Saturday, December 14, 2013

Propose A Toast - Day 5

Good morning and welcome back to Day 5 of the December Papertrey Ink countdown! Thank you again for all of your enthusiasm this month. It's so much fun to see people getting excited about something I've designed! I have two final cards to share with you that showcase Propose A Toast (available December 15th at 10pm). Let's get started!

To start today's first card I die cut and stamped my champagne flutes with VersaMark. Then, I dusted them with pigment powder for subtle lines that shimmer ever so slightly. I used Melon Berry ink to fill in the glasses and set them aside.


Next, I impressed my Vintage Cream card front with the Quatrefoil Cover Plate. I used the impression plate sandwich, so the lines didn't cut through my cardstock, but rather left a nice, deep impression. I continued by tying a sheer bow around my card base before die cutting two Mat Stack 5 shapes, one from Spring Moss and one from Vintage Cream.


I die cut a window into the Spring Moss shape using the Fillable Frames #8 die and used it as a guide for stamping my sentiment onto the Vintage Cream shape. I mounted the two together with foam tape and adhered them to the card base atop my sheer ribbon. Finally, I adhered one of my two champagne flutes to the Spring Moss frame with flat adhesive and the other with foam adhesive. Simple and elegant.

My second card could be used for just about any lovey occasion; anniversaries, engagements, weddings, etc.


I began by xyroning a piece of vellum and die cutting it with my Twist Cover Plate. I adhered it to a piece of Aqua Mist cardstock and tied a knot around that whole piece. I stamped and silver heat embossed my sentiment onto a white card base before adhering on my decorative strip.


Then, I die cut, stamped, and silver embossed two champagne flutes from white cardstock. I filled them in with Aqua Mist ink and mounted them to my card front with foam adhesive.


A few tiny dots of glitter on the beverage bubbles finishes the card off nicely.

Well, that's all she wrote for me this countdown. Thank you for joining me and I hope you've enjoyed my projects this week. Make sure to check in with Nichole, Ashley, Betsy, Cristina, Danielle, Dawn, Erin, Heather, Laura, Maile, and Melissa for their group post today. And don't forget to visit with Melissa and Lexi as they share even more with their new sets. Thanks so much for stopping by and I'll see you again soon!

Recipes:
Nothing But Happiness Card
Stamps: Propose A Toast (available December 15th) - Papertrey Ink
Cardstock: Vintage Cream, Spring Moss - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Melon Berry, Dark Chocolate - Papertrey Ink; VersaMark - Tsukineko
Other: Propose A Toast Die (available December 15th), Quatrefoil Cover Plate, Mat Stack 5 Die, Fillable Frames #8 Die - Papertrey Ink; Vanilla Sheer Ribbon - American Crafts; Foam Adhesive - Scotch

Cheers Card
Stamps: Propose A Toast (available December 15th) - Papertrey Ink
Cardstock: Aqua Mist, Vellum - Papertrey Ink; white
Ink: Aqua Mist - Papertrey Ink; VersaMark - Tsukineko
Other: Propose A Toast Die (available December 15th), Twist Cover Plate - Papertrey Ink; Silver Detail Embossing Powder - Filigree; White Ribbon - May Arts; Crystal Fine Glitter - Martha Stewart Crafts; Foam Adhesive - Scotch

Friday, December 13, 2013

Propose A Toast - Day 4

Welcome back for Day 4 of this month's Papertrey Ink countdown! I am so happy to hear how excited you all are for Propose A Toast and the rest of the December release. There are some super-useful and versatile goodies heading your way! I have two more cards to share with you today. Let's get to them, shall we?

Today I wanted to show that you aren't limited to using the sentiments in Propose A Toast with the champagne flute image. These sentiments work well independently and they coordinate wonderfully with supplies you may already have on hand.


I began my first card by curving my decorative bubble strip to look like half of a heart. I stamped it in Sweet Blush onto white cardstock and then reshaped my bubbles to finish the heart shape. Next, I tied a knot around that panel.


Then, I die cut a Loop De Loop border from Sweet Blush cardstock that I had sprayed with Pearl Glimmer Mist. I attached that to the back of the bubble heart panel and mounted that whole piece to a white card base with foam adhesive.


I stamped and gold embossed my sentiment onto a white die cut circle and embellished it with the tiny hearts image in Sweet Blush ink. That was mounted atop the ribbon and bubble heart with foam adhesive.

For my second card, I chose to pair one of the wedding sentiments from Propose A Toast with the Man & Wife Die Collection.


I began by spritzing a Spring Rain card base with Pearl Glimmer Mist. Then I die cut a window using the Boutique Borders: Christmas die and textured it with the Linen & Canvas Impression Plate. I stamped the border and my sentiment onto a white panel inside my card so that they would be centered in the die cut window.


