July Papertrey Ink Countdown - Day 5

Hello there! Welcome back to Day 5 of this month's Papertrey Ink countdown. Today is the last day for me, so I want to take a moment to thank everyone for their enthusiasm over the past several days. You've all left me such kind comments and feedback for which I am ever so grateful. I have had so much fun sharing with you! I have just a couple of additional projects to present today.

Today's Balloon Bash card is a slightly unusual shape (the finished size is 3 3/4" x 7 1/4").

I started by stamping my strings at even intervals along the lower half of the base. Then I stamped the "birthday" part of my sentiment (from Bigger Blooms) and set the whole base aside. Next I die cut and stamped my balloons with one of the patterns from the new Bitty Background Blocks II set. Each balloon was then die cut with a letter to spell out "Happy." I mounted each balloon to the card base with foam adhesive for a super clean and simple card with easily mailable dimension.

My final card of this release shows one of the candles from Wishes Come True.

I wanted to use the candle to spell out a word, so I just shortened it with a quick snip of the scissors. I stamped my letters from Headline Alphabet on either side of the candle and added the "wish" from a masked sentiment in the set. I die cut the image panel using one of the new Mat Stack 7 dies. I cut a mat layer from Limeade Ice using a larger Mat Stack 7 shape and stamped it with polka dots in Limeade Ice ink. I adhered the mat layer directly to the card base and mounted the image layer with foam adhesive. I added my candle and embellished the flame with a bit of glitter. Another simple card that could easily be recreated in tons of different colors!

Thank you for joining me today and the rest of this week! I'm all done for this countdown, but the rest of the Papertrey Ink team has even more inspiration for you today and tomorrow. Make sure to check in with Nichole, Ashley, Betsy, Cristina, Danielle, Dawn, Erin, Heather, Jess, Maile, Melissa, and Melissa to see their beautiful work. See you soon!

Recipes:
Happy Balloons Card
Stamps: Balloon Bash (available July 15th), Bitty Background Blocks II (available July 15th), Bigger Blooms - Papertrey Ink
Cardstock: white
Ink: Pure Poppy, Summer Sunrise, Lemon Tart, New Leaf, Hawaiian Shores, True Black, Aqua Mist - Papertrey Ink
Other: Balloon Bash Die (available July 15th), Headline Alphabet Die Collection - Papertrey Ink; Foam Tape - Scotch

Wish Big Card
Stamps: Wishes Come True (available July 15th), Headline Alphabet, Polka Dot Basics II - Papertrey Ink
Cardstock: Limeade Ice - Papertrey Ink; white
Ink: Hawaiian Shores, Limeade Ice, Lemon Tart - Papertrey Ink
Other: Wishes Come True Die (available July 15th), Mat Stack 7 Die Collection (available July 15th) - Papertrey Ink; Super Fine Crystal Glitter - Martha Stewart Crafts; Foam Tape - Scotch

July Papertrey Ink Countdown - Day 4

Good morning, Everyone, and welcome back for Day 4 of the July Papertrey Ink countdown! I'm sharing a few more projects today that feature the Balloon Bash and Wishes Come True stamp sets that are releasing on the 15th. Today is all about tags! I have several to share so let's get going!

Here's a group shot of all of the tags together. I used Tag Sale Dies #3, 4, 5, and 7 to make these tags.

Let's start with the tags that feature Balloon Bash, shall we?

This first guy is a quickie. I started by tracing my die onto white cardstock. I did this so I would have a basic idea of where the image should be stamped. I stamped my balloon in Berry Sorbet and intertwined two of the strings in Aqua Mist and Hawaiian Shores. Then I die cut my tag using Tag Sale #3. The To and From were added in True Black and the tag topper was cut from Aqua Mist stock and adhered to the tag. This tag then got a bit of aqua baker's twine.

The next tag incorporates all three of the string images as well as a couple of the supporting images in the set.

