Phrase Play #4

Hi there! Welcome to day two of the May Papertrey Ink countdown.  I'm here today to share a few samples using one of this months new dies and its coordinating stamp set... Phrase Play #4. This new design is fresh and fun! You have the option of keeping it vertical or you can turn it horizontally. The best part is that you can add so many different things to the opening. You can work with what is included in the companion set, other Phrase Play sets or even additional images/sentiments from your stash!

Keep in mind that this set will be available for purchase beginning May 15th at Papertrey Ink.  Plus, more info and a detail look at these items can be found on Nichole Heady blog today.

So, let me get right to today's projects...

First up a vertical version.  This Phrase Play die was cut from soft stone cardstock.

Underneath I placed a few die cut scribbles using the new Circle Scribbles die set, also coming out this month.  Color combo used here... aqua mist, blueberry sky and tropical teal.

Then finished the card off with a trimmed sentiment.

Next, a horizontal take.  This time the enjoy card was cut from smokey shadow and placed over a few stamped chevrons in a color combo of berry sorbet, summer sunrise and harvest gold.  These were stamped using the new Background Basics: Super Chevrons stamp set.

A few accent images were stamped using the new Background Basics: Venice.

I've got one final vertical look for you today.  A portion of this die was cut again from smokey shadow and placed on its side, to border the stamped edge.  Stamped using the Garden Grace stamp set in a color combo of melon berry, pure poppy, soft stone and new leaf.

In the center of the "o" is a peek at yet another stamp set coming out this month, which you will find out about more a bit later in the countdown.

Well, that concludes today's look at Phrase Play #4. Just remember... this set will be available for purchase through Papertrey Ink, beginning May 15th. 

Now, be sure to visit Nichole Heady for the details on today, day 1 of the countdown.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Maile

Wildflower Garden Revisited

Thanks for joining me today for the May Papertrey Ink Senior DT Challenge. This time around we are bringing back Wildflower Garden!   

Boy, it's been a while since I've pulled out this delightful set.  There's nothing like bringing out an old set and coming up with a new and modern use for it.  I've got a couple ideas for you today that incorporate the use of this set with current and fresh trends.  Take a look...

First up, the use of a technique I shared here just the other day. This divided panel was stamped in a color combo of melon berry and plum pudding.  Not a usual one for me but I really like it.

Finished the card off with a divided sentiment.

A watercolor effect is super trendy right now, I just had to give it a go and combine Wildflower Garden with Watercolor Wonder.

Pastels are popping up all over the place this season.  Here I've chosen to work with watercolored stripes in a soft color combo of harvest gold, melon berry, sweet blush, lavender moon and spring rain.  This take is so soft and fresh.

Well, that's it from me today. Now be sure to visit the other Papertrey Ink senior design team girls for more Wildflower Garden goodness...

• Dawn McVey
• Betsy Veldman
• Heather Nichols
• Melissa Phillips

Thanks for stopping by today!

Maile

Divided Panels

Thanks for joining me today for this weeks Papertrey Ink Design Team Tip!

Today I've got a unique and easy way to transform your projects!  I like to call it… divided panels.   This technique involves slicing right through your hand stamped focal points, but don’t worry!  These steps make it possible to incorporate a pop of color and/or a sentiment in a cool and eye catching way that won't ruin your beautiful stamping job.

Check it out...

I've got a simple duo to share with you today using this technique in a two different ways...

First up, the easiest version.  All you need is cardstock, stamps, ink and a paper trimmer. 

It all begins by stamping a focal point of your choice.  I chose to work with the floral images from the Bold Bouquet Anniversary stamp set. Once done simply cut the stamped panel into two pieces.

Then attached both portions to a card base (preferably one folded from colored cardstock, it will stand out a bit more this way) leaving enough room for a sentiment. I chose to work with dimensional adhesive here.  Once adhered into place simply trim off the excess.

Here the sentiment is stamped onto soft stone cardstock and nestled neatly between the two panels.  Another option would be to select a bolder color for your card base and then stamp your sentiment onto either the top or bottom panel.

This look is a bit more involved, it requires the use of the Tipped Tops die collection.

First up, stamp your focal point.  Here I chose to work with Feather Finery. Temporarily attached the die into place (I'm working with the largest one in the die collection) and cut.

Chose a card base folded from a color that coordinates and attach both divided panels into place leaving a slight gap.  Carefully trim off the excess by hand.

Then finish the card off with a sentiment.  After all that trimming might as well chop up your sentiments too.  :)

So what do you think?!  This is definitely an unexpected touch that's sure to be noticed. Well, that's it from me today.  I hope you too will give your projects this very treatment.  Have fun!

Thanks for stopping by.

Maile




Why, Hello There. Card
Stamps: Bold Bouquet
Ink: PTI (soft stone) Hero Arts (Soft Cantaloupe, Pale Tomato and Wet Cement
Cardstock: Soft Stone and White
Other: White Enamel Dots

Feather Friends Forever Card
Stamps: Feather Finery
Ink: PTI (True Black and Aqua Mist) Hero Arts (Tide Pool & Cornflower)
Cardstock: Aqua Mist and White
Others: White Enamel Dots

Papertrey Ink April Release Projects

The Papertrey Ink April countdown is about to come to an end and I'm here to share my final projects with you today. But, before I do, let me remind you that everything you've seen peeks of will be available for purchase through Papertrey Ink beginning 10 pm EST tonight.

Now, let me get started!...

Simply Framed by Nichole Heady.

