I hope you've all been having a great time with the Papertrey Ink 5th Anniversary celebration! I'm just amazed at all of the awesome prizes they are giving away! It's so fun to see what everyone's been doing with the challenges. I hope you've had a chance to play along! Today is the 10th, which means the actual countdown is beginning. There is also a sketch challenge on Nichole's blog today. She is providing 5 sketches for you to play along with for a chance to win another amazing prize package which you can read about on Nichole's blog today.
So, since today is the start of the actual countdown, let's get on to some new products, shall we? Today I get to help introduce two new sets. The first is called Frilly Flowers and was designed by Tiffany Pastor. It's a jumbo-sized floral set that's done up in Tiffany's classic grunge style. There are so many different layering possibilites, especially when you add in the coordinating die collection. I had so much fun playing with this set and I know I'll reach for it often.
The second set I'm featuring tonight is the next installment of the Think Big Favorites collection. I love these sets and am so glad they are continuing with it this year! I reach for the sentiments in these sets all. the. time. Love them. This month's set features 3 birthday sentiments from the original 2010 Birthday Tags set.
So how about some projects? First up is a bright and cheery thank you card. I played around with layering some Frilly Flower diecuts over some of the stamped images for lots of dimension. I added in some Pure Poppy felt and also a rolled ribbon rose created from Pure Poppy grosgrain ribbon. I also pulled out my Cover Plate: Quatrefoil die to experiment with a technique that's been floating around my head for awhile!
I used the Mat Stack 4 and Mat Stack 4 Layerz dies to create a framed cut-out on the Quatrefoil die. It's really pretty simple and I'll show you in a few step-by-step photos.
I started by diecuting the Quatrefoil die out of some bright yellow patterned paper. I then placed my Mat Stack 4 die over the center and ran it through my machine again.
Then using the same paper, I diecut a Mat Stack 4 Layerz. (you could use different paper for a contrasting frame which would also be cool!) I then took that Layerz diecut and ran it through my machine again, this time with the regular Mat Stack 4 die placed directly in the center.
This creates a very narrow frame. You could also try combining it with the Mega Mat Stack die for a thicker border, but that might not leave you much of the Quatrefoil die showing...I might have to play around with that and see what happens!
I then adhered that frame over my Quatrefoil diecut from which I had cut the Mat Stack out of the center of in the first photo. I would have a photo of this step, but this was the point in my day when my little helper arrived and announced she was going to stamp...and all projects in progress had to be quickly rescued before they were rendered useless...and in that process I forgot to take a photo. Sorry. :-) But you get the idea, right?
Ok, next card. :-) This one is based on one of the sketches that Nichole is using for the sketch challenge on her blog today.
For the flowers on this card, I experimented with diecutting and stamping on wood paper. So fun! Wood was definitely one of the trends I noticed with the new CHA releases this month. Creative Imaginations manufactures a thin wood "paper" that can be easily diecut. There are two thicknesses - I used the THIN in birch. You can find these papers in HERE, HERE, or HERE. It is very thin (good for your diecut machine!) so I also cut the flowers from a lightweight chipboard and adhered the two together.
I also took a brown Copic marker and ran it along the edges of the flowers to give that sort of "burned" look that purchased wood embellishments can have. I love this look and feel and will need to do that again! The Happy Birthday sentiment along the bottoms is from the new Think Big Favorites #13.
My next card is also based on one of Nichole's sketches for today's challenge....this fun one!
For this next card, I used just the dies cut from patterned paper to create the focal flower. I'll show you a fun little technique in a bit using the largest die from the collection to create the looped center similar to the Loopsy Daisy die. This big fluffy flower is made from just two diecuts! Kinda cool, huh?
I added some Frilly Flower stamped images behind my dimensional flower and a little BB: Chevron love along the bottom edge too. Can you tell from today's post that I'm digging the chevron trend?
Ok, so step-by-steps on the flower. I started with these two diecuts from the Frilly Flower die collection, and also a 1" punched circle.
I started by adhering that yellow circle to the center of the largest die.
Then I took a scissors and snipped between each of the longer petals, right up to the edge of the center circle.
I then put a dab of glue in the center and folded those longer petals up and into the center, securing them with the glue.
I went all the way around the flower until all of the long petals were looped up and then topped it off with a button.
I then took that second diecut flower and adhered it to the backside so the petals showed through the gaps where I trimmed away the long petals. I bent the petals up a bit for added dimension. Fun and easy! The finished flower is nice and big too...about 2 3/4" in diameter.
And lastly tonight, a bright and colorful birthday card using all three of the Think Big Favorites #13 sentiments to create a colorful background. The small Happy Birthday sentiment is from the original Birthday Tags set, from which these sentiments were super-sized. I love that if you have both sets you can have a completely coordinated look.
The pretty Aqua Mist and Raspberry Fizz papers are from the new single color patterned paper packs that are beginning to be released this month. This will be a continuing collection with these being the first two colors released. I love this idea and can't wait to have more of them. What I really love is that they don't have white or cream in the pattern, so they can easily be paired with anything! (the yellow chevron is from a My Mind's Eye pad).