Next, I die cut and assembled my married couple using Soft Stone, White Shimmer, and Enchanted Evening cardstocks. I mounted my people to my card base using foam adhesive and embellished the frame surrounding my sentiment with a small pearl.

Well, that's all for me today. Thank you for joining me! Today is a group post day, so you're sure to find lots of inspiration at the hands of Nichole, Ashley, Betsy, Cristina, Danielle, Dawn, Erin, Heather, Laura, Maile, and Melissa. Lexi and Melissa also have more to show you with their new sets, so don't forget to check in with them. Thank you again for visiting and I'll see you back again tomorrow!

Recipes:
Hearts Know Happiness Card
Stamps: Propose A Toast (available December 15th) - Papertrey Ink
Cardstock: Sweet Blush - Papertrey Ink; white
Ink: Sweet Blush - Papertrey Ink; VersaMark - Tsukineko
Other: Loop De Loop Border Die - Papertrey Ink; Gold Detail Embossing Powder - Filigree; Pearl Glimmer Mist - Tattered Angels; Foam Adhesive - Scotch; striped ribbon

For Better Or Worse Card
Stamps: Propose A Toast (available December 15th), Boutique Borders: Christmas - Papertrey Ink
Cardstock: Spring Rain, Soft Stone, Shimmer White, Enchanted Evening - Papertrey Ink; white
Ink: Spring Rain, Enchanted Evening - Papertrey Ink
Other: Linen & Canvas Impression Plate, Boutique Borders: Christmas Die, Man & Wife Die Collection - Papertrey Ink; Pearl Glimmer Mist - Tattered Angels; Self-adhesive Pearl - Mark Richards; Pearlescent Paint (on flowers) - Scribbles; Foam Adhesive - Scotch

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Propose A Toast - Day 3

Good morning, friends, and welcome back to Day 3 of the December Papertrey Ink countdown! I can only begin to tell you how much fun it's been to see your enthusiasm for Propose A Toast and we've just scratched the surface! Nichole is showcasing Propose A Toast today and I'm sure she'll find clever ways to use the set that I never even thought of. I have a couple of additional projects for you too, so let's get to it.

My first project today is a celebratory wine bottle tag.


I began by die cutting my tag shape from White Shimmer cardstock and randomly stamped it with the decorative bubbles strip included in the set using Berry Sorbet, Hawaiian Shores, New Leaf, and Summer Sunrise inks. Next, I die cut the "happy" banner using one of the One Liners: Happy die from Berry Sorbet cardstock. Then, I stamped and heat embossed the "New Year" phrase onto Hawaiian Shores cardstock and trimmed it into a thin strip. I adhered that strip to the tag and mounted my "happy" banner over top using foam adhesive. It's a simple project that could be customized to just about any celebratory occasion.

Today's second project is an engagement card. I wanted to recreate the engagement ring in a champagne glass concept and I think I was reasonably successful.


I started by die cutting my champagne flute from white cardstock and stamping it with Spring Rain and Lemon Tart inks. Next, I took an upper case "O" from Simple Alphabet and stamped it with VersaMark. I heat embossed that using gold detail embossing powder and added a tiny (2mm) rhinestone to make it look like a diamond ring.


I stamped my sentiment onto a white card base and heat embossed that with the same gold powder. I stamped a grounding oval using Spring Rain ink before mounting my champagne flute to my card base using foam adhesive.

I hope you've enjoyed my projects today. Make sure to check in with Nichole and Maile for more projects featuring Propose A Toast. Betsy, Heather, Dawn, Erin, Lexi, and Melissa will have projects for you as well. See you tomorrow!

Recipes:
New Year Bottle Tag
Stamps: Propose A Toast (available December 15th), Year Round Happiness - Papertrey Ink
Cardstock: Shimmer White, Berry Sorbet, Hawaiian Shores - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Berry Sorbet, New Leaf, Hawaiian Shores, Summer Sunrise - Papertrey Ink; VersaMark - Tsukineko
Other: Wine Bottle Tag Die, One Liners: Happy Die - Papertrey Ink; White Detail Embossing Powder - Filigree; Foam Adhesive - Scotch

Engagement Card
Stamps: Propose A Toast (available December 15th), Simple Alphabet, Sunflower Bouquet - Papertrey Ink
Cardstock: white
Ink: Spring Rain, Lemon Tart - Papertrey Ink; Versamark
Other: Propose A Toast Die (available December 15th) - Papertrey Ink; Gold Detail Embossing Powder - Filigree; Foam Adhesive - Scotch; Self-adhesive Rhinestone - Mark Richards

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Propose A Toast - Day 2

Welcome back to Day 2 of the Papertrey Ink December countdown. I'm so glad to see that you're all as excited about Propose A Toast as I am. This is such a fun little set and I'm really looking forward to sharing a couple of additional projects, so let's get to it!