I die cut a Tag Sale #7 die and stamped my strings in Lemon Tart (solid) , Hawaiian Shores (dotted), and New Leaf (dashed). I added a the To and From in True Black and the stars in Hawaiian Shores and New Leaf. The tag topper (from Tag Sale #3) was added using Hawaiian Shores Cardstock. This tag got a bit of yellow baker's twine.

This next tag uses one of the balloon images along with one of the supporting images to highlight the design on the balloon.

I die cut a Tag Sale #5 die and stamped it with two of the banners from Sketched Shapes. Then I die cut and stamped my balloon, adding the flower to the pattern. I stamped my To and From onto my tag and adhered the balloon with a bit of foam tape and crochet thread. This tag got green baker's twine.

The final Balloon Bash tag is a little more involved. I paired Balloon Bash with Big Ticket Basics on this one.

I started by die cutting the parts for Tag Sale #7 as well as the balloon shape. I stamped the tag with Hawaiian Shores circles and the tag insert with the ticket design. The arrow was stamped a second time, cut out, and adhered to the original stamped image. That insert piece was slipped into the photo corner piece and that whole thing was adhered to the tag. The balloon was stamped in New Leaf ink and mounted to the tag with foam adhesive and a bit of crochet thread. I reinforced the hole of the tag with a small circle of cardstock and threaded it with green baker's twine.

Next up are the Wishes Come True tags. Let's start with the simplest of the bunch.

This tag was completed much like the simple Balloon Bash tag by tracing the die and stamping before die cutting. I stamped my candles onto a Tag Sale #3 shape in Berry Sorbet, Hawaiian Shores, New Leaf, and Summer Sunrise inks with Lemon Tart flames. The sentiments were added in True Black ink and the topper was cut from Berry Sorbet Cardstock. This tag also got green baker's twine.

This next tag is a little more involved. I started by stamping a piece of Berry Sorbet cardstock with the Background Basics Medallion pattern and then die cut a Tag Sale #4 shape. I did my stamping first to make sure the debossed border wouldn't be an issue.

Next I die cut and stamped my candles as well as a banner from Bountiful Banners. I stamped my banner with a sentiment from Wishes Come True that I curved slightly to fit the banner's shape. The candles were adhered to my tag and the banner was adhered with tape at the ends and a piece of foam tape in the middle (that way it has just a bit of dimension). The flames were then embellished with a bit of glitter and the tag was finished with yellow baker's twine.

The final tag is my personal favorite of the bunch.

I started by die cutting a Tag Sale #5 die and stamping it with the banners from Sketched Shapes in Summer Sunrise ink. I stamped on the To and From in New Leaf ink before adding a die cut candle that I had stamped with Aqua Mist, New Leaf, and Summer Sunrise inks. That tag got a bit of teal baker's twine.

I hope you've enjoyed today's birthday tag inspiration! I'll see you back here tomorrow for one more day of preview projects, but in the meantime make sure to check in with Nichole, Ashley, Betsy, Cristina, Danielle, Dawn, Erin, Heather, Jess, Maile, Melissa, and Melissa for even more countdown projects. See you tomorrow!

Recipe: This is a recipe for everything. I used many of the same products repeatedly, so I don't feel the need to write out specifics, but please feel free to contact me or leave questions in the comments. I promise to check back with answers.

Birthday Tags
Stamps: Balloon Bash (available July 15th), Wishes Come True (available July 15th), Sketched Shapes, To You From Me, Background Basics: Circles, Background Basics: Medallions, Big Ticket Basics, Bountiful Banners - Papertrey Ink
Cardstock: Hawaiian Shores, New Leaf, Aqua Mist, Berry Sorbet, Summer Sunrise - Papertrey Ink; white
Ink: Berry Sorbet, Summer Sunrise, Hawaiian Shores, Aqua Mist, New Leaf, Lemon Tart, True Black - Papertrey Ink
Other: Balloon Bash Die (available July 15th), Wishes Come True Die (available July 15th), Tag Sale #3 Die, Tag Sale #4 Die, Tag Sale #5 Die, Tag Sale #7 Die, Bountiful Banners Die Collection - Papertrey Ink; Foam Tape - Scotch, Super Fine Crystal Glitter - Martha Stewart Crafts; Lemon, Green Apple, Aqua, Teal Baker's Twine - Divine Twine; Crochet Thread

July Papertrey Ink Countdown - Day 3

Hello, All, and welcome back to this month's Papertrey Ink Countdown! I'm so glad to hear that you're enjoying the peeks this month. I have a few more projects to share with you using Balloon Bash and Wishes Come True (available July 15th), so let's get to it!

