Friday, February 27, 2015

keeping organized and accountable...

Well, have you recovered from the February release yet? I've been so inspired by all of the new products this past month and projects by the team. And I'm ready to see what's next! Are you?
I've finally started writing in my new Moments Inked planner after three weeks. I think I feared it because I wasn't sure what I'd use it for. Laundry? Dishes? My life is pretty boring outside the occasional school play and dentist appointment, ya know? But I decided it would hold me accountable for exercising and meal planning (or just being more aware of what I eat, as I can keep track). So far, so good! Did over 9 miles the past 3 days on the treadmill and am eating healthier, and now I can be proud to write in those accomplishments! It's holding me accountable, which I love! If you want to read more about the planner, visit this link: Moments Inked Planner.
I've also been working on photographing my cards for the Craftsy class, so if you are taking the class be sure to check into the Class Project section to see them in closer detail. And please, please upload your cards as well! I want to see them! If you haven't purchased the class and still want to, you can still get 1/2 off by clicking here: Cards With Dimension: Lovely Layers, Textures and Embellishments.

This is one of the cards I made as an extra sample to share at the end of the "Machine Stitching chapter". There are 7 lessons with about 3 chapters in each lesson. I make one card in each chapter (= about 21 new cards you'll see me create on camera) and then at the end of each chapter, I share at least 3 MORE card ideas using those skills in that particular chapter (= over 75 cards shown in my class)!

On this card, I've used a Pink Paislee - Color Wash paper in the background, Beautiful Butterflies dies by Papertrey Ink and a sentiment from Feather Finery.

Winter has finally hit Colorado, and we've been getting snowfall after snowfall this month! I'm so ready for spring and colorful flowers, bright green grass and spending time outdoors again. How about you?

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Cards for a friend...

The past couple days I've been making cards just for fun...and have been having so much fun. :) Here are a few that I've made for a friend of mine back home!


The white "Hello" card was dry embossed with a Maggie Holmes embossing folder, then I added a Swoosh die cut and some die cuts made with the Quilted: Spring stamps and dies.

You might be wondering how I made the teal striped card? I'll show you how:

Step 1. Die cut two pieces of Tropical Teal cardstock from the Cover Plate: Stripes Diagonal.

Step 2. Trim the top 3 stripes out of one of the pieces. Remove them. (Keep the entire outer frame, just trim out the top 3 stripes.) Layer the second die cut underneath horizontally and trim the excess.
Step 3. Adhere the two pieces together. Add Bitty Dot patterned paper behind.
Really fun way to get a different look with the cover plates! I think it would be pretty in black and white also.

One of the other cards I made was a replicate of one done by Nichole Heady that you can see HERE. I couldn't wait to try this Hugs card! Isn't it stunning? I love all of Nichole's ideas and had to make a couple of these for my card stash!
For ink colors, I ended up using Pure Poppy, Raspberry Fizz, Hibiscus Burst, Lavender Moon and Sweet Blush inks by Papertrey Ink with the Big Hugs stamp set. 
It's about time I've used my Pinterest boards and actually make some things I have pinned. :) Can't wait to put a bundle of these together for her! 

Sunday, February 15, 2015

Release Day: February...

Today is release day when all of the new products for the month will be available (10pm EST) at Papertrey Ink. I have a few more new sets to show you. What fun it's been with the 8th Anniversary festivities, hasn't it?

First up is the new Etched Easter Eggs, and I made some little gift tags for Easter with the stamps and dies.

The tags are cut with the new Enclosed: Basic Folded Tag, then I stamped the vines with Lovely Laurels. I tucked some Etched Easter Eggs dies into the stamped leaf sprigs.



Sequins are from the Lovely Laurels mini kit. Love these! Pink twine finishes off the tags. The eggs are actually backed with acetate cut with the Egg die, so they kind of shine and resemble stained glass, even though it's hard to see in the photos.


Easter Tag Set:
(All supplies by Papertrey Ink unless otherwise noted.)
STAMPS: Etched Easter Eggs, Lovely Laurels
INK: Aqua Mist, Spring Moss, New Leaf, True Black
PAPER: White
DIES: Etched Easter Eggs dies, Egg Die, Enclosed: Basic Folded Tag die
OTHER: Twine, sequins from Lovely Laurels mini kit.
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Next up, an Easter card with Easter Alleluias!