My first card today uses the champagne flute to create an all-over pattern. I love how creating a pattern like this allows you to create a simple card that still makes a statement.


I began by stamping my flutes in a semi-random pattern with gray ink. I went back with Spring Moss, Aqua Mist, Sweet Blush, Lemon Tart, and Lavender Moon inks to fill in the glasses. Next, I die cut a banner from Aqua Mist cardstock using the Sketched Shapes dies and stamped and heat embossed my anniversary sentiment with white detail powder. I accented my sentiment with one of the swashes in the set using gray ink.


Then I die cut stitching holes using the stitching lines dies and stitched my sentiment banner to my card base. I left enough extra crochet thread to be able to finish my ends in a simple bow through a gray button and then I curved the sentiment banner a bit to give it a little movement. Clean and simple, just the way I like them.

My second card today features one of the longer "toast" sentiments.


I began by die cutting a circle from white cardstock and stamping it with my champagne flutes and fillers in Aqua Mist and Lemon Tart inks. I then stamped my sentiment over top of my imagery with gray ink and embellished the small heart embedded in the sentiment with a touch of glitter.


Next, I die cut a window into a piece of Aqua Mist cardstock using the Mat Stack 4 die. Then, I sprayed it with Pearl Glimmer Mist and gave it a bit of texture using the Tin Types impression plate before adhering it to a Soft Stone card base. Side note: I love the subtle shimmer that I get using mists and it helps the impression plate make more of an impact too. Bonus!


Next, I made double loops of Lemon Tart saddle stitched ribbon that I adhered to the card front. I mounted my focal panel atop the ribbon loops with foam adhesive and embellished the loops with self-adhesive pearls. I finished the card off by rounding the bottom corners.

Thank you for stopping by today. I hope you've enjoyed today's cards. Check back tomorrow for a couple of additional projects showcasing Propose A Toast. In the meantime Nichole, Heather, Dawn, Erin, Lexi, and Melissa have more to share with you. See you soon!

Recipes:
Anniversary Flutes Card
Stamps: Propose A Toast (available December 15th) - Papertrey Ink
Cardstock: Aqua Mist - Papertrey Ink; white
Ink: Spring Moss, Aqua Mist, Sweet Blush, Lemon Tart, Lavender Moon - Papertrey Ink; gray pigment - Studio G; VersaMark - Tsukineko
Other: Sketched Shapes Die Collection, Smoky Shadow Button - Papertrey Ink; White Detail Embossing Powder - Filigree; crochet thread

Hopes & Dreams Card
Stamps: Propose A Toast (available December 15th) - Papertrey Ink
Cardstock: Aqua Mist, Soft Stone - Papertrey Ink; white
Ink: Aqua Mist, Lemon Tart - Papertrey Ink; gray pigment - Studio G
Other: Mat Stack 4 Die, Tin Types Impression Plate, Lemon Tart Saddle Stitched Ribbon - Papertrey Ink; Pearl Glitter Mist - Tattered Angels; Self-adhesive Pearls - Mark Richards; Corner Chomper - We R Memory Keepers; Foam Tape - Scotch; Crystal Fine Glitter - Martha Stewart Crafts; Circle Dies - Quickutz

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Introducing Propose A Toast

Good morning and welcome to the first day of Papertrey Ink's December countdown! I am very excited to be bringing a new set to you this month called Propose A Toast. This set features a champagne flute and several congratulatory sentiments. There's also a coordinating die! I have a card to share with you today that showcases this new set, so let's get to it!


I started by die cutting my champagne flutes from white cardstock and stamping them with gray and Sweet Blush inks. I embellished my champagne bubbles with glitter and set my glasses aside for a few moments. Next, I textured a Sweet Blush card front with the Wrought Iron impression plate and adhered it to a white card base. I tied a length of white sheer/satin ribbon around the card and finished it in a bow. Then, I die cut a Half & Half shape from Shimmer White cardstock and stamped my sentiment with gray ink and my tiny hearts and bubbles image with Berry Sorbet. I scored above and below my sentiment to help it stand out and then mounted it to my card front with foam adhesive. I added my champagne flutes with a bit more foam adhesive and then embellished my focal point with a small rhinestone that I colored to match.

Well, that's it for me today. I'll be back tomorrow with even more projects featuring Propose A Toast. Can't wait to see you then! In the meantime, check in with Nichole, Melissa, Ashley, CristinaDawn, Erin, Heather, Lexi, and Melissa to see what they're doing with the new stamps for this month. I'll see you soon!