This first card features Wishes Come True. I wanted to create a card that made it look like the candles were being blown out and this is the result. I started by randomly stamping my candles in Spring Rain, Enchanted Evening, and New Leaf. I added flames to a few of the candles, drew on wicks to the rest with colored pencils, and added the sentiment.

Then I stamped my air swirls using a couple of the decorative swashes from Remember using a glue pad. I sprinkled on a bit of glitter and then burnished the image to make sure the glitter stuck to the glue securely (I used a scrap of paper to protect my fingers from the glitter). I tapped off the excess and matted my focal panel with a piece of Lemon Tart cardstock.

I mounted that piece to an Enchanted Evening card front that had been textured with the Herringbone Impression Plate and given a ribbon/twine treatment. The glittered swirl is subtle, but it shows up well enough to get the point across.

My next Wishes Come True card today shows that this set can go beyond birthdays.

When I was designing this set I wanted to make sure that the images were versatile enough to be used for multiple occasions. I used the solid candle here to create a Hanukkah card, but that's only the beginning. Imagine the Advent, Kwanzaa, and wedding/unity options, just to name a few!

I started by stamping my candles in Spring Rain and Lemon Tart inks. I die cut a scalloped border and adhered that to the lower edge of my focal image. Then, I stamped and heat embossed my sentiment onto a Blueberry Sky card front before texturing that with the Woodgrain Impression Plate.

I adhered my candle panel to the card front with foam adhesive and then finished it off with a bit of glitter on each candle flame.

My final card today pairs a balloon from Balloon Bash with a sentiment from Wishes Come True.

I started by die cutting and stamping my balloon. Next, I pressed the entire die cut into my VersaMark pad until it was good and saturated.

Then, I sprinkled the die with a mixture of clear embossing powder and super fine glitter and heated it until it melted. I repeated this process a few times, until my surface was thick, shiny, and had a good bit of shimmer (which was difficult to capture on camera).

I set that aside while I stamped a Photo Finishers strip with my sentiment and stamped my card front with polka dots. I stitched my balloon string onto my card front before adhering that to a white base. I adhered my sentiment strip into place and mounted my balloon with foam adhesive. I finished the card by embellishing with a small white bow and a handful of clear rhinestones.

Well, that's all for me today. I'll be back with more soon, but in the meantime make sure to check in with Nichole, Ashley, Danielle, Dawn, Heather, Melissa, and Melissa for even more inspiration. See you tomorrow!

Recipes:
Blowing Out The Candles Card
Stamps: Wishes Come True, Remember - Papertrey Ink
Cardstock: Enchanted Evening, Lemon Tart - Papertrey Ink; white
Ink: Spring Rain, Enchanted Evening, New Leaf, Lemon Tart - Papertrey Ink; Glue Pad - Tsukineko
Other: Spring Rain Saddle Stitched Ribbon, Herringbone Impression Plate - Papertrey Ink; Green Apple Baker's Twine - Divine Twine; Super Fine Crystal Glitter - Martha Stewart Crafts; Colored Pencils - Prismacolor; Foam Tape - Scotch

Hanukkah Candles Card
Stamps: Wishes Come True, Menorah Medley - Papertrey Ink
Cardstock: Blueberry Sky, Lemon Tart Polka Dot Paper - Papertrey Ink; white
Ink: Spring Rain, Lemon Tart - Papertrey Ink; VersaMark - Tsukineko
Other: Small Scalloped Border Die, Woodgrain Impression Plate - Papertrey Ink; Fine White Embossing Powder - Filigree; Foam Tape - Scotch; Super Fine Crystal Glitter - Martha Stewart Crafts