Love the big fonts in Easter Alleluias! I used Lovely Laurels again in the background and just inked up half of it at a time, so I could stamp the leaf sprigs going "out" instead of in towards each other, then tucked a "He is risen" sentiment inside. Added some stamped flowers and sequins from Lovely Laurels. Then I wanted a paper to add to the top that had all the colors in it that I used on my card to tie them all together, so I decided to make my own with Background Basics: Super Stripes.

Alleluia! card:
(All supplies by Papertrey Ink unless otherwise noted.)
STAMPS: Easter Alleluias, Lovely Laurels, Background Basics: Super Stripes
INK: Aqua Mist, Tropical Teal, True Black, Raspberry Fizz, Summer Sunrise, Harvest Gold
PAPER: White
DIES: Lovely Laurels
OTHER: sequins - Lovely Laurels mini kit.
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Here are Blue Skies stamps and dies.

The rays are cut with Cover Plate: Blue Skies Rays die and stamped with the stamp set with Summer Sunrise ink.  Then I die cut and stamped the cupcakes. A fun little birthday card!

Sunny With a Chance of Sprinkles card:
(All supplies by Papertrey Ink unless otherwise noted.)
STAMPS: Blue Skies
INK: Summer Sunrise, Raspberry Fizz, Aqua Mist, Tropical Teal, Pure Poppy
PAPER: Raspberry Fizz Pattern Pack, Harvest Gold and White cardstock
DIES: Blue Skies, Cover Plate: Blue Skies Rays
OTHER: pearl by Melissa Frances, corner rounder, Martha Stewart scalloped circle punch.
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Here is Monthly Moments: Year Round Mini stamp set (February stamp). I also used the Birthday Classics: September set to add "happy" and "birthday".

The flowers are cut and stamped with Bitty Bouquets. Paper is from the new Luxe Silver Foil papers. I really like the purples and silver together!


 Happy February Birthday card:
(All supplies by Papertrey Ink unless otherwise noted.)
STAMPS: Monthly Moments: Year Round Mini, Bitty Bouquets, Birthday Classics: September
INK: Plum Pudding, New Leaf, Lavender Moon
PAPER: Lavender Moon cardstock, Luxe Silver Foil papers
DIES: Bitty Bouquets, 2" circle punch - Fiskars
OTHER: pearls by Melissa Frances.
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This is Keep It Simple: Mother stamp set that I stamped and embossed onto Sheer Basics Vellum. 


These pretty papers are the new Luxe Gold Foil papers (A2size), all I did was add a few things in the center, a 2" punched circle from Sweet Blush cardstock, a vellum circle cut with Limitless Layers 2 1/2" Circle die, a Swoosh die cut from Luxe Gold Cardstock and a flower cut with Bitty Bouquets.

With Love on Mother's Day card:
(All supplies by Papertrey Ink unless otherwise noted.)
STAMPS: Keep It Simple: Mother, Bitty Bouquets
INK: Pure Poppy, Spring Moss
PAPER: Sweet Blush, Sheer Basics Vellum, Luxe Gold Cardstock, Luxe Gold Foil papers (background)
DIES: Bitty Bouquets, 2" circle punch, Limitless Layers 2 1/2" Circle, Swoosh
OTHER: pearl by Melissa Frances, white embossing powder.
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Here is one more with Quilted: Spring stamps and dies. 
Isn't it pretty? A quilt lovers dream and a great set for getting to add lots of different colors. 


 Love Is the Tie Quilted card:
(All supplies by Papertrey Ink unless otherwise noted.)
STAMPS: Monthly Moments: Year Round Mini
INK: Lavender Moon, Scarlet Jewel, Pure Poppy, Spring Moss, Sweet Blush, True Black
PAPER: white
DIES: Quilted: Spring dies
OTHER: twine, clear sequins - Pretty Pink Posh.
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Everything will be available on Feb. 15 at 10pm EST at Papertrey Ink. 
Want to see more ideas with the new products? Visit the PTI team:

Friday, February 13, 2015

Introducing Make It Market Mini Kit: Lovely Laurels...