Recipe:
Stamps: Propose A Toast (available December 15th) - Papertrey Ink
Cardstock: Sweet Blush, Shimmer White - Papertrey Ink; white
Ink: Sweet Blush, Berry Sorbet - Papertrey Ink; gray pigment - Studio G

Other: Propose A Toast Die (available December 15th), Wrought Iron Impression Plate, Half & Half Die Collection - Papertrey Ink; Rhinestone - Darice; Fine Crystal Glitter - Martha Stewart Crafts; Foam Adhesive - Scotch; Marker - Copic; ribbon

Friday, December 6, 2013

Craft Shows & Sneak Peeks

Good morning, friends! It's been quite the whirlwind around here lately. Craft shows and stamp sets and Christmas, oh my! I have a few bits of news to share, so let's get to it.

First of all, I have a stamp set releasing later this month and I'll be sharing projects with the set starting on Tuesday. It's all about toasting happy events (marriages, anniversaries, engagements, etc.) and it's sure to be fun! I hope you'll join me then.


I also wanted to pop in and mention the two events I have happening this weekend. These are my last two shows of the year, but you can always find my handcrafted goodies at Wholly Craft.


First, I have the North Market's Marketfare. This one begins bright and early at 8am on Saturday morning and closes up at 5pm. In addition to the craft show this year, there will be music, cooking demonstrations, and you can even buy a fresh-cut tree out in the pavilion! We'll be there from Noon until 5pm on Sunday, too, along with more music and cooking demos. Hope to see you there!


Last, but certainly not least, is the Holiday Hop Pop Up Shop! This event runs from Noon until 10pm on Saturday at the Garden Theater in the Short North. Come down for the show and stay for Gallery Hop (or vice versa)! Kids can see Santa or get crafty from Noon until 4 o'clock at the crafty kids' table, the bar will be serving up seasonally-inspired cocktails and local draft beer to sip while you shop, and there will be a special table selling items to aid Alison & Nick Nocera as they recover from their car accident. Sean will be solo at the Pop Up Shop through most of the day, so come and tell him what a great job he's doing!

Well, that's all for me for now. Hope to see you out and about this weekend! I'll be back early next week with some stampy goodness. Have a safe and happy weekend. So long!

Sunday, December 1, 2013

December Color Play

Good morning and welcome to Papertrey Ink's December Color Play feature! This month we're using a wintery color palette inspired by a gift wrapping project over on the Martha Stewart website.


As you can see, this month we're playing with a color palette of Spring Rain, Ocean Tides, Autumn Rose, Scarlet Jewel, and Dark Chocolate. I love that these colors are perfect for the season while not adhering too closely to the traditional holiday scheme. It's so much fun to find new color combos that can be used for my annual Christmas cards; it keeps my seasonal crafting feeling fresh and exciting.


I started by die cutting my Tipped Tops shapes from Rustic White and Ocean Tides cardstocks. I die cut a circle from my Ocean Tides and textured that layer with the Woodgrain impression plate. I adhered that layer to my Rustic White piece and stamped my sentiment in the circular space. Next, I die cut a Loop De Loop die from Spring Rain cardstock and adhered it so that the scalloped edge (rather than the loopy edge) showed from behind the Tipped Tops layer. I stamped a Rustic White card base with the snowflake pattern from Snowfall using Spring Rain ink and then adhered my Tipped Tops layer into place.


Next, I stamped my mittens (also from Snowfall) using Autumn Rose ink. To get the knit pattern onto the mittens, I inked up the knit block from Knit Bits with Scarlet Jewel ink and kissed that stamp onto the clean mitten stamp. Then, I carefully lined up the newly inked/patterned mitten with the pre-stamped solid mitten and pressed down firmly. The pattern from the knit block was perfectly transferred and I didn't have to do any masking!


I fussy cut my mittens and added Spring Rain cuffs. I connected the mittens with a bit of Rustic Cream Button Twine and adhered them to the card front with foam tape.

I hope you've enjoyed today's post and I hope you'll try the color scheme for yourself. If you do, I hope you'll share it with me over on the Papertrey Ink Challenge Forum. Have a wonderful day and I'll see you again soon. Take care!

Recipe:
Stamps: Snowfall, Knit Bits, Over Under Easy: Holiday Additions - Papertrey Ink
Cardstock: Ocean Tides, Spring Rain, Rustic White - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Dark Chocolate, Spring Rain, Autumn Rose, Scarlet Jewel - Papertrey Ink
Other: Woodgrain Impression Plate, Loop De Loop Border Die, Tipped Tops Dies, Rustic Cream Button Twine - Papertrey Ink; Circle Die - Quickutz; Foam Tape - Scotch

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

A Few Words About Alison & Nick Nocera

Hi there, everyone. I know it's been a little while since my last post, but I wanted to pop in and share the story of a couple of friends that could use your help. If you follow me on Twitter you may have seen me tweeting and retweeting about this earlier in the week.


