SAF 2015: Runway Inspired Challenge...

For the Runway Challenge, the designers each selected a runway outfit to use as inspiration. I chose this one:

Inspired by the aqua background with the peach, red, navy and kraft colors, I made this card...

The Brushed Blooms stamps and dies were used and the Branching Out die. I layered them together and popped up the blooms with some dimensional adhesive.

So Grateful For You card: 
STAMPS: Brushed Blooms, Lovely Layers
INK: Pure Poppy, Melon Berry, Classic Kraft, Enchanted Evening, Dark Chocolate
PAPER: Aqua Mist, white, Enchanted Evening Pattern Pack
DIES: Brushed Blooms, Lovely Layers
OTHER: sequins.
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Visit Nichole's blog to play along in this Runway Inspired Challenge for your chance to win, and you MUST see all of the gorgeous cards made by the team! Truly inspirational! Now it's your turn, can't wait to see what you'll make!

SAF 2015: Threads Challenge...

Welcome to another challenge for the Stamp-a-Faire event today, this one is the Threads Challenge! I was assigned to work on a few projects using twine, so I came up with a "Ten Trendy Twine Techniques" video!

If you know me, you'll know I have a love for twine and seem to add it to almost every project! It gives that little touch of softness, color and dimension to a card that I just adore. In my video, you'll see ten twine techniques that I use quite often on my greeting cards...as well as some brand new twine techniques as well. Twine is inexpensive and so easy to add to your projects in so many different ways! CLICK HERE to watch the twine video, then create a project for your chance to win!

Official Customer Challenge:

Choose one of the ten twine techniques shown in this video and use it on a card, tag or project.

1. Wrap twine around a card where two patterns meet to create a border.

2. Add a piece of twine to a section of a card with staples.

3. Wrap twine around an embellishment before attaching to a card.

4. Create a twine nest or branches with jute twine.

5. Use twine as balloon strings.

6. Stitch with twine.

7. Bundle twine behind a focal point.

8. Tie twine onto a tag.

9. Create faux crocheted flowers with twine.

10. Create luggage tag tied buttons with twine.

Twine Techniques video supplies: 
STAMPS: Button Up, Cutting Garden, Background Basics: Herringbone
INK: True Black
PAPER: Spring Moss, white
DIES: Circle punch,Vintage Linens die, Button Up dies, 
Cover Plate: Stitched die, Tremendous Tags dies
OTHER: Twine (Colored twine, Rustic Cream Twine, Rustic Jute twine)

SAF 2015: Patterns Challenge...

Welcome to the Patterns Challenge! Each of the Papertrey Ink designers have contributed a basic card design based on a card that we created in the past. Then we'll show you two more cards based on that pattern! Here is mine. The sketch is based on the first card in THIS blog post.

My first card is made with the Nostalgic Notions kit.

The pre-printed patterned papers were used from the kit. The pretty yellow scallop mimics the one in the pattern, then the flowers were stamped with the Nostalgic Notions stamps. I made a little bouquet and added twine for the stems.

The sentiment fit better in the lower corner on this particular card instead of the upper corner like in the sketch!

Hoping Your Day is Lovely card: 
STAMPS: Nostalgic Notions
INK: True Black, Pure Poppy, Sweet Blush, Aqua Mist, Tropical Teal
PAPER: Nostalgic Notions
DIES: Nostalgic Notions
OTHER:  twine, sequins.
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My second card is vertical instead of horizontal.

Again, I used the Nostalgic Notions kit papers, stamps, dies and notions. I cut the blue paper with the scallop die in the kit, added one of the paper doilies from the kit, die cut a heart and instead of creating a bouquet, I used it in the place of the bouquet in the sketch. The fabric trim, button and sentiment stamp were all in the kit as well.

Thank You Kindly card: 
STAMPS: Nostalgic Notions
INK: True Black, Aqua Mist, Tropical Teal, Pure Poppy, Sweet Blush
PAPER: Nostalgic Notions
DIES: Nostalgic Notions
OTHER:  twine, button and doily from kit.
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Visit Nichole Heady's blog to check out what the other designers have done with the patterns challenge and be sure to play along for your chance to win!

SAF 2015: Bridal Challenge...

Welcome to the Stamp-a-Faire event by Papertrey Ink! Our first challenge for you today is to make an all white wedding card. Be sure to link your project at Nichole's blog for your chance to win!

