with this week's Papertrey Ink Flash Sale! I actually made this project a few week's ago, but some of the products weren't in-stock, so I'm happy to be sharing it today! The ensemble features a card and matching gift card holder just perfect for the upcoming Halloween season!

For the card, I used the Frightful Frames Die to cut the frame from white cardstock.. I cut it three times and then stacked them together using liquid glue. I used black soot disttress oxide inks leaving some portions white. I stamped the witches brew sentiment, which is from the Spooky Treat Labels stamp set onto a panel of black cardstock using silver metallic ink. I added the frame over the top using foam squares for maximum dimension.

I stamped it in white for the gift card holder, so you can see the difference in how it turned out. I used the coordinating Spooky Treat Labels Die to cut it out. I used the Brew To Go Die for the gift card holder. The sleeve hold the gift card; I would have included one, but I didn't have one on hand that matched! ha ha!

For the background on both the card and the gift card holder, I used the Cascading Dots Hot Foil Plate and silver foil on Simply Chartreuse cardstock to mimic the look of a bubbling brew! I added some ink around the edges for a spooky look.

I also added some white ink splatter and some photos corners cut from metallic silver cardstock.  The photo corner dies are from the retired Fairytale Christmas kit. I had fun working on this Halloween ensemble and I can't wait to start even more Halloween crafting. I inevitably wait until the last minute most years, but I'm crossing my fingers I will have time this month! Thanks for fluttering by!