Last weekend, on their way home from a craft show in Cincinnati, Alison and Nick Nocera from Alison Rose hit a patch of black ice and flipped their truck. Alison, luckily, escaped with "only" some gnarly cuts and bruises. Nick on the other hand broke his tibia/knee and is facing a possible surgery (my understanding is that he has been released from the hospital and is awaiting an appointment with a specialist next week). They have business and auto insurance which will cover the loss of their truck and inventory, but they are unfortunately without health insurance.

Nick was a teacher up until last year and left his teaching position so that the couple could really make a go of their business. If you're a local, you know how hard they've been working; independently in their shop, as a wholesaler for other businesses, even with the City of Columbus in efforts like the CoGo Bike Share. These are really wonderful, hard-working people and they could use your help. They really are some of Columbus's best. If you are willing and able, you can visit the donation page that has been set up for them right HERE.

Thank you for checking in and I wish you and yours a very happy Thanksgiving. Take a moment to hug (or high-five if you're not a hugger) the people you love today. See you soon, folks!

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Craft Show Update

Good morning, everyone! I just wanted to pop in and say thank you to everyone that came out and supported Craftin' Outlaws yesterday. It was a fantastic day made possible by really hard-working people and enthusiastic shoppers. And a special thanks to Megan from Stinkybomb Soap for absolutely everything! Her dedication to the show is admirable - from event logistics to early morning TV spots, she works tirelessly and we totally appreciate it.

Sean was able to raise $81 dollars for the Mid-Ohio Food Bank. With the Food Bank's buying power that will translate into $891 in groceries for families in need. So thank you to everyone that asked a question, received a compliment, or had their social media account hijacked!


I also wanted to pop in with an update about one more show I have coming up this season. The Holiday Hop Pop Up Shop will be December 7th from Noon to 10pm at the Garden Theater in the Short North. It's the same day as the North Market event, so Sean will be manning the table solo most of the day. I'll be around in the evening all the way up until closing time. The event features the crafts that you all know and love along with treats for kiddos (make & take table, Santa) and adults (beers on draft) alike. Check out the Facebook page for more information as the event draws near.

Now, friends, I am going to spend the rest of today doing a little low-key work with the cat on the couch. Have a wonderful day and I'll see you again soon!

Friday, November 15, 2013

Craft Show News

Hello again, everyone! I just wanted to pop in really quickly to give some updates on events I have from now until the holidays.


First up is Craftin' Outlaws this weekend! I'll be peddling my wares down at Vets Memorial tomorrow, Saturday the 16th, from 10am until 5pm. The event itself is free, but parking is $7 so make sure to carpool. It's definitely one of my favorite events all year and there are even more fun features than ever before. Stop by and say hello!

Sean will be doing his "Asked & Answered" booth all day, too. Ask him a question and he'll answer it for $1. Absolutely everything he collects is going to the Mid-Ohio Food Bank. He keeps not a penny. You're essentially paying my husband to goof around all day and giving money to a very worthwhile charity at the same time. Everybody wins!


Next up is the North Market's 2013 Marketfare on December 7th from 8am until 5pm & 8th from Noon until 5pm. I always enjoy the North Market's holiday events, so I'm really excited to be participating in this one again this year!

I have one more event in the works that I'll make sure to share more info about as soon as I get it. You can also fine Poshta goods at Wholly Craft anytime, holidays or otherwise. Hope to see you out and about at one of these events. Thanks for the support!

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Fancy Footwork - Day 5

Good morning, everyone, and welcome back to this month's Papertrey Ink countdown! I have two more cards to share with you, so let's get started.

My first card features the tango images paired together along with the coordinating sentiment.


I began by stamping the women's dance steps in Pinefeather ink and the men's steps in Ocean Tides onto white cardstock. Then, I die cut a circle shape out of the panel to make way for the sentiment. I attached a strip of Pinefeather cardstock that had been cut with the Pinking Shears border die to the back of the tango panel and adhered the whole piece to a Soft Stone card base.


Next, I stamped the sentiment in Pinefeather and a decorative circle in Ocean Tides onto a white die cut circle. I mounted that with foam tape to the card base inside the negative die cut area of the tango strip. Simple and masculine. You could also switch up the colors to make the card more feminine or seasonally appropriate.

I wanted to show that you can use the sentiments independent of the dance diagrams, so that's what I set out to do with today's final card.