Welcome back! Today we get to introduce a new concept by Papertrey Ink, Make It Market "mini kits" by Betsy Veldman! Visit Nichole Heady's blog to read more about these, but I'll show you 2 cards that I made with this mini kit of papers, stamps, dies and embellishments. One is on the simpler side and the second one is very similar, yet "stepped up" in its details!

On this first card, I simply stamped the leaves onto Linen Cardstock (new!). I inked up the leaf stamp with Spring Moss ink first, and then dabbed New Leaf ink around the edges before stamping.
Next, I stamped the berries and sentiment. Then the sequins and bird were added on top, and the panel is attached to one of the beautiful papers in the kit. Fairly simple, just some stamping and gluing!


Just For You card:
(All supplies by Papertrey Ink unless otherwise noted.)
STAMPS: Lovely Laurels
INK: Spring Moss, New Leaf, Pure Poppy, True Black
PAPER: Lovely Laurels mini kit, Linen Cardstock
DIES: Lovely Laurels
OTHER: sequins - Lovely Laurels mini kit.
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This card has been "stepped up" in a few ways. I have the exact same design here, but you might notice I added some dimension by using a die to cut and pop up the leaves. This is cut with the Lovely Laurels dies, and I really love how it only cuts part of it out, so you can bend up the leaves a bit...isn't that pretty?

I've added more detail in a few other ways as well. I cut the cardstock at an angle for a unique look. It's something unexpected rather than a straight panel like the first card. Then I used a small hole punch to make tiny holes on the sides of my card front to hold some twine from the kit. I wrapped the twine around twice and tied it in a knot, now we have shades of pink AND red on the card vs. the first card which had red only. Adds a little more depth.


Darker teal leaves were added to the wreath to add a bit more contrast to the design, and I think it really pulls the blue background paper out and adds a bit more color!

Just For You "stepped up" card:
(All supplies by Papertrey Ink unless otherwise noted.)
STAMPS: Lovely Laurels
INK: Spring Moss, New Leaf, Pure Poppy, True Black
PAPER: Lovely Laurels mini kit, Linen Cardstock
DIES: Lovely Laurels
OTHER: twine and sequins - Lovely Laurels mini kit.
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Just by adding a few extra details to your cards, it can really create a lot of interest and depth to the eye. Do you prefer the simpler one or the stepped up one? All of these new products will be available on Feb. 15 at 10pm EST at Papertrey Ink. To see more Lovely Laurels mini kit inspiration, visit the PTI team:

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Introducing Luxe Metallics...

We're getting further into the countdown of the Papertrey Ink anniversary festivities! Today is day 7, and we have 4 days left. What are you loving so far?

Today we're introducing some new metallic cardstocks, adhesive sheets and paper. What better with gold than stripes and dots? On this card, I've used the Luxe Gold Cardstock to cut out the Swoosh die. I layered it over an Uncorked Word Die cut from black cardstock.

True Black cardstock was used my base, then I cut three 1" strips of white cardstock and adhered them on starting with the center strip and working my way out to try to get them as even as possible. The frame is cut with the new Keep It Simple Frames dies.

And of course my envelope is stamped with Polka Dot Basics III. Want to play along in the challenge? Create a card with neutrals and metallics, then upload it to Nichole's blog and pop over to see more of the Luxe cardstocks! Eight winners will win an $80 gift certificate!

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Elle's Studio: February...

Today is the Elle's Studio February release post, so I get to share all of the cards I made this time with the Feb. kit, Feb. wood veneer: "Key To My Heart" and the Always + Forever limited edition stamp set...
Inspired by the adorable and colorful heart die cut strip, I painted my card background with watercolors on the "Heartfelt Thanks" card to kind of match the colors in the die cut. I think it really softens the sharp corners of the die cut and adds an artsy, soft feel. The "heartfelt thanks" is from the Mat Stack 3 Collection stamps by Papertrey Ink. I thought it went perfectly with the hearts!

"Hold Tight to This Moment" card: Here I've used one of my favorite cards from the Feb. kit and added a popped up die cut over the top, a wood veneer from the "Key To My Heart" set, then I used the stamps to create a vellum stamped/embossed banner to go with it.
Really felt like the colors were so great on this card that I didn't want much over the top to cover it up! Just simple and colorful.

