Cards With Dimension: Embellishments...

Happy Tuesday, and thank you for stopping in today! When I first began to create cards, I was more of a scrapbooker and hadn’t really dabbled in stamping all that much. This meant that I started to see my scrapbooking products in a whole new light…on cards! My style was very layered, and I loved to use embellishments! Embellishments were my absolute favorite thing. They added that touch of detail to my cards, a slight bit of dimension and extra interest that I didn’t feel a flat card could offer as well as an embellished card. My style is still very layered, and I love to use embellishments, but I like my cards to be clean looking as well, with a bit of white space.

Embellishments I love to use include, but aren’t limited to, chipboard elements, tags, rub-ons, sequins, ribbons, brads, rainstones, enamel dots, twine, etc.

For today’s card, I found a Heidi Swapp Washi Tape booklet in my stash that I hadn’t used yet, a Crate Paper tag and rub-ons, some Heidi Swapp chipboard pieces, enamel dots, and twine. I chose some of my favorite washi tapes from the booklet and attached them to a piece of white cardstock, then trimmed it down and rounded the corners. I added a “love you” rub-on to the tag. I stamped “Friend” on the card in Stormy Seas ink by Papertrey Ink from the Bitty Bouquets stamp set and “just thinking of you” with the Mat Stack 2 Collection stamps. I used a little hole punch to punch little notches for the twine. This way the twine will stay put while wrapped around the front piece.

When mixing embellishments, here are some tips: look for colors that complement each other (mix at least three for more interest!) and use different sizes of items – something small, something medium, and something larger in scale. Here the washi tapes add pattern and scale. The tag is the large item, the patterns are medium, and the enamel dots and text are small. It gives the eye so much detail to see! The black twine adds contrast to the lighter colors, which also keeps it interesting. Different shapes are good as well; see how the roundness of the enamel dots give the card softness from all of the hard edges?

Balancing the colors around the card in a triangle will also help you achieve success with embellishments. I have the aqua color spread around the card with the dots and washi tape. And I also have a triangle of black by using twine, tape, and sentiments in black.

If you are interested in learning more about my style of card making, I have an online class that I recently filmed here in Denver with Craftsy.com called Cards With Dimension: Lovely Layers, Textures and Embellishments. I have seven video chapters on adding dimension to cards, and working with embellishments is just one of the chapters, with three lessons in each chapter! Since March is National Craft Month, they are hosting a fun promotion for the next two weeks. Everyone who is new to purchasing a Craftsy class right now will be entered to win a $1,000 to donate to your favorite crafty charity. If you’ve been thinking of trying an online card class, now is a great time to give it a try! AND…as a special blog reader, I get to offer you 50% off! Click the link above!

If you'd like to try one of the other paper craft classes at a discount, you can view them HERE. Have a crafty, creative day!

Danielle

Make It Market: Nostalgic Notions...

The next Make It Market Kit from Papertrey Ink will be available for sale on June 1st and is entitled "Nostalgic Notions".  Betsy has always had a way of making the style of the 1940's shine, and this new collection of products really demonstrates that.  From beautiful patterned papers to perfectly selected accents, you will see the 1940's come to life when you open this kit!  She makes it easy to put together coordinated projects that will only take minutes to make!  So prepare to step back into the past and create cards, tags and gifts that will stand the test of time!

NOSTALGIC NOTIONS KIT CONTENTS:

Nostalgic Notions stamp set (2 sheets)

Nostalgic Buttons mini stamp set + label

Nostalgic Notions die collection

Nostalgic Notions Accessories die collection

Nostalgic Notions paper collection, 36 A2 sheets

(12) Fold & Go Air Mail Envelope sheets

(2) Vintage Paper Lace Trim Strips, 3" x 39" each

Blue Floral Crochet Edged Bias Tape, 1 yard

Red Dot Crochet Edged Bias Tape, 1 yard

(3) Light Blue Resin Bows

Nostalgic Button Assortment, 15 buttons total

(1) Red Mulberry Flower bouquet, 5 flowers total

(1) Yellow Mulberry Flower bouquet, 5 flowers total

(2) Denim Mulberry Flower bouquets, 10 flowers total

(2) Light Blue Mulberry Flower bouquets, 10 flowers total

Notions storage box

The total retail cost of the "Nostalgic Notions" Kit is $100. There will be a limited number of these exclusive kits available, so be sure to get yours on Monday! The "Nostalgic Notions" Kit will be available for sale beginning on June 1st at 10pm EST, only at Papertrey Ink. Read all the details on Nichole's blog or contact Customer Service with any questions.