I began by die cutting the Wine Bottle Tag shape from white cardstock and stamping it with my sentiment. The "You" is separate and goes with both this sentiment and the "make me feel like dancing" sentiment. This is particularly handy in the event that you want to stamp your sentiment in multiple colors, as I have here. I used Sweet Blush and Dark Chocolate inks this time (the "you" is easier to see in real life, but I couldn't get it to read well in the photo - my apologies).


Next, I adhered the tag shape to a Kraft card front that I had textured with the Wrought Iron impression plate. Then, I die cut the Man & Wife shapes using Kraft, Sweet Blush, and white cardstocks. I assembled those and mounted them to my Wine Bottle Tag shape with foam adhesive. As a final touch, I added teeny, tiny dots of dimensional paint to the woman's hair to resemble pearls.

Alrighty, I'm all wrapped up for another countdown, but there's plenty more to see. It's a group post day, so NicholeAshleyBetsyCristinaDanielleDawnErinHeatherLauraMaile, and Melissa all have projects to share. Melissa Bickford is also sharing a few more peeks of her new sets, so make sure to visit with her, too. I'll see you all again soon!

Recipes:
Two To Tango Card
Stamps: Fancy Footwork (available November 15th), Framed Out #9 - Papertrey Ink
Cardstock: Soft Stone, Pinefeather - Papertrey Ink; white
Ink: Ocean Tides, Pinefeather - Papertrey Ink
Other: Pinking Shears Border Die - Papertrey Ink; Circle Dies - Quickutz; Foam Tape - Scotch

Swept Couple
Stamps: Fancy Footwork (available November 15th) - Papertrey Ink
Cardstock: Classic Kraft, Sweet Blush - Papertrey Ink; white
Ink: Sweet Blush, Dark Chocolate - Papertrey Ink
Other: Man & Wife Die Collection, Wine Bottle Tag Die, Wrought Iron Impression Plate - Papertrey Ink; Foam Tape - Scotch

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Fancy Footwork - Day 4

Welcome back for Day 4 of November's Papertrey Ink Countdown! I've been absolutely loving the enthusiasm you folks have been sharing for Fancy Footwork over the past few days. Thank you so much for the warm reception! I have a couple of cards to share with you today, so let's get to it.

My first card uses the dance diagrams to create an all-over, monochromatic pattern. The images are relatively large, so the stamping process goes so quickly when covering a large space like this.


I began by stamping and heat embossing my footprints with VersaMark ink onto Winter Wisteria cardstock. I wrapped that piece with two widths of satin-edged sheer ribbon and adhered it to a white card base.


Next, I die cut a Photo Finishers shape from white cardstock and stamped my sentiment. I adhered that over the ribbon and embellished with a couple of custom-colored rhinestones.

My second card shows that you don't have to stamp a large area to get that great pop of pattern.


I started by die cutting a Mat Stack 1 shape from white cardstock and stamped the footprints with Berry Sorbet and Summer Sunrise inks. When I was finished stamping my steps, I die cut a circle from the center of the shape and mounted it to a Berry Sorbet card front that had been textured with the Sheet Music impression plate.


Next, I stamped and heat embossed my sentiment onto Summer Sunrise cardstock. That was then die cut and placed inside the negative in the Mat Stack shape. I also added an extra layer of foam tape really set the sentiment apart.

Two quick and simple cards for today. I hope you enjoyed them! Join me tomorrow for a couple of additional cards featuring Fancy Footwork. In the meantime, it's a group post day and the ladies have tons of wonderful inspiration to share. Check in with Nichole, Ashley, Betsy, Cristina, Danielle, Dawn, Erin, Heather, Laura, Maile, and Melissa for their contributions. Melissa Bickford is also sharing a few more peeks of her new sets for this month, so make sure to visit with her, too. See you tomorrow!

Recipes:
Swept Card
Stamps: Fancy Footwork (available November 15th) - Papertrey Ink
Cardstock: Winter Wisteria - Papertrey Ink; white
Ink: Gray Pigment - Studio G; VersaMark - Tsukineko
Other: Photo Finishers Die Collection - Papertrey Ink; Clear Detail Embossing Powder - Filigree; Marker - Copic; Small Rhinestones - Mark Richards; Medium Rhinestones - Darice; Corner Chomper - We R Memory Keepers; Sheer Ribbon

Cheerful Dance Card
Stamps: Fancy Footwork (available November 15th) - Papertrey Ink
Cardstock: Berry Sorbet, Summer Sunrise - Papertrey Ink; white
Ink: Berry Sorbet, Summer Sunrise - Papertrey Ink; VersaMark - Tsukineko
Other: Sheet Music Impression Plate, Mat Stack 1 Die - Papertrey Ink; White Detail Embossing Powder - Filigree; Foam Tape - Scotch; Corner Chomper - We R Memory Keepers

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Fancy Footwork - Day 3

Good morning and welcome back to Day 3 of the November Papertrey Ink coundown! Nichole is giving Fancy Footwork a proper introduction today and I am just tickled about it! I also have a couple of additional projects to share with you, so let's get started.