This background was die cut with the Cover Plate: Peony die. I went over the lines very loosely with Glossy Accents and then added some fine glitter. The sentiment is stamped with The Best is Yet To Be.

Love card: 
STAMPS: The Best is Yet To Be
INK: True Black
PAPER: white
DIES: Cover Plate: Peony
OTHER: fine glitter. 
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Visit Nichole Heady's blog to check out what the other designers have done with the all white bridal challenge and submit an all white card for your chance to win!

SAF Free Exclusive stamp set!

Papertrey Ink has a fun online Stamp-a-Faire event coming up this weekend, and the best part is that it's FREE! Anyone can attend, create cards or projects for the challenges, watch the videos we have prepared for you, and chat with us in the forum!

Here is a card made with a new stamp set called Fashion Sense by Papertrey Ink. Fashion Sense will ONLY be available on Stamp-a-faire day to all customers who make a qualifying $100 purchase. All orders made between 7am EST and 11:30pm EST on Stamp-a-faire Day (August 29, 2015) that total $100 (before shipping) will receive the set for FREE!

Kindness is Always Fashionable card:
STAMPS: SAF Exclusive stamp set
INK: Classic Kraft, True Black, Aqua Mist, Pure Poppy
PAPER: white, patterned paper by My Mind's Eye - Market Street
DIES: Sentiment Splits: Curve Vertical,  Tiny Tags
OTHER: washi tape -  Michaels, twine - The Twinery, triangle clip - unknown.
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Be sure to check out what the other designers have done with this cute stamp set!

Amy Sheffer
Ashley Cannon Newell
Betsy Veldman
Dawn McVey
Laurie Willison
Lizzie Jones
Maile Belles
Melissa Phillips
Nichole Heady

Creative Cardmaker: Using fabric swatches...

I have a new post up all about adding fabric swatches to your greeting cards over at the Scrapbook Expo Weekly Scrapper blog, hope you'll swing by and check it out...

I’m always on the lookout for something fun and different to use on my projects, so when I saw these little swatches, they stole my heart and were very inexpensive. I bought several different bundles of these 2.5″ x 2.5″ squares by Moda (Marmalade, Happy-Go-Lucky, and Aspen Frost). The designs were modern, cute, tactile and colorful… just what I love! I had to figure out a way to use them on my cards. 

I've used a white-on-white technique in the background to add some texture, but allow the fabric swatch and sentiment to be the focal point with the Cover Plate: Circles die and the words are cut from Wet Paint Cuts and Wet Paint Cuts III dies.

Stop by the Weekly Scrapper for the full tutorial!

Creative Cardmaker: Use up those scraps...

I've got another quick tutorial up today at the Scrapbook Expo blog, the Weekly Scrapper. Hope you'll swing over to see a fun way to use up your scraps!

I've used a Dear Lizzy 6x6" paper pad from her Lucky Charm line, along with twine and some stamped sentiments from the Mat Stack 3 Collection by Papertrey Ink.

Swing by to see the full tutorial. :) Then pull out all your favorite little scraps and put them to good use!

Release day...

It is release day for August and that means we get to show you more new products coming out tonight at 10pm EST at Papertrey Ink! First, I have the Keep it Simple: Home stamp set. I've also added some leaves and acorns with Quilted: Autumn.

Happy New Home card:
STAMPS: Keep It Simple: Home, Quilted: Autumn
INK: Simply Chartreuse, Harvest Gold, Pure Poppy, Dark Chocolate, Classic Kraft, Orange Zest

PAPER: Autumn Chicken Scratch Gingham, Autumn Abundance Patterned Paper

DIES: Quilted: Autumn

OTHER: pearl, twine, pin.

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Next, I used Pumpkin Patch stamps and dies and had to add a few leaves from Quilted: Autumn again. :)

Many Thanks card:
STAMPS: Quilted: Autumn, Pumpkin Patch
INK: Canyon Clay, Summer Sunrise, Orange Zest

PAPER: White, Classic Kraft, Autumn Chicken Scratch Gingham

DIES: Quilted: Autumn, Pumpkin Patch

OTHER: pearl, seam binding.