Here are some things I made. First, a card with the pretty papers.

The background is a paper from the kit. I stamped the sentiment and wrapped the little flowers up in a doily from the kit also.

The little heart is cut out with a die and paper from the kit. And take a peek at those envelopes! So easy, just cut them out and fold!

Next, a super simple card. I simply stamped the sentiment onto a kit paper.

Betsy has done all of the hard work for us with these amazing patterns!!

One more quick one, this is all stamping and die cutting. I used the scallop stamp for a border on white cardstock, then filled in with stamped flowers and dies cut from the papers.

Then a button from the kit finishes off the corner.

This kit is most definitely one of my favorites ever, one I will reaching for time and time again!

P.S. I want to express my thanks to those of you who reached out to me this past month. I really, really do appreciate your prayers and thoughtfulness. My family is going through some very hard times right now. To be honest, for several weeks I just couldn't look at a piece of paper or a stamp. I couldn't even walk into my scrap room. I've cried, I've gotten angry. I have gone through every single emotion a person can go through. A couple of days ago, I found the courage to walk back in and create again. I do miss it. It was my happy place. I hope to try and plow through my feelings of what is happening and get myself back on track. I'm really sorry I don't feel comfortable enough talking about it at this time, but I will eventually...thank you for hanging in there with me. xo

Danielle

Release day...

I have a few more cards to share with you using some new products coming out tonight, April 15th at 10pm EST at Papertrey Ink. First up, is the new Graceful Greetings stamp set!

On these, I stamped the sentiment in Versamark ink, then poured different colors of embossing powder on and heat embossed them to melt the powder. Then I stamped the flowers from Graceful Greetings. 
The papers are from last month's Chicken Scratch Gingham paper pad. These little cards make me so happy! I love all of the colors.

Graceful Greetings card:

(All supplies by Papertrey Ink unless otherwise noted.)

STAMPS: Graceful Greetings

INK: Aqua Mist, Pure Poppy, Summer Sunrise, Harvest Gold, New Leaf, Sweet Blush

PAPER: white cardstock, Chicken Scratch Gingham

DIES: none

OTHER: Zing! embossing powders, twine

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Next is Petite Places: School stamps and dies and Keep It Simple: Teacher stamps.

The background is from the Black & White All Over paper pad (dot). The scallop is cut with the Scene It: Doily Tag Base.

Thank You, Teacher card:

(All supplies by Papertrey Ink unless otherwise noted.)

STAMPS: Petite Places: School, Keep It Simple: Teacher

INK: Pure Poppy, True Black, Tropical Teal

PAPER: Chicken Scratch Gingham

DIES: Petite Places: School, Scene It: Doily Tag Base, Shaker Shapes: Pencil (loop)

OTHER: Copic Markers, button from Wee Folk mini kit, ribbon-craft supply.

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Next is Enclosed: Apple and Tucked In: Thank You.

Again I used the Black & White All Over paper pad and added some stamping to the background with Quilted: Spring stamp set. I had stamped this background previously and didn't end up using it, so I found it and pulled it out. I think it works nicely with the reds and greens of the apple! When you are feeling uninspired, try stamping a few backgrounds. Then maybe later on you'll be inspired to use them for something!

Thanks card:

(All supplies by Papertrey Ink unless otherwise noted.)

STAMPS: Enclosed: Apple, Tucked In: Thank You, Quilted: Spring

INK: New Leaf, Ripe Avocado, Pure Poppy, Pinefeather

PAPER: Pure Poppy Pattern Pack, Sweet Blush and Spring Moss cardstock, Black & White All Over Paper Pad

DIES: Enclosed: Apple

OTHER: sequins, twine.

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Last is Flower Favorites stamps and dies and Lunchbox Love stamps.

Again a Black & White All Over paper is used in the background (frame), then I watercolored a piece to adhere in the center. 

Cheer Up Buttercup card:

(All supplies by Papertrey Ink unless otherwise noted.)

STAMPS: Flower Favorites, Lunchbox Love

INK: Hibiscus Burst, Pure Poppy, New Leaf, Aqua Mist, Harvest Gold, Summer Sunrise, Smokey Shadow Pattern Pack

PAPER: Black & White All Over

DIES: Flower Favorites

OTHER: sequins, watercolors.

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All of the new things you see here will be available on April 15th at 10pm EST. Thanks for stopping by and please visit the other gals to see what they've made with the same products: 

Nichole Heady

Amy Sheffer

Ashley Cannon Newell
Betsy Veldman
Dawn McVey
Heather Nichols
Laura Bassen
Lauri Willison
Maile Belles
Melissa Phillips

Elle's Studio: April...

Do you love to work with die cuts? If so, you should check out the Elle's Studio kits sometime. They have a new kit for April available today, and the little pieces are so cute. I love to layer these on cards. Here on this card I used two of the die cuts from the April kit. One is the "hello triangle card", and the other is the "thinking of you" die cut.

Behind the Hello card, I used an Elle's Studio paper from their new Cienna line called Flowers. I also cut a few of the little flowers out to add to the front of my card as well.

Next I used the "Happy Note" die cut and the striped card from the April kit and layered them together. I put the striped die cut behind and just let a bit of it peek out from the top for color.

The sentiment on the front is from Elle's Studio - Shine Cutouts. And I added a Studio Calico flag, enamel dot and twine. The background paper is the Adorable paper from the Cienna line. Those little flags were actually from the kit I used in my Craftsy class. You can get them HERE.

These are the adorable cut files and printables for April.
I really need to get my Silhouette going again, so I can try these out!...

Elle's Studio also has grab bags available, too. This only happens twice a year so this is your chance to stock up and SAVE! There are three different types of bags to choose from: Scrapbook, Stamp, and Journaling Tags. These grab bags are available while supplies last, but they probably won't last long, so make sure you grab them now! 

Here are the links to shop the April deals at Elle's Studio: 

April kit, April printable, April cut file, Scrapbook grab bag, Stamp grab bag, Journaling tag grab bag. 

Stop by to see all of the design team's work this month in the gallery for more inspiration!

Iconic Images...

How would you like to win a stamp set today? Papertrey Ink is having several challenges and giveaways going on today over at Nicole Heady's blog!

Today we are featuring a new stamp set called Iconic Images, which you can see here, I have stamped the bird and sentiment from Iconic Images right over the Damask Designs paper by Papertrey Ink. The designs in this set feature some images that - in my opinion - will never go out of style! 

I used Hawaiian Shores ink and stamped right on the patterned paper. The resin and flowers are by Melissa Frances. The text paper you see here is actually the packaging from the Hometown Summer Punchouts by Pink Paislee. I thought the colors would work great!

This stamp set will also be available to everyone who places an order of $100 or more between 9 am EST July 23rd and 11:59 EST July 24th at www.papertreyink.com.

Iconic Images

Stamps: Iconic Images

Ink: Hawaiian Shores, True Black

Paper: Damask Designs by PTI, Hometown Summer (packaging) by Pink Paislee

Dies: none

Other: resin and pink flowers by Melissa Frances.

July Papertrey Ink assignments...

Just popping in to share some of my extra projects by Papertrey Ink this month! Such cute stamp sets this time, you can see everything that is new at the main Papertrey Ink site, www.papertreyink.com.

This card uses the new Sweet As Can Be stamp set and dies. I stamped the ice cream in different colors and added a Melissa Frances swirl at the top, with a piece of pom pom trim!

 Sweet As Can Be card

Stamps: Sweet As Can Be

Ink: Summer Sunrise

Paper: Hometown Summer by Pink Paislee

Dies: Sweet As Can Be dies

Other: Spring Mix buttons by PTI, Lemon Drops ink by JBS, Chewing Gum ink by JBS, Brown ink by Ranger Industries, die cut – Hometown Summer Punchouts by Pink Paislee.
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This one was made with the Friendship Jar Summer Fillers. The jars were stamped, then the pink dots inside the jar and lastly those cute straws! Happy is cut with the Wonderful Words die.