Next, I liked the "I'm here for you" die cut from the kit, so I found a paper from the Sycamore Lane line by Elle's and trimmed it down for my background. I also punched some butterflies from the papers to add over the top.

Love all of the color on this one! Yet the touch of black is much needed. Adds a little bit of contrast.

Next the Always card...I used one of the die cuts over a background cut out with Cover Plate: Hearts by Papertrey Ink. I wanted to add it over white cardstock, so that it didn't take away from the colorful hearts on top.
The Always + Forever stamps were added last for a sentiment, and I punched two tiny holes at the top to slide in a pin.

Last are more die cuts from the Feb. kit. The dots were dry embossed in the background with a Swiss Dots embossing folder by Cuttlebug, and a die cut "thanks" was made with the new Swoosh die by Papertrey Ink coming out this month on the 15th.


Check out the new Design Team Gallery! Here are some links for you to shop the new Elle's products you see here! Also, starting today take 20% off all stamps, plus 14 items are on sale now! Sale ends February 15th at midnight EST.

Introducing Petite Places...

If you really enjoyed the little house die from Papertrey Ink's Tinsel & Tags kit at Christmas, you'll be over the moon about the new series by Betsy Veldman called Petite Places. This month, we have a cute little 3D church coming out, so I created a little Spring scene with the Petite Places: Church stamps and die and the Petite Places: Pop Up Trees dies.

The backer to hold the bauble was cut with a new die called Scene It: Basic Backer die with Simply Chartreuse Pattern Pack paper, then the trees were die cut from the backer and folded up. The little church was stamped and sugar coated on top a bit for sparkle! I used Terra Textures Spring Green Natural Flakes on the inside for "grass" and the Clear Tag Domes for the topper. The dome is adhered to the backer with Glossy Accents, works great.



This is the Day gift topper:
(All supplies by Papertrey Ink unless otherwise noted.)
STAMPS: Petite Places: Church
INK: True Black; Soft Granite by Hero Arts
PAPER: Simply Chartreuse Pattern Pack
DIES: Petite Places: Church, Petite Places: Pop Up Trees, Scene It: Basic Backer
OTHER: Terra Textures Spring Green Natural Flakes, twine, flower sequins, Clear Tag Domes.
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Next, I used a Petite Places: Church sentiment with the Bitty Bouquets, the Scene It: Basic Backer die and Scene It: Skyscapes dies.




I'm so excited about this one, because there's a little secret you can't see here! I actually used Summer Sunrise Patterned Paper (a bright orange-yellow) under the new Sheer Basics Vellum, and look what color it turned after adding the vellum! A pretty soft coral. I absolutely love it. 
Now I can't wait to experiment with other color combinations with this vellum and layering it over the top! Who would have thought the color would change like that!

Congratulations on Your Wedding Day card:
(All supplies by Papertrey Ink unless otherwise noted.)
STAMPS: Petite Places: Church, Bitty Bouquets
INK: Dark Chocolate, Summer sunrise, Melon Berry
PAPER: Fine Linen/White/Melon Berry cardstock, Summer Sunrise Pattern Pack (behind vellum), Sheer Basics Vellum
DIES: Scene It: Basic Backer, Scene It: Skyscapes, Double Ended Banners die
OTHER: rustic twine, clear sequins by Pretty Pink Posh.
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And one more just for fun with the Bitty Bouquets! I'm hopelessly addicted to these already. I used a similar color palette as above, but I added Scarlet Jewel and Classic Kraft ink colors to the mix also. I found this image, and it absolutely inspired me with the colors AND the design! I had to try it.
There is some die cutting and some flowers just stamped right on the card front. I love the dimension with the Double Ended Banner die that I just scored and folded on the ends.


Thanks card:
(All supplies by Papertrey Ink unless otherwise noted.)
STAMPS: Bitty Bouquets, Mini Blooms (kraft leaves)
INK: Dark Chocolate, Summer Sunrise, Melon Berry, Scarlet Jewel, Classic Kraft
PAPER: Fine Linen/White/Melon Berry cardstock
DIES: Bitty Bouquets, Double Ended Banners die
OTHER: clear sequins by Pretty Pink Posh.
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Everything new you see here today will be available at Papertrey Ink on Feb. 15 at 10pm EST. Thanks for stopping by! The PTI girls have more to show you, and you won't want to miss their projects: