Impressive, To Die For Tips & Tricks!

It's the first of the month and you know what that means in Papertrey land...the Sr. Design Team challenge!  This month Nichole challenged us to use the new dies and impression plates. What a fitting way to finish off a whole week of diecutting fun!  :-)

I've got a few techniques to show you.  The first thing I did was ink my impression plates before sending them through my machine.  It almost resembles a letterpress look!  Very fun! For the top portion of the card I used the Polka Dot Basics II plate with Raspberry Fizz ink and on the bottom I used the Giga Guidelines plate with Hawaiian Shores.  You don't need to be fussy...a little of the ink is going to get in between the raised design, but just go for it...it looks so pretty! 

Then there's the center kraft strip...what's that, a new impression plate, you ask?  Nope, I just diecut some kraft flowers using Beautiful Blooms #2 dies and adhered them to kraft cardstock.  I LOVE the tone-on-tone look that it gives. 

And lastly, notice the sentiment?  That's one of the embellishments from the Color Couture Vol I.  I embossed it with the Polka Dot Basics II embossing plate.  It's a great way to dress up those diecuts and give them a little more interest and texture.  I just layed the cut-out on the edge of my impression plate and ran it through my machine to emboss the top, then flipped it around and embossed the bottom.  This leaves the sentiment un-embossed and gives it a fun look! 

Here's just a few ideas for different things you can do with your new dies and impression plates!  For even more ideas, visit the rest of the Senior Team girls...

Lisa Johnson
Dawn McVey
Heather Nichols
Michelle Wooderson
Guest Designer Kelly Purkey

And before I go, Nichole asked us to share some storage ideas for the new dies.  I'll admit, I'm not real organizationally savvy...I'm a toss and go kind of organizer.  If I can't toss it in a basket, bin, or bucket, chances are it won't get put back in its place.  Call me lazy.  So this is how I am storing my Papertrey dies...

I had a spot underneath my stamp shelf, so I screwed some little cup hooks into the bottom and hung some small metal buckets (from the Target Dollar Spot!) on the hooks.  One holds flowers, one for labels and such and another for miscellaneous things.  Not too technical, but it's what works for me...toss and go.

Right now my tall border dies and impression plates are in a larger bucket with my small collection of Copics.  This will probably have to change as my collection of markers and dies/plates grows, but it works for now. 

 
  

 

 Cardstock:  Vintage Cream, Kraft
Ink: Hawaiian Shores, Raspberry Fizz
Dies:  Beautiful Blooms II #2, Rick Rack border
Impression plates: Polka Dot Basics II, Giga Guidelines
Other:   Color Couture Vol 1 embellishment, Aqua Mist Saddle Stitch ribbon, Sweet Blush button, Rustic Jute button twine, scallop scissors

Comments

[Jackie]

Love that card! What a great idea about the die cuts....I will have to remember that one. Thanks for the peek into your organizational ideas, too. Those buckets are wonderful fro storage - I have several myself and every time I go to Target I am tempted by the ones in the Dollar Spot.

[Eveline van Heijst]

Lovely card.
Great storage idea. I love storage ideas!
Eveline.

[Jennifer K]

Lovely card, Betsy. And thanks for sharing your crafting space and storage ideas. I just love looking at other spaces and getting ideas for my own.

[Diane Jaquay]

LOVE your card Betsy! I especially love the Kraft section in the middle, at first I thought you had embossed it with the flower dies. Love your organizing ideas too, those little tin buckets are so cute and functional and give such a nice pop of color to your work space; fun stuff!!

[jaime aldridge]

hi, betsy! love your card! i was wondering where you got your stamp shelf? did you purchase it from somewhere? or did someone make it for you? i have one like that for my ink pads, and i think i NEED one for my stamp sets as well!!

[Jeni Barbas]

Love the peeks of your room and storage ideas...would LOVE to see more pics of your craft room!!

[April Z]

I love your little buckets. They are so cute!

[Elizabeth S.]

I just love your card!! Your ideas for storage is great! I like the little pails to hold the dies.

[Jill Hayes]

Very original idea with the die-cuts on the craft paper. . .it really does look like it is embossed. Where do you get your impression plates?? Can they be used in the Cuttlebug? I love my Cuttlebug but Provo's embossing designs are so limited, they only release new designs about once a year or so.

[Nancy L.]

great idea!

[Deb]

I would love to see more pics of your crafting space. Your sneak peeks are so cute. ...I am wondering about where you purchased your stamp shelf too. Please do tell...

[Emily Leiphart]

What a stunning card, Betsy! I especially love the embossed kraft in the centre!

[Tracey McNeely]

I just love your card. Fantastic techniques and definitely outside the box!

[Helen F.]

Eeeekkkk! What cute little buckets...love your storage ideas AND your cards too, Betsy :)

[Chris Hawley]

Can we see more of your craft room? It looks similar to mine and I am looking for a few more ideas. I also have those buckets, LOL!

[lynn]

sweet card, betsy--love pics of your storage!

[Pam L.]

You are a creative genius! Thanks for sharing your wonderful ideas!
One of your faithful blog followers,
Hugs,
Pam L.

[Ann]

Oh my goodness Betsy! I love love love that kraft strip idea and am going to try it right now! What a lovely card!

[Sylvia/Little Treasures]

Betsy, you certainly are a busy designer. I love this card. So many nice focal points. Your storage is a bright and cheerful idea. Thanks for sharing

[Kathi]

I always love the soft romantic vintagy(is that a word?)look of your cards. They're always just beautiful! I'm curious as to where you purchased your wooden cd storage racks. I'm outgrowing my present storage, plus they aren't the sturdiest and yours look like an idea I'd definitely be interested in.

[Karen Schwochow]

What great ideas! Can't wait for the new releases. Can you give info on the wooden storage for the stamp sets? It looks like a very sturdy piece and a great solution to storing the PTI stamp sets.

[Anna Wasierski]

I love the little sneak peaks into your craft room. Can you tell me where you got your CD holders? I have been looking for ones that go horizontal but I have only found vertical. Can you share? Thanks

[MARY H]

Would love it if - when you have the time - you could show more of your craft space. The little bits I have seen have me very interested to see more.

[Connie F.]

Thanks for the tips/techniques! I wouldn't have thought of inking my impression plates---that's a great idea! Love your card.

I am also curious about your CD storage rack. I have looked online and haven't been able to find what I have in mind--and yours is exactly what I was thinking.