Glittered Balloon Card
Stamps: Balloon Bash, Wishes Come True, Polka Dot Basics - Papertrey Ink
Cardstock: Aqua Mist - Papertrey Ink; white
Ink: Fresh Snow, Pure Poppy, True Black - Papertrey Ink; VersaMark - Tsukineko
Other: Balloon Bash Die, Photo Finishers Die Collection - Papertrey Ink; Fine Clear Embossing Powder - Filigree; Super Fine Crystal Glitter - Martha Stewart Crafts; Small Clear Rhinetstones - Mark Richards; Medium/Large Rhinestones - Darice; Embroidery Floss - DMC; Crochet Thread

July Papertrey Ink Countdown - Day 2

Welcome back to this month's Papertrey Ink Countdown! I'm so glad to hear that you're enjoying the peeks so far and I can't wait to share even more birthday goodness today. Let's get started!

I thought I would begin with a little birthday invitation and favor ensemble. I started by die cutting and stamping one of the balloons from Birthday Bash (available July 15th). Next, I stamped a piece of Classic Kraft with Background Basics: Birthday Fun in white ink. I matted that with a layer of white cardstock, added a crochet thread balloon string, and adhered on a sentiment flag.

The balloon was added atop the flag and balloon string with foam adhesive. That whole piece was then mounted to a Pure Poppy card front that had been embossed with the By The Numbers impression plate. I finished it off with a crochet thread bow embellishing the balloon.

The favor box came next. I started by stamping another piece of Kraft with the Birthday Fun background strip and die cutting the Essential Pillow Box. I cut a negative from the pillow box using the new Balloon Bash die and adhered a piece of Clearly Creative cardstock to the inside of the opening. I pierced a hole and threaded through a bit of crochet thread that was then adhered to the base of the balloon with a tiny piece of Scor-Tape. Next, I assembled the box as normal, added a small bow, and attached a sentiment flag. The final step was filling the box with candies (after checking them for freshness, of course). That window really makes it on this one.

My last project today is a first birthday card featuring images from Wishes Come True (available July 15th).

I started by stamping a plaid pattern on my Berry Sorbet card front with watermark ink. Next, I die cut a Half & Half die and scored two lines near the bottom. I stamped my sentiment within those lines and added a shadow and "glow."

I die cut and stamped my candle next (I used one of the stitches from the Sew Simple Borders stamp set as a wick) and adhered that to the Half & Half shape using foam adhesive. I tied a bow around the card base and mounted my focal point atop that with more foam tape. A little glitter on the flame finished it off nicely.

Well, that's all for me today. I'll be back with more tomorrow, but in the meantime make sure to check in with Nichole, Dawn, Heather, and Melissa for even more inspiration. See you tomorrow!

Recipes:
Birthday Party Ensemble
Stamps: Balloon Bash (available July 15th), Background Basics: Birthday Fun, Friendship Jar, Do Me A Favor Tags - Papertrey Ink
Cardstock: Classic Kraft, Pure Poppy, Clearly Creative Cardstock - Papertrey Ink; white
Ink: Fresh Snow, Pure Poppy, Dark Chocolate - Papertrey Ink
Other: Balloon Bash Die (available July 15th), Essential Pillow Box Die, By The Numbers Impression Plate, Sketched Shapes Die Collection, Countdown Details Die - Papertrey Ink; Scor-Tape; Foam Tape - Scotch; white crochet thread

First Birthday Card
Stamps: Wishes Come True (available July 15th), Warm Happiness, Dot Spot, Background Basics: Super Stripes - Papertrey Ink
Cardstock: Berry Sorbet - Papertrey Ink; white
Ink: Berry Sorbet, Lemon Tart, Aqua Mist, Summer Sunrise - Papertrey Ink; VersaMark - Tsukineko
Other: Wishes Come True Die (available July 15th), Half & Half Die - Papertrey Ink; Teal Baker's Twine - Divine Twine; Foam Tape - Scotch; Fine Crystal Glitter - Martha Stewart Crafts

Introducing Balloon Bash & Wishes Come True

Good morning, fellow crafty folks! Welcome to the first day of the July Papertrey Ink Countdown. Today I get to introduce two very exciting birthday sets and it's my sweet fella's 30th birthday! How fun is that?! Balloon Bash and Wishes Come True will both be available for sale on the 15th at 10pm; in the meantime, I get to share five days worth of projects that show the versatility of these fun, new sets. Let's get started!

