Movers & Shakers...

Welcome to the second group post of the February Papertrey Ink countdown!  The 5th anniversary festivities are nearing an end...only a few more days!

Today the team is focusing on a new line of products being released in just a few days called Movers & Shakers.  The product line consists of two stamp sets: Movers & Shakers Sentiments and Simply You, along with a collection of dies intended to create interactive cards.  So. much. fun.  Eeek!  

My post is quite long today, so bear with me!  There's lots of fun stuff to see!  I chose to feature one of the new dies from the Movers & Shakers: Zipper collection.  There are two dies in the set, both cut a rectangular panel, but one with the zipper along with short edge and one with the zipper along the longer side.  For my projects today I'm using the die that cuts the zipper along the short edge.  

My first project uses this die along with the new Simply You stamp set to create a boxed set of notecards.  

There's a twist though!  Inside the box there is a pocket (created with the Library Pocket die) which is filled with sentiment strips stamped from the new Simply You set.  Each one finishes the sentence "You..." and conveys a different sentiment.

These sentiment strips can be inserted into a little pocket that was created by stitching above and below the "zipper" portion of the diecut.  This allows you to customize the notecards for different occasions as you need them...or this set would be perfect for gift-giving as well!

Once the sentiment strip has been inserted into the pocket, the card is ready to be given away.  The recipient of the card can then follow the instructions on the little arrow by the zipper tab and pull it away to reveal the sentiment.  

After the zipper strip has been torn away, the stitching holds the edges firmly enough that the strip stays put and won't slip out, even though there's no adhesive on the strip (it would be too difficult to slip it into the pocket it you tried to put adhesive on it).  I hope this all makes sense...it's a fun concept but a little hard to put into words and pictures, so I hope it's making sense!  :-)

And here is the box, all closed up.  Creating the box is very easy...I posted a tutorial HERE a while back...it's my favorite way of packaging card sets.  

And that's not all...I have another project for you!  Nichole challenged each of use to use our assigned die along with an existing set to create a second project.  I chose to combine the Movers & Shakers: Zipper die along with the Tiny Treats: Valentine set.  Today is Valentine's Day...how could I resist sharing a Valentine's project?

For this project, I used the zipper die to create little notebooks.  The die itself makes up the front and back covers as well as the pages. 

The zipper portion hides a secret message on the front cover.  For the rest of the notebook pages, it acts as the perforation so the pages can be torn out of the notebook.

Here's a peek at the secret message hidden on the cover of each...

My daughter and I worked together to  make 25 of these for her class Valentine treats!  We used a Silly Band to attach a pencil.  The backside was stamped with the "to, from" message from the Tiny Treats set and a heart from Simple Valentine...

I realize it's too late for you to use this concept for Valentine treats, but you could use this same idea with any of the Tiny Treats sets.  They would make adorable birthday favors, Christmas treats, etc.  Here are a few construction tips if you'd like to try your hand at making something similar...

I used regular copy paper to diecut the notebook pages.  Each notebook has 24 pages.  I was able to cut through a stack of 6 sheets at a time, so four passes through my Vagabond was all it took for each notebook.  The back cover is cut from plain white cardstock, the front cover front patterned paper.  I also diecut 2" strips to use as the topper of the cover.  This allows you to create the hidden message under the zipper.  Just make sure when you adhere this topper to the front cover that you aren't putting adhesive on the zipper part...put it above and below, but not directly on the zipper or the recipient won't be able to unzip it!  :-)

For the binding, I just punched a row of holes across the top through all layers (cover + 24 pages + back cover) using my Crop-a-dile and then stitched through the holes with twine, stitching all the way across and then back again, tying the ends together into a bow.

What do you think?  Fun, huh?  I've got lots of other ideas for this die, not to mention the others in the collection!  I can't wait to play with them more!  But for now, be sure to swing by the other DT gals to see what they've created with the Movers & Shakers collection!!  :-)

• Ashley Cannon Newell
• Danielle Flanders
• Jess Witty
• Erin Lincoln
• Maile Belles
• Nichole Heady
• Lisa Johnson
• Dawn McVey
• Heather Nichols
• Melissa Phillilps

Supplies not linked, but available on February 15th at 10pm EST from Papertrey Ink:  Movers & Shakers Sentiment stamp set, Simply You stamp set, Beautiful Butterflies stamp set, Movers & Shakers: Zipper die collection, Fine Linen ink

InLinkz.com

Supplies not linked, but available on February 15th at 10pm EST from Papertrey Ink: Movers & Shakers stamp set, Movers & Shakers Zipper die, Raspberry Fizz and Aqua Mist Pattern Packs

InLinkz.com

Comments

[Melissa Ladd]

Seriously clever, Betsy!! I love the little notebooks! I often include something similar in bday goody bags, so making my own to fit the theme is amazing! And I love how you came up with the strips being added to the cards, so fun!