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I think this one is my favorite. I cut a big leaf from watercolor paper with the new Enclosed: Leaf dies, then used Papertrey Ink ink pads: Pure Poppy, Summer Sunrise and Harvest Gold. I dipped a paintbrush in the ink and some water and blended the colors on my leaf.

When the inks were dry, I added the stamped veins in Summer Sunrise and a die cut from the Enclosed: Leaf dies.

Grateful For You card:

STAMPS: Enclosed: Leaf
INK: Pure Poppy, Summer Sunrise, Harvest Gold

PAPER: watercolor paper, Vintage Linens Paper Pad, white, Dark Chocolate Pattern Pack

DIES: Enclosed: Leaf

OTHER: seam binding, pearl.

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Last is a beautiful new floral set called Fall Florals. I just love it! I used a Vintage Linens paper in the background.

Happiest Birthday To You card:
STAMPS: Fall Florals
INK: Tropical Teal, Aqua Mist, Summer Sunrise, Orange Zest, New Leaf

PAPER: Aqua Mist, white, Vintage Linens Paper Pad

DIES: Fall Florals

OTHER: pearl.

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Is there a product you can't wait to get? All of the new products you see here today will be available August 15th at 10pm EST at Papertrey Ink. Here are the other design team members' wonderful blogs...stop by and visit them to see more!

Amy Sheffer
Ashley Cannon Newell
Betsy Veldman
Dawn McVey
Erin Lincoln
Laurie Willison
Lizzie Jones
Maile Belles
Melissa Phillips
Nichole Heady

Hallow's Eve inspiration...

We've got so much to show you today with the Papertrey Ink countdown! It's all about Halloween today as we share some new products coming out on August 15th. First up is the Halloween Pin-Up kit by Betsy Veldman.

The little pin-up kit comes with a stamp set (used on the "Eat, Shriek and Be Scary" tag), dies that I used on the boots, tags, clothespin bodies and Frankenstein's head...also a bunch of treat bags, clothespins, twine and some really cute pre-printed patterned papers! The kit makes it easy to create cute treat bags in no time.

Treat Bags:

STAMPS: Halloween Pin-Ups stamps 
INK: True Black

PAPER: Halloween Pin-Ups kit, white

DIES: Halloween Pin-Ups kit dies

OTHER: Halloween Pin-ups kit, enamel dots, seam binding.

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Next a card with the new Shaker Shapes: Candy Corn dies.

Thought it would make a fun birthday card, so I added an October die with the Monthly Moments: Year Round 2 die and "happy birthday" from one of the Birthday Classics sets.

Happy October Birthday card:

STAMPS: Birthday Classics: August
INK: Terracotta Tile

PAPER: Terracotta Tile, Orange Zest, white, True Black Pattern Pack, 
Black & White All Over Paper Pad

DIES: Shaker Shapes: Candy Corn dies, Monthly Moments: Year Round 2 die

OTHER: twine.

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On this one, I used the new stamps called Haunted Headstones and Petite Places: Spook Manor, along with the Scene It: Hallows Eve dies.

I used a Luxe Foil paper in the background that has little silver dots. It's hard to see in the photos, but it's very subtle and pretty in real life. 

Happy Halloween Scene card:

STAMPS: Petite Places: Spook Manor, Haunted Headstones
INK: Lavender Moon, Plum Pudding

PAPER:  Silver Luxe Patterned Paper Foil collection, True Black, white

DIES: Scene It: Hallows Eve dies, Petite Places: Spook Manor

OTHER: twine.

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Next is the Cover Plate: Night Sky die that I trimmed from Scarlet Jewel cardstock and added it over the top of the Classic Kraft patterned paper.

Used the Haunted Headstones stamp set again for the bats and sentiment. 

Hello, Happy Halloween card:
STAMPS: Haunted Headstone
INK: True Black
PAPER: Scarlet Jewel, Luxe Gold Adhesive Sheets, Classic Kraft Pattern Pack
DIES: Cover Plate: Night Sky die, Swoosh die, Haunted Headstones dies
OTHER: Studio Calico gold chipboard star.
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All of these new products will be available August 15th at 10pm EST at Papertrey Ink. Thanks for stopping by! Visit the team to see more:

Ashley Cannon Newell
Betsy Veldman
Dawn McVey
Erin Lincoln
Laurie Willison
Lizzie Jones
Maile Belles
Melissa Phillips
Nichole Heady

Introducing Choose Joy + Twig Wreath...

