Monday, June 13, 2011

Rhythm & Soul Day 5

Well, here we are. Today is the final day in the Papertrey Ink June Release Countdown. I can't wait to see what you all do with Rhythm & Soul when you finally get it into your hot little hands. I hope you have as much fun with it as I have this week.

Before we get to the project I want to thank everyone at Papertrey one more time for this amazing experience. Nichole, Julie, and Jane have given me the opportunity to design and share something that holds so much meaning for me. I feel like a broken record, but I am so filled with gratitude to them and to all of you for the warm reception and enthusiasm I have been so lucky to receive. Ya'll sure know how to make a girl feel loved. So thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I also want to take a second to thank my husband who has shown enthusiasm for every project this week and didn't get the least bit salty when I spent hours chained to my computer designing the set while we were on "vacation" earlier this year.


My final project is a little gift and card combo intended for a new pianist. Do you remember your first instrument? I remember my music teacher asking us to keep a practice log book so we could track how often and for how long we practiced. I tried so hard to practice and keep my little journal, but alas, instrumental music was not for me (I attempted, and failed at, the trumpet, the guitar, and the cello [to be fair I didn't even start that one until I was 21 and I only even tried because it was a gift]). Anyway, I figured this little set would be a perfect present for a budding piano player.


I started by cutting pieces of Pure Poppy cardstock and stamping them with A Little Argyle in Fresh Snow and VersaMark inks. Two of those pieces were adhered to the covers of a mini composition notebook and one piece was attached to a white card base. Then I stamped four pianos (two in Noir ink on Smoky Shadow cardstock and two in Noir ink on white cardstock). I cut out the pianos and embellished them with colored pencils before attaching the keyboards.


Next, I took a piece of Linen Texture Vellum and stamped my sentiments with Smoky Shadow ink. The practice booklet's sentiment is Simple Alphabet and the card's sentiment is included in Rhythm & Soul. The great thing about the card sentiment is that it's two pieces. The set includes a "We're" and an "I'm" in addition to the "so proud of you" so it can be used for cards from individuals or families/parents/groups of all sorts. Hooray for versatility!

After adhering the vellum pieces, I die cut a couple of circles from white cardstock to mount behind my pianos to set them off from the background. Sometimes with bold patterns I like to ground my focal image so it doesn't get lost in the shuffle. I adhered my circles onto my practice notebook and then mounted my piano overtop using foam adhesive. Before attaching my circle/piano focal point on my card, I wrapped the base with a piece of Pure Poppy Saddle Stitched Ribbon and adhered the ends so that they would lie under the white circle. Next, I tied on some gray baker's twine and then mounted my circle and piano with foam adhesive.

Well, that's all I have for this lovely June day. Thanks so much for stopping by today. For more amazing projects featuring new stamps for this month make sure to check out Nichole, Dawn, Heather, Maile, Melissa's blogs. I'll see you on the forum!

Recipe:
Stamps: Rhythm & Soul (available June 15th), Simple Alphabet, A Little Argyle - Papertrey Ink
Cardstock: Pure Poppy, Smoky Shadow, Linen Vellum - Papertrey Ink; white
Ink: Fresh Snow, Smoky Shadow - Papertrey Ink; Noir - Palette; VersaMark - Tsukineko
Other: Pure Poppy Saddle Stitched Ribbon - Papertrey Ink; Circle die - Quickutz; Pinking Scissors; Oyster Baker's Twine - Divine Twine; Corner Chomper - We Are Memory Keepers; mini composition notebook

12 comments:

Kathy Mc said...

Beautiful, Lizzie! Almost makes me want to take piano lessons again so I can use a log like yours. Congrats again on your opportunity to be a PTI designer!

Jen Carter said...

Very pretty Lizzie!! I love the background you created for your piano card too! You did such a terrific job with this set! Congrats again!

Helen L said...

Your set just shines, and Your project today is just fantastic!! For your first stamp set, you did an amazing job!! Congrats, congrats, congrats!!! Hope there is more in store for you:)

Sue Ann said...

Beautiful Lizzie!!! I love the versa mark with the pure poppy ....... you did a fantastic job designing and bringing your idea to life ...... Congrats to YOU!!!

Debbie Gaydos said...

So beautiful Lizzie! Maybe a lovely little set like this would motivate my 10 year old to practice more often! ;) I LOVE the I'm/We're.... brilliant idea! I often need a sentiment and have the perfect one, but want it to be from the whole family, not just myself.

It's been such a pleasure having your projects to drool over as part of this countdown! Your set is beautiful and the praise is well-deserved!

Unknown said...

Oh this is a beautiful set! So sorry for your unsuccessful musical attempts but you have more than succeeded in designing stamp sets!! What a great gift. My daughter played clarinet and sang in the choir in high school. She would have love that journal and card:)

BeverlyBL said...

You did such a good job with this set. It's just so cute and your cards are great. Love the piano book and the Versa mark/white snow argyle is really clever. Congratulations on getting to play with the big girls. You did an excellent job.

Sarah said...

I'm so impressed with these images and sentiments. You've done an incredible job. Can't wait to see the entire thing later tonight!

Melissa said...

Amazing! Your pianos are jumping off the page! Did you use a exacto knife to cut them out? When I first glanced, I thought maybe there were dies also! Love the versatility of the sentiments. Congrats again!

Anne said...

Isn't it wonderful to have a dream come true. I am a firm believer that if you trust in God and follow his word He makes good things happen for us. It makes my heart happy to hear and see your success story with PTI. Hope we hear more from you!!!

Luv 2 Create said...

Fantastic job using these sets. Never a piano fan until now. This is such a beautiful card! Love the colors, background paper you created, and just the overall effect. Perfect!!!!
Marcie

joy said...

Lizzie, what a wonderful artist you are! I love the stamp set - can't wait to get it and have much, much inspiration from you when it arrives! Hope to see more of your creations soon.