First up is Wishes Come True. This birthday set features a series of 2 1/2" candles in a variety of patterns along with a handful of playful sentiments. Some of the patterns are even two-step images!

For this first card I started by stamping the candle outline repeatedly onto white cardstock. Next, I used several of the filler images to add color to the candles in a random pattern. I continued by cutting a strip of vellum, scoring it to create a raised banner, and then stamping my sentiment in black ink.

I adhered that to my base and used threaded buttons to hide the adhesive. It's simple, but that really allows the sentiment to become the focus.

On this next card, I wanted to show how well this new set coordinates with the previously released Shape Up Cupcake die (note: this card would fit best in an A6 envelope or in a Bulk Mail Envelope).

I started by die cutting my base and an additional front piece from white cardstock. I also cut the cupcake liner from Lemon Tart patterned paper that I had adhered to a layer of Lemon Tart cardstock. Layering the patterned paper with cardstock really allows the detail from the cupcake liner die to impress deeply and show well.

I stamped the front of my cupcake with polka dots and the sentiment before adhering it to my base. I added my cupcake liner, a Berry Sorbet Loop De Loop and a candle that I had die cut and stamped with the coordinating images.

I didn't use the candle outline in this instance, so I just drew on a wick using a colored pencil. I embellished my flame and my Loop De Loop with glitter for a little sparkle.

Now let's take a look at Balloon Bash. This set includes three patterned balloons along with multiple strings and several small embellishment images. You'll love how much you can do with this set!

I thought we'd start with a shaker card today. I started by die cutting my shaker balloon from the Aqua Mist panel and stamping my swirls and numbers onto a white base in the resulting negative space. Then I stamped my strings and sentiment onto the Aqua Mist panel. I adhered a small piece of clear cardstock to the back of my balloon cut out and created a barrier around the perimeter using thin strips of foam adhesive.

I used more foam adhesive to pop-up the whole panel and sprinkled a small bit of glitter in the shaker area before adhering that top layer to my base. I die cut and stamped two additional balloons that I then added to the front of my card. The last tiny detail was adding a dot of pearlized, dimensional paint to the center of the flower in my sentiment.

My final card today also features a balloon bundle, but this time I used crochet thread in place of stamped strings for a bit of extra texture.

I started by die cutting and stamping my balloons onto white cardstock. I followed suit with the sentiment onto a Fillable Frames #8 shape. I then stamped a white panel with polka dots and adhered it to a Simply Chartreuse card base.

The card was wrapped with a piece of Harvest Gold Saddle Stitched Ribbon before the sentiment was added with foam adhesive. The balloons (embellished with crochet thread) were added with additional foam adhesive. Lots of dimension on this one!

I hope you've enjoyed today's projects! I'll be back with more tomorrow, but in the meantime make sure to check in with Nichole, Betsy, Cristina, Dawn, Erin, Heather, and Melissa for even more inspiration. See you tomorrow!

Recipes:
So Many Candles Card
Stamps: Wishes Come True (available July 15th) - Papertrey Ink
Cardstock: Vellum - Papertrey Ink; white
Ink: Hibiscus Burst, Summer Sunrise, Limeade Ice, Hawaiian Shores, Lemon Tart, True Black - Papertrey Ink
Other: Limeade Ice buttons - Papertrey Ink; square punch - EK Success; white crochet thread