Today we are previewing more new beautiful fall products coming out on August 15th at Papertrey Ink! My cards today are made with two new stamp sets, Choose Joy and Twig Wreath.

I've used the Twig Wreath die in white over the kraft paper that I stamped on with Choose Joy. I added some very fine glitter to the twig wreath, although it's hard to see in the photos. An Autumn Chicken Scratch Gingham Paper in navy brings out the orange flowers.

In Your Heart card:

STAMPS: Choose Joy, Twig Wreath
INK: Canyon Clay, Dark Chocolate, Classic Kraft

PAPER: Classic Kraft, Autumn Chicken Scratch Gingham paper pad

DIES: Twig Wreath, corner rounder

OTHER: fine glitter, seam binding.
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Next up, I used a kraft tag that I had on hand and stamped part of the Twig Wreath onto the tag. The twig wreath is embossed with pink embossing powder, the sentiment from Choose Joy is embossed in white, and I added red embossed flowers over the top. 

Had a difficult time getting a good picture of this one, but it's really pretty in real life!

Joyful card:

STAMPS: Choose Joy, Twig Wreath
INK: Versarmark, Dark Chocolate, Classic Kraft

PAPER: Classic Kraft, white, Autumn Chicken Scratch Gingham

DIES: none

OTHER: pearls, Zing embossing powders.

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All of these new products will be available August 15th at 10pm EST at Papertrey Ink. Thanks for stopping by, visit the rest of the team to see more twiggy and joyful inspiration:

Ashley Cannon Newell
Betsy Veldman
Dawn McVey
Erin Lincoln
Laurie Willison
Lizzie Jones
Maile Belles
Melissa Phillips
Nichole Heady

MFT Card Challenges: Sketch #241...

Welcome back to another sketch by My Favorite Things. Each Wednesday in August, I'll be posting a card made with that sketch. Here is #241:

I've decided to go spooky with my card today instead of the stars and cook up a little Halloween card with a few My Favorite Things products!

I've used a really fun background called the Die-namics Four Way Chevron Cover Up, then also the Frightfully Fun Halloween stamps and the matching dies: Die-namics Frightfully Fun Halloween. Hope over to the MFT Card Challenges blog to see what the fabulous team did with the sketch as well!

Autumn style...

Is it really August already? Wow, how the summer flew by! My kids started school this week, and I just can't believe our summer break is over. At least we have fall to look forward to! Speaking of fall, we have some beautiful autumn products coming soon at Papertrey Ink! Let me show you a few of them...

First up, I used the new Brushed Off stamp set to create a colorful border on the card below and added a piece of the new Autumn Chicken Scratch Gingham paper to the top.

A new leafy die called Branching Out was cut in Classic Kraft cardstock and a sentiment from the Tucked In: New Home stamp set was added to the bottom. Any type of sentiment could be used with this card though.

Sending Heartfelt Congratulations card:

STAMPS: Brushed Off, Tucked In: New Home
INK: Summer Sunrise, Canyon Clay, Classic Kraft, Dark Chocolate, Pure Poppy

PAPER: Autumn Chicken Scratch Gingham, Classic Kraft, white

DIES: Branching Out die

OTHER: Pure Poppy button, floss.

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Next another quick card made with Brushed Off, which I stamped in blues, oranges and greens in the background.

Don't you just love these leaves? I cut them out with a new die collection called Leaf Silhouette dies. A Canyon Clay button and a sentiment from the new Scribbled Sentiments stamps finishes it off! So easy!

For You card:
STAMPS: Brushed Off
INK: Aqua Mist, Simply Chartreuse, Harvest Gold, Orange Zest, Canyon Clay

PAPER: Aqua Mist, white

DIES: Leaf Silhouette Dies

OTHER: Canyon Clay button, floss.

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Is there a product you can't wait to get? All of the new products you see here today will be available for purchase August 15th at 10pm EST at Papertrey Ink. Thanks for stopping by, see you back here tomorrow for more previews! Visit the Papertrey Ink team to see more ideas:

Ashley Cannon Newell
Betsy Veldman
Dawn McVey
Erin Lincoln
Laurie Willison
Lizzie Jones
Maile Belles
Melissa Phillips
Nichole Heady