My first card today is a bright and cheerful number.


I started by cutting strips of white cardstock and randomly stamping them with the footsteps in Simply Chartreuse Ink. You could achieve similar results by stamping one large piece and cutting it down, but I wanted to have a little more flexibility with my footprints, so the strips worked nicely. I adhered those to an Aqua Mist card front and set the whole thing aside.


Next, I die cut and stamped the Limitless Layers heart shape. Then, I die cut a banner from Limeade Ice using my Sketched Shapes dies and heat embossed my sentiment using white detail powder. I adhered my sentiment banner to my heart and stitched on an Aqua Mist button to ensure a sturdy hold. I mounted the heart to my card front with foam tape and put a little wave in my banner for a sense of movement.

My next card today might be my favorite yet. I wanted to play around with the concept of dancing on air again and this is the result.


I began by die cutting a bunch of clouds, some from Shimmer White and some from matte white cardstock. Then, I laid them out on a piece of Aqua Mist cardstock to make sure I was pleased with my layout and took a picture with my phone. That allowed me to move the parts around without losing the layout that I liked. The matte clouds were randomly stamped with the dance diagrams and coated with a dusting of Perfect Pearls. The results are shimmery yet subtle.


I continued by mounting my clouds to my Aqua Mist panel with a mixture of flat and dimensional adhesive. Next, I stamped my sentiment on a strip of white cardstock and adhered it to the bottom edge of my cloudy panel. I colored some silk ribbon with a Copic and tied a bow along the seam. That whole piece was mounted to a Kraft card base with more foam adhesive. The final card is totally dimensional and has loads of texture. I love it!

Thank you for joining me today! I hope you've enjoyed today's projects. I'll see you back here tomorrow with a couple of additional cards, but you should definitely check in with Nichole and Maile as they showcase Fancy Footwork and Heather, Dawn, and Melissa as they share more peeks of their upcoming sets. Have a great day and I'll see you soon!

Recipes:
Feel Like Dancing Card
Stamps: Fancy Footwork (available November 15th), Polka Dot Basics II - Papertrey Ink
Cardstock: Aqua Mist, Limeade Ice, Berry Sorbet - Papertrey Ink; white
Ink: Simply Chartreuse, Berry Sorbet - Papertrey Ink; VersaMark - Tsukineko
Other: Limitless Layers Hearts Die Collection, Sketched Shapes Die Collection, Aqua Mist Button - Papertrey Ink; White Detail Embossing Powder - Filigree; Foam Tape - Scotch; White Crochet Thread

Dancing On Air Card
Stamps: Fancy Footwork (available November 15th) - Papertrey Ink
Cardstock: Aqua Mist, White Shimmer, Classic Kraft - Papertrey Ink; white
Ink: Dark Chocolate - Papertrey Ink; VersaMark - Papertrey Ink
Other: Clouds 1 & 2 Die Collection, 1/4" Silk Ribbon - Papertrey Ink; Perfect Pearls - Ranger; Marker - Copic; Foam Tape - Scotch

Monday, November 11, 2013

Fancy Footwork - Day 2

Good morning and Happy Veterans Day! Today also happens to be Day 2 of the Papertrey Ink countdown and I have two more projects featuring Fancy Footwork to share with you today. I want to say thank you for all of your enthusiasm for the new set, by the way! It's so much fun to hear what you think of the possibilities. And let me tell you...there are many! Let's start today with a Valentine (yes, I know how early that sounds), shall we?

I wanted to do something very, very simple that would be ideal for the fellas. You all know I have no problem putting bows on men's cards, but not everyone is in that camp. This card is as simple as die cutting and a smidgen of embossing.


I began by die cutting two hearts, slightly overlapped, from Kraft cardstock and textured that panel with the Herringbone impression plate (see, even a masculine/textile pattern). Next, I heat embossed the men's dance diagrams onto Pure Poppy cardstock and the women's dance diagrams onto Sweet Blush cardstock.


I adhered the colored cardstocks to a white card base and mounted the Kraft panel overtop with foam tape. Then, I stamped the sentiment onto a white cardstock circle using True Black ink and mounted that circle in the space between the hearts. Totally simple and not a bow in sight.

One of the great things about this set is that it's really versatile. You can use it for just about any lovey occasion (weddings, anniversaries, etc.), but it's also useful for friendship and encouragement cards. This next one is perfect for giving a blue friend a little boost. Sometimes you just need to that little reminder that there's something, somewhere worth doing a two-step over. Even if that something is as simple as someone being there for you, know what I mean?