Totally inspired by this card made by me previously (fourth card down).

The A-Mazing Stamp Set by Erin Lincoln.

These large solid circles were creating by using the reverse side of the round maze stamp.  The star circle is from Initial Thoughts by Nichole Heady.

Botanical Blocks by Nichole Heady.

The botanical rose block was inked in both berry sorbet and sweet blush and then the cardstock panel was divided using the medium sized Tipped Tops die.

Phrase Play #3 by Nichole.

After trimming off the bottom edge of the phrase play "ticket" I attached it to the bottom edge of the card front using dimensional adhesive (just along the outer edges) to create a pocket.

Here's a shot at the color-blocked tag, it was die cut using the Simply Framed die.

Football Frenzy + Additions by Lizzie Jones.

The background numbers were stamped in soft stone and the helmet was stamped in tropical teal and dark chocolate.

Monthly Moments: April Collection by Heather Nichols.

Stamped a rainbow border of tumbling umbrellas and finished the card off with a sentiment and flower from Initial Thoughts by Nichole Heady.

Teepee Time by Melissa Bickford.

Stamped a soft background of trees in soft stone and allowed the teepee to pop by stamping it in harvest gold, sweet blush and aqua mist.  Finished the card off with a die cut "Hello" from the Phrase Play #3 die cut.

Be sure to check out the rest of the Design Teams fabulous projects as well...

• Nichole Heady
• Betsy Veldman
• Heather Nichols
• Dawn McVey
• Melissa Phillips
• Erin Lincoln
• Laura Bassen
• Danielle Flanders
• Ashley Cannon Newell
• Laurie Willson

Thanks for stopping by!

Maile

Desktop Design

Welcome to the final day of the Papertrey Ink April countdown and the second design team group post day. Today's group post is focused on the new set Desktop Design.  Nichole Heady has done a stellar job with this unique idea! It's been fun working with this set and coming up with two card designs, one simple and one complicated. I've also challenged myself to incorporate both a traditional and non-traditional application into both.   

Here's how I was inspired to use this set...

Here's a happy duo.  I stuck with an elegant color combo of gold, true black, smokey shadow and soft stone.

First up, a simple design featuring a unique use for the school paper lines.  

I stamped them in soft stone as a base to help ground the telephone as well as the sentiment.  I just love the touch of gold for the phone, kind of gives it a more realistic look.

This next one, even though still simple, features a few more touches that add to the complexity of this card.  I've also used the desk here for its traditional purpose. 

The desk was heat embossed in white onto a craft paper die cut.

A touch of class was added by pulling out the gold ink again for the typewriter and desk draw pulls.

Well, that's all I've got for you today. Just remember... everything you've seen peek of today will be available for purchase through Papertrey Ink, beginning April 15th. 

Now, be sure to see what the rest of the Papertrey Ink design team has in store for you today...

• Nichole Heady
• Betsy Veldman
• Heather Nichols
• Dawn McVey
• Melissa Phillips
• Erin Lincoln
• Laura Bassen
• Danielle Flanders
• Ashley Cannon Newell
• Laurie Willson

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Maile

Happy Happy Birthday Card
Stamps: Desktop Design
Ink: Soft Stone, True Black and Gold
Cardstock: White

Hello. Happy Birthday Card
Stamps: Desktop Design
Ink: Versamark, True Black and Gold
Cardstock: Rustic White
Pattern Paper: Smokey Shadow
Others: White Embossing Powder and Desktop Design Die Collection

Introducing Simple Stars

Hello and welcome to the third day of the Papertrey Ink April countdown and the first Design Team group post! 

Today's group post is all about showcasing the new Simple Stars stamp set and coordinating cover plate die. Our challenge today is to create two projects, one feminine and one masculine, using color combo inspiration found online. 

Check out what I've cooked up for you today...

Two identical projects except for the changing out of colors.

First up, the feminine version. Inspiration photo found here.

This design of today's projects focuses on the Cover Plate: Stars die and is accented with a single sentiment from the Simple Stars stamp set.

And begun with color-blocked backgrounds created using strips of colored cardstock, trimmed to varying sizes, and attached to a card base.

Color combo inspired by the inspiration photo above... berry sorbet, melon berry, sweet blush and harvest gold. A little touch of black ribbon and a sentiment finished the card off perfectly.

The masculine inspiration piece can be found here.

I was inspired to use a color combo of... tropical teal, aqua mist, spring rain and soft stone.

This masculine version was finished off nicely with a touch of white enamel dots and a sentiment strip accented with a tiny black star.

Well, that concludes my look at Simple Stars. Just remember... this stamp set and die will be available for purchase through Papertrey Ink, beginning April 15th. 

Now, be sure to see what the rest of the Papertrey Ink design team has in store for you today...

• Nichole Heady
• Betsy Veldman
• Heather Nichols
• Dawn McVey
• Melissa Phillips
• Erin Lincoln
• Laura Bassen
• Danielle Flanders
• Ashley Cannon Newell
• Laurie Willson

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Maile




Wish Upon a Birthday Star (feminine version)
Stamps: Simple Stars
Ink: True Black
Carstock: Berry Sorber, Melon Berry, Sweet Blush and Harvest Gold
Others: True Black Satin Ribbon and Cover Plate: Stars die

Wish Upon a Birthday Star (masculine version)
Stamps: Simple Stars
Ink: True Black
Carstock: Tropical Teal, Aqua Mist, Spring Rain and Soft Stone
Others: White Enamel Dots by Queen&Co and Cover Plate: Stars die