Happy Summer card:

Stamps: Friendship Jar Summer Fillers
Ink: Smokey Shadow, Raspberry Fizz, Pure Poppy, Summer Sunrise
Paper: Pink Paislee, cardstock by PTI
Dies: Wonderful Words die
Other: distress ink. 

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Next, I worked with some Pink Paislee Mistables papers - inked them with my stamp pads, then punched circles out of the paper. I was inspired by a gift bag I had at home with large polkadots on it.

Thanks for all you do is a stamp from the new Think Big Favorites.

Thanks For All You Do card:

Stamps: Think Big Favorites

Ink: Raspberry Fizz, Simply Chartruese, True Black

Paper: Hometown Summer by Pink Paislee, Mistables paper by Pink Paislee

Dies: 2" and 1" circle punch, scallop punch - Fiskars

Other: Lemon Drops ink by JBS, pop dots, PTI twine.
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This one was SO much fun to make.  I used the Spiral Notebook die with kraft paper, then combined 2 new stamp sets, the Congrats All Ways and Tag-its #6. Love how it turned out!

By adding some of the little stars to 3 places on the card, it draws your eye down to all of the elements of the card and creates flow.

Congrats, You Passed the Test card:

Stamps: Congrats All Ways, Tag-its #6

Ink: Pure Poppy, True Black

Paper: white and kraft cardstock

Dies: Spiral Notebook

Other: 2" circle punch.

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Another Congrats card! Here I've used the Background Basics: Vines, along with the Congrats All Ways again. I cut the Background Basics: Vines die in half and adhered it along the edge of the card.

 Congrats On Your Achievement card:

Stamps: Background Basics: Vines, Congrats All Ways
Ink: Lavender Moon, Raspberry Fizz, Summer Sunrise, Pure Poppy, True Black
Paper: white cardstock
Dies: Background Basics: Vines
Other: Chipboard is Crate Paper, button is PTI, twine is the Twinery.

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This one is called Peaceful Garden. I love the sentiments that come with it!

 May Peace Fill Your Soul card:

 Stamps: Peaceful Garden

Ink: Pure Poppy, Summer Sunrise, and yellow by Jenni Bowlin (Lemon Drops)
Paper: PTI cardstock
Dies: border punch by Fiskars
Other: Dark Chocolate Swiss Dot 5/8" ribbon by PTI.

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These Little Label stamps are adorable. I stamped them on different papers and arranged them in a group here. The gray color makes it feel serene and calm.

Thinking of You card:

Stamps: Little Labels

Ink: Smokey Shadow, Scarlet Jewel

Paper: Melissa Frances and Pink Paislee

Dies: Little Labels

Other: grey cardstock, PTI buttons.
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Here is a baby card made with the new Hanging Out stamps and dies! How cute are those little clothes? There are boy clothes and girl clothes in the set, along with different sentiments. I stamped onto the text paper, which is actually a holiday paper by Melissa Frances that came out last winter.

Welcome Little One card:
Stamps: Hanging Out
Ink: Chewing Gum by Jenni Bowlin, Summer Sunrise by PTI, Simply Chartruese by PTI,
brown is Ranger Industries, Smokey Shadow by PTI (sentiment).
Paper: Melissa Frances
Dies: Hanging Out
Other: Spring Mix buttons by PTI, seam binding, clothespin, Melissa Frances pom pom trim.
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Here I made a little gift bag and card set. To create the little gift bag, I simply made a card out of kraft cardstock, stamped the front piece, added it to the front of the kraft card and then stitched the sides! I used the scraps to create a card also. These are the Flower Fusion #6 stamps! I am in love with the plaid leaves.

From Me to You Gift Bag and card:

Stamps: Flower Fusion #1

Ink: Lavender Moon, Simply Chartruese

Paper: Butterfly Garden by Pink Paislee, cardstock by PTI

Dies: none

Other: floral pins, Spring Mix buttons by PTI, seam binding.

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