I began by covering a white card base with striped Sweet Blush patterned paper. Next, I die cut a Wine Bottle Tag shape from white cardstock and stamped it with the foxtrot images in Spring Moss and Sweet Blush inks. I adhered that to the card front about 3/8" from the top fold.


The sentiment was stamped with Simply Chartreuse ink onto a die cut circle and adhered to the front of the card with foam tape. I finished the card with some Rustic Jute Button Twine and a Spring Moss button.

Thank you for stopping by today! I hope you enjoyed today's projects and I hope to see you back here tomorrow for even more. In the meantime, make sure to check in with Nichole, Dawn, Heather, and Melissa for a few additional peeks at their sets this month. See you soon!

Recipes:
It Takes Two Card
Stamps: Fancy Footwork (available November 15th) - Papertrey Ink
Cardstock: Classic Kraft, Pure Poppy, Sweet Blush - Papertrey Ink; white
Ink: True Black - Papertrey Ink; VersaMark - Tsukineko
Other: Herringbone Impression Plate, Framed Out #11 Die - Papertrey Ink; Circle Die - Quickutz, Clear Detail Embossing Powder - Filigree; Foam Tape - Scotch

Reason To Dance Card
Stamps: Fancy Footwork (available November 15th) - Papertrey Ink
Cardstock: Sweet Blush Striped Patterned Paper - Papertrey Ink; white
Ink: Spring Moss, Sweet Blush, Simply Chartreuse - Papertrey Ink
Other: Wine Bottle Tag Die, Rustic Jute Button Twine, Spring Moss Button - Papertrey Ink; Circle Die - Quickutz; Foam Tape - Scotch

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Introducing Fancy Footwork

Welcome to Day 1 of this month's Papertrey Ink countdown! This month I have a set to introduce called Fancy Footwork (releasing on November 15th at 10pm. This $15 set includes dance step diagrams of the tango and the foxtrot along with a handful of coordinating sentiments. The irony here, friends, is that I can barely walk a straight line let alone dance, so I suppose I'll keep my toes twinkling on cardstock rather than in reality. No one likes a tango-related injury. How about we get on to a couple of projects, hmmm?

My first card is a lovey dovey number.


I paired Fancy Footwork with the Man & Wife Die Collection. I love this product combo, by the way. They work together so perfectly.


I began by die cutting my people (Soft Stone, Spring Rain, white) along with the photo frame (white) and clouds (White Shimmer). Then I stamped my dance diagrams onto Spring Rain cardstock with Versamark ink and gave them a dusting of Perfect Pearls to make everything shimmery. The effect is beautiful, but totally impossible to photograph well. Please use your imaginations.


Next, I stamped my sentiment onto the photo frame shape and assembled my people and clouds. I adhered the focal point to the card front with foam tape. By anchoring the people at their heads and feet it allows them to almost float there in the frame opening and reinforces the idea that they're dancing on air. I am in love with how this one turned out.

My next card is on the more playful side. I chose to use a color combo that was just a little bit retro in nature, so the card feels a bit like a sock hop or something.


I began by stamping my dance pattern using the male and female foxtrot images with Pure Poppy and Hawaiian Shores inks. I rotated the steps randomly, so it wouldn't look too repetitive even though I was using the same stamps over and over again. I adhered that panel to a Soft Stone card base.


Next, I die cut the label shape from Aqua Mist and stamped it with my sentiment before adhering it to the card front. I finished the whole thing off with a bit of Pure Poppy saddle stitched ribbon and some crochet thread. Simple, but gender neutral for just about anybody.

Alrighty, friends. That's all for me today. Check back tomorrow for even more fun with Fancy Footwork. Don't forget to check in with Nichole, Betsy, Cristina, Dawn, Heather, Melissa, and Melissa for more projects featuring this month's releases. Enjoy and I'll see you tomorrow!

Recipes:
Dancing Couple Card
Stamps: Fancy Footwork (available November 15th) - Papertrey Ink
Cardstock: Spring Rain, Shimmer White, Soft Stone - Papertrey Ink; white
Ink: gray pigment - Studio G; VersaMark - Tsukineko
Other: Man & Wife Die Collection, Fabulous Frames Die Collection, Cloud 1 & 2 Die Collection - Papertrey Ink; Perfect Pearls - Ranger; Foam Tape - Scotch

Sock Hop Card
Stamps: Fancy Footwork (available November 15th) - Papertrey Ink
Cardstock: Soft Stone, Aqua Mist - Papertrey Ink; white
Ink: Pure Poppy, Hawaiian Shores, True Black - Papertrey Ink
Other: Fabulous Frames Die Collection, Pure Poppy Saddle Stitched Ribbon - Papertrey Ink; white crochet thread