That's all from me today...thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you'll have a chance to play along with today's sketch challenge. You can also check out more new product peeks on the DT members that are posting today...Heather, Lisa, Maile, Melissa, Tiffany, Lizzie and Jessica
Finished size = 5 1/2" x 4 1/4"
Supplies not linked but available on February 15th from Papertrey Ink: Frilly Flowers stamp set and die collection.
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All of your projects are wonderful! Love the colors and printed paper flowers! I am especially lovin your Sketch #2 card w/the wood bkgrd and flowers. :)
Posted by: Gabby | February 10, 2012 at 06:47 AM
Just lovely, Betsy. Your chosen colors and created flowers would brighten anyone's day. Thanks for sharing these beauties!
Posted by: Donna M. | February 10, 2012 at 07:00 AM
Oh my! such gorgeous goodness!! Do you realize the flower you cut using the chevron paper, after you made the long cuts, the remaining petals look like hearts?! So clever. That would make a great Valentine flower!!
Posted by: Kathy H | February 10, 2012 at 07:02 AM
I absolutely LOVE the idea of that fromws trellis look on the first card with the quattrefoil die! Brilliant. You definitely demonstrated tons of versatility with a lot of the new products today - I adore them all. Thanks for sharing your amazing mind with us :)
Posted by: Tracey C. | February 10, 2012 at 07:27 AM
All these are very beautiful...love how you did the die.....such a pretty array of projects!!
Posted by: Diane Hover | February 10, 2012 at 08:14 AM
A-MAZ-ING job with the quatrefoil die!!
Posted by: Dina M | February 10, 2012 at 08:32 AM
Gasp! Lovely!
Posted by: Patty J | February 10, 2012 at 08:57 AM
What a beautiful job you have done on these creations! Your little brain must be like duck feet, paddling like crazy under a smooth and placid surface. I just love what you do. Thanks so much for all the tips and creations.
Posted by: BeverlyBL | February 10, 2012 at 09:10 AM
You are amazing! Cutting the flower die to create the loops was genius. Please, NEVER stop designing and blogging!
Posted by: Stacy Simpson | February 10, 2012 at 09:23 AM
Betsy, your creativity continually amazes me to no end! I originally did not care for the Frilly Flowers set, in particular the largest flower with the offshoots. You making the offshoots into loops is pure genius! You may have very well sold me on this set. Thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by: CarrieK | February 10, 2012 at 10:20 AM
Awesome,Betsy! I love every one of your samples. You do so much to encourage me to stretch myself creatively, and I'm having a blast! Thanks so much for the great instructions.
Posted by: Kathy McDonald | February 10, 2012 at 11:25 AM
Betsy, you rock the house! I am still in awe over the quatrefoil/mat stack die pairing (BRILLIANT), and then the chevron flower with the double sided paper....oh I am just beside myself! Thank you for sharing your fantastic projects and wonderful ideas! Can't wait to try them myself :)
Posted by: Sonia | February 10, 2012 at 12:26 PM
STUNNING!!
Posted by: Holly Saveur | February 10, 2012 at 02:09 PM
Such pretty cards and flowers! Think I will be buying some more flower dies!
Posted by: Corrine Ann | February 10, 2012 at 03:11 PM
Betsy, if I could only subscribe to one blog, it would be yours!!! I LOVE your cards today: so much beauty and fun, and some great new ideas (that looped flower is just great!!) Thanks for the great inspiration!!
Posted by: Helen Lebrett | February 10, 2012 at 04:19 PM
Wow, Betsy! I love your projects, especially your creative takes using your dies...the loopsy flower is fabulous! Now I will be sure to put this one on my list ;-)
Posted by: Lynda Marquez | February 10, 2012 at 04:53 PM
You just always amazing me with your spin on the stamps and dies. You have such a great imagination.
Posted by: BarbaraB | February 10, 2012 at 05:09 PM
Such beautiful projects! I'm loving all the bright and bold colors!
Thank you so much for sharing your idea for cutting a frame out of the Quatrefoil die--I tried it tonight! http://melissaspaperie.blogspot.com/2012/02/happy-valentines-day_10.html
Posted by: Melissa Ladd | February 10, 2012 at 07:42 PM
I'm loving the denim with the yellow...gorgeous...as all of your projects are:)
Posted by: Vicki | February 10, 2012 at 08:05 PM
The ideas you come up with for more uses with the Papertrey dies are simply amazing!Your imagination is neverending! I love all of your cards!
Posted by: Cindy Gratton | February 10, 2012 at 11:39 PM
I'm always always just blown away by your creations. Thanks for sharing your ideas! Love your cards and your color choices for all.
Posted by: Jeannie L | February 11, 2012 at 07:32 AM
I search for a word that describes your craft. Your clever creations rock my world. THANK YOU for sharing your gorgeous cards with us!
Posted by: Roxann | February 11, 2012 at 10:24 AM
I love your technique with the Quatrefoil die cut! I am so glad you shared this technique!!
Posted by: Stephenie | February 18, 2012 at 08:24 PM
Your cards are so pretty. The flowers are just lovely!
Posted by: Tammy @ P K Glitz | February 21, 2012 at 07:57 AM