[laura j]

love your projects! your strip technique is a fabulous idea and have sold me on this die!!

[annheidel]

Super cute! Thanks for sharing the details.

[Helen Lebrett]

Betsy, both projects are simply brilliant!! I'm going to have to do both: they are just too darn cute:-) Make sure we get to see the other ideas that you said were percolating in your brain for these dies!! Thanks for the wonderful inspiration!

[Terri Bills]

These are adorable. I love them.

[Sonia]

Amazing job, Betsy! My mind was reeling from Nichole's tutorial alone, and now you have shown another cool way to use it :)
You guys are an amazing team - thank you for being a cut above all the other companies out there!

[Kathy H]

Wow! Stunning work, Betsy. Your projects are amazing!!

[Beverly BL]

Wow, is the word of the day. Both creations are stunning and clever. What a wonderful mom you are. That's a great Valentine present and not candy. Thanks for your well thought out and creative projects, as usual.

[Becky Green]

WOW!!!This is WONDERFUL!!!!!!!!!!!! I think SOMEBODY has their THINKING HAT on over there at PaperTrey!!!!!!!!!! I'm LOVING the Interactive type cards! ( I always have! ) Can't wait to see MORE!!!!! :)

[Sharon B]

Fabulous! Love those projects, very clever. The note set is brilliant.

[June K.]

OMG, both projects are genius. I cannot believe you and your daughter made 25 of these treats. Your daughter must be the star treat giver in her class.

Betsy, thank you for sharing all your creativity during this year's anniversary celebration (as always). This is such a super special month at PTI. Happy Valentine's Day.

[Cammie]

Two ingenious projects,Betsy! Thank you so much for the clear instructions.
Happy Valentine's Day!

[Jennifer K]

Those notebooks are so fun! I'm sure your daughter's classmates will love them!

[Elaine Allen]

Betsy -

You are a genius! I love both of these projects. They are just so adorable! You never fail to please. Thank you so much for the tutorial.

Elaine Allen

[Tammie Koehnen]

Awe Betsy these cards are so WONDERFUL!!! You really put everything into making your projects. What special memories your daughter will have of you helping her make her own valentine's day cards for school. You are incredibly creative/talented Betsy!!! You are a treasure. :)

[Kim R.]

Okay, so I rarely post comments, but you've long been one of my favorite designers, and today's post just blew my mind! I'm constantly amazed by how you can take something and change it up so much! Possibilities are endless with your vision, Betsy! Thanks for always inspiring me!!!! Happy Valentine's Day!!!

[Brianna Byman]

Love this!!

[Moi]

The little notebooks are adoreable....Your talent never ceases to amaze. Thanks for sharing.

[123/1`]

my oh my! So many possibilities!

[Bee]

Awesome projects as always. The card gift is really cool, who wouldn't like to receive this versatile and gorgeous little number!?... And those little Valentine's Notebooks are so cute! Kuddos to you for making 25 of them! >.<

[Meredith]

1) Can I just say AGAIN how amazing you are at stamping?? You create the most beautiful and perfect patterns. (I am referring to the Harvest Berries with the butterfly, with the sentiment, etc...)

2) Those notebooks are *perfect*. I've been trying to come up with a fun idea for my daughter's second birthday party, because I always resort to decorating cookies - but I think this is the BEST idea!!! I think I'll do it a bit differently, but thank you SOO much for the idea!!

[Troy Louise]

These are just amazing. The little Valentine notes are so sweet - what a fun thing to do with your daughter & how proud she will be to hand them out today! Thanks so much for the creative ideas.

[Renee VanEpps]

Truly amazing, inspiring, & beyond beautiful! Thank you for always explaining your work in details and pictures, it really helps! Oh, and the little behind the scenes tips (like putting clear adhesive and glitter on stickers)!! We need more Betsy Veldmans in this world I tell ya!!!!!!

[Kelly Schirmer]

LOVE! So awesome, Betsy! I am a bit scared of the other dies, but this zipper one looks really fun! I can just imagine the look on your daughter's teacher's face, but she probably has already gotten some Pre-tty cool stuff from the Veldmans! The kids will adore these treats, you're the bestest!