Make A Wish Cupcake Card
Stamps: Wishes Come True (available July 15th), Polka Dot Basics - Papertrey Ink
Cardstock: Lemon Tart Polka Dot Patterned Paper, Lemon Tart, Berry Sorbet - Papertrey Ink
Ink: Aqua Mist, Simply Chartreuse, Enchanted Evening, Lemon Tart - Papertrey Ink
Other: Shape Up Cupcake Die, Wishes Come True Die (available July 15th), Loop De Loop Border Die - Papertrey Ink; Fine Crystal Glitter - Martha Stewart Crafts; Xyron Machine; Colored Pencil - Prismacolor

Shaker Balloon Card
Stamps: Balloon Bash (available July 15th), Fresh Alphabet - Papertrey Ink
Cardstock: Aqua Mist, Crystal Clear Cardstock - Papertrey Ink; white
Ink: Winter Wisteria, Hawaiian Shores, Lemon Tart, Aqua Mist - Papertrey Ink
Other: Balloon Bash Die (available July 15th) - Papertrey Ink; Chunky Crystal Glitter - Martha Stewart Crafts; Foam Adhesive - Scotch

Birthday Wishes Card
Stamps: Balloon Bash (available July 15th), Fillable Frames #8, Polka Dot Basics - Papertrey Ink
Cardstock: Simply Chartreuse - Papertrey Ink; white
Ink: Simply Chartreuse, Aqua Mist, Terra Cotta Tile, Harvest Gold - Papertrey Ink
Other: Balloon Bash Die (available July 15th), Harvest Gold Saddle Stitched Ribbon, Fillable Frames #8 Die - Papertrey Ink

July Sneak Peeks

Hello, Friends! Please pardon the crickets, we've been busy here celebrating birthdays. Sean and I both have early July birthdays; consequently, there has been a good bit of kicking up our heels in the past week or so.

Speaking of birthdays...I'm so excited about a couple of Papertrey Ink sets I get to sneak peek today! I'll be sharing projects using my two new sets starting on the 10th. See you then!

July Color Play

Good morning and welcome to the July installment of Papertrey Ink's Color Play! This month we're showcasing a color scheme that includes Raspberry Fizz, Hibiscus Burst, Sweet Blush, Spring Moss, and Ripe Avocado. Our inspiration photo came from the Ruffled wedding blog. Aren't those flowers incredible?

The colors in this month’s combo are so feminine and fun! It’s not every day that I’m drawn to these colors (in fact, I have a little confession to make... I had, up until this point, never used Raspberry Fizz or Hibiscus Burst. I know!), so I thought I would take this opportunity to create a girly birthday card that is as sweet as the colors themselves. It just so happens that it's my birthday, so I guess I made myself a birthday card. Ha!

I started by cutting the Hexagon Cover Plate from white cardstock and performing a little surgery to make it significantly shorter. I simply cut a few rows out of the center and adhered the two ends back together. Then I matted the resulting decorative piece with a panel of Ripe Avocado cardstock. I stamped my hexagons with the inks in my color palette and filled in my Cover Plate holes using the template on Nichole's blog (from the Happy Hexagons introduction).

That whole panel was wrapped with a piece of Spring Moss Saddle Stitched ribbon (it hides the seam quite nicely). A bow with a Hibiscus Burst button center was tied to the ribbon with a bit of twine and a  slightly wavy sentiment flag was tucked in under the bow. The whole panel was added to a polka dotty Sweet Blush card base with foam adhesive.

Well, that's all for me today folks! I hope you've enjoyed this month's project and I hope you'll share your projects using the color scheme over on the Papertrey Ink forum. We'll have a thread ready in the Challenge section that you can use to share photos or links to your projects. Thanks for stopping by today. Have a wonderful week!

Recipe:
Stamps: Happy Hexagons, Polka Dot Basics, Fillable Frames Sentiments - Papertrey Ink
Cardstock: Sweet Blush, Ripe Avocado - Papertrey Ink; white
Ink: Raspberry Fizz, Hibiscus Burst, Sweet Blush, Spring Moss, Ripe Avocado - Papertrey Ink; VersaMark - Tsukineko
Other: Sketched Shapes die collection, Spring Moss Saddle Stitched ribbon, Hexagons Cover Plate, Hibiscus Burst button - Papertrey Ink; foam tape - Scotch; white twine